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Lenni Reviews: “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” Vol. 20, by Haro Aso & Kōtarō Takata

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

With clinical trials for the vaccine in the works, the crew heads to Okinawa to respond to an SOS from a base about to be overrun with zombies.

In Okinawa, they meet Yui; a survivor who uses her anxiety to “predict” outcomes. I love her, and she must be protected at all costs.

This volume also puts the zombie’s ability to overwhelm with sheer numbers back to the forefront so they’re a threat. The art really does some great work making them look horrible and scary. It’s clear this series isn’t about them; it’s about Akira and company tripping their way into completing all the things on their bucket list. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “A Star Brighter than the Sun” Vol. 6, by Kazune Kawahara

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

Sae and Koki are officially dating and the whole school has opinions about it.

We also dip into Koki’s backstory about his feelings for Sae. We’re at the stage of a YA romance where they’re figuring out what dating actually means for them. Sae is overthinking things and most of this is Koki remembering how long he’s wanted to be with Sae. Since they’re fumbling a bit, there isn’t much progress. Not a bad volume, especially if you’re looking forward to finally seeing these two together. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 9 by Aki Kusaka

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

Keiichiro is given an ultimatum and is disowned for one year. While Yuri is happy they can live together, it is a major adjustment.

I’m sure at this point, being disowned temporarily doesn’t really matter because clearly, these two are so in love, these punishments are not really punishments. The family is trying to enforce their rules while also being pulled into the orbit of this lovey-dovey couple. As this is the last volume, it wraps up on a happy note, and I’m glad it ended here. There are only so many times the dance of “we have to abide by the rules, we didn’t, fallout, resolution” can only go on so long before it gets old. This is a cute series. If you like YA romance, it’s not a bad one to pick up, especially if you like it silly. 3 out of 5.

 

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Lenni Reviews: “cocoon” by Machiko Kyo

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

In this fictionalized account, we follow some young girls recruited as assistant nurses in WWII. As the conflict worsens and resources become scarce, the idealized dream of serving their country crumbles in the face of dismal reality.

Yeah, this is as depressing as you’d expect. It left me with the same sinking sadness as Come and See. I’m almost glad the art style dulls the edges of spilling entrails and maggot-infested wounds, but it’s still horrible. There is at least (spoilers?) an upbeat ending. It’s not completely hopeless. The whole thing is absolutely heartbreaking. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Magical Girl Dandelion” Vol. 2, by Kaeru Mizuho

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

After Tanpopo’s battle with Alice concludes, Peony discovers her connection to Shade.

Peony reacts as you’d expect, unwilling to accept that some fiends can be different. This volume expands the world and lore, using Peony and Tanpopo’s differing views on how to fight fiends. I’m sure we’ll get more backstory about why Peony is so gung-ho about killing fiends as we go. It was cool to see the two magical girls working together. They have the odd couple thing going on, and it’s interesting to see them use their abilities. 4 out of 5.

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Workout Catch-Up: Still Healing

 

I’m still sticking to the desk peddler because my knee isn’t 100%. Some days are better than others, but I realized it’s worse if I spend too long sitting. Tell ya the truth, I’m annoyed that my knee still hurts. I’d like to get back to my normal levels of activity or heck, run even more than I was before I took a break. I mean, peddling is better for my joints anyway… I still miss it.

With the Saxenda, I am eating less. My weight hasn’t gone down. I’m not giving up, though. I’ve done this before, and I’ll do it again. As for the food, that beef pho is way too salty to use with the soy sauce I used to marinate the meat. And for ME to say something is too salty is dangerous. That salad seems a bit random, but as I am on a No Spend Month, I haven’t been ordering food. I make do with whatever’s in the house, and if I’m ever tempted to order food, I check my budgeting app and my cumulative debt erases the temptation. It’s just as well. I like to cook and I like to think I make good food.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Search for Sadiqah” by Greg Burnham

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

At 13, Sadiqah is a teacher’s pet, but her life is thrown into chaos after the Tulsa Massacre. Her family gone, she embarks on a quest to find her ancestral home.

While I love me some historical fantasy with awesome Black protagonists, I feel like the pacing of this book is off. There are places where I can tell it would be so much more impactful if a moment were allowed to stretch or a scene were a bit longer. I totally understand how much work goes into creating a graphic novel. It’s not like a novel where you can sink deep into a scene with a few more sentences. Instead, you have to add multiple panels and pages. But, even still, I have to say some parts felt a bit too rushed, and I wanted more. Wanting more of something isn’t a negative here, really, since I think the book is good. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mujina Into the Deep” Vol. 4 by Inio Asano

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

With Terumi in the hospital, Ubume is out for revenge.

Yeah, this expression is the only real response to Tenko.

Now we learn more about Ubume, and it’s not the book’s fault that it’s a bit on the nose to current events. (spoiler)

A lot of stories have the sooper seekrit experiment conspiracy, so… Now what? Is the endgame to expose all this and reinstate the mujina as actual people so anyone faces consequences? Will there be any antidote for whatever they’re being doped with? I’m enjoying the series but I’d rather more plot than watch Tenko fuck some random dude and say weird shit. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 24, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Mao and company heal with the Tazuru family, cursed by the seed of Haku. Afterwards, Mao investigates cursed beauty products and the “Box of Monstrocity.”

We’re back to what may feel like a ‘villain of the week’ format, but the Goku Clan’s artifacts are a consistent throughline. Aside for them continuing to just be the worst, it’s so cool to see Mao and Nanoka working together. Yeah, you can see the romance building, but I can see he respects not only her abilities but her drive to improve them. They have a great dynamic. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Battle Royale: Enforcers” Vol. 5, by Koushun Takami & Yukai Asada

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

As the planning stage becomes conflict, the squads strategize in order to survive.

Most of this is the teams monitoring and taking time to go into more backstories. The action doesn’t kick in until the end. It seems like there was much more action in the previous series. It’s weird to be like “where’s my horrific child slaughter?” but… Yeah, where is it? Don’t get me wrong, the intrigue and suspense are decent, but what are we even doing here? 3 out of 5.

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