Spell of Desire, Vol. 3

Today's post is on Spell of Desire, Vol. 3 by Tomu Ohmi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The has Kaotuko and Kanam on it in an embrace. As it is the third in the series,  you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes josei, urban fantasy manga. There is no foul language, mild sexuality, no violence. The story is told from third person close mostly following Kaoruko. There be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- When it becomes known that Kaoruko has received the power of the Witch Queen, the Black Witxhes Coven commands Kaoruko to become a Black Witch in to control her rampaging powers. But that means an incubus will take her! Will Kaname be able to help Kaoruko and placate the coven?

Review- This volume is more focused on the relationship between Kaoruko and Kaname. To be a real Black Witch, Kaoruko can't be a virgin but she doesn't want an incubus for her first time and neither does Kaname. So Kaname does what they both want and he goes to her. So now they are lovers and that causes backlash for both. Also Kaoruko thinks like a White Witch and that makes the Black Witches very uncomfortable with her. But she is a natural with magic, so she learns how to act like a Black Witch, even if she still thinks like a White one. More drama has been hinted at and I look forward to seeing it. 

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.

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 26

Today's manga post is on Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 26 by Mizuho Kusanagi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Yona and Princess Kouren on it. As it is the twenty-ninth in the series, you need to have read the first twenty-eight volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes epic, political shojo stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoiler Ahead.

From the back of the manga- After unleashing their powers to save Yona, the Four Dragons lose consciousness and collapse! Su-won and the Kohka army arrive to participate in a summit with Xing, but Priest Gobi’s anti-war faction members attack Princess Kouren! Can the nation of Xing achieve peace with all this infighting threatening its foundation?

Review- The priest Gobi is making his move and is trying to kill Princess Kouren and take the Dragon Warriors hostage. Because they are so far from the castle in Kohka, they are not healing. Yona and Hak are having to balance protection and pushing for peace. Su-Won does come and things are handled peaceful to some of his advisors displeasure. The advisors also want to kill Yona and destroy or control the Dragon Warriors. The big thing in this volume is that Hak admits his feelings to Yona and in front of everyone. I like all the plot and character movement in this volume and I am hope that this continues in the future. I am looking forward to the next volume and seeing the fallout of everything from this one. 

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. 

Spy x Family, Vol. 8

Today's manga post is on Spy x Family, Vol. 8 by Tatsuya Endo. It is 216 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has Franky with the tools of his trade under him. As it is the eighth in the series, you need to have read the first seven volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes spy, family comedies. There is no foul language, no sex, and action violence in this series. The story is told from third person close. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Yor is assigned to be a bodyguard for a mafia family on a cruise ship by the secret organization Garden. But with Lloyd and Anya also on board thanks to a giveaway they won, Yor is starting to have doubts about her secret life as an assassin…

Review- This volume has two main stories, Yor protecting a mother and child, and Loid and Anya trying to have a 'normal' vacation. Loid is really trying to be a father on this trip not a spy but he is not doing well. Anya wants to have more adventures and knows that Yor is having them. One big thing that happens in this volume, is that we learn why Yor does this job. She wants to protect the innocent lives around her, so she pushes herself harder for the greater good. The last third of the volume is an action scene with Yor and it is fun to see what she can really do. I look forward to the next volume and seeing what is going to happen next!

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. 

Takane & Hana, Vol. 10

Today's manga post is on Takane & Hana, Vol. 10 by Yuki Shiwasu. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Hana jumping into Takane and pushed him back. As it is the tenth in the series, you need to have read the first nine volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes comedy, shojo manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close mostly of Hana. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- When Hana’s childhood friend Okamon confesses that he’s in love with her, Hana goes into a total panic! Can she possibly return his feelings? And once Takane finds out, all bets are off on how he’ll react to the news!

Review- Okamon's confession throws everything out of balance for Hana and Takane. She had no idea about how he felt and she has to process what she thinks and feels about him too. Takane has to think about those feelings too, as Okamon tells him too. But they fight it out and decide to continue with their relationship as it is. This volume has some serious moments but the comedy is still main focus. Hana continues to be the main force of change in this series, and she moves everything along with her. Takane is becoming more adult-like in his thinking and actions, he really considers what having this odd relationship with Hana could do to her future and he doesn't want to harm her in anyway. Good volume and I look forward to more. 

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.

Queen's Quality, Vol. 8

Today's manga post is on Queen's Quality, Vol. 8 by Kyousuke Motomi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Kyutaro on it reaching towards the reader. As it is the eighth in the series, you need to have read the first seven volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga with urban fantasy plots. The story is told from third person close. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Ten years ago, the Great Sickness of the Byakko Gate claimed Kyutaro’s parents, and now the ghost of his mother Toko reveals what transpired! What horrifying deal did Toko strike with the White Queen? And will Kyutaro’s love for Fumi change when he hears the truth?

Review- So much happens in this volume. The ghost of Kyutaro's mother explains what happened 10 years ago and why Fumi's memories had to be taken. The great sickness was an old evil spirit and he wants to infect people with his evil. What his other plans are, is still unknown but I'm sure that he has greater plans. But knowing what happened, has freed Fumi and Kyutaro to take action and move towards the future. Also they can finally talk about their feelings for each other. This has been my favorite volume so far and I hope that this energy will continue into the future plot. 

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. 

Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 09

Today's manga post is on Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 09 by Yuu Watase. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Takiko in front of her Warriors. As it is the ninth volumes in the series, you need to have read the first eight volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy, romance, and shojo manga. The story is told from third person close of the different characters. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence. 

From the back of the manga- Determined to live the life of an ordinary girl in Tokyo in 1923, she returns to her father's home and concentrates on being a loyal daughter--and, soon, a dutiful bride. But she can't leave her other life behind. And while Takiko struggles to cool her still-burning heart, the Celestial Warriors battle through a new ice age!

Review- Back in her own world, Takiko tries to be normal but discovers that she has the same disease that killer her mother. So facing the fact that she is going to die either way, Takiko chooses to go back to Uruki and the Warriors. I'm not sure how I feel about that plot twist with Takiko going to die not matter what. I feel that makes her future sacrifice less emotional because there is no other way for the story to end. But I am going to see this story to the end and maybe I will feel differently. 

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

Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 5

Today's manga post is on Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 5 by Ryōsuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi (Illustrator). It is 208 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has Albert Moriarty on it pouring a glass of wine. As it is the fifth in the series, you need to have read the first four volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes Sherlock Holmes and re-telling's of classic stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- William James Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes meet again on a train back to London, and a dead body is discovered in a locked passenger cabin. With John Watson named as the prime suspect, Sherlock challenges Moriarty to a contest of who can solve the murder first. Will Sherlock be able to clear Watson’s name? Back in London, a state secret that only the royal family is privy to has been stolen and MI6 is tasked with retrieving it, lest the whole empire fall into ruin! Meanwhile, Sherlock is visited by the king of Bohemia, who asks him to cover up a recent scandal…

Review- The volume starts with a locked room mystery and Watson is the one blamed for the murder. Sherlock and James both know that he is innocent and they make a bet about who can prove it first. Then we jump into the re-telling of Scandal in Bohemia and Irene Alder. She is wonderful and unsettles Sherlock so well. I like spending half time with Moriarty and half with Sherlock. It's fun to see how Moriarty's plans influence what cases Sherlock has and how Sherlock solves the cases, impresses Moriarty. Good manga and I look forward to 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.