Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 3

Today's post is on Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 3 by Reia and illustrations by Haduki Futaba. It is 269 pages long and is published by Airship. The cover has Iris, Dean, and a new character, Glaus on it. 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 political stories with a very light dusting of romance. There is no foul language, no sex, and very mild violence in this novel. The story is mostly told from first person perspective of Iris with some added scenes from other characters for plot growth. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Life and Death Lie in Her Hands.
Iris overcame the threat of excommunication, but now she faces something far worse. Why, then, is there talk of dismantling the kingdom's armed forces? As iris desperately shores up her duchy's own defenses, she must answer a questions from one of her closest companions, Dida: "If it comes to war, are you prepared to order us to kill?"

Review- This volume has more politics than economics. Iris is trying to put everything back to together after the false accusation by a corrupt priest with Yuri behind it. Iris has her full and is not thinking about the capital or the royal family but I think that they will be soon coming to her with Yuri at the lead. Dean/ the first prince is trying to secure his power seat before making his move. Iris is having to use more of her power to make friends with some of the local power players in her duchy. She is also having to think about what would war mean for Armelia and its people. We also see more of the villains who live mostly in the background and what is driving her. I am looking forward to reading the next volume and seeing what Iris has to deal with next. 

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

When the Moon Turns to Blood: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and a Story of Murder, Wild Faith, and End Times

Today's nonfiction post is on When the Moon Turns to Blood: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and a Story of Murder, Wild Faith, and End Times by Leah Sottile. It is 320 pages long and is published by Twelve. The cover is the mug shots of Vallow and Daybell. The intended reader is someone who is interested in true crime and religious extremist. There is some mild foul language, discussion of sex and sexuality, and violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the audiobook- When police in Rexburg, Idaho perform a wellness check on seven J.J. Vallow and his sister, sixteen-year-old Tylee Ryan both children are nowhere to be found. Their mother, Lori, gives a phony explanation, and when officers return the following day with a search warrant, she, too, is gone. As the police begin to close in, Vallow and Daybell's larger web begins to unravel. 

Review- Sottile give the reader not only an examination of the crime but also what drove the killers to murder their children and others around them. Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were raised in the Mormon faith and their faith fed into their mental illnesses that had tragic consequences. This book is about more than just end times fears and mental illness, it is also about a religious communities failure to understand what was happening in front of them. Vallow was known to be on the edge, to lie to make things work her way. Daybell said he heard from god directly and was given prophesy about the end of the world and the people who would survive it. Their believes led to the isolation and the murder of two children. The audiobook is read by the author and she does a good job. In her performance, you can hear her passion for this story and the murders. I would recommend this book, if you enjoy true crime. 

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

Hidden Pictures

Today's post is on Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak. It is 368 pages long and is published by Flatiron Books. The cover is a picture taken at night with a man digging a hole by car headlights. The intended reader is someone who likes their mysteries with a touch of supernatural. There is some mild foul language, discussion of drug use, no sex, and some violence in this novel. The story is told from first person perspective of the main character, Mallory. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Fresh out of rehab, Mallory Quinn, takes a job in the affluent suburb of Spring Brook, New Jersey, as a babysitter for Ted and Caroline Maxwell. She is to look after their five-year-old son, Teddy.
Mallory immediately loves this new job. She lives in the Maxwell's pool house, goes on nightly runs, and has the stability she craves. And she sincerely bonds with Teddy, a sweet, shy boy who is never without his sketchbook and pencil. His drawings are the usual fare: tree, rabbits, balloons. But one day, he draws something different: a man in a forest, dragging a woman's lifeless body.
As the days pass, Teddy's artwork becomes more sinister and his stick figures evolve into more complex, lifelike sketches well beyond the ability of any five-year-old. Mallory begins to suspect these are glimpses of an unsolved murder from long ago, perhaps relayed by a supernatural force lingering in the forest behind the Maxwell's house.
With help from a handsome landscaper and an eccentric neighbor, Mallory sets out to decipher the images and save Teddy- while coming to terms with a tragedy in her own past- before it's too late. 

Review- This is a very fun mystery with a touch of paranormal for extra flavoring. Mallory is getting back on her feet and is looking for a stable job to start over with. She starts working for the Maxwell's son Teddy, who has an imaginary friend and is interested in art. When weird things begin to happen, Mallory believes Teddy when he tries her that his friend, Anya, is one to do them. Fearing for Teddy's safety, Mallory begins to search for answers and they are doozies. The writing is strong and adding in the pictures that Teddy and Anya draw into the book, gives it a unique flavor from other books in this genre. Mallory is pretty likable, with only issue from me in her actions, but I do understand why she made the choice she did. If you like spooky mystery novels, then you should check this one out. 

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

The Water Dragon’s Bride, vol 10

Today’s post is on The Water Dragon’s Bride, vol 10 by Rei Toma. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover is blue with Asahi and the Water Dragon on it. As it is the tenth in the series, you need to have read the first nine volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sexuality, and mild violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga. The story is told from third person close following the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Asahi continues to fight against the god of darkness and his minions, and the water dragon god lends her the totality of his power. Unfortunately, the battle greatly weakens the water dragon god to the point where his very existence is threatened! Can Asahi do anything to save him?

Review- The darkness god has been stopped and Kurose is freed from his influence. But the cost is that something is going on with the Water Dragon, he is now linked to Asahi in some powerful way and either understands what has happened. The Water Dragon has been changing over the course of the series but he is showing more emotion and awareness now. That is doing something to him, making him sleep and eat like a human. The plot is wrapping up and I am curious about what is going to happen in the end. 

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

The Elementals

Today's post is on The Elementals by Michael McDowell. It is 218 pages and is published by Valancourt Books. The cover has a house in the center on a dune with a red sky behind it. The intended reader is someone who loves classic, gothic, southern horror. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the main character, India. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- After a bizarre and disturbing incident at the funeral of matriarch Marian Savage, the McCray and Savage families look forward to a restful and relaxing summer at Beldame, on Alabama's Gulf Coast, where three Victorian houses rise above the shimmering beach. Two of the houses are habitable, while the third is slowly and mysteriously being buried beneath an enormous dune of blindingly white sand. But though long uninhabited, the third house is not empty. Inside, something deadly lies in wait. Something that has terrified Dauphin Savage and Luker McCray since they were boys and which still haunts their nightmares. Something horrific that may be responsible for several terrible and unexplained deaths years earlier- and is now ready to kill again...

Review- This is one of the best southern gothic horror novels that I have ever read. This is a wonderful written novel about creeping dread that hunts your family across the generations and now is coming for you. McDowell is from Alabama and knows the coast very well and that comes out in his descriptions of the coast and areas around it. The reader can feel the heat of the June sun, hear the surf pounding the shore, and the hiss of the sand will send chills up your spine. India has never been to Alabama but when her aunt's mother-in-law dies, India and her father Luker, head to Mobile for the funeral and then to Beldame to recover and relax in the sun. But something is waiting for them there and India is drawn to it and what is means. This  novel is chilling in the horror but it is a slow burn, I did not mind as McDowell is a wonderful writer and I know the Gulf Coast of Alabama myself. I would highly recommend this novel for anyone who wants or loves to read southern gothic, McDowell does it the best that I have ever read. I will be reading more from him. 

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

Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls

Today's post is on Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls by Kathleen Hale. It is 348 pages long and is published by Grove Press. The cover is a picture of a suburban neighborhood. The intended reader is someone who is interested in modern true crime and mental health. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- On May 31, 2014, in the Milwaukee suburb  of Waukesha, Wisconsin, two twelve-year-old girls attempted to stab their classmate to death. Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier's violence was extreme, but what seems even more frightening was that they committed their crime under the influence of a figure born by the internet" the so-called "Slenderman". Yet the even more urgent aspect of the story, that the children involved suffered from undiagnosed mental illnesses, often went overlooked in coverage of the case.
Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls tells that full story for the first time in deeply researched detail, using court transcripts, police reports, individual reporting, and exclusive interviews. Morgan and Anissa were bound together by their shared loved of geeky television shows and animals, and their discovery of the user-uploaded scary stories on the Creepypasta website could have been nothing more than a brief phase. But Morgan was suffering from early-onset childhood schizophrenia. She believed that she had seen Slenderman long before discovering him online, and the way to stop home from killing her family was to bring him a sacrifice: Morgan's best friend, Payton "Bella" Leutner, whom she and Anissa planned to stab to death on the night of Morgan's twelfth birthday party. Bella survived the attack, but was deeply traumatized, while Morgan  and Anissa were immediately sent to jail, and the severity of their crime meant that they would be prosecuted as adults. There, as Morgan continued to suffer from worsening mental illness after being denied antipsychotics, her life became more and more surreal. 

Review- This is a very sad story for all the parties involved. Hale starts with the girls parents, their home lives, their friends, and everything else to try and get the best look at the crime from all sides. Hale is interested the most in Morgan and her inner life. When with the focus on Morgan, the horror of what happens to Payton is not lessened. But Hale wants the reader to think about the state of mental illness and how it is treated or untreated in America. Morgan was not seen as sick until too late, the lust for revenge was stronger than the search for truth or justice, and there are no winners in this story. Everyone loses in this story but maybe with greater knowledge about laws, mental illness, and where they collide more can be done to help more children like Morgan and protect more children like Payton. 

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. 

Villains Are Destined to Die, vol 1

Today's post is on Villains Are Destined to Die, vol 1 by SUOL and Gwon Gyeoeul. It is 256 pages long and is published by Ize Press. The cover has the main character, Penelope holding a dark red rose, resting on a bed of white roses. The intended reader is someone who likes isekai stories, clever heroines, and dark storylines. There is very mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of Penelope. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- A villain living life in hard mode... whose every path leads to death.
Playing Daughter of the Duke's Super Love Project as the easy mode heroine, Ivonne, makes charming the male characters a breeze. But once you switch to hard mode and step into the shoes of Penelope, the misunderstood villains, it's nearly impossible to even stay alive~ So imagine the shock of suddenly waking up in Penelope's body- you know right away that your life is on the line With love interests who will kill you if their affection meters drop too low and the inability to speak without choosing from pre-selected dialogue, it quickly becomes clear that Penelope's changes have been rigged from the start- and this villain might just be destined to die!

Review- This is a great manga with one very interesting main character. A girl who just wants to a play a love game between studying for class, wakes up as the villain in hard mode. She has hints and she remembers the story from normal but everything seems different now. Somethings where not in the normal mode story and Penelope is going to have to think fast if she wants to survive her new life. This manga is very good with an interesting storyline, some of the best art in modern Korean manga, and one heck of a good main character. Penelope is the real draw to the story at first, how is she going to get out of this, how is she going defend herself, and can she get back home to her real life? This volume introduces all but one of the five male leads and my favorite Callisto has one of the best entrances ever, with banging a door open and a surprise for the everyone in tow. Now this manga and the novel it is based on are dark and have dark themes discussed but I personally think that this story is good enough to carry the themes and Penelope is one of my favorite heroines. I would recommend this manga. 

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 as soon as I could!

The Rust Maidens

Today's post is on The Rust Maidens  by Gwendolyn Kiste. It is 250 pages long and is published by Trepidtio Publishing. The cover has a female figure transforming into something inhuman. The intended reader is someone who likes horror with lots of character development. There is some foul language, no sex, and very mild violence in this novel. The story is told from the first person perspective of the main character, Phoebe. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Something's happening to the girls on Denton Street.
It's the summer of 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Phoebe Shaw and her best friend Jacqueline have just graduated high school, only to confront an ugly, uncertain future. Across the city, abandoned factories populate the skyline; meanwhile at the shore, one strong spark, and the Cuyahoga River might catch fire. But none of that compares to what's happening in their own west side neighborhood. The girls Phoebe and Jacqueline have grown up with are changing. It starts with footprints of dark water on the sidewalk. Then, one by one, the girls' bodies wither away, their fingernails turning to broken glass, and their bones exposed like corroded metal beneath their flesh.
As rumors spread about the grotesque transformations, soon everyone from nosy tourists to clinic doctors and government men start arriving on Denton Street, eager to catch sight of 'The Rust Maidens" in metamorphosis. But even with all the onlookers nobody can explain what's happening or why- except perhaps the Rust Maidens themselves. Whispering in secret, they know more than they're telling, and Phoebe realizes that her former friends are quietly preparing for something that will tear their neighborhood apart.
Alternating between the past and present, Phoebe struggles to unravel the mystery of the Rust maidens0 and her own unwitting role in the transformations- before she loses everything she's held dear: her home, her best friend, and even perhaps her own body.

Review- This book was a woman's scream frozen in print. All the women in this novel are fighting to get out of whatever is trapping them, from a unplanned pregnancy to disapproving parents with other plans for her life. Only Phoebe has a plan and parents who are going to help her get out of this hopeless place. This novel is about women and their fight to be more than just wives and mothers and sometimes that fight is won in a very disturbing way. But the heart of the story is Phoebe and her dealing with what happened to the Rust Maidens and how it affected the rest of her life. It is in the end a hopeful story but at times, I wondered if Phoebe was going to make out and she does but she doesn't. The writing is incredible, the characters are so vivid that I could hear the girls screams and songs and the world are so real as on of the main plot points is something that happens in the real world all the time. I would highly recommend this novel, it is just incredible. 

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

Scorpions' Dance: The President, the Spymaster, and Watergate

 

Today's nonfiction post is on Scorpions' Dance: The President, the Spymaster, and Watergate by Jefferson Morley. It is 326 pages long and published by St. Martin's Press. The cover is a picture of the White House with the presidential car in front of it. The intended reader is someone who is interesting in the history of the Central Intelligence Agency, Nixon's White House, and Watergate. There is some foul language, no sex, and some violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Fifty years after the Watergate break-in, the untold story behind the scandal that ended a presidency.
With fresh reporting by intelligence historian Jefferson Morley, Scorpions' Dance reveals the Watergate scandal in a striking new light: as the culmination of a concealed, volatile power struggle between President Richard Nixon and CIA director Richard Helms.
Nixon and Helms went back decades; both were 1950's Cold Warriors, and both knew secrets about the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, the Kennedy administration's dangerous liaisons with organized crime, as well as off-the-books White House and CIA plots to remove Fidel Castro and other Latin-American leaders from power. Both had enough information on each other to ruin their careers.
After the Watergate burglary on June 17, 1972, Nixon was desperate to shut down the FBI's investigation. He sought Helm's support and asked that the CIA intervene- knowing that most of the Water burglars were, after all, retired CIA agents, contractors, or long-term assets with deep knowledge of the Agency's most sensitive secrets. Nixon and Helms then circled each other like scorpions, defending themselves with the threat of lethal attack. The loser would resign his office in disgrace; the winner, however would face consequences of his for the secrets he kept.

Review- An interesting take on the Watergate scandal, not from the White House, but from the CIA, it's director, and agents. The book follows Richard Helms from the beginning of his career all the way to the end. Helms was America's best spymaster and he had his hands in everything but he was local to the office of the President, even if he disagreed with the man himself. The whole Watergate scandal is covered but from the CIA and Helms perspective not the White House. That gives an interesting and unique look into the scandal, as Helms was not as involved as the White House. He had distance from it and gave him power over the White House and the other people more involved, and Helms used that power. He used it to protect himself, his agents, and the CIA itself. If you want to know more about Watergate but not the White House angle, then you should give this book a try. 

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.

Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 4: To Bud

Today’s nonfiction post is on Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 4: To Bud by Chiho Saitō. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover is an illustration of Utena in her fencing gear. There is no foul language, mild sexuality, and mild violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes classic shojo manga. The story is told from third person close following Utena. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Still searching for the elusive prince who saved her life as a young girl, Utena faces her toughest challenge yet: the romantic overtures of Akio Ohtori. Can she trust the handsome but rakish older man? And if so, will he able to help her ascend to the Castle in the Sky? After a night of passion, Utena hopes the power of love will change her destiny. But is she ready to participate in the Consummation Ceremony?

Review- Everything happens so quickly in this volume. Utena becomes infatuated with Aiko, Anthy’s brother, who in turn is really just using Utena to try and get into the castle to kill Dios and take his power. Utena becomes the rose bride for a while until Aiko does not need her any more and Anthy is shown to be little more than a puppet for her brother and his schemes. Everything that the reader thought we knew about this world has been tossed out the door. Utena is the only one chosen by Dios, the other duelists were just Aiko casting a wide net to try and find the one chosen by Dios. At the end of the volume Utena and Aiko are squaring up for a final confrontation. I am curious about how this is going to end.

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

 

Wytches, Volume 1

Today's post is on Wytches, volume 1 by Scott Snyder (Goodreads Author), Jock (Illustrator), Matt Hollingsworth (colorist), Clem Robins (letterer). It is 192 pages long and is published by Image Comics. The cover is dark with a lone figure standing in a forest and blood coming from a tree. The intended reader is someone who likes dark storylines and monsters. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and some violence in this comic. The story is told from the perspectives of Sailor and her father Charles Rook. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- When the Rooks family moves to the remote town of Litchfield, New Hampshire to escape a haunting trauma, they're hopeful about starting over. But something evil is waiting for them in the woods just beyond town. Watching from the trees Ancient... and hungry.

Review- This is a good story about a girl and her father just trying to survive. Sailor saw something horrible happen to her bully and was thought to have something to do with the bully's disappearance. The Rooks family moved to try and make a new start. But the past, more than one past, is haunting and hunting them. There are many things to like about this comic but I think the best part is the relationship between Sailor and her father, Charlie. The pure love between them, the kind of love that makes hard choices. The story is interesting with just the right cliffhangers, the characters are interesting, and the art is good. I would have liked to see more of the Wytches in better light but that is the only complaint and the good parts out weight my one mild complaint. I would recommend this comic and I look forward to reading the next collection. 

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

Skip Beat!, Vol. 26

Today’s manga post is on Skip Beat!, Vol. 26 by Yoshiki Nakamura. It is 184 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover is an illustration of Kyoko, Moko, and Chiori, dressed in the Love Me gear. There is no foul language, no sexuality, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes comedy and shojo manga. The story is told from third person close following Kyoko but with some asides from Ren for character development. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Kyoko thinks she's survived Valentine's Day, but that's just the kind of attitude that gets her in trouble with the president of LME. Lory is very disappointed in the girls of the Love Me Section and sets up special new assignments to teach them the power of love. But will the president's strange methods have any affect on the troubled souls of Chiori, Moko and Kyoko? 

Review- President Lory has a huge assignment for Kyoko, keep Ren in check. This is a very silly story line, even for this manga. Ren is playing a different actor named Cain Heel and Cain Heel is a dangerous man, who cares for nothing for his sister, Setsu. So to have someone be Ren as Cain’s manager without anyone knowing that Cain is Ren Tsuruga, President Lory gets Kyoko to play Setsu. All very silly and complicated but it is also so funny and so much fun, that I don’t care how silly it is. Kyoko is having to learn a part of the fly, Ren is not handling having Kyoko around all the time well, and everything else is just silly. I am looking forward to seeing what nonsense Kyoko and Ren get up to in these costumes. 

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

Fever Dream

Today's post is on Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin. It is 183 pages long and is published by Riverhead Books. The cover is black bubbles with a horse head in the middle. The intended reader is someone who likes surreal metafiction. There is mild foul language, no sex, and no violence in this novel. The story is told from two voices Amanda and David. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Experience the blazing, surreal sensation of a fever dream...
A young woman named Amanda lies dying in a rural hospital clinic. A boy named David sits beside her. She's not his mother. He's not her child. Together. they tell a haunting story of broken souls, toxins, looming environmental and spiritual catastrophes, and the ties that bind a parent to a child.
Fever Dream is a nightmare come to life, a ghost story for the real world, a love story, and a cautionary tale. Samantha Schweblin creates an aura of strange psychological menace and otherworldly reality in this absorbing, taut, unsettling novel. Fresh and startling, this is like nothing you've ever read before. 

Review- This is a very interesting and surreal novel. This is told from first person but from two voices. Amanda is the storyteller and David is keeping her from forgetting the story as she lies dying. David asks her questions about what happened, who was there, and how she got to the hospital. The plot itself is about a mother, David's mother, who is worried about her child, who had been sick, and was now acting differently. There is so many plot points going on in this slim novel, from the way the story is told to how it plays with heavy themes of childhood death and environmental disaster. This novel is not for everyone but if you are willing to go to the experimental side of story telling, you will be rewarding in Dream Fever. 

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

Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly

Today's nonfiction post is on Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly by Jim DeRogatis. It is 330 pages long and is published by Abrams Press. The book is black with the title in white. The intended reader is someone who is interested in true crime and survivor stories. There is some very foul language, discussion of sex, rape, and sexuality, and some violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The Definitive Account of R. Kelly's Action and Their Consequences.
In 2000, Chicago journalist and music critic Jim DeRogatis received an anonymous fax that alleged that R&B superstar and local hero R. Kelly had a problem with 'young girls.' Weeks later, DeRogatis broke the shocking allegations in print- Kelly had groomed, sexually abused, and paid off young girls. Still, Kelly's career flourished, especially after his first trail and acquittal. No one seemed to care: neither the music industry nor the culture at large. But for more than twenty years, DeRogatis stayed on the story. Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly is a work of tenacious journalism and cultural criticism. It tells the story of Kelly's career, the author's conversations with victims, expects, and those in the musician's orbit and, at last, a sweeping conviction for Kelly's crimes in federal court. 

Review- This is a well written account of one journalist's search for the truth and his hope for justice for the victims. It all starts for Jim DeRogatis when he receives an anonymous fax telling DeRogatis that Kelly had a problem with young girls. Of course DeRogatis had heard the rumors about Kelly and his misbehavior with young girls and women. The fax just sits on his desk before DeRogatis starts investigating the rumors and what he finds will haunt him for the rest of his life. DeRogatis and other reporters will spend the next twenty odd years researching and interviewing the girls, the women, and their families about their relationships with Kelly and what happened to them. This book is a tough read at times because DeRogatis does not hold back with the victims and their stories and the video tapes of the acts, as Kelly liked to tapes himself with women and girls. If you are looking for a information about the case against R. Kelly, then you should read this book, DeRogatis does a great job with this very tough material.

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.

Canon, Volume 1

Today’s nonfiction post is on Canon, Volume 1 by Chika Shiomi.  It is 200 pages long and is published by CMX Comics. The cover is an illustration of Canon. There is mild foul language, no sexuality, and mild violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes horror and shojo manga. The story is told from third person close following Canon. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Suspense and the supernatural collide in the tale of Canon--the only student to escape the bloody vampire attack that takes the lives of her fellow classmates. But she doesn't get very far before she is captured, bitten and turned into a vampire herself! Struggling against the terrible needs that compel the undead, Canon commits herself to using her powers for good. She'll do whatever she can to avenge the death of her friends and her own unfortunate fate. Joining forces with Fuui--a talking vampire crow--she begins her quest to find Rodd, Lord of the Vampires.

Review- An interesting start to a shojo horror manga. The story starts after Canon was attacked by a vampire and turned halfway into a vampire, she has held onto her human heart with help. She wants to kill the vampire who turned her and get revenge for her friends. But she is still very new to her powers and she is not feeding on humans so not as strong as other vampires. I like the start, we see the world that has monsters running around and one girl trying to stop it. Canon is interesting, she is young but she is willing to learn what she needs to do to stop the bad guy. I did laugh when I read the bad guy’s name, it's Rod. But It is a short series, only four volumes long so I am curious to see what Shiomi can do in that short of time. 

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

The Children of Red Peak

Today's post is on The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie. It is 357 pages long and is published by Redhook. The cover is a landscape but upside-down. The intended reader is someone who likes horror and mysteries. There is some foul language, some mild sexuality, and violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the characters changing from chapter to chapter. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- They escaped the cult- but are they free?
David Young, Deacon Price, and Beth Harris live with a dark secret. They grew up in an isolated religious community in the shadow of a the mountain Red Peak- and they are among the few who survived its horrific last days.
Years, later the trauma of what they experiences never feels far behind. And when a fellow survive commits suicide, they reunite to confront their past and share their memories of that final night.
But discovering the terrifying truth might put them on a path back to Red Peak, and escaping a second time could be almost impossible. 

Review- This is was a great horror novel but it is not for the faint of heart. David, Deacon, and Beth are all survivors of an and times cult and they have tried to live their lives with the past behind them. But when another survivor takes her life and sends them all packages about Red Peak from before their cult get there, they are all pulled right back into their pasts and the ghosts that still haunt them. The novel is great horror with interesting characters, who are broken in interesting ways, and the mystery just pulls the reader in. The mystery is not only for the reader but the characters themselves are trying to discover what really happened 15 years ago. The story is in both past and present and the flash backs work by adding context to the characters actions and their present lives. The gore is not on the page but it is horrific when the children see what the adults around them are doing to themselves to be holy enough. The ending is okay but the rest of the novel makes up for it. I would recommend this novel for horror lovers. 

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

Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight, Vol. 6

Today’s post is on Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight, Vol. 6 by Rin Mikimoto.  It is 176 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover is an illustration of Hinana and Kaede looking cute together. As it is the sixth in the series, you need to have read the first five volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, very mild sexuality, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes modern, sweet love stories and mild celebrity drama. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book-A Bold Move
Shu has captured photographic evidence of Kaede’s relationship with Hinana and threatens to expose it to the entire world- unless Hinana breaks up with Kaede! While Hinana attempts to convince Shu otherwise, she faces bigger challenges and is at the mercy of Shu’s every demand!

Review- Hinana and Shu get to know each other and Shu learns why Kaede wants to be with Hinana. Shu in the end deletes the photo and even supports them. That is most of this volume, character growth for Shu and seeing how Hinana will handle Kaede’s old friends. There is some about Hinana feeling that she is not pretty enough to be with Kaede but that is handled quickly and done well. A very sweet but slow volume that is building up to a major plot dump in the next volume with Kaede telling Hinana that he wants her to know what happened in his past. I am very curious about what he is going to reveal. 

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

Confessions

Today's post is on Confessions by Kanae Minato. It is 234 pages and is published by Mulholland Books. The cover is a picture of student desks in a circle with one wooden chair in the center. The intended reader is someone who likes very twisty stories with at best morally grey characters. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and some violence in this novel. The story is told from five different characters, changing per chapter. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Her pupils murdered her daughter. Now she will have her revenge.
After calling off her engagement in the wake of a tragic revelation, Yuko Moriguchi had nothing to live for except her only child, four-year-old Manami. Now, following an accident on the grounds of the middle school where she teaches, Yuko has given up and tendered her resignation.
But first she has one last lecture to deliver. She tells a story that upends everything her students ever thought they knew about two of their peers, and sets in motion a maniacal plot her revenge.

Review- This is a mind trip of a novel. Every chapter brings new revelations about the inciting incident and the characters. With every page more and more of the characters come undone with the exception of Moriguchi, she becomes more and more in control as everything spins into chaos around her. This novel is very psychological as the reader is in the minds of the killers and those around them, giving the reader insight into the characters inner lives. The ending was a great wrap up to the story and one heck of a surprise. I would recommend this novel.

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

The Nineties

Today's nonfiction post is on The Nineties: A Book by Chuck Klosterman. It is 370 pages long and is published by Penguin Press. The cover is a clear plastic phone on a white background. The intended reader is someone who like essays, interested in near history, and re-examining their memories. There is mild foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Head.

From the dust jacket- It was long ago, but not as long as it seems: The Berlin Wall fell and the Twin Towers collapsed. In between, one presidential election was allegedly decided by Ross Perot while another was plausibly decided by Ralph Nader. At the beginning, almost every name and address was listed in a phone book, and everyone answered their landlines because you didn't know who it was. By the end, exposing someone's address was an act of emotional violence, and nobody picked up their new cell phone if they didn't know who it was. The 1990s brought about a revolution in the human condition we're still groping to understanding. Happily, Chick Klosterman is more than up to the job.
Beyond epiphenomena like "Cop Killer" and Titanic and Zima, there were wholesale shifts in how society was perceived: the rise of the internet, pre-9/11 politics, and the paradoxical belief that nothing was more humiliating than undisguised ambition. Pop culture accelerated without the aid of a machine that remembered everything, generating an odd comfort in never being certain about anything. On a 1900s Thursday night, more people watched any random episode of Seinfeld than the finale of Game of Thrones. But nobody thought that it was important; if you missed it, you simply missed it. This was the last era that held to the idea of an objective, hegemonic mainstream before everything began to fracture, whether you found a home in it or defined yourself against it. 

Review- Another wonderful book of essays by Klosterman that touches on many topics that dominated public thought in the 1900s. Klosterman is a great writer, who bring interesting insights into a very meaty topic, covering a whole decade in less than 350 pages. He talks TV, movies, politics, music, and more. The writing is very engaging, he makes his points and backs them them up well but leaves room for the reader to have their own opinion about the particular topic. He draws good parallels to modern day and how the while the world has changed, the problems haven't. I would recommend this book and everything else from Klosterman.  

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. 

Sweat and Soap, Vol. 5

Today’s post is on Sweat and Soap, Vol. 5 by Kintetsu Yamada.  It is 208 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover is an illustration of Asako and Natori. As it is the fifth in the series, you need to have read the first four volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, mild sexuality, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes modern, sweet love stories. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Jingle Smells
With great effort, the notorious workaholic Natori has managed to carve out a real holiday break, with time away from the office to spend with his girlfriend Asako. But that doesn’t mean he’s been able to tear himself away long enough to get her a proper present, and by the time he starts looking for a Christmas reservation at the restaurant he’s had his heart set on, they’re full up! For her part, Asako’s been completely swamped- the books have to be closed for the end of the year, so ‘tis the season to log overtime in the accounting department!

Review- Asako and Natori get to spend Christmas and New Year’s together and with family. Natori finally meets Asako’s father and they get along. Then the rest of the volume is about them hunting for an apartment together. Once again this series shines in the characters and their relationships. There are no stupid misunderstands, no love triangle drama, just two people in love and working towards a life together. By working with each other they find a perfect place for them in the future. I look forward to more time with Asako and Natori. 

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

I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss, Vol. 1

Today's post is on I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss, Vol. 1 by Sarasa Nagase and illustrations by Mai Murasaki. It is 230 pages long and is published by Yen On. The cover has the two main characters, Aileen and Claude on it. The intended reader is someone who likes light novels, villainess stories, and fun plots. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of Aileen. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Villains have their own routes too!
When her engagement to the prince ends unceremoniously, details of the young noblewoman Aileen's past life come rushing back and help her realize she's living inside the world of one of her favorite otome games- as the heroine's greatest rival!
However, her memory has more plot holes than bad fan fiction...
and the only certainty is that if she doesn't do something quick, her death is all but assured. There hero/main-love-interest can't be relied on, so why not see what the last boss has to day?

Review- This is a very fun read with a really good main character. Aileen remembered her past life, just as the prince is rejecting her publicly. Realizing that she was a villainess destined to die, she does does something crazy. Aileen marching into the palace of the Demon King and askes him to marry her. Aileen is very funny with how blunt she is, she makes no bones about what she is doing, and why she wants to marry Claude. Claude is more serious and mysterious but he is likable and easy to understand as the novel goes on. The side characters are fun from the crazy-ish heroine to the side kicks of Claude. There are some good plot twists and the illustrations are really good and add to the story telling. I am looking forward to reading the next volume. 

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

Hell's Half-Acre : The Untold Story of the Benders, America's First Serial Killer Family

Today's nonfiction post is on Hell's Half-Acre : The Untold Story of the Benders, America's First Serial Killer Family by Susan Jonusas. It is 345 pages long and is published by Viking. The cover is a picture of lone house on the open prairie and black smoke coming from the chimney. The intended reader is someone who likes historical true crime. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and some violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- In 1873, the people of Labette County, Kansas, made a grisly discovery.
Buried by the trailside cabin beneath an orchard of young apple trees were the remains of countless bodies. Below the cabin itself was a cellar stained with blood. The Benders, the family of four who once resided on the property, were nowhere to be found. The discovery of their horrifying crimes sparked an epic manhunt across Kansas, Indian Territory, and beyond, and send the local community and national newspapers into a frenzy of speculation that continued for decades afterward.
The idea that a family of seemingly respectable homesteaders- one among the thousands relocating farther west in search og land and opportunity after the Civil War- were capable of operating 'a human slaughter pen' appalled and fascinated the nation. The cabin on the prairie, traditionally a place for weary travelers to seek shelter and company, suddenly became something frightening and unknowable. In this suspense filled tale of murder on the American frontier, Susan Jonusas examines who the Benders really were, why they committed such a vicious killing spree, and whether justice ever caught up to them- a mystery that remains unsolved to this day. Drawing on extensive original archival material, Jonusas introduces us to a fascinating cast of characters, many of whom have been previously missing from the story. Among them are the families of the victims, the hapless detectives who lost the trail, and the fugitives who helped the murderer escape.

Review- An interesting and mostly forgotten piece of American western history. Out in the plains of Kansas and the Midwest in general, people go missing. Tragic but nothing unusual. But then travelers who had family waiting for them and friends looking for them, starting going missing. But only after they stopped at a lonely cabin between Independence and Ladore, KS. The family that lived in that cabin, the Benders, said that the travelers had been there but they had moved on per their plans. Then one day, the Benders who gone too. When investigating their cabin, the searchers discovered a grim place that smelled of blood. Jonusas does a great job in re-creating the world that the Benders lived and killed in. From primary resources like court documents and dairy entries. The writing is excellent, with not too much detail for the faint of heart but Jonusas does not disguise how horrid the murders were. In the end she gives her person thoughts on what happened to the Benders but that is also part of the mystery. I would recommend this book for old west and historical true crime fans

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.

The Water Dragon's Bride, Vol. 9

Today’s post is on The Water Dragon's Bride, Vol. 9 by Rei Toma.  It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover is an illustration of Subaru. As it is the ninth in the series, you need to have read the first eight volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes classic Japanese mythology stories. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Kurose and the god of darkness conspire to take control of the emperor of Naga’s throne, and they have no qualms about using Asahi to do it! Worried for Asahi’s safety, the water dragon god decides it’s best to return her to her former world, but does Asahi want to go?

Review- The god of darkness really brings his villain a game in this volume with manipulative not only Asahi and her friends by the human he stole but what he is end game? The water dragon god is trying to protect Asahi, who doesn’t want to leave her friend in danger. So now they are on the run from another puppet of the god of darkness and that pushes Asahi and the water dragon god into a corner. With only two volumes left I have no idea how this is going to end or how it can really end well. 

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

Into the Sublime

Today's post is on Into the Sublime by Kate A. Boorman. It is 359 pages long and is published by Henry Holt and Company. The cover has  girl half submerged in a cave with light behind her. The intended reader is someone who likes young adult horror novels and coming of age novels. There is some foul language, no sex, and some violence in this novel. The story is told from first person perspective of the main character, Amelie. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Amelie Desmarai's story begins with believably enough: Four girls from a now-defunct thrill-seeking group planned an epic adventure to find a subterranean lake that Colorado locals call the Sublime. Legend has it that the lake has the power to change things for those who risk- and survive- the descent. Each of the girls had her own reason for going. For Amelie, it was a promise kept to beloved cousin, who recently suffered a tragic accident during one of the group's dares.
But as her account unwinds, and the girls' personalities and motives are drawn, things get complicated. Amelie is hardly the thrill-seeking type, and it appears she's not the only one with the ability to deceive. Worse yet, Amelie is covered in someone's blood, but whose, exactly? And where's the fourth girl?
Is Amelie spinning a tale to cover her guilt? Or was something inexplicable waiting for the girls down there? Amelie is the only one with answers, and she's insisting on an explanation that is more horror/fantasy than reality. Maybe the truth lies something in between?
After all, strange things inhabit dark places. And sometimes we bring the dark with us.

Review- This is a great read for spooky season. Amelie wants to face herself and make peace with her cousin's accident. The other girls have similar goals but something else is down there with them as they make their way into the sublime. The story is told from two ways in the present and the past as Amelie is speaking with police after the girls are found. She is covered in blood and the only one conscious, so she is only telling the story about what happened in the dark and in the sublime. Amelie starts at the beginning with the girls arriving at the trailhead to the caves and then her story only gets stranger. The writing is strong but the characters are the real draw to this story, as all the girls have secret motives for being there and what they bring with them into the dark. A great read and I look forward to reading the next book by this author. 

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

A Man and His Cat, Vol. 4

Today’s post is on A Man and His Cat, Vol. 4 by Umi Sakurai.  It is 164 pages long and is published by Square Enix Manga. The cover is an illustration of Utena and Touga as they duel. As it is the fourth in the series, you need to have read the first three volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes sweet stories about found family and pets. The story follows the main characters, Fukumaru and Kanda. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Fukumaru might find it hard to imagine, but not everyone is Mr. Kanda's biggest fan! Kanade Hibino, a rival concert pianist, detests Mr. Kanda and his musical genius. But when Kanade has a furry new houseguest forced upon him, he heads to the pet store for supplies and guidance...only to run into none other than his (assumed) nemesis! Will the cats in their lives bring the two men closer together and mend old wounds?

Review- The volume picks up where the last one left off with Kanda helping a friend get his new cat adjusted to a new home. We see more of the people in Kanda’s life in this volume and how much he is loved by those around him. Fukumaru also reunites with his older sister and they bond and play together. Lots of time in vignettes of cat life in this volume too with Fukumaru stealing Kanda’s dinner and trying to sleep with a cat. This series has so much heart and it really gets the joys of getting to sharer your life with a pet. 

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

Lady Baltimore, Vol. 1: The Witch Queens

 

Today's post is on Lady Baltimore, vol 1: The Witch Queens by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, Bridgit Connell, and Michelle Madsen. It is 144 pages long and is published by Dark Horse. The cover is Lady Baltimore with her sword. The intended reader is someone who likes reimagining of history. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and lots of violence in this comic book. The story is told from third person close of following the characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Once she was Sofia Valk, living in a village overrun by evil. In time she became Lord Baltimore's most trusted ally. Now, more than a decade after his death, Europe has erupted with the early battles of world War II and dark forces are rising again. With witches, vampires, and Nazis on the march, Sofia must embrace the title of Lady Baltimore! But can she fight monsters without becoming a monster herself?

Review- A fast and fun comic about hunting witches and Nazis. Lady Baltimore has hunted evil wherever it was and protected the innocent. When an old friend comes with a story about her husband's ghost being seen in battles across Europe, she goes to investigate and the plot goes from there. This is a very fast read with lots of action and some world building. The world on the brink of World War II with witches leading the way. I would have liked to learn more about the different witch types and other magic in this world but that did not stop me from having a good time with this story. The art is good, very western, so no big eyes here, with a muted color plate but that helps the action stand out more. I hope that this series will be continued has it was very fun and interesting. 

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

Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 3: To Sprout

Today’s post is on Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 3: To Sprout by Chiho Saitō, Be-Pas .  It is 200 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover is an illustration of Utena and Touga as they duel. As it is the third in the series, you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and comedic violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes intense plots with lots of twists. The story follows the main character, Utena. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Utena finds herself closer to the prince she so desperately seeks. Meanwhile, she must try to repel Touga's romantic advances and figure out what role the new boy, Akio, will play in her life.

Review- Utena loses her first fight in this volume to Touga, who gets in her head to win. He wants the power of World’s End but he also has become inflated with Utena. So Utena has a small crisis of self in the middle of the volume but she remembers who she is and what she wants from life and herself. We learn more about Anthy and what she is and the fact that she has a brother named Aiko. He wants World’s End's power too but the siblings are far more than what they appear. I think that Aiko is going to be the real villain of the series but I don’t know. As this is a short series, only three volumes are left. 

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