Bulk Review: Manga

 

Since my last Bulk Review in early March I've read a lot of manga. My local library has a pretty good selection. Lucky me didn't have to wait for most of it or for very long so I was able to read a fair number.

 

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An Incurable Case of Love by Maki Enjōji Vol. 4 - 7 (Read between March 8 and April 5)

This ended up being a very cute romance. Finally got the exact ages of the characters. She's 23, and he's 31. A reasonable age-gap, and he never exploits it. Which is nice.

She brings out a softer side of him, and he inspires her to be the best version of herself. Vol. 4 is the first time it felt like a "real" romance. Before there was more of just flitting and workplace banter. Finally found out why it was rated M.

The final volume was a little underwhelming though. It felt rushed. Over all I give the series a 7/10.

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A Thief Among the Trees: An Ember in the Ashes Graphic Novel by Sabaa Tahir (Read on March 13)

An interesting look into the lives of Helene and Elias when they were young, and seeing their friend Tavi. I don't remember if he was mentioned much or at all in the main series. But it's kind of sad to see that even when they were barely teenagers Helene was even more brainwashed into being a soldier for the empire. That she was fully committed and willing to die for "the cause" during a training exercise, willing to kill her classmates for it.
Elias, even back then wasn't willing to break his personal code for the empire. I know there is a second one, but I really hope there will be more. 

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 The Ancient Magus' Bride by Kore Yamazaki Vol. 15 & 16 (Read between March 16 and April 15)

These two volumes delve more into the mystery of who's draining alchemists of magic. Chise makes more friendships, and comes out of her shell more. Elias also has started to make friends. I have really loved seeing Chise come out of her shell. I'm with Chise though, I miss Silver Lady. My library only has up to vol. 17, but I hope they get the others soon. I requested them, and most of the time they get at least a temporary license to offer them as Ebooks. 

 

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Yakuza Lover, by Nozomi Mino Vol. 1 - 7 (Read between March 16 and April 7)

 

This is not a typical manga for me to read. This is another one that I found when trying to read more like one I read earlier this year/last year (Something's Wrong with Us). It's similar in that it's also rated M. This is a dramatic love story, and there is smut. I wasn't expecting it, but honestly reading a smutty manga isn't as bad as reading smutty novels. I don't have to deal with reading any weird euphemisms. 

This is how I wish regular Mafia romance was written. He is kind and sweet with her, but he is part of the Yakuza, so he has, can, and will murder. He just doesn't show that side to her very often. He tires to keep her safe and out of it, but that doesn't always work out. And he does what has to protect her when things do effect her.

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Boss Bride Days by Narumi Hasegaki Vol. 2 - 7 (Read Betwen April 2 and April 22)

 

 So far, this series is mostly silly shenanigans. Sure the base setting is that this high school girl saved the life of an old man who turned out to be the grandfather to the heirs of a Yakuza faction. Now she's been tasked with choosing the next Boss, based on who she falls in love with. But she's a self described shut-in Otaku. So she's really shy, and a bit of a mess.

 My biggest complaint for this one is the volumes feel rushed. I like the characters though, they're funny.

 

 

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Ao Haru Ride by Io Sakisaka Vol. 1 - 13 (Read between April 2 and April 19)

This series is a 180 from the last two. Filled with relatable teen angst, and characters that feel like real people. This is a story of a high school girl, Futaba, meeting her childhood love again in high school after he moved at the start of middle school. Kou, the boy she loved in middle school isn't the same as she remembers him. And as she learns about the new version of him, she starts to fall in love with him all over again. But he still has secrets that might keep them apart.

 She starts to find herself again as well, after putting on the Tomboy persona so she wouldn't get picked on anymore. This is a very sweet coming of age story. I was able to read the whole series because all the volumes were available with little to no wait time. I did try to space  them out a little, but I just kept wanting to read it because of the characters. The story and the characters aside, I love the art style of this manga. It's so unique. I plan on reading her other series, if my library has it that is.