From the back cover: Fairy Tail's rival guild, Phantom Lord, has taken the competition to dangerous levels by smashing the Fairy Tail building and nearly killing three wizards. What is Fairy Tail's response? A full-frontal assault on Phantom Lord! But this clash is all part of the Phantom Lord's evil plot to capture a coveted prize. Review: Volume seven of Fairy Tail is a lot … [Read more...] about Fairy Tail 7 by Hiro Mashima: B+
Manga
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga: A
From the back cover: In Edo Period Japan, a strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen by seventy-five percent. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected. And … [Read more...] about Ōoku: The Inner Chambers 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga: A
Tsubasa: Those with Wings 2 by Natsuki Takaya: C+
Oh, if only Tsubasa: Those with Wings were as good as its gorgeous cover suggests! Former thief Kotobuki and her companion/love interest, erstwhile Army officer Raimon, are still searching for Tsubasa, a legend rumored to grant wishes. But first, they must slog through an excruciatingly dull plot about the Army enlisting the help of Raimon’s gun-smuggling foster father to … [Read more...] about Tsubasa: Those with Wings 2 by Natsuki Takaya: C+
A Strange and Mystifying Story 2 by Tsuta Suzuki: C+
Akio’s family is cursed with illness, but they also have a protective guardian beast who will appear if summoned and grant a wish. Akio summons the beast—an amorous, wolfish sort whom he names Setsu—and wishes to be cured. After Setsu accomplishes this with his own brand of sexual healing, Akio finds he doesn’t want Setsu to disappear, so wishes for him to stick around. Now … [Read more...] about A Strange and Mystifying Story 2 by Tsuta Suzuki: C+
Bleach 28 by Tite Kubo: B
From the back cover: Ichigo, Chad and Uryu are determined to rescue Orihime from Aizen's vile machinations. But though the Arrancars' fortress is in sight, the would-be heroes must first pass Tres Cifras—the land of the disgraced Arrancars, who see destroying Ichigo and his friends as a way to redeem their honor! Review: There were times as I read this volume that I stopped … [Read more...] about Bleach 28 by Tite Kubo: B