3 stars An odd little story filled with darkness, horrors, and unexpected light. A mostly wordless tale about a little mage who sets off into a world of mysterious monsters to help heal the cursed land. The artwork is hauntingly beautiful. Loved the blend of cuteness and horror. Great for fans of Over the Garden…
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2.5 stars Adorable artwork, a sweet supporting cast, and plenty of trauma to go around. The adorable cover and sweet synopsis did not prepare me for what this book was actually about. Despite being reduced to a single mention of “a complicated home life” on the back cover, the bulk of this volume is actually…
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Translated by Amber Tamosaitis 5 stars Absolutely adorable. A nice, slow-paced story exploring human connections and overcoming past trauma. Yutaka has a hard time eating with other people. He isn’t close with his family and he finds it difficult to connect with others. But after a chance meeting with two brothers, their cooking sessions soon…
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by Shinobumaru Translated by Kevin Ishizaka 4 stars Another fantastic adventure in the spirit realm featuring the human daughter of a spirit, an ex-exorcist turned apothecary, and the power of found family. It’s autumn in the spirit realm and the season is alive with good food, friends, and celebrations. But Shinonome is keeping a secret…
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5 stars All Joana’s dreams are coming true. She’s secured her dream job as a potions maker in London. She makes friends, finds an apartment, and explores romantic pursuits. Everything should be perfect. But something feels off. She’s tired all the time and constantly plagued with doubt. She pushes down her emotions as best she…
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5 stars A modern-day Monster with a story all its own. Told through powerful verse and emotive visuals, this is the story of Amal Shahid, a teenage artist and poet sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. I love Zoboi’s writing and this one did not disappoint. Packed with raw emotion, this book is…
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by Shinobumaru Translated by Jason Muell 4 stars A foundling human taken in by spirits, a young exorcist who is the natural enemy of her world, and a bookshop that caters to the spirit realm. A really fun world to dive into. I loved meeting all of the different spirits and learning about the dynamics…
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Story by Mei Hachimoku Illustrated by Koudon Translated by Alexa Frank 5 stars A beautiful conclusion to a fantastic series. In the final volume, we get all the emotions and I loved every moment of it. The artwork is wonderful. A heartfelt story. I really enjoyed this series. Satisfying to the very end. Goodreads
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5 stars Another fantastic collection. This series is so sweet. I love how supportive Hiroki’s mom is and how she is willing to learn from him and respect his privacy. In the second volume, we learn a little bit more about Yuri, witness a reunion with a childhood friend, and see Hiroki’s friendship with Daigo…
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Story by Mei Hachimoku Illustrated by Koudon Translated by Alexa Frank 5 stars In this volume, Anzu and Kaoru continue their exploration of the Urashima Tunnel, attempting to unlock its secrets. Along the way, Kaoru learns why Anzu is interested in the tunnel in the first place, has an unexpected reunion, and must make a…
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