YA romance

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 3, by Alto Yukimura

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

Dionysus makes an appearance as he’s one of many afflicted with a cold that’s going around. As thanks for treatment, he invites Hades and Colette to a banquet to get closer.

In addition to the banquet, we see more of Colette being an amazing apocathary and how deep her connection to the vilage goes. Again, this is one of those series where the romance and fantasy are great but Colette’s pure hearted and earnest dedication drives this story and is a pleasure to read. Seriously, the budding romance between Hades and Colette is such an afterthought in my mind. I could have the whole series just be about her and be totally fine with it. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Otaku Vampire’s Love Bite” Vol. 4, by Julietta Suzuki

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

After the cosplay shoot, Amanatsu gains a bit of fame when the photos are posted online, resulting in a forced date that triggers Viktor to trick Hina and Amanatstu to go back to Hina’s father.

This volume balances the silly and the serious better than the previous ones. It also builds up another person lurking in the background and shows that Hina is a force to be reckoned with, despite her adorable otaku nature. It’s nice to see them getting closer and having fun. I would like to see Hina come into her own while still being her goofy self, but it feels like we’re still getting the cast together for whatever plot points are coming up. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 6, by Luka Kobachi

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

Nanoha and Chidori’s relationship is discovered by Mai, who has a crush on Nanoha. As they go on a school trip, tension forms between them as Nanoha is jealous of how close Chidori gets to Mai, which puts pressure on the entire friend group.

Yeah, the stakes are still pretty low considering Mai has no real ill intentions towards the couple and it’s mostly the friend group just wanting to enjoy the trip without drama. Fair, considering what a breakup can do to a friend group, even if they’re not all aware of the couple. They just need to communicate properly if they want this relationship to work. It’s a nice story beat, even if their fight went on a bit long for me. I was probably just as annoyed as their friends were. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 2, by Alto Yukimura

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

When Apollo decides to go on vacation, Colette volunteers to fill in as healer to the gods in his absence.

In this volume, we also get Charon’s backstory, which is so sad. For all its whimsy, this series gets dark sometimes. I have to admit, I’m totally about the hardworking, sweet characters that are super genuine and are actually rewarded for their efforts. I’m not even into the possible romance. I can watch Colette just do her thing: healing people and expanding her apothecary skills. It’s also a way to learn about the world they live in and the unique take on the Greek Gods, even if some of them just kinda drop in and vanish within a few pages. I feel like if we’re going to include them, just go for it and give them some real “screen” time. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “I Wanna Be Your Girl” Vol. 1, by Umi Takase

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

Hime is in love with her childhood best friend, Akira. When Akira comes out to her and says he feels more comfortable in girls’ clothes, she is super supportive but wonders what to do with her romantic feelings.

I like this as a start to the series. The focus isn’t on how Akira feels as a trans girl; it’s about Hime’s role as a friend and ally. She’s not perfect, blowing up at people and not considering how her actions make Akira feel or impact how her classmates feel about the whole thing. Then there’s Hime’s romantic feelings throwing a spanner in the works. I’m glad for the representation, but I get this very superficial feeling. A nugget of wisdom will get dropped and then we move swiftly on without really diving into it. Maybe it will get more depth as we go on. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Insomniacs After School” Vol. 11, by Makoto Ojiro

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

As winter passes and spring arrives, Magari fills the photo album Nakami gave her with pictures of her own. As Nakami’s birthday comes and the second year of high school begins, their relationship changes in unexpected ways.

As they’re making college plans, Magari has to take her heart condition into account when considering what or where she wants to study. Bit of a spoiler, but it looks like this probably won’t lean into her dying young since the comic makes a point to say that with treatment and surgery, she could live to 50. That’s something of a relief, but it’s entirely possible the plot will take a nose-dive off the tragedy cliff. Nakami gets some development as well, and it’s nice to see him opening up to the new club members and within the friend group. This series is so good at conveying so much without words, unease as much as joy. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Insomniacs After School” Vol. 10, by Makoto Ojiro

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

Magari is well enough to come back to school and as the new semester starts, they hope to get more members in the astronomy club.

I am legit shocked at how fast I read through the volumes in this series, excited to see what happens, even though it’s very slice of life so I don’t expect anything super dramatic or action-packed. It flows smoothly and is compelling enough that I am totally fine with pages of these two taking photos or watching other characters cook and eat crab for New Year’s. Even though, again, there is that looming shadow of Magari’s illness, on the whole, this is so cozy. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Insomniacs After School” Vol. 9, by Makoto Ojiro

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

Nakami and Magari cram for finals before they can prepare for the meteor shower party. Nakami also visits Magari while she’s home sick.

I swear, if this series pulls a ‘Your Lie In April‘ on me, I will flip a table. Because it’s clear Magai isn’t well and it’s just this shadow lurking over the success of the party and them having a good time taking pictures. They are so cute together, whether they date or not, and I really hope this series doesn’t get that dark. I like the simple joy of them managing their insomnia and enjoying photography. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “I Wanna Do Bad Things with You” Vol. 7, by Yutaka

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

After confessing his feelings to her, Mamori ends up sick, not getting the chance to say how she feels. Once the air is clear, Fuji doesn’t want to move forward. Fuji is also drafted to be a part of the school play.

We also get the back story for the Fuji brothers, and Koichi’s “evil” turn is just… WAT? His turn on Soshi isn’t quite right to me. Maybe it needed more because Koichi didn’t have such manipulative tendencies from the start. It was such a quick flip of a switch, and I really think this needed one more volume to have a smoother transition to our well-deserved happy ending. I feel bad ragging on something because I wanted more of it, but here we are. This kinda fumbled the ending. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “I Wanna Do Bad Things with You” Vol. 6, by Yutaka

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

Fuji and Mamori enjoy their time at the festival and once the new semester starts, other students are raving about her festival look, angering Miyu Goda; who prides herself on being the cutest girl in class.

I love the trope of an attempt at bullying not only going over the target’s head, but completely backfiring and making the target look cool. Does that count as a trope? Eh, it does now. Mamori is such a likable person that it’s easy to root for her and great to see her being herself. I love characters who are just earnest and a bit silly, so I’m having a great time with this volume. I do wonder what the deal is with Fuji’s family. This is a perfect lighthearted YA romance, and I hope it stays that way. 4 out of 5.

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