Book Review: Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (Volume 1) by Osamu Nishi

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (Volume 1) by Osamu Nishi is a manga format graphic novel. Hopeless pushover Iruma Suzuki has found himself in a devil of a predicament. His trashy parents have sold off his soul, and he now has to live and attend school in the Netherworld. But with his unique survival skills and doting demon grandfather’s support, Iruma will surely make it through this hellish experience. He’ll just need to subjugate rival classmates, summon familiars, and more, all while never revealing that he’s human. Easy as aleph, bet, gimel, right?

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is a fun read. I liked the set up and the twists of humor that run through the story. It does have some aspects that felt familiar, but anyone that reads enough manga or watches enough anime is likely to find some of the same aspect familiar. I honestly got a kick out of how innocent and bumbling our hero is, and watching things turn out well for him against all odds and common sense was highly entertaining. I look forward to reading the second volume of this story and think a wide range of readers will agree. 

Early Book Review: Sunbeams in the Sky, Vol. 1 by Monika Kaname

Sunbeams in the Sky, Volume 1, by Monika Kaname is a manga style graphic novel that is currently scheduled for release on April 18 2023. Himari Akeno can’t wait to start high school! Even though she’s parting ways with her twin sister, Mio, Himari’s enthusiasm to start this new chapter of her life is palpable—that is, until a traumatic incident sends her home to hide in her room. Watching Himari’s dreams shatter is more than Mio can bear, especially when her sister still longs for an ordinary student life. Determined to see her twin get back out into the world, Mio “catches a cold” and convinces her sister to fill in until she “recovers.” As long as the shy, introverted Himari can pull off impersonating the bubbly, energetic Mio, nothing could go wrong…right?

The first volume of Sunbeams in the Sky did exactly what it was supposed to. It made me care about the characters and become heavily invested in them and their relationships. I liked the story, and thought the characters were well written and introduced. I would have liked to see more development with a couple of the characters, I fully suspect that will be coming as the story unfolds in later installments. While much of the story is fairly typical family and high school drama style there is certainly more going on here. I do have to admit that I keep thinking the characters are more than they appear, and am waiting for some of my suspicions to be proven wrong or right in future volumes. 

Book Review: Those Not-So-Sweet Boys, Volume 1, by Yoko Nogiri

Those Not-So-Sweet Boys, Volume 1, by Yoko Nogiri is a manga style graphic novel. Midori drops her wallet on her first day of high school, but her new classmate Ichijo swoops in to help. She wants to thank him, but he’s part of a tight-knit trio and none of them are ever in class! Rumor has it that they all got expelled for acting up, and studious Midori’s actually at risk of expulsion, too. In order to help support her family, she has a part-time job, which is against the school rules. When the chairman of the school board catches her leaving work, he says he’ll let it go—but only if she’s up to the task of bringing the three boys back to school. Well, why not? It’ll be a piece of cake…right?

Those Not-So-Sweet Boys is a fun and engaging graphic novel. I liked the dynamic of innocent and hardworking Midori and the fairly mysterious boys that helped her out but getting her wallet for her. Her sweetness and determination in getting the boys to school, and integrated with their peers,  is fun to watch as the guys try to balance their tough guy images and desire to be seen as not caring about school or their reputations. The story really works, and leaves readers looking for more details about how things came to be like this, and what might happen next. I will be continuing this series, because I want to see Mirori's brother have more page time, and I want to learn more about all of the characters.

I liked the story, although I do think that I had previously read the digital version of the manga- because it was all very familiar to me. Since I subscribe to a couple manga websites, this is not overly surprising. It was fun, with an underlying mystery and interesting development of characters and friendship. 

Early Book Review: Pepper Page Saves the Universe! by Landry Q. Walker, Eric Jones

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a graphic novel with script by Landry Q. Walker and art by Eric Jones. It is currently scheduled for release on February 16 2021. The year is 2421. Awkward and shy, Pepper buries herself in the universe of the classic fictional superhero Supernova to avoid dealing with the perils of the 9th grade. But then fate intervenes when Pepper encounters a strange cat named Mister McKittens and stumbles into a volatile science experiment run by a sinister substitute teacher named Doctor Killian. Pepper is flung into another dimension, bringing her face to face with an order of cosmic beings who declare her to be the steward of their great power, champion of harmony in the universe, protector of worlds present and past. Now, in the 21st Century, Pepper finds that she herself is the real Supernova. But as Pepper soon learns, escapist fantasy and reality are two very different things.

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a graphic novel for middle grade and older readers that is a fun read, but still covers some of the emotional aspects of the age group. Pepper is an orphan that is bullied and just does not feel she fits in, so gets lost in comic books. I think this feeling- that of being left out and looked down on- is one that most people can relate to on some level, even if they are not really outside the more popular peer groups. I thought the story set up and execution was very well done, with some good twists and nice resolution. The artwork nicely matched and enhances the story. The color choices were on point, as were the details and expressions. Since I was reading a digital proof, there were some pages that were clearly not the final product, and I think the final version will be absolutely wonderful. I am hoping that this series continues and I get to read more about Pepper Page. 

 

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a fun and entertaining graphic novel that I think many readers will enjoy.

Book Review: Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 1 by Io Sakisaka

Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 1 by Io Sakisaka is a popular shojo manga series that was adapted into the Blue Spring Ride anime. In high school, Futaba gets a second chance with her first love, Kou. Futaba Yoshioka thought all boys were loud and obnoxious until she met Kou Tanaka in junior high. But as soon as she realized she really liked him, he had already moved away because of family issues. Now, in high school, Kou has reappeared, but is he still the same boy she fell in love with?

Ao Haru Ride is a story that felt very classic to me. Girl that wants to fit in, but does not want to quite be the stereotype that she would need to act like to really fit the mold. Figuring out who she really wants to be, and how she wants to interact with other people. Trying to decide is Tanaka is who she thinks he is, and then where she stands with him, is at the heart of the story. However, being herself and figuring out the importance of how she interacts with others and being herself is a close second in importance. The story was classic for young adult literature in general, and this style of manga. I liked the art style, it was consistent and showed the emotion, motion, and mood of each moment very well. 

Ao Haru Ride felt familiar and comfortable. It is classic high school story of finding yourself and figuring out what you want and who you want to be.

Early Book Review: Not Your Idol, Vol. 1 by Aoi Makino

Not Your Idol, Vol. 1 by Aoi Makino is a manga style graphic novel currently scheduled for release on June 10 2020. It is a psychological suspense series about a girl who has given up her life as an idol after being assaulted by a fan. After that day, she stopped being a girl. In the wake of an assault, Nina Kamiyama, a former idol in the group Pure Club, shuns her femininity and starts dressing as a boy. At high school she keeps to herself, but fellow student Hikaru Horiuchi realizes who she is. What secrets is she keeping? The shocking drama starts.

Not Your Idol is a well drawn and suspenseful story. I liked the pacing, including the action and the character backstory and development. I really enjoyed the character dynamics of Nina/Karen and how her life and perspectives have changed over time. The issues of sexual assault and related issues are handled very well, and how different people react to them is an issue we all need to think about. The story is very engaging, and kept me turning pages to learn more about the characters and what might happen next. It is not an easy read, as there are a number of tough moments and some things that survivors might find very triggering, and others will find upsetting. However, it is well written and I am very eager to see where the story goes from here, and learn more about the major players as the story continues. My only complaint is the cliffhanger that the volume ends in. Be prepared to be left wondering, and eager for the next volume. 

Not Your Idol is an intense and engaging read. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Early Book Review: The Divided Earth (The Nameless City) by Faith Eric Hicks

The Divided Earth is the third (and final) book in The Nameless City series by Faith Eric Hicks. It is currently schedule for release on September 25 2018. The book begins where the second book in the trilogy, The Stone Heart, left off. Readers do need to read this series in order to understand and enjoy the story fully.

Kai and Rat might need to sacrifice everything for peace. The city is under new rule, and if they cannot stop the tragic events that are in motion the cycle of war, death, and violence will continue. The added challenge of treachery inside the palace and an army quickly approaching the outer walls raise the stakes and the likely-hood of everything ending badly. 

The Divided Earth is a solid graphic novel, and a good conclusion to a trilogy. As always, her art work is stunning and adds a great deal to the story and character development. I simply love the style and coloring. In the story itself, I liked the efforts that Kai, his parents, Rat, and many of the characters went through to do what they thought best for the greater good, and the city specifically. Like in real life, people's ideas of what is best, what is right, and what should happen is always varied and sometimes quite different. I like the development and tension built around what would happen with the city, and our major players, come the final conflict. It was very well done, but I felt like I could have gotten to know a few of the secondary characters a little more (like Kai's mother) but got more that I expected with the return of some younger characters from the earlier books. I enjoyed the adventure and he danger, I think the political and military posturing was very well build and explored.  I was fully engaged with the read, and kind of want an epilogue to see what might happen well after this story ended, what does the future hold in the long term for Kai and Rat, does peace last, and where do Kai's parents end up. The conclusion tied up all the necessary loose ends, but I was invested enough to still be curious. 

The Divided Earth is  a solid conclusion to the trilogy. although I will admit to wanting to see what might happen in the Nameless City in the years to come. I was satisfied, but still want more.

Book Review: The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy by Martin Matthews

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy by Martin Matthews is a young adult novel. 16-year-old albino Drake Stevenson lives a life alone in his world of video games and comic books, dreaming of one day saving a real princess. But fantasy becomes reality when his lawyer father suffers a heart attack, and the Stevensons are forced to move to flyover country in order to take up the family business: Stewardship of the oldest and largest cemetery in the state. There, among the weeping angels and willows of Centralia Cemetery, Drake meets Scarlet, an unusual girl who needs his help to find her killer. Complicated by his albinism, a mentally unstable sister bent on high school domination at any cost, and a jock with a deadly secret, Drake sets out to find the shattering truth about a murder no one will speak of, to help a girl no one can see.

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy captured my attention right away, and kept me guessing through the entire book. Drake has a self effacing sense of humor. while dealing with his own issues and the family issues around him he keeps his feet fairly well grounded while still able to laugh at himself and wonder how things could be better. I liked the introduction of setting and characters, it was faced well and worked perfectly in the story. I did not care for some of the love triangle hints, thought it was unnecessary. Why couldn't he just be friends with Sasha or Scarlett, or both for that matter. Why would he pursue both, and why would Scarlett pursue Drake when she was in a happy relationship before all this began? I just do not understand the need for all relationships to include a romantic component when sometimes a good friend is much more important. Love triangle rant over, because that was really the only fault I could find with the book. I adored Drake's character, while sometimes he felt really young and I did not always agree with his decisions, I think he was a well built character. His parents and sister were important to the arch of the story, and the way Drake connected with others.The dichotomy of his sister's personality, the way everyone viewed her, and the way everyone viewed him was realistic and still hit me right in the feels, because doesn't everyone sometimes feel like they have gotten the short end of the stick socially, in the family, or in some other way.  I like how thorough and well planned that built up the family and personal dramas were. Even the secondary characters had plenty of family or personal information shared to make them dynamic and explain them. The mystery surrounding Scarlet, the car accident, and more had me at the edge of my seat and turning pages well past my bedtime. 

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy is a well done young adult novel with complex characters, compelling mystery and coming of age drama, and a solid resolution. Although, I admit that I would love to see a follow up about our characters in five or ten years to see just how things end up in the long term. 

Early Book Review: Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

Be Prepared is a graphic novel by Vera Brosgol perfect for middle grade, young adult, and adult audiences.  It is currently scheduled for release on May 29 2018.

All Vera wants to do is fit in, but that’s not easy for a Russian girl in the suburbs. Her friends live in fancy houses and their parents can afford to send them to the best summer camps. Vera’s single mother can’t afford that sort of luxury, but there's one summer camp in her price range, Russian summer camp. Vera is sure she's found the one place she can fit in, but camp is far from what she imagined. And nothing could prepare her for all the "cool girl" drama, endless Russian history lessons, and outhouses straight out of nightmares!

Be Prepared is a story that I think many readers can find something of themselves in. Vera just wants to fit in, to be included. However, being Russian and with little money she is a bot out of step with the people she wants to be friends with. She thinks that summer camp will be the answer, but her troubles continue there. She has to find her own path, her own way. I felt for Vera through her whole journey, cringed at her less than stellar choices, and celebrated with her when she found her way. The art work and story captured me, heart and soul, and left me wanting more. For me the story was not just about the author's struggles as a child; it is all of us that have felt different, left out, or not good enough. It is only once we find our own way, trust in ourselves a little, and care a little less about what others think of us that we find real friends and get a bit more comfortable in our skin. It was wonderful to see the start of that journey for Vera and I was left rooting for her in her next challenges, because there is always a next obstacle or challenge to face.

Be Prepared is a story that will touch most, if not all readers in some way. Even as a 40 something mom, I remembered feeling the same way as Vera, and I think that readers in the middle of that same part of life, or just past it, will relate even more closely than I. There are already several readers in my school I want this book for, and a daughter who is just about ready for it. I cannot wait to share it with them. 

Early Book Review: Cast No Shadow by Nick Tapalansky, Anissa Espinosa

Cast No Shadow is a graphic novel written by Nick Tapalansky and illustrated by Anissa Espinosa. It is currently scheduled for release on October 10 2017. Greg has lived in Lancaster his whole life. The town's always had its quirks, and being born without a shadow means he's counted among them. When Greg discovers an old mansion in the woods just outside of town, he didn't expect to meet a smart, beautiful, funny, and dead teenaged girl named Eleanor. Yeah. He's in love with a ghost. And before he knows what's happening, Greg finds himself at the wrong end of a history lesson when the town's past, and his own, threaten to pull the two of them apart permanently.

Cast No Shadow is an engaging graphic novel. I enjoyed the unusual lack of a shadow from our main character, and the story that stemmed from that. I really liked how that played out. I also liked that Greg faces some realistic family issues, and complicated friendships. His imperfect life made his emotions and the trouble he faced that much more real and relatable as a reader. While there is a romance involved, I also liked that his best friend is a girl and the idea of girls as more than a romantic interest is clear. Although, the fact that she has her own romance negates that a little bit, her clear personality and utter lack of fitting the 'girl best friend' stereotype did help a little. I like that the town and most of its inhabitants are a little odd, and the story is unexpected in many ways. I thought the art did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life, adding details and little bits of information that made the read even more enjoyable. The combination of heart felt emotion and facing real life struggles of family and friend relationships along-side the paranormal aspects and humor struck a chord with me.

Cast No Shadow is a graphic novel with a unique twist to teen romance. I enjoyed the art and the story and think that many readers from middle grade on up through adults will enjoy the read.

Early Book Review: Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on October 3 2017. This book tells the story of an Indian-American girl named  Priyanka. She struggles to fit in at high school and dreams of visiting India, her mother' home country. She finds a beautiful Pashmina which transports her there, but it is much different there than it actually is. She gets her chance to finally go to India and it's not exactly how she thought it would be.

Pashmina is a much needed graphic novel, as it gives insight and an honest portrayal to what life is like to how an Indian-American girl might struggle with her dual identity, and the struggles we all face in finding ourselves and our place in the world we find ourselves in. Her desire to know about her family, and her mother's past is relatable, and adds a sense of drive and yearning to the story. I felt that the fact that her mother's reluctance to share information with Pri results in exactly what denying any teenager something this important, Pri's utter determination to have what she feels she needs. Most of the story is in black and white, but I liked how the illustrations change from the grayscale showing Pri's real life to vivid colors in the fantasy scenes. While I enjoyed the story, and that it delivers a message about women choosing their own future combined with the interest and embracing of their heritage and background, I did have some trouble follow the action of the story on occasion. It is still a wonderful read, and one I think will be an important read for many.

Pashmina is a charming read, and one that tells a story that is important and poignant.  I think this is a must buy for both public and high school libraries.

Book Review: Eden's Wish (Eden of the Lamp) by M. Tara Crowl

Eden's Wish is the first book in the Eden of the Lamp series by M. Tara Crowl. All twelve years of Eden's life have been spent in an antique oil lamp. She lives like a princess inside her tiny, luxurious home; but to Eden, the lamp is nothing but a prison. She hates being a genie. All she wants, more than anything, is freedom. When Eden finds a gateway to Earth within the lamp, she takes her chance and enters the world she loves. And this time, she won't be sent back after three wishes. Posing as the new kid at a California middle school, Eden revels in all of Earth's pleasures--but quickly learns that this world isn't as perfect as she always thought it was. Eden soon finds herself in the middle of a centuries-old conflict between powerful immortals. A ruthless organization run by a former genie will stop at nothing to acquire the lamp and its power--even hurt Tyler and Sasha, the new mortal friends who have given Eden a home. To save her friends and protect the lamp's magic, Eden must decide once and for all where she belongs.

Eden's Wish is a book with an original and complex story that captured my imagination and attention. I had the book on my kindle for ages, I just wish I had read it earlier! Eden is twelve, and has the typical desire to change and grow that all young people have. I like that she does appreciate the love and care she has, but still wants more independence and experience outside the lamp. She is intelligent and caring, but understandably naive about people and the real world- as one might expect from someone so sheltered. The larger conspiracy is intriguing and I loved how those involved hide in plain sight in the world. The characters are all complex and have personal flaws or quirks that make them more interesting or realistic. I really enjoyed Eden's discovery of the little things we all take for granted, and her strength of self even as she is trying to find her path. I also liked that while the adults are lost in grief, over protecting guardians, or plotting and scheming none of them are not the flat useless or bumbling adults that so often appear in books of children or teens. I think this is going to be a great series- and now I have to find the next book.

Eden's Wish is a wonderful and original read. While there is plenty more to cover in the series, I really appreciated that the story resolved the most pressing questions so I was left satisfied. I think middle grade, young adult, and adult readers can all enjoy this read. 

Book Review: Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale by David Kudler

Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale by David Kudler is the first book in the Seasons of the Sword series. Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Kano Murasaki, called Risuko (Squirrel) is more comfortable climbing trees than down on the ground. Growing up far from the battlefields and court intrigues, the fatherless girl finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan, or may destroy it. She is torn from her home and what is left of her family, but finds new friends at a school that may not be what it seems. Historical adventure fiction appropriate for young adult and middle-grade readers.

Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale was a nice surprise. I am a big fan of Japanese culture and mythology, and the classic coming of age quest  story, so I was drawn to the book and needed to give it a chance. I greatly enjoyed the character building for Risuko, she is a growing, dynamic character that is very observant of the world around her. While the reader only knows what Risuko see and hear, sometimes we can understand more than she does and enjoy the realization as it comes. Because of her uncertainty and struggles the readers get to see and understand more than they might with a different narrator. I like that there seem to be no assumptions on the authors part about how much or Japanese history or folklore the reader knows, or does not know. The world building is solid but subtle, so at no point does ignorance of a certain word, story, or event turn off a reader. Additionally there is a collection of related information at the end of the book to sooth the eager minds of any reader that seeks to understand more about anything they might not have fully understood while reading. I found myself so wrapped up in Risuko's story, that I finished the book in less than a day, begrudging the menial tasks that took me from the read, like making meals for my family and eating.

Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale is a wonderful read for middle grade, young adult, and older readers. I think anyone that enjoys historical fiction or the  coming of age combined with a quest that seems to be most common in fantasy. I think this will be a wonderful surprise for any reader that gives it a chance. I cannot recommend this read highly enough.