Good day, lovelies! Welcome to my review for Ninja Girl, from Cookie O’Gorman! In case you’re recognizing the author’s name, you may have heard of Adorkable – a title that also awaits me on my KindleApp, haha! I received my copy from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review and the time is upon us. Thank you so much, guys!! Let’s go =D
Seventeen-year-old Snow-Soon Lee kicks ass–literally. She teaches at her family-owned martial arts gym, The Academy, and cares more about training to be the next Bruce Lee than hooking up. In fact, Snow’s never even been kissed. But when Girls Night rolls around, Snow decides to prove to her friends (and herself) that she’s not just some boring tomboy. Impulsively, she kisses a hot stranger and even manages to escape his two security guards.
One stolen kiss…
Ash Stryker’s senior year sucks. His politician father pulled him out of Chariot High, separating him from his championship-winning soccer team. Now he’s stuck at a prissy private school with no friends, no team and no chance of being scouted. On top of that, thanks to the death threats his dad’s received, Ash has a security tail aka professional babysitters. When the mystery girl from the movies shows up at his school, rappelling from the rafters, Ash knows one thing: he won’t let her get away again.
One interesting job proposition…
After a seemingly random attack, Ash’s mother surprises everyone. She hires Snow to be Ash’s personal bodyguard until after the election. But can Snow’s kick-ass skills hold up against the rising threats to Ash’s family? More importantly, can Ash convince his ninja girl to screw ethics and kiss him again?
Hi, there! AFY, today your blogger is on fire, as all my posts are going live – thank you, February new books ¬¬”
Anyway, we are not here to talk about my failed posting schedule, but to talk about the first book in the Percy Jackson series (is there someone on the world who calls it “the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series”? Like, all fanciness and all? I can’t even picture saying it out loud on the title, haha!), The Lightening Thief 😀 To my shame, I only read this series for the first time last January (I mean 2015 and not last month, haha!). Needless to say that it changed my heart and now I’m a believer. This was one of the books I wish to re-read this year and I can’t wait to squeeze the rest of the series into the other months ❤
the natural light that I got on this pic makes it look like it’s blured… Sorry, haha!
The Story
I feel a bit silly re-telling a story that everybody knew way before me, but here we go
Percy is a 12-year-old boy without much luck in his life. No matter how hard he tries, disasters seem to follow him anywhere, making the weirdest things happen – and getting him expelled of five schools in a roll. To top everything, he is dyslexic, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the worst stepfather of the whole world: Smelly Gabe. And trust me, you don’t want to know the reason behind this lovely nickname.
Until a trip to the beach with his mom, Percy thought his life weird and unlucky, but manageable. But a hurricane totally out of season and a big monster show Percy that things can always get worse. Without any choice, he ends up on the Half-Blood Camp with his best friend Grover – that, by the way, reveals himself as a satyr.
Now, besides being really unlucky, dyslexic and attention deficient, Percy also has to deal with the existence of real (and very angry) Greek gods that are more than willing to use him and the other children at the camp as they please for their own schemes. Percy time has arrived and his life depends on completing divine tasks.
The thing is… Can Percy focus on the gods’ will?
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂
When I was younger and this series exploded in the world, I remember reading a synopsis that was so crappy that led me into believing that this was a stupid series. Then the movies came out and I was “sure” It was crap. Sorry if you enjoyed the movies, haha! Then last summer came (again, 2015, not last month) and I was at a friend’s place – yeah, I’m talking about you, Jen! – and she pestered me so much that I said “FINE, I WILL GIVE PERCY JACKSON A GO, NOW SHUT UP”. Or something like that. Her memory is better, she can tell our stories better than me, haha! Anyway, long story short, I was madly in love with Percy Jackson and devoured all five books in a week’s space. And then felt like life didn’t matter anymore because there was no more than five books. You know, same old, same old with us book lovers.
On my first read, I gave it four stars. I’m officially raising it to five stars now 🙂
The narrative is first person styled from Percy’s point of view only. On the beginning of my first read, it bothered me a little. On my re-read, I think it works. Percy is just like us – you know, our 12-year-old selves – and this makes it so easy for the reader to connect with him. He grew up believing that Greek gods were just random characters from another culture and suddenly has to deal with the living things. Also, the narrative style makes the story funny and light, even on its worse moments.
The plot is complex and full of twists, as there are so many elements to fit into the book. I loved how well Riordan executed it. Percy Jackson is one of the most well written series that I ever read, the kind that you just can’t find a flaw, a lose end, a forgotten character. Seriously, there is nothing to hold against it, haha!
Rick Riordan facing society
Percy is the perfect 12-year-old, in qualities and flaws. It is amazing! Even being 20 when I first read this book, I highly identified with him. Percy is random, observant, kinda lazy, funny and gets real mad when he is accused of doing something he clearly didn’t. (Btw, that was one of Jen’s arguments: “you will love him because he is just like you!”. Damn, she was right! But don’t tell her that, she’ll get cocky.) And he has the natural curiosity of children towards anything he doesn’t know, which is really helpful for the reader that is so new on the real Greek gods world as himself is.
All Riordan’s characters are very well constructed and developed. I call favorites with Annabeth, because she is not a helpless female in the team, Luke, because he is beautiful and skillful and has another secret trait that really attracts me but it would be a huger spoiler to tell, Hades, because he is the best god #justsaying, and Percy’s mom. Okay, but Grover and Quíron in the list. Ugh, I love Percy Jackson’s world!
Naturally, I have to comment on the semi-dystopian world that Riordan created: awesome stuff.
Seriously, I have nothing to add to what has been already said. He re-created the Greek gods in such a fashion that is hard to imagine them any different now. It absorbers you and suddenly you’re convinced that you’re a victim of the Mist and that’s why you can’t see the true monster nature of your Math teacher. As I said, I’m a believer, haha!
Overall, I think that everyone that hasn’t already should just pick up this series and give it a go. Forget all about the crappy (sorry) movies and just allow uncle Rick to carry you around ❤
Thank you for reading and thank you Jen, who so vehemently insisted that I should give this series a go ❤ I can’t wait for the next series that you will push through my guts recommend me 😀 And please don’t forget I love you, so there is no need for slapping me after you read this review.
Hi, there! Welcome to another yaoi (a.k.a. gay) manga review! I know you missed those ;D
Kidding, but I do have some serious catching up to do, comparing to the amount that I have read this month and last year… So please, bear with me, haha!
Akira Hjirikawa is a classic Japanese thief Kaitou, complete with the beauty, the mask, the cape and the top hat. He is also the nightmare of young police officer Kuruto Torimaru.
Akira, who runs the coffee shop that Kuruto loves to go to, is not a thief because he wants to. He has a family debt to pay and the only way is to reunite the pieces of the spoiled treasure that his grandfather used to have.
Kuruto is the chief of a whole police department dedicated to Kaitou’s crimes. He knows the thief better than anyone else, but doesn’t even dream that the same man that haunts his sleep at night is the man that he learned to care for.
Akira was happy enough to play with Kuruto’s mind while full filling his grandpa’s wishes, but he didn’t expect to fall for the young policeman.
That really could ruin everything.
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂
This manga unfortunately is a one shot, but omg, it blew my mind! Akira and Kuruto’s romance was so cute! And I have a special appreciation for love born out of hate. I live for that moment where a person sees she can no longer end the other’s life because the obsession turned up to be a good feeling inside their chests ❤
This title is a full five stars for me: it had the perfect plot, perfect time, perfect art, perfect pairing and knew exactly what to show!
The narrative is divided by Akira and Kuruto’s points of view, but Akira is usually a step ahead of Kuruto and his team. It has a steady pace and the descriptions of the treasures are rich.
The plot is simple, but full of twists. The reader is kept on the anxiety of Akira’s identity as Kaitou being revealed to Kuruto during the whole volume; we are under the impression that it can happen any time, any minute. We worry and have fun, feel the love of Akira for Kuruto ❤ And no heist is the same as the previous, so it was nice to see how Akira would play Kuruto next, haha! Poor Kuruto, right?
I think it’s a bit obvious how I loved Akira’s character, but he stole my heart. You know, along with other things, haha!
I apologize.
Akira was pure mischief and kindness. And handsomeness. And perfectioness. Okay, that’s not a word, so I’ll stop. But I really loved everything about him. And I think Kuruto balanced him very well with his scandalous and serious way – yes, he could pull both together at same time, haha! Besides, just look how good they look together*:
from left to right: Akira and Kuruto ❤close up of their perfect faces ❤Akira and Kuruto together ❤
I took the liberty of erasing the dialogues due spoilers, sorry 🙂 But aren’t they breathtaking together?
Overall, this is the perfect volume for a quick read if you love thieves, romance and yaoi 😀
That’s it, thanks for reading! And for not giving up on me just because 95% of my manga reads are yaoi, haha! Love you guys :*
*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Makoto Tateno-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂
Hello, there! Did you miss my yaoi manga reviews? ;D
Okay, okay. I didn’t even give you time to miss them and now there’s another one here, haha!
Ahem.
This title was my second read of 2016 and first re-read. It’s the third time that I read this one shot. Yeah, it is good like that, haha! Without any more gibber jabber, I present you Dear My Mister, from Fumika Yamada-sensei!
Noah is a high school student that has a hard time speaking English. No matter what he does or how much he studies, he always stumble on the words and doesn’t understand a half of that is being said to him. In this scenario, it is only natural for him to seek a private teacher to help him out.
Noah’s English teacher has Japanese blood, but grew up abroad. Takamasa has a hard time in using the correct Japanese words in several situations, so he understands how Noah feels regarding his own English and wants to help him.
They just didn’t expect to fall in love in the process.
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂
To be honest, this manga is not the kind that will take your breath away or make you crawl in your knees because you need more. It’s a quick and fun read with the perfect amount of fan service and a pleasant art to go with it 🙂 I really like it because it’s the kind of title that warms my hear every time I read. For me, it’s a five stars title, but you can consider it a four stars one as a regular view, as it brings nothing new for the reader.
sorry, I can’t be impartial, haha!
Anyway, the narrative follows Noah’s point of view and I have no problems with that, as Takamasa is the smoothly gothic type of character. He is mysterious, but not in essence. I mean, you want to know more about him, but not because he is hiding something. Did I made sense here? LOL It’s pace is fast, as it is just a one shot volume, and follows Noah’s daily life at his English course.
Which brings us to the plot, that is that simple: boy falls for teacher that secretly loves him back and they get together, but have to face their own demons first. Common as it may be, I found it really nice the encouragement message of the author behind it all: with the right help and method, you can learn whatever you’d like to. In Japan, people usually have difficulties in learning proper English, as there is no “L” in their alphabet and the writing is so different. It’s nice to see Yamada-sensei encouraging her readers to not give up ❤
The characters are mainly Noah and Takamasa, although we see Takamasa’s boss quite often. She enjoys tormenting him for loving his student, haha! Noah was the typical shy passive, but Takamasa surprised me in the first time I’ve read this. I was expecting the typical forceful dominant, but he was cool about his bed role. Don’t get me wrong, he is the dominant all right, but he doesn’t feel the need of throwing Noah on the wall and doing him just like that, you know? He is romantic and patient and I liked this about him 🙂
The art is another aspect that I really like in this title. Yamada-sensei has a sensible and delicate draw, but without transforming her guys into girls, haha! This is even more perceptible on the cover image*:
from left to right: Noah and Takamasa ❤black and white version ❤
Seriously.
Usually I am, but looking at hot men leaves me speechless. But not enough to write a single-page review.
Overall, this is basically a shoujo (a.k.a romance) manga with two boys: sweet and simple, to be read in a few minutes that you have to spare (or wait, or waste, your call, haha!).
That’s it! Thanks for reading ❤ If you ever want a review of a gay manga title, just name it and I’ll read it and review it, okay? 😀
*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Fumiko Yamada-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂
Rowan, Kestrel, and Jade know that they are taking a path of no return when they flee their home. The three sisters are well aware of all the risks and sacrifices involved, but anything in the human world is better than to live in an eternal bubble without any real living.
What they didn’t expect was to have a nosy neighbor.
Mary-Lynnette is a loner, a creature of the night. The stars are her best friends, along with her brother Mark. Or so she thought, until meeting her three new and inhumanly beautiful neighbors. The girls seem to be nice enough despite all oddities surrounding their family, but can Mary-Lynnette handle with their older brother…?
Ash knew he was doomed in the moment he laid eyes on Mary-Lynnette. Once, he had heard from a cousin how he would fall hard for his soul mate, but never believed in such crap. He was a man in a mission and Mary-Lynnette couldn’t be related to his difficulties in taking his sisters back home.
Or could she?
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂
OMG, WHY DID I TAKE SO DAMN LONG TO READ THIS SERIES?! IT’S EVEN BETTER THAN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES! (Just don’t tell this to television guys, they will screw this up, haha!). I loved everything aspect of this book and can’t wait to finish Spellbinder, the next book 🙂 Ash was perfection since Secret Vampire, but in this one is where I fell hard for him… *sighs in pure love* I’ll try to do a good job here, but it is so damn difficult when all I feel like doing is fangirling non-stop about Ash, haha!
Ahem.
The narrative was my favorite one: third person with alternating points of view. I wish there were more parts under Ash’s POV, but I understand that not knowing much about him it’s part of his charm. Putting more parts under his view would have bared him too much for the reader and all, haha! But one can dream, right? 😉
The plot wasn’t overly complicated and quite predictable, but there is a little twist in the end that caught me off guard and this was awesome ❤ I don’t really mind simple plots as long as they are well executed and hold my attention while I read. I can even know how it all will end, but I always get curious to see how the outcome shall arrive, haha! My point? There is no lost trip for me, haha!
The characters are the high point in this book. Rowan, Kestrel and Jade are unique and each represent a type of person: Rowan is gentle and naïve despite being the oldest; Kestrel is ruthless and savage; and Jade is dreamy and brave. They complement each other in such a perfect way! Mark was also a pleasant enough character and I really liked Jeremy despite everything. And, of course, there is their older brother Ash, but never fear, I’ll get to him. I really liked Mary-Lynnette. She was such a strong heroine for a Young Adult book but without losing her teenager spirit. I could have never made her final decision on the end of the book and I will admire her for this till the world ends.
Sorry, I had to insert this here, haha!
Now, let’s go to Ash. Oh, Ash. He is the lost cousin of Damon Salvatore, I assure you. The difference between them is that Damon is actually a pretty nice guy trying to fool people into believing that he is a demon and Ash is actually a demon trying to fool people into believing that he is a pretty nice guy, haha! 😉 Mary-Lynnette described him as a royal cat with ever-changing eye colors and this is the most accurate description ever. Ash has his own pace for everything (cof except when it comes to Mary-Lynnette cof) and never has a permanent eye color – not even in his full vampire form. The strange thing about him is that he is both intelligent and not stubborn at all. He sees something that he is doing wrong and he promptly fixes it instead of insisting that he is right. Not many males have this blessed ability, haha!
I really think that L. J. Smith rocked in the Night World series so far and dare to say that those books are a must-read if you love Y&A, romance, Vampires, Witches, Werewolves and really cool humans, haha!
That’s it! Thanks for reading this review and I hope to finish Spellbinder soon, haha! Have you read the Night World series?
![IMG_8097[1]](https://anneliselestrange.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/img_80971.jpg?w=809)
The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange 