Captive Hearts, Vol. 02

Today's manga post is on Captive Hearts, Vol. 02 by Matsuri Hino. It is  216 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two characters on it. As it is the second volume in the series, you need to have read the first volume to understand. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga and silly plots. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Megumi decides he wants to become a formal servant of the Kogami family so he can be worthy of Suzuka's love. But when wealthy heir Hiryu arrives to claim Suzuka as his bride, can Megumi even compete?

Review- So Megumi has decided that he wants to earn Suzuka's love but she wants more than ever to break the curse. She wants to know that Megumi's love for her is real and not a product of the curse. Also they learn that the curse was not originally one but something made from love. I am enjoying how this story is going with both Megumi and Suzuka are communicating and trying to help each other. I look forward to understanding the curse and seeing how much more silly the plot is going to get. 

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

Radiance

Today's fiction post is on Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente. It is 432 pages long and is published by TOR. The cover is half black and half white with a woman's figure in silhouette and a movie camera in front of her with golden light coming out of it. The intended reader is someone who likes science fiction with a lot of classic pulp. There is mild foul language, discussions of sex and sexuality, and no violence in this novel. The story is told in many ways from interviews to transcripts. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Radiance is a decopunk pulp SF alt-history space opera mystery set in a Hollywood-and solar system-very different from our own, from Catherynne M. Valente, the phenomenal talent behind the New York Times bestselling The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.
Severin Unck's father is a famous director of Gothic romances in an alternate 1946 in which talking movies are still a daring innovation due to the patent-hoarding Edison family. Rebelling against her father's films of passion, intrigue, and spirits from beyond, Severin starts making documentaries, traveling through space and investigating the levitator cults of Neptune and the lawless saloons of Mars. For this is not our solar system, but one drawn from classic science fiction in which all the planets are inhabited and we travel through space on beautiful rockets. Severin is a realist in a fantastic universe.
But her latest film, which investigates the disappearance of a diving colony on a watery Venus populated by island-sized alien creatures, will be her last. Though her crew limps home to earth and her story is preserved by the colony's last survivor, Severin will never return.
Told using techniques from reality TV, classic film, gossip magazines, and meta-fictional narrative, Radiance is a solar system-spanning story of love, exploration, family, loss, quantum physics, and silent film.

Review- This is an incredible piece of fiction, I have never read anything like this before. The story is centered on Severin and her life and her possible death. The setting is a galaxy that humanity can traverse via the Orient Express and all the movies are silent. The mystery at the heart is what happened on Venus and to Severin but the journey is the true joy of the the novel. The writing is excellent, the characters are moving and interesting, and the setting is incredible. I have not read anything by Valente before but I will be seeking her books out now. I highly recommend this novel. 

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. 

Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 02

Today's manga post is on Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 02 by Yuu Watase. It is the 184 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As it is the second volume in the series, you need have read the first volume to understand the story. The cover has three main characters and one villain on it. The intended reader is someone who likes classic isekai fantasy, shojo manga, and beautiful art. There is no foul language, no sex, and some violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- During their journey Chamka and Takiko come upon a burning house. Chamka tries to save a young girl's life and demonstrates his special power: to freeze things in ice! The effort weakens Chamka however, and he must stay in the village to recuperate. The girl's family offers shelter, but her father sells Chamka out to the bandits who are hunting him. That's when Limdo reenters the picture...

Review- The plot is moving right along in this volume. Takiko and Chamka are on the trail of another Celestial Warrior and trying to do good as they go. But because the Priestess and her Warriors are seen as harbringers of doom, they are also dodging trouble all the way. But they do find a new Warrior, a very scared little boy, who just wants to be accepted. I am enjoying this plot, after reading the first Fushigi Yûgi, with the Priestess and Warriors being seen as good and getting help from everywhere they traveled. It is an interesting way to take the plot and the characters. I look forward to he next volume and what trouble will come next. 

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.

The Nice House on the Lake, Vol. 2

Today's post is on The Nice House on the Lake, Vol. 2 by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno (Artist). It is 176 pages long and is published by DC Comics. The cover has Walter in the center and the others around him floating like in water. As it is the second volume, you need to have read the first one to understand the story. There is foul language, no sex, and some violence in this graphic novel. The intended reader is someone who likes end of the world stories with diverse characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- One of the most critically acclaimed and bestselling horror books of 2021 returns for its shocking second act—and now is the perfect time to enter the house! The 10 hardy survivors gathered in the house by their mutual friend Walter thought they’d finally cracked the code on his plans…and now everything they thought they knew has literally changed. Can they free themselves from their patterns? Or are they all just determined to build a prison of their very own?

Review- This comic is like a good TV show, intense, to the point, and doesn't over stay it's welcome. Walter is trying to get some control over his group and he is starting to understand that is not possible, that's humans are too much for him to control and still be loved by his friends. So he must make a choice and live with it. I feel that this was a great ending for a interesting series, there is more that can be done but this is a  strong send off if nothing more happens. The art is good, the writing is good, and the pacing is excellent, not too fast or too slow. I would be interested in whatever Tynion does next. 

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

Chuck Klosterman X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of the Early 21st Century

Today's nonfiction post is on Chuck Klosterman X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of the Early 21st Century by Chuck Klosterman. It is 464 pages long and is published by Penguin Press. The cover is black the title and author's name in white. The intended reader is someone who likes recent history, music, pop culture, and mild philosophy. There is mild foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- New York Times-bestselling author and cultural critic Chuck Klosterman sorts through the past decade and how we got to now. Chuck Klosterman has created an incomparable body of work in books, magazines, newspapers, and on the Web. His writing spans the realms of culture and sports, while also addressing interpersonal issues, social quandaries, and ethical boundaries. Klosterman has written nine previous books, helped found and establish Grantland, served as the New York Times Magazine Ethicist, worked on film and television productions, and contributed profiles and essays to outlets such as GQ, Esquire, Billboard, The A.V. Club, and The Guardian. Chuck Klosterman's tenth book (aka Chuck Klosterman X) collects his most intriguing of those pieces, accompanied by fresh introductions and new footnotes throughout. Klosterman presents many of the articles in their original form, featuring previously unpublished passages and digressions. Subjects include Breaking Bad, Lou Reed, zombies, KISS, Jimmy Page, Stephen Malkmus, steroids, Mountain Dew, Chinese Democracy, The Beatles, Jonathan Franzen, Taylor Swift, Tim Tebow, Kobe Bryant, Usain Bolt, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Brown, the Cleveland Browns, and many more cultural figures and pop phenomena. This is a tour of the past decade from one of the sharpest and most prolific observers of our unusual times.

Review- This is another excellent collection of essays from Klosterman. He covers many subjects in this collection from music to sports to television. Of course his opinions are all his own but Klosterman is so funny and enjoyable to read. He gives new insight into some recent history and makes it funny too. With the index in the back, you can just read about the topics that interest you. But I would recommend you read everything that Klosterman writes about as he is such an entertaining writer. 

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

The First Night with the Duke Volume 3

Today's manga post is on The First Night with the Duke Volume 3 by Hwang DoTol and MSG (Artist). It is 288 pages long and is published by Net Comics. The cover has Ripley making a heart shape with her hands. As it is the third volume in the series, you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this manga. The story closely follows the main character, Ripley. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- A stalker is harassing Etoile, so to help her out, Ripley devises Operation Fake Boyfriend.
She figured if they pretended that Etoile and Wright were a couple, they could chase off the stalker, and it would also be a chance to bring the two of them together for real. But why the heck is Zeronis here instead of Wright?
Together, Zeronis and Etoile look just like characters from a fairy tale. And even though she knows they're just acting, she can't bear to see them as a couple.

Review- More shenanigans from Ripley and co, with Etoile being stalked, Zeronis being slightly jealous, and Ripley being in the middle of it all. So Ripley and Zeronis are getting married but with her best friend in trouble, Ripley can't ignore her! So Ripley tries to get Etoile and Wright together, as she always shipped them. But when Wright can't help, Zeronis steps in and more silliness follows. But Ripley has more to worry about with Rose's jealously getting out of control. Ripley is really great in this volume from being over the top to being so in love. She is a joy to read about. The last half of the volume is serious but ends well and I can't wait for the next volume. 

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

Do You Want to Start a Scandal

Today's post is on Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare. It is 376 pages long and is published by Avon. The cover has the two main characters in a passionate embrace. It is part of the Castles Ever After series but you don't have to have read any of them to enjoy the story. The intended reader is someone who likes light hearted, historical love stories. There is mild foul language, sexuality, and no violence in this book. The story is duel perspectives of Charlotte and Piers. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it.
All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.
But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit . . . and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.
Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

Review- A cute historical romance with good characters. Charlotte's mother is willing to do just about anything to see her daughters well married. But Charlotte wants love in her marriage and is not willing to change that. Piers just wants to do his missions and move on the next one. But when Charlotte and Piers are caught improperly alone, he makes a declaration for her hand. Poor Charlotte is determined to save him and herself from a loveless marriage but of course as they get to know each other, they learn they have much in common. As it is a romance, they fall in love and it's a fun ride as they do so. I would recommend this novel, if you enjoy historical romances and don't mind a little spice too. 

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. 

The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade

Today's nonfiction post is on The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade by Ann Fessler. It is 354 pages long and is published by Penguin Press HC. The cover is pictures of different girls from the forties and fifties. The intended reader is someone who is interested in women's history. There is mild foul language, discussion of sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A powerful and groundbreaking revelation of the secret history of the 1.5 million women who surrendered children for adoption in the several decades before Roe v. Wade.
In this deeply moving work, Ann Fessler brings to light the lives of hundreds of thousands of young single American women forced to give up their newborn children in the years following World War II and before Roe v. Wade. The Girls Who Went Away tells a story not of wild and carefree sexual liberation, but rather of a devastating double standard that has had punishing long-term effects on these women and on the children they gave up for adoption. Based on Fessler's groundbreaking interviews, it brings to brilliant life these women's voices and the spirit of the time, allowing each to share her own experience in gripping and intimate detail. Today, when the future of the Roe decision and women's reproductive rights stand squarely at the front of a divisive national debate, Fessler brings to the fore a long-overlooked history of single women in the fifties, sixties, and early seventies.
In 2002, Fessler, an adoptee herself, traveled the country interviewing women willing to speak publicly about why they relinquished their children. Researching archival records and the political and social climate of the time, she uncovered a story of three decades of women who, under enormous social and family pressure, were coerced or outright forced to give their babies up for adoption. Fessler deftly describes the impossible position in which these women found themselves: as a sexual revolution heated up in the postwar years, birth control was tightly restricted, and abortion proved prohibitively expensive or life endangering. At the same time, a postwar economic boom brought millions of American families into the middle class, exerting its own pressures to conform to a model of family perfection. Caught in the middle, single pregnant women were shunned by family and friends, evicted from schools, sent away to maternity homes to have their children alone, and often treated with cold contempt by doctors, nurses, and clergy.
The majority of the women Fessler interviewed have never spoken of their experiences, and most have been haunted by grief and shame their entire adult lives. A searing and important look into a long-overlooked social history, The Girls Who Went Away is their story.

Review- A deeply moving and troubling book about American history before Roe v. Wade and the girls who were sent away for the shame of being pregnant. Fessler is herself a child from a girl who was sent away and started this journey as a way to understand her birth mother and herself. The interviews in this book are heart-breaking to read. From women who were date raped and then shamed for the pregnancy to girls who were just uneducated about sex. The interviews are raw and very hard to read but the stories these women have to tell are important and enlightening, about stolen futures and life long trauma from their children being taken from them. I would recommend this book. 

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. 

The First Night with the Duke Volume 2

Today's manga post is on The First Night with the Duke Volume 2 by Hwang DoTol and MSG (Artist). It is 256 pages long and is published by Netcomics. The cover has Zeronis on it. As it is the second volume in the series and you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. There is no foul language, mild sexuality, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of Ripley. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Nothing is going the way it did in the novel.
Ripley has to do whatever it takes to get out of marrying the obsessive main character! She tries to trick Zeronis into thinking she's gravely injured. But now that she's lying in bed pretending to be hurt, it makes her feel bad to see how worried he is about her. She never thought he'd be so concerned.

Review- Ripley continues to try and make the story follow the original one but nothing she does is working. So she decides to do something very crazy. She jumps out of a window and fakes terrible injures. But Zeronis is not put off, in fact he swears that she'll be the most beautiful bride in the kingdom. I really like this series, Ripley is so funny but so earnest, and Zeronis is a one woman man, even if the woman doesn't understand that yet. I'm so glad that this series has been brought over into English and I can't wait to read the next volume. 

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. 

Frau Faust, Vol. 5

 

Today's manga post is on Frau Faust, Vol. 5 by Kore Yamazaki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover has Faust and Mephistopheles on it. It is the fifth in the series, you need to have read the first four volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes retelling stories and clever plots. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person of the characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Reunions and Departures
With the help of Marion and Nico the homunculus, Johanna reaches the great belfry where Mephistopheles' head is kept. Johanna is nearly finished with the century-long game she's played with her demonic companion, but with Johanna's body slowly shrinking away and the church stopping at nothing to prevent her unholy reunion, will she accomplish her goal before it's too late?

Review- A interesting ending for a good series. Faust does get to Mephistopheles' head before the end of the one hundred years. What they were really playing at is never explained but in the end, that is not what really matters. What really matters is how Faust lived in those years. The lives she touched, the research she helped, and the guidance she gave, in particular to Marion. I would have liked to know more about demons and what Faust was really going after but I am still satisfied with the end. 

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

Homicide: The Graphic Novel, Part Two

Today's nonfiction is on Homicide: The Graphic Novel, Part Two by Philippe Squarzoni (Adapter/Illustrator) and David Simon. It is 400 pages long and is published by First Second. The cover has the back of one of the detectives looking at a murder board. As it is the second volume in the series, you need have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes true crime and graphic novels. There is foul language, no sex, and discussion of violence in this graphic novel. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A woman is stabbed and left to die in her bedroom. A taxi cab driver is killed for a handful of jewelry. A man is gunned down over a debt of $8. As the board fills with red ink, the pressure rises. All the while, detective Pellegrini is haunted by the murder of eleven-year-old Latonya Wallace, a case that is getting colder by the day.

Review- A great conclusion. Not everything is closed at the end of the book, the Wallace case is still officially unsolved, there still is trouble with the city and higher ups but the homicide unit is still moving forward. The narrative style continues to be strongest point of the graphic. This was a fascinating way to take a nonfiction book and recreate for it for a new audience. I recommend this graphic novel highly. 

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

Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 6

Today's manga post is on Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 6 by Gyeoeul Gwon and SUOL (Artist). It is 288 pages long and is published by Ize Press. The cover has Penelope and Winter on it. As it is the sixth in the series, you need to have read the first five volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes isekai stories with dark plots. There is mild foul language, no sex, and action violence in this manga. The story closely follows Penelope. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Following the conditions of a contract between herself and Winter, Penelope is once again leaving the duchy! She joins the marquis for volunteer work in a war-stricken nation, and while their time there is hectic, the two are able to grab a moment alone at the seaside. But the couple’s peace is shattered when they learn sorcerer children have been kidnapped! In the face of Penelope’s desperation to save them, Winter’s calm approach to the situation has the duke’s daughter suspecting that everything is not as it seems...

Review- Penelope finally has something of her own to make money with and she reaches out to Winter to handle things for her. But before he is willing to do that, he wants to test Penelope. Of course, he doesn't tell her that and when the children they are with are really kidnapped by the back guys, Penelope loses what trust she had in Winter. Too bad for Winter, good for Callisto, as he saves the day and makes Penelope questions herself about him again. With her birthday getting closer and the end of hard mode, Penelope is starting to feel the pressure and Callisto doesn't understand. I love this series and I cannot wait for the next volume. 

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

Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom, Vol. 1

Today's manga post is on Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom, Vol. 1 by Yir (Original author) and Mo9Rang (Visual Art). It is 288 pages long and is published by Ize. The cover has the main characters on it. The intended reader is someone who likes comedy, family centered stories, and very slow burn romance. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the manga- Once upon a time, there was a lovely young princess who suffered under her cruel stepmother…that is, until a children’s clothing designer is reborn as the evil stepmother! All the new Queen Abigail Friedkin wants to do is dote on the adorable Princess Blanche and give her the happy childhood she deserves. The problem is, the previous Abigail has garnered a reputation for being extremely jealous and materialistic—and to top it off, her smile is the stuff of children’s nightmares! Will Abigail be able to convince her stepdaughter that she might not be so wicked after all? 

Review- Our poor main character, she has taken over the life of a selfish queen and now has to deal with her messes. The king thinks that she'll try to kill Princess Blanche, everyone around Abigail thinks she is shallow and stupid, and Abigail's memories about herself are also sad and dark. So, Abigail has so much work before her from fixing herself to protecting Blanche. This story is very funny, Abigail's faces are great but there is some darker themes likes diet culture to the trauma of sexual assault. But the characters are great with Abigail determined to protect Blanche and maybe have a happy and peaceful life. 

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. 

I'm Glad My Mom Died

Today's nonfiction post is on I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. It is 320 pages long and is published by Simon & Schuster. The cover is yellow with McCurdy in the center holding what looks like an urn. The intended reader is someone who likes survival memoirs. There is foul language, mild sexuality, and no violence in this book but there is childhood abuse. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the audiobook- A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
In I’m Glad My Mom Died , Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly , she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

Review- The book opens with McCurdy and her brothers trying to wake their mother up from a coma and McCurdy being sure that she can do it with the news that she has hit her mother's weight goal for her, 89 pounds. McCurdy gives the reader a raw and heartbreaking account of a childhood with a emotional immature and abusive mother. At times hard to read, as McCurdy holds nothing back about her life and career as a child actor, her mother's dream. Her mother wanted to be an actor but didn't have the support to do it herself so she then handed that down to her children, weather they wanted it or not. McCurdy did not want to be an actor, she liked writing and it shows in this memoir. All of her life had been about making her mother happy and then her mother dies and McCurdy is lost. This memoir is not just about the abuse that McCurdy survived but also about finding her life without her mother. I recommend this memoir if you like survival memoirs but the abuse is openly talked about and McCurdy really doesn't hold anything back. 

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

A Man and His Cat, Vol. 5 Umi Sakurai

Today's manga post is on A Man and His Cat, Vol. 5 by Umi Sakurai. It is 164 pages long and is published by Square Enix manga and books. The cover has Mr. Kanda, Fukumaru and Moja on it. 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, no sex, and no violence in this series. The intended reader is someone who loves pet and animal stories. The story is told from third person close of the characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Fukumaru settles in for an evening of watching the house while Mr. Kanda is out on the town. But when he catches sight of a very familiar furry face on the other side of the window, the beloved kitty loses his cool! Upon Mr. Kanda's return home, a bewildered Fukumaru makes a decision he might furever regret! What should have been a pleasant night quickly turns into a nightmare for both the man and his cat! 

Review- Another cute and emotional volume in this series. Fukumaru sees a friend, who is scared and lost, and wants to help. But instead gets himself lost for two weeks. For two weeks Mr. Kanda searches for him and is heart rending to read. They both suffer being lonely and sad but they never give up hope to find home. Mr. Kanda is learning to lean on his friends more and that he is not alone. Poor Fukumaru has the hardest time, trying to keep up his hope of finding home. I teared up, as usual, when reading this volume. This series really understands what it is to love a pet and how painful it is to lose them, even for a moment. 

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 Nice House on the Lake, Vol. 1

Today's fiction post is on The Nice House on the Lake, Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno (Artist). It is 200 pages long and is published by DC Comics. The cover has a a woman in a lake with bones floating around her and a lit house behind her. The intended reader is someone who likes horror and mystery graphic novels. There is some foul language, no sex, and some violence in this graphic novel. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Everyone who was invited to the house knows Walter—well, they know him a little, anyway. Some met him in childhood; some met him months ago. And Walter’s always been a little…off.
But after the hardest year of their lives, nobody was going to turn down Walter’s invitation to an astonishingly beautiful house in the woods, overlooking an enormous sylvan lake. It’s beautiful, it’s opulent, it’s private—so a week of putting up with Walter’s weird little schemes and nicknames in exchange for the vacation of a lifetime? Why not?
All of them were at that moment in their lives when they could feel themselves pulling away from their other friends; wouldn’t a chance to reconnect be…nice? In The Nice House on the Lake, the overriding anxieties of the 21st century get a terrifying new face—and it might just be the face of the person you once trusted most.
Collects The Nice House on the Lake #1-6.

Review- An interesting alien invasion and end of the world story. A group of friends are invited to a lake house for a week and over the week the world is destroyed by an alien invasion. Now they have to survive and rebuild humanity. The mystery of who  Walter really is and what his goals are is the main thread of the story. The group has to think and decide what to do next, now that they are alone. The characters are interesting ad their interactions with Walter are the most interesting because it gives insight into Walter and what his goals are. I'm very curious about what is going to happen and how the story is going to be wrapped up. 

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

Disobedient Women: How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoning

Todays post is on Disobedient Women: How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoning by Sarah Stankorb. It is 366 pages long and is published by Worthy Books. The cover is white page with a strip being ripped down and revealing red under. The intended reader is someone who is interested in religion and the lives of people who are religious. There is no foul language, discussions of rape, sexual molestation, and violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the audiobook- Journalist Sarah Stankorb outlines how access to the internet—its networks, freedom of expression, and resources for deeply researching and reporting on powerful church figures—allowed women to begin dismantling the false authority of evangelical communities that had long demanded their submission. A generation of American Christian girls was taught submitting to men is God’s will. They were taught not to question the men in their families or their pastors. They were told to remain sexually pure and trained to feel shame if a man was tempted. Some of these girls were abused and assaulted. Some made to shrink down so small they became a shadow of themselves. To question their leaders was to question God.
All the while, their male leaders built fiefdoms from megachurches and sprawling ministries. They influenced politics and policy. To protect their church’s influence, these men covered up and hid abuse. American Christian patriarchy, as it rose in political power and cultural sway over the past four decades, hurt many faithful believers. Millions of Americans abandoned churches they once loved.
Yet among those who stayed (and a few who still loved the church they fled), a brave group of women spoke up. They built online megaphones, using the democratizing power of technology to create long-overdue change.
In Disobedient Women , journalist Sarah Stankorb gives long-overdue recognition for these everyday women as leaders and as voices for a different sort of faith. Their work has driven journalists to help bring abuse stories to national attention. Stankorb weaves together the efforts of these courageous voices in order to present a full, layered portrait of the treatment of women and the fight for change within the modern American church.
Disobedient Women is not just a look at the women who have used the internet to bring down the religious power structures that were meant to keep them quiet, but also a picture of the large-scale changes that are happening within evangelical culture regarding women’s roles, ultimately underscoring the ways technology has created a place for women to challenge traditional institutions from within.

Review- This was a very enlightening and at times very hard read. Stankorb comes from a place of person knowledge about the topic and because of her history, she gains the trust of the women whose stories she tells. She breaks down the how's of the power structure within churches and how it creates a perfect place for abuse of kinds. Stankorn not only has interviews of survivors but studies that have been done investing religious abuse. While the subject matter is dark, there is hope in this book, hope for the healing, and hope for the future by holding religious leaders responsible for their actions. 

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

Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 3

Today's post is on Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 3 by Hiromu Arakawa. It is 256 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has Roy Mustang 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 plot heavy shonen manga. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. In the search to get their bodies back, the duo unwittingly sets in motion sinister mechanisms that spell disaster for one of their friends.

Review- Ed and Al now have the attention of the Homunculi but that is still unknown. The plot is starting to move but where the journey is going is still a mystery. Ed and Al have good relationship growth in this volume with Al confronting his fear that he is not real, only made of memories from Ed. Ed is also showing his real feelings about what has happened to them and how he blames himself for everything. But then more tragedy hits with the dead of friend by the homunculus. Also Roy reveals what his plans are and why he joined the State Alchemists. So much is going on but Arakawa handles it so well that the reader knows where they are and what is going on. I look forward to seeing what is going on 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.

Sister, Maiden, Monster

Today's fiction post is on Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder. It is 265 pages long and is published by Tor Nightfire. The cover has a ball with wings and tentacles coming from it. There intended reader is someone who likes cosmic horror. There is foul language, sex, and violence in this novel. The story is told from first person in three section with three different narrators. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the novel- To survive they must evolve.
A virus tears across the globe, transforming its victims in nightmarish ways. As the world collapses, dark forces pull a small group of women together.
Erin, once quiet and closeted, acquires an appetite for a woman and her brain. Why does forbidden fruit taste so good?
Savannah, a professional BDSM switch, discovers a new turn-on: committing brutal murders for her eldritch masters.
Mareva, plagued with chronic tumors, is too horrified to acknowledge her divine role in the coming apocalypse, and as her growths multiply, so too does her desperation.

Review- This is a very interesting, well-written, and odd novel that is NOT for everyone. The world is ending, it starts with a virus, that kills most infected, and the ones who survive are changed. Now the survivors either hear things or are hungry for very different food, like brains or blood. So begins the most unusual end of the world story I have ever read. There is so much to talk about with this novel. The writing style is very good. Snyder handles the three different points of view very well, the reader is never lost about who is talking. While I did enjoy this novel, this is NOT for everyone. There are disturbing scenes from the characters realizing how changed they are to their bodies changing again at the end of the world. While not for everyone, this was is a good and interesting novel. 

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. 

Ilse Koch on Trial: Making the “Bitch of Buchenwald”

Today's nonfiction post is on Ilse Koch on Trial: Making the “Bitch of Buchenwald” by Tomaz Jardim. It is 368 pages long and is published by Harvard University Press. The cover is the mug shot of Koch. The intended reader is someone who is interested in World War II history and a closer look at the trials of one person. There is some foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- An authoritative reassessment of one of the Third Reich’s most notorious war criminals, whose alleged sexual barbarism made her a convenient scapegoat and obscured the true nature of Nazi terror.
On September 1, 1967, one of the Third Reich’s most infamous figures hanged herself in her cell after nearly twenty-four years in prison. Known as the “Bitch of Buchenwald,” Ilse Koch was singularly notorious, having been accused of owning lampshades fabricated from skins of murdered camp inmates and engaging in “bestial” sexual behavior. These allegations fueled a public fascination that turned Koch into a household name and the foremost symbol of Nazi savagery. Her subsequent prosecution resulted in a scandal that prompted US Senate hearings and even the intervention of President Truman.
Yet the most sensational atrocities attributed to Koch were apocryphal or unproven. In this authoritative reappraisal, Tomaz Jardim shows that, while Koch was guilty of heinous crimes, she also became a scapegoat for postwar Germans eager to distance themselves from the Nazi past. The popular condemnation of Koch―and the particularly perverse crimes attributed to her by prosecutors, the media, and the public at large―diverted attention from the far more consequential but less sensational complicity of millions of ordinary Germans in the Third Reich’s crimes.
Ilse Koch on Trial reveals how gendered perceptions of violence and culpability drove Koch’s zealous prosecution at a time when male Nazi perpetrators responsible for greater crimes often escaped punishment or received lighter sentences. Both in the international press and during her three criminal trials, Koch was condemned for her violation of accepted gender norms and “good womanly behavior.” Koch’s “sexual barbarism,” though treated as an emblem of the Third Reich’s depravity, ultimately obscured the bureaucratized terror of the Nazi state and hampered understanding of the Holocaust.

Review- This is a deep dive into one person's role in Nazi Germany. Ilse Koch did not work at a camp, she was married to the camp commander and she was a card carrying Nazi but she had no authority. Instead she became the face for all Germans who knew what was happening and did nothing. So the legend of Ilse Koch as grown over the years and now she is a symbol of a power and lust crazed woman. That image does no favors for anyone, not for those who do act in those ways nor to a average person who just looks the other way. Jardim wants to engage with history and try to pick apart what really happened and what Ilse Koch did. This book is written in a very academic way and that will put some readers off but if World War II history is a passion for you, then you should have this one 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.

The First Night with the Duke Volume 1

Today's manga post is on The First Night with the Duke Volume 1 by Hwang DoTol. It is 296 pages long and is published by Net Comics. The intended reader is someone who likes humorous, love stories with interesting characters. There is mild foul language, implied sexuality, and no violence in this manga. The story closely follows Ripley. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- "I screwed up! I wasn't supposed to end up in bed with the main character!"
One morning, I opened my eyes and discovered that I'd been transported into a romance novel as Lady Ripley, a count's daughter and a minor character.
So I figured I might as will kick back and enjoy a life of luxury in the background of the novel to the fullest!
But then I went to a party and made a huge mistake.
The last thing I remember is when I started drinking...
And when I came to senses, I was in bed with the stone-hearted main character, Duke Zeronis d'Inglid!
"Since that two of us were each other's first time, shouldn't we take responsibility for what happened?"

Review- Ripley is a normal college student who likes to read fantasy romance novels, when she wakes up in her favorite as a minor background character. So she decides to watch her favorite loves story from up close and enjoy having lots of money too! But when she is invited to the original female lead's birthday and get very wasted, she wakes up, this time in the male lead's bed with him! He now is very taken with her and very uninterested in the original female lead. Ripley doesn't want to destroy her favorite love story but the Duke is having none of it. This is a very funny story with a very funny heroine, I just love Ripley, she's so extreme and in over her head. This story is not for everyone who likes isekea but if you don't take it too seriously, you will have a good time reading this one. 

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. 

The Children of Old Leech: A Tribute to the Carnivorous Cosmos of Laird Barron

Today's fiction post is on The Children of Old Leech: A Tribute to the Carnivorous Cosmos of Laird Barron by Ross E. Lockhart (Editor) and Justin Steele (Editor). It is 342 pages long and is published by Word Horde. The cover is black with leeches and a broken red circle. The intended reader is someone who has read some of Laird Barron's work. There is some foul language, implied sexuality, and horror violence in this book. The stories are told from different points of view per story. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- There are Things — terrifying Things — whispered of in darkened forests beyond the safe comfort of firelight: The Black Guide, the Broken Ouroboros, the Pageant, Belphegor, Old Leech...
These Things have always been here. They predate you. They will outlast you.
This book pays tribute to those Things.
For We are the Children of Old Leech...and we love you.

Review- This was an interesting series short stories set in the universe of the Old Leech from Laird Barron. From stories about the Old Leech eating people in parts to people seeing him in the flesh and what horrors that brings. The writing styles are very diverse and give the reader many options for setting and characters. If you have read Barron's work, this collection is a nice companion but for the horror fan who has not read Barron, you will get less out of this collection and should go read Barron's work. Enjoyable collection for Laird Barron fans. 

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

Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage

Today's nonfiction post is on Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage by Jeff Guinn. It is 400 pages long and is published by Simon & Schuster. The cover is a picture of the siege of the Mount Carmel. The intended reader is someone who is interested in modern American history. There is some foul language, discussions of rape and sexual abuse of children, and violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- This is the definitive account of the disastrous siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, featuring never-before-seen documents, photographs, and interviews, from former investigative reporter Jeff Guinn, bestselling author of Manson and The Road to Jonestown.
For the first time in thirty years, more than a dozen former ATF agents who participated in the initial February 28, 1993, Waco raid speak on the record about the poor decisions of their commanders that led to this deadly confrontation. The revelations in this book include why the FBI chose to end the siege with the use of CS gas; how both ATF and FBI officials tried and failed to cover up their agencies’ mistakes; where David Koresh plagiarized his infamous prophecies; and direct links between the Branch Davidian tragedy and the modern militia movement in America. Notorious conspiracist Alex Jones is a part of the Waco story. So much is new and stunning.
Guinn puts you alongside the ATF agents as they embarked on the disastrous initial assault, unaware that the Davidians knew they were coming and were armed and prepared to resist. His you-are-there narrative continues to the final assault and its momentous consequences. Drawing on this new information, including several eyewitness accounts, Guinn again does what he did with his bestselling books about Charles Manson and Jim Jones, revealing new details about a story that we thought we knew.

Review- A very in-depth look around what happened at Mount Carmel, before and during, the siege at Waco. Guinn interviews everyone who is willing to talk with him from ATF agents, reporters, people of Waco, and surviving Branch Davidians. The book covers the beginning of the Branch Davidian sect and David Koresh's personal history. The interviews give great insight into what went wrong and how easy it was for everything to get out of any kind of control for both sides. The ATF at large did not know that the Davidians knew they were coming and that the Davidians believed that the ATF were from the devil and the end of world was starting. The book continues into the nearer present with following the agents and survivors. The writing is good, the facts both for and against Koresh and his followers and what they believed and how far they were willing to go to bring around the end of the world. I learned a lot about Waco and the people involved, I would recommend this book. 

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. 

Fire in His Fingertips: A Flirty Fireman Ravishes Me with His Smoldering Gaze Vol. 3

Today's manga post is on Fire in His Fingertips: A Flirty Fireman Ravishes Me with His Smoldering Gaze Vol. 3 by Tanishi Kawano. It is 160 pages long and is published by Ghost Ship. The cover has Souma 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 romance manga between adults. There is no mild foul language, sex and sexuality, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- “DON’T RUN AWAY FROM ME, NOT NOW…”
Despite herself, Ryo has finally let Souma in. They’ve confessed their feelings, and now their awkward love is blossoming into something deeper, body and soul. But it’s not easy being a firefighter’s girlfriend! First Souma’s job threatens to interrupt everything, and then who should show up at Ryo’s workplace but her ex-boyfriend, Rei!

Review- Now that Ryo and Souma are now in a official relationship, they are moving along nicely. They are having some minor issues but they discuss things like adults. The next bit of drama will be from Ryo's ex working with her on a project. The characters are growing in this volume, with their communication skills and years of being friends, they know each other well. It will be interesting to see how they handle the ex and the trouble he is going to be bring. The art continues to be excellent with the love scenes adding to the story, helping to build the relationship with Ryo and Souma. I look forward to seeing what is going to happen next. 

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. 

Harrow County: Omnibus Volume 2

Today's post is on Harrow County: Omnibus Volume 2 by Cullen Bunn et all. It is 408 pages long and published by Dark Horse Books. The cover has Hester Beck with a bloody cow skull in her hands. As it is the second omnibus, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical urban fantasy and horror. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and action violence in this graphic novel. The story follows Emmy. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- While Emmy has been focused on dealing with supernatural threats from the outside world; a much bigger problem has been brewing at home, leading to an epic confrontation that will alter the fate of the entirety of Harrow County!

Review- A great conclusion to a great story. Emmy has so much to do with keeping Harrow County safe from all the spirits in it and she has to learn about who she is really is. Emmy learns more about her family, her real powers, and what powers Kammi had. Bernice is also learning how to protect Harrow County in her own way. But none of that matters when Hester is returned to the world and she is gunning for Emmy. This was an great journey with Emmy and the others in Harrow County. I would read the next thing by Bunn and the artists who work with him. 

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

Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere

Today's post is on Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere by Maria Bamford. It is 287 pages long and is published by Gallery Books. The cover is yellow with Maria on it in a white dress with flowers in her hair and a silly look on her face. The intended reader is someone who likes memoirs. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the audiobook- From “weird, scary, ingenious” (The New York Times) stand-up comedian Maria Bamford, a brutally honest and hilariously frenetic memoir about show business, mental health, and the comfort of rigid belief systems—from Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, to Suzuki violin training, to Richard Simmons, to 12-step programs.
Maria Bamford is a comedian’s comedian (an outsider among outsiders) and has forever fought to find a place to belong. From struggling with an eating disorder as a child of the 1980s, to navigating a career in the arts (and medical debt and psychiatric institutionalization), she has tried just about every method possible to not only be a part of the world, but to want to be a part of it.
In Bamford’s signature voice, Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult, brings us on a quest to participate in something. With sincerity and transparency, she recounts every anonymous fellowship she has joined (including but not limited to: Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous), every hypomanic episode (from worrying about selling out under capitalism to enforcing union rules on her Netflix TV show set to protect her health), and every easy 1-to-3-step recipe for fudge in between.
Singular and inimitable, Bamford’s memoir explores what it means to keep going, and to be a member of society (or any group she’s invited to) despite not being very good at it. In turn, she hopes to transform isolating experiences into comedy that will make you feel less alone (without turning into a cult following).

Review- A hilarious memoir about a one woman's journey through life, comedy, mental illness, and family. Bamford reads this audiobook and her impersonations of her family and friends are just hysterical. She holds nothing back from her life and her journey with mental illness. Bamford not only has stories about working as a comedian but she includes helpful little recipes from her family about how to handle different problems. Bamford as so many little touches over the course of this book, that make it so very special. I completely recommend this book, I enjoyed it so much. 

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

The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 8

Today's manga post is on The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 8 by Kousuke Oono. It is 168 pages long and is published by Viz Media. As it is the eighth in the long running series, you need to have some other volumes to understand the story. The cover has Tatsu ironing and looking very intense. There is no foul language, no sex, and comedy violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes comedy manga with over the top gags. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Housework without Honor or Humanity.
The cozy yakuza comedy continues as everyone's favorite househusband finds himself in even more crazy high jinks. Between a donut showdown and a new lady cop on the beat, Tatsu may have finally met his match! It's just another day for the Immortal Dragon. 

Review-Another prefect volume of great comedy. Tatsu gets himself into and out of some great silliness in this one. At the end of the volume there is a special Poli-Cure episode, that is Tatsu's wife's favorite show. It was fun and funny to see Oono take on the magical girl tropes. Tatsu continues to be the best, most oblivious former yakuza ever. From trying to find a home for a hamster and hiding like a gun to trying to out man one of his friends in a steam sauna, there is a little bit of everything in this volume. I love this series so much and I cannot wait to read the next volume. 

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

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night

Today's post is on Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao. It is 480 pages long and is published by Delacorte Press. The cover is light blue with a long Chinese style dragon on it. The intended reader is someone who likes Asian fantasy. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and action violence in it. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Once, Lan had a different name. Now, she goes by the one the Elantian colonizers gave her when they invaded her kingdom, killed her mother, and outlawed her people's magic. She spends her nights as a songgirl in Haak'gong, a city transformed by the conquerors, and spends her days scavenging for remnants of the past. For anything that might help her understand the strange mark burned into her arm by her mother, in her last act before she died.
No one can see the mysterious mark--an untranslatable Hin character--except Lan. Until the night a boy appears at the teahouse and saves her life.
Zen is a practitioner--one of the fabled magicians of the Last Kingdom, whose abilities were rumored to be drawn from the demons they communed with. Magic believed to be long lost. Magic to be hidden from the Elantians at all costs.
When Zen comes across Lan's unusual qi, he recognizes what she is: a practitioner with a powerful ability hidden in the mark on her arm. He's never seen anything like it--but he knows: if there are answers, they lie deep in the pine forests and misty mountains of the Last Kingdom, with an order of practitioning masters planning to overthrow the Elantian regime.
Both Lan and Zen have secrets buried deep within. Fate has connected them, but their destiny remains unwritten. Both hold the power to liberate their land. And both hold the power to destroy the world.

Review- An interesting fantasy in an Asian inspired world. Lan is a song girl at a local brothel and is trying to discover more about her mother and the scar on her arm. Zan is a disciple of the hidden magic of their people and looking for answers himself. When they meet, off they go on an adventure for truth and to save their homeland and culture. This was a very fun read, especially if you know anything about Chinese mythology or Chinese TV dramas. But if you don't, this is still a great read. The characters are interesting, the setting is good, and the writing style is good. I am curious about where the story is going and how everything is going to end. 

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.

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 20

Today's manga post is on Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 20 by Mizuho Kusanagi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Gija on it. As it is the twentieth volume in the series, you need to have read the first nineteen volumes in order to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy, action shojo manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Yona and Riri wind up in the nation of Sei after being betrayed by a trusted acquaintance! Forced to work as slaves, the two stubbornly refuse to be controlled, but their situation is dire. In order to save Yona and Riri, Hak and the Four Dragons, split into two groups and sneak into enemy territory! 

Review- Yona and Riri are in danger but they are going to just let things happen to them. They discover and learn about the people who are kidnapping for slaves. Hak and co. quickly discover that Yona is missing and they go on the hunt for her. But with Riri being the daughter of the Water Tribe leader, all of the kingdom get involved. This volume is about building relationships as the plot takes a back sit and it is important to see the bonds between the characters. Yona and Riri survive by trusting and helping each other. It ends with a cliff hanger and Riri in danger, so I am looking forward to the next volume. 

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

The Lonesome Hunters

Today's fiction post is on The Lonesome Hunters by Tyler Crook. It is 104 pages long and is published by Dark Horse Comics. The cover has the two main characters with the magic sword. The intended reader is someone who likes urban fantasy and supernatural settings. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this graphic novel. The story is told from third person god perspective following the characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- An old and out-of-practice monster hunter in hiding crosses paths with a young girl that forces him to confront these chaotic creatures. As the beasts invade their tenement they set off on a supernatural road trip to stop these ancient evils in a story that explores the ways that youth informs adulthood and how early traumas can haunt us in old age.

Review- The story starts with the hunter, Howard, as a young man and what happened to him. Then we jump into the future with Lupe as she is trying to just make it living with her uncle, who stole something that he shouldn't have. She runs to Howard and then they are fighting and running from things either truly understand. This volume is a lot of set-up from the world to the characters. So a lot of questions but no answer about what is really going on and who the bad guys really are. But I'm hopeful, as I did enjoy this graphic novel. I look forward to reading the volume whenever it comes out. 

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

The Promised Neverland, Vol. 3

Today's manga post is on The Promised Neverland, Vol. 3 by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu  (Illustrator). It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has the children running and defended themselves. As it is the third volume in the series, you need to have read the first two volumes. The intended reader is someone who likes horror, dystopian manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and some mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the different characters moving as needed. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Destroy!
In order to escape the orphanage where they are being raised as food for demons, Emma, Norman and Ray begin recruiting allies. But convincing the other children to believe them may not be an easy task. 

Review- This volume is very tense with the adults both moving, against the children and each other. Sister Krone wants to be a mom and she knows that the children are planning to escape. So she proposes a alliance, help for the children to escape and help to bring down mom Isabelle. Of course nothing goes as planned with Sister Krone giving her life to help the children in some mysterious way and mom Isabelle saying that Norman's day is here. The tension is getting greater as the children are very aware of time running out for them and they still know so little about the outside world. I hope that we get the escape soon because Grace Field House is just getting more dangerous for everyone, even Isabelle. 

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.

Mister Magic

Today's fiction post is on Mister Magic by Kiersten White. It is 295 pages long and is published by Del Rey. The cover is bright pink with a TV in the center with black liquid dripping out of it. The intended reader is someone who likes horror. There is mild foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the main character Val. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Who is Mister Magic? Former child stars reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show—and discover the secret of its enigmatic host—in this dark supernatural thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide.
Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.
But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has.
Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since.
After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?
Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . . .

Review- A great story about a forgotten TV show and the friends who lived in it. Val doesn't remember much about her life before coming to live on the ranch. Her and her father are on the run from something or someone. Val is sure it's because of something she did as a child but her father refuses to answer any questions about her life before. When he dies, the people he was hiding her from, find Val. Tell her that she was on a TV show and they need to her to fix the show. But everything around the show is weird and the people who want her to fix it are even weirder. This was a incredible read about more than just a forgotten TV show for children. It was about surviving abuse, cult programming, and forgiving yourself for being a child trapped alone with something that is hungry for that special something that all children have. The writing is very good, the characters are interesting and relatable for children who survived, and the world is too real, as someone who has read about cults. I highly recommend this novel. 

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. 

Unearthed: A Lost Actress, a Forbidden Book, and a Search for Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust

Today's nonfiction post is on Unearthed: A Lost Actress, a Forbidden Book, and a Search for Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust by Meryl Frank. It is 256 pages long and is published by Hachette Books. The cover is a picture of Franya Winter. The intended reader is someone who is interested in personal histories and the long term affects of the second world war. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A thrilling mystery woven into a beautifully constructed family Meryl Frank’s journey to seek the truth about a beloved and revolutionary cousin, a celebrated actress in Vilna before World War II, and to answer the question of how the next generation should honor the memory of the Holocaust.
As a child, Meryl Frank was the chosen inheritor of family remembrance. Her aunt Mollie, a formidable and cultured woman, insisted that Meryl never forget who they were, where they came from, and the hate that nearly destroyed them. Over long afternoons, Mollie told her about the city, the theater, and, above all else, Meryl’s cousin, the radiant Franya Winter. Franya was the leading light of Vilna’s Yiddish theater, a remarkable and precocious woman who cast off the restrictions of her Hasidic family and community to play roles as prostitutes and bellhops, lovers and nuns. Yet there was one thing her aunt Mollie would never tell how Franya died. Before Mollie passed away, she gave Meryl a Yiddish book containing the terrible answer, but forbade her to read it. And for years, Meryl obeyed.
Unearthed is the story of Meryl’s search for Franya and a timely history of hatred and resistance. Through archives across four continents, by way of chance encounters and miraculous discoveries, and eventually, guided by the shocking truth recorded in the pages of the forbidden book, Meryl conjures the rogue spirit of her cousin—her beauty and her tragedy. Meryl’s search reveals a lost world destroyed by hatred, illuminating the cultural haven of Vilna and its resistance during World War II. As she seeks to find her lost family legacy, Meryl looks for answers to the questions that have defined her what is our duty to the past? How do we honor such memories while keeping them from consuming us? And what do we teach our children about tragedy?

Review- Frank grew up on the stories of family members who were 'lost', as her aunt put it. She couldn't get enough of her family history but there were so many questions that no one had any answers for her. So when her aunt dies and Frank becomes the memory keeper for her family, Frank wants to know more and she begins her search. This is a moving story about a woman looking for her family, the past, and the future of her family. On the way, Frank does not just discover what happened but unknown heroes who saved precious information and family mementos. Frank does not gloss over what happened to her family and other Jews in Vilna but she finds hope in the story and shares that with the reader. I truly enjoyed this book and I found it to be beautiful, hopeful story about family and survival. I would recommend this book. 

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. 

I Swear I Won't Bother You Again! Vol. 2

Today's manga post is I Swear I Won't Bother You Again! Vol. 2 by Haru Harukawa  (Artist) , and Reina Soratani  (Original Story). It is 180 pages long and is published by Seven Seas. The cover has the crown prince on it. As it is the second volume you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes villainess stories, rom-coms, and shojo manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is story from third person close of the main character, Violette. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- All the World's a Stage
The daughter of a duke, Lady Violette, attempted to murder her half sister out of jealousy and was thrown into prison for her crime. After losing consciousness in jail, she wakes up one year in the past. This time, she decides to avoid attention and live a quiet and normal life. But the people around her can't help but notice that something's different. Despite her attempts to lay low, during a study session Violette crosses paths with the handsome price and student council president Claudia, as well as his closest confident Milania, and her childhood friend Yulan! And now her half sister Maryjune won't leave her alone, either!

Review- This volume picks up right where the last one left off with the prince about to go on stage. Violette helps him because she can without thinking about it but now the prince has noticed her. Of course now that Violette is just living her life without trying to get anyone to notice her, the prince is all over her and I am will her on being annoyed about it. In addition we see some of Violette's past when she was a child and the abuse that her mother did. Her mother made Violette dress as a boy and pretend to be her father. It was very twisted but it shows why Yulan is so attached to Violette and why Violette so badly wants to be loved for herself. I am looking forward to the next volume.

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