Review of DL Gardner's RISE OF THE TOBIAN PRINCESS

 

Rating: 4

Prince Arell is the only son of the Cho Nisi’s king. His father’s death forces him to ascend to the throne – a responsibility he is not prepared for. Arell wants to learn the identity of the person responsible for his father’s demise. A beautiful yet reckless princess may provide him with the opportunity. Arell must ignore his heart to exact justice for his people. Can Arell learn to forgive Erika for her crime? What role does he have in the upcoming battle with the Vouchsaver?

Princess Erika Tobias is the youngest child of the Potamian king. She wants to fight alongside her brother to protect their kingdom from the Vouchsaver’s evil. However, Erika blunders in her first skirmish. Her mistake could threaten the alliance Potamia has with the Cho Nisi. Can Erika find a way to make reparation to the Cho Nisi’s people? Or will she be forced to give up on her beloved?

I feel that there were not enough scenes about Arell or the Cho Nisi people. I would have loved a little more exploration on the Cho Nisi’s culture and their magic system, unless the author plans to do so in future books. I understand and empathize with Arell’s trepidation about ascending the throne. He thought his father would rule longer than what he did. Arell took that for granted and shirked his heir’s duties to learn and observe.  I like Arell’s dedication on becoming a good monarch. He had to learn by trial and error, but he insisted on learning his background.

Erika came off as too self-absorbed and selfish. I understand her need to prove herself, especially since women’s stations are different. I feel that she took things to the extremes or too far. I admire Erika’s determination to make amends to the Cho Nisi. She may be a princess, but that did not exempt her for making reparation.

RISE OF THE TOBIAN PRINCESS is the first book in D.L. Gardner’s fantasy romance series, SWORD OF CHO NISI. I know that first books always start out slow. They must set up and introduce the author’s unique world. However, certain parts felt like it dragged on and on without any real purpose. I commend the author on her worldbuilding skills. She did a wonderful job creating a world so different from others in the genre, especially the magic.

LAUGHING UNDER THE CLOUDS, volume 2 review

 

The Kumo brothers ( Tenka, Soramaru, and Chutarou)  ferry criminals to an inescapable prison located in the center of Lake Biwa.

There is more to Tenka than he lets others to see. He adores (and protects) his younger brothers. However, a murderer brings danger to the Kumo’s world.

Who are the Yamainu? What exactly is the Vessel of Orochi? And what does it have to do with the three Kumo brothers? And what has Tenka been keeping from Sora and Chutarou?

Tenka is a riot! He enjoys playing the fool, but that is just a façade. Tenka is quite shred. But it is all to protect and look after his brothers – who need him and rely on him.

Sora is frustrated with his life. He strives to be strong like Tenka, but his brother refuses to properly teach him. He wants to be Tenka’s equal. It is tough living beneath his eldest brother’s shadow. What secrets will he learn? Who will teach him to be strong?

The anime follows the manga pretty good. Yeah, some of the scenes are switched about. I wanted to read the manga just to see if there were any scenes that did not make it into the anime. I cannot wait for the next installment!

SKIP BEAT, the manga

 

I have been binge-reading eleven volumes – the 3-in-1 version- of the manga, SKIP BEAT. I checked out the first volume from the library. It was enough to get me hooked. I had to know more!

Unfortunately, my library did not have anymore. So, I started buying the 3-in-1s. I bought all of them except volume 12. It is proving to be elusive. People who are selling their copies for exuberant prices. Please, VIZ, bring out some more of that volume!

As I mentioned, I got hooked. I had no more books in my book queue, so I started. Okay, I held out hope that by the time I got to Volume 12, the copy I ordered would have shipped.

SKIP BEAT follows a 16-year-old girl – who has been spurned and dumped by the boy she loved. She had sacrificed everything for Sho Fuwa while he pursued his music career. Kyoko vows revenge; however, to achieve it, she must into showbiz.

In her quest, she runs into Japan’s number one actor: Ren. The one-man Sho despises above all.  Ren does not make Kyoko’s transition into showbiz easy. He dislikes her reasons for being there.

Kyoko must learn to love again. So LME’s president puts her in the Love Me section. Kyoko really grows in each volume. Hate still drives her, but she finds something she enjoys: acting.

And she’s good at it. Ren, and his manager and others, helps her hone her craft. I really do not want to give out spoilers so… 

My review for the manga And Yet, You Are So Sweet

 

Review: 

AND YET, YOU ARE SO SWEET is such a sweet and wholesome romantic manga. I really adore these types of mangas.

This one had a KIMI NI TODOKE and SAY, I LOVE YOU vibe – where the main female lead is awkward, unpopular and average, and the main lead is handsome and wildly popular.

Maaya Kisaragi musters up the courage to confess to her crush. Unfortunately, he rejects her and then mocks her on social media. Kisaragi wants to find a new boy to crush on.

Chigira overhears Kisaragi’s woes. He is the most sought-out boy in school. Chigira empathizes with her and proposes she obsess about him.

I like that Chigira sees the real Kisaragi. He does not seem interested in a person’s outer appearance but to the person within.

I got en electronic copy through Netgalley. I plan on buying a hardcopy to add to my growing manga collection! I cannot wait for Volume 2.

Review of Donna Grant's OF FIRE AND FLAME

 

Rating: 4

There is an adage that states “there are two sides to every story”. However, in this tale, there are three sides: Rhiannon, Constantine, and Erith, aka Death.

The story revolves around Rhi and Constantine’s break-up. It goes into great deal how the situation affected each one. The emotions each one underwent.

Erith also learns a valuable lesson that actions have consequences, even if she means well. I like how even a goddess can learn important life lessons.

OF FIRE AND FLAME is book 18.7 in Donna Grant’s popular paranormal romance series, DARK KINGS. It is more of a prequel, a chance for the author to delve further into Rhi and Con’s backstory.

The Queen's Weapons (Anne Bishop) REVIEW

 Ratings: 4

History has this strange habit of repeating itself. However, there are some who want to keep that from happening again.

The story centers on Daemonar Yaslana – Lucivar’s firstborn – transitioning into a Warlord Prince. He has the promise to be just as deadly as his father and uncle. However, the new taint in their world puts him to the test.

It also focuses on Jaenelle Saetien – Daemon and Surreal’s daughter. For most of the book, I really could not stand her, which disappointed me. I had such high hopes for her character because A) she’s Daemon’s daughter and B) She bears the name Jaenelle.

I understand some of her reasons for acting out. It is always difficult and stressful living in another’s shadow. She just wanted something only she stood out on. Unfortunately, Jaenelle the Second chose the wrong path. Though, my feelings towards her started to change when she reformed on her own. I wish Witch would have interacted with the girl more. In some ways, I understand why she did not.

I really did not care for Zoey’s character. She came across as "too perfect" or "too good". It just felt like she was a watered down Jaenelle Angelline. So she fell flat with me. She annoyed me just as much as Jaenelle the Second.

Daemon made the book for me. His behavior reminded me of the first trilogy. He is just as sensual and deadly as his younger years, with a little more bite. It still jarred me that he and Surreal are married. I could never back that pairing. I feel Surreal got the short end on that. She deserved someone to love her whole heartedly.

Asides the few nitpicks, the book really captured me. I stayed up long into the night to read more, even knowing I had work in the morning. I just had to find out what happened.

HEART OF GOLD (by Donna Grant) review

 

Constantine and Rhiannon have overcome incredible odds to be together once more. Rhi finds one of Con’s red journals – the ones he dedicated all his thoughts and feelings towards her. The book reveals just how much her beloved dragon hurt during their eon long separation. She cannot help but return the gesture in a sweet, scavenger hunt.

I love how Rhi helps Con follow his own advice: to let go of the past. The past cannot be changed no matter how much one dwells on it, a lesson both learned the hard way.

HEART OF GOLD is book 18.6 in Donna Grant’s paranormal romance series, DARK KING. This novella is a heartwarming continuation of Con and Rhi’s happily-ever-after. Readers finally learn what Con penned in those red-back journals mentioned in the last couple books in the series.