From the back cover: When the Makino family's finances hit rock bottom yet again, they decide to move to the countryside so Tsukushi's father can earn a living as a fisherman. Poor Tsukushi is left behind in their apartment to try her hand at independent living. A few guests stop by, one most unwelcome—Tsukasa's mother! Tsukushi stands up to the domineering woman, … [Read more...] about Boys Over Flowers 18 by Yoko Kamio: B+
Comics
Boys Over Flowers 17 by Yoko Kamio: A-
From the back cover: Tsukushi and Tsukasa get some quiet time together after they escape the mess of his birthday party, but this quiet can't last for long. Tsukasa's feelings for Tsukushi have at long last been made clear, but Tsukushi is more confused than ever about her feelings for him. Meanwhile, Tsukasa's domineering mother, Kaede, is brewing up plans to keep them apart … [Read more...] about Boys Over Flowers 17 by Yoko Kamio: A-
Short Program 2 by Mitsuru Adachi: B+
From the back cover: Love and life are programmed in * Is the life of a cute, young private detective on the line? * Can love be found only half-way down the line? * Will life change in a coffee shop? * How can an earthquake shake up a relationship? * Is destiny all it’s cracked up to be for a baseball loser? * Will a playwright balance loyalty against love? * Was it really … [Read more...] about Short Program 2 by Mitsuru Adachi: B+
Case Closed 25 by Gosho Aoyama: B
I'd never just jumped into the middle of a series before, but the nature of Case Closed made it an entirely painless process. The "case briefing" laid out the basic premise (including a helpful list of detecting equipment), and it was pretty easy to grasp the essential relationships between the characters. Coming in at the beginning of a murder mystery at a skating rink also … [Read more...] about Case Closed 25 by Gosho Aoyama: B
Wanted by Matsuri Hino: C+
In the late seventeenth century, orphaned Armeria sings with a traveling musical troupe. Luce, the nephew of the wealthy governor at whose estate she is performing, is the first aristocrat to treat her kindly, and when he is subsequently captured by pirates, the young girl resolves to find and rescue him. Eight years later, Armeria has finally found the ship of the pirate … [Read more...] about Wanted by Matsuri Hino: C+