Manga Review: Until death do us Apart [Need Editing]

Seinen: Until death do us Apart
Mangaka: Takashige Hiroshi
Artist: Double-S
Genre: Action, Adventure, Seinen
Rating: 9.8/10

These series is about a blind guy who can pretty much kick butt and a girl who can predict the future.

This ability has gotten her into the sight of various organizations that want her for their benefit.
Despite all of this, she meets Hijikata Mamoru, a blind swords man who is greatly feared by everyone for his amazing skills, along with his companion, Igawa they sweep the streets of Japan for known criminals and so on.
Thought this manga is still ongoing and irregular [meaning you don't know when the next chapter is going to come out], it's one of my favorites among a few, since the art is pretty awesome and kicking, the action is totally amazing, I am a big fan of swordsman plus Mamoru is seriously hot and awesome, his blindness makes him even more intriguing. I fell in love the minute I saw him. Thought his ways of showing affection is kind of harsh, he's a pretty cool character.
The action is always there since there are a lot of people who want Haruka's power, but Mamoru is always there to protect her.
There are a lot of surprising twists, among others that are very cunning, the plot is well written and I hope they keep translating it because I look forward to the characters' futures and their so called-Romance...

Clickie: Until death do us apart

Eli.

Nobody's Princess

Fiction: Nobody’s Princess
Author: Esther Friesner
Genre: Historic, Adventure
Rating: 8.5/10

The first impression I got from this book was that it might be one of those horrid spinoffs of some fairy tale. Like Just Ella (though I enjoyed that one) or that one by Jane Yolen, Briar Rose. It had the word “Princess” in it, so don't blame one for making assumptions.

Of course, like most times, I was dead wrong. This book turned out to be about Helen of Troy. Yes, that one. The one whose face launched a thousand ships…supposedly. It was the initial blurb that drew me in:

“She is beautiful, she is a princess, and Aphrodite is her favourite goddess, but something in Helen of Sparta just itches for more out of life. Unlike her prissy sister, Clytemnestra, she takes no pleasure in weaving and embroidery. And despite what her mother says, she’s not even close to being interested in getting married. Instead, she wants to do combat training with her older brothers, go on heroic adventures, and be free to do what she wants and find out who she is.”

Okay, at first glance, I thought it was a tad presumptuous of the author to create our lovable, war-incurring Helen into some tomboy. But then I thought to myself, “Hey, it has a unique plot. Might be a good read.” So I followed myself on that instinct.

I’m what you would call one of those history nuts. I know way too much about Ancient Greece and the history of it too. This was the first time that somebody shone the spotlight directly on Helen. Sure, she was known as the most beautiful woman short of Aphrodite, but that was when she was mature.
In this book, Helen is portrayed as a tall, awkward, gangly girl. Can you imagine a girl like that growing into the Helen of Troy? I suppose that it was partially to extend a hand out to the girls who are reading this to say that even if you are tall and gangly, you might grow up to become extremely beautiful. I enjoyed reading about her escapades and her determination to get what she wanted.

The first few chapters really made a deep impact on me. I’m not going to reveal the whole book, but it has an epiphany where Helen, our cute gangly Helen, realizes that being beautiful has advantages. It’s disturbing to think that a seven year old girl can realize this so early on in life, but I guess it worked for her. She knew how to charm people with her smile and a flick of her hair.

The most surprising thing is how many of my preconceived stereotypes this book broke about Helen of Troy. She wasn’t blonde; she was a brunette. She wasn’t pretty from the get-go; people weren’t compelled to make her their bride when looking at her in her crib. She wasn’t weak and meek; the exact opposite actually. And she wasn’t dumb. Of course, I don’t know how many creative liberties Esther Friesner took with this book, so I’m calling these stereotypes “cracked” until further notice.

The level of reading is fairly easy. It would be advised that you know a bit about Greek mythology before reading, it would make the read more enjoyable. There is also a sequel now, called Nobody’s Prize.

If you enjoy reading historic novels, here are some recommendations of mine:

- The Black Stallion, Tim Farley: a very touching story about Alexander the Great’s courageous black stallion Bucephalus and his adventures with Alexander. This book actually brought tears to my eyes in the ending. People usually think of dogs as fiercely loyal, but who knew horses could be that loyal too?

-Troy, Adele Geras: a story of two very different but close sisters who lived in Troy at the height of the Trojan War. Romance, sisterly drama, and internal conflicts ensue! The book conveys very accurately what it was like to live during the time of war.

-The Red Thread, Roderick Townley: a girl keeps having dreams of her past life—no, her past TWO lives. She finds out that she was killed in one of them—murdered. But how can she forgive her own murderer when it happened 400 years ago? Like a tapestry, there are so many complex layers woven together in this story. It's like reading three plots at once - with them all joining together at the end

By: Berber
Edited By: Annie

Book Review: To Catch a Pirate

More Valuable than a Kiss
A swashbuckling adventure sure to keep you to the edge of your seat

Fiction: To Catch a Pirate
Author: Jade Parker
Genres: Adventure, Romance
Rating: 2.5/5

This page-turner is a quick and happy read. It has a very compelling plotline that moves along at a very fast pace. Even though this book conforms to the stereotypical view of pirate adventures, the ingenuity of such convincing situations is sure to sweep you off your feet.

On a ship with her father to New Providence, Annalisa Townsend is suddenly thrown into a world of action and adventure when her ship is boarded by pirates. Trading a kiss for her life, she is saved by a young pirate named James Sterling. However, her father is in grave trouble for losing the money they had to the pirates. One year later, Annalisa is back on the seas to take back what they had lost. Only this time, she had unwillingly put her heart on the line.

For such a short book, it takes a talented writer to fully develop attractive characters and sizzling situations, as it is in this case. The reader is often mesmerized by Annalisa’s innocence and James’ mysterious nature. It’s easy to be fooled by the daring exploits of the couple and for precious moments, believe that you’re apart of this incredible story.

Like all books, this novel also has its drawbacks. Despite the fact that the whimsical characters do more than just play their roles in the book, the fiction does not always satisfy the reader’s curiosity. There is an unfulfilled feeling of not been given enough to chew on when the reader wants to know more – especially about the backgrounds of the characters. However, it might not be a bad thing, as readers are more willing to learn more about these amazing people thrust into daring circumstances. We can only wish that there will be a next book.

- Annie

Book Review: Darkwing

I don't usually lavish praises like what you'll see below, but I wrote this as a positive review. That means I didn't write the paragraph containing what I dislike about it (which is suggested for reviews). Therefore, this book review is a little biased. Don't start thinking that Darkwing is better than Silverwing, because it's not. However, it's still a pretty good book. Oppel's bat series can be compared to Watership Down - in the sense I'd like try being a rabbit or bat for a day or two.

Fiction: Darkwing
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Genres: Young Adult, Adventure, Historical, Animals
Rating: 3.25/5

Darkwing brings to life the hauntingly poignant memories of Kenneth Oppel’s previous works. As the fourth book describing the incredible tales of lifelike bats, it sets itself apart by bringing with it a sense of wonder and imagination equaling its predecessors. It is remarkable how the vivid adventures of the protagonist are not only able to capture the audience’s attention but also able to win over the hearts of minds of the readers. Darkwing is the rare type of novel that can be enjoyed by everybody, regardless of their inclinations.

65 million years ago, Dusk is a newborn bat in a world where only the strongest and fittest survive. Unfortunately, though he is born to a colony sheltered within the boundaries of an almost paradise, he has certain attributes that mark him as the outcast of his society. The fact that he can fly and see in the dark pits him against the conventional characteristics of his bat colony. However, when things begin to change and their perfect haven is not nearly so desirable anymore, Dusk is the only one with the power to save them. He is the only one who can lead his kind a step away from extinction.

Proven over and over again, Kenneth Oppel has the ability to bring to life fantastical characters that are easy to relate to. His refreshing take on a time so different from today is only a fraction of his achievement, for he should also be applauded for keeping the story fast-paced and appealing. Simply put - Darkwing transcends the borders of age and preference and establishes itself as a fiction worth reading and keeping.

- Annie