Book Review: Future Lovers, Vol 2 by Saika Kunieda

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Future Lovers, Vol 2     

Author: Saika Kunieda

Publisher: Deux Press

American release date: March 24, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Yaoi/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Akira has taken a permanent position with the school where he began as a sub due to the other teacher’s retirement. So now he and Kento work together every day. They keep their relationship from the people at school. Although Kento has introduced Akira to his grandparents, he has yet to meet Akira’s family. Then one day a flashy woman in a fur coat and sunglasses is standing outside the school when they leave, and Kento is finally introduced to Akira’s mother! That’s when he learns that Akira has a mommy complex, and actually calls her Mommy! Seriously?

She’s come to tell him she’s getting divorced… again. Akira isn’t even sure how many times that makes. It’s clear the pair dote on one another, but Kento is beginning to suspect the relationship is unhealthy. Turns out Akira’s mother had him when she was seventeen and he has no idea who his father is. When Akira leaves school early one day and doesn’t tell him, Kento searches for him, asking his mother if she’s seen him. She hasn’t, but she quickly guesses the nature of their relationship.

Kento finds Akira, who is hungover, and down, concerned unnecessarily about Yukie, whom Kento says is already in a new relationship and Kento doesn’t care because he has Akira. Akira is a complex man and Kento doesn’t always know how to take him. He realizes he’s had a hard life with his unstable mother and his childhood must have been difficult. And sometimes he and Akira seem poles apart. For example, when they end up going to a spring festival together, each is aghast at what the other is wearing. Still, no matter what happens between them, they seem to solve their problems in bed, making everything right once more.

They decide to take a Golden Week vacation but get off to a bad start. Apparently, Akira is a terrible navigator.  To make matters worse, when Kento picks up Akira at his apartment, he finds another man there with him – his art teacher from middle school! And the man not only doesn’t leave, he comes with them! He and Akira sit in the back seat together, with Kento playing chauffeur. This is not what he bargained for at all! Not surprisingly, they get lost! When Akira spots someone and goes to ask for directions, the art teacher tells Kento about what Akira was like as a child, and how much he has changed for the better.  When they finally reach their destination, they find they are all to stay in one room! Not exactly conducive to lovemaking. Kento and Akira become worried when the teacher disappears, which is compounded when his wife shows up looking for him and explains what is going on with him. Now they are even more concerned that he might do something drastic!

Akira’s mother is getting married… again! Kento starts bringing up the idea of marriage to Akira, and they fight over that. Kento wants a future with Akira, but he seems to be less than receptive to the idea. Akira provokes Kento, and finds himself in the nurse’s office with Yukie. Things get worse when Akira thinks Kento’s grandfather has died and Akira gets drunk and crashes the gathering. Will these two ever be on the same page?

I love these two guys, they are so sweet together. I like that they have their ups and downs, like any couple, which is exacerbated with the societal difficulties of being in a same-sex relationship.  The picture of Akira as a sweet little angel is priceless!  So is Akira’s dream of the future.  What a wonderful ending! I am a sucker for a happy ending. I would definitely recommend this book series.

Saturday is Horror Day #163 – Late Night With the Devil

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Late Night With the Devil

It’s the 70s, and Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) is a late night TV talk show host who is determined to compete against the Tonight Show for ratings. But he never quite succeeds, no matter how hard he tries. He has his own sidekick, Gus (Rhys Auteri), as well as his own band. It’s Halloween, and he has some special guests lined up for the occasion, including a psychic Christou (Fayssal Bazzi), a woman who wrote a book about conversations with the devil, June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon) and the girl who is the subject of her book, Lilly (Ingrid Torelli) as well as skeptic Carmichael Haig (Ian Bliss). Christou seems fraudulent at first, fumbling with his “psychic” impressions, until he hits on one that resonates with the host. Mysterious afflicted suddenly, Christou is rushed to the hospital, to everyone’s horror.

Lilly comes off as very bratty and an attention-seeker. Haig has an ongoing offer to anyone who can prove

the existence of the supernatural. When the audience clamors to see June bring out the so-called entity inside of Lilly, the one she calls Mr. Wriggles, she reluctantly agrees. And then things get even darker…

When I saw the trailer for this film, I admit I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to see it, hoping I wasn’t seeing all the best scenes. I was not disappointed. This is rather unique in horror films, and very entertaining. It captures the feel of late night talk shows from the 70s, and David Dastmalchian does a great job as the main protagonist. Everyone does well, including the Ed McMahon-like sidekick, Gus, who tries to warn Jack not to meddle with things, that he is in over his head. It’s well-written and well-acted and directed, and leaves you in suspense as to what is going to happen.  I haven’t touched on everything in the film, because I don’t want to give spoilers. I highly recommend this film and I’ll give it 4.25 Stars

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 15 by Yusei Matsui

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Assassination Classroom, Vol 15    

Author: Ysei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: April 4, 2017

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Action Adventure Manga//200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Koro Sensei is not the only monster at Kunugigaoka Junior High, the other one being Principal Asano. But was he always this way? No, far from it. He began the prep school with three students and a dream. He was well liked and had ideals. So, what happened? Now he has challenged Koro Sensei, and it’s his turn. If he opens the last book, he will assuredly die. Is he willing to die for what he believes?

Class 3-E is dismayed to learn that they are being forced to participate in the school play, when their time would be put to better use honing their assassination skills. And they have been given the worst time slot – during lunch. Who’ll be paying attention then? The students pick what jobs they wish to do, and Koro Sensei expresses his desire to be in the play as well. They quickly tell him what a good idea that isn’t, but Hazama, who is going to write the play, tells him she will write him in a part, which pleases him.

Hmmm, seems as though there is another secret assassin lurking in the classroom! When did Kayano acquire tentacles? She gets Nagisa to help her lure Koro Sensei into a trap, at which time she reveals herself. Will she be the one to end the teacher/monster? How did she get to be this way, and how did she fool the whole class into believing she was something she wasn’t? In revealing who she really is, Kayano accuses Koro Sensei of murder! His students are aghast! In order to clear himself of the charges, their teacher will finally have to tell them his story, although he hadn’t planned to do that quite so soon. But he has no choice now.

In this volume, we have two back stories, Principal Asano’s and Kayano’s. Boy, what a surprise! Who would have thought the nasty conniving principal ever had a nice side? I sure didn’t. And Kayano – never saw that coming! Never even noticed the small clues along the way! Now we come to Koro Sensei’s back story, but that has to wait until the next volume. Can’t wait to hear it! Another great volume, on the edge of my seat for the next one!

Book Review: Future Lovers, Vol 1 by Saika Kuneida

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Future Lovers, Vol 1       

Author: Saika Kunieda

Publisher: Deux Press

American release date: September 23, 2008

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Yaoi/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Kento Kumagaya envisions a future for himself which includes a happy wife and children in a happy home that also includes his happy grandparents. But his marriage proposal to his girlfriend Yukie goes horribly wrong and she walks away. Devastated, Kento goes to a bar to drown his sorrows. There he meets Akira Kazuki, who seems too pretty to be a guy.  The next morning, Kento wakes up in Kento’s bed with memories of having had sex with Akira!  He blames the alcohol, goes home with his tail tucked between his legs, and doesn’t tell his grandparents what really happened. Then he goes to work at the school where he teaches, only to learn there is a new sub for one of the teachers – none other than Akira!

The more Kento tries to maintain his distance from Akira, the more he is drawn to him, and they end up in bed together… over and over and over.  Yukie also works at the school, as the nurse. One day she sees something unexpected and breaks up with Kento for good. A conflicted Kento talks to his grandmother, asking her about her arranged marriage with his grandfather. She explains how they fell in love, how their marriage has had its ups and downs but they weathered every storm. At the end of the day, they can both say their life was happy for having met the other person. That gives Kento a lot to think about.

When Kento gets hurt in an accident, Kazuki rushes to the hospital in a panic. Kento tells him he wants him to be his forever. Kazuki is happy to hear that, but when they kiss, they are caught by Kento’s homophobic grandparents, who are not exactly thrilled with what they see. Kento and Akira have other difficulties, including being careful at work, but there are some who figure it out anyway, including a girl with a crush on Kento.

In Winter Rabbit, Shu has gone away to university and has been too busy to visit his family, including his younger foster brother, Minoru. When Shu receives a text from his mother that something is wrong with Minoru, he hurries home, only to run into Minoru at the station. Although they were once close, Minoru seems distant now. And when a girl named Rina shows up, Minoru goes off with her, leaving behind a baffled Shu.

Later, they find themselves alone in the house, and Shu feels compelled to ask Minoru about something he heard. Minoru tries to bluff him, and unexpectedly propositions Shu.  But Shu refuses, determined to get to the truth of their feelings for one another.

This was a very sweet and romantic first volume of Future Lovers. I love both Kento and Akira, and I love how Kento goes from saying he isn’t gay to realizing he has feelings for Akira, no matter what gender he is. Their story continues in the next volume. A second story, Winter Rabbit, was also cute and sweet, as two young men come to understand their feelings for one another.  I recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantic yaoi.

Wednesday Briefs: April 24, 2024

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Jonlyn of the Urionites by J Ray Lamb

Jonlyn’s head was swimming with the events that had just transpired. He sat down on the deerskin covered chair and started reflecting on what had just happened. He hadn’t noticed the passing of time until the warmth of the sun had passed leaving him sitting in the shadows. While the deerskin was warm under him, he was slowly starting to cool down. He picked up a flagon of wine and headed back out of his abode. One of the many benefits of being the Club was that he had a private outdoor area where he could be himself.

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Book Review: One Piece, Vol 11: The Meanest Man in the East by Eiichiro Oda

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One Piece, Vol 11: The Meanest Man in the East    

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: July 5, 2006

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action & Adventure/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Luffy is still battling Arlong. He’s finding the Fishman hard to defeat! Breaking his teeth does no good because sharks just grow new ones! The fight carries inside his headquarters, into the chart room. And this is where Arlong makes his mistake when he talks about using Nami for her cartography skills. Incensed at the idea that Arlong has been using his friend, Luffy goes berserk and destroys Arlong park! At just that moment, the crooked Marines arrive. When they learn of Arlong’s defeat, the leader, Captain Nezumi, attempts to take all the gold for himself, but nobody is having that and they deliver to him the smackdown of his life! The disgruntled Captain Nezumi informs the navy of the existence of a dangerous pirate and his four henchmen, and a bounty is placed on Luffy’s head –higher than that of most other pirates!

Luffy and the others have celebrated their victory with the villagers, and now it’s time to go. But where is Nami?  Sanji is horrified to think she might not be coming, but she is, of course. She just has one more thing to do.  Back on the high seas once more, headed toward the Grand Line, Luffy is delighted to discover that he has a price on his head. He feels as though he’s really arrived now and been officially recognized as a pirate. The others tell him that isn’t really good, especially such a high bounty, because it puts a target on their back! People will be coming after them now, strictly for the money.

As they pass by a particular island, Nami informs them that this where the infamous pirate Gold Rogers was executed, in a town called Roguetown. Would Luffy like to go there? Of course he would! Once ashore, the crew scatters to do their own thing. Nami looks for clothes she doesn’t intend to buy, and Zolo needs swords. He goes to a shop that sells them, but when the owners finds out how little he has to spend on two swords, he isn’t very enthusiastic about his presence… until he notices the sword Zolo carries and tries to cheat him out of it. Luckily, a knowledgeable young lady who happens to be in the shop gives Zolo much needed advice and helps him search for two swords in his price range. Wait, is he actually going to take the cursed sword?

Oh oh, Luffy is in trouble when a couple of unexpected blasts from his past show up on the island and he finds himself on the same execution stand where Gold Rogers met his end.  On top of everything else, Nami says that a huge storm is on the way and it’s going to hit the island!

Finally, we see the end of the evil Arlong (or at least I presume so). I love the way Luffy stands up for people, especially the ones he cares about. For one so young, he is very mature in ways, but very immature in others. I loved the scene between Mihawk and Shanks. If you watch the live anime, you’ll see that the actor playing Mihawk got him to a tee! If you haven’t watched it yet, you should, it’s great! I sure didn’t expect to see those two return and I would never have recognized one of them if she hadn’t mentioned her name.  It turns out that Zolo’s new friend works for the naval captain, Smoker. This can’t be good, can it?

Another great volume of One Piece, looking forward to the next!

Book Review: Love Mode, Vol 6 by Yuki Shimizu

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Love Mode, Vol 6       

Author: Yuki Shimizu

Publisher: Blu

American release date:  August 14, 2007

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Yaoi Manga/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Kiichi takes Naoya shopping and insists on buying him lots of clothes, despite his protestations. He even insists that Naoya needs a ring, considering his newfound relationship with Reiji and takes him to a jewelry store. He was just kidding, though, and buys a watch instead. They are unaware that trouble lurks nearby. As they are leaving the store, two armed men force them back in and demand money and jewels! And they are going to take Naoya as a hostage. Kiichi refuses to let that happen, so that’s how he ends up in the back seat of the getaway car along with Naoya.

Haruomi, who was only gone for a moment, returns to discover what has happened and immediately phones Reiji, who is visibly upset at the news. He tells his subordinates to contact the phone company so they can trace Kiichi’s cell phone, no matter what it takes.  Meanwhile, the robber realizes the story about them is on the news as they listen to the radio. But what do they care, as they intend to kill the hostages anyway. Kiichi tells Naoya to open the door so they can escape, but when he does, he pushes the younger man out, into the river, to keep him safe. The robbers hurt him for his trouble, while Naoya finds a pay phone (good luck doing that now lol) and phones Reiji. Now it’s time to rescue the doctor!

Seiichi works at B&B, Reiji’s male escort service. He’s been assigned to a new client. But, to his dismay, when he arrives at the client’s home, he finds what appears to be a little kid. However, looks can be deceiving.  The client’s name is Tomoki, and Seiichi is his first.  When Seiichi sees Tomoki taking pills, he gets upset and makes him throw them away. They have a lot of sex over the next couple of weeks. But when something happens, and Seiichi learns the truth about Tomoki, his world will never be the same again.

I love how Reiji is learning to care about someone other than himself, though I did miss seeing Izumi and Takamiya in this volume and hope they will be back soon. Kiichi and Haruomi have grown much closer too. The story of Seiichi and Tomoki made me cry.  The biggest complain I have with some yaoi is the tendency to either make one of the guys looks like a kid or like a girl. I would rather see two men who look like men.

Good volume, looking forward to the next one.

Saturday is Horror Day #162 – The Endless

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Endless

Aaron (Aaron Moorhead) and Justin (Justin Benson) are brothers who  once lived at Camp Arcadia. Aaron remembers the group as a friendly commune while Justin thinks they were a UFO death cult Now, a mysterious video tape arrives in the mail and they decide to return. Not knowing what to expect,  they head to the backwoods of San Diego and  are pleasantly surprised to see that they are remembered and welcome back. 

 

But are things the same? There are some strange activities going on here, including a nightly tug-of-war against a rope that ascends into the night sky. Who or what is holding it? Justin has the disturbing feeling that someone is watching him and photographs seem to drop mysteriously from the sky. How can there be two moons? It’s explained as an atmospheric phenomenon – two moons bring the truth and three moons signify the ascension, which was Justin’s fear to begin with.

 

Even more disturbing is that some people seem to be stuck in time loops, mostly repeated violent 

deaths. Justin is told once the third moon rises he will be trapped there. He has to get his brother and get out… now!

I found this low-budget sci fi/horror film rather interesting and  innovative, with ideas I’ve not seen explored before. There was a definite creepiness factor that left me wondering what was happening. I think if I were there, I’d want to run too. Interesting fact – the actors who play the brothers are also the directors/writers.  I would watch this one again, definitely worth a watch. I’ll give this film 3.75 Stars.

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 14 by Yusei Matsui

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Assassination Classroom, Vol 14     

Author: Ysei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: February 7, 2017

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Action Adventure Manga//200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The battle continues at the Kunugigaoka School Festival! A few disgruntled malcontents have it in for Class 3-E after what transpired on the school trip in Kyoto. However, once they make their way up the mountain, their plans fall apart thanks to Koro Sensei and his students.  Even so, Class 3-E is at a disadvantage due to location and also due to the advantages Class 3-A has over them. Asano’s class even has entertainment including a comedian and a music idol! Hard to compete with that.

Some of the strangest people are showing up on the mountain unexpectedly, including the guy with the crush on Nagisa when they were on the island. He’d rather tell this guy the truth, but his classmates urge him to continue the charade because of the money he can bring in. Oh, the things we do for our friends! Another unexpected visitor is Nagisa’s mother! Oh dear, will there be more trouble?

Once the festival is over, it’s time to prepare for the final exam. Principal Asano is determined to do whatever it takes to win, even if that means brainwashing his students and force-feeding them their studies! He is not even pretending that he is above harming the students of Class 3-E! Even his son is beginning to question his methodology.  In a surprising turn of events, after blackmailing the government for another billion yen to keep quiet about the assassination, the principal has taken over teaching duties and sent his son home to study on his own. At last, the final boss has appeared!

Young Asano approaches some of the members of Class 3-E with a proposition – he wants them to assassinate his father! Not literally kill him, of course, just kill his pedagogy. Show him that he’s wrong in his teaching methodology. No one saw this coming! He wants his friends and his father to learn how to fail. Can they believe in his sincerity? The Final Exam begins, and it’s even harder than they ever imagined. In the end, it all comes down to Asano vs Karma – can Karma save the day?

A disgruntled Principal Asano orders Class E’s classroom to be demolished! His plans for them are formidable and rather terrifying. He threatens to fire Koro Sensei and then challenges him to a little wager, involving five tests, four hand grenades, and one anti-me grenade. If he accepts the challenge, Koro Sensei might actually die! Who will be the victor in this bizarre battle of wills?

This was another great volume of Assassination Classroom! I love how ingenious the students are becoming, and not just in the ways of assassination.  They use what their environment has to offer, but without depleting it to the detriment of those who live there. They are growing stronger day by day, thanks to Koro Sensei. Now they are the class to be like, much to Principal Asano’s great chagrin. But only three months remain before the earth is to be destroyed. Will they be able to assassinate their target, Koro Sensei – and will they want to when the time arrives?

Wednesday Briefs: April 17, 2024

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Dracula #11 (3.3) by J L Hayes

“Strigoi,” the old woman repeated. “Heartbreakers. Seducers of women… and of men.” A few of the men in the room squirmed uneasily at her words, while others playfully poked their neighbors and chortled in amusement. “The eyes in the night that see all,” she continued. “The mouths that demand, that steal the lifeblood of others in order to remain forever young.”

“What are you talking about?” one person called out, followed by another and another until the question echoed throughout the room. “What do you know, bunica?” “What tales are you trying to pass off as truth?” As quickly as they’d begun, the voices suddenly stilled.

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