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Summary:

Coco lives in a world where magic exists. Unfortunately, she's no magician. That's the one thing she's desperately wanted to be ever since she was a little girl. However, she has also been told that magicians are born, not made. Until one day, Coco sees something that changes her life. Now, she's a witch in training.

The festival is going strong, and it's finally time for the Silver Night Parade. The parade is famous as it allows magicians to perform their latest spells in front of the king and people. Coco hadn't planned on creating something for this event, but circumstances (and friendship) forced her hand.

Review:

Wow. I think that, against all odds, Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 12 managed to up the ante. This volume is intense, ominous, and fascinating all in one. That said, if you’re not a fan of leeches…uh, maybe ask for a few spoilers.

Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 12 is one of the more action-filled additions to this series. Yeah, there are still a few major revelations, but they don’t feel like the focus. If anything, I feel like all of the combat is actually setting the scene for something more, if you can believe that.

I don’t typically include quotes in my manga reviews, but I do feel like one perfectly sums up this volume/series: “Any soul out there who tries to restrict the things you learn is only doing it to keep you square under their thumb.” I felt that one. Ouch.

I hate that we have to wait until 2025 for the next volume. The wait (which will be worth it) is going to hurt. Who else is with me?

Highlights:
Magical Academy
Magical Writing
Secrets Galore

Trigger Warnings:
Blood/Leeches

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Summary:

You know how the story goes: a young woman in a horrible situation wakes up one day to find herself in a new world—complete with a new face! Usually, this second chance at life is a dream come true.

Not for Penelope. She's the unwanted Daughter of a Duke, and having just finished playing this game (The Duke's Super Love Project), she knows just how lethal her future can get. Somehow, she'll have to find a way to escape this horrible situation. At least she has some insight on what events to avoid.

Review:

Eee! I’ve been waiting MONTHS for the next volume of Villains Are Destined to Die. (In reality, I think it was a month and a half - tops). Villains Are Destined to Die Vol. 5 is everything I hoped it would be, and I’m thrilled to dive back into this series.

The last volume ended in a major cliffhanger, so naturally, this volume picks up right in the thick of things. This whole assassination/setup arc made me love certain characters all the more…while wishing I could smack others.

This arc stems from some very satisfying moments, including characters saying/hearing things they deserve. It was refreshing, to say the least. Combining this with the brilliant artwork, I fell in love with this series.

Ironically, I think this volume solidified my ship for the series, and it’s not who I would have predicted. Not in a million years. But now it’s all I want for Penelope’s endgame. Fingers crossed!

I’m happy to report that in addition to getting my greedy little hands on Villains Are Destined to Die Vol. 5; I landed the sixth volume too! So I’m going to go read that right away.

Highlights:
Manwha
Dark Isekai
Dating Sim Game Foundation
Originally a webcomic (Tapas)

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Summary:

You know how the story goes: a young woman in a horrible situation wakes up one day to find herself in a new world—complete with a new face! Usually, this second chance at life is a dream come true.

Not for Penelope. She's the unwanted Daughter of a Duke, and having just finished playing this game (The Duke's Super Love Project), she knows just how lethal her future can get. Somehow, she'll have to find a way to escape this horrible situation. At least she has some insight on what events to avoid.

Review:

While the last volume didn’t end in the same style of cliffhanger as vol. 4, I’m thrilled to dive right into Villains Are Destined to Die Vol. 6. This series has quickly become my favorite isekai and is easily one that I look forward to the most.

Thanks to the assassination attempt, the last volume was full of court politics and drama. Meanwhile, this volume was pretty much all about Winter, magic, and external politics. Quite the shift, but not one I’m complaining about.

That said, this volume did NOT go at all as I expected. No volume has followed my assumptions (I love that). It started heading down one path, only to blindside us halfway through. And that cliffhanger! Ugh! I hate that I have to wait for volume seven. I just want to know what happens!

Long story short: Villains Are Destined to Die Vol. 6 is an emotional roller coaster, and I am here for it. There was more fighting and character revelation than anticipated, and it made me all the more excited for the next volume.

Highlights:
Manwha
Dark Isekai
Dating Sim Game Foundation
Originally a webcomic (Tapas)

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Summary:

Maomao spent the earliest parts of her life training in herbal medicine. She had a path in life that she loved. Unfortunately, that was all ripped away from her when she was captured and sold to the inner palace.

Since then, Maomao's life has changed significantly. She no longer works for the inner palace but instead works directly for Jinshi and the outer palace. That isn't to say she can't continue helping the allies she made within those walls.

Review:

Ohhh! Things are getting interesting in The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 10. I love that we’re diving into a new collection of mysteries (that may or may not be tied into the first set; who knows?). It’s so perfect for this series.

There’s a lot to love about this volume (and a lot to look forward to with the anime!). It’s tense, fascinating, and funny all in one. It shows the best and worst of the people within the Inner Palace, finding that perfect balance.

The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 10 gives room for some character development. And it’s not just for Maomao and Jinshi; it seems like at least two secondary characters got some time to shine, which I really appreciated.

The most compelling part of the story is the new (potential?) threat, thanks to the ambassadors. Even if their presence is temporary (I’m still not sure of that), it will undoubtedly linger. A reminder of the outside forces at play?

Highlights:
Historical Fiction
Manga
Poison & Medicine

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Summary:

Aristia was told all her life that she was the girl foretold in the prophecy - the one destined to become the empress. As such, she was raised to be the perfect bride for the future emperor.

Unfortunately, everyone was wrong. When another young woman appears from a different world, everyone quickly realizes she’s the girl in the prophecy, forcing Aristia to the side. This sets up a series of events that lead…well…to bad places for poor Aristia. Unless she gets a second chance, her story has been written.

Review:

I was browsing my local library recently, and The Abandoned Empress, Vol. 1 caught my attention (stunning cover!). So, with little thought or hesitation, I decided to try it! While I found the overall world fascinating, the tone of this story is just too heavy and down for me.

To be clear, I don’t mind an against-all-odds story or a story that begins in tragedy (Villains Are Destined to Die should be an excellent example of that!). But for some reason, this one just didn’t hook me before it got all sad and depressing, which meant I was pretty put off by the story overall. So keep that bias in mind.

The good: I love that Aristia’s (Tia) story is a clever take on the whole Isekai trope. Instead of popping into another world, she gets a second chance at her messed up life. Likewise, I love how she seems to be going about her second chance.

The bad: Everyone hates Aristia, and I do mean hate. The ending starts to help explain some of those reasons…but it’s still pretty stupid and shallow. It feels more like hate for the sake of the story, you know? Combine that with the trigger warnings, and…it’s too much for this reader.

Highlights:
Manwha
Romantic Fantasy
Historical Vibe
Battle for love/throne

Trigger Warnings:
Abuse/Sexual Assault
Depression
Pregnancy/Miscarriage

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Summary:

Jennifer is admittedly very good at what she does - be it working as a lawyer, acting as an Avenger, you name it. Unfortunately, she’s never really felt like she has perfected that balance.

It’s also been a long time since she looked for something, or rather, someone, more permanent when it comes to her love life. So it’s safe to say that things are changing, but is She-Hulk ready to accept those changes?

Review:

I’m not going to lie; I’ve been curious to see how far the whole Jen and Jack arc would go. Naturally, I dove into my copy of She-Hulk Vol. 5. I just had to find out! This is She-Hulk, after all.

The only downside to this volume is I’m pretty sure this marks the end of yet another She-Hulk series. Or at least Rainbow Rowell’s run of She-Hulk. I wouldn’t have minded more, but I do have to admit that this was a fitting ending.

She-Hulk Vol. 5 dives all in on the “will they/won’t they” trope, all while throwing a few curveballs at us readers. It was emotional at times, tense at others, and hilarious in other moments. In other words, it’s a solid She-Hulk tale.

I love that some of Jack’s backstory came into play in this volume. A lot was getting left out, but now that feels more full circle. It helps to settle any debate about what could happen with this couple.

As always, I loved the artwork! She-Hulk Vol. 5 has some of the best colors and designs; overall, there’s a lot of energy. The fights are epic, the expressions never hold back, and it’s a lot of fun to read. I hope the artists had as much fun making it.

Highlights:
Superhero Drama
Cameos Galore
Law, Love, and Loyalty

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Summary:

Kim Dokja has spent the last several years reading a webnovel. That doesn’t make him terribly unique, does it? What’s more interesting is that he’s the only reader of this webnovel - and it’s about to end.

As a reward for being the only reader of this series, he gets an alert, an edge, and a downloaded copy of the series. That in itself shouldn’t have been life-changing if not for what is about to happen to the world…

Review:

I’m a sucker for an engaging description and a solid cover, so when I spotted a stack of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint at my local library, I knew I was going to give it a try. This series starts immediately in a way most readers can appreciate - with a character completely hooked on a fictional world.

However, there’s a significant twist, and it doesn’t take long to hit Kim Dokja and the rest of his world (HARD). So that’s how Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Vol. 1 kicks off, and I am already invested. So yes, I will be reading the rest of this series!

Watching the main character change so much in a single volume was fascinating. He goes from a quiet worker (dare I say, nerd?) to a calm and determined…well, he’s not a hero, but he’s something else.

As for the world, I also need to see more of that. There are so many questions; the only way to get those answers is to keep reading. So onward!

Highlights:
Manwha
Dystopia
Story within a story

Trigger Warnings:
Graphic Depictions

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Summary:

The students of U.A. High (and beyond) have been signed into an ambitious Team-Up Missions Program. This program is designed to help them match and team up with other pros and aspiring pros, giving them real-life experience as heroes.

The timing of this program couldn’t be better, as our heroes-to-be need all the prepping they can get. As such, get ready to see new matches and team-ups as our students learn new tricks and perfect old skills.

Review:

I have meant to read My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions for WAY too long, so I’m happy to dive back into this series. It’s just as fun and chaotic as I remembered, offering light entertainment to balance out the heaviness of the current MHA arc.

My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions Vol. 2 brings us back to the characters we know and love so much, and as expected, they’re in unique team combinations. Most of the pairings were a lot of fun, either because they were expected or highly requested (or both). I wish the pacing allowed for a bit more time with each group/event.

There’s no denying that this is an action-packed series with a focus on what can be achieved with each new team-up. I don’t know how canon the series is (I’m assuming not much?), but seeing the heroes in this environment is a delight. I always felt like we needed to see more training in the main MHA arc.

Bonus points for getting the artwork so perfect. This looks and feels like the main MHA story, so the transition isn’t alarming. It feels perfectly natural.

Highlights:
MHA Spin-off
Teenage Superheroes
High action and drama

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Summary:

In the world of MHA, we often focus on two types of people—the heroes and the villains. But what about everyone else? There are people who will never be interested in becoming heroes and those who wish to but don’t have the same options.

Enter the world of the vigilantes, people who want to make a difference but, for one reason or another, will not follow the path to becoming a more traditional hero. Their stories may not be glamorous, but their lives can be just as dangerous.

Review:

This is my second time trying to dive into the world of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, and I’ve made it to the second volume. I’m still not one hundred percent on the series, but I’m certainly willing to continue reading at this point.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Vol. 2 introduces new risks - and familiar faces. In truth, there’s a bit of a love/hate relationship here, for me at least. I love the character design of the primary antagonist. But I also hate that they pulled in a familiar character and tried to give us his origin story. That was unnecessary, and I liked him better without that twist. Sorry, not sorry.

If we ignore that part, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Vol. 2 is an overall solid read. The characters are growing on me, and their dynamics start solidifying. I don’t know where their stories will lead, so I’ll have to keep reading.

Highlights:
MHA Spin-off
Superheroes vs Villains
Fight for Justice

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Summary:

Paul isn’t the best at reading people. What he is good at is magic, sort of. So he’s decided to go above and beyond in getting romantic advice - by summoning the Great Duke of Hell.

Naturally, this sets off a series of events that nobody, especially Paul, could have predicted. It turns out that almost everyone in his life has a secret to hide, and he is about to kick them all up to the surface.

Review:

Let me start by saying that pretty much none of Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell went the way I expected, and I love that. This series is so quirky and so much fun; I’m lucky to have had the chance to read it.

Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell Vol. 1 is an interesting introduction to the world. It has that strong webcomic vibe (where it knows it has more time to introduce readers). That said, things quickly take a turn once the foundation is there. None of the characters act as expected—or really are who they say they are if you want to get right down to it. I’m hooked.

I do wish the artwork was more like the cover, as that was part of what drew me in. The artwork for this series is a bit rougher, but I didn’t hate it. This was just one of those times when I really wanted the art I was promised, you know?

Long story short, this series was worth checking out. If you’re curious, it might be worth hopping over to Webtoon to peek!

Highlights:
Webtoon Comic
Romantic Comedy
Great Duke of Hell = Wingman

Thanks to Webtoon Unscrolled and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Summary:

Hades is the god of the underworld, but that doesn’t mean he’s heartless. Mostly, he spends time alone or with his loyal companion. Otherwise, he’s probably spending time trying to avoid his sort of ex. That is until Persephone fell into his life. She changed everything.

Persephone is a naive woman struggling against the constraints of her role in life. She doesn’t know how to feel about her designation in love - or her role in the pantheon. She doesn’t know how she feels about these new events, especially her meeting with Hades.

Review:

So, it goes without saying, but I am WAY behind the times on reading Lore Olympus. Do you know how you hear about a hyped series, which makes you nervous to try it? That’s what happened to me.

Anyway, I’m righting those wrongs and diving into Lore Olympus: Volume One. The content warnings were appreciated, as getting blindsided with a particular scene would have been bad, so thank you, Rachel Smythe, for that.

My first take is that I am in love with the colors of this series. They’re so blindingly pretty, and it forces a unique take on all the characters (whose basis I’ve gotten a bit tired of, so this was refreshing).

The first volume is a solid start to the series, providing a foundation of the world, characters, and potential problems that will surface. I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

I can see why people are hooked on Lore Olympus. I just finished the first volume, and I maayy have already picked up the second volume from my library. Shh! Don’t tell anyone.

Highlights:
Mythology & Retelling
Greek Mythology Modernized
Unique Artstyle
Forbidden Love

Trigger Warnings:
Sexual Assault
Kidnapping
Trauma & Stalking

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Summary:

Keisuke Shizuki was burned once by a popular and pretty girl, and he swore to himself that it would never happen again. He used his transition into high school as an excuse to overhaul his life.

First, he changed his looks and style, and last, he worked hard to come off as “normal” and “average” (and not nerdy) as possible. Everything was going according to plan until he bumped into Kusunoki, a girl from his old school. It seems like she had a similar plan but needs some help to achieve her goals.

Review:

Hooray, it's time for another manga with a long title! But seriously, Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up Vol. 1 is not what I expected. First, there's the obvious - I thought that Kusunoki would have been the main POV (the title and cover indicate that), but it's actually Keisuke Shizuki.

There's a reason for it, and the sort of twist works out. It's not the deepest manga out there, plus it has fun with the whole romantic comedy meets coming-of-age trope, with a high school overhaul twist.

I think I would have liked the story more if more of the characters felt…real or human? Keisuke Shizuki learns to hate women/girls because of one bad experience (which, okay, it was pretty bad, but still). This is one of many examples of girls behaving badly or just not acting like people. It's not the best look/take. Even Kusunoki seems helpless without a male lead. I don't know; maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Highlights:
Romantic Comedy
Coming-of-Age
High School Drama

Will I continue the series? Maybe

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Summary:

Ichiro is a dedicated member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Security Bureau. As such, he’s always been good at taking orders…even if those orders mean ignoring the obvious and not following through on a cause close to his heart.

That is, until he gets a new assignment. He’s been tasked with getting close to an infamous Yakuza, Shiro. It just so happens that Shiro and Ichiro’s goals coincide, putting these unlikely two together.

Review:

If you’re looking for a quirky murder/mystery manga with forced proximity, Kei X Yaku: Bound By Law Vol. 1 is the read for you! But seriously, this manga surprised me again and again, and I have to read the rest of the series.

The setup is pretty solid: an agent is sent undercover to romance a Yakuza member; only things aren’t what they seem. The two have reason to work together but must keep up the pretense.

In other words, it’s a classic forced proximity trope with a few twists. The overall vibe makes the whole story more enjoyable, and I’ll be curious to see where their story leads. I also really want to know more about the case of missing a person, so I’m invested at multiple levels.

Highlights:
Yaoi Manga
Officer x Yakuza
Forced Proximity

Trigger Warnings:
Missing Person

Will I continue the series? Yes!

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Summary:

Chika is a high schooler who has never felt love. This fact has always made her feel a bit alien, especially now, as she’s prepping for college life. But this new change in life could be exactly what she needs—a chance to learn about herself.

After years of misunderstanding, Chika will finally learn terms that make her realize she’s perfectly healthy and normal. Her journey is one that many people will resonate with, even if her terms don’t define them.

Review:

Is Love the Answer? Is the story of one woman trying to understand her sexuality. As such, it’s a great resource for anybody going through a similar journey. It’s an informative read with a plot, essentially.

My reason for not giving this manga a higher rating is that sometimes the plot felt more like a device for the info, so the lesson could have been more carefully worked into the story (translation: info-dumping or out-of-character actions to justify an explanation).

Aside from that, I really enjoyed Is Love the Answer? It has some fantastic representations (including, but not limited to, asexual and aromantic characters). It’s important to feel seen, and there aren’t enough ace books in this world.

Highlights:
Contemporary Fiction
Slice-of-Life Manga
LGBTQ+
Asexual Journey

Trigger Warning:
Attempted Sexual Assault

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Summary:

Hikari hasn’t experienced love for herself or ever really craved that. Instead, she’s become addicted to shipping her friend, Mari, and a cute guy in class. It started out as a fun way to pass the time and was harmless. After all, she was merely rooting for her shy and pretty friend.

But then Hikari started confusing the events in her mind with reality, and things began to get a bit messy. This change was but the first step into chaos and confusion, forcing Hikari to rethink what she wanted.

Review:

I See Your Face, Turned Away Vol. 1 is a funny and sweet story worth checking out. It’s also not the most memorable story out there, so dive in, enjoy it, and move on.

This tale has some classic elements, including Hikari’s shipping of friends and her confused feelings. It makes for a solid story. It might have been better if it delved a little deeper. Hey! Who knows, maybe that will happen in later volumes?

Things to note: The pacing is a bit on the slower side, which may result in readers struggling to stay invested. Meanwhile, the artwork is entertaining and sweet. It’s perfect for the story, and I would happily read something else by this author for the artwork alone!

Highlights:
Slice-of-Life
Contemporary Romance
Coming of Age

Will I continue the series? Nah


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Summary:

Molly Song just had the biggest heartbreak of her life when her girlfriend broke up with her before traveling abroad. The good news is that she has friends willing to stay and support her through this.

The bad news is that Molly’s feelings are all messed up. Combine that with the freedom of freshman year, and Molly is poised to make a whole lot of mistakes in her life. Will she make it through, or must she learn how to grow and change?

Review:

I'll admit, this is probably the most conflicted I've felt about reviewing a book in a long, LONG time. On the one hand, I enjoyed the brutal reality that comes with relationship drama. On the other hand, it felt a little…forced and heavy-handed at times.

How Could You is a story about a group of four characters all dealing with a break-up (two initiating, two blind-sided). Naturally, that means we get to see very different reactions to said break-ups. Guilt, freedom, devastation, betrayal, the works.

I enjoyed how raw and emotional How Could You felt, even if most of the characters' actions took them out of the realm of relatability. Then again, we all messed up when we were young, right? So, sometimes, messiness comes with life.

Highlights:
Coming of Age
LGBTQ+ Romance
Finding Yourself
Chaos of Relationships

Thanks to Oni Press and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Summary:

Cocoa recently joined a group that meets up every month. This group lets the girls meet up and share treats, all while chatting about the things they love. There’s just one catch - Cocoa isn’t a girl. Her real name is Satoshi.

Fun fact! Satoshi isn’t the only one keeping secrets in this friend group. Nor is his secret all that different from at least one another. This begs the question - what secrets do the other two have?

Review:

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I dove into I Cross-Dressed for the IRL Meetup 1. It had the potential to be really cute and sweet or go in the entirely opposite direction and get a bit too gross for my liking.

Thankfully, this manga stays wholly in the cute and sweet realm. Our characters are attached to one another and admittedly could have been better at communication, which is how they ended up in this situation.

There’s more to the story than I’ve described, but I don’t want to spoil everything. It delicately handles many of the elements teased in the title (such as shaving concerns, makeup, etc.), which was a pleasant surprise. Likewise, it was never the butt of a joke, or at least that’s how it felt to me.

Highlights:
Cute Romantic Story
LGBTQ+

Will I continue the series? Nah

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Summary:

Nokoru has gotten used to living a hectic life thanks to his demanding job. So it’s a bit jarring when he suddenly has to start working from home, courtesy of the lockdown. The time saved from his commute is…more than anticipated.

So, he finally puts time and energy into his apartment. In doing so, he gets to know his neighbor, Natsu. They bond over their time together, enjoying their patio space and extra time.

Review:

Home Office Romance is a relatable and sweet story; I can’t recommend it enough. This romance is pretty much the epitome of pandemic romances, and despite the lighter content, it’ll hit hard for a lot of readers.

The story follows two characters with very different lives. They have only two things in common - living next door and dealing with pandemic lockdowns. However, it’s a timely meet-cute concept that I can’t get over.

I loved the down-to-earn nature of Home Office Romance; it felt wholesome and so real at the same time, providing the perfect break from reality. While this volume contains the full story, I would continue reading if given the chance.

Highlights:
Slice-of-Life
Manga
Romance
Working from Home
Sweet & Endearing

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Summary:

Our favorite duck family is back; this time, they’re dealing with tweens/teenagers. It’s a harrowing time, to be sure. Yet they’ll get through it, thanks to the humor (often dark) they possess.

Brian Gordon’s sense of humor brings reality to these comics, creating slice-of-life style comics that are utterly relatable. Whether you’re a teen (or were one many years ago) or a parent, you’ll relate to these moments.

Review:

Fowl Language has done it again! Tweenage Wasteland was a hilarious and delightful read from start to finish. As always, the comics are short, sweet, to the point - and very relatable. As I mentioned in the summary, it doesn’t matter if you’re a teen now or were a teen once; the content is gold (In reality, it’s undoubtedly even funnier for parents of teens).

If you’re trying to get a feel for the humor in Fowl Language: Tweenage Wasteland, I’d suggest taking a good look at the cover. That honestly sums it up better than I ever could (and will hopefully give you a good chuckle while you’re at it).

The artwork is always so bright and fun, even when the darker humor creeps in a bit. It’s the perfect balance, comedically and stylistically. Each comic is in a slice-of-life fashion, though they’re usually connected to the same (duck) family.

Highlights:
Famous Webcomic
Teenage Humor
Duck Family Chaos

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Summary:

Amber and Nico are very different people - but that’s why their friendship works. Amber is headstrong, loves joking around, and may have a bit of a temper. Meanwhile, Nico is shy, calm, and self-conscious. They’ve been friends forever.

When Amber’s wish comes true - a wish to share a dream with Nico - they suddenly realize that there might be more to this friendship. Now, they never want the dream to end. They don’t want to go back to reality.

Review:

Dreamover is a cute story with a solid foundation. The core of the world is friendship and connections between individuals. I have always loved a good story that explores these boundaries and how they ebb and flow, so I knew I had to read it.

The story is written on the younger side and designed to appeal to younger audiences. It’s very smart, human, and emotionally intelligent. It’s a great resource to help kids understand their own feelings and relationships.

The artwork really surprised me here. It’s not what I expected, based on the cover. Likewise, the art changes depending on location (reality vs dreamscape), which I appreciate. It’s a nice touch.
If you’re looking for a sweet, semi-magical, and highly emotional graphic novel, you’ve got to check out Dreamover. It’s worth checking out, especially as it’ll tug on your heartstrings.

Highlights:
YA Romance
Friendship & Discovery
Sleepovers & Dreams

Thanks to Top Shelf Productions and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Summary:

The Lamb was foretold to end the rule of the old gods, so it was ordered to death. Yet, by targeting the Lamb, they set about the very events they hoped to avoid. Now the Lamb is back, fighting and establishing their own cult.

Lamb’s journey is far from easy. He must battle, collect followers, and learn to trust again. Likewise, there are many difficult decisions to make along the way, including how to lead and who to save.

Review:

Ahhh! As a massive fan of the Cult of the Lamb game, I was excited by the news of a graphic novel adaptation. Better yet, it seems like Cult of the Lamb Vol. 1: The First Verse may be the first in a series? I can hope!

I think it's important for readers to be aware of this book's content (and content warnings). The cover looks cute, but it deals with very dark themes. I hope the title helps give some indication of that. Check out the TW below for more information.

Cult of the Lamb Vol. 1 covers the history of the world, the introduction of our leading character (the Lamb), and the stakes. It's heavy and depressing sometimes, but there's always a reason behind it all.

This story did a great job of capturing the gameplay elements and turning them into something readable. Given that at least half the gameplay is a roque-lite, I worried about how it'd translate. The good news is that there was already a strong plot, so adapting it worked brilliantly.

Cult of the Lamb Vol. 1 is absolutely worth checking out if you played (and loved) the game. It'll help fill the void between playthroughs.

Highlights:
Based on the Cult of the Lamb video game
Horror & Fantasy
Characters & Lore

Trigger Warnings:
Graphic Elements
Death & Murder
Sacrifice

Thanks to Oni Press and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Summary:

Nobara Sumiyoshi just transferred to a new school, and she’s struggling to find a way to fit in. It doesn’t help that she doesn’t entirely know what she wants to do with her life. So she risks and tries to join the high school volleyball time.

Unfortunately, her mother wants her to do anything but volleyball. More accurately, she’s expected to spend all her time working at the family’s Japanese restaurant. So, a decision must be made: should she follow her new dream or support the family?

Review:

If you’re looking for a fun manga full of sports and a dash of coming-of-age-like storytelling, check out Crimson Hero, Vol. 1. This one originally came across my desk because I was looking for a good fit for my reading challenge (sporty book), and I’m happy to have read it.

We’ve all gone through those teenage years of uncertainty about what we want in life. Likewise, most of us have probably had to decide if it was worth it to go against the grain and expectations set upon us. That makes Crimson Hero a very relatable story to dive into.

The artwork and overall style of this series (so far) is very 90s. That’s good and bad, obviously. It’s fun and playful but feels just a bit dated (and nostalgic, so fun times there).

I’m not an avid sports fan, so I definitely didn’t appreciate this series as much as I should have or could have. Again, the main reason I even gave Crimson Hero Vol. 1 a try was to complete a reading challenge goal. Still, I’m happy I gave it a chance and stepped outside my comfort zone.

Highlights:
Sports Manga
YA Romance
Shojo

Will I continue the series? Nah

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Summary:

Yuma is a young boy living in the year 2038. As with many little boys, all he can think about is the Arville Comet, who is due to return soon. That is until he sees something truly out of this world, changing life as he knows it forever.

Now, Yuma and his friends have a huge secret to share and protect. What does their secret say about the past? What will their secret mean for the future of humanity? Read to find out.

Review:

I was immediately drawn to Break of Dawn, thanks to the promise of being perfect for Cowboy Bebop fans. Who could resist that sort of temptation, right? That said, I loved this tale much less than I hoped.

Break of Dawn is a coming-of-age story in a far-flung future, so it is pretty cool, right? But the stakes are pretty high, with our main characters finding a secret that could save (or doom) humanity. Yikes.

My biggest problem with Break of Dawn is that I just had trouble…caring. I didn’t get into the story, which had a slow pace and never gave me a reason to care about any of the characters. In other words, it’s pretty dull.

That said, there’s no denying the potential of this one! So I’ve got to respect that, even if I wouldn’t read more of it, given the chance.

Highlights:
Sci-Fi Manga
Futuristic Story
Otherworld Experiences
Coming-Of-Age

Will I continue the series? No

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