Author: atthequillsmercy

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Champion of the Rose” Vol. 1, by Cat Aquino & Dominique Duran

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Princess Rosa’s brother tragically dies, making her hair to the throne of the Empire of Sagrada. As the largest kingdom in the Known World, Rosa looks forward to serving her people and the Dying God they all worship but instead, her father holds a tournament where the prize is her hand in marriage. Desperate to become queen and make real change, she enlists Rey as her champion. Rey is a swordsman from one of the kingdom’s colonies and only wants to earn enough money to return to his native lands.

It’s interesting that Rosa is a mixed-race princess of a kingdom fueled by colonizing others. She has to come to terms with what her kingdom has done to people who look just like her. She may have been relatively sheltered as a princess, but that doesn’t stop the whispers and judgment. Rey is a transman and a fucking badass, who literally and figuratively is infected by the evils done by those who’ve conquered his people. The combat is fantastically done. It’s ruthless and dark. It reminds me of Centuria, making this a damn good dark fantasy. 4.5 out of 5.

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atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 10, by Luka Kobachi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

While Nanoha has decided to attend confectionary school in Tokyo, Chidori is still unsure. She is only certain she wants to follow Nanoha to Tokyo.

If Chidori isn’t able to get into a school close to Nanoha, it brings the possibility of having to be in a long distance relationship. I have to say, they’re being very mature for a YA manga. I suppose since this has been a fairly cozy slice of life so far, it’s not going to make a pivot to big dramatics. Which is great! It’s a healthy relationship and they’re adorable together. 4 out of 5.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Game on

Does posting the notes count as spoilers? I sure hope not…

I love how shamelessly nerdy this app is. I was never a tabletop gaming person but this was still really fun. And the intervals are getting longer. I was able to get through them like a champ. I felt AMAZING after this run, even though I was really tired after work. I’m glad I did it anyway.

I am back to my signature lunches. Since they’re around 500 calories, I wasn’t very hungry after my run. I just made some popcorn. It’s also cheap. I think it was a good day! I feel pretty energized considering PMS is kicking in. We’ll see how the rest of the week goes.

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atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Scattering His Virgin Bloom” Vol. 2, by Aya Sakyo

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Despite helping with Hana’s heat, Kaoru still hesitates to take him on as his mate. Kaoru’s sister, Marika as well as Hana’s brother Aoba, come into the picture to interfere in their budding relationship.

This was okay, but I feel like a bunch of stuff was set up and not followed through. The stuff with the siblings was not really an issue. Hana’s mother tries to set him up with a guy who’s a creep, yet is also involved with the coffee brand Hana works for. There were some really interesting ways for the plot to go, but we just get some smut and a shrug at the conflict before we get our happy ending. I don’t dislike it, but I gotta give it a 3 out of 5 for what could have been.

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atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Kagurabachi” Vol. 9, by Takeru Hokazono

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After Iori regains her memories, her father shows up, and Chihiro has to trust him to protect her while he faces a power that turns the hotel and everyone in it into a weapon.

Hakuri is at Kamunabi and gets a bit of “screen” time, but the main fight is Chihiro vs. Samura Seiichi, and it is pretty cool. There’s a lot of talking, and since Irori is there, Seiichi has to really think about his goal of eliminating sword bearers and fighting putting her in danger. I wish Hakuri had more to do, but this isn’t really about him. Seiichi is the main threat. It’s a fun and action-packed volume with a lot of heads flying off. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centuria” Vol. 4, by Tohru Kuramori

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Flying into a rage after Angvall’s death, Julian unleashes his power on Argos without thinking of the toll it would take on his body.

This volume also introduces The Supreme Lord (Argos’ father) and adds witches to those with special abilities. Clearly, Oracle Elstri has never heard of any stories where someone goes barreling toward their destiny while trying to avoid it because she is dead set on killing a child to prevent her prophecy. This makes her an interesting villain since she’s less of a zealot than her lord, who has some nuance to him. You’d expect the reverse. This is a cool world, and I can’t wait for this journey to continue. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Way of the Househusband” Vol. 16, by Kousuke Oono

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In this volume, Tatsu:

  • Compares different types of rice
  • Tries a new robot cleaner
  • Goes to a bean and mochi throwing ceremony
  • Helps take care of his friend’s dog
  • Gives Miku a pick-me-up after a hard day of work
  • Helps clean up a friend’s bathroom
  • Helps An learn to ride a two-wheeler
  • Goes to have a BBQ with his friends
  • Takes Miku with him to the gym

There’s also a recipe for pig’s feet stew at the end, which is a nice addition, but this is more of the same antics as the other volumes. And it just makes me smile. Except for one thing that was off in tone from the comedy that I won’t spoil. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 9, by Alto Yukimura

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Hedes offers his skeletons the chance to name themselves, while Colette covers at a clinic for a while until another roving healer can take her place.

One of the major plot points is Colette returning to the village where she was born and why she’s the only one left from it. I’m not ashamed to say this volume made me tear up. It’s absolutely tragic and maybe a little triggering for some post-COVID. It really goes to show how strong Colette had to be and still is. It took some doing to climb out of that emotional chasm, but this volume managed to do it and give some fun moments. What an impactful volume. 4 out of 5.

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atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Daydream Darling” Vol. 2, by Io Sakisaka

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Iroha and Sou are spending more time together, practicing so Iroha can gain more confidence in talking. As a result, Iroha builds up the courage to attend a festival.

In addition to the festival, we get to learn more about them, as Iroha lost her parents young and doesn’t remember them, and Sou had brain surgery that messed with his memories and emotions. I like that it’s not just Sou helping Iroha; they’re helping each other. A lot of these types of stories lean heavily into the trauma, but this guy has an actual medical issue, one that may never be fixed. And part of Iroha’s issue is that people expect her to be more upset than she is. I think it would be interesting for Sou to never be “fixed,” but since this is a shoujo manga, it’ll probably lean in that direction. 3.7 out of 5.

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atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Tales of Iga” Vol. 2, by Regujie

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Hanzo is called to assist Lord Matsudaira, and Masayasu is still training and grappling with what it takes to become a shinobi.

Aside from our A and B plots, we get some backstory for Tsuyu. Since her story with Masayasu is more interesting to me, this was a fun volume. It’s less about finding the treasures and more about exploring our characters and the machinations of their enemies. And – spoilers? – I found it a bit sad that Masayasu was so against the idea of killing being so normalized, then having to kill, but my guy… You’re training in a profession where killing is on the list of required tasks. I’m baffled as to what you expected. Also, when did this turn into a horror manga?

I was not prepared for that. 3 out of 5.

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