Well, it’s happened again. I receive a review copy for a title with a premise that makes me expect the worst, only to end up liking it a great deal. Not only that, I’m willing to spend my own money to obtain subsequent volumes! It’s all an evil plot. Beni Fujiwara is the daughter of a rich and powerful man, and has grown accustomed to being kidnapped. She even gives pointers … [Read more...] about Shinobi Life 1 by Shoko Conami: B+
Shoujo
Bogle 1-2 by Shino Taira and Yuko Ichiju: C
When Asuka’s brother lands his dream job as a detective, he and his sister relocate from Okinawa to Yokohama. Asuka begins attending a private high school where the principal secretly finances “the chivalrous burglars rocking the world, Bogle.” Bogle consists of a pair of good-looking boys (and their faculty advisor) who specialize in retrieving precious items for their … [Read more...] about Bogle 1-2 by Shino Taira and Yuko Ichiju: C
Papillon 1 by Miwa Ueda: B+
When I was in the sixth grade, a particular series of books was very popular. It focused on a pair of blonde twin sisters, the older of whom was kind and thoughtful while the younger was selfish and scheming. Most of the time, the good twin allowed her conniving sibling to have her way, but when it came to a certain boy, she drew the line. Their names were Elizabeth and Jessica … [Read more...] about Papillon 1 by Miwa Ueda: B+
Cat Street 1 (Japanese) by Yoko Kamio: B+
Book description: Keito Aoyama was a child star until the age of nine, when she froze up on stage in front of a live audience. The incident ended her career, and she's spent the past seven years a recluse, spending most of the time in her room and socializing with no one. An encounter with an eccentric principal leads her to El Liston, a school for kids who haven't fit in at … [Read more...] about Cat Street 1 (Japanese) by Yoko Kamio: B+
High School Debut 6 by Kazune Kawahara: A-
Not long after Haruna first met Yoh, she heard about the “beads incident.” Back in Junior High, Yoh was on the basketball team and was dating the team manager, Makoto. She had a fondness for wearing beads, and one day he accidentally hurt her feelings by saying that he didn’t particularly care for them. She turned on the waterworks and managed to get Yoh’s teammates to turn … [Read more...] about High School Debut 6 by Kazune Kawahara: A-