From the front flap: In a world where malices—remnants of ancient magic—can erupt with life-destroying power, only soldier-sorcerer Lakewalkers have mastered the ability to kill them. But Lakewalkers keep their uncanny secrets and themselves from the farmers they protect, so when patroller Dag Redwing Hickory rescued farmer girl Fawn Bluefield, neither expected to fall in love, … [Read more...] about The Sharing Knife: Horizon by Lois McMaster Bujold: B-
Banana Fish 5-6 by Akimi Yoshida: A-
I've always been intrigued by Ash Lynx, the lead character in Banana Fish, but suddenly I feel like I understand him so much better after reading these two volumes. We begin with Ash and friends still in Los Angeles at the home of Dr. Alexis Dawson, one of the creators of Banana Fish. When Ash and Max are drawn away by a threat against Max’s family, Chinese mafia member … [Read more...] about Banana Fish 5-6 by Akimi Yoshida: A-
Portrait of M & N 1-2 by Tachibana Higuchi: B-
Much as with Natsuki Takaya's Tsubasa: Those with Wings, I had been looking forward to the English release of Portrait of M & N by Tachibana Higuchi only because I enjoy later work, Gakuen Alice. Aaaand, much as with Tsubasa: Those with Wings, I ended up somewhat disappointed. Portrait of M & N is a love story starring a beautiful girl named Mitsuru Abe and a handsome … [Read more...] about Portrait of M & N 1-2 by Tachibana Higuchi: B-
Time and Again 1-3 by JiUn Yun: A-
It's China during the Tang Dynasty. Exorcist Baek-On Ju travels with his bodyguard, Ho-Yeon Won, dealing with ghosts, crafting talismans for his customers, and advising on various mysterious phenomena. The series is primarily episodic but is nonetheless affecting, owing to the quality of the stories and the painful memories that unite Baek-On and Ho-Yeon in self-incriminating … [Read more...] about Time and Again 1-3 by JiUn Yun: A-
Team Spectacular: Micro-Preemie Power by Scott Wright: B+
Book description: When Scott Wright's wife, Jodi, goes into labor during the 24th week of her pregnancy, the couple is terrified. After their son, Morgan, is born weighing 1 pound 8 ounces they must find ways of dealing with their micro-preemie baby's daily struggle to survive. Review: The Team Spectacular webcomic wasn't originally about how a micro-preemie named Morgan came … [Read more...] about Team Spectacular: Micro-Preemie Power by Scott Wright: B+