Review: MAID-SAMA! (2-in-1 edition), Volume 6

Release Date: November 1st, 2016

Type: Manga, Comic, Series, 2-in-1, shojo, young adult, teen, Just Kiss Already!

About the Book: A 2-in-1 edition of the romantic-comedy series where chaos ensues when the student council president’s secret—that she works at a maid café—is discovered by the school’s #1 hottie!

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 ultrasmart, strong and overachieving intact once school heartthrob Takumi Usui discovers her double life?!

Misaki and Takumi go on a double date with Sakura and Kuga to the hot springs! However, Misaki is still shaken up after learning about Takumi’s past. So what kinds of challenges await her when she unearths even more information about his family. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I am so very happy that they are releasing the rest of Maid-sama! I started reading this series last year, and I was heartbroken to find out that since Tokyopop closed down, there was no plans to release the rest of the series in English. So huge huge thanks to Viz Media for picking them up and putting them out there for those of us that never learned Japanese (I wish!). I think I continue to read manga series because, for the most part, they are absolutely adorable (or at least the young adult ones are - the adult ones, whoa man). Maid-sama! is no exception - the relationship between this very unlikely pair is just so cute, right from the get-go. 

I appreciate that we're finally delving into Usui's past. I was a little confused when he explained his family history in the previous volume, but we're getting more information now, and even meeting some of his family members. This just makes it all the more interesting, since it pushes Misaki and Usui closer together, working as a team to annoy, or fight back, his family. The bit towards the end - featuring their ninja stalker, was laugh-out-loud ridiculous, and was perfectly done. This manga is great at throwing in the little bit of silliness you need to handle how serious it can get.

Cover Lovin': Fits perfectly with the rest of the series! 

Recommendation: This will be awfully confusing without having read the rest of the series, so interested readers definitely need to start with book one.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). I love this series, and I can't wait for the next volume!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~ 

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Review: DON'T BE CRUEL: 2-in-1 edition by Yonezou Nekota

Release Date: June 14th, 2016

Type: Manga, Series, Book 1, Book 2, M/M, Yaoi, Blackmail, 18+, How cheating on a test gets you in trouble

About the Book: Playboy Maya catches studious Nemugasa cheating on a test, and to ensure his silence Maya blackmails Nemugasa into doing whatever he wants. Twice a week Nemugasa must go to Maya's room for some steamy action, but as dense and oblivious as Nemugasa is, he fails to notice Maya’s true feelings for him. With college entrance exams around the corner, Nemugasa must focus on his studies, but Maya won’t stop distracting him, causing him to finally snap! Can a relationship built on harassment ever be more? [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: So I'm a little torn about this book. The beginning is definitely a little rape-y - Maya is blackmailing Nemugasa, saying if he doesn't have sex with him, Maya will tell the administration about Nemu's cheating. So this isn't so much a willing situation. It gets there, though. The romance develops at different speeds for each of the main characters, which is pretty typical of a manga. And this book definitely contains well worn manga tropes - for example, a sort of rival trying to break the two love-birds up, but then becoming part of their hangout group later, as there are no hard feelings after that particular episode.

I read plenty of manga, but this is my first foray into the yaoi (m/m) world, so I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. I definitely didn't realize how, ahem, graphic the sound effects would be. I'm talking like - squilching sounds during... well, I'm sure you could guess. They weren't out of place, clearly, and maybe this is typical of yaoi comics - I'd have to read more to properly judge. And really, it didn't turn me off the whole idea entirely, so it's clearly something easily ignored and moved beyond.

The characters themselves were interested. They didn't necessarily have too much depth, though it certainly got better as time went on. This leads me to believe that if the series continues for more volumes in the future, they will develop properly in time. I also found it interesting how quickly Nemu just.. goes with the flow. Like "Oh yeah, guys probably blackmail other guys into sex all the time!" Maya himself throws off more of a bisexual vibe, and judging mostly by the blackmail - a bit of a sexual predator vibe as well. But as I said, both characters started to grow considerably by the second half of this book, so I see a promising future.

Cover Lovin': A typical manga cover - but I think it fits their characters very well.

Recommendation: 18+ for sure!

Final Rating: I'm going to go with THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5)! Three stars is my standard "there were parts I didn't like, and an equal number of parts I did like" score. The sound effects were a bit daunting at first, and the whole blackmailing for sex vibe was rough. But the romance itself was fun to read. I'd definitely read more, and check out more by this publisher/imprint.

Make sure to pre-order your copy of Don't Be Cruel from Amazon.com today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Weekly Reading Update 3/4-3/11/16!

Another week gone, another Weekly Reading Update! It’s been a hectic week, so I’ve not read as much as usual.. But what I have gotten through was great!

I’m still working my way through the manga series “Dengeki Daisy” - which I have completely fallen in love with. It’s been a long time since I was this engrossed in a manga plot. I’m usually content just reading comics (American or Japanese) online or from the library - but I might have to buy this series, I’m loving it so much. The story just keeps evolving and getting bigger and bigger - but without being absolutely ridiculous like some series.

I’m also currently listening to “Touched By An Alien” by Gini Koch. This is a book I’ve always wanted to pick up, but I didn’t have the opportunity until now. The audiobook is great, since there’s a fun narrator, but I’m getting desperate because I have to know what happens - I’m not sure I can handle going at the audiobook speed much longer! I’m not sure what characters I like the best. If you like amusing sci-fi, you should definitely check this series out.

Next, I read “Unruly” by Ronnie Douglas, and reviewed it for Romance Reviews Today. This is the second book in the series, and runs at the same time as the first book, “Undaunted.” Because of that, you pretty much have to read the first book in the series, because in “Unruly” you get several half scenes. It wasn’t a bad book by any means, but it took so long to get to the real meat of the story that I was bored for the first half.

Finally, I reread “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline this week, for the book club I run at the library. If you love 80’s pop culture, virtual reality, and some seriously good sci-fi - you absolutely HAVE to check out this book. It’s so good. Even reading it the second time, I found stuff I missed the first round, and I already want to re-read it again. Also, I found a website that lists every pop culture reference throughout the book - and it’s FIVE pages long, front and back. Someday I’ll go through and see just how much of that I have actually seen/read/listened to. You know, when I have free time (so never).

That’s it for this week!

Happy Reading
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Weekly Reading Update 2/12-2/18/16!

Still in the first month of the Teen Reading Challenge, so you’ll have to continue to suffer through some manga updates. Actually, the challenge runs through April, so best prepare yourself now, sorry! Not everything I read was for the teen challenge - there are some awesome other books mixed in.

First up is Asa, by Jay Crownover. The final book of the Marked Men series, and it was an excellent ending indeed. I may have gotten a little emotional a time or two, especially at the end. Author Crownover said that the Marked Men may show up in her new series, The Saints of Denver, here and there, and I’m hopeful that’s true. I definitely can’t wait to start The Saints of Denver - beginning with Leveled, the prequel novella.

Next is The Earl and the Fairy, volumes 1 and 2, by Mizue Tani. Not my first historical manga, but it still felt different, if that made sense. I was surprised such a big plotline was wrapped up in two volumes, but at the end of volume 2, you see that it’s definitely not over. I already requested the next volumes, so I’m excited to see where it goes!

After that, I read Captive Hearts, volumes 1 & 2, by Matsuri Hino. I initial decided to try out this series because the description was ridiculous and adorable sounding. But it wasn’t until I actually got the manga in my hands that I realized that is only one of the three stories included in this volume, so that story is very short, and the others even shorter. The second volume just contains the main story, so that was an improvement… but I don’t think I’ll read any more in this series.

The next book was one I reviewed for Romance Reviews Today, so alas, I’m not allowed to cross-post them. Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy was absolutely awesome. I loved it. And now I have to wait for an eternity (or like.. three months?) for the next one. It reminds me a lot of Asking For It and Begging For It by Lilah Pace, but with a lot less rough sex. A lot less sex in general, actually. But definitely check it out if you like your romance on the dark, edgier side.

Next up, Sweet As Sin by J.T. Geissinger - man, did I both love and hate this. I’m fickle, when it comes to fiction - sometimes I can be really strict about how characters act and react to things, and other times I’m more lenient than I would be in real life. I think if Nico treated me the way he sometimes treated Kat, I’d punch him in the nose, leave and never look back. But in fiction, I enjoyed it because it brought more drama to an already drama-heavy book, and sometimes I just like characters to suffer and have to jump through extraordinary hoops to get their happy ending.

Next I read two graphic novel memoirs, “Are You My Mother?” by Alison Bechdel, and “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” by Roz Chast. The Bechdel book was good, but while she emphasized that it was a book about her mother, it focused more on Bechdel’s interest in psychoanalysis than anything else. The second book, by Chast, was a memoir about her taking care of her parents in their final years. This one really hit home, since I recently went through a similar situation. Both were incredibly well written, but I will admit to liking Chast’s book more.

I actually read more than this (as in.. the entire run of Hot Gimmick - 12 volumes! And 5 volumes of Sensual Phrase..) but I figured this was more than enough for this week!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: MANGA CLASSICS: EMMA by Stacy King & Po Tse

Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Type: Manga Classics, Graphic Novel, Jane Austen, Historical Romance, Not-as-good-as-Johnny-Lee-Miller

Release Date: May 12, 2015

About the Book: Just in time for the 200th Anniversary, Manga Classics: Emma brings Jane Austen's classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience with this beautiful, new manga adaptation. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the gorgeous artwork of manga-ka Po Tse (Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice). - Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I love Jane Austen. I really like reading manga. This should be a match made in heaven, but honestly, it felt more run of the mill, very middle of the road. I think Emma has to be my least favorite of Austen's novels. I find Emma herself to be very childish sometimes, which gets on my nerves. And I got the same impression while reading the Manga Classics: Emma. But if you think about it, that is a good thing. Why? Because that means this manga adaptation of a classic, well beloved novel appropriately portrays the spirit of the original.

There are several graphic novel interpretations of Austen's work out there, the styles ranging from overly cartoony to very life-like. Manga Classics: Emma is very much in the manga style - including chibi figures in moments of high emotion. While this is something I have come to understand and even appreciate in manga, a friend of mine read it and felt that it made the classic novel feel immature. I appreciated the art throughout this graphic novel. The characters were consistent, the outfits fitting and looked appropriate for the time period. I just wished Mr. Knightley would have looked a little less like a cheap villain - it was the strange goatee that did him in, I think.

Overall, this was a good adaptation. It's hard to review a graphic novel version of a classic without it becoming a strange compare and contrast, so I have done my best. Manga Classics: Emma has done well taking a book full of complex characters and intertwining story-lines and making it not only understandable, but a fast and fun read.

Cover Lovin': This is certainly a very sweet looking cover. And I'm stuck thinking it both does and does not convey the story very well.

Recommendation: This is one of those niche books. Austen-ites (Jane-ites?) would eat it up - anything for a new Austen fix. But it probably won't appeal to anyone that doesn't already like manga, considering manga is incredibly stylized.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE (3/5). A good adaptation, but not the best of the Manga Classics by far.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Let's Eat Ramen and Other Doujinshi Short Stories" by Nagumo and Aji-Ichi

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Short Stories, Doujinshi, Ramen!

About the Book: Doujinshi, otherwise known as independent manga in Japan, is rarely published in English. In fact, it's considered underground and quite exclusive in its home country of Japan as well. Let's Eat Ramen and Other Doujinshi Short Stories finally gives western readers an exclusive look at the elusive world of contemporary Japanese doujinshi manga. Let's East Ramen is a three-part tale of Saeki, a girl who loves ramen noodles. At last, she thinks that she has finally found the perfect ramen shop, but the problem is the shop is completely full of old regulars and she can't get in. Will the timid Saeki ever summon the willpower to reach out and get the ramen that she desperately wants? [Summary provided by Goodreads.com]

My Review: This is my first foray into what's considered "underground" manga - also known as manga that hasn't made it to the USA before now. Most of what is popular in the US is very formulaic - almost like the same thing over and over. But there is manga of all different types available in Japan, and it's great that this is getting a chance to shine in the US. 

It was fascinating to read what is essentially a book of manga short stories. A graphic novel can take multiple volumes to equal what we know as one book. So to make it even shorter? Amazing! It was so cool to see how much information and story that got packed into such a few pages. Each story for original and interesting. The culture difference is pretty obvious - some things happen way faster than it may in the states, and Ramen is a whole different experience in Japan, - but it's a great into into a different culture. 

Overall, I'm giving this three stars. It was good, a fun and fast read for sure. But essentially, my love of this is more of the concept and culture than of the stories themselves.

Cover Lovin': Since "Let's Eat Ramen" is the main story of this collection, the cover image is fitting. And it will definitely appeal to its intended audience (manga fans).

Recommendation: For fans of manga and Japanese culture.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). Good, interesting, and different. Something to look into if you're a manga fan.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Give to the Heart, Volume 2" by Wann

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Series, Mythology, Book 2, Magic, Every guy's shirt has some sort of malfunction?!

About the Book: Earth suffers a cataclysm. Three godlike beings emerge to rule over survivors. Lord Ganok controls all waters. He nourishes nations with rain or blights them with drought.Yet, despite his terrifying abilities, the Water King can't win the heart of the woman Sooyi because the human heart contains more intense storms than even he can create. Furthermore, Sooyi seeks to fulfill a vendetta...and the power to slay the Water King. [Description provided by Netgalley.com]

My Review: Yes, I gave the first volume a higher rating, but that doesn't mean I liked this second book less. Actually, in some respects I liked volume 2 more. Then why the lower rating? Because I wasn't as immediately sucked in to the story in this volume as I was in the first volume. Well, that is only mostly accurate. I was sucked in quickly, then lost the desperation to continue the story in the middle, then picked it back up again near the end. The story dipped a little for me in the middle, but it picked right back up, and ended on a strong note. So for that, it gets one less star than the first book - but it was still a great read for me.

In book two, we get less of the Water King, and more of Sooyi and her travels with her companion, who has a mysterious story of his own. I cannot wait to find out what is going on with him. We get a teaser at the end of volume 2, but it is not enough! I must find out what is going on.

Side note: I feel so bad for the poor guys in this story. There is a plague of shirt malfunctions throughout the story. But I guess this is payback for all the gratuitous panty shots that show up in other mangas?

Cover Lovin': Eye catching, check. Good representation of the art, check. Gives an idea of what is actually going to happen in this volume? Nope.

Recommendation: For fans of the first volume, definitely. And for those than like the author's other works.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Good, in some respects I liked it better than volume 1, but I wasn't as immediately sucked in like I was with the previous book.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Give to the Heart, Volume 1" by Wann

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Comic Book, Mythology-esque, Magic, Series, Let's give this a shot!

About the Book: In the far-off distant future, the Earth suffers a cataclysm that destroys modern civilization. Over centuries, human survivors regroup and organize into primitive cities. Three godlike beings arise and oversee the well-being of the world. Lord Ganok rules all waters. Nations prosper - or starve - on his whim. He nourishes farmlands with rainfall or blights entire realms with drought. He can unleash violent storms that level entire cities. Yet, despite all his awe-inspiring abilities, the Water King can't win the heart of a simple human woman named Sooyi. Lord Ganok quickly learns that the human heart contains more intense storms than he could ever hope to create. Furthermore, Sooyi seeks out a power of her own in order to fulfill an old vendetta...the power to slay the Water King once and for all! [Description provided by Goodreads.com]

My Review: I loved this. This is exactly the type of thing I obsess over. I love mythology mixed into my fantasy stories - so of course the whole demons controlling certain aspects of the earth got my attention. I would even say this story seems to be futuristic, though a future where civilization moved backwards - which makes tons more sense when you actually see it, I assume.

The art was very appealing, and there were plenty of shirtless male shots to appease the female readers (and hey, some males too, I don't judge). I like the relationship between the Water King and Sooyi, and I can't wait to see how this develops in further volumes - or not, considering the end. Need more now, please!

Cover Lovin': This cover will certainly appeal to shojo manga fans! It definitely got my attention, so overall: good cover.

Recommendation: For fans of things like Fushigi Yugi, From Far Away. It's not too similar, but I thought the vibe was there.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars. Right up my alley. Loved it, and I can't wait to read on!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "In Real Life" by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang

Disclaimer: I received a free, advance e-galley from Netgalley.com  in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Release Date: October 14, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Young Adult Fiction, Teen Fiction, MMORPGs, Video Games, Social Issues,

About the Book: Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role playing game that she spends most of her free time on. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends. Gaming is, for Anda, entirely a good thing. 

But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer - a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behavior is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize that questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake. 

From acclaimed teen author and digerati bigwig Cory Doctorow and rising star cartoonist Jen Wang, In Real Life is a sensitive, thoughtful look at adolescence, gaming, poverty, and culture-clash.
My Review: I will start by saying what I loved about this book - the art. I greatly enjoyed the subtle, but well-done differences between the real world and the in-game world. I also loved the act of signing into the game, where Anda becomes her character. Expertly done. Over all, the art is very appealing in this graphic novel.

And now to the story, which was what didn't impress me as much. It's a good story, and the author showcases plenty of growth when it comes to Anda. And I would have liked to see more of Anda offline, out of the game. We do get this, of course. But I want to see how her self-confidence in the game world affects her self-confidence in the real world. If she feels braver at school since she is so well-respected online.

Despite the great intentions, for me.. the story just fell flat. I don't really care too much about Anda, and her interests, which is unfortunate considering she is the main character. I know Anda's actions come from a good heart and the want to do good, but I got the feeling the story is more along the lines of "the good American coming in to fix other cultures." I'm sure this isn't what the author is going for - Cory Doctorow is very well respected in the writing world - but this situation and story just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Cover Lovin': Great cover. Really showcases the art, which as I stated, was my favorite part about this book. And audiences can see the differences between real life, and Anda's online character.

Recommendation: For fans of Cory Doctorow, obviously. If you like your manga with some social issues and social change added in, definitely check this book out.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). My 3.0 rating is for the good intentions the author had while writing this story. But mostly for the art, which I loved.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Manda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice" by Stacy King

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Release Date: August 12, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Classic, Romance, Historical, Adaptations, Pride, Prejudice, Not as cute as Colin Firth or Matthew MacFayden...

About the book: Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold, new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

My Review: I am a huge fan of Pride & Prejudice, so I jumped at the chance to review this manga adaptation. Like the original novel, I eagerly gobbled up this manga version in one sitting. The art was very well done, with each character being appropriately distinctive while still showing familial resemblance, when necessary.

The manga version is very faithful to the original novel, which will please both purists and those looking for an alternative to the classic. Reading this graphic novel was like visiting the original story and characters all over again, just in miniature. Author Stacy King and illustrator  Po Tse do honor to the classic story and really make the characters come alive in this different style.

My only complaint is that the story and Elizabeth's character didn't quite pop as much as I would have preferred. If I were to give this version to a struggling or reluctant reader, I'm not sure this version would inspire as much love as the original novel.

Based on this reading, I would gladly pick up other Manga Classics volumes in the future.

Cover Lovin': The cover is elegant, and yet still eye catching. Overall, a very well done cover.

Recommendation: For fans of Pride and Prejudice. As a librarian, I can see giving this adaptation to a struggling or reluctant reader that thinks classics are stupid.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5). This is a very good interpretation, and it moves very quickly. As an adaptation, it's hard to not compare it to the original - in which case this falls flat, but anything will. The story was faithful to the original, and it was a fun read, but it lacked the punch of the original novel.