Manga Review: Eclair Blanche: A Girls' Love Anthology that Resonates in Your Heart

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: February 2020

Volumes: 5 + 1.

Spoilers: No.

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

Volume: Eclair. Eclair Bleue.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The girls' love anthology is back and bursting with stories to enchant and delight. Featuring works from favorites such as Canno (Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl), Hiroichi (Highschool DxD: Asia & Koneko's Secret Contract!?), and Fly (Kemono Friends: Welcome to Japari Park), this new addition to the Éclair lineup will sweep you off your feet!

Review:

This is an anthology by lots of different mangaka starring yuri one-shots. Some are very short, some are a little longer; some more sweet, high school friends stories, and even some starring older women. There's quite a mix in this one. Apparently it's also the second volume, though I haven't read many of these yuri stories that have come out lately, though it's nice that more are being released.

Since I haven't been following much of the yuri manga, I didn't recognize any of the mangaka, but there are a couple who have series being released in English. Most of the stories, especially in the beginning, have very vague and open endings, some even a little sad. Later in the volume, though, we see some actual couples that are developing, and we get some light kissing scenes.

There were a few art styles that stood out to me, and some neat stories. One featuring a sewing machine that turns into a magical girl for a brief period was very pretty. Another that had an almost gothic kind of art style that I quite enjoyed. There was also one about an idol girl who gets a crush on her new competition, and one about a princess/servant roleplay friendship that turned out quite cute.

The later stories definitely stood out more than the earlier ones, and while some had better story and art than others, they were all quite fun to read. There are about fifteen stories, so there's quite a variety, and if you like yuri romance, I'd suggest picking it up.

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

Manga Review: Goodnight Punpun, Volume 7, by Inio Asano

Rating (Out of 5): ~1.5

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 7.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A dark coming-of-age tale where slice-of-life slices back.

This is Punpun Onodera s coming-of-age story. His parents marriage is falling apart. His dad goes to jail and his mom goes to the hospital. He has to live with his loser uncle. He has a crush on a girl who lives in a weird cult. Punpun tries talking with God about his problems, but God is a jerk. Punpun keeps hoping things will get better, but they really, really don't.

This is the end, Punpun.

Review:

I missed the previous volume, and I could tell as I started this one, that I had missed some important scenes. We find Punpun in a very different place as this volume starts, and it only goes downhill from there.

Punpun seems to be struggling with his identity, with what his purpose is and what has been happening in his life. The story follows him and Aiko for a while, but then it also skips over to his old friends and what they're doing.

During all of this, we're also getting snippet of information regarding the politics happening and whether the world is ending and there are stars falling at one point.

This series definitely feels like a book I'd be given in college to analyze to death. I'm sure there's a lot of deeper meaning to everything that's happening in this series. (I'm sure not reading the whole series doesn't help, either.) There's definitely a lot of underlying messages, psychological reasons for why we're seeing Punpun in the image he is, how he talks differing from how other people talk, and everything to do with that ending and what led up to the conclusion of Punpun and Aiko's relationship.

There's a lot here, but honestly I think I just hated all of it. It's all deeply disturbing and depressing, and there aren't any even slightly good endings here. It's also kind of a mess to follow, and I don't know what's supposed to be real or metaphorical or what any more.

While I have found some of Asano's manga interesting, this was not one that I enjoyed in any way. It was not for me, at the least.

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

Manga Review: Takane & Hana, Volume 14, by Yuki Shiwasu

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2020

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 13. 15.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A strong-willed high school girl and a hot young scion of a business empire can’t help trying to outwit each other every chance they get… But could these opposites be conning themselves out of the perfect match?!

After her older sister refuses to go to an arranged marriage meeting with Takane Saibara, the heir to a vast business fortune, high schooler Hana Nonomura agrees to be her stand-in to save face for the family. But when these two utter opposites pair up, get ready for some sparks to fly!

Review:

This volume takes a surprising turn into a survival movie, which I didn't see coming. It's a bit crazy and hard to believe, but that's all okay because it's also not actually real.

After vacation, though, it's back to the real world. At this point, that just means Hana gets to catch her friends up with what's been going on in their relationship, and Takane is back to work and gaining his old position back. Though there's sure to be drama regarding Takane's family soon.

We did get a tiny bit of Nicola and Mizuki's growing relationship in this volume, though. Despite them only supposedly being friendly, they both saw a new side of each other, and it particularly sparked a new feeling in Nicola. I don't really know how I feel about their actual compatibility, but I do love Nicola and think he needs someone who sees through him, and she might be that.

I truly love the characters in this series. They're crazy and ridiculous, and so very lovable. I really love the main couple, and I also really love some of the side characters. I just can't get enough at this point.

My enjoyment and affection of this series, might equal how I feel about Maki Minami's series, now that I think about it. And I truly do have a specific kind of affection for that mangaka's work, as well. They're got similar crazy comedy vibes, now that I'm thinking about it.

Manga Review: Penguindrum, Volume 1, by Isuzu Shibata, ikunichawder, and Lily Hoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: December 2019

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

PENGUIN POWER

Twins Kanba and Shoma live with their terminally ill little sister, Himari. One day, they visit the aquarium, a place full of warm memories for Himari, but she suddenly falls ill—and dies! At that very moment, a voice cries out, “Survival Tactic!” and Himari, wearing a penguin hat, comes back to life…?!

Review:

Himari is seriously sick, and her older brothers Kanba and Shoma are determined to take care of her and give her as much joy as they can. When she falls ill again, suddenly some other being seems to take over her body and the twins make a deal with it, willing to do anything to keep her alive.

I have mixed feelings about this. I did find the plot intriguing, and the way Himari turns into this almost robotic magical girl is really neat to me. This caught my eye first because of the art and how much I liked Hoshino's Kigurumi Guardians series, and this is quite pretty as well.

But I'm not quite sure where this is going after this volume, as the main plot is a little unclear to me. I also have suspicions about one of the boys being in love with Himari, and that makes me super wary of reading more.

There were good and bad things about this first volume, and while I'm still intrigued to read more and find out what the plot really is, I'm also wary of where any romance might be going. I'm unsure if I'll read more.

Novel Review: Just Call My Name (I'll Be There, #2) by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Little, Brown

Release Date: 2014

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

The happily-ever-after of Holly Goldberg Sloan's acclaimed debut, I'll Be There, is turned on its head in this riveting, emotional sequel about friends, enemies, and how those roles can shift in a matter of moments.

Emily Bell has it all. She's in love with a boy named Sam Border, and his little brother has become part of her family. This summer is destined to be the best time of their lives--until a charismatic new girl in town sets her sights on Sam. Now Emily finds herself questioning the loyalty of the person she thought she could trust most.

But the biggest threat to her happiness is someone she never saw coming. Sam's criminally insane father, whom everyone thought they'd finally left behind, is planning a jailbreak. And he knows exactly where to find Emily and his sons when he escapes...and takes his revenge.

The Cover:

Ehh, the cover is okay. It's a little plain, not too eye-catching, and it doesn't quite spark the quirkiness of the story. But it does show an important part of the story, so it's not too bad. It does have a more simple appeal, nothing too romantic or embarrassing.

Review:

This sequel takes us on a bit of a wild ride.

Things seemed to have calmed down for Sam and Emily. But unbeknownst to them, Sam's father has broken out of jail, and he knows right where he's going next.

A new girl shows up here, and she causes some drama for Emily and Sam. Some drama—and then a change for Emily. I like these kinds of friendships, so while it was a bit odd—and Destiny was a weird girl who was not very easy to like for most of this—I didn't mind it in the end. Riddle also makes some new friends and has some new experiences, which is great. He's a sweet boy, and I liked getting to see him grow here.

I really love Sloan's writing style. It feels like someone is watching from the outside, and yet you're also in their head, in a more quirky style than a normal third person. It gives weird little tidbits of peoples lives and reactions, and it jumps to different characters. I really love it, and it's one of my favorite narrative styles, honestly.

I wish I'd re-read the first book before jumping into this one, but I don't think it diminished my experience any. This was still a fun, crazy book to read, and I look forward to reading anything else she releases.

Manga Review: Platinum End, Volume 10, by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2019

Volumes: 12+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 9. 11.

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the creators of Death Note! Mirai may have been saved by an angel, but his battle is just beginning…

As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.

Thanks to Susumu’s TV announcement, the whole world now knows about the existence of the god candidates. Mirai and his friends find themselves being targeted by all kinds of government agencies. Their safety hinges on the ability to locate the remaining hidden candidates and put an end to the process. But the mysterious final god candidate might have their own dark plans…

Review:

The hunt to join all of the god candidates is on. The group meets Nakaumi, the depressed boy who believes suicide is right. He's all around a very depressing character. Honestly, it's hard to like any of the characters in this series.

They also get closer to meeting Temari, who's in lock up. And apparently they want a democratic solution to choosing which one of them gets to be god, though that means things might not be going in Mirai's direction.

This series is kind of hard to take. It's depressing, and crudely so. All of the characters are pretty despicable in their own way, or dumb/naive in the women's case.

There's still one candidate that's a mystery, and it looks like he'll be next to be dealt with.

Meh.

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

Manga Review: The Way of the HouseHusband, Volume 2, by Kousuke Oono

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2020

Volumes: 5+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It’s a day in the life of your average househusband—if your average househusband is the legendary yakuza “the Immortal Dragon”!

A former yakuza legend leaves it all behind to become your everyday househusband. But it’s not easy to walk away from the gangster life, and what should be mundane household tasks are anything but!

The legendary yakuza “the Immortal Dragon” has washed his hands of the gangster life for something far more dangerous—becoming a househusband! Cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking... These days he’s doing everything he can to succeed as man of the house, if it doesn’t kill him first! The cozy yakuza comedy continues!

Review:

I'm happy to say that this volume got to me a lot more than the first one did.

Tatsu is just trying to live as a good house husband. He starts worrying about his figure, and so joins an aerobics class, which might be my favorite chapter thus far. He teaches his protege how to get out a stain. We meet his in-laws, who are a little odd, unsurprisingly. There's a lot more of his wife in this one, which I quite like. They're kind of cute together.

This volume was still a bit odd, but it was also really quite fun. I'm definitely going to read more.

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

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 10, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2020

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 9. 11.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The popular shojo manga series that was adapted into the Blue Spring Ride anime!

Futaba Yoshioka thought all boys were loud and obnoxious until she met Kou Tanaka in junior high. But as soon as she realized she really liked him, he had already moved away because of family issues. Now, in high school, Kou has reappeared, but is he still the same boy she fell in love with?

Futaba Yoshioka has encountered her first love again in high school, but he seems different from the boy she once knew. Futaba starts dating Toma, and they kiss. Now what will happen when everyone is grouped together on a class trip to Nagasaki?

Review:

Futaba is trying very hard to move on from Kou, and she has good intentions here. She's really trying, and Kikuchi is making it easy for her to think it's working. He's such a good guy, and I just feel so bad for him. Because we all know Futaba isn't going to move on from Kou, especially now that he knows he's missed out and wants his chance back.

There's a couple of moments for the side couples in this volume, and a particularly good moment between the boys, as friends and rivals. Kou and Kikuchi have reason for disliking each other, and honestly it's kind of funny to watch.

I suspect we'll be getting some attention on Kominato and Murao soon, and I think it should be fun. But there's definitely more drama for Futaba, just waiting to really happen.

Novel Review: Words We Don't Say by K. J. Reilly

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Hyperion (Disney Book Group)

Release Date: October 2018

Spoilers?: No.

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

Joel Higgins has 901 unsent text messages saved on his phone.

Ever since the thing that happened, there are certain people he hasn't been able to talk to in person. Sure, he shows up at school, does his mandatory volunteer hours at the soup kitchen, and spends pretty much every moment thinking about Eli, the most amazing girl in the world. But that doesn't mean he's keeping it together, or even that he has any friends.

So instead of hanging out with people in real life, he drafts text messages. But he never presses send.

As dismal as sophomore year was for Joel, he doesn't see how junior year will be any better. For starters, Eli doesn't know how he feels about her, his best friend Andy's gone, and he basically bombed the SATs. But as Joel spends more time at the soup kitchen with Eli and Benj, the new kid whose mouth seems to be unconnected to his brain, he forms bonds with the people they serve there-including a veteran they call Rooster-and begins to understand that the world is bigger than his own pain.

The Cover:

This cover is very fitting. It's a little simple, and not super eye-catching, but I like the usage of words and how it's blurring the background. It signifies how Joel is feeling really well, along with the hint of his unsent texts.

 

Review:

After losing someone, Joel doesn't really talk to people. He doesn't have many friends, he's mostly just going to school and volunteering at the soup kitchen. Wanting to talk to Eli, the girl from the soup kitchen, and yet never saying anything. Instead, he has drafts of texts he wanted to send, wanted to say, but hasn't.

Joel is a good guy, he just doesn't know what to do with himself. He feels alone now, and thus starts his collection of odd people. Eli, who's already there for him. The new guy at the soup kitchen, and the patrons of the kitchen. With the help of his new friend Benji, he starts to finally accept what happened, accept himself, and let himself open up.

There is a twist near the end of the book, and for a bit it felt like it was going in a tragedy direction. I'm happy to say that, while there are serious matters and a serious event, things mostly work out. Joel grows a lot, in good ways. His voice was nice to listen to, as well. He's thoughtful, alone and upset and processing everything still. His texts were fun to follow. And the romance, though not the main focus, was also really sweet.

This book feels like a bit of an underdog, and it kind of stands out for it, to me. It was a good book, and I'm glad I picked it up.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 18, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 18 (+1).

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 17. 18+1.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It's been a year since Handa arrived on the island, and a lot has changed for the residents of Nanatsutake Village. Hiroshi's in Tokyo, Miwa and her friends have graduation on their minds, and Naru and her classmates are going into their second year of elementary school. With everyone looking to the future, the time to say goodbye approaches in the final volume of Barakamon.

Review:

Everyone's moving on, accepting where they'll be as their lives move forward, in this final volume.

Tama and Miwa are settling into their new school and a new routine. Also as upperclassmen, when Tama's little brother doesn't want to hang around them. Tama is getting closer to her mangaka dreams, and Miwa is resolute in her goals to reopen her family shop. Naru and the kids are in a new year, only their school is having less and less new kids every year, and that's something they have to deal with. And Sensei is still learning how to be a good sensei.

Naru makes some important steps forward with her father in this volume, and they're starting to grow a real relationship. Similarly, Miwa and her father have to come to a related agreement. The father/daughter relationships in this series are quite important, and I really like how they end up.

This was a really sweet conclusion to the series. It all ends rather easy and sweet, with a lot of fun along the way.

Manga Review: Ran and the Gray World, Volume 4, by Aki Irie

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 7.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A young sorceress transforms into an adult and sets out on magical adventures full of charm and wonder!

Ran Uruma can’t wait to grow up and become a sorceress like her mother, so with the help of a magical pair of sneakers, she transforms into an adult and sets off! Her father and older brother Jin try to keep her home safe, but Ran is determined to advance her powers and have adventures of her own!

Knowing that Makoto Hibi witnessed her magical transformation, Ran is now desperate to erase his memory. But if she gets her way, she might lose a friend in the process. Later, a powerful sorceress in training named Nio Gekkoin shows up and challenges Ran to a duel! Which novice will emerge the victor in this supernatural showdown?

Review:

Starting this volume, it felt like I'd missed something.

We find Sango is staying at some kind of inn, with her sisters and helping out. Ran is still dealing with the boy from her class who discovered her witchcraft. This leads to her acknowledging she only has one friends, and she would like more, but doesn't know how to approach that.

Ran meets another little witch in this volume, and she's competing with Ran for their mentors attention. She's jealous before even meeting Ran, and while she might seem to have a better hang on her witchcraft than Ran, it quickly becomes clear that they're basically equal, but Ran might have more natural luck with magic whereas she has more knowledge.

When we see Otaro next, we discover that he's under some kind of spell that is doing serious harm to himself and causing some real deadly chaos in the world. It's intriguing to see how this is affecting Otaro, physically and mentally. It also leads to an interesting change in plot, which I'm intrigued by.

There are some major issues with this series—mainly that it stars a middle-schooler, and yet it's very sexualized. But also the artwork is so, so pretty, and I'm actually interested in some of the relationships. I really don't mind reading this one.

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

Manga Review: My Hero Academia, Volume 23, by Kohei Horikoshi

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2020

Volumes: 26+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 22. 24.

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?

The final match of the battle training between Class A and Class B continues. Zapped by Shinso’s mind control, Midoriya enters a fugue state where he meets one of the former users of One For All. What powerful Quirks have yet to be unlocked? Midoriya will surely need the full potential of One For All someday, but in the meantime, a new enemy—the Meta Liberation Army—begins to make its moves.

Review:

Despite the fact that Deku loses it for a minute during the battle, it continues. He gets himself together, discovers a much wider possibility of his powers than he expected, and does what he needs to, to win this test.

The second half of this volume is taken up completely by the league of villains. They're on to a new villain they want, and they have to prove themselves and get out of this alive, though they aren't really the types to freak out over a fight. We do meet a new branch of villains here, too, though.

Given how huge of a fanbase the villains have in this series, it's actually a little surprising how long it has taken for them to get this much focus, and for them to finally get their own character pages. It makes sense that Horikoshi wanted them to be mysterious in the beginning, but at this point, fans want to know everything about them. They want chapters dedicated to them. I might not be one of those people—I've never been much of a villain fan to begin with—but I don't mind it too much. Some of them are kind of interesting.

There's just more havoc in the future of this series, I think.

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

Manga Review: Shortcake Cake, Volume 7, by suu Morishita

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2020

Volumes: 12.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ten, do you like me?

When Riku and Ten visit a shrine together, Riku asks her what her feelings for him are. Ten gathers her courage and finally confesses to him, but what she says next is unexpected.

Review:

Ten and Riku take that first step to being honest and being together in this volume. Since they live together, it complicates things a bit, and they have to decide how honest to be with all of their roommates. Riku has to talk with Chiaki.

This series feels very underwhelming to me. There's definitely moments of cuteness. But then there's Riku being a jerk to Chiaki. And sometimes there are just off moments with Riku and with Ten. I also keep waiting for the drama, for something more serious to happen. We're getting hints of Riku's past, but nothing has happened yet.

You know, Riku and Ten are actually a pretty good match. I think that I like them together. Only, I think that I prefer Chiaki over their whole romance stuff, honestly. Chiaki is the only thing that stands out in this series to me. I love him, he's precious, and Riku needs to stop being so rude to my boy. At least Ten was kind to him while she rejected him.

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