Monday, October 30, 2017

QQ Sweeper volume 2


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Today's post is on QQ Sweeper volume 2 by Kyousuke Motomi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. It is the second in her QQ Sweeper series, you need to have read the first volume to understand what is going on. The cover is blue with the three main characters on it. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo, cute characters, and an interesting world. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story closely follows the main female character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Fumi's image keeps overlapping with that of Fuyu, Kyutaro';s childhood crush, who remains in his thoughts to this day. Meanwhile, Fumi starts to work as a Sweeper with Kyutaro's family, but she struggles with keeping her past a secret. Has Fumi finally found a place to call home or will her cursed past catch up to her?  

Review- We get Fumi's past or at least what she can remember of it, which is not much. Her memories only go back ten years, which when Kyutaro's friend disappeared and something terrible happened to the sweepers in the area. Kyutaro realized that Fumi is his childhood friend and we ,the reader's, see that someone is hunting her. The two adults in the series know that too by the end of the volume but no one knows why anyone would want to hunt Fumi. The plot is moving along nicely and I have really enjoyed the character growth in this volume. Only one more volume in this first series and Queen's Quality is starting here in America in September. Motomi is quickly becoming one of my favorite shojo manga-kas.

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.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Stone Guardian


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Today's post is on Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch. It is the first in her Entwined Realms series. It is 374 pages long and is published by Romance Geek Publishing. The intended reader is someone who like urban fantasy and romance. There is mild foul language, sex, and mild violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters moving from one to the other as the story goes. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Gryphons flying past skyscrapers? Wizards battling it out in coffeehouses? Women riding motorcycles with large swords strapped to their backs? All normal sights since the Great Collision happened twenty-six years ago.
Well, not normal for everyone. Larissa Miller may have been born after the Great Collision, but as a history teacher who lives in the human-only city, she has never come into contact with any other race or species, nor has she wanted to. Her life is as ordinary as it gets - that is, until one day she walks out of her apartment and is attacked by a mob of Zombies, only to be saved by a Gargoyle.
Gargoyles trust no one outside their Clan, but due to a cryptic prophecy, Terak, Leader of the Gargoyles, has been watching over the human woman for months. While he can find no reason why the woman has been singled out, something about her stirs every protective instinct within him. When the attack confirms that the threats against her exist and are real, he convinces Larissa that though their races have never been allies, the best chance of discovering why she has been brought into his world is by working together.
In the course of their investigation Terak becomes entranced by his little human. But when he discovers why Necromancers want her and the great reward that awaits him if he betrays her, he must choose between the welfare of his Clan and not only Larissa’s life, but the fate of this New Realm as well.


Review- A fun paranormal romance with an interesting world. This world is everything and the kitchen sink world. You have magic with guns, humans and everything else, and then add forbidden love story and you have this book. The plot is a little slow to build because it is all about the world building and the characters. Towards the end of the novel we get lots of plot as we move towards the end. The characters are fun but nothing groundbreaking. The romance is cute and believable between the two main characters but it was also not groundbreaking. I like a lot of what Monsch did but she really does not do anything new with the genre. If you area a fan of urban fantasy you should check this one out.

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

Monday, October 23, 2017

Claymore volume 3: Teresa of the Faint Smile


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Today's post is on Claymore volume 3: Teresa of the Faint Smile by Norihiro Yagi. It is the third in the long running Claymore series, you need to have read the two volumes to understand the story. It is 191 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump Advanced. The cover is a close up of an important secondary character Teresa. The intended reader is someone who likes dark plots, high action, and strong female characters. There is mild foul language, implied sexuality and an almost rape, and lots of violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Clare's first battle with the Yoma of Rabona cathedral has left her body drained and shattered. With no time to recover, she must face the creature again after it chooses Raki as its next victim. Luckily, Raki remembers that he is carrying Clare's trusted broadsword and manages to get it into her hands. But unlike Clare, the Yoma is fighting at full strength and thirsting for blood...

Review- We finish the story about the Yoma in the cathedral and it is a very fast paced battle but most of the volume is about Clare's past and a woman named Teresa of the Faint Smile. Clare was used by a Yoma as some kind of toy, it is not clear what the Yoma did to her other than beat her and hide behind her. So Clare has some in common with Raki and that explains her attachment to him. Teresa is an incredible Claymore, she can find Yoma's very easily, and she kills them without much of a fight. But humans are the real bad guys in this arc so far. Bandits try to rape Teresa but whatever was done to her to make her a Claymore has made her body not as beautiful as they were hoping. But she cuts off the hand of one of the bandits he has sworn revenge. It is nice seeing more of what drives Clare. Her backstory is sad and I know that this is not going to end well for anyone. But how many bodies will there be in the end, I am not sure.

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.

Friday, October 20, 2017

The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries

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Today's post is on The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by
Review- I loved this cozy so much. It is so funny, the characters are so fun, and the plot was good. I did guess the killer and the reason for the murder well before the end but I was having so much with the characters that I did not care. Mrs. Jeffries is the housekeeper for an innocent but intelligent Scotland Yard inspector. When he gets stuck on his current case, as he always does, he goes home to a nice meal and talks to Mrs. Jeffries. She is an excellent listening ear and even better detective. She helps him by knowing the real ways of the human heart and how someone can murder without a care. A fun new series for me to read and enjoy.

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.

Monday, October 16, 2017

QQ Sweeper volume 1


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Today's post is on QQ Sweeper volume 1 by Kyousuke Motomi. It is 189 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. It is the first in her QQ Sweeper series. The cover is pink with the two main characters on it. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo, cute characters, and an interesting world. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story closely follows the main female character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- One day, Kyutaro Horikita, the tall, dark, and handsome cleaning expert of Kurokado High, comes across a sleeping maiden named Fumi Nishoka at school... Unfortunately, their meeting is anything but a fairy-tale encounter! It turns out Kyutaro is a "Sweeper" who cleans away negative energy from people's hearts- and Fumi is about to become his apprentice!
In the old building at their school, a mysterious room has a door that beckons Fumi, even though she shouldn't be able to see it! If Kyutaro goes after her, but will be able to save her before she's devoured by otherworldly creatures?

Review- Motomi is one of favorite manga-ka's at the moment and she gives a great story again. We have a mysterious heroine, a hero who cannot really remember his first love, and a scary world but heroes to save it. Fumi is alone in the world and there something strange about her background. But she gets taken in by the Horikita family and learns that she can see the same strange things that they can. In fact, she is better at than they are. Fumi saves an innocent classmate and Kyutaro from the bad spirits and is totally unhurt. So the family wants her to work with them but there is something just a little strange about her. Of course I think that Fumi is Kyutaro's first love. Fumi is really funny, she wants to find a rich prince charming so she never has to worry about food or money. So good first volume and I am excited about seeing where the story and characters are going.

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

Friday, October 13, 2017

The Remnant


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Today's post is on The Remnant by Charlie Fletcher. It is the third in his Oversight trilogy. It is 414 pages long and is published by Orbit. The cover has a hand coming out of ice with a red ring and holding a flame. As it is the third in the trilogy you need to have read the first two novels. There is mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the characters moving from one scene to the next as the story goes. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The Oversight is most dangerous when most reduced. There are many dead and gone who did not remember that.
The Oversight of London has been sworn for millennia to prevent the natural and the supernatural worlds from preying on each other.
Now, at its lowest ebb, with its headquarters destroyed and its last members scattered far and wide, this secret society will battle for survival and face the harshest foe it has ever met: itself.

Review- An excellent end to a wonderful trilogy. Like the second book we pick up right the last left off, with Sara and Sharp returning to London and finding the Safe House destroyed. Things happen very quickly after that. The villains are moving and the Oversight has to decide what they are going to do and they decide to fight to the last man. There is a high body count in this volume on both sides and I teared up at the death of Hodge, the terrier man, who was one of my favorites but his death was a good one Fletcher did not waste his death. We do get answers about what the Wildfire is, about the Smith and the Sluagh, and about who the Citizen is. Fletcher has left himself room to write more if he so wishes and I would like to see more of this world and its people. Very satisfying read.

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.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve


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I was given a copy of this book by Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.

Today's post is on Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve by

Monday, October 9, 2017

Claymore volume 2: Darkness in Paradise


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Today's post is on Claymore volume 2: Darkness in Paradise by Norihiro Yagi. It is the second in the long running Claymore series, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. It is 185 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump Advanced. The cover is a close up of the main character Clare. The intended reader is someone who likes dark plots, high action, and strong female characters. There is mild foul language, no sex, and lots of violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Darkness in Paradise.
Clare and the orphan Raki travel to the town of Rabona, where a Yoma has been stalking priests in the cathedral. The creature could be one of the guards, or even a priest, but this time Clair won't be able to sense its aura. Does she stand a chance against the stealthy Yoma?

Review- We get world building in this volume as Clare and Raki go to the Holy City of Rabona. Claymore's are not allowed in the city as they are half Yoma but one of the priests has sent for a Claymore because something is in the cathedral and it is hungry. So Clare has to take pills to suppress her Yoma abilities and that makes her weaker. We get to really the prejudice that Claymore's have to deal with from normal humans. Clare is truly seen as a monster in the Holy City and Raki gets into a little bit of trouble over it. The volume is a lot of cat and mouse with the Yoma but the volume ends with Clare finding the Yoma and really getting down to her business. Good volume over all in spite little in the way of character development but for the world building it is a good trade off.

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.

Friday, October 6, 2017

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, volume 4: I Kissed a Squirrel and I Liked It


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Today's post is on The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, volume 4: I Kissed a Squirrel and I Liked It by Ryan North (Writer), Erica Henderson (Artist), Jacob Chabot (Artist), Rico Renzi (Artist). It is 120 pages long and is published by Marvel Comics. The cover has Squirrel Girl with some of the villains her fights in this volume behind her. The intended reader is someone who has read the first three volumes, likes squirrels, and fun plots. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this volume. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The hero who refuses to be beat celebrates 11 consecutive issues without a new #1! And she's letting you seize the chance to be the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl in a choose-your-own path encounter with Swarm, buzzkill made of bees! Then, Doreen takes charge of her life -her love life, that is - and starts dating. But just who will kiss a Squirrel and like it? Surely not...Mole Man?! When the subterranean super villain falls deep in love, he's willing to hold the world hostage to get Doreen's attention. Can she save everything without becoming Mrs. Mole Man? But enough with the hearts and the flowers and the kissing, you read this book for computer science and super heroics (not necessarily in that order). You'll get both - and more - in a showdown with Count Nefaria!

Review- Lots happens in this volume and it is great. The first part is a choose your own Squirrel Girl action adventure as narrated by Galactus. So it was a fun and funny way to tell a smaller story within the Squirrel Girl cannon. Then the next story starts with Doreen's crush is dating someone else so she decides that she needs to get out and meet someone herself. And the list of losers she meets is truly epic and in the end she just going home to watch movies with Nancy. But the arc is so funny and the villain is Mole Man who believes that she perfect in everyway expect for the way that she will not date him. So since this is Squirrel Girl everything is dialed up to eleven. I love this series so much!

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

Monday, October 2, 2017

The Heiress and The Chauffeur volume 2


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Today's post is on The Heiress and The Chauffeur volume 2 by Keiko Ishihara. It is the second in a duology. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two main characters on it looking at the reader. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters moving one to the other as the story goes. The intended reader is someone who likes cute shojo stories, historical romance, and pretty art. There is no foul language, no sexuality, and very mild violence in this volume. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Sayaka's father arranges for her to marry the son of an earl! Meanwhile. Sayaka has started to develop feelings for Narutaki... But with such a huge difference in their social standings, is it possible for Sayaka and Narutaki to be together?

Review- A cute ending to a cute series. We get lots of different scenes in this volume from Sayaka realizing how long she has loved Narutaki then they run away together for the day and night and they choose each other no matter what. We get kisses too and even a scene from the future which was a nice bonus. Ishihara does a lot with a short series. She gives us a full world with interesting and changing characters in it. We see how much our main characters care for each other and we want them to find a way. Sayaka's father was the weakest part of the series as a hollow villain role. In the last few pages we get information about her mother and how they met. I would have liked to that information earlier but if that is my only complaint with the series, then I think Ishihara did very well. I hope that Shojo Beat will bring over more of her work like Strange Dragon. This was a sweet romance and I really enjoyed this series. 

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.