historical fiction

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Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond” Definitive Edition, Vol. 4, by Takehiko Inoue

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

Musashi challenges the Yagyu school, not realizing that the wealthy patron who took in Otsu is the master of that school he wants to defeat.

It’s nice to see Otsu doing more than sitting and pining for Musasgu. She’s traveling with Jotaro after Musashi once again sets off on his own. Since she was staying with the Yagyu, she’s picked up a few things, so she’s not a complete damsel. She’s nowhere near the swordsmen like Musashi, which figures since she’s not on a mission to become the best like he is. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Firefly Wedding” Vol. 4, by Oreco Tachibana

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

Kotaro, Satoko’s bodyguard, comes to rescue her, but Shinpei isn’t about to let her go that easily.

We also learn who hired the thugs who kidnapped Satoko in the first place, which was not surprising in the slightest. Again, Shinpei really swings from psychotic to sweetheart in a terrifying way and the art is fantastic at showing both. Even though Satoko has these two scary guard dogs, she still gets a chance to show her strength in her own way within the confines of her position and her health. For now, we’re still stuck on the island and not likely to leave anytime soon. I’m itching to find out what happens when Satoko gets home. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Elusive Samurai” Vol. 16, by Yusei Matsui

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

Tokiyuki heads west with Kitabake’s army but some who are still loyal to Takauji are ready to stop him.

It was interesting to see Tokiyuki have to confront the fact that not every soldier fighting with him is going to be some honorable warrior with high morals. Some are just brutes who enjoy violence and pillaging but he is not in a place where he can be picky about his allies when he’s got a war to win. It’s a worthwhile lesson to learn to work with people where they’re at. This is one of the bloodier volumes as well, since the armies clash and our main cast faces some wild enemies. The battles are well done and are the most entertaining parts of this volume. 2 out of 5

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Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond Definitive Edition” Vol. 3, by Takehiko Inoue

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

After his defeat, Musashi is training to face Inshun for a rematch. We learn how Inshun came to be who he is and Natahachi runs into the granny who is still enraged with Musashi.

I do appreciate the spots of levity after how dark Inshun’s backstory turned out to be. After that, it’s a LOT of talking and we check in on Otsu and Musashi, trying to talk his way into challenging the Yagyu Sekishusai in order to increase his skills. In all the blood and guts, those little breaks are pivotal to me in enjoying the story as a whole. I do wonder if those asides to Otsu will come to impact Musashi’s story overall because it’s clear he’s left everything behind to pursue this single-minded obsession with being the best swordsman. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Firefly Wedding” Vol. 3, by Oreco Tachibana

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

Satoko and Shinpei have plans to escape in secret in a small boat, despite Satoko telling him she must marry a man her father approves of. Shinpei is resolute and refuses to leave his love to another man.

I love how easily the art shows Shinpei’s dual nature so well. He can be such a doof but also really fucking dangerous. It’s one of the race cases where his red flag behavior doesn’t trigger me like Kyoya does because it’s clear what’s dangerous about Shinpei isn’t aimed at Satoko. He wants to be with her and make her happy, not tear her down. It makes me want a future for them where he won’t have to kill anymore, and she can be loved without being a commodity. I’m able to root for them. And Satoko is a badass. I love her character. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Elusive Samurai” Vol. 15, by Yusei Matsui

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

Tokiyuki has joined forces with Kitabatake Akiie and Go-Daigo’s southern court to seize Kamakura again but faces a powerful enemy when they try to get through the pass.

Shina is still the MVP. She’s so interesting and cool that the story had to nerf her just to make room for the others. I’d read a side series about just her. The other good thing about this volume is Takauji getting a brain blast to compare being 17 in two vastly different time periods. I think the message rings hollow to prefer being in blood, life threatening battles as a child instead of living in relative peace and worrying about the future of your job with the advent of AI. I’d rather worry about AI than worry about getting shot at, honestly. This was overall okay. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dinghai Fusheng Records” Vol. 1, by Fei Tian Ye Xiang & Qian Er Bai

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

Chen Xing is the last Great Exorcist who is fated to die on his 20th birthday. He is searching for his fated counterpart to save the world before that happens and meets Xiang Su about to be executed for a crime he didn’t commit.

This feels all over the place but not in a really bad way. It’s based on a novel and I think what’s happening is the parts of the novel that would work best in this new format are what’s included so it affects the pacing a bit. I had no problem rolling with it but this is an interesting fantasy that will tickle your BL itch as it’s focused on the fantasy story not tossing these two into bed right away. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond Definitive Edition” Vol. 2, by Takehiko Inoue

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

Takezo is traveling to get stronger, challenging as many people as he can. Along the way, he picks up a kid, Jotaro, who wants to be Takezo’s disciple. He’s training hard but his feelings for his childhood friend, Otsu, are a dangerous distraction.

This volume is so much better than the first volume. The fight choreography is great here and Takezo is getting some good character development. Now that he’s facing opponents so much stronger than he is, he can’t just “I wanna be the very best” his way out of it. He has to think and strategize. I do have to say, I don’t care about his friend and whatever he’s doing. I’d rather stick to Takezo’s side of the story since that’s where the action is happening. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 14, by Yusei Matsui

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

After Tokiyuki’s loss to the Ashikaga forces, he has retreated from Kamakura. Two years later, Emperor G0-Daigo and Takauji are fighting for control of the land.

After a section dedicated to the use of human excrement as fertilizer and bomb-making material, we have Tokiyuki looking for allies so he can take on Takauji and they’re a bunch of weirdos. His new allies even include the son of his enemy, Nitta. It’s a twist for Tokiyuki to have to trust these new people in battle and navigate dealing with so many different types of warriors while increasing his own skills. He’s also not directly in charge, so things have changed for him and it’s nice to see most of this have tactical thinking. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Firefly Wedding” Vol. 1, by Oreco Tachibana

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

Satoko is a Meiji Era noblewoman with a heart condition who has a duty to her family to get married; as she feels it will prove her worth. She knows her time is limited so when she is kidnapped, she offers the man hired to kill her – Shinpei – her hand in marriage in exchange for her life.

This manga manages the seriousness of the situation and the doofyness of our main pair very well. One second they’re fleeing Satoko’s captors in a bloody massacre and the next Shinpei is gushing about what married life will be like with the biggest puppy dog eyes. So, be aware there’s a ton of violence. I actually hope they work this out and get together as he’s really interesting and Satoko is stronger than most characters give her credit for. She’s like a less annoying Akemi. I am so excited to see what happens next. 4.9 out of 5.

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