Fairy Cube: Vol. 3

by Kaori Yuki

Synopsis
Ian and Rin used to just see spirits. Now Ian is one. Using the Fairy Cube, Ian must figure out how to stop the lizard-spirit Tokage from taking over his life and destroying any chance he has of resurrection.

The Last Wing
Will Ian save Rin? Can he stop Tokage? Ian only has one chance left to get his life back!

Review
This is a pretty good series. It ends well and is a good read. There's nothing annoying or cliche about it, but there's also nothing spectacular about it.

The basics of this final volume is that the fairy god wants to recreate Faerie on earth, and to be resurrected, and he doesn't care who he kills or uses to get what he wants. Some of the minor players like Shira, the daughter of the president of the Gotoh Group, and Kaito, the mysterious man who helped Ian get his revenge, all have their own motives as well. The best part, though, is finding out what really happened to Ian and Tokage's mother, why she abandoned Tokage, and why she disappeared. It ends about how I expected, and was acceptable.

There's also a bonus story called Psycho Knocker, that actually is a side-story to this manga. It chronicles what Isaiah (you'll know who he is by the end of the main story) and Raven have been doing since the end of the story. It's pretty interesting, and I think it was a good inclusion and was well done. I'm glad it's not a regular series, because it would have too easily become a monster-of-the-week story.

Final thought: A good series that's worth reading, but not good enough to own.

Wish: Vol. 1

by Clamp

Synopsis
One moonlit night, Shuichiro saved an angel stuck in a tree. The angel granted him a wish to repay his generosity. Shuichiro said, "I need no wish, I can get what I want on my own." But they both soon learn that some wishes can't be fulfilled alone.

Review
It took me a couple tries to get through this. At first, it just seemed like a goofy comedy, complete with cliche, ditzy hero(ine). But after you get through a few chapters, the real meat of the story comes into play. Basically, it uses the whole heaven/earth/hell with angels/humans/devils motif that's been used before. The angel Kohaku gets saved by Shuichiro, and wants to give him his reward, but he doesn't need one, so she stays with him until he decides what he wants. I say "she" but, the footnotes tell me that angels and devils have no gender, so they call angels she, and devils he. Anyway, goofiness follows ditzy Kohaku, who keeps complaining that she can't do anything right.

The real story comes into play when we learn that Kohaku's real mission is to find a AWOL angel, Madam Hisui, the master angel of wind. It took long enough to get to that point. This volume might have caught my attention faster if it hadn't. Anyway, the rest of the volume involves finding her, and finding out the reason she went missing. It's interesting enough, but not unheard of, and I suspected something like that. One question I have is how do genderless angels, well, make love? Maybe I don't want to know.

One thing that was really annoying was the use of slang language. I mean like, gag me with a spoon. I really hate when they try to make people sound "hip," because usually it comes out forced and lame. Also, someone needed to proofread this volume, because some words had the last letter relegated to the next line due to lack of space in whatever editing program they used.

Still, it's interesting, and though I've heard it called shounen-ai (which I don't care for), I fail to see how it can be, since neither angels nor devils are male.

Final thought: I'll check out the next volume.

From Far Away: Vol. 13

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis
After a terrorist bomb catapults her into an alternate universe full of magic and mystery, teenage Noriko finds herself the central figure in a political power struggle over a dark prophecy she's destined to fulfill, turn the man she loves into a monster that could ultimately destroy the world.

When Rachef and Tazasheena kidnap Noriko, Izark is forced to face the fact that the only way to saver her may be to do exactly what they've been trying to avoid: fulfill the prophecy of The Awakening.

Will Clairgeeta's wistful hope that the Sky Demon may not be evil turn out to be true after all? Or is this the end of Izark as we know him?

With their enemies lying in wait just beyond the city walls, and Noriko close to death, Izark may not have time to figure it all out before it's too late!

Review
Some really interesting things happen in this volume. First, Rachef kidnaps Noriko, but doesn't kill her right away, like they were planning to do. Tazasheena is the smart one, wondering why he doesn't, but apparently, he doesn't take criticism well, and slaps her. Then, in a move that shows that he didn't read The Evil Overlord's Handbook, he starts saying odd things like he wants her power, and he becomes angry when she rejects him. This is interesting because in an earlier volume, he mused about what made her so powerful, that it changed Izark in a moment when she arrived. I thought, "well, that sounds like something someone who had never been in love would say." Well, of course, he has no idea what love is, he thinks that she actually has some ability, and didn't seem like he could understand when Noriko said what she had for Izark was love.

Of course, I couldn't stop myself from thinking that perhaps this was just the characters acting stupid so that the heroine could win, but that is very uncharacteristic for this author. She seems to think about events ahead of time, and I think she used this opportunity to show us more about the Rachef character. Namely, how he was rejected by his mother, so he hates for people to reject him, and he wants to rule the world so that he won't feel like something is missing from his life. Apparently if he controls everything, nothing will be missing in his life. I can't help but think there is some flaw in this, but I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.

The rest of the volume is Noriko escaping, because Tazasheena foolishly offered her the teleportation chimos, then she makes it back, but the teleporting took a lot out of her. Finally, Rachef and others make their move, so Izark decides to end it before they can hurt Noriko. We'll see how it turns out in the next book!

Final thought: I have to read the next book!

Platinum Garden: Vol. 7

by Maki Fujita

Synopsis
Marriages ought to be based on trust and understanding, but lately Kazura's engagement seems to be nothing but secrets and mysteries. First, Shintaro Aguri, a substitute teacher who is really a member of the Magahara family, challenges her to find a former classmate's mysterious parting gift or else break up with Mizuki. Then Mizuki performs a soul return on a friend's husband, leaving Mizuki in the hospital, exhausted and wracked by fits, and poor Kazura (is) clueless as to why!


Review
Marriage. Ha, don't make me laugh. We won't see any marriage in this manga.

Well, apparently there's a woman who can see the future in the Magahara family. Fine, whatever. She thinks that Kazura and Mizuki should break up because of an unhappy future. Kazura bravely asks to see what it is, and she shows her. Unfortunately, the audience is not worthy of seeing what this horrible future is, probably so Fujita can keep us in the dark, and drag out her story. Seriously, what the hell? I was expecting to find out what the horrible future was, and was really disappointed that I didn't get to. I always worry, because things that are kept secret like this end up being not as bad as imagined. In other words, what you can make up in your imagination from not knowing is worse than reality. Meaning, a huge disappointment in the end, when it all comes to light.

Then there's the end, where we actually see Mizuki perform a soul return. He says that he did this to punish himself, because he's not worthy of Kazura and her kindness. Because, the author has totally established this beforehand, so it doesn't feel like it comes out of left field. Right, whatever. Oh, and right before that, he says he has to tell her how he feels about her, before it's too late. But you know what happens!? Everything gets interrupted and he never says it. Cliche.

I don't know about this series. I'm disappointed by this volume. Too much humor, not enough development. Lately, I've realized that I've had my own ideas about where this manga should have gone, and that I like my idea better than hers. I think it should have been a real romance, where the characters were initially opposed to the arrangement, but as they got to know each other, they realized that they like each other. Everything about the family could have remained exactly the same, with people trying to drive them apart, and having supernatural powers. Except it would be the two of them, a united front, against the world. Well, what a shame.

Final thought: Do I care? I don't think so.

Honey and Clover: Vol. 1

(aka Hachimitsu to Clover)
by Chica Umino

Synopsis
Takemoto, a sophomore art student in Tokyo, thinks his greatest worries in life are finding ways to eat more meat and getting to class on time. But with friends like his, life is never going to be that tame.

Review
It's hard to know what to say about this series. It's off-beat, high-energy, and weird. The main character lives in a studio apartment with some friends from school, and to be honest, they're all completely nuts. One works strange jobs for ungodly amounts of money, while the others are obsessed with getting enough meat to eat. What's sad is that these characters were introduced so quickly, I can't really remember their names and only vaguely remember how they look. Add in other characters with similar names, and dark hair, and I'm confused already. Then, a cute girl named Hagumi is introduced, and a couple of characters have a crush on her, and it gets even weirder. The odd jobs guy worships Hagu like a Koropokkur (an Ainu fairy) and tries to take pictures of her carrying leaves, sitting on toadstools and even taking plaster casts of her feet. It hardly makes sense.

But as the book goes on, things start seeming a little more normal as more is explained about some characters, like the pressure Hagumi is under to perform with her art, and Mayama's (I think) ex-girlfriend Yamada is still pining for him while he's interested in another woman that he's been asked to help. It's hard to say where it might go, it has the threads of different stories that will hopefully lead somewhere. It was hard to get into at first, because it's so weird, and that's not really my style at all. I guess I'll have to check out more to see if it lives up to what it promises.

Final thought: I'll check out the next book.

Red River: Vol. 6

by Chie Shinohara

Synopsis
Yuri, a modern-day teen, is trapped in the palace of an ancient Prince of Darkness! She waits there for Prince Kail, her savior and the only one who can send her back to modern-day Japan. While Yuri attends to the prisoners taken by the Dark Prince's armies, hoping they can rise up and fight again, Prince Kail and his brother Zannanza, journey into enemy territory. If they misstep, the consequences will be great -- for both the future of the Hittite empire and Yuri and Kail's relationship!


Review
Once again, Yuri shows some remarkable strength of character in this volume. She tends to the prisoners of war, and those who've been injured and are taken to the infamous "house of rest," where people go when sick, but eventually die. She improves the conditions, so it's more like a hospital. I really respect this aspect of her character, and if it weren't for her being such a ditz when it comes to love, I'd like her a lot more.

Kail continues his remarkably fast campaigns, all in an effort to get Yuri home. Although it's not shown very well, a lot of time passes in this volume, at least five months are spent in the Prince of Darkness's seraglio, and another four after being captured by him, thus bringing us to almost a year since Yuri was brought to Hattusa. Somehow, Kail and Yuri still love each other, yet they continue to speak of her going back to Japan. Even other people are beginning to comment on what a perfect queen Yuri would make, and suggest that Kail should keep Yuri rather than sending her home, but he falls back on the excuse of his promise, rather than reanalyzing the situation and making the logical choice. And, if it were me, I'd be thinking: why would I want to go back home anyway? At home, everything is boring and I'm unimportant. I'd rather stay where I am treated like a goddess, have anything I want, and am loved by a good man. But, you know, I'm pragmatic and logical. I'm not an author trying to artificially prolong my story, and contriving to keep conflicts going so that the story happens on my schedule, not at its natural pacing.

Later in the story the Prince of Darkness is holed up in a stronghold trying to stave off the inevitable. For some reason, he decided to take Yuri with him, despite not having any interest in her these past months. And of course, he only decides to make his move on her right at the point in the story where he has a chance at being interrupted, instead of three months before. It's too bad that the "conflict" has to be so transparent. I still wonder why Yuri's virginity is so damn important. Is it just to create more conflict, without the risk of anything bad happening to Yuri? At that point, it becomes cheap, and the audience figures out that nothing will happen anyway.

The story is still interesting, and the Prince of Darkness has been developed a bit, explaining why he's such a misogynist, even if it is a hasty generalization.

Final thought: I'll keep reading.

The Key to the Kingdom: Vol. 3

by Kyoko Shitou

Synopsis
The competitors search for "The Invisible Tower," and elusive location containing an important clue about the quest. A new competitor enters the ring: Fairheart, a man who is seemingly impervious to the flames of the Dragon Men. He welcomes Prince Asta and his protector Badd to his castle. There he shares with Asta his knowledge of a family secret he learned from Asta's father -- the late King of Landor -- just before he died.

Review
Well, all I can say is there is a lot more going on here than the story is letting on. Of course, new evidence right at the end of the volume (before the side story anyway), changes everything about some characters, and has me questioning everything they said and did before. This story is very interesting, and is far deeper than the succession worries that it started out as.

Unfortunately, just as the story was getting interesting, it ended, and there was a side story in what should have been another chapter's place. I didn't mind the side story, and it was very interesting in it's own right (and made me feel bad that Prince Winslott had to die, he seemed very nice), but I wanted to know more about what was going on! Now I have to read the next book.

I like how the characters are developing, too. Asta is becoming more mature and responsible, which I like. Lettie, is showing herself to be a bit power-hungry, to fulfill her dreams, which seem rather childish, to me. However, this would make sense because she is a child. I hope she gets more developed, and is shown that blindly and heedlessly pursuing your dreams can be harmful to yourself and others.

I really like this series, but I hope it doesn't let me down like other series I've gotten my hopes up over.

Final thought: I have to read the next book!

Emma: Vol. 3

by Kaoru Mori

Synopsis
On the train back to her hometown, Emma meets Tasha, a maid working at a wealthy family's mansion in the country. This fateful encounter leads to Emma finding employment with the family as well. But despite her years of experience as a maid for Mrs. Stownar, living in a mansion filled with servants is something for which she is not prepared.

Review
It's an intriguing series. It's nice to follow the deliberate pacing and orderly panels. The story is slow, but keeps your interest. In this volume, Emma happens to find new work with a recently transplanted German family. It's a new and confusing experience for her. One really odd thing was they mentioned that she didn't have a reference. If you don't know, not having a reference at that time was like a death sentence; you'd never find work. Sure, it's glossed over with the family really needs the help, but it's completely unrealistic. Plus, it shows that Mrs. Stownar didn't care about what happened to Emma after she died. Would it really have been that hard for her to write one? I don't even know why this is here, it would have been easier and made more sense, and worked out the way the author wanted, if Emma just had a reference.

Meanwhile, William is acting strangely, taking an interest in work, going to parties, and seeing Eleanor more often. He reveals that this is because Emma is gone, so he's just going to live how his father thinks he should. If that's what he thinks he should do, that's fine, but he should be ready to accept the consequences. Also, it strikes me as "cutting off your nose to spite your face." You only hurt yourself.

I'd vaguely hoped that since she'd moved away, perhaps Emma and William wouldn't get together and that she'd move on, but the fact that he's still shown, and she misses him (sniff, sniff) leads me to think that won't happen. Too bad, it might have been interesting.

Also, the astute reader will notice that William's mother is shown in this volume. I wonder what her story is.

Final thought: I'll keep reading.

From Far Away: Vol. 12

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis
After a terrorist bomb catapults her into an alternate universe full of magic and mystery, teenage Noriko finds herself the central figure in a political power struggle over a dark prophecy she's destined to fulfill, turn the man she loves into a monster that could ultimately destroy the world.

With the evil Brunei brothers hot on their trail, Noriko and her doomed warrior Izark follow Clairgeeta to the rebel enclave in the fortified city of Ennamarna. But the reunion with old friends is quickly interrupted. Corrupt local officials plan to oust the fugitives and turn the walled city into an enemy miliarty base.

While Noriko and Izark once again use their power to save their friends from the greedy government, their enemies in Rienka are joining forces, mixing up new magic that they hope will bring the prophecy that much closer to coming true.

Review
After the big build-up with the brothers, they were dispatched rather anti-climatically. The rest of the volume consists of the group trying to get to their friends that they split apart from in Ennamarna. In fact, this volume is really just a build-up to the end, as the final battle will be fought very soon. All the pieces move into place.

The insight that Clairgeeta offers is useful. He confirms the idea that the sky demon could be used for good, and that the city of Ennamarna may have more information about the world of light. He also said that good and evil is internal, and whichever the person chooses is the one that will manifest.

Final thought: I can't wait to see what happens!

Mars: Vol. 4

by Fuyumi Soryo

Synopsis
Just when things are beginning to heat up between Kira and Rei, Rei's old girlfriend shows up and confesses that she never stopped loving him. When Rei tells her not to come around again, she walks into traffic and Rei is forced to rescue her. His act of heroism only intensifies her obsession, and soon the exiled ex refuses to get out of bed or eat until Rei agrees to see her. When Kira tries to give him some girlfriendly advice on the matter, Rei lashes out at her and reduces her to tears. Emotions continue to escalate until the anniversary of Sei's death, when repressed memories are unearthed and hidden secrets revealed.

Review
This volume kinda reads like a soap opera, with the introduction of the ex-girlfriend, Shiori, who tries to wedge her way in where she doesn't belong. On top of that, she's not that nice, or actually, she plays nice to get what she wants. She's very selfish and spoiled, probably so that the readers won't like her at all. But she does have her own motivations, too, and she doesn't feel introduced just so that Kira and Rei's relationship will stop developing, she feels like a natural addition to the story. One thing that I really appreciated was how easily Rei saw through her. There was potential for him to be an idiot and think that she was genuine, but fortunately, the characters are smarter than that.

What else is interesting is everyone has their own idea for why Sei committed suicide. Rei says it was teenage impulsiveness, while a friend says it was because Rei stole Shiori from Sei. At the end of the volume, Rei says he remembers the real reason, because their father wasn't their father. But we'll have to wait until the next volume to find out more, because it ends there.

This is a really good series. It's interesting without having to contrive conflicts, and the characters are believable.

Final thought: I have to read the next book!

From Far Away: Vol. 11

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis

After a terrorist bomb catapults her into an alternate universe full of magic and mystery, teenage Noriko finds herself the central figure in a political power struggle over a dark prophecy she's destined to fulfill, turn the man she loves into a monster that could ultimately destroy the world.

Hiding from their dark fate in yet another backwater town, Noriko and Izark cross paths with a formidable new foe: Hydran, a corrupt politician with ties to some of their worst enemies. When they discover that Hydran is set to assassinate a potentially powerful ally, our bad of outcasts plans a dangerous mission to spring their fellow fugitive.

All the while, Noriko and Izark must deal with their growing attraction to each other -- and the realization that the closer they become, the closer they are to destroying both themselves and everyone they know!

Review
Another volume where a few small things happen, but nothing extraordinary. Their main enemies are still looking for them, while Noriko and Izark are finding allies in unusual places. This ally believes in the idea that the prophecy has been misinterpreted, and that the sky demon can be used for good. This is what convinces them to rescue him from an imminent execution. Their plan works, but their current enemy won't give him up, and send some freakish inhuman brothers to stop them.

Izark and Noriko have really come to depend on each other, and they seem very close at this point. They are both terrified about losing the other, which is understandable. That's what happens when you're in love. Noriko really has changed Izark, though. In the beginning of the series, he had one expression: serious. But now, he's still serious, but he often smiles, looks worried or sad, and he jokes often with Noriko. It's great to see character development in him, too.

Final thought: I'm almost to the end!

Red River: Vol. 5

by Chie Shinohara

Synopsis
Ancient Hittite royal Prince Kail and modern teen Yuri continue to battle to save Kail's kingdom and to be with one another! The two journey to the city of Malatia to prepare for battle with the enemies armies. Yuri plots to foil the plans of the Prince of Darkness. If her attempt fails and she becomes a prisoner of the evil prince, she may have to surrender her relationship with Kail -- and her way back to modern-day Japan!

Review
The story is interesting at least, although sometimes I wish the characters were smarter. The war with the Mittani continues as Kail and the Prince of Darkness keep trying to outsmart each other.

As a romance, though, it's mediocre. Though I wouldn't have said that the first time I read it, simply because I didn't know better and have knowledge of future events. Yuri keeps trying to avoid Kail's advances, because she's not ready, which is fine, except she doesn't have the courage to tell him that. Did it not occur to her that if she did, he'd stop chasing her? I have problems with this because later on in this book, she's very strong and says what's on her mind to an enemy, so why not Kail?

So then, foolishly chasing the MacGuffin-ish Dragon's Eye (which controls people's minds) Yuri gets captured by the Mitanni. What's strange about the Dragon's Eye is it disappears and is never heard about again. Ever. After this and that, the Prince of Darkness finds her and puts her in his seraglio (harem), thereby showing the Mitanni that Ishtar supports them now, and to send a message to Kail. Of course, Yuri is horrified by this, as she's worried that if Kail thinks the Prince of Darkness has slept with her, he won't want her anymore. It seems obvious to me how ridiculous this is. What, no man has ever accepted his lover back after she's been raped? Really, now. And if he doesn't, doesn't that tell you what kind of loser he is? But fortunately for Yuri's purity, the Prince of Darkness has no interest in her sexually. How convenient.

One part that I did like was how Yuri won her life back. The Prince of Darkness was going to kill her, but she won a bet with him, by escaping from the pit and the lion where she was going to be killed. It's fascinating to watch, and makes you think that maybe she really is a goddess. She then acts calm and confident when she asks for better treatment for slaves, rather than to leave. I really like strong characters like this, but I wonder why she can't be this way all the time? What's the difference in being confident with the Prince of Darkness or Kail? It's weird, to say the least.

Final thought: I'll read the next volume.

Tail of the Moon: Vol. 4

by Rinko Ueda

Synopsis
Usagi is the granddaughter of the leader of prestigious ninja village, but she's such a klutz that she's never made it out of the kiddie class. Frustrated with Usagi's lack of progress, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and have lots of ninja babies. But the lord has no interest in her or her childbearing potential!

Usagi will remain in Ieyasu's household forever, apart from her beloved Hanzo, unless she can come up with and elixir of eternal youth. Usagi journeys to a mountain to find a hermit who supposedly knows how to create such an elixir, but he has no intention of sharing his knowledge with her. Even if Usagi is successful, there are others who don't want to see her free to return to Hanzo's arms.

Review
There's really nothing wrong with this volume, but the story keeps playing out naturally, and it doesn't feel forced or artificial.

Usagi still has her goal of reuniting with Hanzo, and fortunately, she does in this book. It was interesting how the elixir of eternal youth arc played out. She actually did get ahold of it, but Yuki burned it out of jealousy. But in the end, it was for the best, as the hermit explains how difficult living forever really is. One sees all their beloved family members and friends die. That and no one can succeed you if you don't relinquish your position. So, somehow Usagi manages to convince Tokugawa that he doesn't need it either, and it's more important to focus on the next generations. This has the effect of motivating Tokugawa to unite Japan, which is cute if you know anything about Japanese history.

One hilarious part was when Usagi was imagining how she might make babies with Hanzo, and she got a nosebleed. (If you don't know, it means lust.) I thought it was rather refreshing that the woman would feel that way for once, as it's usually men who do.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Fairy Cube: Vol. 2

by Kaori Yuki

Synopsis
Ian and Rin used to just see spirits. Now Ian is one. Using the Fairy Cube, Ian must figure out how to stop the lizard-spirit Tokage from taking over his life and destroying any chance he has of resurrection.

Crown of Thorns
Tokage has troubles of his own when he gets involved with the Gotoh Group, conspiratorial fairies aiming at world domination.


Review
This is really a very fascinating manga. There's nothing wrong with it, very little that bothers me, and it continues to be interesting. I especially love the use of Celtic mythology that gives it a more authentic flavor. It's interesting that some characters, whose purpose was unknown become more developed. I'd actually like to see more of that, more about fairy characters and what life is like in the fairy world. But I probably won't, because that would shift the focus of the story too much.

There is just one little thing that bothers me, and that is the author's layouts. Sometimes things happen, and it doesn't flow in my mind, so I have to stop and re-read, to make sure I understand. Sometimes, I think if the author would show just a little bit more, I wouldn't get so confused.

Final thought: I'll read the next volume.

Platinum Garden: Vol. 6

by Maki Fujita

Synopsis
Old scars bear new wounds in Maki Fujita's shojo masterpiece... Kazura travels to the Magahara estate looking for answers, but instead finds herself an unwitting guest at an elaborate party! With Mizuki off training with the judo club and Shizuku disposed by doddering old relatives, Kazura's rescue from the taunting Magahara family members will come from the least likely of people -- Mizuki's sister, who has a grudge against Mizuki!

Review
All right, I've come to a decision about this series. It is not a romance. I will not see it as a romance, expect romance from it, or hope for romance anymore. It's just a story about a girl promised to a certain person, and she uses her spunk and sassiness to improve others' lives. Maybe now I can stop being disappointed about the lack of development of Kazura and Mizuki. I suppose they will always remain the way they have since volume one: silently caring about each other, but outwardly hostile.

This volume introduces more characters for Kazura to help: Mizuki's half-sister, Akari. She was supposed to be in Mizuki's place, apparently, but was unexpectedly deposed. Really, a lot about this family has been revealed: their odd powers, their dependence of the head to keep them alive, and now that these "soul returns" use up the user's life energy. They're a formidable force for Kazura to have to deal with, and I think her brashness is refreshing, considering how uptight the Magahara family is. This series continues to be interesting, despite the lack of romance, and I'm really curious about what more secrets we'll find out about this family.

Final thought: I'll keep reading.

From Far Away: Vol. 10

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis
After a terrorist bomb catapults her into an alternate universe full of magic and mystery, teenage Noriko finds herself the central figure in a political power struggle over a dark prophecy she's destined to fulfill, turn the man she loves into a monster that could ultimately destroy the world.

Noriko and Izark are hiding out in the quiet rural region of Aibisk. But their retreat is short-lived as they are soon stalked by both bounty hunters and a powerful new enemy.

As their feelings for each other grow, Noriko must seriously contemplate her fate. Will she end up destroying the warrior she has grown to love?

Review
This series continues to be good and interesting. This volume is another bridge volume, where a lot of small things happen, but nothing momentous. The "evil" is growing stronger, and it seems to be able to influence people, and make them disagreeable, more apt to get angry, fight over small things, thus leading to wars, and evil people coming to power.

There was also some information about the light that Noriko's friends saw when Izark transformed the last time. They said that that light was their only hope against the growing darkness. This is interesting, as it's supposed to be Izark who destroys the world, yet he can save it, too? I guess we'll see.

Final thought: I have to finish this series!

Sensual Phrase: Vol. 2

by Mayu Shinjo

Synopsis
Working side-by-side on the set of Lucifer's brand-new music video, singer Sakuya and lyricist Aine discover they can no long deny their sexual attraction to one another.

But before sparks turn to flames between the two songbirds, the president of Lucifer's record company decides he wants a pieces of pretty Aine for himself. If she doesn't succumb to his desires, he's vowed to sabotage Lucifer's hit-making future!

Aine is forced to make a difficult decision. Does she rebuff her new suitor, or does she sacrifice herself for the love of Sakuya? Things get even more twisted when she discovers the president of Metro Records is, in fact, the half-brother of the man she loves!

Review
Well, one thing I'll say about Shinjo, she doesn't really prolong things unnecessarily. Maybe that's because she realizes she's writing mature material, not playing around with little teenage girls who aren't supposed to read naughty things anyway. I mean, she does tease a little, but then gets to the point, if you know what I mean. Of course, this does have the problem of eliminating the sexual tension, so how else is she supposed to keep the reader interested? The answer to that is to make a soap opera-like story, including highly improbable events that constantly happen. In this volume, it's the rich half-brother of Sakuya, who's bent on destroying Lucifer for some reason that's not really explained. I suppose that he's supposed to be like his father: he takes what he wants without asking.

I don't usually like soap operas, because their stories get out of hand and become so ridiculous that they're unbelievable, and I can no longer relate or remain interested in the story. So, while I don't mind the story yet, I guess we'll see how long I can stand it.

Fortunately, there isn't much of the music part of the story in this volume, so I didn't have to be bored or skip over parts. The author puts bios in, though, which I guess if you're interested in that kind of thing, you'll love it, but as for me, I thought it got in the way. Also, I wonder if the author should be showing you some of these things in the story, rather than telling you as an aside. Oh well.

Final thought: I'll read the next book.

Dokebi Bride: Vol. 6

by Marley

Synopsis
Alone and abandoned, Sunbi flees Seoul for the coast in an attempt to reconnect with her past. When she accidentally leaves the train at the wrong stop, she finds herself stranded in a tiny rural village where she encounters a woman full of resentment toward her elderly and decrepit mother. Still plagued by vague, haunting memories of her own mother, Sunbi must find a way to free the woman from the past that torments her -- and, in doing so, comes face-to-face with her own demons? Meanwhile, Sunbi's dokebi "husband" Gwangsoo searches for his beloved everywhere, so desperate that he even agrees to join forces with a mysterious stranger who also claims to be Sunbi's groom! Their hunt culminates in a supernatural reunion that raises even more questions about our heroine and her fateful destiny.

Review
I still don't know where this is going. Apparently Sunbi has some sort of destiny, which might explain why she can see supernatural spirits, and has been tormented by them her whole life. But then comes this interloper. I'm sure the author doesn't see him that way, but I sure do. He was introduced in the last volume, and now has some sort of connection with Sunbi. I don't know what to make of him, as he feels like he was "deus ex machina-ed" in, since there's been no previous mention of him, especially if he's supposed to be important. I call him an interloper because I see him getting in the way of Sunbi and Gwangsoo's relationship (call me strange, but I prefer him). I don't really have enough information right now, so I guess we'll see where this goes.

The rest of the volume contains the story of the troubled woman and her mute, hunchbacked mother. It's an interesting story, and pretty sad, but I don't know what it had to do with Sunbi as she was just a bystander.

Final thought: I'll keep reading.

Kare Kano: Vol. 1

(aka Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou)
by Masami Tsuda

Synopsis
Yukino Miyazawa has it all -- perfect grades, looks, the admiration of her peers. She's the #1 student at her school... at least she was until he showed up. The new boy, Souichirou Arima, one-ups her in every department. And the worst thing about it is that he's sincere! With her ego in jeopardy, Yukino will do whatever it takes to regain the spotlight, but falling in love was never part of the plan.

Review
This is another series where the anime is pretty popular compared to the manga. I checked it out because the anime didn't end well. In any case, I'd say this manga has been "relegated to obscurity" if not completely obscured.

I really like this manga for its straightforwardness. It shows the characters clearly, tells you exactly what's going on, and the development happens naturally, even rather quickly, at least, more quickly than it would normally happen in a manga. It's fascinating to watch Miyazawa, who begins a chapter one way, and simply because of Arima, ends up completely changed not two chapters later. Arima, too, seems one way at the beginning, but when we see his chapter, he ends up changed and developed too. Actually, I'm surprised the author could make a series out of this. I personally think that three chapters was sufficient for what she was trying to achieve.

It's pretty dialog and thought heavy, which is not something I mind at all, but it means that the author does a lot of telling, rather than showing, but sometimes, showing the change in one's thinking isn't "showable."

This series isn't bad, I'm just not sure where else it might go.

Final thought: I'll read the next volume.

The Key to the Kingdom: Vol. 2

by Kyoko Shitou

Synopsis
A shadow falls across the quest for the legendary "Key" when a mystic prophesies that anyone who seeks it will be slain by a Dragon Man. Prince Asta and his ally Badd arrive in a town at the same time as Gaius, the heart-eating Dragon Man. Is he an ally or the one foretold in the prophecy? Then a feverish Asta has a dream in which the origin of the struggle for power at the heart of the "Key" is revealed.

Review
This is a surprisingly good series. I didn't think much of it at first, but the way the story just flows naturally, interesting things happen, and characters develop. The main character, Asta, is clearly at the point in his life where he begins to figure out what kind of person he wants to be, and is dissatisfied with how he is now. Although, perhaps this search for the key isn't progressing quite as quickly as I would like, but I figure they'll get around to it, and the story is interesting enough that I'm not really worried about it at all. And yet, I'm not really sure what's all that interesting. There's a lot of intrigue with this Dragon Man, Gaius, and hinting that another Dragon Man is out to kill those searching for the key, and why the key is cursed, and so forth. Not much really happens in this volume, and yet it's interesting all the same.

I didn't really talk about the art style before, but it is gorgeous. It's looks old-school (and I love old-school), but it's really only a few years old. I usually don't like to talk about art because people can't always help their "style." But it is a treat to look at this manga.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.