The second volume of Animal Academy is much the same as the first. Neko Fukuta and her shapeshifting animal classmates engage in low-key adventures like searching for a lost camera or deciding which club to join. There’s one chapter entitled “Hunt for the Hair Clip,” which should give you an idea of what kind of stories to expect. Some imparting of lessons about friendship is … [Read more...] about Animal Academy 2 by Moyamu Fujino: C+
Black Bird 1 by Kanoko Sakurakoji: B-
Misao Harada has always been able to see spirits, but when she turns sixteen, things suddenly get a lot worse. Kyo Usui, her childhood friend and first love, returns after a ten-year absence just in time to inform her that she is “the bride of prophecy,” and that now that she is sixteen, all sorts of demons are going to want to drink her blood, eat her flesh, and/or marry … [Read more...] about Black Bird 1 by Kanoko Sakurakoji: B-
Crimson Hero 11 by Mitsuba Takanashi: B
The Crimson High girls’ volleyball team has made it to the third round of the Newcomers’ Tournament and is facing its first serious challenge. Things are going well and they win the first set, but when the opposing team intentionally wounds Crimson High’s star setter, there’s no one who can fill in. Instead, the Crimson High girls rearrange their strategy to protect their … [Read more...] about Crimson Hero 11 by Mitsuba Takanashi: B
Fairy Tail 7 by Hiro Mashima: B+
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+
The Happiest Days of Our Lives by Wil Wheaton: B+
From the back cover: Readers of Wil Wheaton's website know that he is a masterful teller of elegant stories about his life. Building on the critical success of Dancing Barefoot and Just a Geek, he has collected more of his own favorite stories in his third book, The Happiest Days of Our Lives. These are the stories Wil loves to tell, because they are the closest to his heart: … [Read more...] about The Happiest Days of Our Lives by Wil Wheaton: B+