When I recently solicited opinions about which of several shoujo fantasies I should read, respondents were clearly in favor of From Far Away and left enticing comments about its charms as well as their abiding love for it. Because of its length (fourteen volumes), I've decided to tackle it in chunks. Here's the first installment; others will follow soon! This is the story of … [Read more...] about From Far Away 1-5 by Kyoko Hikawa: A-
Fantasy
Nabari No Ou 2 by Yuhki Kamatani: C+
Middle-schooler Miharu Rokujou is the unwilling host of a great ninja power known as Shinra Banshou. He’s got allies who want to extract the power and destroy it, and enemies who want to claim the power for themselves. In this volume, his allies decide to adopt the same plan as their enemies and collect the scrolls of each clan’s forbidden arts, believing that the way to … [Read more...] about Nabari No Ou 2 by Yuhki Kamatani: C+
Nabari No Ou 1 by Yuhki Kamatani: B-
From the back cover: Apathetic schoolboy Miharu Rokujou is content to meander through life in the sleepy village of Banten. But his quiet existence is shattered when the Grey Wolves of Iga, a powerful ninja clan, attempt to kidnap him in broad daylight. Only then does Miharu discover that the ultimate power of the hidden ninja realm—a power that can do both great good and great … [Read more...] about Nabari No Ou 1 by Yuhki Kamatani: B-
Gestalt 4 by Yun Kouga: B-
From the back cover: Olivier continues his slow and roundabout trek to G, accompanied by Suzu and Sakata. Along the way they meet an old man who offers to aid Olivier in exchange for tutoring his granddaughter, Roxanne. The girl turns out to be much more than she seems, with hidden powers and a history with Ouri as well. With all the various plots starting to come together, … [Read more...] about Gestalt 4 by Yun Kouga: B-
Gestalt 1-3 by Yun Kouga: B-
Our story begins when Father Olivier, a priest of gentle temperament, abruptly resigns from his order and begins a journey to an island known as G. There’s a legend that a god, Gestalt, cast out from his brethren, was exiled there and will grant the wish of any explorer who seeks him out. For some reason, the head of Olivier’s order, Father Messiah, is rather desperate to get … [Read more...] about Gestalt 1-3 by Yun Kouga: B-