Sweat and Soap, vol 6

 

Today's post is on Sweat and Soap, vol 6 by Kintestu Yamada. It is 192 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover is Asako and Natori being cute. As it is the sixth volume in the series, you need to have read the first five volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes sweet josei manga love stories. There is no foul language, mild sex and sexuality, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person of the main characters, Asako and Natori. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Wouldn't It Be Nice
Despite all the anxieties and obstacles, Asako and Natori's relationship has proven its staying power. Since deciding to move in together, they've found a home they both likes, and a new chapter in both their lives has begun! But now that they've taken this adult step, there's an even bigger one looming up the staircase...Can Askao even think about marriage without breaking a sweat?

Review- This volume shows what makes this series to great, Asako and Natori's communication skills. They run into some small trouble from misunderstanding what the other wants and they have to have a adult conversation about it. It is very normal, the mild fight is seen as a good thing and they come together to work towards a solution. The art continues to be solid, the side characters are fun and memorable, and the story is sweet but realistic. I recommend 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. 

The Slayers and The Sorcerer of Atlas

Today's post is on The Slayers and The Sorcerer of Atlas by Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi (Illustrator). It is 137 pages long and is published by J-Club Novel. The cover has Gourry on it with the sword of light. As it is the second novel in the series, you need to have read the first one to understand the world and characters. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this novel. The intended reader is someone who likes high fantasy, humorous stories, and light hearted adventure. The story is told from third person close of the main character, Lina. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

Blurb- At last, Atlas City! Time to put our feet up and enjoy that urban life. You know, some good food, a bar brawl or two, beating up assassins, intervening in politics, solving a kidnapping, wait, what?! No! This sounds like work! Great, and not we've got demons stalking us and spike-shooting wolves pouring in through the windows! Guess I'll have to clean up this fore I get my R&R...

Review- I had a really great time with this Slayers novel, it is more of a mystery than the adventure story from the first volume. Lina and Gourry are just trying to relax and get some good food when a bar brawl happens to them and Lina is not one to let a good fight get in the way of her food. Then they get pulled into a fight between sorcerers trying to become the next head of the local guild. Of course it is not that simple and the more that they discover, the more the city of Atlas looks like big trouble. I had so much fun with volume, because it happens in a city Lina has to think outside of the box. She can't just Dragon Slave everyone into the ground, even Lina knows that's a bad idea. So Gourry and her have to think on their feet and discover the truth about what is happening and try to survive it themselves! I think we see the best parts of Lina in this volume, her brains and we see how much the relationship between her and Gourry has grown. They trust each other now and can work together as a good team. I look forward to the next volume and the return of my favorite character! 

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

An Incurable Case of Love, vol 3

 

Today's post is on An Incurable Case  of Love, vol 3 by Maki Enjoji. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two main characters on it. 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, very mild sexuality, and very mild violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes josei manga, medical romance and romance manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters with a focus on Nanase. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The mean Dark Lord has turned into a kindly knight! It's like a dream come true! Is this really happening?!!
Nanase became a nurse to chase after Dr. Kairi Tendo. To keep herself safe from a former patient who is talking her, she stays with Kairi and pretends to be his lover! But the stalker becomes furious and attacks! As she loses consciousness, she reveals to Kairi how she feels!

Review- This volume picks up where the last one left dealing with Nanase's stalker. It gets handled in the first section then it becomes about her telling Kairi about her real feelings and putting him on the spot. He decides to date her as she asks him to. Of course Nanase is worried about his reasons for dating her but I think that he really likes her and just doesn't know what to do. In this volume there is no overarching story, just vignettes in the lives of Nanase and Kairi. From being at the hospital to traveling for work conferences together, just more moments of them spending time with each other. I enjoyed seeing them act as a couple in a more relaxed settings. I look forward to reading the next volume. 

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

The Woods

Today's post is on The Woods by Vanessa Savage. It is 370pages long and is published by Grand Central Published. The cover is white with the title in red and trees in the title words. The intended reader is someone who likes mysteries with a strong thriller vibe. There is some foul language, implied sex, and some mild violence in this novel. The story is told from first person close of the main character, Tess. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- There's a lot from Tess's childhood that she she would rather forget. The family who moved next door and brought chaos to their quiet lives. The two girls who murdered, their killer never found. But the only thing she can't remember is the one thing she wishes she could.
Ten years ago, Tess's older sister died in what was ruled a tragic accident. The only witness was Tess herself, but she has never been able to remember what happened that night in the woods.
Now living in London, Tess has resolved to put the trauma behind her. But an emergency call from her father forces her back to the family, back to where sister's body was found, and to the memories she thought were lost forever...

Review- This is a very tightly written mystery with a strong thriller vibe to give little chills as the plot goes. Tess is a teacher in London but she haunted by her past and it coming for her. When her father calls that her stepmother is dying and she needs to come back, Tess begins to spiral out of control and maybe out of her mind. I had a good time with this novel, Tess is a good main character, she is struggling with her past, present, and future but she is trying to make a life for herself. in addition old pains and pleasures are all around her in her home and village. When a body is discovered things start to fall into place for her and the answers are harsh but in the end Tess has to face them. The writing the solid, Savage knows how to plot a mystery and she adds just enough thriller to make this stand out from the run in the mill amnesia thriller plots. I will read more of this author and if you like mystery-thriller, then you should give this novel a try.

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.

Skip Beat!, vol 27

Today's post is on Skip Beat!, vol 27 by Yoshiki Nakamura. It is 193 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Kyoko and Ren as Setsu and Cain Heel. As it is the twenty-seventh in the series you need to have read the first twenty-six volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this volume. The story is told from third person close of Kyoko and Ren. 

From the back of the book- Kyoko's having trouble getting into the role of Cain's sister. But is it because she can't relate to a spoiled punk princess, or because she can't let go of the fact that Ren is playing Cain? And Ren faces his own challenge with the situation. Can he stand to have the woman he loves treat him like a brother?

Review- Most of this volume is with Kyoko and Ren being the Heel siblings. It has some funny moments but we get a surprising character development for Ren. Some dudes try to pick up Kyoko as Setsu and a fight breaks out, Kyoko gets pushed around and that sets Ren off. Kyoko pulls him out of it but it scares him for some reason and he thinks about a promise he made to himself to never lose control again. The character development for Ren was an interesting and very unexpected direction. We knew that he had some shadows in his past but now this makes me wonder what he really is running from, if not his father's shadow. I wonder what we'll discover next!

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

Stillwater, Vol. 1: Rage, Rage (Stillwater #1-6) by Chip Zdarsky, Ramon K. Perez (Illustrator), Mike Spicer (Colorist)

 

Today's post is on Stillwater, Vol. 1: Rage, Rage by Chip Zdarsky, Ramon K. Perez (Illustrator), Mike Spicer (Colorist). It is 136 pages and is published by Image Comics. The cover is red with a woman's skeleton holding a baby on it. There is foul language, no sex, and violence in this comic volume. The intended reader is someone who likes comics, horror stories, and over arching mysteries. The story is told from third person close of the main character, Daniel. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Nobody dies. In the town of Stillwater, that's not just a promise. It's a threat.
Seemingly frozen in time and unable to age, its citizens have learned to exist with the knowledge that they'll live forever. With no one allowed in or out of the town under the threat of severe violence, things seem normal from the outside. But when Daniel shows up in town after receiving a mysterious letter, he'll find out if immortality is a gift or a curse...

Review- An interesting start to a big plot. Daniel gets a letter about an inheritance from an aunt he did not know he had. So with a friend, he heads to a town that is not any map to see what needs to be done. In Stillwater, they find more than just an inheritance. So this comic series starts and it gets to work world building. Each of the chapters end with a flash back to what happened when Daniel was taken from Stillwater. The art is good, the storytelling is solid, and I liked the characters and world. There is a lot going on and the mystery of what is really going on in the background is very compelling. I am looking forward to the next collection coming out and seeing what is going to happen. 

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

Something’s Wrong with Us, vol 4

Today’s post is on Something’s Wrong with Us, vol 4 by Natsumi Ando. It is 160 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover is an illustration of Nao and Tsubaki. As it is the fourth in the series, you need to have read the first three volumes to understand the story. There is mild foul language, mild sexuality, and mild violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo and horror manga. The story is told from third person close following the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Falling For You
In order to impress an esteemed client at a tea ceremony--where Kogetsuan's old master will be in attendance--Nao plans to help Tsubaki make the perfect wagashi. Before she can get started, however, Tsubaki injures his right hand while trying to protect her. He quietly confesses his love for her is true, but Nao is still torn on whether to tell him her real identity. Despite her reservations, Nao falls deeper into Tsubaki's inviting embrace... Then, on the day of the event, Nao runs into a familiar face who knows about what happened to her mother fifteen years ago.

Review- Nao is trying to get closer to Tsubaki by helping him get closer to his grandfather. So together they get a big client for the tea house. Her mother in law knows that Nao is not who she says and she is investigating her to try and regain control of Tsubaki. Tsubaki knows that he is lying about Nao’s mother but he refuses to think more deeply about why he is lying. Add in their intense sexual tension and Nao has a real problem on her hands. The plot just gets more intense as more and more of the character’s personal agendas come into play. Nao knows that she is playing a dangerous game and I am worried about her and Tsubaki. But man this plot just keeps pulling me back in and I want to know what really happened all those years ago. 

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. 

Vampire Hunter D Volume 5: The Stuff of Dreams

Today's post is on Vampire Hunter D Volume 5: The Stuff of Dreams by Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano. It is 172 pages long and was published by Dark Horse Books. The cover has D on it with his sword drawn facing off to the side. As it is the fifth in the long running series, you need to have read the first four volumes to understand the overall plot. There is some mild language, no sex, and some action violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the different characters with a narrator at times. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Even Vampire Hunters cannot resist the siren song of an ageless sleeping beauty.
In a world where even the smallest and most remote village cannot avoid being terrorized by the monsters that stalk the night, there is a hamlet, prosperous and peaceful, where mortals and the vampire Nobility have coexisted for years. It is there that seventeen-year-old Sybille Schmitz has slept, neither waking or again, for thirty years since first receiving the vampire's immortal kiss.
The mysterious Vampire Hunter known only as "D" is lured to the tranquil oasis by recurrent dreams of the beautiful undying girl bathed in an eerie blue light and dancing in a ghostly chateau. but there are a number of people who do not welcome the presence of the dhampir, fearing D will disturb the delicate balance upon which the fate of the town rests. They will stop at nothing to protect that balance, even if it means destroying the most feared Hunter the world has even known. 

Review- Kikuchi likes to do something different with every novel he writes, in this one the plot hook is a girl dreaming of peace and changing reality around her. D has been called to this peaceful village and strangely everyone seems to know him and they know who has called him. The sleeping girl, Sybille, somehow has called D to her village and wants something from him. But most of the villagers just want D to leave and are willing to do anything to make that happen. The mystery in this one was very intense and interesting, it had me guessing for a good half of this volume and the revelation about what is really happening is very tragic but also so interesting and adds more to the world building. The writing is very good, the translate is still excellent, and the pieces added to the story and are very beautiful. I would recommend this whole series. I am curious about what Kikuchi does in the next volume. 

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

The Correspondents: Six Women Writers on the Front Lines of World War II

Today's nonfiction The Correspondents: Six Women Writers on the Front Lines of World War II by Judith Mackrell. It is 464 pages long and is published by Doubleday Books. The cover is a picture of a woman with a camera standing on car in uniform with a press armband. The intended reader is someone who is interested World War II history and women's history. There is some mild foul language, discussion of sex and sexuality, and discussion of war and violence. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book-  On the front lines of the Second World War, a contingent of female journalists were barred from combat zones and faced with entrenched prejudice and bureaucratic restrictions, forced to fight for the right to work on equal terms with men. The Correspondents follows six women: Martha Gellhorn, Lee Miller, Sigrid Schultz, Virginia Cowles, Clare Hollingworth, and Helen Kirkpatrick. From chasing down sources and dodging gunfire to conducting love affairs, and socializing with luminaries like Eleanor Roosevelt, Picasso, and Man Ray, these six women are captured in all their complexity. 

Review- This is a very thick and comprehensive book following these six women over the course of WW2. Mackrell does give background information on the women and what they were looking for, to make them go into journalism but the main focus of the book is the war and their lives during it. Mackrell's notes are very useful for future reading about these women and the people in their lives. The writing is good, detailed but not overwhelming. At start of the book, Mackrell gives each women a chapter to herself to give the reader a good understanding of them. Then she dives right into the war itself and everything they went through. I would recommend this book on forgotten WW2 and women's history. 

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, vol 2

Today’s post is on Canon, vol 2 by Chika Shiomi. It is 210 pages long and is published by CMX. The cover is a close up of Canon. As it is the second in the series,you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. There is mild foul language, no sexuality, and mild violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo and horror manga. The story is told from third person close following the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- Since becoming a vampire, Canon's sole purpose has been to hunt for Rod, the vampire who turned her into one of the undead -- killing 39 of her friends in the process. But is that the real story? Repressed memories begin to surface, and now Canon is confused about her true relationship with her avowed enemy. And where does this put Sakaki, Canon's new ally who is so intent on bringing down Rod himself?

Review- A lot of plot happens in this volume with Canon learning more about herself, what she is now, and who really made her. She learns that Rod is not her enemy, that Sakaki is not just what he seems, and the vampire world is watching her now. Canon is not just a normal servant, she is much stronger than she should be. Sakaki has a beef with Rod for some reason and Rod knows Canon somehow and cares about her. Rod wanted to protect her from the vampire world. So many questions have been raised in this volume and I look forward to reading the next volume to see what is going to happen next. 

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.