Upon a string of islands known as Oyashima, a country called Amamikado is attempting to assert its dominance by sword and by spell, the tales of its brutality making for easy victories over the frightened populace. The only nation able to oppose the Amamikado onslaught is Jagara, renowned for its warrior women and fabled to have on its side the legendary Sword of Susanoh. As … [Read more...] about Takeru: Opera Susanoh Sword of the Devil 1-2 by Kazuki Nakashima and Karakarakemuri: B
Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers: B
From the back cover: When ad man Victor Dean falls down the stairs in the offices of Pym's Publicity, a respectable London advertising agency, it looks like an accident. Then Lord Peter Wimsey is called in, and he soon discovers there's more to copywriting than meets the eye. A bit of cocaine, a hint of blackmail, and some wanton women can be read between the lines. And then … [Read more...] about Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers: B
The Lapis Lazuli Crown 2 by Natsuna Kawase: B+
After receiving encouragement from a boy called Radi, really Prince Radian in disguise, Miel Violette has been devoting herself to her magical studies in order to earn a place as a palace magician and be of use to Radi. The events of volume two span at least eighteen months, as Miel first enrolls in a kind of prep course, then takes the entrance exam for the palace training … [Read more...] about The Lapis Lazuli Crown 2 by Natsuna Kawase: B+
Color by Eiki Eiki and Taishi Zaou: B+
From the back cover: When art student Takashiro Tsuda chose to show his painting, Color, in a gallery exhibition, he never dreamed that an uncannily similar painting would hang next to his—with the same title, even. Works of art come from the deepest depths of an artist's soul, so how can anyone else be expressing themselves so much like Takashiro? Filled with a yearning to … [Read more...] about Color by Eiki Eiki and Taishi Zaou: B+
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You 2 by Karuho Shiina: A-
In volume one of this charming series, Sawako Kuronuma learned that by sharing her true feelings she could clear up misunderstandings. When malicious rumors begin to circulate about two classmates who’ve been kind to her, with Sawako named as the source of the stories, she desperately wants to clear up the “misunderstanding,” too innocent to understand that the tales have been … [Read more...] about Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You 2 by Karuho Shiina: A-