Review: Magia the Ninth Vol. 1

Magia the Ninth Vol. 1 by Ichiya Sazanami
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Too fast paced.
Even if is only two volumes long, the pace it makes the plot look convoluted and it doesn't manage to catch the reader's attention to it.

The concept of famous historical composers doing extraordinary things is not a new one. I've seen other stories that are good at using that type of premise but, in this manga, it doesn't work that well.

I know that I'll sound repetitive, but the Solomon and demons card that is used here, would have been a hit if it wasn't the main plot of another, older, ongoing manga that it's already around 12 to 15 vols.

Not everything is bad or cliche, I liked some of the characters, even if some of them need more development.

Sadly, I don't think that I'll be bying the last volume of this story.


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Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Vol. 5

Requiem of the Rose King, Vol. 5 by Aya Kanno
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The plot thickens, the thirst for revenge, the political struggle and so many things that keeps you on your toes while reading this story.

I can't wait for the next vol ^_^

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Review: Devils and Realist, Vol. 11

Devils and Realist, Vol. 11 by Madoka Takadono
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I admit that this vol was a bit confusing, at least for me.
A dear character dies, another one fall into despair and that drives him to create a new contract out of revenge.

Secrets and riddles start to appear once again, revealing that there are more people moving the strings and more things to discover all around.

Thing is, that even though many things were interesting, it looked too fast paced without a moment for the readers to take a breather in order to inmerse ourselves in what I think is a new addition to the current arc segment that is happening at the moment.

Well, let's hope that the next volume gets bit more understating for us mere mortals.

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Review: The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was an interesting re-telling of a famous myth.

I Liked the way the author potrayed Achilles. It was in such a way that the hero that everyones knows, became even more human and prompt to make mistakes and being driven to reckless actions based on strong emotions.

His relationship with Patroclus was bitter-sweet. Patroclus thoughts during the whole story were filled with devotion and so many feelings that I was able to relate to his way of thinking many times.

It was a story with a known and sad ending, but the author created and interesting twist around it that was a balm to the soul.

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Review: Styxx

Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Perspective is a very powerfull thing. To be able to manipulate it in such a way that loved characters become hated ones and vice versa, is proof of great writing skills and an excellent control of narration around events that the reader may have thought they knew by heart.

In this book, things that I thought were carved in stone were completely shattered. As I read Acheron first, I was completely in the 'I hate Styxx' club, but the author played masterfully with the events that I knew throught the eyes of who I know that was a noble, misunderstood and desperate character, that did everything in his power to survive and was a victim of fate and the gods.

I can say that this book played with my feelings in such a way that I started to hate some beloved characters for a while, and to see others in a new light.

Funnily enough, I haven't read any other Dark Hunter books besides Acheron and this one, so you can say that I started the journey of the twins(Acheron and Styxx) with a blank slate and no preview knowledge to influence my opinion.

I admire the author who was able to create such impressive stories, and continues to do so.

I'll probably start reading more of her works, with complete trust that I'll be reading good stories full of interesting characters and intriguing plots.

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Review: Welcome to the Ballroom, Volume 1

Welcome to the Ballroom, Volume 1 by Tomo Takeuchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So,

Here I am being completely cautivated by this manga.

At the beginning, the story shows what it could be considered a look into the future, then it goes back to the very start, where we meet our protaginist(Tatara Fujita) and the classic background history of school life plots.

As the story continues, the plot starts to catch your attention and when the main element of the story is presented(ballroom dancing) followed by the passion that many characters express around it, you're utterly hooked, Just like our dear Tatara when he discovers what Ballroom Dancing is all about.

Charismatic characters, some issues that makes you sympathize with some of them, twist and turns that would make you dizzy but still ask for more.

In conclusion, Welcome to the Ballroom is an interesting story for readers taht want a mix of intensity and a new area to explore in manga genres.

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Review: His Boy

His Boy by Bink Cummings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So...

This is for M/M erotica fans that are ok with kinky stuff. This is mostly for those days that you just want to read male on male action, with lots of dirty talks and many kinds of kinks around the corner.

If this is not your cup tea, it's ok. But if you like what I described above then enjoy the ride of these two insatiable guys, who after lust, friendship and carnal urges, love strikes and bind them together.

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Review: Girl Against the Universe

Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I actually give it a 4.6, but the rating system won't let me put that number here.

The summary called my attention. I started reading it and the circunstances around the main characters where intriguing enough that it kept me reading.

I really liked the story, the way that some things were described were interesting and easy to visualize. My favorite character was Jordy, his personality and stubborness in most situations were endearing and I loved that even after some upsetting moments, he wouldn't give up.

I understand that the main character's thinking was filled with her past experiences and fears and for that reason, there were parts where I wanted to shake her and make her see sence, but the people around her took care of that most of the time, so I was able to calm down my urges.


In conclusion, this was a great story, with funny, sad, dramatic and sporty(oh yeah, a plot around sports is another war to get me hooked) parts that made me keep reading until the very end.

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Review: The Heiress and the Chauffeur, Vol. 2

The Heiress and the Chauffeur, Vol. 2 by Keiko Ishihara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Last vol of this series.

I liked that the heroine was a no-nonsense, strong willed person. It was interesting the way that the Class and Rank differences were potrayed in the story, the view of the Taishou Era society and how strongly the main characters felt for each other.

It had some predictable moments and some well-known tropes but, in the end, it was a good and entertaining story.

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Review: So Cute It Hurts!!, Vol. 8

So Cute It Hurts!!, Vol. 8 by Gō Ikeyamada
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm used to the author's style, so all cliches and over the top cheesy and cute parts(Come on, the title is pretty much tells you what this is about) are things that I just let myself enjoy.

This manga is one of my guilty pleasures that reminds me of the chessy shoujo stories I used to read frequently, including some of other works by the same author.

This is vol 8 out of 15, and new feelings start to blossom, rivals declare intentions and the main characters' feelings are really awww inspiring.



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Review: Say I Love You. Vol. 15

Say I Love You. Vol. 15 by Kanae Hazuki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this Volume!

The transition from high school to college, from seeing your friends everyday to seeing them once in a while or never, college entrance exams, mixed feelings related about their future.

It's also a volume full of reflexions of the past/present and emotional growth since the start of the story till now.

I can't wait to read the next vol! I wonder when author is going to conclude the story. At the start of college life? In the middle of it? or are the characters going to fullfil their dreams one by one?

In conclusion, this was a great read and I recommend it.


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Review: Everyone's Getting Married, Vol. 1

Everyone's Getting Married, Vol. 1 by Izumi Miyazono
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I simply love this manga.

The main characers are polar opposites in their way of thinking towards settling down, bit also share qualities and thoughts that appeal to each other.

Their intereaction is carefree and easy-going in a moment and full of tension in another, but what I love is how natural and mature the flow of their relationship is.

Some things might look rushed, but I'm pretty sure that this is just the beginning of a wonderful slow-build emotional story, where opinions and world views will clash, feelings and unique moments will be discovered and we'll enjoy the roller-coaster of feels this josei is going to make us ride for sure.

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Review: Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 14

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 14 by Adachitoka
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The tension is reaching a new high.

Seeds of doubts, tested trust, betrayal and desperation are some of the things present in this volume, with a few silver linings in between.

Yato is trying to find a balance between what he wants and what he considers is the right path. New and old characters stir things around and quite the emotional cliffhanger that leaves the readers looking for more.

I wonder what will be revealed in the next vol...

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Review: Bloody Mary, Vol. 3

Bloody Mary, Vol. 3 by Akaza Samamiya
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The mystery around Mary starts to unravel.

Informative flashbacks let us know the Maria's granfather, the inmortal Yzak and his deepest desire.

A shoujo story full of bromantic undertones, puzzles and the supernatural touch of vampires. I wonder what other twists and turns are awating the readers in the next volume...

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Review: Inu x Boku SS, Vol. 11

Inu x Boku SS, Vol. 11 by Cocoa Fujiwara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Last volume of this series. Full of ups and downs, plot twists of doom, comedy, drama and romance.

At first, it was quite the comedy with its dash of romance but things started to get seriuous and dark as the story continues followed by quite the shock in some places and quite the fascinating tale in others.

It's been a long road, all characters became dear to me with their personalities and quirks, and it was great that all of them got their happy ending in one way or another.

It's sad that the author of such a wonderful story is no longer in this world, but her works will live on in all of us readers that appreciate said stories.

If you like supernatural stories based on Japanese mythology in modern times, romantic comedy and adventure, then this is the one for you.


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Review: So Cute It Hurts!!, Vol. 7

So Cute It Hurts!!, Vol. 7 by Gō Ikeyamada
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, the cuteness overload continues!

The rival appears to create storm clouds in Mego and Aoi relationship. The other pair is also starting to show progress and the cliff hanger it's the classic one that makes you want to read ghe next vol to see what is going to happen next.

I'm not going to lie, this manga is as cliche as it comes, but is one of my guilty pleasures that I read when I want to read some cute, pinky and classic shoujo story. Some scenes are awww worthy and the bishies are interesting in their own way.

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Review: Kiss Him, Not Me!, Vol. 5

Kiss Him, Not Me!, Vol. 5 by Junko
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mutsumi-senpai's arc which was hilarious and adorable at the same time. I liked that he discovered his feelings during the volume in a believeable way.

He's my favorite character in the story. I love how kind and devoted he is, even more so when he's decided something. I'm looking forward to the next vol. :)

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Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Vol. 4

Requiem of the Rose King, Vol. 4 by Aya Kanno
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Intrigue...the war of roses, and so many dark and psychologycal themes that just keeps you on your toes while reading.

The author is doing a great job with her own twist of this historical retelling. I can't wait to read the next volume :)

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Review: Me Before You

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sad love story.

Realistic, with its endearing and frustrating parts. A story that shows you the weight caused by Choice. Resignation, sadness and tear-jerking moments here and there and finally the painful decision of letting go.

Not my cup of tea, but it has many inspirational phrases that coul be considered silver lining through the ups and downs of the story.

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Review: Rebel of the Sands

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was an intersting read.

The story has many desert legends and it gives a slight sense if the classic Arabian Nights' tales. The characters are quite catchy in their own right, with personalities and abilities that would make you follow their storyline all the time.

Even if the story is told in Amani's point of view, I was able to understand the other character's feelings, but I hope to read some of Jin's point of view in the future.

Fantasy, adventure and a dash of desert romace create quite the appealing tale for many interested parties.

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