dystopian fiction

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Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 4, by Sui Ishida

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

This volume has a ton of lore dropped on us. There’s the Great Choujin War and a festival to honor those who were lost and the looming threat of a choujin able to destroy the world. It’s going to be interesting to see the friends Tokio and Azuma training together after their fight. Tokio is the brave, empty-headed one compared to the more calculating Azuna. And Azuna clearly has control issues with his abilities but this is mostly training after their face off and I’m excited to see what happens next.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 10, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

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

Ken has found Yuria but Raoh is also after her to keep her from Ken. Now, it’s time for their showdown utilizing a deadly final technique.

This was an interesting final battle but it feels a little silly that with the tone of this series, after the technique and strength shown in the final battle really came down to love and feelings. I mean, I get it, it was entertaining but I thought it would come down to all the experience Ken has gained allowing him to win the fight. The final battle between them was cool, though but Yuria was super dull. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Alice in Borderland” vol. 7, by Haro Aso

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

The Jack of Hearts game comes to a close in this volume only to go right into the next; the King of Spades where a man armed to the teeth ruthlessly hunts down the participants and the only way to win is to take him out.

The Kind of Spades fight is super dramatic; really digging into the lives of career soldiers and how combat affects them. I like the combination of the middle schooler Dodo, high schooler Akane and the soldier, Agumi. They are so different and play off each other well; making it easy to root for them as we take a break from Arisu and his group. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Alice in Borderland” Vol. 6, by Haro Aso

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

This volume features the climactic ending of the King of Clubs game, then begins the Jack of Hearts game; where the players have to trust each other to read their assigned card suits on the back of their necks.

I like this section but I feel like the tension in the show for the Jack of Heats game was much higher than in this manga. It’s still amazing and a nail biter; providing the same thrills despite Arisu taking a breather for most of it. The Jack of Hearts game is less gruesome than others as in there is less on “screen” violence and it’s more implied. But as usual, there is plenty of death. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Alice in Borderland” Vol. 5, by Haro Aso

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

This volume is the King of Clubs game with Kyuma; the musician who likes to be naked. There is also a side story with Chishiya in a game of black jack; showcasing just how calculating he is.

Why anyone gives Niragi more than half a braincell is beyond me. That’s easy for me to say as a reader, I guess, if I get people like that in real life, I pay them no mind. Other than that, the game in this volume is wild. It’s really tense and emotional, even in the side stories. And even if you’ve seen the show, the side stories give some more insight so it’s not just a rehash. Other than some deep strategy talk that feels super slow compared to the excitement of the game, this was a good volume. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 5, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

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

Ken journeys to a prison called Cassandra; The City of Wailing Demons in search for his brother, Toki. To find him, Ken must face off against the twisted and cruel Warden Uyghur and we meet another brother of Ken’s, Raoh; who wants nothing more than to rule over everyone and it seems nobody is powerful enough to stop him.

This plows right into the action and does not give the reader much downtime, making this volume fly by. Things surge forward in the plot, our main group is coming together, and there’s a bit of mystery brewing in the background. This one ends on a cliffhanger so I’m excited for more! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 4, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

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

Ken is one of four who studied Hokuto Shinken and his older brother, Jagi, is now a vicious warlord impersonating Ken in an attempt to ruin his reputation. Ken goes on a journey to defeat Jagi and repair his good name.

I keep thinking Mamiya is going to do something in the plot other than swoon over Ken but unfortunately, no. She’s a good character and I’d like to see her bravery and ingenuity do more than have her end up as a hostage. But other than that, Ken and his brothers are a cool part of this story and the plot takes turns I did not expect, but it worked for me. Jagi is wrapped up quick and we move on to Toki, who I am much more curious about. This volume ends on a cliffhanger so, we’ll have to wait and see what his deal is. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Testaments” by Margaret Atwood

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In this sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, we continue our journey through Gilead through a protester of the totalitarian regime in Canada, the daughter of a Commander, and Aunt Lydia, a Gilead enforcer.

I have to say, this is a lot less subtle than the first book and perhaps that’s a good thing. Some parts ramble a bit but it’s overall very harrowing and sad. One quote stuck out to me:

“Stupid, stupid, stupid: I’d believed alll that claptrap about life, liberty, democracy, and the rights of the individual I’d soaked up in law school. Those were eternal verities and we would always defend them. I’d depended on that, as if a magic charm.”

I read this months ago and this is sadly relevant still. It’s absolutely a pageturner and the writing is of course amazing. 4.5 out of 5. 

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