Manga Review: Kamisama Kiss, Volume 24, by Julietta Suzuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Volumes: 25.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 23. 25 (Limited Edition).

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Nanami inherits a shrine, it comes with divine powers and a hot fox spirit!

Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a man she’s just saved from a dog offers to let her stay at his place while he’s away, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his home is a shrine and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

Review:

We finally get the conclusion of the Akura-oh plot line. It's rather bittersweet, in the end.

After that, the group has to go back to normal life. We get a chapter featuring Mizuki, because he's upset about what's happening with Nanami. Now that Nanami and Tomoe are back home, they get to see the realities of what will happen if Tomoe goes through with becoming a human—which he's made up his mind about.

They decide to take some time and prepare, and I'm intrigued to see what they will look like at the end of it. Part of it is sad, but it does make sense for them. Nanami gets really stressed out about preparing, because she believes they're going to need a lot. It makes sense, but I think that Tomoe should have been doing more. Which makes it even better when he takes over and does what he thinks is right.

This series is great; it falls in the background for me a lot, but it's always a fun read. I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Noragami: Stray God, Volume 18, by Adachitoka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Volumes: 18 (Hiatus)

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 17.

Add on Goodreads.

RightStuf Synopsis:

 Now that Yato has defeated Takemikazuchi, he must protect Bishamon long enough for the thunder god to convince the Heavens to call off their punishment. Meanwhile, Yukin strives to keep Yato and the crafter alive to ensure Yato’s safety, but when Bishamon takes deadly aim at Kōto, Yukin resorts to drastic measures…

Review:

One fight ends, only for an even bigger one to start. Yato finishes his fight with Takemikazuchi, and then goes to help Bishamon. Meanwhile, we see that Kazuma has reached Bishamon, only for a painful departure. Hiyori is trying to do what she can to help, though I'm not quite sure what that is leading to. In the midst of this, we get a little backstory, regarding Kazuma's nickname for Bishamon and how it came about; we also see that Kofuku got her nickname from Daikoku.

And then Yato and Yukine get taken in, and it's just—it's... It's awful and I'm so, so upset about it. It's painful to watch, and then that cliffhanger... I cannot believe it's ending there.

This volume had me really worked up, and really upset.

I am so upset that it's on hiatus at this point in the series. I really miss those monthly releases about now.

(On a side note, I do hope that the author is okay, and it's not too serious.)

Manga Review: My Hero Academia, Volume 7, by Kohei Horikoshi

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2017

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Midoriya has learned a few tricks from Gran Torino, but some things just have to be experienced to be understood. Even though he’s not ready, when the League of Villains attacks in the town of Hosu, Midoriya rushes to help Ida, who is engaged in a life-or-death struggle with Hero Killer Stain. Stain has some very particular ideas about heroes and their place in society—and he means to purge every hero he can find!

Review:

The big battle with the Hero Killer concludes in this volume. It's an odd conclusion, at least for the Hero Killer, seeing where his mental state goes. Afterward, the group gets to see the aftermath of a public fight like that, the way the police have to balance things out.

There's a small break, where everyone gets back in class and we see what some of the others had been up to. Then the next big test comes, and each student is paired up and gets to fight a teacher. It's interesting to see who the teacher Midoriya gets to fight, but not a surprise who he's paired up with. I suppose we get to see a little more of Bakugo's past here, who he is as a person, but I still don't like him. Maybe he's supposed to be more sympathetic, but he's still a jerk. It'll be interesting to see if him and Midoriya can get passed that long enough to work together, though.

This is a fun series, and I do hope to pick up the next one soon. I like seeing how everyone is growing up.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Teaser Tuesday[249]: Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

---------------------------------------------------

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Viking (Penguin)

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Goodreads Synopsis:

As bubbly as champagne and delectable as wedding cake, Once and for All, Sarah Dessen's thirteenth novel, is set in the world of wedding planning, where crises are routine.

Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that's why she's cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm's length. But Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged, now that he's met the one girl he really wants.

Sarah Dessen’s many, many fans will adore her latest, a richly satisfying, enormously entertaining story that has everything—humor, romance, and an ending both happy and imperfect, just like life itself.

Excerpt:

“ 'I protest,' Ambrose said. 'The rule about the dating bet is you don't talk to dates about the bet.'” (Hardback, pg. 175)

What are you reading?

Manga Review: Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 12, by Sui Ishida

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2017

Volumes: 14.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 11. 13.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except for their craving for human flesh.

Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

The 4th Ward falls under attack by Assistant Special Investigator Arima of the Commission of Counter Ghoul. Amon finds a connection between the CCG and an underground lab seemingly designed to research turning humans into Ghouls. And an old partnership that could spell trouble for the 20th Ward reforms.

Review:

Kaneki makes an interesting decision in this volume, and it makes me wonder if he's reverted a little to what he used to be like. I honestly hope not, though I must admit it might be good for him, given his recent change.

Aside from that, it seems like the author chick is up to something. She's snooping around quite a bit, and I wonder what exactly she's after. We also get a new revelation regarding Yoshimura, which I wasn't expecting. Though, to be honest, I haven't really given the smaller mentioned ghouls much thought. Along with that, we finally get to see what has become of Rize. It's a rather sad site.

The more of this series I read, the more interested I am to see how it ends. We're finally getting some answers, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Maid-sama!, Volume 13 & 14, by Hiro Fujiwara

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2017

Volumes: 18.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1&2. 11&12. 15&16.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A 2-in-1 edition of the romantic-comedy series where a student council president secretly works at a maid café!

As if being student council president of a predominantly male high school isn’t hard enough, Misaki Ayuzawa has a major secret—she works at a maid café after school! How is she supposed to keep her image of being ultra smart, strong and overachieving intact once school heartthrob Takumi Usui discovers her double life?!

Misaki decides to tell Usui how she feels and goes on a date with him to the amusement park on Christmas Day! But with Cedric the spy following their every move, will she be able to say anything? Later, Usui drops some serious news that will affect his relationship with Misaki!

Review:

Oh man, Misa and Usui finally make it official in this volume. I'm so very happy about this, because it was the last step to them making the statement. It's nice to see Misa making the step forward with him, too, since it's so hard on her to talk about her real feelings. There are a few very sweet moments between them in this volume.

A surprising note, here, is how human Usui seems now. Before, he was a straight-faced, emotionless guy who was always around for Misa, the stereotypical, invincible love interest. But now he feels like a real person; his reactions are more realistic and honest, and he's more understandable.

We find out a few more things about Usui's family in this volume, plus Usui makes a surprising decision in this volume. I do like the way that Misa and Usui decide to stay strong in their relationship here, against everyone who is fighting them on it.

Also, Suzuna starts high school in this volume! Aw, man, I love her. I'm also completely on team Suzuna x Hinata. 100% in love with them. I really hope more happens at some point, especially with so many more opportunities now. (Also of Yukimura x Kanou, but I doubt anything will happen there.)

I quite love this series, and am looking forward to reading the next one.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Citrus, Volume 3, by Saburouta

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: 2015

Volumes: 7+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Yuzuko Aihara, a high school girl whose main interests are fashion, friends and having fun, is about to get a reality check. Due to her mom's remarriage, Yuzu has transfered to a new, all-girls school that is extemely strict. Her real education is about to begin.

From Day One, happy-go-lucky Yuzu makes enemies, namely the beautiful yet stern Student Council President Mei. So what happens when a dejected Yuzu returns home and discovers the shock of her life: that Mei is actually her new step-sister who has come to live with her? Even more surprising, when Mei catches Yuzu offguard and kisses her out of the blue, what does it all mean?

Review:

I want to love this series, but it kind of makes me uneasy.

Yuzu seems to be feeling completely one-sided love for Mei. Mei appears to be completely uninterested, and even just put-off by Yuzu’s feelings, though I do think that there’s something big she’s hiding still. A new character is introduced, an old friend of Yuzu’s, but she just feels pushy and harasses the two of them, then blackmails Mei.

This series makes me feel bad, uncomfortable. I want to like the relationship developing between Yuzu and Mei, but all the drama from other people, the blackmailing and using, makes me dislike it.

The cliffhanger makes me a little intrigued in the next one… But I just don’t know if I can read more.

Manga Review: My Hero Academia, Volume 6, by Kohei Horikoshi

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2016

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Izuku Midoriya is the inheritor of the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but the mantle of greatness won’t come easy, and even superheroes have to go to school!

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

In the aftermath of the sports festival, the class 1-A students begin their internships. Midoriya goes to study under Gran Torino, who was once All Might’s mentor. Gran Torino appears to be a washed-up nutjob, but the old hero still has more moves than a football team, and Midoriya has a lot to learn! Elsewhere, the League of Villains enacts another sinister plot and unleashes a terrifying new enemy!

Review:

I've decided to catch up with this series. It's rather good, and I don't want to skip volumes.

The competition is over, and now they all get to do some real work experience. They get to either choose from interested mentors or companies or internships. Midoriya gets All Might's first mentor, who is an old man, and he's pushing Midoriya in just the right way.

I'm hoping we get to see what some of the others are doing, like Uraraka. I like her, and I want to see what the others are experiencing and learning. Aside from Midoriya, we mostly get to see what Ida is doing, because he's on the hunt for the Hero Killer, who attacked his older brother.

I like seeing them get more mature, and perfecting their skills. I like seeing how hard Midoriya is working, too, learning about himself and getting better. I also like seeing how they work together, too, like how Midoriya calls Todoroki for help and he shows up so quickly.

I'm looking forward to the next one.

Teaser Tuesday[248]: Vaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

--------------------------------------------

Vaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: The Dial Press (Random House)

Release Date: 2011

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Set in New York's Russian émigré community, Vaclav & Lena is a timeless love story from a stunningly gifted young novelist.

Vaclav and Lena, both the children of Russian émigrés, are at the same time from radically different worlds. While Vaclav's burgeoning love of performing magic is indulged by hard-working parents pursuing the American dream, troubled orphan Lena is caught in a domestic situation no child should suffer through. Taken in as one of her own by Vaclav's big-hearted mother, Lena might finally be able to blossom; in the naive young magician's eyes, she is destined to be his "faithful assistant"...but after a horrific discovery, the two are ripped apart without even a goodbye. Years later, they meet again. But will their past once more conspire to keep them apart?

Excerpt:

“'She is sick, maybe,' Vaclav says.

'She was in school?'

'No,' says Vaclav.” (Hardback, pg. 105)

What are you reading?

Manga Review: Ultraman, Volume 8, by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2017

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 6. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fighting to protect his childhood friend Yuko from the shadowy group that sent the Ace Killer Squad after him, Seiji Hokuto has his work cut out for him. Shinjiro, Jack and the alien Red also join the fight. But the members of the Ace Killer Squad are more ruthless than any enemy Shinjiro has ever faced. Taking down these villains is going to take some help from an older and very upset Ultraman!

Review:

I missed a volume, and suddenly we're in the middle of a battle, and it appears that Seiji is being killed, though he is holding on for a surprising amount of time, and he has a trick up his sleeve. This leads up to Shinjiro stepping up, and possibly proving himself as the next real Ultraman.

It's odd seeing Shinjiro fighting so seriously, and seeing how he's grown and taken control in his position as Ultraman, and then skipping to a scene where's he trying to impress this pop idol while hiding his superhero identity.

We get a skip after all that, and suddenly we're in New York, and this photographer is growing suspicious of aliens in the city and wants to find out if they're behind all these attacks. There appears to be some dangerous drug, or something, being passed around, turning people crazy, maybe? We're left with a cliffhanger, so it should be interesting where this leads.

I don't really follow this series very closely, and have only read a few volumes, but I don't mind it. If I read more, I'm sure the fights would be more interesting, in particular. I am curious about the aliens—they don't seem to be everywhere, or just walking around town. Are they secret, or are people fighting them? Or is only Ultraman? Because sometimes we get scenes where these aliens are at a bar and thinking up havoc, and it just confuses me. I suppose they're at an underground bar?

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Everyone's Getting Married, Volume 5, by Izumi Miyazono

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Volumes: 7+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Opposites attract but should they get married?!
Successful career woman Asuka Takanashi has an old-fashioned dream of getting married and becoming a housewife, but popular TV newscaster Ryu Nanami would rather die than ever get married. Akito Kamiya has found out Ryu has been dating Asuka away from the public eye, but he hasn t given up his pursuit of her. Ryu means to keep Kamiya in check, but instead a direct confrontation erupts between the two of them!"

Review:

We find out just how serious Kamiya is about his proposal to Asuka in this volume. And he's more serious than I expected. He's going to more devious levels to get into Asuka's head, and he's rather upfront about his wants, even to Ryu.

I do like how stern Asuka is about his advances, but at the same time, I don't think she's being completely honest with Ryu. And I think that Kamiya is messing with her head more than she wants to admit. I don't like it.

I do like seeing how firm Ryu is about them, though. He's very insistent about his feelings and his want to be with Asuka. I like seeing that.

Near the end of the volume, it drifts to seeing Ryu's work day, and we see just how busy he is and how maturely he handles it. He's got a new guy under him, and I like seeing how Ryu is challenging the guy, and pushing the boundaries. Ryu's good at what he does, and it's obvious.

A new volume of this is always good. I hope we get more series like it.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Real Account, Volume 2, by Okushou and Shizumu Watanabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: May 2016

Volumes: 15+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A MOTION TO MURDER
Thanks to Ataru's genius strategy, he and Koyori make it to the next round of life-or-death games in Real Account. But the newest game they encounter will have Ataru and Koyoi facing untold levels of cruelty as they stand trial for past secrets and mistakes. And when Ataru's turn to take the stand comes, his worst fears come true when his most shocking secret is revealed!

Review:

More death in this volume, more tricks and games played. And then we meet a new character, and he’s a bit psychotic. I don’t like him.

I’m having a hard time seeing the point behind all these death games. I mean, in this volume they’re split into groups where over half are killed on purpose, and I don’t see the point in that? It sure seems like they’re weeding out most of the people at this point, there can’t be that many left. And now there’s a time limit on it. I guess whoever’s behind it is just wanting to murder a bunch of people? I don’t see any reason for it.

I also am not getting to know any of the characters enough, I’m not attached to any of them. And if that’s purposeful, it doesn’t make sense to me, because that just gives the reader less reason to continue with the series. It’s more powerful if you’re attached.

I’m feeling very iffy about this one. Meh.

Manga Review: Haikyu!!, Volume 4, by Haruichi Furudate

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2016

Volumes: 26+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Shoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball you don't need to be tall to fly!
 
Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! He decides to join the team at the high school the Little Giant went to—and then surpass him. Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?

The training camp kicks off with a bang! Hinata and his teammates train their hearts out in preparation for the practice game against Nekoma, but they'll need to polish their receiving skills if they want to win. Then finally, after all their hard work, the moment they’ve all been waiting for arrives—the revival of the long-standing rivalry between the cats and the crows! And Nekoma’s starting setter looks vaguely familiar…

Review:

I read the first volume of this, and I wasn't all that impressed. I've been putting off reading more, and I skipped a couple volumes. So it surprises me how good this volume was.

It starts off a little iffy. I only know about three of the characters, and there are so many of them now. They're in the middle of practice, and getting ready to do a practice game with another school. Then the game starts, and the team is trying hard, and learning a lot about themselves and their own techniques.

I really liked seeing the similarities between the two teams, and the counterparts and friendships that seemed to have formed. The way they could be rivals on the court and then friends outside was nice. Kenma is an intriguing character, and I liked seeing the way Inuoka and Hinata played together.

The beginning of this volume was a bit boring to me, probably since I was thrown into the game so fast. Plus, a lot of the explanations about volleyball rules and whatnot is rather boring, but I'm not a sports fan, so I expected that. But later, when the game is really going and they're thinking and trying hard to get better and win the game, it actually got rather interesting, and I wanted to read more. I was surprised by how into it I got at that point.

I'm surprised, but I'm actually looking forward to reading the next one.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!