After I read the first two volumes of SangEun Lee’s 13th Boy, in which a pertinacious girl named Hee-So Eun does everything in her power to win the love of the handsome Won-Jun Kang, I had high hopes for the quirky series but apparently not high enough because, starting with volume three, the story veers into unexpectedly (and awesomely) dark territory. That’s not to say that … [Read more...] about 13th Boy 3-6 by SangEun Lee
Fantasy
Alice in the Country of Hearts 6 (Japanese) by QuinRose and Soumei Hoshino
When TOKYOPOP announced in April that they'd be shutting down, I was bummed that we wouldn't get the sixth and final volume of the surprisingly fun Alice in the Country of Hearts, which had been scheduled for July release. Happily, however, the volume is easily available in Japanese (I got mine from YesAsia.com). Unhappily, it’s a disappointing conclusion to the series. When … [Read more...] about Alice in the Country of Hearts 6 (Japanese) by QuinRose and Soumei Hoshino
Shugo Chara! 1-9 by Peach-Pit
Shugo Chara! has all the basic requirements for a magical girl series: costume changes, loads of sparkles and hearts, and a focus on dreams, believing in one another, and protecting the people one cares about. And yet somehow, it doesn't feel generic at all! The main character is Amu Hinamori, a shy fourth grader who, because of her awkward communication skills, comes off as … [Read more...] about Shugo Chara! 1-9 by Peach-Pit
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
From the back cover: "From now on I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight." And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: disguised as a girl, Thom heads for … [Read more...] about Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard: C
From the back cover: Ophelia Jensen wishes she was just your typical, thirty-something librarian. Unfortunately, she's been burdened with psychic powers—an unwanted "gift" she considers inconvenient at best and at worst downright dangerous. Her kindly old grandmother Abby, however, has no compunctions about the paranormal, being a practicing witch with unique abilities of her … [Read more...] about Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard: C