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Review Archive

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Review: Winter Demon (Vol. 03)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, June 26, 2008

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Author: Yamila Abraham
Artists: Le Peruggine
Publisher: Yaoi Press
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: February 2008

Synopsis: “The tension is building between the weakening monk Hakuin and his amorous demon partner. They visit the home of the incubus, Figaru. Figaru’s master takes Hakuin on an ultimately futile mission. Now the Winter Demon Fuyu needs help to rescue Hakuin. His only hope is an ailing incubus who must mate to renew his powers. Just how far will Fuyu go for his beloved monk?”

The travels of the demon Fuyu and the monk Hakuin continue in volume three of Winter Demon. Souls of demons they defeated are leaking from the weapon they’re trapped in, so the pair head to the home of the weapon’s creator to find a way to fix the problem. But things aren’t as simple as that with a dangerous journey up a mountain to be had and the incubus Figaru whose unfulfilled lust is becoming life threatening.

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Review: Wild Adapter (Vol. 05)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, June 25, 2008

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Manga-ka: Kazuya Minekura
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: June 2008

Synopsis: “Pursued by rival yakuza factions and linked to the mysterious and dangerous drug, ‘Wild Adapter’, Kubota and Tokito have formed a relationship where they trust no one but each other. How did the strange bond between a young man who cares nothing but himself and a stray with a monstrous right hand come to pass? Finally the year between volumes one and two is revealed and we learn what happened after Kubota picked up his little “stray cat” off the street.”

It’s the volume we’ve been waiting for as the gap between where books one to four occur and the fateful first meeting of Kubota and Tokito is finally filled in. After finding the unconscious Tokito in an alleyway, Kubota takes him home and soon discovers that the boy has no memories and is clearly connected to the WA drug that’s been plaguing the streets.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Tokyopop

Themes on Hiatus

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, June 25, 2008

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Due to my current state of being buried up to the nose with backlogged reviews waiting to see cyberspace, my themed reviews for older releases are on hold as of now. I enjoy looking back on a bunch of different titles from over the years, and putting them together in themes seems to be something you guys have enjoyed, so expect their return!

So as of now, expect lots of reviews for some newer titles. Wallets will cry and fans will rejoice with so much great stuff coming out (or already out) this summer 2008!

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Categories: Reviews

Review: Miyuki-chan in Wonderland

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, June 24, 2008

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Manga-ka: CLAMP
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: October 2003

Synopsis: “There are many worlds in the universe outside of our own, connected by doors that are hidden to the eye. But if you chance upon these doors, you can be transported to a place where supple beauties reign supreme and all of your fantasies come alive. Should you pass through the doorways, be most careful, for the creatures you will meet can be as dangerous as they are beautiful. Many would die for a glimpse at those worlds – Miyuki would do anything to have them go away.”

Don’t let the dramatics of this book’s synopsis have you fooled: Miyuki-chan in Wonderland is an often over the top, quick paced comedy with lots of sexy ladies and fantastical situations. Loosely based on the classic tale of Alice and Wonderland, Miyuki is a schoolgirl who suddenly finds herself transported to a magical world where only one thing is certain – everyone wants to get under her skirt!

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: CLAMP, Tokyopop

Review: Genju no Seiza (Vol. 01)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Monday, June 23, 2008

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Manga-ka: Matsuri Akino
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: August 2006

Synopsis:
“Kamishina has never really felt like a normal boy. At school, he prefers to lay low and not interact with the other kids. But all that changes with Kamishina discovers that he is the reincarnated spiritual ruler of the little-known country of Dhalashar. And on top of that, he has an intense spiritual sense that allows him to hear voices from beyond the grave, see visions and soothe ghosts in their time of need.”

After disturbing dreams of death plague his sleep, Kamishina begins classes at yet another new school. Gifted with spiritual abilities that allow him to sense people’s true intentions, he has learned to lay low and keep to himself. Kamishina suddenly finds himself stalked by a strange foreign bird, one that transforms to a humanoid form to tell him that he is in fact the reincarnation of a powerful King from another country with more than the frequent need to switch schools to worry about.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Tokyopop

Review: Man’s Best Friend

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, June 22, 2008

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Manga-ka: Kazusa Takashima
Publisher: BLU Manga
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: June 2006

Synopsis: “When Ukyo rescues a stray dog, he soon learns that he may have made a rare find. His new dog , who he’s named Kuro, can talk! And if that’s not crazy enough, soon Kuro is able to magically transform into a human! With his dog now taking the form of a hot man and licking him in various places, what is Ukyo to do?! From the artist of Wild Rock comes Man’s Best Friend! Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”

Man’s Best Friend is as the title would suggest, a story about a dog. Of course, this is a yaoi so thank goodness it’s not just any dog! The title tale in this book follows Ukyo, who one day comes across a loveable stray dog he names Kuro. Taking in the little pile of scruff, he’s in for a shock when the dog suddenly takes human form, all out of love for the kind man who took him in.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: BLU, Boys' Love/Yaoi

Review Theme: Animal People

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, June 22, 2008

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an·i·mal peo·ple

my cop-out termonology for describing humans who have animal-like characteristics and/or animals taking on humanoid forms

Time for another review theme! This week it’s animal people as I look back on some books in my collection for the bunny-eared, dog-tailed and little-winged characters that scatter throughout the occassional series! May my reviews be more cooherent (and decidedly less terrifying) than the accompanying image drawn in a state of sleep-deprivation. Guesses and suggestions welcome in the comment section as usual!

Previous animal people-related reviews:

11th Cat Special
+Anima (Vol. 07)
Genju no Seiza (Vol. 06)
Petshop of Horrors: Tokyo (Vol. 01)

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Categories: Reviews

Review: Black God (Vol. 03)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, June 19, 2008

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Author: Dall-Young Lim
Manhwa-ga: Sung-Woo Park
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: June 2008

Synopsis: “Discovering that his new enemies are actually allies, Keita receives the guidance necessary to take on the evil behind the false alter-egos running rampant. But he must also revisit the painful memory of his mother’s disappearance when this new battles takes him and Kuro to his mother’s hometown of Okinawa. Will the strength gained from his new friends be enough to help him through this gruelling journey?”

In this volume of Black God, Akane is again the target of mysterious sources, out to capture her in relation to the sudden, unexplained deaths happening around the city. Two of those that Keita and his partner-of-sorts, Kuro, had fought against are now revealed as allies and are able to shed some light on the increasingly grave situation. Keita struggles to unravel the mystery behind his mother’s disappearance, people’s deaths and protect Akane all while trying to discover and understand more about his ability to aid Kuro in fights.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manhwa, Yen Press

Review: Freak (Vol. 03)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, June 18, 2008

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Author: Yi DongEun
Manhwa-ga: Yu Chung
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: May 2008

Synopsis: “When Tublerun overhears the reason for Verna’s desperate need for cash, he sets out for the North Pole to join GIA’s treasure hunt and win the prize money. But the hunt’s been rigged so that no one gets out alive! Even those who somehow manage to survive will have to contend with a bloodthirsty Chroma. Without Verna or Lorel to aid him, will Tublerun be able to make it out in one piece?”

After overhearing Verna’s need for money to help support a hospitalized friend, Tublerun runs away to join in a dangerous contest. Numerous people looking to win the monetary prize showed up for the competition, only to find themselves against seemingly undefeatable life forms. Without his friends there to support him, Tublerun finds himself petrified and reliant on the strangers around him, strangers who see each other as threats for the goal.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manhwa, Yen Press

Review: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles (Vol. 17)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, June 17, 2008

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Manga-ka: CLAMP
Publisher: DelRey
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: May 2008

Synopsis:
“In mere minutes, Fai will be dead, and Kurogane’s only hope to save him is to make a deal with Yuko the Witch, a women he has never trusted. The deals sends Kurogane – alone – into the worst danger he has ever faced.”

Everything gets upped a notch in volume seventeen of Tsubasa. Fai is on his deathbed, with no options left to save him – short of asking for Yuko’s help. Reluctantly Kurogane makes a deal with the Witch, a deal that, through a few different passes of payment from character to character, leads to Sakura (unlike what the book’s summary would lead you to believe) embarking on a dangerous mission all on her own.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: CLAMP, Del Rey, Reservoir Chronicles Tsubasa