Such is the gravitational pull of Soliloquy in Blue's Halloween Week that it has even sucked Manga Bookshelf into its orbit! Well, for one day, at least. Check out the latest edition of Off the Shelf, in which MJ and I discuss supernatural offerings like From a Twisted Mind, Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Demon Sacred, and Higurashi When They Cry: Beyond Midnight Arc! … [Read more...] about Off the Shelf Gets in the Spirit!
Gyo 1-2 by Junji Ito: B+
Walking fish aren't the usual sort of monsters one associates with Halloween, but their invasion makes for creepy reading nonetheless! Tadashi and his high-maintenance girlfriend, Kaori, are vacationing in Okinawa when Kaori begins complaining of putrid smells. Soon after, a chase ensues between Tadashi and a barely glimpsed, fast-moving creature, culminating with the … [Read more...] about Gyo 1-2 by Junji Ito: B+
Halloween Week 2.0!
Welcome to Soliloquy in Blue's second annual Halloween Week! Beginning today, October 25, and continuing through Sunday, the 31st, I'll be posting daily reviews of novels and manga with a supernatural bent. Some may be cute and fluffy, some may be genuinely creepy, but all will fit the general theme. Last year I asked for recommendations for future Halloween reading, and I'm … [Read more...] about Halloween Week 2.0!
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: B-
From the back cover: 'Her present life appeared like the dream of a distempered imagination, or like one of those frightful fictions, in which the wild genius of the poets sometimes delighted. Reflection brought only regret, and anticipation terror.' Such is the state of mind of Ann Radcliffe's orphaned heroine Emily St. Aubert, who finds herself imprisoned in her evil … [Read more...] about The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: B-
Let’s Get Visual: Speechless
MICHELLE: Welcome to the third installment of Let's Get Visual, a monthly column with Manga Bookshelf's MJ in which we flex our artistic muscles! Although it's not our intent to have specific themes for each column, we do like responding to requests! Last month, as suggested by a reader, we devoted our column to action scenes. This month, inspired by a comment from … [Read more...] about Let’s Get Visual: Speechless