Natsume's Book of Friends Volume 1 by Yuki Midorikawa

A Brief Summary: Natsume can see yokai, spirits, his grandmother could two. She tricked them into giving her their names, binding them to her with her Book of Friends. Now Natsume is giving the names back, and protecting the book from the yokai that want it.


My Review:
I really enjoy this series. It is very episodic because it was originally featured in magazines, so the beginning of each chapter is very similar in case you encountered it partway through. Personally my favorite character is Nyanko-Sensei. He's extremely snarky, acts like he doesn't care, and is extremely powerful although he doesn't show it often. This makes him a good foil to Natsume who is very kind and willing to go out of his to help the yokai.

This manga has a very strong Japanese influence, no surprise there, I just mean it gets a little weird sometimes. Things that are normal there are sometimes quite unusual to us in the western world.

Personally I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more of the series.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons by Akira Himiekawa

Based on the game made for the Gameboy Color you follow a young incarnation of Link as he does his best to rescue the Oracle of Seasons. Our young hero is not alone however he has his friends Ricky, Piyoko and the witch Mable by his side to help him defeat Onox, the general of darkness.

This was one of those books that I never really planned on reading, I just kind of picked up and decided why not. Of course it helps that my boyfriend is a Zelda fanatic and had it, but I'm definitely glad that I picked it up.

One of my favorite things about the manga is that instead of being the everyman Link has a personality. Something that most games shy away from unless they're a JRPG, for a good reason everyone can relate to an everyman character too much of a personality and you limit your audience.

My favorite character would have to be Piyoko, the adorable little chick. He's sweet and knowledgeable, and helps Link realize his potential.

I really enjoyed this book and I will have to kidnap the other books in the series from James.

Jack Frost by JinHo Ko

This is the plot synopsis from Goodreads "Any high schooler on a nerve-wracking first day at a new school is apt to lose his or her head a little, but in Noh-A's case, she literally does! When she wakes up in one piece with a little help from a mysterious doctor, Noh-A quickly realizes that nothing is as it seems at Amityville High, where paranormal creatures battle for supremacy. Caught in the crossfire, Noh-A may have to rely on the unlikely (and possibly unreliable) aid of the most sinister student at Amityville...the deadly Jack Frost"



This book was very odd, I'm really not sure what to think of. It isn't my typical genre of manga, it's shonen and I typically prefer to read shojo. Nonetheless it wasn't bad per-say it just wasn't my cup of tea.


The art was incredible, the story blurb was promising, but still it fell short for me. Maybe it was that there was too much action and not enough story. Or that the characters seemed way too unreal. Who knows it's an okay book not one I'd recommend but not one that I truly regret reading.

Manga Classics Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and SunNeko Lee

A retelling of the classic story Les Miserables full of love, and tragedy, and violence, and hope, and so many things.  Step in to meet Jean Valjean, Fantine, Inspector Javert, Cosette, and Marius. They will touch your heart and make you fall in love with them and their struggles.

Not going to lie, having had friends who preformed in this play I'm a bit biased to this story. And this interpretation nailed it.

There is a reason this book is a classic, and I am so happy that it was made in to a manga. It makes it a lot more accessible to read. While preserving everything that makes this a wonderful story. The character illustrations are spot on. You see the changes that befall the characters in a way that can only be done in manga.

This book will be available for purchase on August 12 2014. I will post a reminder as the date gets closer.

This book was given to my by NetGalley for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Mardock Scrambler by Tow Ubukata

Rune Balot wanted to die until she was taken off the street and her life was given meaning by Shell. It was just an ordinary day when he turned on her and tried to murder her. She was saved, but not entirely her skin was no longer skin, and she no longer had a voice of her own. Now she has a choice held end the man who killed her or end herself.

My boyfriend had gotten this manga for me from Minicon. Since it looked like something I would really enjoy and I did. I loved every character in the manga and I can't wait to see how they develop over the series. Also I really enjoyed the abilities of the different characters and I hope they add more characters with powers soon.

Princess Ai by Courtney Love and D.J. Milky

 Ai is lost and alone not only in a new town, but on a brand new planet. If that wasn't hard enough all she remembers is her name, when she meets Kent a sweet unassuming guy who might just be what she needs. Searching for her past while finding her voice, and making everyone love her.

As I read the complete edition containing the entire trilogy this covers two more of my challenges for BookTubeAThon. It covers a book with pictures, and a complete series.



Making this three challenges down four to go and four days left. Sounds like a piece of cake right?

Kitchen Princess by Kobayashi Miyuki

A young girl lost her parents and thought life was no longer worth living tripped and almost drowned. She was saved by a mysterious boy who offered her a flan and taught her to smile again.As the girl grew she became determined to enter Seika Academe and find that boy, her prince.

This manga is beautifly done, with fun artwork, characters that constantly surprise you, and even recipies that you can try.

For those of you who are unaware of what manga is, its a type of graphic novel that is read backwards or right to left.

I highly enjoyed this story and i hope you will too.