The Remarried Empress, Vol. 2

Today's manga post is on The Remarried Empress, Vol. 2 by Alphatart and Sumpul (Artist). It is272 pages long and is published by Ize Press. The cover has Navier reaching for Queen on it. As it is the second volume in the series, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical fantasy stories with slow burn love stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main character, Navier. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- My Queen...I don't want to lie to you of all people.
Now that Navier knows the identity of her pen pal, she's happy to find herself growing closer to Heinrey. But things aren't that simple for the empress- not everyone is quite so pleased about their friendship, and the charming prince himself seems to be hiding something big... Meanwhile Rashta's secret has been exposed, leaving her backed into a corner. With threats looming over her head and Sovieshu's eye trained on Navier, just how far is Rashta willing to go to preserve her new life?

Review- This volume picks up right where the previous volume left off. Rashta has been found by her former master and he tells the whole court that she was a slave. But the emperor makes him pay for embarrassing her. Somehow the emperor makes it all Navier's fault. She handles herself well and people who are watching see how graceful she is. Navier is dealing with both the emperor and Rashta well in spite of both of them wanting to blame her everything. She continues to do her job as empress. Heinrey also continues to try and woo her gently and the emperor is noticing this. I am enjoying this manga, the art is good, the story is interesting, and there is lots of drama! I hope that we get the divorce scene soon because I am getting sick of the emperor and Rashta's dramatics. 

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 Exorcist

Today's post is on The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. It is 340 pages long and is published by Harper Collins. The cover is black with a cross and a face in the center. The intended reader is someone who is interested in classic horror fiction. There is foul language, sexuality, and some horror violence in this novel. The story is told from third person perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

Blurb- Georgetown, Washington D.C. Actress and divorced mother Chris MacNeil starts to experience 'difficulties' with her usually sweet-natured eleven-year-old daughter Regan. The child becomes afflicted by spasms, convulsions and unsettling amnesiac episodes; these abruptly worsen into violent fits of appalling foul-mouthed curses, accompanied by physical mutation. Medical science is baffled by Regan's plight and, in her increasing despair, Chris turns to troubled priest and psychiatrist Damien Karras, who immediately recognizes something profoundly malevolent in Regan's distorted features and speech. On Karras's recommendation, the Church summons Father Merrin, a specialist in the exorcism of demons . . .

Review- A very well written horror novel. The novel is mostly about the search for what it is going on with Regan. No one believes that she is possessed because this is a modern age, it has to be mental illness. But as the search gets deeper and other options are taken away, only one answer is left. I did not find this novel scary but very interesting and very well written. The writing is just incredible, Blatty is one of the best writer I have ever read. I would recommend this novel, if you think you can handle the intense subject matter. 

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

Villains are Destined to Die, Vol 3

Today's manga post is on Villains are Destined to Die, Vol 3 by Gyeoeul Gwon and SUOL (Illustrator). It is 288 pages long and is published by Ize Press. The cover has Penelope and her brother Reynold on it. As it is the third in the series, you need to have read the two volumes to understand the story. There is no mild foul language, no sex, and some action violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes isekai stories, intense plots, and gorgeous artwork. The story is told from third person close of Penelope. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- "I don't want to live like this either, only every being despised."
Life is hard mode for "villain" Penelope Eckhart means with every step forward, she's shoved five steps back. Just when things seem to be stabilizing between her and the brothers, she finds herself coming to blows with Reynold, who insists on dredging up the past- an affront to Penelope refuses to take lying down. To make matters worse, she's forced to attend the hunting tournament hosted by the crown prince- and Callisto + weapons + a recipe for DANGER!

Review- This volume is just great! Penelope has some great character growth and her brother Reynold does too. They have it out about what he did to her years ago and why he framed her for stealing. Penelope pulls from her life before to explain why the child Penelope would do or say things she did. Reynold is forced to face himself and his childish behavior. The manga just has it all, drama, humor, action, and of course the most gorgeous art. In the end of the volume Prince Callisto is back and I just love him. I am very excited for the next volume and more of everything!

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.

Six Crimson Cranes

Today's fiction post is on Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim. It is 464 pages long and is published by Knopf Books. The cover has the main character and her swan brothers behind her. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy, re-telling fairy tales, and light love stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from first person close of the main character, Shiori. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A princess in exile, the boy she left at the altar, six enchanted cranes, and a dragon from the deepest sea.
Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.
Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.
Peniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne--a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain--no matter what it costs her.

Review- A wonderful re-telling of the swan brothers in an Asian inspired fantasy. Shiori runs away from her betrothal ceremony and falls into a pond. She meets a dragon who promises to help her learn to control her magic. But before that can happen, her step-mother curses her and her six brothers. Far away from home, alone, and unknown, Shiori has to find her brothers, feed herself, and discover a way to free herself and her brothers. The plot is good, the characters are interesting with Shiori being a stand out, and the setting is very fun. Shiori is smart, she is brave, and she is willing to learn from her mistakes. I am looking forward to reading the next volume. 

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

Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession and Danger in the Himalayas

Today's nonfiction post is on Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession and Danger in the Himalayas by Harley Rustad. It is 304 pages long and is published by Harper. The cover is a picture of Parvati Valley. The intended reader is someone who likes true crime stories. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and discussion of violence. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- For centuries, India has enthralled westerners looking for an exotic getaway, a brief immersion in yoga and meditation, or in rare cases, a true pilgrimage to find spiritual revelation. Justin Alexander Shetler, an inveterate traveler trained in wilderness survival, was one such seeker.
In his early thirties Justin Alexander Shetler, quit his job at a tech startup and set out on a global journey: across the United States by motorcycle, then down to South America, and on to the Philippines, Thailand, and Nepal, in search of authentic experiences and meaningful encounters, while also documenting his travels on Instagram. His enigmatic character and magnetic personality gained him a devoted following who lived vicariously through his adventures. But the ever restless explorer was driven to pursue ever greater challenges, and greater risks, in what had become a personal quest--his own hero's journey.
In 2016, he made his way to the Parvati Valley, a remote and rugged corner of the Indian Himalayas steeped in mystical tradition yet shrouded in darkness and danger. There, he spent weeks studying under the guidance of a sadhu, an Indian holy man, living and meditating in a cave. At the end of August, accompanied by the sadhu, he set off on a "spiritual journey" to a holy lake--a journey from which he would never return.
Lost in the Valley of Death is about one man's search to find himself, in a country where for many westerners the path to spiritual enlightenment can prove fraught, even treacherous. But it is also a story about all of us and the ways, sometimes extreme, we seek fulfillment in life.

Review- An interesting but underwhelming book about one man's disappearance in the Parvati Valley in India. Justin Alexander Shetler was an outdoor enthusiast, he was trained in wilderness survival from a very young age and was a world traveler to boot. Then he misses a check in with friends and family. No one in India has him for weeks. The police will not do anything without someone there to represent the family and the Parvati Valley is known for tourist disappearing. Rustad is a fine writer but his prose does not stand out in this book. The story is only mildly interesting but I cannot point my finger on why this book did not really pull me in. If you are interested in disappearances or the Parvati Valley, you may enjoy this book. But you are looking for a riveting true crime book, then give this one a pass. 

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

Spy x Family, vol 7

 

Today's post is on Spy x Family, vol 7 by Tatsuya Endo. It is 200 pages long and is published by Viz Manga. The cover has Damian looking grumpy on it. As it is the seventh in the series, you need to read the first six volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who is interested in humorous spy and assassin manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- As Donovan Desmond is about to share a rare family moment with his son Damian, Twilight cuts in to meet his target face-to-face for the first time. Can Twilight find some way to endear himself to the inscrutable Donovan?

Review- We get to see more into Damian's life and it is very sad. I'm glad that he has Anya in his life now, even if he doesn't understand why. We travel with Damian as some of the adults in his life try to give him a more normal life and interactions. We also get to see Yor's boss and they are a mystery person who wears a mask and is starting to get worried about Yor's married life and if that family is getting in the way of Yor's job. It ends with the family going on a cruise together and that is going to be an experience for all of us. 

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.

Little Eve

Today's post is on Little Eve by Catriona Ward. It is 271 pages long and is published by Tor Nightfire. The cover is a picture of a castle reflected in water. The intended reader is someone who likes horror. There is mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from first person perspective of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the dust jacket- A heart-pounding tale of faith and family, with a devastating twist
“A great day is upon us. He is coming. The world will be washed away.”
On the wind-battered isle of Altnaharra, off the wildest coast of Scotland, a clan prepares to bring about the end of the world and its imminent rebirth.
The Adder is coming and one of their number will inherit its powers from him. They all want the honor, but young Eve is willing to do anything for the distinction.
A reckoning beyond Eve's imagination begins when Chief Inspector Black arrives to investigate a brutal murder and their sacred ceremony goes terribly wrong.
And soon all the secrets of Altnaharra will be uncovered.

Review- This was a great slow burn horror novel. Eve lives with her small family on Altnaharra, an island just off the coast of Scotland, and they are getting ready for the end of the world. Eve wants to be the next servant for the Adder but her uncle does not want to let power go. The story is told in two ways one in 1917 and other in 1927 and forward. This story is about survival, learning the truth, and what to do with the truth after. The characters were very interesting, the mystery was intriguing, and slow burn horror is very good. I would recommend this novel for all horror lovers to try out. 

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