Translated by John Werry 2 stars Tadano just wants to blend in at school. But when he meets Komi and discovers her difficulty talking to people, he resolves to help her, even when it puts unwanted attention on him. For me, this one was just okay. Based on the title, I assumed the story followed…
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by Yuto Tsukuda Illustrated by Shun Saeki Translated by Adrienne Beck 3.5 stars Hilarious and weird. It’s an odd one to rate. I’m not a huge fan service person, but I love the cooking aspect. I have watched the anime previously so I knew what I was getting into. For those unfamiliar with the series,…
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Translated by Zack Davisson 5 stars This book is absolutely adorable. Riko’s life revolves around video games. When she unexpectedly adopts a stray kitten, she uses her knowledge from her favorite games to figure out how to take care of him. With her over-the-top reactions, she takes on each challenge as though it is a…
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by Manuro Illustrated by Gorobei Translated by Mélanie Strang-Hardy 3.5 stars A fun adventure that puts you in charge of where to go next. Follow either Hocus or Pocus as they explore Grimm’s Woods in search of missing children. Along the way, you’ll collect stars, answer riddles, play games, and keep your magical creature fed…
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Story by Julie Dachez Illustrated by Mademoiselle Caroline In collaboration with Fabienne Vaslet Translated by Edward Gauvin 4 stars This graphic memoir follows Marguerite through her daily life, showing her routines and interactions. No matter how hard she tries, Marguerite doesn’t feel like she quite fits. When she’s diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, suddenly everything comes…
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Illustrated by Karensac 5 stars A wonderful follow-up to Aster’s adventures in book one. This volume includes new perils, some familiar characters, and tons of adventure. As with the first book, this one is broken into two interconnected tales, each with magic, danger, and Aster’s quick-thinking. Karensac’s artwork is spectacular. Loved seeing new character designs…
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Illustrated by Karensac 5 stars A fantastic adventure with some serious Hildafolk vibes and a charm all its own. As a sort of inverse to Hilda, the sassy and sarcastic Aster moves from the city to what she sees as the boring wilderness with nothing to do. However, this wilderness is not all it seems. As Aster…
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3 stars I’ve seen musical and film adaptations of the story, each choosing different details to include. But I never knew all the intense drama of the original. Despite my reservations, I was pulled in by the extensive details of the characters I only knew a simple version of (Esmeralda’s marriage, Phoebus’ womanizing antics, and…
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4 stars A powerful read that provides valuable insight. This is a great resource for understanding an important part of history both in terms of some of its major events as well as how individuals dealt with and reacted to the times. An excellent example of putting a face to history. The definitive edition adds…
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4 stars A fast-paced adventure story that blends mythology, coming-of-age themes, and questions of what it is to be a man. The artwork has a cartoon-y style but with a darker aesthetic. It pulls together some great folklore elements (ravens, shapeshifting, skulls, walking dead, demons, spirits). I really enjoyed the sinister elements in the artwork,…
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