Tag Archives: manga

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost by Kaori Yuki #manga #fantasy #fairytales #bookreview #KaoriYuki

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At the time of this review, there are four volumes available in Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost, with a 5th scheduled to release November 2022.

We first meet Belle as a younger child, out in the forest with her mother. She seems to be the sort who always gets into trouble, chasing after the next adventure… until it goes horribly wrong.

This story has darker tones to it. Not only does Belle’s mother sacrifice herself to save her daughter, but Belle’s father locks her away. He verbally abuses Belle every chance he has, and isolates her from the rest of the community. It takes a toll on her, and it’s something she struggles to overcome up to the end of the fourth volume.

The beast may look scary on the outside, but it doesn’t take Belle long to realize he’s genuinely kind. It proves that you can’t always judge someone by the way they look. And while his family and friends are under a curse, just like in all the other Beauty and the Beast stories we’ve all read, this one has a few twists that keep things interesting.

The story is full of manipulative people, those willing to kill for what they want, and a few horrifying aspects that may trouble younger readers. But as an adult, I can’t get enough if this story! And the artwork is amazing. (Did you see the covers? Gorgeous!) Seriously. If Kaori Yuki offered prints of Belle and Beast, I’d certainly buy one!

All the stars for Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost! — because 5 isn’t nearly enough.

*Disclaimer: Neither the author/artist nor publisher requested a review. I purchased paperback copies from Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. The review above is only my opinion.

BOOK REVIEW: That Wolf-Boy Is Mine! (Omnibus Vol 1) by Yoko Nogiri #fantasy #romance #manga #bookreview

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Don’t miss the hit shojo fantasy romance, now available in two handy 2-in-1 omnibus volumes! Find out why Fruits Basket fans fell in love with a shapeshifting wolf-boy, and the girl who discovered his secret.

Includes Vols. 1 and 2 of That Wolf-Boy Is Mine!

After some traumatic experiences, Komugi Kusunoki transferred from the city to start a new life in rural Hokkaido. But on her first day of school, the school heartthrob Yu Ogami blurts out, “You smell good!” Despite the hijinks, Komugi tries to adjust to her new school, but it’s not long before she stumbles across Yu dozing off under a tree. When she attempts to wake him up, he transformed…into a wolf?! It turns out that Yu is one of many other eccentric boys in her class year–and she’s the only one who knows their secret…!

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MY REVIEW – 5 stars

I picked up this delightful manga (and the next volume) during my last trip to the bookstore, and I’m so glad I did.

If you’re looking for a fantasy manga with a sweeter romance, That Wolf-Boy is Mine is an excellent choice. I had so much fun getting to know the characters and found myself reading the book cover to cover in one day. Each of the boys in this story has their own appeal, but Komugi only has eyes for Yu. Despite the fact he tries to keep an emotional distance between them, the tension builds as Komugi struggles to only be his friend.

There was so much happening with Komugi, Yu, the other boys, and their Sensei. I was so disappointed when it ended and immediately started the second omnibus. And then the most horrific thing ever happened — I ran out of story! Yes, I binge-read both in one day and wanted more.

My fingers are crossed we’ll see more of Yu and Komugi’s friends and they’ll each get their own tale. I’m off to find more manga by this author because I simply can’t get enough!

*Disclaimer: I purchased a copy of this book from Barnes & Noble. Neither the author nor publisher requested a review The review above is only my opinion.

BOOK REIVEW: Rosen Blood Vol. 1 by Kachiru Ishizue #manga #vampires #bookreview

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Rescued from a horrendous carriage accident, Stella awakens at a gothic manor in the company of her saviors—a group of impossibly gorgeous young men. Their gentlemanly manners conceal a brutal, inhuman thirst. Can she unravel the mystery of their condition and escape before it’s too late to tell danger from passion?

En route to a new job that she hopes will turn her fortunes around, Stella almost loses her life! If not for the intervention of Levi and the other mysterious young men who inhabit an impressive mansion guarded by roses, she surely would have perished. With nowhere to go, and having caught the eye of these handsome men, Stella takes a job as their maid. But danger from the mansion’s denizens lurks around every corner…

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MY REVIEW – 4 stars

I recently fell down the manga rabbit hole… In the span of one week, I binge-read more than five different series. While I was trying to find my next obsession, I ran across Rosen Blood. As someone who’s loved vampire books for as long as I can remember (thank you Bram Stoker & Anne Rice!), I was anxious to dig into this one.

I loved the artwork! And I found the male characters intriguing. The heroine seems typical of this sort of manga and doesn’t particularly stand out. In fact, there were times I wanted to yell at her. She seemed a little too accepting of her situation.

This particular story won’t be for everyone. There’s a creepiness to it that I enjoy, and the cliffhanger has opened up so many possibilities. There’s enough going on (tons of drama!) that I’m curious and need to know more. I’ll be ordering book 2 shortly, and can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Overall an enjoyable manga.

*Disclaimer: I purchased a copy of this book at a comic shop. Neither the author nor publisher requested a review. The review above is only my opinion.