graphic novels

Review: Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility

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Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility
Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility by Stacy King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this manga adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic story! The manga follows the original story pretty closely, and the artwork is beautiful.

There’s a lot of crying in this book! I mean, I suppose there’s a lot of crying in the original story too, but seeing almost all the characters constantly collapsing into violent tears, hysterics, and/or fits of depression was over-the-top dramatic. Then again, Marianne Dashwood is the epitome of drama! haha!

The artwork is really lovely, and I liked seeing all the pretty costumes of the ladies. The villains and nasty people, like Lucy Steele, have ugly grotesque expressions sometimes that just make you hate them. I love the way the artwork really enhances the characters! Continue reading →

Review: Manga Classics: Emma

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Manga Classics: Emma
Manga Classics: Emma by Stacy King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love that this manga adaptation of one of my favorite classics kept somewhat closely to the original story, even using some of the original dialogue. Jane Austen is one of my favorite classic authors, and “Emma” is my favorite of all her books, so I was really excited to read this one!

The artwork is really lovely and the characters are all so distinct. I love their costumes and the pretty scenery. Sometimes I think the drama goes a little bit overboard though, as though the characters are shouting at each other with wild expressions, or looking dramatically shocked and amazed with wide eyes and open mouths. It just ends up looking a little silly! But most of the time, the characters expressions match the dialogue in a more demure and subtle way.

I enjoyed this manga so much, and it’s a great way to revisit one of my favorite stories! Can’t wait to read more Manga Classics!

Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.

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Manga Review: Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol.1-3

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Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 1Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 3Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 2
Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 1 by CLAMP

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

Three ordinary schoolgirls are magically whisked away from their class fieldtrip to the troubled land of Cephiro, where they acquire elemental powers. The benevolent ruler of Cephiro has been kidnapped by the evil Zagato, and the girls must brave many trials in order to become the legendary Magic Knights and save the land. With the help of a mysterious guru sent to guide them, they battle monsters, discover their powers, and meet friends and enemies along the way. But through it all, their kindness, loyalty, and courage supports them, and they learn to believe in themselves and each other.

This story is fairly predictable and commonplace – magic powers, legendary destiny, the ancient mage guide, ordinary people learning to battle monsters, etc… Yeah yeah, heard it all before.
But the girls are so CUTE!!! They’re really lovely and adorable, and I liked their hilarious dialogue. They are not complex characters, and I wish they had a little more depth to them, but they are definitely sweet! Continue reading →

Manga Review: Your Lie In April

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四月は君の嘘 1
四月は君の嘘 1 by Naoshi Arakawa

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kousei is a young pianist who stopped playing the piano when his mother died. When he meets Kaori, a violinist, she sweeps him back into the world of music by insisting that he accompany her in a violin/piano competition. Gradually, Kousei begins to deal with his grief, and finds his way back into living a life with meaning. Although Kaori is wild and full of fun, she is hiding her own dark secret grief.

I have so much love for this series, especially because it is all about musicians, and specifically a pianist. I have played piano and taught piano lessons for more than 20 years, and anything having to do with music is near to my heart. I love how the musicians in this manga are portrayed, full of the love of their artform, full of creativity, and sensitive to beauty in the world around them. Continue reading →

Manga Series Review: Orange

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Orange 1
Orange 1 by Ichigo Takano

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this manga! Naho receives a letter from her future self, and has to follow a long list of instructions in order to save her friend. Naho’s future self is suffering from all these regrets and it’s up to the young Naho to live her life in a new way, make hard decisions, and move past her shyness to become a bold new person.

The artwork is good, the characters are funny, and the writing is great! I love how all the characters are memorable and different. There is a lot of light-hearted comedy mixed in with the tragedy. I loved the sweetness of the story mingled with the serious material.

 

Orange 2
Orange 2 by Ichigo Takano

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love seeing all these friends growing closer, realizing their feelings, dealing with heartbreak and worry. Naho is so cute as she learns not to be so nervous around boys, and she is growing stronger and more confident on every page!
I am loving this manga so much! The story really tugs at your heartstrings!

Orange 3
Orange 3 by Ichigo Takano

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Things are heating up for the friends as they desperately work together to save Kakeru, and I love seeing how they really come together to support him. This story is so heart-felt and sweet, and I love that there are many light-hearted and funny moments in the middle of the serious subjects.
The characters are all so memorable!

Orange 4
Orange 4 by Ichigo Takano

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, this manga just keeps getting better and better! I want to scream at the characters and cry and laugh with them. I adore every single person in this group of wacky friends.
I may be emotionally involved with this story. Yes, I think so. Probably. Yes.

 

Orange 5 by Ichigo Takano
Orange 5
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My face is crying. My face is crying so much. Just a beautiful wonderful ending to this manga series! I loved seeing these friends all band together to save one of their own. I loved how each member of the group really had to open up and become vulnerable as they all got closer. Especially Naho had to take risks and become a bolder person in order to save her friend.
What a perfect ending! I love it so much!

 

Manga Review: Ouran High School Host Club

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Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1 by Bisco Hatori

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Haruhi stumbles into the Host Club headquarters, and accidentally knocks over an expensive vase. In order to pay for the vase, Haruhi has to work with the Host Club entertaining young ladies at parties and teas. But what they don’t know is that Haruhi, although she dresses in a masculine way, is actually a girl! Haruhi must pretend to be a boy to pay back her debt, and the more she hangs out with the boys of the Host Club, the more she realizes how mysterious they really are.

After watching the anime, I’m already in love with these characters, so reading it as manga just enhances the whole story! I love the artwork. I love the sweet characters and their hilarious drama! I love how the characters seem shallow in the beginning, but then we gradually begin to see more depth to each of them. I love how every character is unique and has their own backstory.
I’m glad that I watched the anime first though, because it’s easier to keep track of the many supporting characters.
Can’t wait to read them all!

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Graphic Novel Review: Broxo

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Broxo
Broxo by Zack Giallongo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Zora goes searching for the lost tribe of Peryton, she only finds one young warrior left, Broxo, but he has lost most of his memory. When the walking dead attack them and a local witch gets involved, there’s no telling what legends or nightmares will be revealed in their adventures. Continue reading →

Comic Review: Crogan’s Vengeance

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Crogan's Vengeance
Crogan’s Vengeance by Chris Schweizer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Swashbuckling action on ships in the 1700s Carribean, evil pirates, and some good pirates with ambiguous moral choices, a lightfooted hero, and a few sharks and storms at sea… this book has everything you need in a graphic novel about pirate adventure! Continue reading →

Comic Review: Gunnerkrigg Court, Vol. 1: Orientation

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Gunnerkrigg Court, Vol. 1: Orientation
Gunnerkrigg Court, Vol. 1: Orientation by Thomas Siddell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the story of Antimony, a young girl at a mysterious boarding school, who meets robots, forest spirits, mechanical birds, and some very strange classmates. With her friend, Kat, for backup, Antimony follows her curiosity, gets involved in some wild adventures, and stirs up strife between the technologically-advanced school and the forest spirits. And she somehow finds time to explore the library, and do her homework. Continue reading →