Manga Review: Given, Volume 1, by Natsuki Kizu

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2020

Volumes: 6+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

Love of music unites the four members of the band Given: hotheaded guitarist Uenoyama, playboy drummer Akihiko, gentle bassist Haruki, and Mafuyu, a singer gifted with great talent and burdened by past tragedy. Their struggles and conflicts may drive them apart, but their bond to the music—and to each other—always brings them back together again.

Ritsuka Uenoyama is bored with it all—with school, with his basketball club, and even with his one true passion: playing guitar. That is, until the day he finds his favorite hidden napping spot occupied by a strange boy cradling a broken-stringed guitar. At first, Uenoyama is nonplussed by Mafuyu Sato and his slightly odd behavior, but when, on a whim, he asks Mafuyu to sing, the power of that song pierces him to the core.

 

Review:

 

I've heard so much about this series, I was actually wary of not liking it. My fears were in vain, because I was hooked almost immediately.

Uenoyama likes to nap during breaks in school, and when he goes to the stairway one day, he finds Mafuyu. Mafuyu is also sleeping, only he's holding a guitar with a broken string. When he tells Mafuyu that the guitar isn't ruined and can be fixed it sets off a tidal wave of changes for them both.

Mafuyu is a precious boy, and I only ever want good things to come to him from now on.

Anyway. I hadn't watched the anime when I read this volume, and have since finished the anime. The pacing is quite a bit different—we're given a lot more of an idea of what Mafuyu is going through here, whereas it took a lot longer in the anime. We also haven't been given as much information about their bandmates at this point. It hits a little differently, but it's still intense and it's still the same story.

I feel so strongly for Mafuyu, and I really just want good things for him. I understand why Uenoyama has a hard time saying no to him. And I feel for the fact that Mafuyu clearly has so much to say and is going through so many things, and yet doesn't know how to express any of it.

I feel very strongly for these characters, already, and I just badly need more.

Manga Review: Anonymous Noise, Volume 17, by Ryoko Fukuyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2019

Volumes: 18.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 16. 18.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music and longing collide in this ballad of unrequited love!

Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Luckily, Nino reunites with Momo and Yuzu in high school, but things haven’t played out the way anyone expected…

After completing the in-store performance that marks their final act as an active band, the members of In No Hurry go their separate ways, each seeking a path to better themselves. Meanwhile, Momo finally crafts a song that captures his long history with Nino, but can he find the courage to ask her to sing it?

Review:

Once the band goes on hiatus, each character is able to take a little break and decide what they want, expand their talent and career as they want to. This is a big time for each of them, despite the fact their band is on a break. It shows a real maturity in them, that they're happy to work outside their band, and they're happy for each other. Particularly for Yuzu and Momo in this volume, as we see each of them focusing on themselves and their friends, but being open and happy about it. Neither of them is selfish about their music, or even sharing Nino, any more. I hadn't realized how far they'd each come until this was acknowledged in this volume.

Aside from expanding their music talents, they're also able to focus on Nino. Momo and Yuzu are friends and rivals regarding Nino, and it's finally coming to the final decision regarding the romance.

This was a really sweet volume. Yuzu has some family stuff to sort through first, and Momo is trying to catch up with the talented people around him, mainly Nino. We also got to see a bit more of the two-sided romances, both of which I really enjoy.

The next volume is the last, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up.

Manga Review: Anonymous Noise, Volume 15, by Ryoko Fukuyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 18.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 14. 16.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music and longing collide in this ballad of unrequited love!

Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Luckily, Nino reunites with Momo and Yuzu in high school, but things haven’t played out the way anyone expected…

In No Hurry gears up for a second Rock Horizon show, but due to a last-minute cancellation, they have to play a bigger stage than expected. As they watch Silent Black Kitty blow away the festival crowd, the vocalist of the day’s headliner comes to Nino with a surprising proposal!

Review:

It's time for Rock Horizon again, and this year, they've got an even better slot. This new concert brings on new challenges, and a new opportunity for Nino in particular. She gets the chance to perform with another artist, which pushes her in a new way.

There's some potential progress between Kurose and An, which is good. He deserves something happy after his unrequited anguish.

Then we get a really sweet moment between Miou and Haruyoshi, in which Mious also gets some much needed closure regarding leaving the band. Somehow Miou and Haruyoshi have become my favorite couple without me realizing it, and definitely the most stable couple in this series thus far in the series.

As a note, there really needs to be a character page at the beginning of each volume.

Maybe I should watch the anime, at least to get a feel for what the characters sound like and how the bands sound. Aside from that, while this series isn't my favorite, it's still a very strong one and one that goes by very quickly. Very well written, too.

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

Manga Review: After Hours, Volume 2, by Yuhta Nishio

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: June 2018

Volumes: 3.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

There’s always something going on at night. Sooner or later, you’ll find your scene.

Emi Ashiana is 24, unemployed and not really sure what she wants to do with her life. When a friend invites her to a dance club, Emi doesn’t expect much. But what she finds will change her world!

Review:

Kei's DJ group have agreed to put on this huge rave-like show, in which they set up everything. Kei and Emi get to figure out how to set up the venue and everything that goes with that.

Amidst all the party planning, there's also some relationship drama. Kei and Emi have been spending all of their time together, but they haven't made it official. And Emi hasn't tied up all of her other loose ends, either. They both have to make some decisions as they realize this, and confront each other about their feelings.

This volume didn't really hit me, I think. I just wasn't feeling it as much, though I'm not sure why. Kei is trying to plan everything and make sure it all goes well. Emi is trying to help, and also realizing that she needs to figure out her living situation for good.

I'm happy with how all of that turns out. Emi and Kei are sweet together, and even though it's rather fast, I think they're a good couple. The next volume is the last, and I look forward to seeing how it all goes.

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

Manga Review: Anonymous Noise, Volume 12, by Ryoko Fukuyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 18.

Spoilers?: Some.

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

Volume: 1. 11. 13.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music and longing collide in this ballad of unrequited love!

Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Luckily, Nino reunites with Momo and Yuzu in high school, but things haven’t played out the way anyone expected…

The new school year brings major changes—namely, Nino is in a relationship with Momo, and she hasn’t seen Yuzu in months. Where has Yuzu gone off to? And can the remaining members of the Pop Music Club keep it together without him?

Review:

Now that Nino and Momo are official, Yuzu has disappeared. School is back in session, and the music club has a new member, a girl who throws Kuro off his guard. Near the end of the volume, Momo has a confrontation with Miou. They have an odd relationship, since they were pretty much thrown into this band together, and Miou had already been feeling like less than because of Nino when she found out their connection. It needed to happen, as Momo had already decided how much Black Kitty meant to him, and that it was separate from Nino. Miou needed to know that.

Now that Nino and Momo are together, I'm conflicted. I'm really not sure which boy I prefer for her, especially since neither feels right any more. Now she's with Momo, and I worry about Yuzu and I feel bad, and none of it feels okay. But if she were with Yuzu, I might feel bad for Momo. I don't know if there's a win here, but I don't think this is it. I think Nino and Momo are good together, though, and they're rather intense in their affection and their feelings in general.

Everything in this series is so intense, and so pointed and emotional. It's raw and also so perfectly articulated and timed. I'm not sure what's going to happen next, but I'm in for it.

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

Manga Review: Anonymous Noise, Volume 11, by Ryoko Fukuyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2018

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 10. 12.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music and longing collide in this ballad of unrequited love!

Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Luckily, Nino reunites with Momo and Yuzu in high school, but things haven’t played out the way anyone expected…

Nino, Yuzu and Momo take the stage together with six years’ worth of emotions racing through their hearts. When Nino’s singing unleashes her deeply held feelings, how will Momo respond with his love for her?

Review:

Momo is helping at the beginning of their concert, because Yuzu is having problems. Nino's appreciation only serves to push Momo a little too far, though, and gives us another surprise. Just as Nino thinks she's figured out what she wants, what she's doing, one of the guys gives her another surprise. She's starting to realize that her feelings are mixed up between Momo and Yuzu. They both mean a lot to her, and they're pulling her in different directions, which she hasn't realized until now.

At one point during the concert, though, it seems like Alice was realizing her fans/the audience are there to hear her just as much as she's trying to reach Momo. I hope that becomes a motivation for her at some point.

Just as Nino and Momo seem to be steady again, as they have seemed to figure things out, it looks like Yuzu is going to mess things up again. I'm not surprised, but I'm curious to see what for. Although... I am a little conflicted, because I think I prefer Yuzu for Nino? I think I like Momo more in general, but I'm unsure for the romance...

While those three are the definite mains, I do like the little pieces of Miou and Haruyoshi's relationship. Miou's feelings for him are growing stronger, and it's nice to see Haruyoshi seeing this; it's sweet how happy it makes him, that his feelings are being returned.

Nothing comes easy in this series, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes next.

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

Manga Review: Anonymous Noise, Volume 8, by Ryoko Fukuyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2018

Volumes: 16+

Spoilers?: Some/Light.

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

Volume: 1. 6. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music and longing collide in this ballad of unrequited love!

Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Luckily, Nino reunites with Momo and Yuzu in high school, but things haven’t played out the way anyone expected…

Yuzu and Nino have been tasked with writing the debut song for a popular fashion model duo. They manage to complete their first collaboration…but to what end? Meanwhile, Tsukika goes in search of Momo, but will she be able to find him when all she has is a questionable lead?

Review:

Nino and Yuzu have agreed to write a song for this duo, and they are not quite what they expected. They give them very contrasting wants for the song, and a rather short deadline. The first couple tries they give are fine, but not what the duo want. Yuzu becomes determined to write the perfect song for them, and Nino sees something in their voices that they aren't showing.

It's a challenge, but they're determined to do it right.

Meanwhile, Momo is finally found. Both tours are drawing near. And Miou finally confronts her feelings for Yuzu and Haruyoshi. The Haruyoshi confrontation actually surprised me, but I like where they left things. I think there's still hope there, and while I feel bad for him for hanging on like this, I'm glad he's holding strong.

Of course, Nino is still between Yuzu and Momo, without realizing it. Just more torture for all of them there.

There might be confrontations coming up, there might not. It's a little hard to tell. It'll be good either way, though.

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

Manga Review: Anonymous Noise, Volume 4, by Ryoko Fukuyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 2017

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music and longing collide in this ballad of unrequited love!
Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! With music as their common ground and only outlet, how will everyone's unrequited loves play out?
Yuzu thought he'd resigned himself to just being friends with Nino, his "Alice." But now that he's faced with the prospect of losing her voice to Momo, he's having second thoughts--and has resolved to take them to Momo directly! Meanwhile, the feelings that Momo has been hiding for so long seem to have reached a breaking point!

Review:

For a while there, Nino is struggling between Momo and Yuzu. Thakfully Yuzu talks his way out of what he did. In this volume, we pretty much find out that everyone is lying about their true feelings.

Nino gets to hear about the story of In No Hurry's creation. How they all met as kids, and how they started the band. It connects with Nino herself, of course, which is a surprise to no one but Nino herself. I did like seeing how Haruyoshi grows into himself, too, and his side of everything. We get to know Kuro and Miou a little more, too, which is nice. I feel like I know them better than I did, as well as can see their relationship with each other better now.

I'm still wondering what is up with Yuzu's mother, though.

Aside from that, Nino gets to accept what is going on between her and Momo. She's struggling to find out why she sings anymore, and has to come to terms with what happened and how to move on from it. The competition between the two bands is definitely heating up now, though. They're all trying to prove something to each other and themselves.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the concert in the next one.

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

Novel Review: Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: MTV Books

Release Date: 2013

Spoilers?: No.

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

Teaser Tuesday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again… 

The Cover:

I really like this cover. I think it's pretty, simple but eye-catching, and gives a good idea of the book. I also appreciate that it focuses more on the music, which is a very important part of the book, and not just the romance. It also has the right instrument, and gives just a glimpse of the romance. I like it a lot.

Review:

I am definitely a fan of Echols at this point. I’ve only read a few, but I’ve been impressed with all of them so far, and I have more to get to, thankfully.

Bailey has grown up loving music and playing it with her sister. But now things have changed, and she isn’t supposed to be doing anything related to music anymore. She’s not even talking to her sister at the moment. And then she meets Sam, who’s in a band with big plans, and he wants her to join. She’s reluctant, she knows she could get in trouble for it, but it’s what she really wants.

Bailey’s parents frustrated me, but I like the way that Bailey finally goes after what she wants, and how her sister is right there for her. There is definitely angst between Bailey and Sam, but it was fun, and I liked them together. I liked seeing the struggle that Bailey went through, I believed it, and it was nice to see how it all worked out.

I really enjoyed this book, and it definitely makes me want to pick up another.

Manga Review: Your Lie in April, Volume 2, by Naoshi Arakawa

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: June 2015

Volumes: 11

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

RONDO CAPRICCIOSO

After the death of his mother, child prodigy Arima Kosei gave up the piano forever — or so he thought. That vow turned out to be no match for the persistence of sprightly violinist Kaori Miyazono, who’s roped Arima back into the world of competitive classical music. But after so many years, will Arima be able to sit down at the ivories again like nothing happened? Or will history repeat itself, with Arima crumbling under the pressure?

Review:

I really want to like this series. And I’m honestly surprised that I don’t like it more.

Where is all this hype coming from?

I will admit that this volume was better than the first, at least.

Arima and Kaori have their first performance together, and it’s terrible. Arima goes in with high hopes, but quickly his memory of his mother is getting in the way and he can’t play. Kaori pushes him, though. And even if their performance is bad, the audience is pulled into the drama of it.

We get hints that Kaori is maybe sick after the performance, but she’s quickly back to surprising and urging Arima to do more with himself. To live life instead of dragging through it.

Mostly, I’m having a hard time really feeling anything for the characters. Something about the art, and their noses, bothers me. The humor is off. Most of the powerful moments, reveals and statements and memories, just aren’t hitting me right. All of it together just isn’t pulling me in enough.

I think it’s getting better along the way, but it’s not at the top of my list to continue. I want to love it, but I’m not.