Captive Hearts, Vol. 02

Today's manga post is on Captive Hearts, Vol. 02 by Matsuri Hino. It is  216 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two characters on it. As it is the second volume in the series, you need to have read the first volume to understand. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga and silly plots. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Megumi decides he wants to become a formal servant of the Kogami family so he can be worthy of Suzuka's love. But when wealthy heir Hiryu arrives to claim Suzuka as his bride, can Megumi even compete?

Review- So Megumi has decided that he wants to earn Suzuka's love but she wants more than ever to break the curse. She wants to know that Megumi's love for her is real and not a product of the curse. Also they learn that the curse was not originally one but something made from love. I am enjoying how this story is going with both Megumi and Suzuka are communicating and trying to help each other. I look forward to understanding the curse and seeing how much more silly the plot is going to get. 

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Radiance

Today's fiction post is on Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente. It is 432 pages long and is published by TOR. The cover is half black and half white with a woman's figure in silhouette and a movie camera in front of her with golden light coming out of it. The intended reader is someone who likes science fiction with a lot of classic pulp. There is mild foul language, discussions of sex and sexuality, and no violence in this novel. The story is told in many ways from interviews to transcripts. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Radiance is a decopunk pulp SF alt-history space opera mystery set in a Hollywood-and solar system-very different from our own, from Catherynne M. Valente, the phenomenal talent behind the New York Times bestselling The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.
Severin Unck's father is a famous director of Gothic romances in an alternate 1946 in which talking movies are still a daring innovation due to the patent-hoarding Edison family. Rebelling against her father's films of passion, intrigue, and spirits from beyond, Severin starts making documentaries, traveling through space and investigating the levitator cults of Neptune and the lawless saloons of Mars. For this is not our solar system, but one drawn from classic science fiction in which all the planets are inhabited and we travel through space on beautiful rockets. Severin is a realist in a fantastic universe.
But her latest film, which investigates the disappearance of a diving colony on a watery Venus populated by island-sized alien creatures, will be her last. Though her crew limps home to earth and her story is preserved by the colony's last survivor, Severin will never return.
Told using techniques from reality TV, classic film, gossip magazines, and meta-fictional narrative, Radiance is a solar system-spanning story of love, exploration, family, loss, quantum physics, and silent film.

Review- This is an incredible piece of fiction, I have never read anything like this before. The story is centered on Severin and her life and her possible death. The setting is a galaxy that humanity can traverse via the Orient Express and all the movies are silent. The mystery at the heart is what happened on Venus and to Severin but the journey is the true joy of the the novel. The writing is excellent, the characters are moving and interesting, and the setting is incredible. I have not read anything by Valente before but I will be seeking her books out now. I highly recommend this novel. 

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library. 

Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 02

Today's manga post is on Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 02 by Yuu Watase. It is the 184 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As it is the second volume in the series, you need have read the first volume to understand the story. The cover has three main characters and one villain on it. The intended reader is someone who likes classic isekai fantasy, shojo manga, and beautiful art. There is no foul language, no sex, and some violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- During their journey Chamka and Takiko come upon a burning house. Chamka tries to save a young girl's life and demonstrates his special power: to freeze things in ice! The effort weakens Chamka however, and he must stay in the village to recuperate. The girl's family offers shelter, but her father sells Chamka out to the bandits who are hunting him. That's when Limdo reenters the picture...

Review- The plot is moving right along in this volume. Takiko and Chamka are on the trail of another Celestial Warrior and trying to do good as they go. But because the Priestess and her Warriors are seen as harbringers of doom, they are also dodging trouble all the way. But they do find a new Warrior, a very scared little boy, who just wants to be accepted. I am enjoying this plot, after reading the first Fushigi Yûgi, with the Priestess and Warriors being seen as good and getting help from everywhere they traveled. It is an interesting way to take the plot and the characters. I look forward to he next volume and what trouble will come next. 

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

The Nice House on the Lake, Vol. 2

Today's post is on The Nice House on the Lake, Vol. 2 by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno (Artist). It is 176 pages long and is published by DC Comics. The cover has Walter in the center and the others around him floating like in water. As it is the second volume, you need to have read the first one to understand the story. There is foul language, no sex, and some violence in this graphic novel. The intended reader is someone who likes end of the world stories with diverse characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- One of the most critically acclaimed and bestselling horror books of 2021 returns for its shocking second act—and now is the perfect time to enter the house! The 10 hardy survivors gathered in the house by their mutual friend Walter thought they’d finally cracked the code on his plans…and now everything they thought they knew has literally changed. Can they free themselves from their patterns? Or are they all just determined to build a prison of their very own?

Review- This comic is like a good TV show, intense, to the point, and doesn't over stay it's welcome. Walter is trying to get some control over his group and he is starting to understand that is not possible, that's humans are too much for him to control and still be loved by his friends. So he must make a choice and live with it. I feel that this was a great ending for a interesting series, there is more that can be done but this is a  strong send off if nothing more happens. The art is good, the writing is good, and the pacing is excellent, not too fast or too slow. I would be interested in whatever Tynion does next. 

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this graphic novel from my local library. 

Chuck Klosterman X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of the Early 21st Century

Today's nonfiction post is on Chuck Klosterman X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of the Early 21st Century by Chuck Klosterman. It is 464 pages long and is published by Penguin Press. The cover is black the title and author's name in white. The intended reader is someone who likes recent history, music, pop culture, and mild philosophy. There is mild foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- New York Times-bestselling author and cultural critic Chuck Klosterman sorts through the past decade and how we got to now. Chuck Klosterman has created an incomparable body of work in books, magazines, newspapers, and on the Web. His writing spans the realms of culture and sports, while also addressing interpersonal issues, social quandaries, and ethical boundaries. Klosterman has written nine previous books, helped found and establish Grantland, served as the New York Times Magazine Ethicist, worked on film and television productions, and contributed profiles and essays to outlets such as GQ, Esquire, Billboard, The A.V. Club, and The Guardian. Chuck Klosterman's tenth book (aka Chuck Klosterman X) collects his most intriguing of those pieces, accompanied by fresh introductions and new footnotes throughout. Klosterman presents many of the articles in their original form, featuring previously unpublished passages and digressions. Subjects include Breaking Bad, Lou Reed, zombies, KISS, Jimmy Page, Stephen Malkmus, steroids, Mountain Dew, Chinese Democracy, The Beatles, Jonathan Franzen, Taylor Swift, Tim Tebow, Kobe Bryant, Usain Bolt, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Brown, the Cleveland Browns, and many more cultural figures and pop phenomena. This is a tour of the past decade from one of the sharpest and most prolific observers of our unusual times.

Review- This is another excellent collection of essays from Klosterman. He covers many subjects in this collection from music to sports to television. Of course his opinions are all his own but Klosterman is so funny and enjoyable to read. He gives new insight into some recent history and makes it funny too. With the index in the back, you can just read about the topics that interest you. But I would recommend you read everything that Klosterman writes about as he is such an entertaining writer. 

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed from this book from my local library. 

The First Night with the Duke Volume 3

Today's manga post is on The First Night with the Duke Volume 3 by Hwang DoTol and MSG (Artist). It is 288 pages long and is published by Net Comics. The cover has Ripley making a heart shape with her hands. As it is the third volume in the series, you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this manga. The story closely follows the main character, Ripley. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- A stalker is harassing Etoile, so to help her out, Ripley devises Operation Fake Boyfriend.
She figured if they pretended that Etoile and Wright were a couple, they could chase off the stalker, and it would also be a chance to bring the two of them together for real. But why the heck is Zeronis here instead of Wright?
Together, Zeronis and Etoile look just like characters from a fairy tale. And even though she knows they're just acting, she can't bear to see them as a couple.

Review- More shenanigans from Ripley and co, with Etoile being stalked, Zeronis being slightly jealous, and Ripley being in the middle of it all. So Ripley and Zeronis are getting married but with her best friend in trouble, Ripley can't ignore her! So Ripley tries to get Etoile and Wright together, as she always shipped them. But when Wright can't help, Zeronis steps in and more silliness follows. But Ripley has more to worry about with Rose's jealously getting out of control. Ripley is really great in this volume from being over the top to being so in love. She is a joy to read about. The last half of the volume is serious but ends well and I can't wait for the next volume. 

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Do You Want to Start a Scandal

Today's post is on Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare. It is 376 pages long and is published by Avon. The cover has the two main characters in a passionate embrace. It is part of the Castles Ever After series but you don't have to have read any of them to enjoy the story. The intended reader is someone who likes light hearted, historical love stories. There is mild foul language, sexuality, and no violence in this book. The story is duel perspectives of Charlotte and Piers. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it.
All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.
But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit . . . and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.
Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

Review- A cute historical romance with good characters. Charlotte's mother is willing to do just about anything to see her daughters well married. But Charlotte wants love in her marriage and is not willing to change that. Piers just wants to do his missions and move on the next one. But when Charlotte and Piers are caught improperly alone, he makes a declaration for her hand. Poor Charlotte is determined to save him and herself from a loveless marriage but of course as they get to know each other, they learn they have much in common. As it is a romance, they fall in love and it's a fun ride as they do so. I would recommend this novel, if you enjoy historical romances and don't mind a little spice too. 

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.