Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 6

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 6 by Akimine Kamijo. It is the sixth in the series and you need to have the previous volumes to get the story. The cover has Kyo, in armor on it looking cool. There is strong language, sexuality, and lots of violence in this series. The story is told from third person god point of view with the thoughts of the characters sometimes added for character development and history. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Forest of the Damned
Aokigahara, the forest at the base of Mt. Fuji, is said to be home to bloodthirsty monsters; no mortal man dare walk these woods. But today Aokigahara has become quite crowded. Demon Eyes Kyo is here in search of his body, as are his greatest enemies, The Master and the 12 God Shoguns. The stakes are higher, the combatants deadlier- blood will be shed this day.

Review- The plot is moving more nicely. Kyoshiro makes an appearance for a few pages but I cannot say that I missed him. But his reappearance does give some development to his character. Gone is the shallow perv and now he is something that even Kyo does not know. But that has to do with the mystery of why Kyo and Kyoshiro hate each other and will have to get back to later. Kyo really does not know what to do with Yuya and it shows. He makes me laugh by being himself ass and all. Sasuke Sarutobi, one of Yukimura’s ninja, has been sent to guide them through the forest. But of course Kyo has an opinion about that and about the young ninja. So of course in the next volume they are going fight it out. Sasuke is funny because he is so serious about everything; from Yukimura to Kyo and everything in between. But I like most of the characters in this series and he is no different. The other woman makes her entrance; Lady Sakuya. She is a miko and Kyo, of course, hates her or at least has any opinion about her.

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

A Breath of Frost

 

Today’s post is on A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey. It is 496 pages long. It is the first in a new trilogy called The Lovegrove Legacy. The cover has the lower face of a young woman with frost coming out of her mouth. The intended reader is young adult but if you like good historical fantasy set in Jane Austen’s timeline then you should try this one. There is some mild language, no sex, and some violence but mostly as action scenes and are not graphic. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust acket- Emma Day just wants something interesting to happen. Her debutant life of boring balls, tiresome curtsying, and polite conversation leaves much to be desired. Even the dangerously handsome Cormac Fairfax is too frustratingly enigmatic too woo her… despite the fact that she can’t stop thinking about him.
But when debutantes start being murdered one after another- and Emma keeps finding their bodies- she can’t help but think that this is not what she had in mind. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers her secret family lineage of witchcraft… and her own magical abilities. Now she and her two cousins, Gretchen and Penelope, must embrace their powers in order to stop the chaos, even is that means risking their lives.

Review- I had so much fun reading this book. I liked all the characters, the plot was interesting and fun, and the pacing was really excellent. I love historical fantasy books and Harvey has done an excellent job of making this world but accurate but interesting. The romance was there for those who need and love that but the main point of the story was mystery of who is murdering the young women and how are they doing it? The how is less to do with the ‘how are they dying’ and more ‘how are the ghosts getting to the women to kill them’. Normally I like magic to just work and not be stopped by the details but I would like to understand more about magic in this world. It travels in families and sometimes it can skip a person or generation but that is not common. Emma and her cousins are sent to a school to learn about how to use their magic and I want to see more of it. The plot is really nicely paced without feeling rushed. I look forward to what Harvey is going to do next with Emma and company. Where she goes with the series will help me decide if I want to buy it or not. Right now I want to buy.

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

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 5

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 5 by Akimine Kamijo. It is the fifth in the series and you need to have read the previous volumes to get the story. The cover has Kyo, and Yukimura on it looking cool. There is strong language, sexuality, and lots of violence in this series. The story is told from third person god point of view with the thoughts of the characters sometimes added for character development and history. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Who is the real Demon Eyes Kyo?
For a man without a body, Demon Eyes Kyo is in hot demand. Yuya Shiina needs him for his bounty and to find her brother’s killer. Yukimura Sanada wants him to assassinate the shogun. And now, Kyo is hunted by the legendary 12 God Shoguns as well. But just who is Demon Eyes Kyo? A cold-blooded murderer or an honor-bound warrior? One this is certain- now that he knows the location of his body, no one, human or demon, will stop him from getting it back!

Review- Kyo and Yuya’s relationship is starting to grow and how that is going to affect Kyo for the rest of the series. Kyo knows who killed her brother and he asks her to trust him. Yuya’s trust is very important to the series and the character development of all the characters in the story. Because she trusts Kyo and is willing to listen to him something changes. Kyo is the thousand man slayer but is that all he is? With that question and others like it Yuya begins her great character growth too. Not that Kyo is no less an ass from now on. He is still a world class asshole to everyone but there is a change in him. Not that he likes it either. Another main character makes an appearance Akira. He had been Kyo’s apprentice from before the battle of Sekigahara. He is one of my favorite characters. He is very fun. He is clever, funny, and I like his interactions with rest of the characters. But it will be a while before he becomes a main stay. So I will have to be content with his appearance for now.

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

Alienated

Today’s post is on Alienated by Melissa Landers. It is the first in her Alienated series. The cover has the two main characters Cara and Aelyx with Cara looking up and Aelyx looking down from their planets. The intended reader is young adult but it very well written so most people would enjoy it. There is some mild language, kissing, and some violence but nothing too strong. Mid-teens and up should enjoy this book the most. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters moving from one to the other as needed. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Two years ago the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.
Handpicked to host the first-ever L’either exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eithrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.
Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing thought: no human boy is this good-looking.
But when Cara’s classmates get swept up by the anti-L’eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn’t safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara’s locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.
Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she’s fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life- not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Review- With civil rights still being fought out this book has a good heart and a unfortunate truth. Whenever we leave this planet and if we contact other life forms like ourselves we are going to be racist. That is the heart of this book that both humans and L’eihrs are racist and that is a very bad thing. I did not feel that Landers was beating me over the head with the theme but it is there. Aelyx is very racist at the start. He thinks of humans as sub-creatures and is trying to poison the planet so that we will die. Yes the hero has a very far journey to make. Cara is not much better but she comes around quicker. She is the best of humanity. Cara is everything that we need to be in order to make any real changes for the better. The dialog is good, the plot is solid, and I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. Landers does not sugar coat racist or how a small number of people can make decisions for the group. She holds up a mirror to humanity and makes the reader look. Good thing for teens to think about and for adults to revisit.

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

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 4

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 4 by Akimine Kamijo. It is the fourth in the series and you need to have the previous volumes to get the story. The cover has Kyo, Yuya, Benitora, and Yukimura on it looking cool. There is strong language, sexuality, and lots of violence in this series. The story is told from third person god point of view with the thoughts of the characters sometimes added for character development and history. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Tournament of Scoundrels
Ieyasu Tokugawa recently instated shogun of Japan, is holding a tournament in the capital city of Edo and the fiercest warriors in the country are converging for the fight. The winner walks away with a fortune in gold, the shogun’s blessing, and a pardon for any criminal history. As for the losers… well, the shogun isn’t one to hand out consolation prizes. Demon Eyes Kyo has entered the tournament, but it’s not fame or fortune he’s after- he wants the head of Ieyasu himself!

Review- As the reader we are now starting to get more of Kamijo’s world building and she is filling in the gaps. We learn that Benitora is really the shogun’s heir who has disowned for the moment. Kyo has a time limit on fights because of his borrowed body and Yukimura finally makes his appearance. The only thing we still do not have is much about Yuya or her past. But Kyo’s past takes center stage this time. Kyo’s past is interesting and he is starting to become a good main character. He is playing that being a cold-blooded killer but sometimes the real person gets through. After all that then comes the tournament and its intrigue. With the losers going missing, Yukimura promising to give up the information about where Kyo’s real body is. If Kyo will kill Ieyasu then Yukimura will tell him. More great art and fight scenes interwoven with character and world building volume 4 of SDK continues to give the reader just what I wanted.

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

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume Three

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume Three by Akimine Kamijo. It is the third in the long manga series and you need to have read the first volumes to understand the story. The cover has Kyo on it in his body with the shadow of a villain behind him. There is sexuality, strong language, and violence in this manga; older teens and adults only. The story is told from third person god point of view with character’s thoughts from time to time. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The Demon Unleashed
Kyoshiro Mibu is a carefree, somewhat inept medicine peddler who does his best to stay out of trouble, but when he draws his sword he becomes the infamous samurai Demon Eyes Kyo, killer of a thousand men, and all hell breaks loose. But what would happen if their positions were reversed?
Kyoshiro’s latest adversaries, the fearsome Three Color Gang and their employer Genma Kidou, have been making life quite difficult for our hero. It’s almost as if they are more interested in Kyo than the treasure they claim to be after. Kyoshiro had managed to fend off two members of the Three Color Gang without drawing his sword, but his foes grow impatient. For the final battle against the deadly White Crow, Lord Genma has taken measures to ensure that Demon Eyes Kyo will be unleashed, and this time, Kyo has no intention of going back.

Review- In this volume we see more of important side characters like Izumo No Okuni and the mystery of how Kyo and Kyoshiro become the way they are now just gets bigger. The villain Genma wants Kyo to be the primary personality and Okuni promises that she can do that and she does. I like that Kamijo does make Kyo and Kyoshiro look different; from the way that the hair changes, the color of the eyes, and the way Kyo vs Kyoshiro stands. Now that Kyo is the main character get used to him being an ass. He is an ass to everyone and includes Yuya but do not worry too much about her. She gives as good as she gets from him. That is what makes her interesting to Kyo. Most everyone is afraid of him but for some reason Yuya is not. That is something that I look forward to learning more about because it has been so long since I have read this series that I do not remember so much about it. Other than I loved this series.

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

A Dance of Cloaks

Today’s post is on A Dance of Cloaks by David Dalglish. It is the first in his Shadowdance series. The cover has the main character jumping down form a roof with his gray cloak billowing behind him and looking cool. The intended reader is adult and likes gritty sword and sorcery fantasy books. There is strong language, talk of sex, rape, and sexuality, and lots of very graphic violence. The story is told from third person close of the many characters that make up this story. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The Underworld rules the city of Veldaren. Thieves, smugglers, assassins... they fear only one man. Thren Felhorn is the greatest assassin of his time. All the thieves’ guilds of the city are under his unflinching control. If he has his way death will soon spill out from the shadows and into the streets.
Aaron is Thren’s son, trained to be heir to his father’s criminal empire. He’s cold, ruthless- everything an assassin should be. But when Aaron risks his life to protect a priest’s daughter from his own guild, he glimpses something beyond poison, daggers, and the iron rule of his father.
Assassin or protector; every choice has its consequences.

Review- I did enjoy this book and one thing kept me from disliking it. All the sex/rape happens off camera. That is a personal thing with me. I do not care for sex on page unless it is in a romance. Otherwise I just do not care for it and I really do not like to read about rape. Yes rape happens in this book but it is all off camera. So I have no problems with it. My only problem is with the cover. Aaron is thirteen. He is not a man, he is not described as a man, and he does not think of himself like a man. He is going to be a man very soon but he is only thirteen for this entire book. That said I like Aaron or Hearn as he calls himself. He is fighting a brave and very hard fight against his father, his training, and a dark god. The gods in this book are not just figures but beings with real power and their priests have some of that power. I like the magic but Dalglish does not bog the reader down with details and whys; magic just is and it works. I will be reading the second and more in this series and I am interested where Dalglish is going with this character.

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

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 2

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 2 by Akimine Kamijo. It is the second in the long manga series and you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The cover has Kyo on it in Kyoshiro’s body with the shadow of a villain behind him. There is sexuality, strong language, and violence in this manga; older teens and adults only. The story is told from third person god point of view with character’s thoughts from time to time. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Kyoshrio, a peaceful, traveling medicine peddler, shares the same body with Demon Eyes Kyo, the legendary killer of a thousand men. Kyo’s personality only emerges when Kyoshiro’s life is threatened, which has been quite often lately.
Kyoshrio is also the captive of Yuya, a beautiful bounty hunter looking to collect on Kyo’s reward, but with another secret mission of her own.
Two strangers united by fate- each offers the other the next chance of unraveling their past.

Review- In this volume we get a look at Yuya and why she survived in Japan in 1604 on her own for years. She is a good bounty hunter. She can not only take care of herself but others too. Yuya is no fool and she has not only survived since her brother’s death but she has made a name for herself. The previous story with the exiled samurai is concluded and Yuya wants to get Kyo to talk more. Kyo is a pain in the ass but he is interesting. Kyoshiro is funny but not because he is actually humorous. Kyoshiro is funny because he is an idiot. So I will not be sorry to see less of him soon. At the end of this volume we meet another soon to be main character Benitora the Red Tiger. He will fill Kyoshiro’s shoes on the funny but be a useful fighter. With lots of fights and continuing character development the series just keeps getting better.

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

The Winner’s Curse

 

Today’s post is on The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski. It is the first in The Winner’s Trilogy. It is 355 pages long and is published by Farrar Straus Giroux. The cover is very beautiful with the main character Kestrel in the center looking up in a pretty dress with the title and author’s name in silver across the book. The intended reader is young adult but adults with a taste for historical fantasy should give one a try. There is some mild language, talk of rape and an attempted rape, and violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him- with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Review- I have in my personal life being studying the history of Rome and the Romans. It gave me a different perspective on this novel because it is based partially on the Roman conquest of Greece.  The characters are interesting with politics going on behind them. Kestrel is brilliant and her father does not want her to waste that. Until Arin she has never been beaten at anything. Arin is a slave but before he was the high born son of a noble man.  Together they learn and change each other. Kestrel is Valorain and thinks like a conqueror.  She is bold, fearless, and also a musician. Being a musician is not seen as something of value to her people. But her musical talent is what reaches Arin. Arin expects to hate all Valorains but Kestrel is something that he never has encountered before. Arin understands her need to be free and she understands Arin need to be taken seriously. Lots of politics, war, and threats come from everywhere and Kestrel will have to make choices for more people than she ever thought. Good plot, good pacing, and an interesting world I look forward to seeing where Rutkoski is going with it. One that I really want to see more of is that Valorains are atheists. They do not believe in any god and think that only fools do. That is something I want Rutkoski to put pressure on between Kestrel and Arin.

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.