Category Archives: Reviews

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 7 by Kazue Kato

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Blue Exorcist, Book 7     

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: April 3, 2012

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer:  Julie Lynn Hayes

 

Saburota Todo and Mamushi Hojo have stolen the Left and Right Eyes of the Impure King and disappeared, while Rin finds himself incarcerated, in solitary confinement! Rin has received a letter from Tatsuma Suguro explaining how he met Father Fujimoto and how Fujimoto ended up with the Koma sword. The sword contains a fire demon, Karura, summoned by a monk named Fukaku who defeated the Impure King with it. Suguro takes the sword and gives it to Fujimoto, despite the priest telling him he is going to kill a child with it. But Suguro knows better.

Todo reveals to Mamushi the terrible secret of Myodha, that beneath Goma Hall lies the body of the Impure King. If they return his eyes to him, he shall live once more, a most terrible thought indeed! Ossama catches up with Todo and Mamushi, and tries to prevent them from reviving the Impure King, but he is too late, only to learn that Todo has a different agenda!

Meanwhile, back at the jail, Yukio doesn’t want to give Rin the sword to use, not knowing if his flame will even work against the Impure King, much less defeat him. Yukio is concerned that if he uses his flame, Rin will be put to death, but Shura reminds him they have much bigger problems – such as the Impure King. Yukio reluctantly agrees but there is an unexpected wrinkle in the plan.

When Ossama returns, with Mamushi, and tells the story of what has happened, the ex-wires are torn about what to do. They decide to break Rin out of his confinement so he can fight the Impure King, but thanks to the machinations of Mephisto, that is easier said than done.

Another fast-paced volume of Blue Exorcist. It’s getting easier to tell the villains from the heroes, although sometimes the heroes aren’t entirely sure themselves and are torn in their loyalties. Mephisto is something of an enigma. Although I am unsure what his agenda is, and while his methods tend to be unorthodox, deep inside, I believe everything he does is for a good reason. Amaimon, not so much. I like seeing Yukio’s affection toward his brother, which he sometimes hides. It’s still hard to believe they’re twins, but they are. I have to wonder if Yukio has powers that are unsuspected, maybe lying deep inside, that just haven’t evidenced yet. I feel sorry for Mamushi. She really thought she was doing the right thing, and was brutally used for her naïveté and for having faith in the wrong person.

I predict that Rin will make a great exorcist, although I’m not sure if he will get to face down his father in the way he hopes. I also predict that he and Shiemi will find out they are attracted to each other. Not sure where that will go.

The series is going strong, keep the volumes coming!

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 6 by Kazue Kato

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Blue Exorcist, Book 6     

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: February 7, 2012

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 

The ex-wires are in Kyoto to help guard the Right Eye of the Impure King. Everyone is surprised to discover they are staying at the inn belonging to Suguro’s family. The next morning, some of the guys don’t remember the night before very well, and they blame it on whatever Shura gave them to drink. Konekomaru is confused as to why Renzo is acting so friendly toward Rin. Doesn’t he remember who and what he is? A meeting of the Myodha is being held, but Ossama is nowhere to be found. He sends word that he is busy and unable to attend. Renzo’s father, Yaozo, rises from his sick bed to inform the meeting that there is a traitor in their midst! It’s revealed that the right eye has been stolen, and six people are the major suspects, including Ossama, Juzo Shima and Mamushi Hojo.

Rin’s training isn’t going well. His first task, and he keeps blowing it! Literally. Shura set up three candles with instructions to light them, but he can’t control his power and keeps melting them. Suguro confronts his father, but to no avail. He disowns him just before his father disappears, only to be yelled at by Rin. They get into an altercation, to Shura’s great annoyance. Rin goes a little too far and finds himself revealed and incarcerated.

Yukio arrives on the scene only to learn the Right Eye has been stolen as well, and the chief suspect is High Priest Tatsumo Suguro! Yukio reveals that when the eyes come together, a poisonous gas is released! They must be found. A letter arrives for Rin from Suguro’s father, but neither Rin nor Shura can read it. Luckily Yukio can, and what a tale is revealed!

The action is getting hotter and hotter as the ex-wires are thrust into the fray. This is no exercise, this is reality! If those eyes aren’t found before they are connected, everyone will be in danger! We learn a lot in this volume, and glimpse more of Suguro and his father. Also, we watch Rin working hard to control his flame as he learns to work for the common good, a sure sign he is maturing. We see more of the softer side of Shiemi, as well, who is always ready to volunteer her help to others.

I find that the story of the Left and Right Eyes is making more sense to me now, and it’s an interesting story. I like the way the story is developing, and I find it interesting that more than a few people are suspicious of Mephisto Pheles. I’m sure he has quite a story himself.

Another great volume, looking forward to more of the same. I’m also watching the anime, although I’m only a few episodes into it, but I really like it.

Book Review: Missouri’s Forgotten Heroes by Ross Malone

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Missouri’s Forgotten Heroes    

Author: Ross Malone

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

American release date: June 28, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/non-fiction/236 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

There are many books about the famous people in history, the heroes whose lives we study in school, the people we grow up knowing about, famed in song and story. But there are many more unsung heroes we never get a chance to appreciate. This book is about some of those people. And they are all from Missouri, which is a definite plus to me, as I am a native of the state myself.

Missouri’s Forgotten Heroes has many interesting stories to tell. Some of the names may be familiar to residents of Missouri as place names, but the people behind the names are greatly unknown. For example, Albert Lambert (Lambert Airport), John O’Fallon (O’Fallon, Missouri & Illinois), John Mullanphy (various places in Florissant, MO) and Paul Henning (of Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction fame).

There are stories about athletes and stories about pioneers, people who endured great hardships and persevered despite the odds against them. These people are not perfect, many of them have flaws, and they are all human. But that doesn’t matter. In some way, they were all heroes.

This was an interesting book from start to finish. I enjoyed reading about unsung heroes from my own state. I love history, and love to read about it, and this book is a great addition to my library. As a bonus, I received an autographed copy, how great is that? This is my first time reading Ross Malone, but it won’t be my last time. He has a wonderful way of telling a story that makes you feel as if you are there, listening to him. I would love to attend a class taught by him, or a lecture.

The only criticism I can make is that the book would have benefited with a little more editing, but that is not an authorial flaw, and I won’t ding him on that. I’ve seen so-called professional books with similar problems.

If you like history, if you are from Missouri, or if you just like to root for the underdog, this book is for you.

 

 

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 5

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Blue Exorcist, Book 5    

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 6, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/202 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 

Well, the cat’s out of the bag, and all the ex-wires know Rin’s secret—namely that he is the son of Satan. They have mixed feelings about this revelation, understandably. But no time to dwell on that, Yukio and Rin are off to deal with an emergency situation. The trouble began when someone stole the Left Eye of the Impure King from the Deep Keep. A senior exorcist named Todo, along with an elite force, pursued a masked man but he’s taken a child and is using him as a shield. To make matters worse, a terrible gas has been released, and the hostage child has received severe exposure. The child’s mother begs for help, and when Yukio tries to explain that they might not succeed, Rin rashly promises to rescue her son. The brothers and Todo and his elite force are off to the rescue! But not everything is as it seems.

Meanwhile, back at True Cross, Suguro, Shima, and Miwa are concerned that they are unable to contact friends and family back home. Mephisto unexpectedly turns up in the ex-wire classroom and announces they have earned the right to go on a real mission—to Kyoto! To say that Suguro is less than thrilled would be an understatement.

Rin thinks he’s being sneaky but Shura catches him practicing in secret and tells him to pack, he’s going to Kyoto. Apparently the Right Eye of the Impure King is also in peril. On the train to Kyoto, Rin discovers the other ex-wires are going as well, but nobody seems particularly happy to see him, much less sit with him.  Shura tells them all to behave so she can get some sleep, but how likely is that?

On arrival in Kyoto, the ex-wires go to the inn where they are to stay, only to be met with some surprising information that a certain someone would wish to remain unknown. As they settle in, they get to know the okami (female innkeeper) and her family. Suguro realizes there is a problem there. He has to take charge  or two quarreling families will tear everything apart!

The ex-wires are unsure how to handle their new knowledge about Rin, and it shows. Rin is becoming frustrated because he thinks nothing has really changed, he’s the same guy he was before, but how can he convince them of that? In this new volume, Rin is as headstrong and determined as ever. He’s a good boy at heart, who’s found himself in a difficult situation, and still has some maturing to do. And he’s still determined to defeat Satan one day. Also in this volume, we get some background information on Bon Suguro, which helps to flesh out his character and make him more likeable.

I’m really interested in finding out more about these stolen Eyes. What’s so important about them that someone wants to steal them? Will Rin’s fellow students ever get over his satanic birthright and accept him for who he is? Will Rin ever find the courage to admit he likes Shiemi? Enquiring minds want to know! Good volume, looking forward to the next one.

 

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 4 by Kazue Kato

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Blue Exorcist, Book 4              

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: October 4, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 Summer camp isn’t exactly idyllic for the ex-wires, who’ve been sent on a strange mission involving a lantern. Through trial and error, they discover that the only way to accomplish their mission is to actually work together, despite their first impressions that they needed to work alone. Shura is convinced that Rin will expose himself to the others (no, not like that lol) and when she sees the blue flame, she is convinced she was right. But appearances can be deceiving, especially at night. Matters are complicated by the unexpected arrival of Mephisto Pheles and Amaimon, unbeknownst to the others.

The lantern in question turns out to be more than the ex-wires anticipated, and getting it back to camp will be no easy task. They’ll have to utilize everyone’s unique skills to get the job done. In other words, it takes team work to make the dream work!  At least until Amaimon throws a wrench into the works!

Back at the academy, they are met by someone new – Arthur Auguste Angel, a senior exorcist first class from Vatican Headquarters. He has nothing but criticism for both Mephisto and Shura for having failed to carry out their mission properly, as evidenced by Rin’s presence among them. Will Rin suffer the ultimate punishment for being his father’s son?

And then an emergency summons takes the gang… to Kyoto?

I’m enjoying this series more and more. We are learning more about the characters as they interact with one another, and some backstories are starting to be told. There’s never a dull moment, especially when Mephisto is around. Although he is mostly cool and contained, the same cannot be said for his brother Amaimon, who is a hot mess, and that is being kind. I love the artwork. My only real complain is the need to constantly expose more of Shura’s chest than I’d care to see, but I guess we can chalk that up to fanservice, and the fact that this series is probably aimed at young teenage boys.

The action is moving right along, and I can’t help but wonder where it’s going. I’m glad I’m along for the ride. Another great volume, looking forward to more of the same.

 

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Volume 3 by Kazue Kato

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Blue Exorcist, Book 3                                                      

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: August 2, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Rin is decidedly unhappy with the amount of work that’s required in the exorcist cram school, being inclined toward laziness. Yukio despairs of his brother being able to succeed, and tells Rin he relies on the flame of Satan too much. When Yukio is called to take care of some business, Rin insists on accompanying him… uninvited. It seems that Father Fujimoto’s familiar, Kuro, has become unmanageable since the priest’s death and needs to be taken care of. When Yukio agrees to take care of the cat, Rin protests and steps in to save the angry feline.

The exwires are sent on an assignment to Mephhyland, the academy’s amusement park, and Yukio pairs them up. Rin ends up with Shiemi, which isn’t exactly displeasing to him. She’s wearing a uniform today, one that brings certain features into prominence, drawing the attention of the guys in her class. Drawn by the sound of crying, Shiemi and Rin find a little boy ghost, who turns out to be more than they bargained for. To his dismay, Rin has his sword snatched by Amaimon, who reveals himself as Rin’s brother and works at forcing Rin to fight with him. And another mysterious figure emerges and is revealed.

Summer break means Forest Camp for the exwires, and on their first night of camp, they are given an assignment which only three of them can possibly complete. Who, if anyone, will emerge victorious?

Kazue Kato is beginning to fill in the blanks, and we get more of a glimpse into Rin’s extended family as well as life with Father Fujimoto. I love watching him with Shiemi, and I suspect she has feelings for him. As for Rin, he’s pretty clueless but I think he likes her too, whether he’s willing to admit it or not. The story is moving apace and is keeping my interest. I look forward to see how it develops, and watching the exwires become a cohesive team as they form stronger bonds among themselves. I have to wonder how long will it be before they learn who Rin really is, and will that make any difference in how they treat him?

Good volume, look forward to reading more.

 

Review: Tall, Dark, and Deported by Bru Baker

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Tall, Dark, and Deported                                                                                                                        

Author: Bru Baker

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

American release date: April 1, 2017

Format/Genre/Length: E-book/M/M Contemporary Romance/236 pages

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Forced by his boss to fly to Vancouver to audit an underachieving hotel, Crawford Hargrave is less than thrilled. Not because he doesn’t want to go there, but because he’s being forced to work with his unpleasant ex-husband, Davis. His boss makes it clear that this trip is expected, if he wants to keep his job. Crawford wants to keep his job, so he acquiesces to his demands, albeit unwillingly.

Mateus is a Portuguese import, who’s helping his brother and his wife take care of their orchard in Washington state.  His visa is about to run out, and if he can get a work visa, he can stay, but the orchard won’t be financially solvent for a few months yet. All he needs is to cross over into Canada, get his passport stamps, thereby automatically re-upping his American visa for another three months, giving him the time he needs to get the work visa.

What can possibly go wrong?

Except maybe everything?

Crawford and Mateus meet at the airport, and there’s an instant attraction, so why not spend some time talking? The situation begins to unravel when their flight is canceled, and Mateus realizes he’s on borrowed time in his need to get across the border before his visa expires. He can’t afford the delay. Crawford offers to rent a car so they can drive together. Sounds good, right? Except complications set in a t the border, and when Mateus is threatened with imminent deportation, Crawford unexpectedly speaks up and says hey, that’s my fiancé.

What’s easier than getting married for a green card, just long enough to look good and go their separate ways? But life is never that easy, and the two men haven’t figured that anyone will want to follow up with them to make sure their marriage isn’t a sham. As if that isn’t bad enough, there’s the matter of Crawford’s bitchy ex he has to deal with. That and maybe falling in love with a total stranger?

What’s a man to do?

Tall, Dark and Deported is part of Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Desires line, which are guaranteed to be hot, romantic, and come with a happily ever after ending.

This book is no slouch in any of those departments. The main characters are sexy, and yet extremely likeable, as well as hot. While it was frustrating as hell to watch them dance around each other, denying and refusing to act on their attractions, it was also damn hot. The writing is good, the story is very pleasing, and the only regret I have is that I didn’t get to see their marriage actually consummated.

I highly recommend this, but only if you like hot sexy men and combustibility and seeing little assholes get their comeuppance!