YA graphic novels

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 9, by Ayuko Hatta

207298747

(Image Source)

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

Erika’s friend, San, is being stalked by some creep at her job who is convinced she’s in love with him. After this, Kyoya offers Erika a date to an amusement park and is shocked when she turns him down, leading him to wonder if Erika is seeing someone behind his back.

Aside for those two things, there’s a side story about Erika gaining weight. Here, Asshole Kyoya returns and his “help” is exactly what a person doesn’t need to hear when they feel down about themselves. Putting the story of Kyoya getting obsessed with taking care of a dog was likely a good idea since seeing him be a dick to Erika over her weight put a sour taste in my mouth but the attempt to soften me to him by showing how he adores this dog was not completely successful. I know he’s got no filter but geez, what a jerk. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 8, by Ayuko Hatta

199798625

(Image Source)

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

Lena is dead set on confessing her feelings to Kyoya, no matter how Erika feels. After that, the focus shifts to the upcoming holidays and how Kyoya will spend Christmas with Erika.

When it came to Lena, we got to see the old, nasty Kyoya but it didn’t look like this middle schooler was gonna back off. It felt like obnoxious met obnoxious in this case because it’s skeevy to go after your cousin’s boyfriend like that and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I guess Kyoya’s nasty attitude was helpful in this case. The Christmas thing was nice and the story about Kyoya’s horrifically bad eyesight and him softening a bit because of Erika was a middling affair. It’s just okay and I stand by my initial assessment that it’s Erika’s happiness that keeps my interest in this series. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 30, by Tomohito Oda

199798701

(Image Source)

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

While the “competition” for Tadano’s affections ends in Komi’s favor, she still tries to make amends with Kawai in order to convert her into another one of her friends.

As I’d said, I am a little bummed that Kawai didn’t end up a non-friend but not a rival but there is an aspect of this series that tends to take something earnest and make it weird.  It was funny that Tadano was just unaware of all of this going on. But after that’s done, it goes back to Komi being her adorable and earnest self and the side characters have some interesting “screen” time as well. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 7, by Suu Morishita

199798577

(Image Source)

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

Kawasumi’s struggling to balance his budding relationship with Suiren and his devotion to karate – even with an injury to his arm/

Aside for the general back cover summary, we have Valentine’s Day/White Day, and Suiren’s birthday. But, part of me wishes that Suiren had something she loves and has ambitions for like Kawasumi. Suiren is a sweetheart, however there must be more to her than being the unattainable pretty girl in school and Kawasumi’s girlfriend. She has such emotional depth that’s explored through her thoughts but right now, I’d like to see her develop more. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Insomniacs After School” Vol. 6, by Makoto Ojiro

199798698

(Image Source)

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

Magari and Nakami are still on their trip and despite their friends showing up to assist, they are able to spend some time learning about each other.

While they’re adorable – spoiler?? – I am SHOCKED Magari’s parents weren’t more pissed off. A cute trip for a couple of teenagers may make younger readers feel just the sweet budding romance, I’d be freaked out too if my kid was in the middle of nowhere refusing to come home. I hope the pictures are worth whatever punishment gets handed down and I’m not being catty. I really hope it’s all worth it in the end. Other than that, I enjoyed watching them all hang out and work so hard to get the perfect shot. 4.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Rainbow Days” Vol. 10, by Minami Mizuno

199798713

(Image Source)

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

Mocchi confesses his feelings for Anna before Wataru gets a chance to and Mari feels as if she needs to confess to Anna as well.

We get some of Mari’s backstory as to why she’s so prickly and how she became friends with Anna. It’s emotional but not dark so this series is keeping it’s generally light tone. It’s an easy going YA romance and this volume has some great character interactions. It’s a little Anna centric right now and even though she’s a likable character, I would like to see more from other characters for awhile since it’s been about her for a lot of this. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Love’s in Sight!” Vol. 7, by Uoyama

200088338

(Image Source)

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

There’s been an accident at the train station where a young person with a cane was hurt. Yukiko and her friends scramble to fins out who it was, thinking it could be someone from their school. The whole incident drives Morio to learn more about what he can do to protect Yukiko.

After what is more exposition heavy discussion about train station safety, this volume returns to it’s fun slice of life tone. We have Yukiko getting a new bathing suit for summer and her sister Izumi learns her existence doesn’t revolve around being a caretaker and she can have her own life. It’s a little heavier than previous volumes but it’s still fun. 3.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 7, by Ayuko Hatta

199798634

(Image Source)

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

Kyoya ends up tutoring Lena, Erika’s younger cousin and between her brattiness and Kyoya’s attitude, they naturally clash but when Kyoya rescues Lena from a guy who just won’t take no for an answer, Lena develops feelings for him.

It’s interesting that in this case, Kyoya doesn’t use is acerbic personality to outright reject Lena because he clearly knows exactly what’s going on. I know Erika asked him to be nicer but he never listened before so, good on him for this slight character development. I am slowly peeling away my intense dislike for him considering how this series started. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Gargoyles: Here in Manhattan” by Greg Weisman & George Kambadais

75702770

(Image Source)

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

As the clan grows and the younger ones find their own way, they come against a new threat and the possibility of a new gargoyle egg falling into the wrong hands.

This was fun to read but to try and have the opening line of the show at the beginning of every chapter was less and less fun as the book went on. It just felt repetitive by the end of it and I just skipped it. Other than that, there’s a lot going on. A new egg, the widespread knowledge of gargoyle existence to the general populace, a rift in the gargoyle family; all not bad. It’s still a little narration heavy which makes it feel the dark enigmatic tine of the show is burdened by so much exposition. It was decent, 3 out of 5… Maybe more of a 4 but not something I’m fiending after to read again. 

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible” Vol. 11, by Nene Yukimori

176443012

(Image Source)

Kubo and Shiraishi both realize they have feelings for each other but Shiraishi is looking for the best way to tell Kubo. Luckily the class trip is coming up and Shiraishi hopes to get some alone time with Kubo to make his confession.

This volume is a lot of blushing glances and I gotta admit, it’s really sweet and wholesome. They’re super precious and the tone is very light and positive. Since it’s so very slice of life, don’t expect a ton of drama or angst; just these kids having a good time together. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.