Aiso Tsukashi Manga Review

Author: Saki Aida

Artist: Yugi Yamada
Genra: Yaoi

Year: 2009

Original Publisher:

Taiyou Tosho

Volumes: 

1 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher
Emanga

Summary
Here we get to follow a story about Sawaragi from Takaga Koi daro.

Continues the story of Sawaragi-san after his jail time.

Having been sentenced to 5 years in prison for dealing drugs, yakuza Kyousuke Sawaragi just wants to finish his sentence and start a nice normal life far away from his past. So after parole, when he literally runs into former cellmate Shuuya, he's in no hurry to renew their acquaintance. Fate seems to have other ideas though, having the yakuza and Shuuya repeatedly cross paths with him. Can he really turn his back on all of it, especially if it holds out his one chance at finding true love? It's exciting romance as only the famed Saki Aida (S) can write it and Yugi Yamada (Close the Last Door) can draw it!

My Thoughts on the Manga
This was a great follow up to Takaga Koi daro. I can't choose which story I like most because I like them both so damn much.

In jail Sawaragi is different from how you know him in the provous book. He doesn't want to have anything to do with the Yakaza any more and wants to start over. Not only that but he doesn't want to help Shuuya at first until he couldn't take it anymore and he finally saves Shuuya from a prick. When they get out of jail and Sawaragi meets Shuuya again he takes him in right away. All Shuuya knows all his life is sex, he only knows how to sell his body. He doesn't know how to express himself through any other way but as he starts to stay with Sawaragi that slowly starts to change. He wants to be good for Sawaragi and even goes away with a Yakaza at one point so that Sawaragi doesn't get hurt. He also does get jealous really fast and at one point he gets jealous over a small boy.

The first start the story where you see a black hair boy collapsed in front of Sawaragi but you know right away that Sawaragi knows him. Then they do a flash back to when he was in jail, the first panel you know exactly who Sawargi ran into in the preasent. In jail it goes through how Sawargi takes care of the kid without letting him get to close. The story goes back to the present and continues to show how Sawaragi and Shuuya interact towards one another. He still doesn't get close to Shuuya till he knows for sure that Shuuya will want more of him then just sex.

Design

Again like the previous book this has lots of detail in how the characters are design and how the background of each pannel is design. Sawaragi is the guy with light gray hair while the boy is Shuuya. The expressions that the characters show is so nice and even when the author put detail in the background you fall in love with the style even more.












Overall
Great sequal to the series and I'm glad that it shows the characters from the last book. This really made me happy to see a sequel and I highly recommend this series.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Takaga Koi daro Manga Review

Author: Saki Aida
Artist: Yugi Yamada
Genra: Yaoi

Year: 2007

Original Publisher:

Taiyou Tosho

Volumes: 

1 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher
Emanga

Summary
Kurata Izumi's memories of Takatsudo Shin end at middle school graduation when Shin told Izumi he never wants to see him again. Now Izumi is a single father whose son is in love with Shin's nephew. They're forced to interact, but Shin doesn't seem to remember what he said to Izumi. Add Izumi's yakuza brother-in-law Sawaragi into the mix...

My Thoughts on the Manga
This was a very cute manga, it was both funny and sad. For a one shot manga it had a great plot line.

It centers around Izumi and how he is a single parent because of how his wife died giving birth to their son. With the help of his brother in law Sawaragi he got a good job as a cafe manager. During this time he runs into his old friend Shin who he hasn't seen since middle school graduation. The reason was because of how Shin told Izumi how he never wanted to see him again. So seeing Shin kind of scared Izumi and not be able to trust him all that fast. Shin has loved Izumi all those years but only recently with him running into Izumi again did he realized that. He works as a cop undercover to get close to Izumi at first but then his feelings for Izumi took over and he just wanted to be near him.

I do love the romance in this book, it's slow but you do see chemistry between the two main characters. You can tell how Shin wants to apologize to the way he acted all those years ago. Eventually Izumi accepted the apology and got together with Shin. 

The plot is great, you see how Shin goes under cover to uncover a drug dealing that is going on with the Yukaza, which is coming from Izumi's brother in law Sawaragi. Somehow Izumi is apart of this but he has no idea and Shin realizes this. While this goes on you see that Izumi does a great job as a parent and works hard to provide for them both and Sawaragi helps as well despite him being a Yakaza.
Design



The light hair guy is Izumi the main character of the book and the black hair guy is Shin the side character who is the cop. I've seen this style of art before and it's really well done. It has some great detail in the panels especially on the characters themselves.












Overall
Great story line and the characters are just so loveable. Especially the little kids, you will laugh at how one treats the main character. You will be glad to know there is a sequel with Sawaragi the Yakaza brother in Law.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Sweep Manga Review

Author: Momoko Tenzen
Artist: Momoko Tenzen
Genra: Yaoi

Year: 2010

Original Publisher:

Core Magazine  

Volumes: 

1 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

No

English Publisher

Summary
While trying to save a cat, Mei literally falls into Akihiko’s arms, also breaking his glasses in the process. To pay him back, Mei gets a part-time job at the store where Akihiko works. This might just be the start of a very sweet love story.

My Thoughts on the Manga

This story was a fun playful story about the releationship between two characters. One in highschool the other is older by ten years and is working in a glass shop. They wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for  Mei falling out of the tree and landing on top of Akihiko. That brought them together cause soon Mei was working for the boss of the place Akihiko is working at. They grow closer and soon began to go out on dates. I really do love this plot and how the characters work together to figure out their true feelings. It doesn’t end on how I expect it to end but it was good either way.

Design



The Mangaka does put  detail's in the characters expression and in their looks. She does put details in the backgrounds of most panels, other times there is none but that only makes you focus on the characters expression. This mangaka is good in her drawings and it makes me like this manga more so because of it.



Overall
Its a really good story and I wish there was more like always but I was glad it could fit all in one manga.

Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

The Selection by Kiera Cass Review

The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass    

ISBN: 0062059939 (ISBN13: 9780062059932)

Release Date:  December 17th 2011
Format : Paperback

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Post Apocalyptic,
Dystopian,  Science Fiction
Series: The Selection #1

Summary
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Thoughts on the Book
I still don’t understand why people gave this book such a low rating. It has everything a book needs; it makes you laugh, cry and has those heart wrenching scenes. Everything a good book needs it has. This is why I give it 5 stars!

America has great personality as a character in this book. She is kind and caring towards people who are under her caste. She is even stubborn at times, such as when she tries to stop her mother in getting her into the selection. Her caring side shows in the way she treats her maids. She treats them more like friends then maids as they are. This is a good quality as most people in her caste treat maids as if they're not there. 

One word to describe Asher is that he is full of pride. He is a six caste citizen which makes them either a servant or maid working for people, earning almost next to nothing. He has the weight of all his loved ones on his shoulders. He would do anything for his family and for America even if it means to give her up to give her a better life. 

Maxon is someone who has been inside the palace walls for most of his life. He knows nothing about the citizens in their country. The most he knows how to do is to command the soldiers that protect the country from the ones who don’t like the rulers. He doesn’t even know how to act around a girl, he just tries his best. When the selection happens everything is new to him, even kissing is new. He does want to do what’s right and help America, but he also has the country to think about too. 

 Something about secret romances always make love the book even more. America and Asher being together in secret is so cute. They go against the rules just to be together, they could risk being put in jail by breaking curfew to be together. They always meet in an old tree house and spend most of the night together. Then there is Prince Maxon. You could tell right away that America caught his attention on the first night she stayed at the Palace. Since then though America made it clear that she only wanted to be friends and he understands but he soon starts to really develop feelings for her and it slips whenever he is around her. The way they act together is interesting and makes you laugh at times. Between these two men it leaves me guessing on who she will end up with. I love the love triangle that is going on right now and I really can’t decided which guy I like more. 

I love this new dystopian world; it gives you enough history to know what happen to the world. I like this because not all dystopian books tell you the history to why they are now living the way they are now. I do like the fact that it goes by caste from 1-8 there might be a 9 but I’m not a 100% sure. The ones are the royals while two and three live a good life. Four to five struggle a bit while six, seven and eight might not make enough to eat some days. The plot is focus mostly on the Selection and the relationship between America and everyone she meets. Not to mention the love triangle that happens in the middle.  It starts off with 35 girls entering the Selection.  These girls compete to be princess of the whole country, standing next to prince Maxon. As the story goes on Maxon starts to remove the girls from the competition. He takes them all out on dates to see whether or not he could fall in love with them. That soon changes when he meets America which changes something’s because he likes her but she doesn’t think she could love him. Though as you continue to read you see that small fact slowly changes and America starts to struggle on who she really loves.

Design

The Blue dress was what drew me in the first time I saw this book. Just looking at this I didn't want to read what it's about I just wanted to buy it then and there. Everything is just so pretty, from the image to the Title of the book and the design of a crown above the Title is just works well for the over all image. I cant wait to see the rest of the book series covers. I bet all of them will be just as pretty.


Overall
Great book, don't listen to what the other people think of the book I highly recommend this dystopian novel.

Review

5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Eden's Root Book Review

Eden's Root

Author: Rachel Fisher   

ASIN: B006NP415G
Release Date:  December 17th 2011
Format : ebook

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Post Apocalyptic,
Dystopian,  Science Fiction
Series: Eden's Root Trilogy #1

Summary
The year is 2033 and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

My Thoughts on the Book

From the beginning I wasn’t to sure I would ever start reading this book, but I did have it on my To-read list on Goodreads should I ever get the desire to read it. When the author came to me and asked me if I wanted to read and review this book, I was very excited. No other author has asked that of me before. I was happy to receive this copy to read. My only regret is not reading this book sooner!

The main character in this book is called “Fi”. It's her nickname, with only her father using her full name. I think it's a beautiful name, but no spoilers from me! She’s a strong character, and even as a 14-year-old girl she knows how to take care of her family from everything that is happening in the world. For months, Fi’s been training for the day the world goes to hell. She made sure she trained in how to use a gun and even a crossbow. She’s the leader of her group as they travel across the United States to reach Canada. On the way they pick up new people to add to their group, which they call “Family”. Each person Fi tells them that she is the leader and that they need to fallow under her rules so that they get to their destination safely.  Another important character would be Sean, which Fi has known for most of her life because of how close their parents are. She even mentions how Sean’s parents were like a second father and mother to her. Sean is a very smart person and knew right away that something was up with Fi and didn’t stop to second guess her when she told the truth about what was happening. He actually got to work with training with her. Though he isn’t much of a fighter, he did do his best at training and knows how to fend off people as well as he could. The family that she travels with is a mix of society. There is already quite a few when her and Sean escaped their town to head north but as they went they began to gather more people. I found it a little convenient that they first find a doctor, then a teacher for the little kids and later two kids who were good at outdoor survival and they were both Orienteering experts. With their help they got to Eden a lot easier. I just thought it was to covenant that they found these people, but anything to make the journey easier is a bonus. The last main character they meet is Asher. He carries around a sword, and is the only character to do so. You first meet him sometime in the middle of the story where he decided to stay in his city while many other people left. He was in charge of his own gang, since that was the only way to get by in a city. When he met up with Fi, the meeting didn’t go that well, but soon he joined their group, never looking back on his past with that city. 

The romance in this book was strange but so very cute. Asher and Fi are cute together, although Asher is roughly 5 years older then Fi when they meet up. She’s 15 while he just turned 20. I guess in the old world this wouldn’t be right but in this world people have to grow up quickly. It’s cute how at first their just teasing each other before they tell each other their true feelings. Even at the end Asher surprises me by what he says to her. There was some happenings with Fi and Sean, Sean has always loved Fi but Fi only loved him as a sister/brother relationship. Every time he tries to show Fi his true feelings she would pull away. Then she starts to be with Asher and you can see how hurt Sean is and you know what Sean just accepts her feelings for Asher and moves on. This doesn’t make sense to me, how could someone give up his feelings for the girl he has loved for so long so fast? I guess he either really never loved her enough if he’s not willing to fight for her, or loved her so much that he was willing to let her go so she could be happy with another man.

What I liked about this book was how real this dystopian type life could be. It gets you thinking on what we’re doing to the plants and how they are so different from plants century’s ago. We don’t know that what we’re doing to the plants that could kill us, so this book has a very interesting point.  This plot was so interesting; I enjoyed every moment of it. From Fi becoming leader of a small group to a big group. Even having time to fall in love with someone and acting like a normal teenager for once gives some normal to the crazy world they are now living in. As well as to see how each character brings the story together so well.

Design

This book was so well design, this is what caught my attention first when I saw this book. I didn’t know what it was about but I loved the cover so much I went and looked it up and I’m glad I did. The way this cover was design, captured the whole essence of the book. From half the picture looking all dried up and dead while the other half is living. Showing what is now and then. Then you have the girl in front which you know right away is Fi because of her hair color. The title of the book font was chosen well but the author’s name is a little hard to see where it’s located.  

Overall

I love every moment of this book and if your interested in Dystopian novels I highly suggest you read this book it’s really good!

Rating

4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

In My Mailbox [16]

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!

This is about three weeks worth of books since I've been so busy to update my  IMM!
Here are the list of books I've receive in the last week with a link to their goodreads page:

Bought:

I'm going crazy in getting Dystopian type novels, I'm so excited to read The Selection and Matched.

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Matched by Ally Condie
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Tempest by Julie Cross

Won:

Galdoni by Cheree Alsop The Crescent by Jordan Deen The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa No Remorse by MaryLynn Bast

Review:



Medusa a Love Story by Sasha Summers
Storm by Bernard Lee DeLeo

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

No Remorse by MaryLynn Bast Review

No Remorse

Author: MaryLynn Bast    

ISBN: 1470042223 (ISBN13: 9781470042226)
Release Date:   March 17th 2012
Format : Paperback
Pages: 250

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

Summary
Due to her unusual birth, Amber has abilities no other werewolf has ever possessed. On the run since childhood, the lone wolf avoids contact with other werewolves at all cost, continually moving, constantly looking over her shoulder and always alone.

Everything changes when Amber saves a werewolf from the mere brink of death, Blake, the only werewolf to ever protect her. Love blossoms, but not without tribulations when Amber realizes she must help her new pack rescue a member who is being held hostage by a rival pack.

Warring with emotions of going from lone wolf to the pack leader’s mate, Amber must decide if she is willing to risk Blake’s life to know true family and friendship despite the fact that the Council is hell bent on locating her and will stop at nothing until she is found. Will Amber’s special abilities be enough to keep everyone safe?

My Thoughts on the Book
This is yet another werewolf book that was rushed. It seems like werewolf writers are so focused on the action scenes that they leave out plot and character development. Things just...happen. For example, the bad guy very quickly stops being the bad guy. I did enjoy some parts of this book, like the fact that there are a lot of wolf scenes, and they're described beautifully.

The main character is Amber. She’s been on the run almost her whole life, half of that was with her mom. Her mom even told her to stay away from packs, since they may try and hurt her if they found out about her. (Her mom's a bit biased, as she admitted to Amber that she was raped by her werewolf pack the first time she changed. Perfect way to traumatize a child into having commitment issues, and this does create conflict between Amber and her mother later on.) Given her situation, I thought that she'd keep trying to run when she does run into an old friend (Blake), so she doesn't risk getting hurt. Nope, instead she pulls a complete character reversal and starts an immediate romance with him. I find it hard to believe that someone who's been on the run for so long would decide to sleep with and stay with someone. Even when she’s thinking about running away, it’s one sided as Blake convinces her not to right away. I did find that when Amber shows her new powers to Blake, it was well done. Who wouldn't want to show off being invisible? To have that in a pack can be a helpful if danger arrives or to use it like they did in the book. 

The idea for the plot was good, though it moved a bit too fast for events to properly develop. I enjoyed the background story of Amber and how she is in present day. I did find the beginning a bit confusing, as the first chapter's events jumped out of chronological order. One minute she knows the name of a camper she’s hunting, the next it’s before she met him when she was first coming up to him. Then she’s killing him and eating him, and suddenly it's back to where she met him and how they fought. It's as if someone copy-pasted the story out of order during editing. However, after the messy first chapter, events become slightly clearer. Amber meets Blake and the pack, becoming Blake's mate after meeting him for the first time in years. She also discovers things about her mother that shake up her world and her reasons for why she thought she did things. At the end of the book, the bad guy Isaac wakes up and decides to appear out of no where and go after Amber. This is odd, since when I watched the trailer it showed that the main bad guy who was after Amber is Isaac, but you don’t meet him till the ending.

Details are also added to the book that I don't think are needed. There's a small appearance of the vampire, and her powers are only briefly explained. Some of her powers aren't really even needed, adding to the redundancy of her character. I think this book could have been fine without there being vampires included in the book. The witches that appeared, that made sense. They were part of the reason why Amber was kept hidden for so long, but vampires did nothing for the story line. Even the inclusion of some of Amber's abilities didn't make sense.

As I mentioned before, I found that the romance happened too suddenly. In real life, people take time to get to know each other. Even friends who've known each other for years take their time when they move into the dating world. I did like the few sex scenes the the book. They were hot, and kept me interested. I don't know if others would agree with me, but I found the sex scenes to be among the few good pieces of the book.

I was looking forward to something epic, but was a bit disappointed by a filler in the middle of the book. Events jumped and took place too quickly. The middle filler was honestly just that, filler, boring and not very exciting. If there is a second book, I hope that it's better written and more flushed out. This one was anticlimactic. I'm hoping that the second book will be better and resolve things more clearly.

Design


As for the cover of the book I do very much like it, it's really well done. Though one thing confuses me, in the book she has black hair but in this picture of Amber she has brown hair. I know I'm just being picky but I think the designer could have done better in picking a model or at least using photoshop to change the hair color cause I know it can be done. The Title seems a bit plain and small but besides those small details I do love the cover.

Overall
This is an alright right read, I do recommend you try it out or read a few more reviews then decide.

Rating
3 out of 5 Howling Wolves