Boku wa Ookami Manga Review

Author: Yuuki Nachi
Artist: Yuuki Nachi

Genra: Shojo, Comdy,
Romance, School Life

Year: 2010

Original Publisher:

Shueisha 

Volumes: 

4 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

No

English Publisher

Summary
Rina hates perverted guys. She mixes up her new classmate, Ookami-kun with someone else...
But the truth is, he is a real wolf! Is this sensation of the beginning of love!? Or is it a story of licking bunnies!? Only time will reveal the answer.

My Thoughts on the Manga
This manga is so funny and so sweet at the same time. It's a new twist on the term raised by wolves because the boy in this manga really was raised by a wolf and how he comes to terms with things like releationships because he doesn't know anything and so it's the girl Rina who has to teach him things, though she's afride of boys.

Rina is a fun girl who really doesn't like boys. She's afide of them thinking that they are all perverts and all they want is sex. She doesn't trust any of the boys even one of her friends who had a crush on her for a long time but Rina still calls him a pervert even though he's trying hard not to be one around her but she doesn't see that. The new boy Ookami comes and acts not like normal guys. Rina's first incounter with him, was that he was nice and didn't know much about anything, he doesn't even know what a pervert is. So Rina thinks she's found her perfect man but then things didn't go so well when Ookami comes and sniffs her butt. She freaks out but soon learns that Ookami was raised by a wolf for the first seven years of his life then put away to learn how to be human again in a room. It's quite funny to see how their releationship progresses through the manga.

The romance between the two is long and hard because Ookami knows nothing on releationships and Rina being scared of boys has to somehow show him the right away to treat her without being a pervert. Though she soon comes to relaised that most of the things that are perverted (like kissing) she has to teach him. She even had to ask him out on a date herself which surprised everyone and had to show him the meaning of dating too.

The plotline was great seeing the way she becomes more and more less afride of Ookami was cute. Also to see Ookami acting more and more like a real boy but still having a few moments of where he doesn't understand some stuff was cute as well. You will laugh and be sad at a few parts in the manga but in the end this plotline will draw you in and you will love reading it.

Design



The style of drawing as you can see is the normal shojo style look. The characters are all unique and all cutely drawn. There is also a lot of chibi moments in this book but the overall design of the characters was really well done. The mangka loves to put designs in the background or detail depending on the emotions running through each pannel. She puts detail into the hair and eyes and you know exactly how they are feeling by the expressions on their faces. Not to mention Ookami is a cutie isn't he!!!








Overall
I recommend finding this manga and reading it, it's really cute and you will love the storyline!

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Fear (Gone 5) by Micheal Grant

Fear
(Book Five of a Six Book Series)

Author: Michael Grant

ISBN: 0061449156

Release Date:  April 3rd 2012
Format : Hardcover
Pages: 509

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction,
Fantasy, Horror, Post Apocalyptic

Series: Gone #5

Summary
It's been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they've built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear.

Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-world of the FAYZ entirely black. In darkness, the worst fears of all emerge, and the cruelest of intentions are carried out. But even in their darkest moments, the inhabitants of the FAYZ maintain a will to survive and a desire to take care of the others in their ravaged band that endures, no matter what the cost.

Fear, Michael Grant's fifth book in the bestselling dystopian Gone series, will thrill readers . . . even as it terrifies them.

My Thoughts on the Book
Just to make it clear this book is the fifth book of a series!

Just when you thought this story was about to get better, it just got worse. In Plague, you see Sam lead a group to Lake Tramonto where there was fresh water and food. While Caine was king of Perdido Beach after saving the kids there from the massive bugs.  It was fine for a while, but things just got a crazier and crazier as I read the book. Strange things start to happen to people, the barrier starts to go black, and something is happening to Diana's baby.  I can't believe how scary this book has become, and it makes me want to hope that the last book puts an end to the freakness of it all. 

The main threat is how the giant barrier starts to turn black. No one knows why this is happening, only that it keeps getting larger and larger ,blocking out all light. Sam and Astrid are all trying to figure out how fast the darkness is spreading, since they don't know of anyway to stop it. They even try to have a plan for Sam to go to Perdido beach to help put lights up, but with the darkness closing in and the threat of Drake, it's hard to get the message across in time. Everything is connected though, from the darkness of the barrier to Diana's baby. It all goes to that slimy green monster that we've met in the pervious books. Sam is a little less uncerten of himself in this book. He tries to take charge again, but he mostly lets his friend Ebilio handle most of the issues up at the lake. He does what he can to make the children be safe while Ebilio takes it upon himself to handle the everyday issues, like toilets or safe drinking water. 

The problems are mirrored at Peridio Beach, where Caine is King and hands out the punishments. Albert is the one to take care of the real issues like food and safe drinking water. Quinn even steps up in this book, trying to take charge and be a leader. In the last few books he was a more background character, lacking courage. In this book he takes a stand and tries to help everyone, despite the disaster that is occurring when the Darkness finally blocks out the sun. You get to see more of Penny and her powers in this book then the last, especially how her powers effect people.

A character named Cigar is a primary focus of her powers, after an incident left him stuck with Penny for a full day. Won't tell you what happen ,but lets just say the end result will freak you out at the thought of it. Then there is Dekka and Brianna. After what Dekka said in the forth book, Brianna has been staying away from Dekka.  She doesn't know what to say or do, so she keeps her distance. Dekka stays brave and helps Sam with the Lake and keeping everyone safe. Yes, more people die in this book, and each death is more strange then the last. 

When Astrid returns to Lake Tramonto, she finally wants to be with Sam. Their relationship finally deepens in this book after stalling in the past. She sleeps with Sam, but it's unclear if it's out of her own love for him or guilt of what she did to Little Pete. I'd like to believe it was love, but she just can't forgive herself.

The plot in this book was just great. Conflicts range from trying to figure out how to stop to finding out what Gaia wants with Diana and her baby. The author wrote the book as a modern 'Lord of the Flies', but with more death and mutant powers. This book will leave you wanting more. You want to see what the children will do when the barrier changes. I just can't wait for the next (and final) book of the series.

Design

If you've seen the other four covers, you've seen the connection between them. I usually don't read books like this, but the artwork on the first book's cover drew me in. The cover has a great main image with the models, and the simple title font matches the over all look and feel of the book. Add the small notation on the top of the book, it creates a simple yet eye-catching design. I love this series, I can't wait for the last book to find out what happens to the kids. This book will leave you wanting to know what's coming next. I do recommend this series if you love SciFi. Fans of the series will be pleased to know that there are plans on making a Gone movie. Warning though, this book is just as scary as the last four.


Overall
I love this series, I can't wait for the last book to read what happens to the kids. This book will leave you wanting to know whats coming next. I do recommend this series if you love SciFi because you will love it so damn much. Not to mention that there is plans on making a Gone movie!!! Warning though this book is just as scary as the last four.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Howl by Annalise Grey Review

Howl

Author: Annalise Grey 

ASIN: 2940032873

Release Date:  2012
Format : ebook
Pages: (amazon 207)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy,
Romance, Werewolves

Series: Kane Wolves #1

Summery
Nineteen year old Sophie Matthews is a line-walker between two worlds - human and werewolf. She lives around humans but is never truly part of their world. That is, until she is spotted by a hiker.

What should have been a passing glance becomes so much more as Sophie falls for the one thing she is forbidden from ever having: a human mate.

Adding to her stress is newcomer Daniel, the arrogant wolf on Sophie's tail.

Then several humans are killed by a mysterious and dangerous beast within the pack's hunting grounds. The humans begin whispering of wolf-men roaming the forest and the threat of discovery looms heavy around the pack.

Everything is falling apart and Sophie realizes just how little control she has over her future.

Will she risk everything - her heart, her family, and her safety - for a chance to control her own fate?

My Thoughts on the Book

I just love how this book was written. It's a whole new take on werewolf lore. In other werewolf stories, when the werewolf is injured, it heals almost right away. In this story, a werewolf heals slowly, as a normal human would. It's more identifiable. In this story, the werewolves are huge. They're described as being the size of a human man, not the size of a normal wolf. I love how the author describes her wolves, I can see them as real creatures, not just creatures of legend. It's so beautifully written I just couldn't stop reading 'Howl' once I started. 

Most of the main characters in this book members of a werewolf family. The primary main character is Sophie. She is a shy girl who follows everything her family tells her to do. Since she's not an Alpha nor Beta she can't disobey orders from her brother Gavin, who is Alpha. Despite the rules though she breaks one important rule; never fall in love with a human. The human she falls in love with is named Jaime, and he works for her brother Thomas in a research center. She felt a connection to him right away. (It should be noted that 'bonding' is a common theme with most modern werewolf stories.) Right when she touched him she felt like she wanted to be with him, despite the rules. Jaime felt the same way, even when he knew nothing of who she really was, and he asks her out on a date. Her family knew nothing of this relationship until her twin brother Tristain starts to suspect something was wrong with his sister. It wasn't long before more people found out about the relationship.  Sophie was told that she either she picked to be with Jaime or she picked he family because Sophie was told that she either she has to pick to be with Jaime or her family. She can not have both. Jamie is a great human, as he loves nature and wants to protect it. He even stayed by Sophie's side when she told him that her family can't know about them, despite his own hurt. He did everything he could to make her happy and he still wants to be with her even if they were forbidden to see each other. (Can anyone else say 'Werewolf Romeo and Juliet'?) All he cared about was being with Sophie.

In this book you also meet the rest of Sophie's large family. They all have the same views on how they see humans as threats and they can't be with them or date them.  As for Daniel, the werewolf love interest, I actually really loved how his character was in the story. He cared for Sophie, but has that passiveness that werewolves have when they want someone. He's described as being very sexy and hot. Sophie see's this, but she loves Jamie. It's sad when he was sent away, but I hope he comes back soon. 

The romance in this is really fast, but there is a lot of gaps between happenings in this book. Sophie has (non-graphic) sex with Jamie very quickly into the book. I don't mind the fast intimacy, but as I read 'Howl' I find myself wanting them to be together. Her family forbids it, but I want it! It really is a werewolf Romeo and Juliet.

The plot of this book is great. You learn a lot about Sophie's family and how her pack works. For example, the women always give birth to more then one baby at a time. The twin bond that the babies have in turn strengthens the bonds between the pack members. When there is only one baby, it makes the pack slowly fall apart. Then you have Sophie falling in love with a human while another werewolf want to take her as a mate. The real plot line starts up in the middle of the book when people start dying in the forests around Sophie's pack.  The pack is trying to figure out who is killing these people, and but an accident ends up tearing it apart. Just an overall great plot to a great story! It really shows how important family bonds are, but how sometimes you have to break away from family values to find your own path.

Design

The design to this book is a bit boring. The stock image is pretty, but the overall feel and look of the cover inspires the idea of a passionate, gothic romance. I wouldn't look at this cover in the book store if I came across it. What I would do though is find a better title font for the book and make it stretch across the whole book cover. The author's name would then go under the title of the book, and have a closer look at the model then have her far away. This way it will capture more people's attention. Right now, it looks more like an art book that artists like Victoria Frances would release.



Overall
I do love this book, especially the ending I can't wait to read more of this series. I do recommend this book to anyone who loves to read werewolf books.

Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

The Light Tamer by Devyn Dawson Review

The Light Tamer

Author: Devyn Dawson  

Release Date: April 10th 2012 
Format : ebook
Pages: PDF 144

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Myths,
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Humor,
Paranormal

Summary

Jessie moved from New York to North Carolina one week after school let out for summer break. Her newly single mother and Jessie move in with grandma Gayle. Being a teen in a retirement area, is one more thing to add to her 'this sucks' list. It's bad enough to have to move, but even worse her alcoholic father left them as he went on a quest to be an artist in Greece.

Things begin to look up when she is reintroduced to Caleb, the dorky boy that saved her life one summer at the beach. Caleb is no longer scrawny and nerdy, he is now tall, dark and handsome. Caleb is a Light Tamer.

Jessie and Amber become fast friends. Amber is a no frills girl, her snarky comments and sassy attitude will raise a few eyebrows and have you laughing out loud. Amber is rough around the edges, a light tamer with only two years left to find the one she is bound to. Her father's surfing accident left her dad paralyzed and her brother dead.

This paranormal romance will keep you on the edge of your seat with humor, romance, and determination. Fall head over heels for Caleb and Jessie.

My Thoughts on the Book
I went into the book thinking that I would enjoy it. It's an original concept within a genre I normally read. However, I feel that the writer didn't give enough credit for the readers and wrote it in a juvenile style, typical with tween readers audience. It was as if they couldn't decide to make this a tween or young adult book. 

I will say this I do like the concept of Light Tamers. I never heard of it before, and I love the idea that they need light to survive. However, the villains of the  book, Shadows (?) steal the light from them. When this happens, then they too become a bad guy. It was interesting to see a twist on traditional myths, as the fates love to change the lives of humans. In traditional myths, they create the path and leave it alone.

However, this book has many serious flaws.. I've never read a book where a girl talks to herself so often. To make it more confusing, her thoughts are heard by Calab (her boyfriend), and yet she still thinks her thoughts while hoping he doesn't hear. It becomes difficult to follow. It's made more difficult with the juvenile writing style. It seems to be written for ages 10-12, but it's not aimed for that audience. It took me a very long time to finish reading this book, as I had to force myself to read straight to the end. It seems that in a realistic situation, someone would be a bit more freaked out if they realized someone could read their thoughts. She barely reacted when she found out that he could read her thoughts. She just brushes it off and goes straight into wanting to kiss him. It didn't seem to phase her when she started to hear his thoughts.

At one point, she begins to think to herself about if he knew how much she loves his kisses. Because he can read her thoughts, now he does! And despite being told by her grandmother (who acts like a teenager throughout the book) that a few Tamers can heal people, she sees herself as a freak because she has this ability. She comes across as a strong character, but she takes everything that happens to her seriously. She wants to grow into her newfound role quickly, and not enjoy the journey.

The character of Amber seems a bit two-faced in her personality. She's not the type of person I would associate with if I ever met her. She talks badly about her diseased brother, and is a bit thoughtless. I can see why she doesn't have any friends when she treats people who try to be her friend badly.

The romance moved a bit to fast for me, and not one that's appropriate for a tween audience. After meeting for the second time in three years, they decide to become a couple. There's a lot of talk about breasts and how the main character wants Calab to touch her. But, because they're bonded, she can feel him touching her skin, despite touching through clothed. She even thinks, "I’m oddly aware that my breast are about to be smashed against his chest.... My breast pressed against him, my hands in his hair... My heart reminding me I’m alive." It's due to this writing, and others like it, that a 10-12-year-old shouldn't read it, although the writing seems to be catered for them

Unfortunately, I found this book to be predictable. The villain is obvious from the start, and when they mention healing powers in the start of the book, it's clear that the main character will have this ability. The only real surprise is with a key scene with the father, although the ending of the scene is sad.

Design


I will give credit for the book's cover artist. They combined the perfect balance of light and beauty to suggest the powers found within the book. The use of the purple to make the title stand out is lovely. The Title fits nicely with the way it's placed at the bottom. The author's name doesn't stand out to much to take away from the over all feel of the image but enough so that you know who wrote the book.





Overall
I think that the base work for a true bestseller is here, but there's internal weaknesses that the author and their editor should have been able to flesh out and strengthen. It was like they couldn't decide what audience to go for, so they combined styles for a multiple audience range.

Rating
  2 out of 5 Howling Wolves

In My Mailbox [14]

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren where you can learn about all the awesome new books I've picked up this week!

Here are the list of books I've receive in the last week with a link to their goodreads page:

Bought:

Won:

The Half-Breed Vampire by Theresa Meyers

Free: 
(It's because I have a gift card that it's free)

Before by Cambria Hebert
Masquerade by Cambria Hebert
Between by Cambria Hebert



Tell me about your IMM I would love to see it!!

Long Night Moon by S.M. Reine Review

Long Night Moon

Author: S.M. Reine 

ISBN: 9781937733155

Release Date:  March 3rd 2012
Format : ebook
Pages: (amazon 182)

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Werewolves,

Witches, Paranormal

Series: Seasons of the Moon #3

Summary
Something is killing innocent people around Rylie Gresham's town. The police think it's a wild animal, but she has other suspicions. There are new kids at school, and they have a lot in common with her: gold eyes, super strength, and a habit of turning furry. It seems Rylie's not the only werewolf around anymore.

It's up to Rylie and her werewolf-hunting boyfriend, Seth, to stop the killings. But saving lives doesn't come naturally to a monster, and territory battles could risk the life of her sickly aunt--not to mention her own. Rylie has no choice but to stand her ground, protect her home, and stop the murderers before anyone else gets hurt.

My Thoughts on the book
Already on the third book of this series and I can't get tired of it. Sure the books are short and not very long and sometimes ends off fast but I do love the series. This book is just as good as the last two of the series. The last book was thrilling and full of surprises this book was even more surprising. It leaves you guessing throughout the book and you don't know whats what till the very end.

The characters are all the same in this novel as it was in the first two. You get to see more of her and Seth and even more of Abel. which let me tell you I'm falling for his bad boy approach on things. He's more of a wolf in this book then the last, he wants to hunt down the new werewolves even if they are human. He even develops a interest in Rylie which I'm starting to seriously like just because I always fall for the second guy in books for some reason. Then there is the fact that even if he is scared he still sounds and acts sexy. The new werewolves are name Levi and Bekah they moved to town because they heard of Rylie. Not much is said about the two new wolves but I'm guessing we will learn more about them in the next book. Though right away you know that these two couldn't be the ones killing people. You also learn that Tate Rylie's school friend is gay and I had a major giggling fit when I learn of this, not to mention it's with Levi. I do wish there was more about those two but it was only like, oh they're gay okay. If only there was kissing I would have went crazy even more but the story is focus on Rylie so not much can be shown.

The romance in this book is very cute and much more then the last two books which I love. Seth and Rylie had a big make out scene which I was craving since the first book. Let me say this, I wish it continued and didn't stop the way it did but then Rylie still has to learn to control her wolf side. There is a small Abel and Rylie moments that got me to like Abel and her being together but who knows how it's going to go in the next book. Which is going to be very interesting after the way this book ending.

This book had some crazy moments with the way they described Rylie changing. To how was doing the killing, to the new wolves in town. From the start to the end everything drawn you into the main story plot. The fact that they don't know's killing the towns people you keep guessing till the very end. Then you wish that didn't happen because now everyone is split up. It's crazy, exciting and full of action. The moments you see where Rylie tries to act normal, trying to be human is sad because she's fighting with her inner werewolf. She wants to go to the school dance to be with Seth as a normal girl but she can't not with her werewolf side wanting to break out.

Design


Another great cover design, I love how there there is always wolves in the covers. It's just so pretty then to see Rylie on the cover in a dress just gives hits to the book so much. I love how pretty Rylie is and I love to see that it's winter in the background with the two wolves there. Everything is just beautiful then there is the flourishes at the bottom under the author's name adding to the beautiful piece. The title is all in lower case and dark standing out against the background image but not so much as the take away from the overall look and feel of the book.




Overall
I love this book series, I highly recommend it if you love werewolf books. They are short but not to much to leave you hanging.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves


First two book reviews of the series
Six Moon Summer by S.M. Reine
All Hallows' Moon by S.M. Reine

Fever by Lauren DeStefano Review

Fever

Author: Lauren DeStefano

ISBN: 144240907X (ISBN13: 9781442409071)

Release Date: February 21st 2012
Format : Hardcover
Pages: 341

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Post Apocalyptic,
  Dystopia , Science Fiction

Series: The Chemical Garden #1

Summary
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

My Thoughts on the Book
I will mention this first before I go on with the review. I do like this series somewhat. It's a interesting take on the future and the lives of women. I do like how Rhine finds a bit of happiness in believing her brother is out there maybe looking for her and that she has Gabriel with her. It's great that they have each other to lean on and that they take care of each other.

Now onto the real review, this book was just as annoying as the first book. It's so morbid I can't help but feel so damn depress. The way women are treated in this book just gets to me so much and I don't want to read this book but I have to read it to know what happens next.

The book takes off where 'Wither' left off of, they escape and end up in a new place. They don't know where they are but they take off thinking they were officially free and that they somehow needed to get to Rowan Rhine's brother. Though they are soon captured and brought to a type of carnival where again girls are treated unfairly from a first generation and they have to work for money whether its sex or just dancing. I can't believe that no matter where Rhine goes she's always treated poorly and nothing she does is going to help her escape this. Not to mention she feels bad through out the book that she is dragging Gabriel through this when he knew nothing of the real world. He doesn't care though even when he is beaten he doesn't care and just want to be around her and protect Rhine.

I don't even know if they have sex or not! it skips so much I don't know if they did it or not. It leaves you guessing on what they did while in that cage. I hate this fact because I do love them as a couple but if I can't guess what they did or didn't do this is just useless to me.

Then there is the huge filler near the ending and middle of the book. Where most of the time Rhine was so out of it, it was all about her feeling sick and not being able to do anything. I just didn't think there was a point to it. It just made me feel even more depressed about everything that was going on in the book. Then Vaughn finds her and takes her back to the house. Through out the book he kept finding her and I just, I hate that man. If I was in this book I probably would have killed myself then suffer from him. It's just to sad I got so depress every time he shows up especially at the end when he took her and she didn't get the chance to warn Gabriel or nothing. I just don't know how she can be normal by the end of this book. I can only see her as damage after everything she's been through.

Design


Another beautiful cover, same person on the front too which is pretty. I love how the cover is incorporated throughout the book. It has all those small circle designs and it's just pretty. Then you have the the items inside the circles all over the cover. It.s just really pretty I love the scene. Over all it's just a really well design cover and I can't wait to see the last cover.






Overall
If I knew this book would be this depressing I probably never would have read it. Though since I've read it I have to keep reading to know how it ends.

Rating
3 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Wither by Lauren DeStefano Review!

Wither

Author: Lauren DeStefano

ISBN: 1442409053 (ISBN13: 9781442409057)

Release Date:  March 22nd 2011
Format : Paperback
Pages: 358

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Post Apocalyptic,
  Dystopia , Science Fiction

Series: The Chemical Garden #1

Summary
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out? Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

My Thoughts on the Book
This dystopian book leaves you wanting to know what happens next in every chapter. I just can't imagin a world like that where girls are sold off to be a wife to someone she never met before and to share him with two other wives. Then again I do see how man would think so highly of themselves that they can do what they want to women if the world went to hell. Yeah if the world goes to hell like this I do think women will be sought after. It's the same thing in the book 'Eve' young girls were taken and they are forced to give birth. Makes me siver thinking about that life these Dystopian books have. How cool is it to have two different color eyes!! I would love to have those eyes!

To be captured and taken away from her home I don't know how Rhine could be so brave in that world. He parents are dead, she is only living with her twin brother taking care of themselves and then she is taken and brought to a place to be a wife. She's so very brave in not giving up and planning to escape one way or another. She's smart and knows that she would never live in that house for the rest of her life. At least she finds a bit of peace with her sister wives and her friend/maybe more with Gabriel. There is two sister wives and they couldn't be more different from each other. Cecily is a young girl, thirteen years old only when she's brought to the house. She acts like a kid for most of the book and bosses the servants around. She just adores Linden and wants to do anything for him even sleep with him to have his kids because that's all she ever knew. Though she does become more subtle later on in the book which is weird because she's still so young. Then there is Jenna who is older then both Cecily and Rhine, she shows her dislike for the place in a small way. She keeps to herself mostly at first before she starts to open up to Rhine. She's only shows her true self when Rhine is around but mostly she hides behind a act around the House Governor and Master. Linden I just think he's a child molester and he should be shot. No. . .he's just a really nave guy following the rules of his father. He knows nothing about the real world protected in a bubble his father set up for him. He doesn't mind having more the one wife and he is nice to Rhine at least and lets her have a say in what they do in bed which I'm glad for. Then there is the sweet Gabriel, he's so kind and nice to Rhine I just love him. Though the fact that he's a servant is sad because if he does something wrong then he's beaten. He secretly becomes Rhine's friend and they would talk when they had the chance. He knows nothing but what's inside the house they stay at. He doesn't know what kind of life is out there for him or if there is a life. He spent his whole life inside the mansion never leaving it. With the friendship/maybe something more with Rhine he wants to leave with her and even if he's not sure of himself yet.

The only Romance in this book that I like is the very little interaction that happens between Rhine and Gabriel. They are so sweet together because it's so new in what they are feeling and how to experience things. They do everything in secret though because they aren't suppose to associate with each other and so either in the early mornings or when they are in the garden do they talk with one another and grow closer. I'm not even going to mention Linden.

The plot is so great I just needed to know what happens next. Seeing her go through that kind of hell, being put into a marriage she doesn't want and to act like a good wife. It was just all so much I just needed to get through this book. It annoyed me so much about the way they treated the Women. I would stop reading this book if I wasn't so interested in how this series will end.

Design
The designs on the cover and inside is just so pretty. Not only the book cover is design but inside as well is design. It's like ever piece of this book is a canvas and it's just so beautiful. I find the lines and circles are petty and show the connections from the cover and the book. Like the bird in the cage is like that old saying about how someone is trapped like a bird in a cage. It's just so well design, though I don't find the sideways words all that great because i need to tilt my head to read it haha!!





Overall
Even though I find this series annoying I do wish to finish it and I don't find it all that bad. It does have it's great moments and makes me happy at times. So that's good at least and I do want to finish this series to find out what happens next.

Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

In my Mailbox [13]

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren where you can learn about all the awesome new books I've picked up this week!

Here are the list of books I've receive in the last week with a link to their goodreads page:

Bought:

Won:

Fever by Lauren DeStefano
The Light Tamer by Devyn Dawson
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Free: 
(It's because I have a gift card that it's free)

  

Long Night Moon by SM Reine
Eden's Root by Rachel Fisher
Tell me about your IMM I would love to see it!!

No Tea Room Manga Reveiw

Author: Shoowa
Artist: Shoowa

Genra: Yaoi

Year: 2007

Original Publisher:

Houbunsha

Volumes: 

1 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

No

English Publisher

Summary
Renji and Kenta are musicians, they meet each other thanks to the friendship between their bands. Each musician has different reasons to play, be it love for the music, a strong desire to surpass their fears on stage or even just for someone's approbation.

While these bands are struggling to be known in such a competitive world, Kenta is struggling with a different problem in his love life; can he be a replacement for someone else?

My thoughts on the Manga
This story is great I loved every moment of this manga, it was cute and had a few laughable moments. It was a bit confusing, i don't know if the person on the website got the chapters mixed up or it was suppose to be like that because something else happen between the two pages.

Renji is a cute kid, well 20 year old. . .he's very loveable and he just adores Kenta from the first moment he meets him. He loves hanging with him but can't help but still have small feelings for Arthur who is part of his band. Though he soon starts to develop feelings for Kenta and gets mad at his bandmate for telling Kenta the truth about their past relationship.  Kenta is just so amazing as a Seme, he's on top but he blushes so much and he's so immature it's just to cute. He loves his band but he wants to focus on college and his future so he can't be in the band for long but he will still play his guitar for Renji. Kenta never expected to fall in love with Renji when he first meets the boy but then he couldn't really stop loving him.

The romance is a bit fast but then it's cute at the same time so I didn't really mind it. At first you can tell right away what Kenta's feelings were but you Renji took a while to figure out. I couldn't tell if he was still in love with his ex or not, I guess that's what makes the story so interesting for that.

Design





The design is simple but the characters are drawn really well. I love how each character is different and that there is some detail. Not all panels are design a lot behind the character but sometimes there is. By the way the character speaks and his faciel features you can tell what that character is feeling.











Overall
I loved the manga but it didn't make me go crazy for it. Though if you like a cute seme in the story I suggest reading this it's funny.

Rating 

4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Touch Blue Manga Review

Author: Aoi Kujou
Artist: Aoi Kujou

Genra: Yaoi

Year: 2005

Original Publisher:

Taiyou Tosho

Volumes: 

1 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

yes

English Publisher
Digital Manga Guild

Summary

Junya still has Kyouichi’s handkerchief from a long time ago when they met. But now, after their parents got married to one another, they meet again this time as step-brothers. Junya wants to return the handkerchief, but isn’t sure that Kyouichi remembers him or that fateful night. Kyouichi also has unusual pains that suddenly develop and the only one he can contact is Junya. Are these pains just an excuse to be able to touch his step-brother?

My Thoughts on the Manga
This manga is so cute!!! I love it so damn much, it's my second time reading this manga and I never get tired of it because the characters are just so loveable.

Junya is a great adult figure and he loves his work and also his family. So when his parents are married and he gets a new step brother he doesn't really mind it all that much. He takes care of Kyouichi even though he starts to feel something for him, though he isn't the only one. Kyouichi is in highschool and is also started to develop feelings for Junya but doesn't know how to act on them at first until later.

The romance is so hot and cute that I love it so much. Especially the scene where Kyouichi is having museal pain because of how he's growing and Junya goes and starts rubbing the leg causing Kyouichi to move away fast. You can only imagin why he did that hehe. Though it gets sad when Junya starts to think he's taking Kyouichi's future away from him after he hears Kyouichi confess his love for him. So he leaves Kyouichi and moves to annother country. Five years later he returns and Kyouichi is a lot older and his feelings doesn't change for Junya. It's cute how they figured out how to be together and how Junya finally gives in and accepts his feelings for Kyouichi. Something about a younger guy being on top is hot.

Design

LOOK HOW CUTE THE CHARACTERS ARE. The author knows how to draw her characters. I'm pretty sure I've read some of her other works. She knows how to draw her characters and put lots of detail into each one. She also loves putting detail in the background scenes and it's just plan amazing.

Overall
I recommend this manga if you ever come across it in a book store. If you like Yaoi and is into reading something cute as well this book is for you!

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Flowers Manga Review

Author: MIYAMOTO Kano
Artist: MIYAMOTO Kano

Genra: Yaoi

Year: 2005

Original Publisher:

Tokuma Shoten

Volumes: 

1 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

No
English Publisher

Summery
When Ryou moves into a new apartment block, his neighbour Makoto makes no secret of the fact that he likes men, and Ryou is forced to confront the secret doubts he's always had about his own sexuality. Things get complicated when Makoto's history with the other resident of the building, Nanno, results in jealousy, tension, and love triangles all around.

My Thoughts on the Manga
This manga made me get so mad at times and so upset at other times. It felt like Makoto no matter what he says you think he's only using the pour boy who is Ryou. I just can't stand that type of character. Not to mention you start to feel sorry for Nanno and by the end of it you wish there was more of him.

Ryou only recently started to believe that he's gay, he didn't know if he was before or not. So learning that Makoto is gay he couldn't help but want to be around him. They soon sleep together and then Ryou starts to second guess himself because he figured that Makoto was only using him. He's a shy boy and really innocent so that was probably the reason why Makoto was drawn to him. Makoto is a Model who sleeps with the person he's modeling for. He's actually quite a playboy and sleeps around. Though when Ryou comes it catches his attention right away on how innocent the boy is. Nanno is a character who likes Makoto a lot because they sleep together most often. He didn't like the fact that Makoto has an interest in Ryou and tries to split them up by sleeping with Makoto while Ryou watches. It's a intersting story but you get really annoyed by how Makoto acts and how you feel sorry for Nanno. I just wish there was more to it then just that maybe a side story of Nanno falling in love with someone so you don't think he will be lonely forever.

Design



It's not a bad way of drawing the author is really detailed in her manga. The characters also don't look the same they all look different and have different personalties. Though when Makoto cuts his hair short he looks so different it surprises you but you know it's him. I love his new look at the end he doesn't look to be a uke so much with short hair because when I first started to read this book I thought the guy with long hair would be the guy on the bottom haha!









Overall
It's a alright story I would reccomand it because the interaction between the characters are fun and playful.

Rating

3 out of 5 Howling Wolves

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong Review

The Calling

Author: Kelley Armstrong

ISBN: 0061797057 (ISBN13: 9780061797057)

Release Date:  April 10th 2012
Format : Paperback
Pages: 326

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy,
Paranormal, Supernatural

Series: Darkness Rising #2

Summery
Maya and her friends--all of whom have supernatural powers--have been kidnapped after fleeing from a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set, and after a terrifying helicopter crash they find themselves pursued by evildoers in the Vancouver Island wilderness.

My Thoughts on the Book
All I can say is wow, this book is just plain wow!!! I couldn't believe the follow up to the first book was just so damn good. Kelley Armstrong knows how to write her books and I just love how she written this volume. It's full of action and adventure not to mention a little romance at the end. It was just full of surprises. Not to mention the way she describes Maya turning into a cougar and how she acts like a cougar was so beautiful. This book just makes me want to read the third book right now I don't think I could stand waiting so long for the third book.

The characters in this book grow closer together, they become close friends when before they didn't get along to well. Not to mention a surprise look into one of the character realizing she isn't as nice as you seem to think she is. Maya and Daniel take up the leader role in this book, leading everyone and making the tough decisions. Maya also learns to relay more on her gifts of her skin walker gene to get them through some tough situations. She soon starts to learn more about what her and the others are and what it meant to live in that small Vancouver town. It's the same with Daniel he learns more about himself and what he really is. He learns about what his gifts are and what type of supernatural he is. He leads the group with Maya making decisions that are best for them. He never leaves Maya's side and cares a lot about her, now whether he has feelings for her or not I don't know but I really do love their friendship. You also learn more about Sam, Nicole, Hayley, Refe and Corey in this book then you would have ever guess there could be more to them then just that. Having them in the story made it more interesting with the interaction of the characters together. Not to mention some arguments but that what makes the situation somewhat better.

There was very little romance in this book because it was focus so much on them trying to escape the people after them. Not to mention when your in the forest and scared to death on being captured who can have time to focus on romance. Though there was a few scenes that make you go "Yes!" in your head and just want them to kiss all the more. Ohhh it was so cute I loved that scene so much. I'm not going to spoil but you will love it believe me.

The plot was great, every moment of it kept you wanting to see if what happens next. They had to keep escaping from people who wanted to capture them but it was hard when those people knew how to catch them somehow. It was great and lots of things happen that makes you wonder how you couldn't have believed it would be like that. You also learn how Serena actually died and it's truly sad when you learn the truth.

Design


The cover design is just so eye catching and pretty just like all of Kelley Armstrongs other series book cover. The photograph draws you in with the way the girl is staring at you and the way her earring stands out so well in the picture. Then there is the title to the book, the smaller "the" compared to "Calling" fits well in that small space. Then there is the author's name which I don't find abstracting your view of the overall image of the whole thing.





Overall
This book was as good as the last volume probably even better with all the action and adventure in it. It will leave you wanting more but that's the price to pay when you want to read what happens next in The Gathering series.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves



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