From the front flap: In a world where malices—remnants of ancient magic—can erupt with life-destroying power, only soldier-sorcerer Lakewalkers have mastered the ability to kill them. But Lakewalkers keep their uncanny secrets and themselves from the farmers they protect, so when patroller Dag Redwing Hickory rescued farmer girl Fawn Bluefield, neither expected to fall in love, … [Read more...] about The Sharing Knife: Horizon by Lois McMaster Bujold: B-
Fantasy
Foiled by Jane Yolen and Mike Cavallaro: B-
From the front flap: Aliera Carstairs doesn't fit in. She's invisible at high school. She's too visible at the fencing gym. Aliera's starting to wonder... where does she belong? Review: Tenth grader Aliera Carstairs has established a routine: go to school, go to fencing class, go home. On Saturdays she plays a table-top RPG with her wheelchair-bound cousin, Caroline. She’s … [Read more...] about Foiled by Jane Yolen and Mike Cavallaro: B-
Fullmetal Alchemist 1-2 by Hiromu Arakawa: B+
I've been hoarding volumes of Fullmetal Alchemist for several years. Having heard it praised for its impressive storytelling, I decided to wait until it was nearer to being finished in Japan before starting it, with the idea that I might be spared some of the long waits between volumes that other fans have endured. But now, word is that the end is nigh, and with MJ recommending … [Read more...] about Fullmetal Alchemist 1-2 by Hiromu Arakawa: B+
Pandora Hearts 1 by Jun Mochizuki: B
From the back cover: The air of celebration surrounding fifteen-year-old Oz Vessalius's coming-of-age ceremony quickly turns to horror when he is condemned for a sin about which he knows nothing. Thrown into the Abyss—an eternal prison from which there is no escape—Oz meets a young girl named Alice, who is not what she seems. Now that the relentless cogs of fate have begun to … [Read more...] about Pandora Hearts 1 by Jun Mochizuki: B
Alice in the Country of Hearts 2 by QuinRose and Soumei Hoshino: B
From the back cover: As Alice grows accustomed to life in Wonderland, she begins to understand the inner workings of this mysterious world. Everyone desires to get close to her, and Alice's life lights up with little moments of happiness. But she soon discovers the truth behind all the bliss... and wasted lives. And how will Alice react when the greatest secret is revealed by … [Read more...] about Alice in the Country of Hearts 2 by QuinRose and Soumei Hoshino: B