*This book is recommended for 18+

Makoto has been working at Hell’s brothel for three years without a word from J. When he is randomly summoned, Makoto begins to apply his efforts in earnest to become a full fledged demon and destroy J.

This is a strange series but I’m kinda diggin it. Makoto isn’t a typical main character and is dynamic with J and the other demons he meets keep things interesting. There are conflicting emotions and desires and it’s getting pretty twisted. It’s rated mature for a reason, keep that in mind. 4 out of 5.

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September 10, 2021September 9, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Eros/Psyche” by Maria Llovet

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Sara is a new student at an exclusive and unique all girls boarding school. By chance she meets the most popular student, Silje and forms a fast relationship that blooms quickly into something more.

This is poetic and beautiful, also a bit haunting. But I have no frikkin clue what this is all about. There’s some sinister all girls boarding school in the middle of nowhere and they learn magic but is so strict if you break the rules you go to a special room for punishment, there’s implied genetic testing going on, and the mysterious school is eliminating these girls on by one until only one remains and for… What?

Don’t get me wrong, this is emotional and lovely but by the end all I had were questions that left me frustrated. 3.9 out of 5.

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September 9, 2021September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “My Love Mix-Up!” Vol. 1, by Wataru Hinekure & Aruko

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

Aki has a crush on his classmate, Hashimoto but when he borrows an eraser from her, he sees she has Ida’s name written on it; he promises to keep it a secret for her. But when Ida sees the eraser, he thinks it belongs to Aki and that he as a crush on him.

First things first, I gotta talk about the art. While the regular scenes are lovely; soft and expressive like most in this genre, there are scenes of super-deformed faces that are unintentionally TERRIFYING. Not all of them but there were a few that had me cringe rather than laugh.

Aside for that, this is a hilarious mix up. It doesn’t take itself too seriously at all and is a light-hearted teenage drama (at least light-hearted for now, you never know). It is looking like we won’t get so much as a love triangle but a love dodecahedron.

Yes, I’m a geek. I love that world…

4 out of 5.

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September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Asadora!” Vol. 4, by Naoki Urasawa

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

As change of pace, Asa is having some normal high school drama with her friends only for it to be interrupted by some fishermen spotting the monster the government is trying to hide. And to make matters worse, a reporter is snooping around the air hanger containing the plane they want to use to fight the creature.

Things are coming to a head with Asa and the scientist, Nakaido closing on on whatever is out in the ocean. I am so into what’s going to happen; especially with Asa facing down the thing that killed most of her family. It’s an interesting mystery. 4 out of 5.

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September 5, 2021September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Bad Boys, Happy Home” Vol. 2, by SHOOWA & Hiromasa Okujima

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

Things have been a little awkward ever since Seven planted a kiss on Akamatsu and Seven understandably gives him space. But Akamatsu finds he actually misses Seven but Seven’s past he’s kept hidden comes back to haunt them.

This sure as hell took a turn! I mean, it was clear Seven had a dark past but I didn’t see how dark it got. Trigger warning for child prostitution and sexual assault in this volume. I thought this series would just be our two main leads fumbling around into a relationship but this is an angle I did not anticipate. It’s interesting, I want to know what happens next, but yikes… 3.9 out of 5.

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September 4, 2021September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Fragments of Horror” by Junji Ito

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Another collection of Ito’s short stories and it’s much better than the last one I read. One of them is more sad than scary but overall, this is Ito’s signature terrifying style with some great body horror. I’m usually all good with body horror but there was one splash page that was so gross, I physically leaned away from the book and tensed up in my entire body. Great stuff. 4.7 out of 5.

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August 31, 2021September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Burn the Witch” Vol. 1, by Tite Kubo

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

Set in the same universe as Bleach, dragons and magic are real in Reverse London and the agents of the Wing Bind are the only people able to fight them. Noel and Ninny are witches and Wing Bind agents who battle dragons in secret. But they risk being exposed when Noel’s classmate, Balgo, is targeted by a dragon.

This volume has just the right balance of fantasy, humor, magic, and intrigue. Our audience stand-in, Balgo, is just goofy enough without getting annoying (yet, we’ll see how it goes) and Ninny’s high energy works well with Noel’s deadpan nature. I see potential in this and I hope there’s much more. While I haven’t read Bleach, I am familiar with the series and I wonder if this series will take a similar path. 4 out of 5.

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August 29, 2021September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol 1, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Nanako is a seemingly normal high school girl being raised by her grandparents after her parents died in a tragic accident. One day while she walking, she goes through a portal and finds herself in Taisho era Japan (the 1920’s) and is able see auras and demons. Here, she meets Mao, an exorcist on a mission to kill the demon that cursed him.

This is classic Takahashi and I love it. There’s great lore and tons of it, fun fantasy, intrigue, cool characters, and a mystery that will keep you coming back. I look forward to more after a strong start to this fantasy series. 4.9 out of 5.

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August 28, 2021September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Ice Cream Man Vol. 6: Just Desserts” by W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo & Chris O’Halloran

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This volume is another series of dark short stories with the Ice Cream Man being featured.

These stories are hit or miss. I’m still wishing for an overarching story in these anthologies. I thought this would lead to knowing more about the entity and why it’s so malevolent; maybe what the overall point is. I’m not seeing that and while that is ok since some of the shorts are good, it’s just okay. 3 out of 5.

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August 27, 2021September 8, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu” by Junji Ito

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This manga has real life stories about Ito becoming a cat owner against his will because his fiancée wants them.

This is really funny, especially coming from Ito. If you’ve read this blog for awhile, you know I’m a fan of his work so it comes from a place of love and experience when I say it’s fucking hilarious and terrifying to see Ito’s style in every day situations. This was fun to read and if you’re a cat owner, there are some familiar situations here. 4 out of 5.

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