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MANGA: Shounen Houkokusho
Shounen Houkokusho – Machiko Madoka & Sakiya Haruhi
Harumi is living with his lover, Ryouichi, and his son, Shuu. The three of them are having a happy every-day life when someone came to talk about a marriage interview for Harumi?!
Can’t wait to see this kid when he grows up. Must be a force to be reckoned with.
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MANGA: Shuumatsu no Waltz
Shuumatsu no Walt – Fukazawa Batsu
In a world thatโs heading towards its end, Shirou, a scientist whose sole purpose in life is to create butterflies that can purify the world, encountered a male humanoid named Kuroe. What is Kuroeโs real identity? Why does he proclaim on wanting to meet Shirou?
This is an eternal love story that was born at the end of the world.The art is beautiful. The sci-fi is awesome. The romance was poetic but too mushy for my taste.
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MANGA: Natsu ni Mebuku wa Koi no Oto
Natsu ni Mebuku wa Koi no Oto – Shiina Maumi
During my second year of high-school, a transfer student, Yamauchi, arrived in my class.
Although he appeared to be an ordinary guy, he was unexpectedly anti-social!
I wanted him to quickly get along with the rest of class, so I called out to him, but things didnt go as I wanted no matter how I tried.
“That’s how it is…” I thought.
But out of the blue, Yamauchi smiled at me and since then I couldn’t get it out of my mind.
Hey, Yamauchi… can you smile for me once more?How introverts makes friends: an extrovert found them, liked them, adopted them.
Even though you can go anywhere on your own, thank you for letting me into your world.
A beautiful sparkling summer story!
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MANGA: Mitsumete, Yurarete, 15-bu
Mitsumete, Yurarete, 15-bu – Mofumofu Edako
Everyday, the train conductor looks forward to seeing that special passenger who brightens his day.
This perked me up too. What a charming one-shot!
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MANGA: Saiaku Na Futari No Hajimari Wa
Saiaku Na Futari No Hajimari Wa – Yoshino Kaya
Hinami Takashi is always transferring schools because of his parents’ jobs and he has gotten pretty bored of the attention. He uses the rumors about him to achieve his goal, which is to maintain his mediocre daily life and to quietly go on to the next school, until the rumors about his classmate Sakura make him take a special interest in him. It seems like Takashi isn’t as ordinary as he pretends to be!
Cute but that Hinami, what a nosy bastard!
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MANGA: Kyou Kara Omega ni Narimashita
Kyou Kara Omega ni Narimashia – Maiki Sachi
Ordinary university student Kanade is a Beta. He secretly holds feelings for his neighbor and childhood friend Munechika. However, in this world, the typical trend is for an alpha and omega, and two betas to pair up. Because of that, Kanade thinks heโs not a match for Munechika whoโs an Alpha, and stays with him as a friend. However, one day, Kanade feels a weird discomfort in his bodyโฆ
I still don’t see the appeal of omegaverse.
Meh on Kanade and Munechika.
Rooting for sensei and sempai.
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MANGA: Servant & Lord
Servant & Lord – Lo & Lorinell Yu
Christian has always admired handsome, talented composer Daniel. Their shared appreciation for music marked the beginning of a friendship between a willful boy and a sophisticated young man…
But when tragedy strikes and circumstances twist around to put Daniel in the service of Christian’s wealthy family, their bond is tried in unexpected ways. Years ago, the universal language of music drew them toward one another.
Now, Christian has to hope it’s still enough to bridge the gap between their vastly different lives.
Servant & Lord is an age-gap story between the bratty rich kid Christian and his long suffering friend cum caretaker cum mentor and former composer Daniel.
Like all the good M&S tropes, the dynamics between Christian and Daniel is filled with USTs, and fervent longing. Christian is more open about his feelings and Daniel, being older and an employee of Christian’s father, kept his under tight reigns. The manga is mostly from Christian’s POV but I really liked it that there were some parts were presented from Daniel’s perspective.
The manga starts from the time Christian met Daniel as a child, to him as a high school student and finally as a university student. Through all these years, Daniel is in denial and maintains the illusion that Christian’s feelings were the affections of a child and therefore something he would outgrow. And so I threw big hurrah when Christian took matters in his own hands and made Daniel face his feelings.
Since I like slow burn stories, this is right up my alley. The artwork looks good and I had no problems following the story progression. Age-gap is not my jam but I have no issues with it here. The story is not the most unique but still interesting enough for me to enjoy. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
P.S.
I received a copy of Servant & Lord from Tokyo Pop via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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MANGA: Star Collector Vol. 1
Star Collector – Anna B. & Sophie Schonhammer
Fynn’s favorite activities are skipping class, smoking, and lying around. So when he’s told it’s time to shape up and try doing something else for a change, he has no idea where to even start.
Then, on a nighttime walk around his neighborhood, he sees a stranger with a telescope up on a hill: his name is Niko, and he loves to watch the stars. Intrigued, Flynn decides to find out more about this nerdy boy and what could be so interesting about the night sky that he loves so much.
I know I sound like an ass but I used to scoff at Western manga because the art seemed off. But when I saw the cover of Star Collector, I immediately requested it on Netgalley. So pretty!
This is a classic opposite attracts story made more magical by stars. Watching Fynn fall for Niko was cute but maybe it happened just a little bit too fast given that they hardly know anything about each other and Fynn just broke up with Zoe. I felt Zoe’s hurt but I liked her for being such a great friend. I would have liked some backstory but I’m guessing that will be for the succeeding volumes.
Star Collector Vol. 1 is a good start of a promising manga. Recommended for those who love gay for you stories about nerds and delinquents.
Can’t wait for volume two! Will Fynn and Niko finally see those shooting stars?
P.S.
I received a copy of Star Collector from Tokyo Pop via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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A to Z Book Survey
I thought it would be fun to do this survey. I found it on Howling Libraries and it was originally created by Perpetual Page Turner
Author youโve read the most books from:
Definitely my favorite, K.J. Charles. The plan is to read all of her books. The ones I had finished so far:
- A Charm of Magpies series
- A Society of Gentlemen series
- Remnant
- Sins of the Cities series
- Spectred Isle
- The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal
- Think of England
- Unfit to Print
- Wanted, An Author
- Wanted, A Gentleman
For the longest time, there weren’t any clear pictures of KJC on the interwebs. Found the pic above from her interview with a German website.
Best Sequel Ever:
I have yet to read the best sequel ever. Though I really liked The Dream Thieves more than The Raven Boys.
The Raven Cycle review here
Currently Reading:
Typically, I have several books going for when the mood strikes
Drink of Choice While Reading:
I don’t drink while reading. I chug down a huge mug of room temperature coffee like people chug beer then read.
E-reader or Physical Book?
Physical books but I also have an e-reader for when I go out.
Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:
Hah! I have a hard time answering this as I rarely consider dating a fictional character because I am too busy shipping them with another character.
Ok…lemme think…
Shit! I really don’t know.
Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:
Never Understand by Bbong
I didn’t like the art at first. And I thought there were too many chapters since I rarely read anything with more than 10 chapters. I gave it a try because the premise was kind of interesting then it proceeded to blew me away.
Review here
Hidden Gem Book:
Futari Hyakkei: Kaze no Owari Haru no Hajimari by Mita Ori
My number 1 manga for 2018. I wish people would notice this more because this has some of the sweetest, most fluff-tastic manga moments. Like I said, relationship goals.
Review here
Important Moment in your Reading Life:
Way back in elementary, a classmate introduced me to Nancy Drew books which turned me into a bookworm. Also seeing the cover of the Japanese edition of Captive Prince which very effectively put my 3-year book slump to death and put me on the road to becoming a book blogger.
Just look at them!
Review here
Just Finished:
Leo Loves Aries (review to come)
Haphaven review here
Star Collector (review to come)Kinds of Books You Wonโt Read:
I don’t read any religious, erotica, or sports-centric books. Also, I don’t go for hardcore yaoi stuff. Books with love triangles are big turn offs and cheating is a deal-breaker.
Longest Book Youโve Read:
For now, The October Horse: A Novel of Caesar and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough at 1110 pages.
But it will be Special Forces by Alexander Voinov once I find the courage to embark on a 3000-page saga.
Review of Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series here
Major book hangover because of:
Where Death Meets the Devil by L.J. Hayward
because Jack and Ethan is OMG!!!
Death and The Devil review here
Number of Bookcases You Own:
One big bookcase that doubles as a TV stand and two small bookshelves on a wall.
One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:
Spectred Isle by K.J. Charles
Read the book twice then the audiobook because I loved Ruairi Carter’s narration
Captive Prince trilogy
Read the ebook, then the physical books and audiobook because I wasn’t too obsessed, no.
Preferred Place To Read:
Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book youโve read:
I’m thinking I should memorize this so I could use it when the opportunity comes. This was one of my favorite book moments.
I could go on and on about His Quiet Agent by Ada Maria Soto but really, just read it and be charmed by Arthur and Martin’s sweet, soft romance.
Review here
Reading Regret:
Throwing away an out of print edition of Night Watch by Sergey Lukyanenko because it got wet and heavily damaged. For purely sentimental reasons, I should have kept it. Now there’s a gaping hole in my collection and it is forever haunting me.
Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):
Specter (the first series) by Jordan L. Hawk
I’ve read the first 5 books of series 1 and I have Summoner of Storms on standby. I’m just prolonging the agony because I need to be in the right mood for that big finale.
Review here
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
Also holding out on the last book The Raven King because I don’t want the adventure to end
Shades of Magic by Victoria Schwab
I hesitate to read the second book because I like to imagine Kell and Rhy end up together and Lila as an aro ace and/or the whole series as entirely romance free.
Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:
Spectred Isle review here
Exquisite Corpse review here
His Quiet Agent review hereUnapologetic Fangirl/Fanboy For:
Yes, these dorks. Review here
Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:
I was giddy with excitement last December waiting for Why The Devil Stalks Death by L.J. Hayward. This could very well be the best sequel ever but as of now I am afraid to touch it because my expectations are so high.
Worst Bookish Habit:
I am a mood reader. I start on something, then quickly lose interest and not pick up the book again for a very long time. I also need to take better care of my eyes. I use the laptop for hours on end then even when my eyes are too tired I still try to read. So my vision keeps getting worse.
X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th bookJ
On my physical shelf: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
I love the Gentleman Bastards! What is Locke’s real name? Willing to wait till I’m a dried up skeleton for The Thief of Emberlain. Just make it good, Scott. No pressure.
On my e-reader: A Scanner Darkly by Phillip K. Dick
This I haven’t read yet. The 2006 animated movie looks interesting tho. There’s RDJ having a Kafka moment.
Your latest book purchase:
Rich People’s Problems by Kevin Kwan
Love this trilogy! I read the ebooks and my father liked Crazy Rich Asians so I bought the physical books to make it easier for him to read. I haven’t watched the movie. I probably will when they show it on HBO. I still haven’t gotten the hang of the Netflix and chill thing because slow ass internet is anything but chill.
Review here
ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):
Leo Loves Aries by Anyta Sunday
This kept me up until 6 AM, good thing it was a Saturday. This is also another book I was glad I gave a chance. I thought it would a boring relationship-centric contemporary but holy heck, what a delicious memorable slow burn dance it was!
RTC
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MANGA: Blue! Blue! Blue!
Blue! Blue! Blue! – Amamiya
When Takiya Kippei, the brother of two older sisters, realises that he desperately needs money to buy a birthday present for his lover, he decides to live and work onsite at a ryokan (a traditional japanese inn). There, he meets the well-educated Honjou Masumi, a man who is neither too strict nor too lenient, and who has a charm which embodies the word “mature”. “This is the first time I’ve met someone like Honjou-san” – as Takiya continues working at the ryokan, he starts to become interested in Honjou!
OMG! Beautiful art, beautiful story. So soft and subtle.
(source: http://www.mangago.me)
