A Devil and Her Love Song

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Review Archive

To see a list of reviews in alphabetical order, please see our review index.


Review: Time and Again (Vol. 04)

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo
Time and Again (Vol. 04)

Manhwa-ga: JiUn Yun
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2010

Synopsis: “On occasion, life offers an unexpected blessing: a natural talent, a promising opportunity, or even a spot of good luck. But human nature will not be satisifed by simply enjoying the fruits of fate. When greed takes over and man exploits the gifts he has been given, seeking more power, more wealth, more than his share, it can only end in tragedy… a truth Ho-Yeon knows all too well.”

Time and Again is a series I would classify as having one of my favourite story formulas – supernaturally-inclined individuals interacting with episodic characters in varying stories that test human morale and and judgement. This manhwa tends to favour its lead characters more and the secondary short-term characters less, but it’s still offered up its share of just-deserts and suspenseful problem solving when spirits are involved. This fourth volume starts off with another tale of Baek-On and Ho-Yeon doing their work as exorcists to save a dying man but the lessons relearned at the expected expense of their clients carries the remainder of the book into the origins of Ho-Yeon.

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Review: XXXHolic (Vol. 16)

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo
XXXHolic (Vol. 16)

Manga-ka: CLAMP
Publisher: DelRey Manga
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: October 2010

Synopsis: “The witch Yuko is gone, vanished and forgotten by the world with the exception of a small handful of people. But Kimihiro is determined to keep the wish-granting shop going, even if the shop’s arcane rules nearly kill him for the crime of setting a wrong price. Now begins a new chapter: XXXHolic Ro!”

Yuko’s absence is both the driving force and overlaying weight atop the entire volume. Watanuki’s resolve to wait for her is a substantially hefty burden to bear but he’s so emotionally committed to it that you can’t help but feel both sympathetic and enthralled as he dons the yukata that seals the deal on his role as the shop’s new owner.

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Review: Hikaru no Go (Vol. 21)

Reviewer: Shannon Fay
Hikaru no Go (Vol. 21)

Author: Yumi Hotta
Manga-ka: Takeshi Obata
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: All Ages
Release Date: October 2010

Synopsis: “The Hokuto Cup, a new tournament for young players from Japan, China and Korea, is looming, and Hikaru’s rival Akira has already secured one of the coveted three places on Japan’s team. While Hikaru battles his way to one of the two remaining spots, Akira’s father baffles the go world with his unexpected retirement!”

As Hikaru No Go draws near to the end it remains as entertaining as ever, though the dynamics and relationships have changed radically from how they were in the beginning. Hikaru and Akira are no longer rivals but team mates gearing up for a cross-Asia Go tournament. While it’s cute to see them spend time together as friends (and bicker like an old married couple) it feels a little weird considering their rivalry that was the main thrust of the series for so long.

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ANN Review: Black Butler (Vol. 03)

ANN Review: Black Butler (Vol. 03)

One of my current favourites for sheer fangirlish pandering that hits all the right buttons for me, I reviewed the third volume of Black Butler for AnimeNewsNetwork.

The story in Black Butler is pretty minimal. It likes teasing at some of the plot it hasn’t fully divulged yet but past that it survives pretty heavily on the effect of its short term events. Only three volumes in however and these enjoyable forays of snappily dressed men being amazing at butler-work and butt-kicking is nowhere near dull yet. Hopefully it doesn’t get to be so either, I’m so enamoured with the artwork, atmosphere and Victorian-charm. Pander away, Black Butler, for now I’m yours! (Except in regards to those three obnoxious housekeepers – why oh why are they still there?)


Review: Himeyuka & Rozione’s Story

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo
Himeyuka & Rozione's Story

Manga-ka: Sumomo Yumeka
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: July 2010

Synopsis: “Intent on being an independent young woman, high schooler Himeyuka lives on her own in an unremarkable apartment complex in a corner of the city. But one day, she discovers her ordinary building has turned into something extraordinary! Her beloved “castle” is covered in childish scribbles—both inside and out! And waiting for her at the end of this rainbow-colored mess…is the perpetrator of the crime—a little boy named Rozione, who seems to know quite a bit about Himeyuka, though she has no idea who he is. Is he really just someone’s lost child, or is there a greater mystery behind his appearance?”

Sumomo Yumeka is a creator who has several other of her works published in English and as an owner of each one, I was happy to see another of her titles licensed by Yen Press. Unlike the majority of her other English-books, Himeyuka & Rozione’s Story isn’t a boys’ love but instead a sombre shoujo-styled collection of short stories that shows us a Yakuza, a Witch, a Robot and a Doll are all capable of feeling and their stories equally as capable at making us feel for them as a result.

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Review: Natsume’s Book of Friends (Vol. 03)

Reviewer: Andre Paploo
Natsume's Book of Friends (Vol. 03)

Manga-ka: Yuki Midorikawa
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: July 2010

Synopsis: “Takashi is busy returning the names his grandmother trapped in her book and helping the local yokai with their problems. But he has to put his good deeds on hold when a black Nyanko Sensei snatches the Book of Friends! Takashi and the real Nyanko trail the bad cat to a secret yokai meeting deep in the forest. Will they be in time to stop the impostor’s wicked plans?!”

Bringing in a pleasant new addition to their Shojo Beat line of graphic novels, VIZ’s choice of Natsume’s Book of Friends has provided readers with yet another subtle manga treasure. A laid back adventure that slowly builds its mystery, the work presents itself in a gentle fashion while not shying away from contemplating darker story elements. Takashi Natsume’s world is both uncertain and hopeful, depicted in welcome shades of grey and light that make for a relaxing, involving reading experience.

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Review: Loud Snow


No Link Available

Author: Tina Anderson
Artist: Amelie Belcher
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: July 2010

Synopsis: “Romantic ice-age hilarity ensues as young whaler Anituk’s miserable life with doting parents and an oversexed wife-hunting brother is rudely interrupted by the arrival of Abalu, a tall handsome stranger who delights in encroaching upon Anituk’s angst.”

For all the light heartedness of penguin tossing and wife hunting, there is a strong undercurrent of loneliness in this story. The main character just doesn’t feel he ‘fits’ in his world. He comes from such a limited background, so small a circle of influence, it’s no wonder he doesn’t get how he fits in when he’s got only his loving parents and his lusty, wife-hunting brother to measure himself by. Even when he meets Abalu, he still feels on the outside of something important. It isn’t until the snow strands them on their own does Anituk finally understand what he’s feeling and what he wants to do about it.

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ANN Review: Deadman Wonderland (Vol. 03)

Deadman Wonderland (Vol. 03)

Prisons, powers and battles to the death – my review of Deadman Wonderland (Vol. 03) was posted over at AnimeNewsNetwork late-October.

I really, really like the artwork of Deadman Wonderland. I also like the characters and the story concept is pretty snazzy too… but I admit to not being able to follow the story all that well. It’s not confusing per say, but it feels like there’re so many things it doesn’t address, that I feel like I’m stumbling around over what they are. Still, can’t say it isn’t lots of fun to read anyway! Pretty violent content though so reader warning.


ANN Review: Black Gate (Omnibus)

Black Gate

Feels like I’ve been reading a lot of omnibus recently – not that I’m complaining to 600+ pages of manga for cheap! I kicked off a week of omnibus reading with Black Gate, a 3-in-1 omnibus from Tokyopop. You can read my full review of it over at AnimeNewsNetwork.

Overall, I enjoyed it. The beginning bored me a lot though, at first I didn’t think I’d be able to get through it all. Thankfully an assortment of interesting characters came in midway and made it exceptionally more entertaining. Pretty artwork too, which was my entire basis for picking this one up. See what a shiny cover can do?

Book purchased at Strange Adventures


Review: Cold Light

Reviewer: Jaime Samms
Cold Light

Author/Manga-ka: Narise Konohara
Publisher: June
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: August 2010

Synopsis: “Fujishima’s wound he suffered from protecting Tooru has healed and he’s finally been released from the hospital. Their life together starts again once more. Tooru wants them to live together as lovers, but Fujishima refuses, saying “I have no intentions of loving you.” Is Fujishima afraid of Tooru remembering something in particular if he regains his memories? The bonds of the past are finally becoming clearer…”

Konohara has taken a lot of chances in this second book of the Cold Sleep series. She might easily have stepped over a line with her character, Fujishima. This book is written entirely from his point of view, detailing his past and how he knows Tohru. There are not many pleasant memories in this poor man’s past, let me tell you. He is deprived of a father’s love, smothered in reprehensible and down right abusive ways by his overbearing and frightening mother, and reviled by Tohru for things he did that he shouldn’t have.

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