Manga Review: Finder: Target in Sight, Volume 1, by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2017.

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

Freelance photographer Akihito Takaba is captured by the very subject he’s been stalking in his viewfinder—the handsome and enigmatic crime lord Asami Ryuichi! The older man ravages him, both body and mind. Does this mean the end for the naive photographer, or will he live to shoot another day?

Review:

I'd heard the excitement over this series being re-licensed, but I didn't look into it. The plot line didn't seem like my kind of thing, and I fell behind with it.

But when I realized Ayano Yamane, of Crimson Spell, was the mangaka of it, I was immediately interested and decided to pick it up during a sale.

This first volume definitely makes me think that this was only supposed to be a one-shot story at first. We meet the main characters, a photographer and a mobster. It's definitely a hot chapter, too, as Yamane is good at. But then quite a bit of the volume features other one-shots. Most of them are okay, nothing too stand-out, but good and hot stories.

I'm curious where the story will go next. There's definite plot options to go with, but since it felt rather one-shot-like in this volume, and I know it's a longer series, I'm curious how far it'll go and where.

Manga Review: Crimson Spell, Volume 6, by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 6+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A cursed prince turns into a raging demon whose lust can only be calmed by the skillful hands of one powerful sorcerer!

Prince Vald is struck by a curse that turns him into a demon! He seeks out a powerful sorcerer named Halvir to help break the curse, and the two go on an epic journey full of danger—and lust—in search of clues to break the young prince’s curse!

Vald finally discovers the one responsible for placing the curse upon his sword, Yug Verlind, and it’s none other than court mage Limris?! Shocked and confused, Vald is then faced with his greatest threat yet as the immensely powerful sorcerer Asterdol wrenches his soul out of his body. His demon half, now in complete control, goes on a rampage, and Vald faces the real possibility of losing his soul forever!

Review:

It has been such a long time since the previous volume, and I expect it will be again till the next one, so that it's very easy to forget the intricacies of the plot and characters in this series. However, it is very easy to fall back into the main relationship.

Despite it being so long, jumping back in and being reminded of the struggles that Vald is facing was pretty fun. And now made more complicated, as the two sides of himself are forced apart in a much more literal way.

Of course, this leads to some pretty steamy scenes here, unintentional on the villains part. Both sides of Vald want Halvir, so it's no surprise that he's able to have his way with him. Still, it doesn't look like things are getting less complicated any time soon.

I'd definitely forgotten where the plot was at in this series, though I was surprised how easy it was to get back into it; I was excited to get a new volume nonetheless. And I will still definitely be picking up the next one, whenever it gets released.

Manga Review: A Foreign Love Affair by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: 801 Media

Release Date: 2008

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

Japanese yakuza clan heir Ranmaru just got married on a lavish cruise ship, but things aren't as they seem. The marriage is just for the appearances, and he ends up getting drunk and spending the night... not with his bride, but with the sexy ship captain! When the two men meet again in Italy, it is the start of a spectacular love story.

Review:

I figured I would give this a try, since I really enjoy Yamane's current series. This one, not so much...

Ranmaru, a yakuza son, is on his honeymoon in Europe, when he meets Al, the ship captain. Al is instantly attracted, and Ranmaru has a hard time refusing his advances. Thus starts an intense romance, as Al saves Ranmaru a few more times in Europe, as Ranmaru gets separated from his new wife, who equally doesn't seem to care much about him.

The second story in this book features a matchmaker and his client, who in the midst of finding one of them a wife, end up falling in bed together instead.

I was not all that impressed with this book. The first story was just not very interesting. I didn't care for Ranmaru at all, and I didn't care for having him be newly married and then falling in love with a man he just meets instead, even if he and his new wife didn't choose each other or want this. The second story didn't seem to have any chemistry or connection, up until the second half when they confess their feelings, even though they showed no signs of attraction before that. The second story was worse in this way, but I think both stories were pretty lackluster when it came to chemistry and actual development of feelings. They were both very one-dimensional.

There was quite a bit of sex in this book, too, but even that was just meh to me.

I had hoped to enjoy this story a lot more. Instead, I'm a bit disappointed, as it was very underdeveloped and lacking.

Manga Review: Crimson Spell, Volume 5, by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2014

Volumes: 5+

Spoilers: No.

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

Volume: 1. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

On his quest to find the one behind the curse on his sword, Vald manages to sneak into the empire's capital. His target is the greatest sorcerer in Zenedoura - Asterdol. However, in the midst of his search, Vald is captured by servants of the emperor. Fortunately for him, his capture brings an unexpected boon: the very sorcerer Vald is looking for comes straight to him! What will Vald do when he discovers that the man behind the curse looks exactly like Limris? And now that he's facing his greatest danger yet, will Halvir come to Vald's rescue? 

Review:

I don’t think I can give this series anything less than a four at this point. I’m also having a very hard time telling by cover which volume is which; the last four have been way too similar.

The serious plotline had been getting a little boring, even if the book was still enjoyable, but it was actually pretty exciting in this volume. There was only one, short smut scene in this volume, and it was near the beginning. Because then the group goes to meet the person in charge of the town, and Vald gets stuck with Limris in some alternate realm, and what happens is kind of horrible. Limris has some bad plans, it has become apparent. But Vald and Havi are staying strong, which is very nice.

The serious plotline is getting exciting, the humor is still very nice and funny, and the relationships and romance are fantastic. This series is just lovely. I really want to read the next volume, but I do know that it might be quite a while before it even gets released in Japan, sadly.

Manga Review: Crimson Spell, Volume 4, by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 10, 2014

Volumes: 5+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The key to discovering the secret behind Vald's cursed sword is somewhere in the empire of Zenedoura. With information obtained from Limris - new companion and former Consul of the Empire - Prince Vald decides to head there to see what he can find. Along the way, in order to save a gravely wounded Rulca, he deliberately chooses to turn into his demon self! Vald's uncharacteristic recklessness provokes a tirade from Halvir, who then leaves the group without a word...

Review:

This series is still very plot-heavy, but still very enjoyable.

The problem with Rulca is dealt with in this volume, and the group moves on to entering a new town to move along the main plot. Limris is still up to something, and I don’t think I like him. I’m honestly not hugely invested in the larger plot, even if I do find some of it exciting.

Meanwhile, Vald is having a hard time accepting his other self, even if he has started using it when he needs to. Then he and Halvir have a fight, and make up with some sex. It’s a little adorable, and then very hot, and then sweet again. I just like them, unabashedly. I am reading this solely for them, and I am not ashamed.

Which is to say that I will be getting the next volume, hopefully soon, just for them, and I am excited for it.

Manga Review: Crimson Spell, Volume 3, by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2014

Volumes: 5+

Spoilers?: Not really.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Prince Vald continues his journey with the sorcerer Halvi, seeking a means to break the curse that causes him to transform into a demon at night. But enemies looking to take the power of Vald’s cursed sword for themselves bewitch Halvi in an attempt to make him fight the young prince! Forced to the brink, Halvi makes a crucial choice.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for mature audiences.

Review:

I am still a surprisingly big fan of this series.

Vald is coming to the realization of what is really happening to him, including his feelings regarding Halvir. I am so glad that those feelings have become apparent to them all, and am just generally happy about their relationship. They’re smutty and intense, and I love it.

One serious plot line has kind-of-maybe ended, and now something else has come up, with a new cliffhanger. I am actually enjoying these plots, they are a little surprising and exciting, but I’m mostly reading this for the romance and smut.

I am excited for the next volume, to see where the cliffhanger goes, but also just for more smut (the smut in this series is fantastic, really), as well as to see where their relationship advances to next.

Manga Review: Crimson Spell, Volume 2, by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February, 2014

Volumes: 5+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A curse is a difficult thing to break. Vald, prince of Alsvieth upon taking up arms to defend his country was beset with a curse that transforms him into a ravenous cannibalistic beast.

Review:

I wasn’t expecting this series to be so… intense. Or plot driven. I’m surprised by it, but enjoying it. This series is turning out to be much better done than I thought it would be.

First, I love the attraction between Havi and Vald. It’s intense. And very smutty. And I love the smut, I must admit. (It also includes some tentacle-like things, once both in this volume and the first one. It was a surprise, and a little intense, but also a little humorous when the author mentions it in her notes.) But I’m just plain enjoying seeing their attraction build, Vald being confused and conflicted, and Havi feeling a little possessive.

I like both of them on their own, too. Havi is fun, and is given most comedic opportunities, which I like. Vald is a good guy, very sweet, and I’m looking forward to seeing his feelings for Havi really develop.

The plot took some surprising turns in this volume, including some kidnappings. Vald got to take advantage of his curse, though, and that should lead to some good things. I’m not going to spoil any of who’s behind it, also because we’re just starting to get a glimpse of it. I’m intrigued to see where it all leads next. 

I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying this series, but I really am. I will be reading the next volume soon, and kind of dread the long waiting period that is to come.