Monthly Archives: June 2024

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 17 by Yusei Matsui

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Assassination Classroom, Vol 17     

Author: Ysei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: August 1, 2017

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

The students of Class 3E are in a battle – against one another! Divided on the question of whether to assassinate Koro Sensei or try to save him, they have decided this is the best way to reach an agreement, with the understanding that either way, the entire class will support the winning side. The team to save the teacher is led by Isogai while the opposing team is led by Karma, with Karasuma as judge and Ritsu will keep score.

Each member of the class has a decision to make  –  continue with their assignment to assassinate Koro Sensei, or use what time is left to try to save him. The decision they make will decide which team they are on.  Karma’s team becomes the Red Team and Isogai’s the Blue Team. The two teams are just about evenly matched in number, but not necessarily with skills. Unfortunately, the Red Team ended up with most of the specialists – combat, marksmanship, defense, and recon. Each team has a flag, and the object is to capture the flag, knocking out as many opponents as possible along the way (using paintball guns).  Koro Sensei is happy to see his students do their very best work, what they have been training for.

Let the battle begin…

This volume was really good, as we watch the students fight one another in order to see whether they will try to kill or save Koro Sensei. They all care about their teacher, but some of them feel they need to justify their new skills and use them for the purpose for which they were intended. They have all agreed that whatever the outcome, the losing team will wholeheartedly support the winners and the class will then continue to work together toward a common goal. We get to see how much the individual students have developed since their training began, both as assassins and people. It’s not surprising that the end of the battle turns out the way it does.

After the battle, still seeking information, they learn that the data they seek is on the space station, which is in orbit. To request the information would take too much time, time they don’t have. But Koro Sensei has an idea of how they can acquire the info sooner. However,  this solution is not without its risks. Naturally, his students are all in! Can’t wait to see how that works out in the next volume!

Wednesday Briefs: June 5, 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 #17 (4.6) by J L Hayes

Avram shot Dracula a look that clearly warned him not to argue. The vampire managed to hold his tongue, although he was clearly disgruntled at having to do so.

You’ll get over it.

“I have to make arrangements to get you both away from here,” Gunther continued, “but I’ll need a little time. In the meantime—”

“Time is what we don’t have,” Dracula snapped. So much for good intentions. “Did you not hear what I just said? Villagers with torches are headed in this direction. Unless you want to see a bloodbath in your precious church, it is imperative that we leave here immediately.”

Gunther took a deep breath before responding. “There is no

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Saturday is Horror Day #168 – Talk to Me

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Talk to Me


Mia (Sophie Wilde) hasn’t had it easy, especially since the death of her mother. But luckily she has the love and support of her friend Jayden’s (Jayden Davison) family to fall back on, including her little brother Riley (Joe Bird) and her mother Fiona (Sarah Brokensha). And oddly enough, Mia’s ex, Daniel (Otis Dhanji) is now dating Jayden, but he and Mia have stayed good friends.

 

 

Some of the kids at their school have gotten into something new. Instead of using a Ouija board to speak with the dead, they use a hand. The person whose turn it is to invoke said spirits, sits in the center, and grips the hand before chanting “Talk to me”. When they can see a spirit that no one else can see they invite them to come into them, and the rest sit back and watch what develops.

 

One night, Mia and Jayden go to one such party, and Riley blackmails his way in as well. Mia volunteers to go first with the hand, and has quite the experience. Then the other want their turns and they have a ball. But when Riley wants a go, Jayden puts her foot down, no matter how much he begs. However, when she has her back turned for a few minutes, Riley gets his way, and the results are not pretty. Mia is blamed for allowing him to be in this position. To make matters worse, she has begun to see her dead mum. She feels obligated to save Riley before he can become permanently ensnared as a torture victim by those on the other side forever.

 

I read a few reviews that complained that the movie wasn’t scary, maybe because of a lack of jump scares. But I have to disagree. I think it’s scary because it’s more realistic. The teenagers are typical in that they are focused on their own desires and what they want to do and don’t ever really consider the consequences of their actions; Typical teens, they feel immortal and act accordingly. I saw Mia as being a tragic character from the beginning, because of what she has gone through, and because of that, I think she is more vulnerable to what happens. There is a scene at the beginning, when she picks up Riley because Jayden forgot, that showcases what a sensitive person she is.

I liked the unusual premise, and watching Mia struggle with what she has inadvertently done. You never know if what she sees is real or if her own overwrought mind is playing tricks on her and us. I think it’s definitely worth watching. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.