Tag Archives: Book review

Book Review: The Way of the Househusband, Vol 10 by Kousuke Oono

Leave a reply

The Way of the Househusband, Vol 10     

Author: Kousuke Oono

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: August 15, 2023

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Comedy/168 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Tatsu is enlisted by a local grocery to look out for shoplifters because they are causing the business to bleed cash due to the number of thefts. But Tatsu’s methods are not quite what the owner expected. And when a shoplifter is actually caught, Tatsu and the others becomes too engrossed in what the man planned to use his stolen ingredients for.

One of the ladies in Tatsu’s group has a weight problem, and Tatsu is quick with solutions! He warns her of enemies who will try to lay her low, but he knows a group who will be perfect to help her in her fight against the battle of the bulge!

Tatsu meets up with his old boss in the park, who is babysitting his granddaughter An. When An announces she is hungry, the boss asks Tatsu if he can help, since he lives close by. Tatsu is happy to oblige, of course. But cooking for a child with a discriminating palate is more of a challenge than he realized!

Tatsu has finally broken his bad habit! He quit smoking and it’s been a week now! But, as his friends and acquaintances learn to their chagrin, reformed smokers can be the worst and the quickest to give unasked-for advice and lectures!

Tatsu is excited for Christmas! But when Miku comes down with an unexpected bug on Christmas Eve, Tatsu has to temper his enthusiasm with Miku’s needs.

A member of Tatsu’s group arrives late to their meeting, and he is startled to see her dry, cracked lips. He attempts to discuss skin care with her, but she seems oblivious to her problem. Can Tatsu tell her in a diplomatic way? Or will her stubborn refusal to listen to what he is saying only lead to more pain for her?

Tatsu is the proud owner of an electric bicycle he won in a drawing! When he runs into Masa on the street, he is more than happy to show off his new ride. But their old boss shows up in his new ride, a huge SUV, and Tatsu lets him know just how bad for the environment that gas guzzler is.

Tatsu and the gang are searching for a missing feline, but when the cat is returned by an unexpected source, Tatsu becomes defensive and accuses them of catnapping!

It’s granddaughter An’s birthday, which is stressful not knowing what to get her for a gift that will be pleasing to her and the boss. She receives a new game called Boss in a Barrel and wants to play it with the guys. The goal is to kill the boss in the barrel. But they have to fight their instincts to never harm their boss, and this isn’t going to be easy for them!

Bonus story 1: An and her friend play a game called Guess the Face.

Bonus story 2: Animal Bossing (think Animal Crossing, Tatsu-style!)

I don’t even know which Tatsu story I loved the most! I never get tired of reading about Tatsu and his exploits. Another great volume, looking forward to the next one!

Book Review: Love Mode, Vol 4 by Yuzi Shimuzu

Leave a reply

Love Mode, Vol 4       

Author: Yuki Shimizu

Publisher: Blu

American release date:  October 31, 2006

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Naoya’s life is finally becoming more settled. He is back in school, working part-time, and living with Reiji, who is determined to teach the young man basic civilities. Reiji’s doctor brother, Kiichi, organizes a dinner with Naoya’s guardian, Kajiwara. The idea is to show him how well Naoya is doing, and to persuade him to allow Naoya to remain in Reiji’s household. A chance meeting with the man who took over Naoya’s father’s company, Aizawa, leads to hard feelings when the man displays his true colors in front of a businessman he is trying to impress. Unfortunately for Aizawa, the man is a friend of Reiji and Kiichi and is appalled with Aizawa, saying he will not do business with him. Afterward, in private, a shocking revelation is made.

Naoya has a bad dream that night, one he’s had before, about the accident that took the lives of his family. Reiji comforts him. After work the next day, Naoya runs into Kajiwara, who invites him back to his home. Naoya wants to know why he is against his staying with Aoe, and Kajiwara reveals all. Afterward, Reiji find Naoya in a horrible state, and cares for him. Together, Reiji and Kiichi confront Kajiwara and finally lay certain demons to rest.

Bonus story: Takamiya is not shy about telling Izumi that he loves him, but so far, Izumi has never reciprocated those words. Takamiya proposes they get together in two days and have a date playing billiards. Why that paticular day? It’s a special anniversary for them! Thanks to a chance encounter, they end up spending time with Reiji and Naoya, like a double date! Izumi is incredulous that anyone could live with grumpy old Reiji, but Naoya defends him as a good man. Meanwhile, Takamiya is needling Reiji for bringing home a stray when he supposedly hates cats. Izumi, tired of Reiji’s patronizing attitude, begs Takamiya to play a game of pool with him and clean his clock for him. He promises that if he does that, Takamiya can have anything he wants from Izumi. Yes, anything! Challenge on!

In a second bonus story, a young man is living with a foster family for certain reasons, and he realizes he cares about his foster brother a little too much. A sinister man seems to be stalking him, but can he save him?

Naoya’s past is out in the open now, and the truth has finally been revealed. Now he can let go of the ghosts that haunted him and move on with his life, whatever that may bring.  Will his relationship with Reiji heat up? Does he want it to? Only time will tell. I enjoyed the bonus story very much. I think Izumi and Takamiya are a cute couple! The second bonus story was more bittersweet than sweet. Another great volume, looking forward to the next one!

Book Review: Kiss All the Boys, Vol 1 by Shiuko Kano

Leave a reply

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes      

Kiss All the Boys, Vol 1

Author: Shiuko Kano

Publisher: Deux Press

American release date: April 1, 2008

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

Tetsuo is 32 years old. He writes a porn comic for his best friend Michiro. He is also the father of a 15-year-old son named Haruka, whose mother is Michiro’s sister. Tetsuo hasn’t exactly been a hands-on father. But when his ex is offered a long-term opportunity in Paris that she just can’t pass up, Tetsuo finds himself playing father full-time. On top of that, Tetsuo has another kind of problem  – he can’t seem to get it up, which makes dating difficult and frustrates him to no end.

Tetsuo accidentally discovers Haruka is gay (if you consider snooping accidental) and doesn’t know what to make of that so he confides in Michiro, who is also gay. Michiro advised Tetsuo to simply accept his son for who he is and to be a better father. Seems like good advice. When Tetsuo leaves Michiro, he happens upon a porn theater and decides to clear up one problem before tackling another. But outside the theater, a strange man unexpectedly crumples on top of him, seemingly terrified by the thought of going in. Deciding to play Good Samaritan, Tetsuo helps him in (basically to avoid embarrassment on the street) and they end up sitting together. The man is aghast when he finds himself hard, although Tetsuo assures him that is natural for where they are. But when Tetsuo suggests he head to the bathroom and take care of the issue, the man says he is afraid to get up. But then the unexpected happens when Tetsuo takes the “problem” in hand.

Afterward, Tetsuo is confused about what occurred. Luckily, he’ll never see that guy again. Except that’s not how life works. And the man – whose name is Momoyama – turns out to be Tetsuo’s new neighbor!  He seems smitten with Tetsuo, and offers to return the favor! One thing leads to another and Haruka unexpectedly catches them in the act (guess who’s confused now!) and he runs off. Turns out there is a guy he likes named Tamaki and he doesn’t know what to do about it.

Complications continue to arise as Tetsuo tries to deal with the idea that he gets hard with Momoyama (who he nicknames Homoyama) and he is also working through the problems with his gay son, while Momo just wants to get Tetsuo to acknowledge him. Momo ends up being confronted by Michiro, who tries to tell him it was just the alcohol, but he accuses Michiro of being in love with Tetuso himself!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began this yaoi manga, but I quickly found myself engaged with the characters and the story. Tetsuo has a tendency to be a rather clueless and selfish prick but I think he has a good heart and hope he will get better. I see a triangle brewing, maybe even more if I correctly read Tamaki’s reaction to something he unexpectedly witnessed. I’m a little conflicted about Haruka because he’s only 15, and I hope he doesn’t get any sex scenes, even with Tamaki. Guess we’ll see. Enjoyed the first volume and looking forward to the next!

Book Review: Love Mode, Vol 3 by Yuki Shimizu

Leave a reply

Love Mode, Vol 3     

Author: Yuki Shimizu

Publisher: Blu

American release date:  July 3, 2006

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Yaoi Manga/184 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Because of a bike accident that caused him to miss a lot of class, Arashi should be in summer school. In trying to get out of it, he finds that he has been volunteered to do some volunteer work instead! So much for summer vacation! Oh well, what can he do? He ends up helping a 69-year-old man named Maryuma Kantaro in his home. First order of business – fix the roof!

Izumi is the number one host at Reiji’s male escort club. Recuperating at home due to some health issues, he is bothered by a persistent former member of the club. He knows members are not allowed to meet escorts in private, much less former members, but he doesn’t seem to take no for an answer. Reiji’s doctor brother is concerned, as is Reiji. At one time Izumi had feelings for the owner, but realizes he has found love with someone else. He worries that he will never be loved and accepted for who he really is.

And then a man unexpectedly drops into Izumi’s backyard – literally. Turns out, Arashi was working on Kantaro’s roof and he is Izumi’s neighbor, and Arashi lost his balance and fell. Unfortunately, he collided with Izumi and got bond in his hair! The poor man was forced to get a haircut! Appalled, Kantaro forced Arashi to go with him next door and apologize profusely to Izumi. Izumi wasn’t flustered, said he needed it anyway because of the time of year.

Arashi has to agree with the old man’s assessment that Izumi is indeed a beauty. But Arashi does something that gives him reason to think Izumi hates him, and when he goes next door to explain, he sees another man there and grows jealous, unaware that it’s just the doctor. When the unthinkable happens, and the old man ends up in the hospital, they run into each other again.

There is certainly an attraction there, but Izumi is worried that he won’t be accepted because of what he does for a living. He receives an opportunity to travel with abroad with one of his clients. Reiji says it’s strictly up to him. Izumi can’t help but think it would be best for Arashi if he were out of his life. The path of true love never does run smoothly.

We met Izumi previously, when our young Izumi was mistaken for him and thus began his relationship with Takamiya. Izumi longs for love but doesn’t believe in himself. He’s never met anyone like Arashi, who seems to genuinely like him.  But Izumi believes himself to be tainted and not worthy. While I don’t like this couple as much as the first two, I do like them, and their story is very sweet. Good volume, look forward to more.

Book Review: Zombie-Loan, Vol 5 by Peach-Pit

Leave a reply

Zombie-Loan, Vol 4     

Author: Peach-Pit

Publisher: Yen Press

American release date:  February 17, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Fantasy Manga/176 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Michiru, Chika, and Sotetsu find themselves with an unexpected – and not very much wanted – ally in the form of Touhou. But his assistance is short-lived. He points them in the right direction to save Shito and makes his departure. Shito’s captor, Dr. Yoshizumi, is determined not to release him until he gets what he wants from Shito’s family – the law of shikai! The doctor plans to conquer death and he believes Shito’s family holds the secret to doing just that!

The group run into Ossan and Yuuta, to Sotetsu’s dismay, but Ossan says he was sent by Bekkou on a zombie case. Chika, seeing dollar signs, is all for that. Meanwhile, the doctor has an unexpected visitor in the form of an agent from the Akashic Record Reform Committee. She proposes to bend some rules in order to help him out.

Chika bursts into the room where Shito is being held, and of course he can’t resist needling his roommate. When Shito demands to be released from the chains that bind him, Chika refuses…until Shito uses his first name!  Stalemate!

Ossan confronts Sawaturi about the choices he’s made, but the man claims he was being used by Yoshizumi and how the doctor’s obsession with life and death resulted in the creation of a monstrous golem they call Phalanx. But Phalanx is stuck in a tank of nutrient and has no brain to act as control center. Which is why the Doctor wants the law of Shikai. Well, maybe he can work around that.

Shito’s been rescued, time to celebrate!  Drinking and karaoke all around! And while that is happening, a meeting of the ferrymen occurs.

I’m glad that Shito was rescued, although that was bittersweet also. But there are still so many questions unanswered. Hopefully we’ll learn more later. Watching Chika trying to force Shito to use his first name was hilarious. Chika should learn not to force things, that’s not how to get things done.  He needs to learn patience. The ferrymen meeting is very interesting, as is the Doctor’s studies of golems. And when there’s drinking involved, is it surprising that secrets are revealed?

Another great volume, looking forward to the next one!

Book Review: Zombie-Loan, Vol 4 by Peach-Pit

Leave a reply

Zombie-Loan, Vol 4       

Author: Peach-Pit

Publisher: Yen Press

American release date:  June 17, 2008

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Shito is even touchier than usual, especially after finding that someone has been in his room without his permission. How does he know? Things have been moved a fraction of a millimeter! He rejects Chika’s attempts to bond with him and takes off, warning the others not to follow. A strange man appears shortly after and hugs Chika within an inch of his life, to Chika’s annoyance. Michiru is surprised to learn the newcomer is Chika’s dad, Yuuri! With him is Chika’s sister, Momoka, who is not quite as energetic as her father. Michiru is appalled when they mistake her for Chika’s wife, but Chika lets them know that’s not true.

Meanwhile, Shito finds the man he knows to be responsible for the state of his room, a Chinese man who calls him Shito-shao. He refers to Shito as a monster, and mentions his master is concerned about him and his dealings with the zombie-loan people. When he returns home, Shito and Chika get into another fight. Ferryman decides to take everyone to dinner (with Ot-Su’s money)

Chika and Shito are in desperate need of money, especially since the trip to the hot springs wasn’t even zombie related. So when they spot a potentially high yielding zombie hunt, they jump at the chance to earn some big bucks. Meanwhile, a strange doctor is performing even stranger experiments on people, something have to do with zombies. And suddenly, Shito disappears.  At first no one questions it. But, as days pass, Chika begins to feel the effect of Shito’s absence, as does Shito. Something has to be done.

And another player enters the scene!

This volume mostly revolves around Shito’s kidnapping and recovery. We finally get a glimpse into Shito’s backstory, and it is a very interesting story indeed. We meet some new characters, including a free-wheeling zombie hunter and a somewhat adorable Shinigami that Michiru wants to take home. But of course, retrieving Shito can’t be too easy, right? So we end on a cliffhanger, as usual. Looking forward to the next volume!

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 11 by Yusei Matsui

Leave a reply

Assassination Classroom, Vol 11     

Author: Yusei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date:  August 2, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Action Adventure Manga/208 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

One of the members of Class 3E has a name he really doesn’t care for. His parents were both police officers and very enthusiastic ones at that. When he was born, in their excitement they named him Justice Kimura.  He prefers to be called Masayoshi. Inspired by Kimura’s story, Koro Sensei proposes that they come up with code names for one another, the way the assassins they dealt with on the tropical island did, and then use them for the entire day. Ready, set, go!

Isogai has been nicknamed “Mr. Handsome”, and everyone loves him, including the customers at the café where he works outside of school hours. The members of his class turn a blind eye to what he is doing, because it’s actually against school rules. But Isogai’s family is very poor and rely on him to bolster their income. The truth is that he was demoted to Class 3E, not because of his grades, but because he was working. When Asano and some of his cronies discover Isogai’s secret, they threaten to out him. But Asano would rather make a wager. Sports Day is coming up. Class 3E has to beat Class A in the pole pull-down or Isogai’s secret will be revealed! But does Asano, like his corrupt father, ever play fair? Can Class 3E defeat the enormously strong ringers that Asano has brought in for the occasion?

Taking advantage of the parkour training they have received, Okajima proposes a shorter route to school utilizing jumping across the tops of buildings. Some of his classmates are skeptical, as Karasuma told them to only use that training on the mountain. But some are enthusiastic and go at it with a will. Until things go suddenly wrong and someone gets hurt. Now they have to pay the price for what they have done.

I really liked the pole pull-down story, watching the students strategize on how to win without relying on brute strength. It kind of reminded me of an episode of Alice in Borderland I saw recently, where the players were up against the King of Hearts, and had to accumulate more points than the opponents but it wasn’t as simple as it sounded and strategy was key. Also, the story with the old man on the bicycle ended up being very heartwarming. We saw Koro Sensei get truly angry with his students for the first time. Even Kamasura was disgusted at their careless behavior.

Looking forward to the next volume!

Book Review: Zombie-Loan, Vol 3 by Peach-Pit

Leave a reply

Zombie-Loan, Vol 3     

Author: Peach-Pit

Publisher: Yen Press

American release date:  June 17, 2008

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Chika and Shito arrive too late to prevent Michiru and Koyomi from being kidnapped! They find themselves in the midst of the Butterfly’s fans, who are certainly a strange lot. Sitting around the dinner table with them gives Michiru an eerie feeling, especially when one person announces there is a heretic among them! Panicking, Michiru attempts to rouse the slumbering Koyomi, only to discover  that it is Yomi who responds to her frantic pleas. And then the cavalry arrives, aka Shito and Chika!

One of the fans escapes, and Michiru says she noticed a black ring around his neck, so the boys are up to going after him. Koyomi is in no condition to come with, but they call Yuuta to come and get her and off they go! They follow him into a decrepit abandoned building. Turns out this isn’t just any old fan of the Butterfly – it’s the man himself! And, even better, he has become a god!  Shades of Caligula!

Or is he?

Michiru is concerned about Chika. He seems understandably down after recent shocking events. She wants to help, but his request to sleep in her room throws her for a loop! Shito finds himself stuck with him when Michiru refuses.

The Chancellor decides everyone needs a chance to relax, so she sponsors a trip for everyone to the hot springs, including the Ferryman! Yay! But things take an unexpected turn when they arrive at a hotel that was shut down 27 years ago because of rumors of ghosts on the premises. Michiru’s room is next to Shito and Chika’s, and she can hear that, as usual, they are arguing. So she retreats to the hot springs to find Koyomi has arrived before her. Except it isn’t Koyomi, it’s Yomi, and she’s… well-developed. Which is a little intimidating for Michiru. And Yomi is so…touchy feely!

An impartial lottery decides Michiru and Shito have to go to the store to buy ingredients for dinner. But of course, nothing is simple with them, and trouble is never far behind.

I am really enjoying this series, and I like all the characters. This volume has an unexpected and horrific betrayal! Never saw that coming. The relaxation trip is pretty cute  and the cliffhanger leaves us wondering what is going to happen to Shito? Can’t wait for the next book!

Book Review: Annabel by Kathleen Winter

Leave a reply

Annabel       

Author:  Kathleen Winter

Publisher: Black Cat Press

American release date:  January 4, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Coming of Age Fiction/480 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

In March of 1968, Treadway and Jacinta Blake welcome a child to their home in rural Labrador. But this child is different from other children, having been born with both male and female genitals. Jacinta’s friend Thomasina warns her to watch out for what her husband might do with the child. She was right to worry. Having seen what there is to see, while Jacinta puzzles out what do to, Treadway decides  for them. He names the child Wayne, and he has doctors sew up the female part of him, although he never forgets it is there.

Treadway is a trapper, and he spends a great deal of the year out in the wilderness. Nonetheless, he is a good husband and father, better than a number of the other men where they live. Even so, he refuses to deal with the truth about Wayne, so Wayne grows up unaware of his dual nature, and life goes on. Thomasina watches over Wayne carefully, and she is the one to recognize that something is wrong when Wayne reaches puberty, and a certain part of his body reacts the way girls’ bodies have reacted from time immemorial. She does what she knows needs to be done, acting in his best interest as his teacher. Nonetheless she has broken the rules and must pay the price.

Wayne doesn’t truly know what the many pills he has to take are for, or how much they cost his parents. He doesn’t have any friends to speak of until he meets Wally Michelin, and they become fast friends. Wally’s real name is Wallis, named for the woman for whom a king abdicated his throne. They spend a lot of time together, Treadway’s chagrin,  and one day Wayne asks his dad about building a bridge. Treadway is enthusiastic, having done so as a boy, but he and Wayne have different ideas of what a bridge should be. Wally has dreams too, of singing and music, and a particular vocal piece by Faure. But not all dreams work out.

Annabel is an amazing debut novel from Kathleen Winter, about a child born intersex (what was once called hermaphrodite, said to be inspired by the story of Hermaphroditus, the child of Hermes and Aphrodite). It is beautifully written and engaging, as we fellow the life of Wayne Blake, wondering if he will ever discover his true nature and what he will make of it. The characters are beautifully written and engaging, while the prose is simply beautiful. There is a great depth to the story, as Wayne navigates a world in which he is different from the people that he sees, but he does the best he can. One can’t even fault his father, knowing he means well. There are definitely some heart-breaking moments here. I think what everyone should take away from this book is that people are people, and not to be defined by their body parts. A wonderful read, can’t say enough good things about it. I highly recommend this book.

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 10 by Yusei Matsui

Leave a reply

Assassination Classroom, Vol 10       

Author: Yusei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date:  June 7, 2016

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

A nationwide surplus of eggs leads to a brilliant idea by Kayano! Rather than throw the eggs away, she will buy them and make a giant flan, which is a weakness of Koro Sensei. She will rig a bomb to be hidden at the bottom with hidden anti-sensei bbs. She enlists the aid of the others and they all brainstorm their way through the problems of creating such a large eggy dish. Koro Sensei will be pleased with the custardy offering and will never suspect Kayano, as she has always taken a back seat in assassination attempts. But now is her time to shine!

Karasuma plans to teach Class 3E advanced assassination techniques this semester, including explosives and parkour, or free running. Koro Sensei notices the parkour training and has an idea for a game – Cops and Robbers. They can have a 3D game of tag using the entire mountain! Per his idea, he and Karasuma will plays the cops to the students’ robbers. If they can’t catch all of the robbers within the hour, the students win. As a handicap, Koro Sensei will play the part of the jailer and stay in one position on the field. Hewon’t make his own move until the last minute. Sounds like a good game! But will Koro Sensei prove to be his own worst enemy?

Someone is stealing lingerie in Kunugigaoka City, and a description of the thief sounds suspiciously like Koro Sensei! His students are disappointed in him and he is mortified. The only way to prove his innocence is to capture the actual thief!

Itona and Shiro have returned, and Shiro is determined to use Itona to assassinate Koro Sensei – even at the price of his own life! Shiro abandons his student and now time is not on their side as they have to remove Itona’s tentacles, or face the consequences!

Itona has come up with a great idea for how to kill Koro Sensei – a high tech little tank. His ex-mentor is warned not to involve the students in his assassination attempts any more, and he reveals that there is a worse monster than Itona in that class.

The students are growing and developing at such a rate! And so creative! Who would have thought of using flan as a weapon? I’m glad we’re rid of Shiro, at least for the foreseeable future, and that Itona has calmed down a great deal, to more tolerable levels.  Looking forward to the next volume!