Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 6 by Sui Ishida

Title: Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 6
Author: Sui Ishida (writer), Joe Yamazaki (translator)
Page Count: 200
Rating: A
Keywords: Ghouls, Horror, Identity, Transplant, Mystery, Bookworms
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen, not overly sexual and has limited language, horror aspects could be considered gruesome though not overly

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way--except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers. Things heat up in Ward Eleven as the CCG investigates the high rate of Investigator deaths. Kaneki has an explosive run-in with Aogiri Tree, the Ghoul Gang, run by a Ghoul known only as the Sekigan King.

My Review:

I have a strong suspicion this is the beginning of the end of Kaneki's innocent streak. Now that he is away from the 20th Ward I cannot imagine great things happening to him. This does not stop him from trying to cling to his innocence and good heart. However, it is highly likely he will be unable walk away from the Aogiri Tree unscathed.

Beautiful Rize graced the cover of volume 5 and now the implications of her backstory are explored a bit further in this installment. We meet the briefly mentioned Banjo from volume 5 and his weaknesses as a leader lead to a whole host of problems for the entire Ghoul community. Such a physically weak but emotionally selfless Ghoul in love with the strong and unsympathetic Rize is an interesting contrast and I hope the series one day delves further into her past.

Can we please just take a moment to discuss how incredibly creepy the newest investigator is? Juzo Suzuya. One, he seems a bit off. Technically he is an adult but acts and speaks like a child...with an interesting and violent skill set. If you have noticed it looks like he has stitches all over, most notably on his neck in this volume's cover. If you do not know why then you are in for treat. I will forever be cringing thinking about that scene.

Overall, this one was great. Beautiful art style, plenty of action, a deepening mystery, and cliffhanger ending. There are promises for an increasingly dark and twisted storyline for the rest of the series.

Next week I will be posting a review for volume 7. No spoilers but goodness gracious I loved that one!

Interesting observation: this is the last predominantly white cover in the series... Hints to the future?

Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 5 by Sui Ishida

Title: Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 5
Author: Sui Ishida (writer), Joe Yamazaki (translator)
Page Count: 200
Rating: A
Keywords: Ghouls, Horror, Identity, Transplant, Mystery, Bookworms
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen, one shower scene, not overly sexual and has limited language, horror aspects could be considered gruesome though not overly

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way--except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers. Kaneki, Nishio, and Touka struggle to work together to rescue their human friend Kimi while Ghoul Investigator deaths skyrocket in Wards 9 through 12. When reinforcements are called in on both sides, the stakes are suddenly higher than ever.

My Review:

First, I love this cover. Rize severely creeps me out, but this cover is gorgeous.

I really enjoyed that this volume started with a bang. There wasn't the normal slow build of mystery and intrigue that has been the norm I've come to expect of the series. The action sequence was not kept until nearly the end the way it has been previously. Within the first quarter of the manga there is a fight scene. I enjoyed this because:

1) It's exciting,
2) Keeps a nice fast pace for the story
3) The art is awesome
4) Touka was shown struggling in a fight, not invincible

That fourth reason probably sounds a bit odd. Touka is my favorite character in this series. She becomes increasingly likeable as the series continues on. When we first met her back in volume one she was much quieter and presented as...well a badass. It was as if she was the invincible creature to be respected and feared. As the series progresses though and the reader learns more about the politics of Ghoul society we also learn more about Touka. She is the embodiment of this learning process. No longer is she simply the warrior or fighter archetype. Her emotions are on display as are her vulnerabilities. I can't wait to see where Sui Ishida takes Touka in the future.

This was a fun installment in the Tokyo Ghoul series. Action, humor, and peril make up the pages of this one. We see the return of Nishio and Kimi. While I am still not particularly fond of Nishio, I do enjoy the subtlety of Kimi's character and the questions her presence in the series raises. Can Ghouls and humans coexist? Are Ghouls as monstrous as they seem to think they are? Or is their identity a choice?

After the cliffhanger from volume 4, we see the return of The Gourmet. He was just as insane and creepy as would be expected from his previous actions. We also learn a bit more about his past and connections to Touka.

Kaneki is still innocent thus far in the series. His opposition to eating human flesh continues and the ramifications of this decision are clearly visible. Combat training with Touka has helped him grow as a Ghoul, able to take actions where he would have been defenseless and relying completely on others in the past. This could prove interesting further on in the series.

I am absolutely sure the introduction of Juzo Suzuya, rank 3 investigator, is going to lead to some chaos later on. His first scene towards the end of this volume is unsettling to say the least. He is sure to be another great addition to this cast of lovable oddballs.

I am still immensely happy that I began reading Tokyo Ghoul. Review for volume 6 coming next week!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling

Title: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns
Author: Mindy Kaling
Page Count: 219
Rating: C
Keywords: Comedy, Autobiography, New York, The Office 
Genre: Memoir
Younger Readers: Some language and some sexual scenes. This was written by an adult, not for children. Maybe younger teens.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?”

Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly!

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.

My Review:

I read quite a few rave reviews of this memoir and was excited to give it a try. Plus I really liked the cover and spine of this book. First, I did enjoy reading this and believe it has some important lessons within its pages. However, I cannot be ecstatically in love with this book as many others have been.

Many of her antidotes were entertaining but I did not find myself laughing out loud as promised. And I absolutely do not fault the book for this. It is more I have a different sense of humor than Kaling. Those that are familiar with her other work would most likely be far more entertained and enjoy the memoir more fully.

I did notice a slight generation gap between myself and the author. As a young woman in my early 20s I did not understand all of the pop culture references she made concerning her past. When I asked people several years older than me (late 20s and into their 30s) they were far more familiar with what was being said, some even smirking or laughing at the content.

I did enjoy much of what she had to say about growing up and being the awkward child. Many of her stories of being odd I could relate to but I also believe that they are important for a younger audience. Mindy Kaling is undeniably successful and a self proclaimed ugly duckling as a child. Just because you are an awkward/strange/unpopular/just plain different child does not mean that you will not one day grow up to be successful.

I enjoyed the book overall and the parts that I was not overly fond of should not necessarily reflect badly on the memoir itself. Sometimes a reader is not entirely compatible with a book. This was one of those cases. If you are a Mindy Kaling, The Office, or just comedy in general fan then absolutely check this one out. You will not regret it.

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Page Count: 454
Rating: A
Keywords: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Cyborgs, Little Red Riding Hood, Retelling, Wolves
Genre: Young Adult
Younger Readers: Some kissing, some violence. No sex or extreme language. Safe for the young adult crowd: teens and tweens.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Review:

I was reluctant to continue the Lunar Chronicles after finishing Cinder a couple of years ago. I found that first book slow and could not get into the story. It did not help that just as the story was picking up momentum and becoming interesting it ended on a cliffhanger. I remember sitting on a plane, closing the book and feeling horribly disappointed with my reading experience. Not a single character I related to or felt like rooting on. Fast forward a couple of years and I decided to pick up the second book...admittedly because I thought the cover was pretty and people kept declaring that I just absolutely had to.

This book completely redeemed the series for me and I devoured it within hours of starting, sneaking in reading breaks whenever I could. I am slightly ashamed of the bent corners and the occasional scrunched pages my copy endured from its day and a half living in my purse, but I most certainly do not regret carrying it to work, restaurants, stores, family events, parties, etc. This was an action packed book with fascinating characters that had me obsessed early on.

I absolutely adore the character Wolf. First, he is sort of the stereotypical bad boy that every series needs. Except he's not really a bad boy. A rebel, yes. Bad guy, nah. His backstory is interesting. It develops him as a complex character as well as building the lore of the Lunar Chronicles.

Scarlet herself was much more likeable to me than Cinder. She could certainly be stubborn at times but her fiery personality was enduring. She is a strong character. Persistence and loyalty make up the bulk of her personality and drive many of her decisions.

Sometimes novels for younger audiences are accused of not being "messy" enough by older readers. If you've spent much time in the YA section you know this is just plain false. Not every book is full of sparkles and rainbows. Hunger Games is one prime example of devastation in the Young Adult section of your local bookstore. While the stories are completely different, I loved that this book did not shy away from sorrow and questioning morality.

Pacing for this installment was also spot on. There was a good mix of creepy and action that kept the story moving on at a quick pace. I did not have to force myself to read long passages where I was numbingly bored as I did in the first book.

I cannot wait to continue on with this series. If you were apprehensive after finishing Cinder I would recommend at least giving this installment a try before completely giving up on the series. I loved it and can already hint that the third book was great as well. That review will be posted soon.

Russian Tattoo by Elena Gorokhova

Title: Russian Tattoo
Author: Elena Gorokhova
Page Count: 317
Rating: A
Keywords: Immigration, Soviet Union, Identity, Russia
Genre: Memoir
Younger Readers: This is about an adult woman's life so I would not recommend for very young children but there are not any explicit scenes or anything particularly graphic.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

An exquisite portrait of mothers and daughters that reaches from Cold War Russia to modern-day New Jersey, from the author of A Mountain of Crumbs—the memoir that “leaves you wanting more” (The Daily Telegraph, UK).

In A Mountain of Crumbs Elena Gorokhova describes coming of age behind the Iron Curtain and leaving her mother and her Motherland for a new life in the United States. Now, in Russian Tattoo, Elena learns that the journey of an immigrant is filled with everyday mistakes, small humiliations, and a loss of dignity. Cultural disorientation comes in the form of not knowing how to eat a hamburger, buy a pair of shoes, or catch a bus. But through perseverance and resilience, Elena gradually adapts to her new country. With the simultaneous birth of her daughter and the arrival of her Soviet mother, who comes to the US to help care for her granddaughter and stays for twenty-four years, it becomes the story of a unique balancing act and a family struggle.

Russian Tattoo is a poignant memoir of three generations of strong women with very different cultural values, all living under the same roof and battling for control. Themes of separation and loss, grief and struggle, and power and powerlessness run throughout this story of growing understanding and, finally, redemption. “Gorokhova writes about her life with a novelist’s gift,” says The New York Times, and her latest offering is filled with empathy, insight, and humor.

My Review:

I read Gorohkova's A Mountain of Crumbs while I was still an undergraduate student and absolutely loved it.

This memoir could be read independently or after completing her first. There would be some information lost in not reading A Mountain of Crumbs but it would not completely hinder your reading experience of Russian Tattoo. A Mountain of Crumbs focuses on Elena's younger years, growing up in the Soviet Union, and the events that led up to her coming to the United States. My interests in Russian culture, history, and language made this memoir particularly enjoyable for me several years ago. Russian Tattoo emphasizes her life after she came to the United States.

I enjoyed reading about both her adjustments to life in the United States as well as some of the adjustments her ESL students underwent. There was an array of experiences explored, showing the various routes people would have taken to reach the US as well as how life after arrival can vary.

Emotions ran high at many points in this book. Elena recounts many instances of loss that were difficult to read and there were absolutely points I found myself quite overcome with emotion. Luckily I was reading at home and did not cry in public...which has absolutely happened before. Some authors handle dramatic life events in an overly emphasized style that can become too heavy. Elena has the gift of offering the events to the reader with just enough personal emotion to make the reader feel but not too much as to become overwhelming.

Though it was difficult to read at times, I did enjoy the presence of Elena's mother and daughter. Watching how the different generations were affected by her choices and the way they grew as a unit because of them was refreshing and intriguing. There was little sugar coating, a refreshing take on the realities of what it means to be family.

If you are interested in memoirs, stories about immigration, the Soviet Union, or Russia then I would highly recommend either of Elena Gorokhova's memoirs. They are beautifully written, heartfelt, informative, and overall enjoyable.

Monstress: Volume One Awakening

Title: Monstress
Author: Marjorie Liu
Illustrator: Sana Takeda
Page Count: 192
Rating: B
Keywords: Magic, Steampunk, Art Deco, Horror
Genre: Graphic Novel
Younger Readers: geared towards older readers, horror sequences, language, slight nudity

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco inflected steampunk, Monstress tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both. Entertainment Weekly praised Monstress as "one of Image Comics' most imaginative and daring new series" and dubbed it the "Best New Original Series" in their year-end "Best Comics of 2015" list. Collects Monstress #1-6.

My Review:

My favorite part about my birthday each year is getting new books. This was one such addition to my library. I've been eyeing this beauty for the past few months, hemming and hawing about whether or not I should buy it. Graphic novels are not a normal part of my reading. Curiosity paid off. My boyfriend snagged it off the shelf after watching me gazing at it longingly for a tad too long.

Overall, I did enjoy this book far more than I expected. I tore through the 192 pages in a single evening. The mix of steampunk and art deco was absolutely gorgeous. There is plenty of art to keep your eyes satisfied in this one volume. Rich gold, shades of grey, rusty red, and dashes of dusky blue make up the main color scheme giving a clearly vintage feeling to the work.

The storyline is mysterious and intriguing, leaving many questions unanswered at the end of this volume. Maika, the main character, is not immediately likable. She is more of a conflicted character. Oftentimes rude of her own free will and dangerous at the hands of the monster that resides within her. Kippa and Ren are my two favorite characters thus far, the curious fox child and watchful cat. They add a lightness much needed to contrast Maika's unfailing seriousness.

The excerpts at the end of each chapter from Professor Tam Tam, the multi-tailed cat, were a fun break from the heavy darkness of the main story and provided clear insight into the lore of this world. While the world building within the actual comic is interesting on its own, it may become too convoluted without these mini breaks.

Overall, I recommend checking this volume out. It is beautiful, intriguing, and mysterious. It was a strong first volume and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.

And So I Have A New Obsession: Anime

Story Time:

I have never been one to read manga or watch anime. It was always interesting looking but I just never picked any of it up. Since high school my boyfriend has been hinting that I should start as he is very into the genre, but I stubbornly resisted. That is until my most recent birthday.

Being the amazing young man he is, he gave me nine books for my birthday: 3 fantasy novels, 1 graphic novel, and... five manga. I was apprehensive at first. Would I like it? How on earth do you read this???

It has been just under a week and all five manga have been devoured and I am now not so patiently awaiting the next six I ordered to arrive in the mail any day now.

Honestly, I wish I had not been so stubborn and just started reading sooner because now I am obsessed. The stories are fun and interesting, the art is beautiful, and the platform is a nice break from some of the denser, single spaced material I consume daily for school and work. I also enjoy the episodic nature of manga. As someone that does not watch TV often I sometimes get bogged down with constantly reading massive novels. Manga is quick like a thirty minute television show but still feels like reading. A win win.

Below I am reviewing the five books I received for my birthday as well as two anime shows he got me to try out. Happy reading!



Title: Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 1
Author: Sui Ishida (writer), Joe Yamazaki (translator)
Page Count: 224
Rating: A++++++++++
Keywords: Ghouls, Horror, Identity, Transplant, Mystery, Bookworms
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen, not overly sexual and has limited language, horror aspects could be considered gruesome though not overly

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Shy Ken Kaneki is thrilled to go on a date with the beautiful Rize. But it turns out that she's only interested in his body-eating it, that is. When a morally questionable rescue transforms him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid, Ken is drawn into the dark and violent world of Ghouls, which exists alongside our own.

My Review:

I will admit I was not so sure when I read that synopsis. It just sounded super weird. Then there was the opening scene. Two boys gushing over pretty girls while drinking coffee made me worry that this was going to be a light, funny series. My tastes in reading tend to lean more towards the dark and creepy fantasy stories.

Despite my worries, things quickly made a turn for the creepy. This delightful read balances comedy and horror well. Creating a fun, fast paced, and intriguing world that will quickly suck a reader in. I love this interpretation of the Ghoul. Rather than an ugly creature, rotting like a gimmicky zombie, we get more sophisticated Ghouls. They have their own society and rules, fitting in and hiding within the human world. Eating human flesh while drinking coffee is one of the many oddities I thoroughly enjoyed. The intricacies of this balance are part of what I absolutely loved while tearing through the pages.

Ken Kaneki is gullible and young, making him an endearing lead for readers to become attached to. His struggle does not become too much. My only issue was trying to remember that he is a college student. His mannerisms constantly had me thinking of him as a high school student.

At times the story seems a touch silly and this just adds to the charm rather than feeling out of place or like it is trying too hard. The world is intricate and interesting, challenging the reality of a strict divide between good and evil. Characters are fully fleshed, a mix of intriguing and lovable.



Title: Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 2
Author: Sui Ishida (author), Joe Yamazaki (translator)
Page Count: 208
Rating: A++++++++++
Keywords: Ghouls, Mystery, Murder, Identity
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen, same as first

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way--except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers. Unable to discard his humanity but equally unable to suppress his Ghoul hunger, Ken finds salvation in the kindness of friendly Ghouls who teach him how to pass as human and eat flesh humanely. But recent upheavals in Ghoul society attract the police like wolves to prey, and they don't discriminate between conscientious and monstrous Ghouls.

My Review:

Not surprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed the second volume of this series. Rather than focusing entirely on Kaneki's struggles, the reader is exposed to a broader array of characters and gets a better feel of the word of Tokyo Ghoul as a whole.

Greater conflict in the Ghoul society was developed in this installment while deepening the reader's understanding of the world. The Doves and the moral dilemma they raise are interesting. Are Ghouls truly just creatures that can be killed? Or are they more human than anyone is willing to admit? Who is right and who is wrong? This moral challenge is not overly complex but I did enjoy watching Kaneki debate with himself on these very issues and his entire view of the world begin to shift.

Touka's character development was a welcome addition. She is not just the snobby Ghoul who works at the coffee shop giving Kaneki a hard time. She's a student, cares deeply about others, and blends into the human world. Without spoiling this installment, her actions hint at an interesting back story that I would love to see further developed in the future.

A character I look forward to seeing more of in the future is the mask creator, Uta. His oddities and brief appearances leave many questions that will hopefully be answered more fully in the future.



Title: Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 3
Author: Sui Ishida (author), Joe Yamazaki (translator)
Page Count: 192
Rating: B
Keywords: Ghouls, Mystery, Loss, Identity, Morality
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way--except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers. Kaneki is still trying to get used to his new life when Commission of Counter Ghoul agents Mado and Amon start sniffing around for Hinami. Kaneki and Touka are going to have to get them off her tail and fast. No easy task now that Knaeki's got to bring humans and Ghouls to a rapid truce at the same time.

My Review:

This book did have the general interest I have come to know from the series but I also just could not bring myself to say that I truly liked this installment. It builds on the major events that occurred towards the end of volume 2. The greater focus on Hinami was not overly intriguing to me though I could see how her presence could deepen the moral dilemma that is being created earlier in the series. Overall, this installment is still worth reading. Just be prepared for a slower pace.


Title: Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 4

Author: Sui Ishida (author), Joe Yamazaki (translator)
Page Count: 192
Rating: A
Keywords: Mystery, Ghouls, Fine Dining, Identity
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way--except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers. Kaneki meets Shu Tsukiyama, known as The Gourmet for his interesting and sadistic tastes. And Kaneki learns more about what happened to Rize and what it means to be a One-Eyed Ghoul.

My Review:

Oh my lordy I enjoyed this installment. It brought back the mystery and creepiness that I had enjoyed earlier in the series. Twists keep the reader guessing throughout and new information hints at the remainder of the series being full of mystery and wonder.

Readers are finally exposed to the world outside of the 20th ward, even revealing a new Ghoul hangout. New characters and new locations give Tokyo Ghoul deeper roots than the previous installments.

The Gourmet is an interesting and thoroughly creepy addition that I did not expect. His actions are unexpected and engaging. My only frustration with this strong addition to the series was the cliffhanger ending. Alas, I must wait for volume 5 to arrive.


Title: Dance in the Vampire Bund Omnibus 1

Author: Nozomu Tamaki
Page Count: 624
Rating: A+
Keywords: Vampires, Werewolves, Murder, Mystery, Love, Loyalty
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen, nudity, violence, language

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After millennia in hiding, Mina Tepes, the princess of the ancient covenant and ruler of all vampires, wants change. Using the vast wealth of the Tepes line, she has paid off the entire gross national debt of Japan and gained the authority to create a "special district" off the coast of Japan that will become the future haven for vampires from all over the world! Now, on the eve of the landmark press conference announcing the existence of vampires to the world, terrorists and rival factions are plotting to assassinate Mina Tepes. With her loyal werewolf bodyguard, Akira at her side, will the princess of vampires survive long enough to see her dream realized?

My Review:

I have so many emotions with this one. I did enjoy it. Having been a middle schooler during Twilight's heyday vampires are a bit of a weakness for me. But I will also fully admit this series has some weird moments that I'm not sure how to process. Though since I've ordered the next two volumes I clearly was able to look past them.

Visually, age was even more confusing in this series than in Tokyo Ghoul. Mina is child sized and at moments her mannerisms can be childlike. However, she is an adult in years and a ruler of the vampires. This can be a bit awkward if forgotten while reading. Especially her romantic moments with Akira...who is much larger and more adult looking than she is.

The world building was interesting but not as fully fleshed as in Tokyo Ghoul. There is a greater focus on action and relationships than history and development in this series. For a fast paced drama it is an enjoyable read, chugging along at a fast pace as to never bore its readers. I look forward to continuing the series.


Shows:

Title: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works

Rating: TV-14
Number of Episodes: 24
Run Time: First episode 45 min, Rest about 23 min

Synopsis from IMDb:

There is a war going on between masters and servants in order to attain the Holy Grail. Each master can call up one servant each, and their task is to eradicate the other servants, either by defeating them or killing their master. When there is only one master or servant left, he or she is granted the Holy Grail, and any wish they desire will come true.

My Review:

I was bored out of my mind with the first episode but decided to continue on watching anyways. I am so glad that I did. Slowly I found myself being sucked into the story. Characters I never expected to care about had me crying by the end. The mystery was not entirely impossible to figure out, with plentiful clues sprinkled throughout the series, but it was still a thoroughly enjoyable reveal and resolution to the series.

This was an intriguing series that how wonderful world building fueled by a rich back story that leads to an abundance of twists later in the series. If you enjoy action, sassy characters, heartbreaking ends, history reimagined, satisfying conclusions, and unexpected story arcs then this is highly recommended.

Title: Death Note

Rating: TV-14
Number of Episodes: 37
Run Time: 24 min

Synopsis from IMDb:

After an intelligent yet cynical high school student begins to cleanse the world from evil with the help of a magical notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written on it, international authorities call upon a mysterious detective known as "L" to thwart his efforts.

My Review:

Confession: I have not completely finished this series yet.

Despite the fact that I am still only about ten episodes in, I am thoroughly enjoying this series. Fate/Stay Night is still my favorite but this is coming in as a close second.

The concept is original, the notebook of a shinigami falls to earth and the teen boy that picks it up is able to kill anyone by writing their name in its pages (with several restrictions that are explored in the series). Obviously this series fits into my interests of peculiar, mysterious, and dark. Morality is once again a major component of this series as Light and L battle via their wits. The inclusion of comedy via the shinigami was a welcome addition that keeps the series from becoming unbearably depressing. I look forward to seeing how it all ends.