Red River: Vol. 3

by Chie Shinohara

Synopsis
Yuri, a twentieth-century teen trapped in an ancient Hittite empire, learns the secrets of the Iron Age as her quest to return to her own time continues. Her protector, the dashing Prince Kail, finds out that war with a neighboring kingdom is emminent. At the dawn of war, Yuri and Kail express their growning feelings for one another. The romantic adventure intensifies as Yuri's relationship with Prince Kail (and her chastity) is threatened by an unexpected interloper -- the prince's own half brother!


Review
This is really a bridge book. One arc ends, while another begins. Yuri finally wins over Tito's murderer, as unlikely as that is, with her weapon of choice -- an iron dagger. One must remember that these people are still in the bronze age, so iron was not understood very well. This further cements her in people's minds, because only the goddess would have picked a worthless-looking, rusty dagger. Wait a sec, if it was rusty, doesn't that mean that it's brittle and weak? I mean, I'm no chemist, but I thought rust was bad for swords. And the way she did it -- breaking bricks with that sword. Absolutely ridiculous. But anyway, now she's a hero, and Tito's family: his three sisters and father, promise to give their secret of iron-making only to her.

So there's an upcoming war with the Mitanni, and the Hittite King orders iron weapons to be made. Sure, this sounds nice, like they'll have a definite victory, but Yuri never tries to use this power to ensure her or Kail's position. It's called being proactive, and they could have used the leverage here, oh well.

Finally, Kail's half-brother, Zannanza shows up, and takes an instant liking to Yuri. Of course, the queen uses this to her advantage and controls his mind so that he'll kidnap her and "have his way with her." I'm just surprised, as always, that the characters are never as vigilant as they could be. I figured the whole water trick would be common knowledge by now, but no.

Anyway, as a volume, I thought this one was weak. The climax of the last arc should have been more exciting, but I thought it was anti-climatic. The start of the next arc is so-so so far, so I guess we'll see.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

From Far Away: Vol. 3

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis
With each passing day, Noriko discovers more and more about the strange and chimerical world she now calls home. And the more she learns... the more frightened she gets!

Everyone around her is talking about an ancient prophecy and the awakening that will usher in a new epoch. To some, this foretold era is fraught with uncertainty and danger. To these people, the power of the awakening must be eliminated.

Ever so slowly, Noriko starts to realize that she, somehow, embodies the gift of the awakening. With the help of a valiant hero named Izark, the young teenager has thus far eluded the attention of those who wish to destroy her. But secrets are hard to keep... and with one misspoken word, Noriko could seal her very own death!

Review
Again, the book builds up to something, but I don't know what. It doesn't help that about a third of it is taken up with some other included story, so we're cheated a chapter or two.

Anyway, Izark has finally decided to leave Noriko behind, in the care of a friend of his. This parting is very emotional, especially for her. In previous volumes, Izark has ruminated over what he should do with Noriko. I suppose what made him change his mind is that she accidentally talked about meeting him in the "sea of trees" with some strangers. Fortunately, they didn't figure out what she meant, but since she's learning how to speak better, she's becoming more of a liability.

Noriko takes this all in stride and does her best to move on. She hears about the prophecies of the Awakening and the Sky Demon, and realizes that she may be the awakening, but then reassures herself that she can't be, because she doesn't know any sky demon.

There's more politics in the volume, something that I wish I was more interested in, but the people that Noriko is staying with are being chased by "bad people" (meaning I don't know why they're bad other than they are), and Noriko is left alone again. Meanwhile, Izark gets swept up in some fighting thing against his will, so he can't come to Noriko's aid, even when she calls him telepathically.

Where this volume ends is really frustrating, because I turned the page expecting more, and I get some other story that I don't care about. I never know what to make of these tacked on things, as sometimes they are filler, and other times, more like an advertisement for another story. I usually don't read them, intending to go back later, but I usually forget.

Anyway, I'm dying to read the next book, to find out what happens to Izark and Noriko.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

100% Perfect Girl: Vol. 2

by Wann

Synopsis
Who can resist a king's proposal? Not even headstrong Jay Jin, try as she might. So after High School, it's off to the Kingdom of Roinne with her fiance, Jarte. But will she survive life as Queen-in-waiting? Can she persue her art studies or make friends from behind a wall of bodyguards? How will she deal with Jarte's tragic past, and the jealousy of every girl in the kingdom? And how long will Jarte wait for her love to bloom before he takes what he wants by force? Beware, Jay Jin, is that sudden flash from the camera of some reporter, or the pistol of an assassin?

Review
Well, I think this story gets more and more foolish as time goes on. I can forgive a lot of strange things, like how obsessive Jarte is, or how rude he is under the guise of caring about her safety. These kinds of things are typical for romance stories. But what really gets me -- and I should know better -- is that there is always some sort of contrived interruption in the characters' relationship. I mean, things are going along well enough, and then at the end, something awful has to happen (we actually find out what in the next volume). In this case, it's kidnapping. Not that I don't doubt it could happen, but geez, how cliche. Gotta find some reason to stop the relationship, because otherwise, they'll get close enough to have sex, and then we'll lose all the sexual tension! Oh no!

As far as other parts of it go, it's ok. Jay tries to figure out her life as royalty, and finds out how suffocating that can be. At least Jarte's reluctance to fall in love is explained (his mother was kidnapped and killed), and it seems pretty reasonable. Jay is still boring and uninteresting, so I still don't know what he sees in her. The two are getting closer to each other, and it's fun to watch. What's not fun is how Jay keeps pushing Jarte away physically. They joke and laugh about it, and play it down, but it doesn't seem realistic to me at all. Don't women have a sexual drive, too? She always seems to be able to keep a cool head, and not let him get too close. That only seems like it would be that easy if you had no sexual desire at all. Well, whatever, keep up the stereotype that men are animals, and women are frigid.

I don't know why I read the next volume. I guess blind hope that it would get better. Well, you'll see my opinion of that later.

Final thought: I read more, but I'd stop here if I knew what was good for me.

The Other Side of the Mirror: Vol. 2

by Jo Chen

Synopsis
After escaping the confines of New York City, Lou and Sunny start a new life in a small town. But just as things are looking up, the trauma of their pasts wiped clean, fate strikes again... and Lou may lose more than he thought possible.

From celebrated illustrator Jo Chen comes the conclusion to this poignant tale about two lost souls finding themselves -- and each other.

Review
The story only takes up about half of the book, so there's not much to write about, especially without spoiling it. But trouble follows the couple even in a small town, as the convenience store that Sunny works at is robbed. What follows is tragedy, finding out what you really live for, and what is the meaning of life. The ending made me think of Romeo and Juliet, in the way that it turns out, except it's not as tragic. This series is definitely worth reading, and the only problem I have is that I wish it was longer, and developed the characters' relationship more.

Final thought: I'm glad I read this. I wish there was more like it.

Dokebi Bride: Vol. 2

by Marley

Synopsis
With her grandmother gone, Sunbi experiences the twin pains of loss and loneliness as she learns about the eerie world of unseen demons, gods, and spirits all alone. Subjected to frightening and unceasing attacks by wandering stray demons who find her to be an ideal host, Sunbi discovers just how much her grandmother had shielded her from this dangerous hidden world. To survive, she must confront her greatest fear and traverse its terrible depths. What is Sunbi most afraid of? Has her grandmother forsaken her? Watch as she bravely fights against the sinister dokebis in Volume 2 of her strange world!

Review
Now the meat of the story begins. Without her grandmother, Sunbi is very lost. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Not only that, her new family is not very nice: her dad secretly is afraid of her, her step-sister thinks she's stuck-up, and her mother, well ... we don't see much of her. Her classmates don't like her either, because she sees spirits in school and responds to them, to which, they think she's crazy.

Really, we see just how vulnerable she is, as one possession goes horribly wrong, and I'll admit, I was worried about her for a moment. Fortunately, a buddhist monk is passing by and helps exorcise her, and explains to her why these odd spirits are attracted to her. She decides to take her life into her own hands, and find some kind of help. She hears about a nearby mountain that is rumored to have dokebis living there....

Really, this was kind of a sad volume, as I really felt for Sunbi, and I wondered who or what could help her. All I could do was follow along though. This story is really interesting, and the main character is strong, yet vulnerable. I really can identify with her. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next!

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Red River: Vol. 2

by Chie Shinohara

Synopsis
Yuri is a normal twentieth-century teen trapped in an ancient Middle-Eastern empire. In this volume, Yuri and Prince Kail return to the queen's palace to rescue Tito, but the queen will not let them in. Later, Tito's whereabouts are made shockingly clear. Yuri tries to get back to twentieth-century Japan, but the queen uses her magic to stop the attempt. Kail, in turn, fights back against the queen using his own magic. Will Yuri succeed in going home?

Review
Well, more irritation abounds. Yuri wanted to go home, but let herself be distracted by the queen's attackers at the crucial moment. Apparently she felt angry at Tito's murderer, which I understand, but she cares more about that than going home? Yeah, whatever. And of course, this was the last time they could try for a year, so darn, she just stuck there now. Also, the queen is obsessed with sacrificing Yuri now. Anyone who's read the Evil Overlord's Handbook should know that if anyone will do as the sacrifice, you shouldn't waste your time on one particular person. She should have just asked for another sacrifice, then sacrificed them, and yay -- her plans would have worked out. You'd think the author contrived things to work out this way, instead of having her characters act logically. The question is why? Could she not think of anything better? Sigh.

Regardless, I'm still entranced by this series, and I can't stop reading it. Yuri is now going to be known as Yuri Ishtar, her goddess name, as most think of her as a goddess after this point. (In fact, when they mentioned her Japanese last name in the first volume, I paused for a second.) It's a ploy, but well done, and I can only hope it serves them well in the future. She lives up to her name as the goddess of war, by turning the tide in an important battle, without really intending to. Of course, this is contrived, too, but at least it makes sense in terms of the story. Unfortunately, Tito's sisters, who misunderstand what happened to their brother, take their revenge, and kill Yuri. That is not a spoiler -- it can't be, there's 26 more books to go. Of course she's not dead. So it leaves us at another cliffhanger.

Kail and Yuri are starting to get a little bit closer at this point, but still not that much. Yuri is debating whether she likes him because he saved her or because of who he is. I do have to credit the author for making me think Kail was a playboy, when really, it's all a ruse to explain why he hasn't married anyone yet. Apparently, he might be King at some point, and his (future) wife would be a very powerful woman, so he'd better make the best choice he can, lest she be an evil woman like the current queen. The idea that he'd love only his wife, though, and not take any concubines... I'm not sure I buy that as it sounds too much like modern sentimentality. I don't doubt that a man could love only one woman, but to not have concubines when it was expected of you? Unlikely, especially back then.

Final thought: This series is interesting enough to obsessively collect continue.

Tail of the Moon: Vol. 2

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's mission to bear Hanzo's child is not going well. The father of her future babies has no interest in her, and she has a beautiful, brilliant rival. In order to regroup, Usagi goes back to her home village, arriving just in time for the annual Ninja Games -- and the prize is a love potion! In order to win the race, Usagi agrees to team up with her ex-fiance Goemon... and then Hanzo drops by the village unannounced! Who will win in this game of love?

Review
So much happens in this volume. Usagi wins the love potion, and rightly gives it to Hanzo, because she wants him to be happy, even if he gives it to princess Sara (technically, I think that should be lady Sara, because she's not a Princess). I was touched by how selfless she is (even though she thinks she's being selfish(!)), that she didn't secretly try to give it to Hanzo to make him fall in love with her. I won't spoil what happens, but this event seems to change Hanzo's mind about Usagi, and he rescinds his "I'm never getting married" mantra, and agrees to marry either Usagi or Yuki if they can qualify as ninja. I'm not really sure what changed his mind, though. Perhaps he began to notice Usagi's cheerfulness and resiliency and it touched him.

I shouldn't give too much away, but Usagi finally does get noticed for her herbalism skills, and is offered what is likely a prestigious position, even if she doesn't see it that way. All she can think about is how now she won't become a ninja, and therefore can't marry Hanzo. Again, I know she's single-minded about her goal, but I can't help but think that someone with herbalism skills, and someone who's close to Tokugawa Ieyasu, would be a great asset to a ninja, but Usagi just doesn't think that way. I guess that is one thing she doesn't have is confidence in herself. It would probably be hard at this point, considering she's been told she's stupid and a failure her whole life.

Still, I laughed a lot during this volume and want to see where it goes, and how Usagi's and Hanzo's relationship develops.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Mars: Vol. 2

by Fuyumi Soryo

Synopsis
Rei promised Kira that he would protect her from anything and everything, but he never knew how soon his chance would come. When a conniving classmate steals Kira's original painting, Rei quickly stands up for her, but his efforts are hardly rewarded. He gets kicked out of school, and now it looks like he might become a permanent dropout. Suddenly, "good girl" Kira finds herself in the middle of a bad situation. She'll need more than a little luck if she ever wants to rescue Rei and salvage her hopes for a future romance.

Review
There's really two things that happen in this volume. The first is Kurosawa, a fellow art student, steals Kira's mother and child painting, which he uses to win an art contest. Interestingly enough, Kira doesn't care about that, she cares that her painting was stolen, because now she can't give it to Rei like she promised. Rei, however, becomes much more upset, and beats up Kurosawa. I, personally, was furious that he stole the painting, and was quite gratified when Rei taught him a lesson. I would never do such a thing, but it's nice when a character can do what you can't. You sort of live vicariously though them. It's pretty scary too, how Rei can just do stuff like that. I've heard of soldiers sometimes turning the conscious part of their brain off so that they are able to kill people. I get the same feeling from Rei, and while it is scary, he's not really a sociopath. It's just that he's not worried about consequences, like the rest of us are. I wonder why.

The second thing is that Rei had an identical twin brother, Sei, who died. He's still really affected by it, by the way has these attacks whenever it affects him too much. Not much is really discussed about Sei in this volume, though.

Kira and Rei are definitely getting closer in this volume, they share their first kiss and such. Kira even skips school to check on Rei. I keep looking forward to what's going to happen with them.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

From Far Away: Vol. 2

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis
Transported into a fantastical world of high adventure, a confused and frightened teenager discovers she holds the key to a profound power borne of an age-old prophecy.

Scared and on the run, Noriko strikes up an alliance with a mysterious rogue swordsman named Izark. But now, weakened from a recent battle, this swordsman has become dependant on his young charge to nurse him back to health.

Trapped in a strange world and unable to speak the native language, Noriko must find a way to save her fallen warrior... and save herself, too!

Review
Not much more is revealed in this volume, other than Izark seems to have a mysterious illness that comes and goes at will. Of course, bad people come to take advantage of his weakness at this time, and most of what happens is how Izark and Noriko fight off the bandits. Here again, Noriko shows off her strength and actually protects Izark for a time (not by fighting, of course), something which she doesn't wonder, whine, or cry about. She just does what needs to be done. I'm really loving her character more and more.

Another character, Keimos, is shown a bit more, and it's likely he will become the antagonist. He's arrogant and full of pride, and thinks he can take on Izark by himself. Unfortunately for Izark, a man and his fortuneteller whisk Keimos away from the battle before he can become hurt, as they want to use him for some purpose.

It's not the greatest book, but it's interesting, and it's likely a bridge to other more exciting things.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Yurara: Vol. 1

(aka Yurara no Tsuki, Yurara's Moon)
by Chika Shiomi

Synopsis
There are two sides to every ghost story....
Yurara Tsukinowa is a quiet girl who can see spirits and sense their emotions. Not wanting to seem abnormal, she hides her secret until she meets Mei Tendo and Yako Hoshino, two guys who use their spiritual powers to ward off vengeful spirits. The dormant guardian spirit in Yurara arises and a strong-willed beauty with the power to release souls emerges!

On Yurara's first day of high school, she finds her assigned seat is occupied -- by a ghost! Mei and Yako cannot banish the spirit, and Yurara's other self is released....

Review
Basically, this is another magical girl type of story. At present, it seems a bit like monster of the week, as there's always a new spirit to help in each chapter. This may change, I don't know. It's also very goofy, and is not serious at all. And it's not a good kind of funny, it's the typical slapstick Japanese comedy I've come to loathe. This is really too bad.

I've noticed that the guardian spirit character definitely overshadows Yurara. She's far more serious and interesting, and I think it's too bad that she isn't the main character. I think Yurara herself is an afterthought. It seems like the two guys think highly of the guardian spirit too, as they start developing crushes on her, which will likely lead to fighting over her.

It has an interesting premise but I have no idea where this might go, or if I'm even interested enough to find out. Not that I regret reading this book, but it didn't really grab me. In fact, I feel like I've seen this somewhere before. Oh yeah, Dokebi Bride, which was far more interesting and written far better.

Final thought: Maybe if I can't find anything else to read....