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Lenni Reviews: “Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons” by Amanda Lovelace & Raquel Travé

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

Lucinda owns Little Lighthouse Books, a struggling book store. She deals daily with the antics of her dragon and her crush on Aster, the owner of the coffee shop next door.

This does have Tea Dragon Society vibes in that this book has the coziest vibes and beautiful colors. The drama is very low stakes and grounded. This has great representation and while it’s not subtle, it doesn’t need to be. It’s a cute little sapphic romance and a slice of magical joy that’s sorely needed. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After We Gazed at the Starry Sky” Vol. 1 by Bisco Kida

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*This book is rated 18+

Subaru Miyazawa was born paralyzed from the knees down and works as a designer. He idolizes a photographer named Tougo Amasem, so when he gets the chance to design some materials for his show, he even takes the chance to attend it and meet his idol.

I think this would qualify as an insta-love plot, or pretty damn close ot it. In fact, it all comes off as extremely idealistic. I know it may seem romantic to be literally swept off one’s feet, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to just pick up a wheelchair user? Without asking or anything? I don’t know any, and I am not one, but it still seems like a bad idea. They’re adorable and all, but not the best example. The smut is minimal, and I do love the art, so it’s not all bad. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Forest of the Rabbits” Vol. 1, by ENJO

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

Shunta and Tamaki were childhood friends who reconnect in high school. While Shunta realized his attraction to his friend early on, Tamaki’s tumultuous upbringing has him clinging to traditional expectations. But Shunta doesn’t want to waste any more time before fulfilling his dream of dating Tamaki.

This is rough since it starts with them as young kids, and Tamaki is clearly not only neglected by his mother, but he’s also exposed to things a child shouldn’t because his mother is a sex worker. We are pro-sex work in this house, but not with your child in the next room or watching your clients as they go in and out of the home. That’s a dark cloud lurking behind this budding romance, making it hard to enjoy Shunta being a goofy simp for his crush. I almost don’t want them to get together until Tamaki has had a few months of intense therapy to deal with his clear trauma. 3 out of 5.

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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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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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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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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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