Bargain Books (6) [Graphic Novels/Mangas]

Gakuen Alice Volume 1

Gakuen Alice Volume 2

Fruits Basket Volume 1 / highly recommended

Fruits Basket Volume 2 / highly recommended

Fruits Basket Volume 3 / highly recommended

Fruits Basket Volume 4 / highly recommended

Fruits Basket Volume 12 / highly recommended

Fruits Basket Volume 14 / highly recommended

Fruits Basket, Volume 15 / highly recommended

Devil Within, Vol. 1

Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 1: Sanctuary

Your & My Secret Volume 1

Blood Relatives (Vampire Kisses, Book 3)

Demon Diary Volume 4

Bargain Books ~ 1

Bargain Books ~ 2

Bargain Books ~ 3

Bargain Books ~ 4

Bargain Books ~ 5

Books By Its Cover Week 4

Week 4's prompt:

Space, void, nothingness;

Thorny heart;

Hush—it’s—!

Books by its Cover Week 1
Books by its Cover Week 2
Books by its Cover Week 3

*For more information about Books by its Cover click here.*

Other

Other by Karen Kincy

Source: Flux

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

Gwen is an Other: a supernatural being. She just happens to be half-pooka (on her father's side)--a shapeshifter who can shift into almost anything, but typically seen as a black horse with yellow eyes as their main characteristic. But Others can also include, but not exclude, vampires, werewolves, kitsunes, dryads, and water sprites. Despite this wide array of people, Others are not wholly accepted in the world (not even in Canada!) with a group called The White Knights in that frontier of negativity. Now there's a suspicion that they are back on the attack when Others in Gwen's town are found in the open--dead; many of the times Gwen is the one finding them including one of her closet friend hanged with her throat cut open. Gwen wants answers yet she fears for her life as clues are being left that may point that Gwen may be next. High stakes call for high emotions especially when one just falls in love.

Karen Kincy writes in an urgent manner with quick fast action scenes and heavy romance, while still managing exact details that paint vivid images and sensations. Others portray a universal and classic motif of prejudice--a different form of race in this manner. Yet the incorporation of various ethnicities gave a pleasant shock as it is a rare treat.

Kincy embraces a modern technology: Internet. Instead of long-winded monologues, Google searches explain much of the needed background which was refreshing. She also incorporated an authentic AIM chat--something that I can imagine reading and participating in with lol's and emoticons and none of the forced internet slang. (Also mentions blogs.)

As mentioned previously, ethnicity is pretty big in Others and one character that I found most interesting was Tavian (short of Octavian). Tavian is Japanese who is shorter than Gwen: 5'4 compared to 5'7. It is just so new to me because I am used to reading male characters being tall and Caucasian that I inadvertently smile when I read the description. Kincy creates healthy relationships where couples at least try to be honest and open with each other (and practice safe sex).

However, Others have inconsistencies and contradictions scattered around. Gwen wears a dress then several pages later she apparently had worn a blouse and a long skirt; Gwen checks on her blog daily yet she apparency owns no blog when asked are just a couple of examples. Then I felt somethings were not clarified: Maris being a prime example. And finally just some awkwardness in the book: a dream sequence that failed to be much of anything (especially with foreshadowing) since it was not mentioned ever again after that page and these huge hints that Gwen somehow misses.

Others ended solidly where I saw no point of a sequel (let alone being a trilogy), but I am eager in reading Bloodborn and Foxfire. I expect a detailed, action-packed romantic escape like I found in Others with the faults smoothed out.

Cover A+
GORGEOUS!

Buy Others now: Amazon / IndieBound / Book Depository

Harmonic Feedback

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

Source: Personal

Grade: 5 stars out of 5

Drea has obsessive interests. Before it was car parts now it's music. She loves producing music, adding beats, creating more depth and she just might have found her newest band members: Naomi and Justin. Naomi with her soulful voice and Justin with his sensual skills is all very new to Drea.

Drea has never been good at making friends. She has Asperger's, a current diagnosis, that might explain her social awkwardness. But in this town Drea is experiencing a whole spectrum of new emotions and companionships. With her fairy looks Drea just might attract the wrong crowd...or maybe just right.

After finishing Harmonic Feedback one thought came to mind: Thank God I bought this book. Harmonic Feedback was exactly what I was craving for at that moment. It filled my need for a sweet romance yet did not overdo it that would have left me gagging. Harmonic Feedback had a nice balance of intense drama and warm fuzzy feelings accompanying the blooming relationship.

Naomi was a little hard to swallow, but I still managed to read Harmonic Feedback, not once, but twice (and a half) in one sitting. As soon as I was finished, I wanted to read it again because I enjoyed it so immensely.

My words are not good enough for Harmonic Feedback so I am going to point out Courtney Summer's review of the book because it is AWESOME.

Cover B

Definitely buy yourself a copy: Amazon / Book Depository / IndieBound

Twilight Saga

Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer

Series in Order: Twilight / New Moon / Eclipse / Breaking Dawn
Spin-offs: The Short Life of Bree Tanner / Twilight: the Graphic Novel (which I reviewed here)

Source: Personal

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

For someone who has piles and piles of books that need to be read and reviewed I had the extreme craving to reread the Twilight Saga over the weekend. Which, as you can tell, I followed through and lightly read / skimmed the novels.

Twilight, it seems, forces the two extremes out: Hate or Love. It is one of the most bashed on teen novels that has inspired many parodies, YouTube videos, and "Vampires Suck" movie. But I'm not here to mention that. Instead I am here to say that I like Twilight to an extent. Heck, I own the entire series and a movie poster and the graphic novel.

Honestly I have no idea why I am writing this review. I am also certain that I am forgetting a few points here and there.

Cons:
1. It is not a great piece of literature and, in my opinion, will never be a "classic". That is just a fact of reality despite the intense twihards who permanently tattoo themselves across their skins.

2. It needs more editing. Just copious amounts of fine combing.

3. The whole Breaking Dawn book. Too happy-ending, too much build-up for nothing, too odd of names. Renesmee!? EJ (Edward Jacob)!? Carlie is a perfectly great first name, which I would have really preferred over Renesmee.

4. It has taken over Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Wal-mart. And perhaps several other chain stores.

5. It started a domino effect: paranormal fictions are hot. Now and then I miss a good ol' contemporary novel that deserves more credit than what it has gotten.

Neutrals:
1. Edward: Edward is a creepy stalker and the relationship of him and Bella is a bad influence to tweens and teens across the world. Really though? In my opinion I like to say that we have some common sense here. I would like to believe that the majority of teens, in my case, should know better than to date guys who likes to sniff you, drink your blood, and stare at you sleeping every night. Common sense: stay clear from stalker/creepy guy and call 911. It is also common sense to not be an "abusive" relationship. (The word abusive is stretching it far.) It aggravates me a bit that Twilight is constantly bashed on for the relationship and yet some of the adult paranormal novels' relationship are not much better.

2. Bella: she is a Mary-Sue plain and simple. But Bella is someone that many teens can relate to (sort of).

Pros:
1. It is an addicting, guilty-pleasure read. I have read each book several times already, almost second to the Poison Study series.

2. It has gotten many teens to start reading on their own. I, for one, am one of those teens. I was always a reader, just not a big reader; perhaps I would read a book a month, but no more. Twilight, as some of you may cringe, sparked that first initial reading habit so there is a sentimental value for me.

I am 99% positive (in my guesstimating ability) that Twilight did not deter already avid readers from reading again. Sure, Twilight might have some strong negative opinions, but it never forced anyone to stop reading.

And perhaps Twilight gave some reason for the older audience to pick up teen novels. (Twilight Moms--enough said.)

3. Some of the classical readers are probably pissed at this, but teens are now picking up Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice and Romeo and Juliet because of Twilight. Harper Teen realized that with the re-released updated covers to match Twilight.

4. Yay paranormal fictions!

Sleepless

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Source: Delacorte Press

Grade: 3 stars out of 5

Eron is a Sandman, one who lightly murmurs sweet nothings into the ears of his charges and lightly dust them with sand for he helps them sleep at night. Or shall I say, the one who makes them fall asleep. It's been almost a hundred years since he died and became a Sandman and now his time is almost up. Eron finally has a chance to become a human again and tackle any unfinished business. But first he has to has to train Griffin to become a Sandman and take over his charges. Now Eron is balancing being a human and a Sandman.

Julia is somehow in the middle of this. Julia has always been one of Eron's charges since she was a child. The only thing is, Julia was Griffin's girlfriend when he died.

Griffin is having trouble dealing with this new sort of rules of not touching, no talking, and definitely no more interacting in her life outside of her dreams. 

Sleepless was a novel that I was wanting for to be released ever since I read Fairy Tale (previously know as Fairy Lust), which was quite some time ago. Sleepless had a synopsis that was strange, though in a good way, that immediately made me curious and definitely excited after having a taste at Balog's debut novel; which I found to be a fun read so I expected a wow book from Sleepless. Yet Sleepless irked me in some way or another. It hit some spots on the nail, but many times the hammer missed and struck the thumb.

Reasons why I liked Sleepless:

1. Originality. Like I said previously, Sandmen is an uncharted area that I had never read about. That alone would make me curious enough to pick up Sleepless.

2. A flare for the dramatics. Balog tries to push to the extremes in most cases. Kudos for trying.

3. The format of the novel. I realize that this has nothing to do with the actual story, but the novel alternates between Eron and Julia. For Julia's point of view, there would be the flower (same as the cover flower) at the bottom right hand corner of the first page (like the cover). For Eron's point of view, there would be a moon (same as the cover moon) at the top left hand corner (like the corner). This is awesome, you guys, in person.

4. Usually when a novel tries to be mysterious I usually try to solve it and am about 70% right. It was not the case with Sleepless. Was so wrong and so many counts for Sleepless.

Reason why I had trouble liking Sleepless:

1. I found both Julia and Eron naive. Not in the adorable, child-like way, but a frustrating way that I would have thought experience would teach. (In a irreverent note: Julia wears Crocs. Not my prefer sense of style shoe, but it was hot back a couple years ago so it would make sense in the novel. Read right now, it's outdated for teens to wear Crocs.)

2. Griffin is a giant brute. Any redeeming quality or any quality worthy of sympathizing with is thrown out of the window. First person narrative is extremely frustrating because I needed to know what made Griffin, Griffin. His hostility, his anger, his attitude of "telling it how it is" was constant throughout the entire novel made it odd when he, out of no where, becomes vulnerable. Is there a deeper sense to him than meets the eye? I am not sure because there is nothing about Griffin that is explained.

3. It was strange how Eron has spent the last century in the world and somehow not managed to pick up any of the technology, clothing trends, or colloquialism. Was there an explanation about this because I do recall that it was mentioned that Eron follows his charges around in case they are in need of a nap. If so I must have missed the middle line.

4. I found the ending unsatisfying. It was anticlimactic (anyone else wanted someone to throw a punch of two?), a bit unbelievable, and a bit unclear. It was like blowing up a balloon and instead of exploding, it just deflated.

Cover C+

Sleepless is out now: Amazon / Book Depository

P.S. I wonder why is that male Sandmen have female charges whereas female Sandmen have male charges....

Manga Monday: Hana Kimi

Hana Kimi by Hisaya Nakajo

Other Titles: For You in Full Blossom / Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
Serialized: Viz Media
Genre: Drama, Shoujo, Gender Bender*, Romance, Comedy, (slight) sports
Art: 3.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars 
Characters: 3.8 stars
Other: Live Drama (Japanese and Taiwanese)
Volumes: 23

"Japanese-American track-and-field star Mizuki is transferring to a high school in Japan...but not just any high school! To be close to her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano, she's going to an all-guys' high school...and disguising herself as a boy! But as fate would have it, they're more than classmates...they're roommates! Now, Mizuki must keep her secret in the classroom, the locker room, and her own bedroom. And her classmates, and the weird school nurse, must react to the new transfer student who looks like a very pretty boy..."--from Amazon

Hana Kimi is a great way to ease into manga. It is a simple, light-hearted, fun read.The plot can sometimes drag a bit, and on some levels, be highly unrealistic. Even so, without a doubt, Hana Kimi is one of my favorite shoujo manga thus far. It is also a great read for tweens.

*Gender Bender refers to a character playing or sometimes "transforming" into the opposite gender. In this case, Mizuki is pretending to be a boy hence the gender bender. Hana Kimi is one of the more safer gender bender tales and probably a good place to start if you are interested in this genre. Some mangas can get...weird.

Vol. 1 / Vol. 2 / Vol. 3 / Vol. 4 / Vol. 5 / Vol. 6 / Vol. 7 /  Vol. 8 / Vol. 9 / Vol. 10 / Vol. 11 / Vol. 12 / Vol. 13 / Vol. 14 / Vol. 15 / Vol. 16 / Vol. 17 / Vol. 18 / Vol. 19 / Vol. 20 / Vol. 21 / Vol. 22 / Vol. 23