Stones of Power
It is tough giving this manga a one star. And I really tried hard to devour everything the author has offered in this story. But that everything fails to keep my interest. The endless fish and the magic stone talking are tiresome in some way. I mean it is good that Isora includes facts about those expensive fishes and those power stones. But it overshadows the other elements of the story, like the characters. She digs out to much information about fishes and stones and almost forgets that there are actually people in the story to fill in. Which leads all the character to voice out every bit of informations about them to the readers. So it is like watching a commercial on tv, endorsing their product to the audience with a boring script. So I felt disengaged with all the characters. And only know one thing about them: they like fish. Gahh, fish again.And after all that fishy thing talking, here comes a big big ball from only god knows where that holds a powerful monster or a snake something. And follows many things that no one seems to care about. And for the artwork, it's drawn like your typical manga. So no emphasizing on that part.
I'm not really sure if I'm going to recommend this manga. Maybe no. And before I end this review let me tell you something, this thing really bugs me from the very start, it's the Cafe Renan.This may be a petty observation but I haven't seen any other customers in the cafe nor the siblings serving coffee to anyone in the entire manga. But I've seen them selling stones but never a single cup of coffee. Nor doing any coffee related stuff. See? I told you it's not really important.
The Bells of Times Square
more of 4.5 starsWalter was his, and no one could take that away.
Do you know Katy Perry's Thinking of You song? It's one of the few songs I fall in love with. Listening to it everyday. Devouring each lines. Such a beaufiful piece. Well, I'm not here to talk about the song, but that reminds me of this book. Especially, Nate's life after the war. This was a beautiful piece like the song. So emotional and so inspiring. And heartwarming. Loved this story! By the way, this was my first Amy Lane book and this wouldn't be the last.
But truth be told, I had a hard time liking the story at first. Because I felt disengaged with the characters. They seemed so distant and I couldn't find a way to feel them. Like, Walter was doing this and that dramatic stuff, crying and shouting and I was in my room reading that part, emotionless. So I almost decided to DNF it. But, thanks God, as I gave it another try, everything started to click. From the characters, to the plot, to the tension. Everything started to be very good. And I found myself unable to put this down. And asked myself why the hell I even tried to stop reading this book? this heartbreaking beautiful book??
For you, Nate and Walter, why gave me such heartache?? But thanks Amy for the HEA. Don't really know what to do without that. Highly Recommended!!
VS Aliens
There's no doubt that this is one of the cutest manga I have read. This is the kind of book you should pick up whenever you're in bad mood or just annoyed by the book you've recently read. It was a funny and light read. That will surely give smile to your face and brighten your day. Everything about the story would keep you turn the pages and the art was fabulous. It added to the cuteness of the manga and gave more life to the characters. So I had no problem with discerning this certain character from the others. But the only con with this one was the ending. Yes, It was like a fantasy book with a protagonist fighting demons or monsters but it would end up with the character waking and realizing that everything was just a nightmare. Of course the character here wasn't dreaming or whatever but close to the said idea. And also the realization was thrown out easily not giving the readers the chance to guess or think.
But I was serious earlier about this manga uplifting your mood. Still recommended.
Myth and Magic: Queer Fairy Tales
Few things about this book.1. It is obviously a collection of retold classic fairy tales with a queer twist.
2. Yes buddy, You heard me right! With a queer twist. So don't expect to see Sleeping Beauty waiting for handsome Prince Charming to rescue.
3. Mature scenes are visible in some stories. Yeah, there's a lot. So if you're a kiddo thinking that this is your fairy tale, I'm commanding you right now to close your eyes and go back to your home and watch some disney cartoons instead.
Okay. This compilation is good. I mean, it gives us a lot of different variety of a short story in just a single book. Some stories were serious. Some were funny. Some were sad. Some were dark. And some were erotica. But not all the stories here were okay. Few were seriously dull. And boring. I had quite high expection with this book because the premise was really interesting. But I didn't get the similarity of some retold stories to the original one. It somehow felt forced. Because the mature scenes became more prominent than the story itself. But some had really good and interesting version. So here's my favorite:
1. Red by Andi Marquette (5 stars)
- I really really loved this version. The likeness to the original story was still there but with more exciting plot. The characters were lesbians, yet reading it wasn't awkward. And I'd love to read more from this author.
2. The Vain Prince by Andrew J. Peters (4 stars)
- I liked the dark part of the story but the ending was a meh.
3. The Snow King by Rhidian Brenig Jones (3.5 stars)
- Everything was beautiful except the freaking seed part.
But I really liked this anthology and you would also like this too. Recommend!
1 Samuel: How to Be a Child after God's Heart
I am very fortunate enough to get this free through Goodreads First-Reads.Okay, so this is a well written book with love and passion. Every chapter of this devotional book is very simple to understand for the kids. It includes short verses from the Bible that really is inspiring. A focal point, where Angela explains what the chapter is all about. And also some important things like short prayers, application, bible verses to memorize. This book will also serves as your bonding time with your kids, especially these days with so much distractions everywhere. If you're a parent and wishes your children to grow up knowing the Word, this is a good book to start with to guide your kids.
Blind Faith
It was a fun and cute read. A fairy tale-like story with a they-live-happily-ever-after conclusion. Every characters, major or minor, was likeable. No Antagonist. Even Mark, the badass friend of Carter, was interesting and funny sometimes. I did also appreciate the man and dog relationship shown in here. It was beautiful. And the dogs were so cute and adorable. I loved the overflowing cheessiness in here that really made me smile throughout the story. And the ending was satisfying. I'll definitely continue with this series.
 - N.R. Walker)
C.O.W.L. Volume 1: Principles of Power
Well I'm giving this 4 stars mostly because of the art. I don't know how art stuff works but what I know is, the illustration is freaking incredible. It really is beautiful, Rod Reis's art makes every scenes realistic and it keeps you attach to the story.And to the story itself, the characters in here are your typical super heroes but they are still interesting. I'm just hoping to see more development in them in the next installment (and to see more of Grant and Eclipse). And it is also good that the story didn't only focus to the never ending fighting scenes but paves way to the feelings of each characters. Because we are able to see the different sides of a hero. Not just their powers. Yeah, there's a bit drama but a good one. The twist is also good and shocking at the same time.
I believe the story will get better in the next installments and I'll probably continue with this series. Recommend!
A Tale of Two Mommies
Vanita Oelschlager created an awesome book again! A Tale of Two Mommies is as beautiful and engaging as to A Tale of Two Daddies. The story is still bright and inspiring with a captivating illustration. Which is really cheerful and cute. The kids are really cute. And so adorable.As time goes by, more and more same-sex couples are raising children of their own, and this book would help the kids to know that the different is not really that wrong, so they can grow up without confusion. This will explain to them that growing up with a non-traditional family is as normal as growing up with a mom and dad. The conversations are simple so the kids won't find it hard to understand. And surely the art will keep them engage. Highly recommend for kids!!
The Course of True Love [and First Dates]
MaLec's first date didn't really end up that good as to what a normal date should be. But they still managed to enjoy the night which each company. The said date for me was romantic in its own way. It was still enjoyable seeing Magnus and Alec both feeling akward. That was cute for sure. But I really did appreciate to see how undeniably fascinated Magnus was to Alec. As how he described Alec with great adoration plus the moment he was taken aback after accidentally seeing Alec's delicious abs. And also the flirting was so freaking sweet. And I liked the way how the humorous side of Bane was seen in here and it was well executed. Surely recommend to all MaLec lovers out there!!!
 - Cassandra Clare)
What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything
ALL THE FEELSSSSS!!!!!! OH GODS. I'M REALLY FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW!!! THIS IS SO FREAKING AWESOME. MAGNUS AND ALEC. THEY'RE JUST SOOOO SWEET. AND THE KISSES...... THE KISSES... OH GOD, I CANNOT BREATHE.PLEASE CASSANDRA, GIVE US MORE OF MALEC!!!
The Midnight Heir
I don't know what's going on with the Magnus I used to like from the TMI to the Magnus in these novellas who is starting to annoy me. Please Clare, don't make me hate Magnus Bane.
Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale
I need scones right now!! This was really more enjoyable than the first two novellas. It was interesting but I still coudn't accept the fact that in his past life, Magnus had 'something' with different characterssss before meeting Alec. Argh. I really need a dose of MaLec right now.
Good-Bye Geist
I got a little bit lost at the beginning of the story. Because the transition of the places were just so sudden plus the fact that the illustration was quite chaotic. So I was confused where the characters were and I also couldn't quite distinguish who this certain character was from the others because for me, they all pretty looked the same. Things would somehow get better if the illustrator/author just drawn the manga nicer with some details.But I liked how the simple love story presented in here despite with the dark atmosphere. And the conclusion was a flashback and it was, I don't really know what the proper word to use, but I was taken aback. Still recommend this to manga lovers out there.
Mr. Rumpel and Mr. Grimm
I think this shouldn't be a short story because the idea was just way too vast to be written in a short narrative. And there was no proper introduction to their world. Some important parts were left vague. Like, what the Scourge War was. No backgrounds were given. No explanations. Nothing at all. Things just happened so fast. And also, there were too many mythical creatures presented in this very short story. There were vampires, trolls, goblins, elves, faeries, witches, sorcerers, dragons, and it was also mentioned that there was a church, so probably there were humans. And the word 'greek goddess' was also presented. I don't know how all these characters interact with each other or did the humans know that those creatures existed in their world? I have so many questions. And still, here I am left in the dark. Wandering.Echo Ishii created such a big beautiful world. Yet haven't explored it very well. Instead, she just focused only on the two protagonists. Though, Claude and Daniel were interesting characters. They started denying their feelings for each other but their actions spoke louder than their voices. I am really looking forward to see more of them with the dragon. That would be cool.
This was actually a very good story with some problems with it. But, still a good one.
A Tale of Two Daddies
Oh gods. This is sooooo cute! I want to snuggle those two kids right here in my arms. They're just so so cute. And I love the illustration of the book, it is beautiful.So this is about a little girl who has two fathers: Poppa and Daddy. And has a little boy friend who asks her everything about her two daddies. Like who braids her hair, who baths her, etc. And I like the way how the whole thing ends with the little girl smiling and holding both her fathers different hands. And telling her friend that they love her.
Vanita Oelschlager created such a simple story yet holds a very strong message. That it is definitely not wrong to grow up with two fathers or two mothers. That living with a gay family makes no difference with living with a traditional family. And the little girl proves that.
I really really do love this story because it's very simple yet so meaningful. And I love it. Everyone should read this!
Polar Nights
This is actually a good story but not that enough to catch few reader's attention. There were quite a lot of characters thrown out in here for a short story. But T.T. Kove still managed to give them short appearances. But the problem was, I coudn't decide where to place my focus. Maybe the minor characters needed more of those appearances and since this is in a series, I'm hoping to see more of them in the next installment.I liked the awkward moments between Andreas and Christian. They didn't know what to do with each other's company. And Andreas being tongue tied every time he talked to him. I thought it was cute. Though they were too old to do those kind of teen stuff. And I took notice the redundancy of describing the place. Yeah, I got the point that Svalbard is such a beautiful place, but stating it all over again was tiring. All in all, this still a good story to read.
