Beware: spoilers ahead. I have come to the conclusion that Kaze Hikaru is not only worth owning—as opposed to borrowing it from the library, which is what I’ve been doing up until now—but is also pure evil (in the very best way, of course). Volume nine begins with a reorganization of the Shinsengumi that sees Sei reassigned from active patrolling to a position taking care of … [Read more...] about Kaze Hikaru 9-11 by Taeko Watanabe: A-
Comics
Our Kingdom: Arabian Nights by Naduki Koujima: B-
This one-volume spin-off of Our Kingdom stars Raoul, a former supporting character of that series, as he attempts to recover from heartbreak by taking a trip to a swanky Middle Eastern resort. His plans go astray when he is captured by a good-hearted yet foolish prince named Ashif, who plans to use Raoul as a pawn to ensure his sister’s marital happiness. Raoul is naturally … [Read more...] about Our Kingdom: Arabian Nights by Naduki Koujima: B-
The Middleman 1-3 by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine: B
When the TV adaptation of The Middleman was airing on ABC Family in 2008, I watched a few episodes but eventually gave up because the campy plots exceeded my threshold for silliness. I have since wondered whether I ought to have given it another chance—after all, I liked the actors and a good deal of the dialogue—and when I noticed that my local library had in its collection … [Read more...] about The Middleman 1-3 by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine: B
Sexy Voice and Robo by Iou Kuroda: A-
From the back cover: Working part-time as a telephone-dating operator, Nico Hayashi has plenty of clients eager to engage her in titillating conversation. But what her customers don't know is this: the person they're flirting with is really a fourteen-year-old junior high school girl with a secret agenda. On the phone she's known as Sexy Voice. But, really, she's more than a … [Read more...] about Sexy Voice and Robo by Iou Kuroda: A-
Castle Waiting by Linda Medley: A
Book description: A fable for modern times, Castle Waiting is a fairy tale that's not about rescuing the princess, saving the kingdom, or fighting the ultimate war between Good and Evil—but about being a hero in your own home. The opening story, "The Brambly Hedge," tells the origin of the castle itself, which is abandoned by its princess in a comic twist on "Sleeping Beauty" … [Read more...] about Castle Waiting by Linda Medley: A