Book Reviews

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Marriage Toxin” Vol. 14, by Joumyaku & Mizuki Yoda

(Image Source)

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

Gero and Chinatsu face the self proclaimed head of the Iron Clan, Chuto as they continue to protect the former head, Nabe.

After they complete their assignment with Nabe, Gero is summoned to his family home with Kinosaki. Here, we get to meet Kiara, the head of the Poison Clan. So, there are some interesting things brewing. The mission with Nabe brings Gero and Chinatsu closer, but Gero’s clan is cooking up something sinister. I’m guessing this forced marriage is a cogs in a bigger machine that Gero has no idea about and isn’t as simple as there just needs to be an heir.

And if anyone hurts Kinosaki, I will riot. 3.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 21, by Yusei Matsui

(Image Source)

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

After Mima uses her divine power to save them, Tokiyuki and his friends wash ashore and meet Kosaka Takamune, who takes them in so they can recover before heading into battle once more.

This one has a lot of tactical talk and jumps forward a few years but it still feels bland. Almost like reading bulleted points in a Wikipedia article. I just don’t feel as engaged as the exaggerated art wants me to be. 3 out of 5.

 

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Kagurabachi” Vol. 8, by Takeru Hokazono

(Image Source)

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

While taking refuge at the Kyoto Slaughter Hotel, Iori contemplates restoring her memories as Chihiro risks his life to protect her.

This volume dives into Iori’s past and growing up with a famous swordman like Samura. Now, there’s also a prophesy about the sword bearers causing a great calamity (reminds me of Choujin X) The action is fantastic and there’s a lot of heart tugging events here, too. And it’s paced well enough that while cluttered, it’s easy to read and flows very well. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life” Vol. 7, by Miyu Morishita

(Image Source)

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

Yutaka is doing a lot if inner work on his feelings and making friends; including his student council duties and helping Tsumiki make Valentine’s Day treats.

Much like with Komi, Tsumiki’s earnest and positive attitude is so refreshing and nice to read. I would like to know more about other beings – Raizen’s portion was interesting – but our main two are adorable. You can tell Tsumiki is working slyly to help Yutaka. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogoL0vin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Centuria” Vol. 3, by Tohru Kuramori

(Image Source)

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

Angvall is forced into an impossible choice: obey the orders from the empire she’s pledged her life to, or protect her found family.

This does feel like an Oedipus situation (minus the incest) where by desperately trying to avoid a dismal fate, they’re running headlong into it. Elstri is so certain that Diana will destroy the kingdom, but maybe hunting her down and killing those she loves would give her good reason to? But she’s a zealot and this keeps the story going. It’s still action packed and gives us more characters with other powers. I am super hooked and if you’re into dark fantasy, this series (so far) does not disappoint. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Shinobi Undercover” Vol. 2, by Ippon Takegushi & Santa Mitarashi

(Image Source)

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

Yodoka is still guarding Aoi as they go through normal high school events like a sports festival and the school camping trip. All the while, battling those who seek to capture Aoi.

This really feels like a slice of life, YA, high school romance with ninjas clumsily grafted onto it. As a result, the original premise feels muddled. Right now, they’re just lobbing new enemies at us while sprinkling in high school drama. It’s not bad but not as amusing as I’d hoped. I hope it comes together in the next volume so it feels more like a cohesive story. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Half Is More” Vol. 1 by Yoiko Fujimi

(Image Source)

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

Kazumi Mandanda and her brother, Yoneyama, are Japanese and Black (French Black to be specific). Although they have lived in Japan their entire lives, they struggle with being seen as outsiders, handling this in very different ways.

This starts with Kazumi and her brother, then branches off to the other mixed race friends she has and all the complicated feelings around this weird limbo mixed people life in. Now, I’m a mixed race person in America, where it’s a melting pot and a lot of people look different. Getting the “What are you?” is common, nobody ever guessing what mix you are correctly, getting mistaken for every race but the ones you are… Super fun in the way it’s really fucking not. I’m sure it’s a billion times worse in a homogenous place like Japan. I won’t go into all the shit I’ve been through, but I can totally empathize with a lot of what happens in this book. It’s not a DEEP dive, but it gets the point across. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “A Man Who Defies the World of BL” Vol. 5, by Konkichi

(Image Source)

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

Our main character is still dodging various BL tropes but Hataro keeps popping up and threatening to break his avoidance streak.

I like the idea of this new unknown element but it took quite awhile to get there. Not that I want this to fall into the “gay for you” or “bi awakening” trope, since our MC is straight with no desire to change that. I think it’s more interesting if he stays straight while navigating this strange isekai because those two are BL tropes as well. But still, where is this going? Is he going to try to escape this world? So strange… 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Black Night Parade” Vol. 3, by Hikaru Nakamura

(Image Source)

The identity of the Red Santa who visited Miharu as a child is finally revealed as the intense testing to become a reindeer continues.

This volume also includes how other members of the cast were recruited into their current roles at the North Pole and how they relate to Miharu. I’m warming up to this series. It’s pretty fun and has some intriguing lore to keep things interesting. The humor is pretty good, too. I don’t wanna say too much to avoid spoilers. 4 out of 5

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Jungle Juice” Vol. 7 by Hyeong Eun & Juder

(Image Source)

Suchan and his friends are now second years and offered extra credit by being members of an elite group: Propolis. But Suchan is still dealing with the effects of Pumpkin Carriage.

Like other series, I am growing concerned about adding yet another group. There’s Nest, Breeder, and now the Stray Dogs. Now, I love me a good training montage and lore about the source of Jungle Juice, but I will withhold judgement about adding another group to this story because as of this volume, things are balanced and the new characters are cool. I so low key winder if this whole series is a conspiracy to trick the readers into learning more about bugs and insects. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.