Really Short Review: The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

The Extraordinaries
(The Extraordinaries)
TJ Klune
Release: July 14, 2020
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Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune's YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.

Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?

After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick's best friend (and maybe the love of his life).

Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl meets Marissa Meyer's Renegades in TJ Klune's YA debut.

Review:
Do you ever start a book that sounds like everything you love thrown together and then you just struggle reading it? This is what happened to me with The Extraordinaries. I wanted to love it so much because QUEER. SUPERHEROES! I think Teen Rose Red would have adored this because it is peak cheesy superhero comic book goodness but Adult Rose Red had issues.

I loved the fanfiction aspect of this book and I could get behind the humor and ADHD/anxiety rep. My problem was that I found the main character hard to take because he is a bit chaotic and whiny. And I struggled connecting with the book because of it. There was also a part of the book where Nick's actions felt a little out of character and it just dropped me out of the story. Also, the whole police force portion of this book felt pretty out of touch with current events and that made me super uncomfortable while reading.

I can't help but wonder if I would have enjoyed this book if I wasn't trying to read it while trying to teach online during a pandemic and trying to power through it when my brain wasn't in the right headspace for it. I know of several blogger and IRL friends who loved this so I might retry it in the future (maybe this next summer) on audio. 

Unfortunately, for now, this book wasn't for me.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

  1/2

  2.5 / 5 Stars

Really Short Review: The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken

The Blacksmith Queen
(The Scarred Earth Saga #1)
G.A. Aiken
Release: August 27, 2019
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When a prophesy brings war to the Land of the Black Hills, Keeley Smythe must join forces with a clan of mountain warriors who are really centaurs in a thrilling new fantasy romance series from New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken.  

The Old King Is Dead

With the demise of the Old King, there’s a prophesy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king’s sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it’s all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals. 

Luckily, Keeley doesn’t have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned …

Review:

I was expecting The Blacksmith Queen to be a Fantasy Romance. While it does have a compelling romance plot, the multiple POVs make it feel more like a Tolkien-style adventure. The dragons, dwarves, and elves help give that impression too. The tone is is light, though. And family is more important to these characters than the found family you expect to find on a quest together.

As the title suggests, Aiken has fun subverting stereotypes. The plain, bookish girl is not the princess heroine and the role of Drunk Uncle is played by a female cousin. Even the love of family Keeley and Caid share is the opposite of the usual fairytale characters. They both have two living, non-evil parents along with assorted siblings.

I really enjoyed The Blacksmith Queen, but the ending is very much a "to be continued." I’m looking forward to finding out what’s next.

    

4  stars

Library Love Challenge
37 books/ 12 goal

Really Short Review: Conspiracy of Ravens by J.C. McKenzie

Conspiracy of Ravens
(Raven Crawford #1)
J.C. McKenzie
Release: October 21, 2019
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ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Raven Crawford knows better than to venture into the seductive world of the dark fae or agree to any of their salacious promises. She plans to pay off her debts so she can get on with her life and stay far away from the denizens of the Underworld.

Unfortunately, her numbskull twin steals from the most tempting and lethal fae of them all. Now, Raven must help the Lord of Shadows get back what her idiot brother stole. Her only weapons? Just a little ingenuity and a whole lot of snark. It’s suicide for sure, but she’ll do anything to protect her twin.

Review:


Finding a new Urban Fantasy Series is always a nostalgic experience for me. It takes me back to when I first discovered the genre and rediscovered my love for reading. I almost always see shades of a previous world. Spotting them is part of the fun, though so is seeing the way the author remixes those familiar elements. Conspiracy of Ravens reminds me of Hailey Edwards Black Dog Books, Diana Rowland’s Demon Series, and just a little bit of Charmed. 

I feel like the series has a lot of potential. I enjoyed the chemistry between Raven and Cole. I liked Raven’s family of Fox Shifters. The world is interesting, especially the Fae and the Shadow World. But I felt like the story moved too slowly. Raven spends a lot of time investigating without finding anything. Since that’s not unusual for a Mystery or a series starter, I’m planning to give the next book in the series a chance.

Recommended for fans of: Hailey Edwards

   1/2

3.5  stars

Manga Reviews: A Strange and Mystifying Story, Vols. 1-3

A Strange and Mystifying Story, Vol. 1

(A Strange and Mystifying Story #1)

Tsuta Suzuki

Release: November 14, 2017

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Akio Yamane’s bloodline is cursed! Will his hot guardian deity break the curse…or merely his heart in the process?

Akio Yamane falls terminally ill, presumably from his family’s curse. Remembering his grandfather’s final words about their family protector, he follows the old man's instructions out of desperation and accidentally summons a god who promises to cure him—albeit in a rather odd and intimate manner!

Akio Yamane’s bloodline is cursed! Or at least that’s what his relatives would have people think. Now feverish and delusional from a terminal illness, Akio accidentally summons his family’s guardian deity. Little did he know this sinfully hot god would appear naked, sporting ears and a tail. Wait until Akio finds out the unconventional and rather intimate manner his protector plans on using to cure him!

Review:

I picked this manga up because I found the premise intriguing and was sold by the synopsis! A cursed bloodline and a hot guardian deity? Yes, please! Unfortunately, I didn't like the execution as much. I was much more taken with the side characters than I was the main two. I've definitely read worse yaoi first volumes and this one ends on a good enough note that I'm interested enough to read the next volume to see where the story goes.

About a third of this volume is actually two short stories not associated with the main story. They were okay but I wish there was more of the main story.

  

  3 / 5 Stars

A Strange and Mystifying Story, Vol. 2

(A Strange and Mystifying Story #2)

Tsuta Suzuki

Release: February 13, 2018

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Akio Yamane’s bloodline is cursed! Will his hot guardian deity break the curse…or merely his heart in the process?

Akio Yamane falls terminally ill, presumably from his family’s curse. Remembering his grandfather’s final words about their family protector, he looks to where his grandfather pointed and finds a tooth. Upon holding it, he accidentally summons a god who promises to cure him, albeit in a rather odd and intimate manner!

Now that Akio Yamane’s guardian deity has cured him of his illness caused by a family curse, it’s time for him to come to terms with this new furry roommate he’s named Setsu. Although their relationship got off to a rocky start, is it possible what he’s feeling now are the first stirrings of love?

Review:
It was better than the first volume and I liked getting more of Setsu's backstory. The stories of Setsu's past were nice but they also made the story feel like it was all over the place and we didn't see much progression in each character's story arc and in the romance. 

In fact, the bulk of the book is a flashback telling how Akio's family line became cursed which was interesting. The timeline is a bit everywhere and was hard to follow. Overall, it still was interesting but also kind of meh. I'll probably give the series one more volume before I decide to give up on this one.

  

  3 / 5 Stars

A Strange and Mystifying Story, Vol. 3

(A Strange and Mystifying Story #3)

Tsuta Suzuki

Release: May 8, 2018

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Akio Yamane’s bloodline is cursed! Will his hot guardian deity break the curse…or merely his heart in the process?

Akio Yamane falls terminally ill, presumably from his family’s curse. Acting on his grandfather's final words, he accidentally summons a god who promises to cure him, albeit in a rather odd and intimate manner! Thurs begins the story of certain cursed families' strange and mystifying relationships with supernatural protectors.

Tsumugi Shirota is your typical high school student. He’s handsome, kind, and for some strange reason, surprisingly adept at household chores. On his sixteenth birthday, a rather unusual but special guest comes to meet him—Master Kurayori, the guardian deity of the Shirota household. Imagine Tsumugi’s surprise when he finds out this deity is also his fiancé!

Review:

This volume was better than the first two for me. I think it was because it focuses on the relationship between my favorite two side characters, Keiichiro the museum director and Hatoki Tetsu. While I enjoyed learning more about them, this volume also kind of drove me crazy because everything is progressing so slowly!

I was also kind of surprised by how PG this volume was as well. Most Yaoi isn't this far into a series. The story is more focused on the growing affection between the characters than the physical interactions. And as much as I appreciate that, I really would like things to move a bit faster between all the couples involved.

The rest of this volume introduces two new characters and their story and I'm intrigued to find out more about them and see how their story shakes out. I thought I would be giving up this series with this volume but it surprised me and renewed my interest in continuing on. I hope we get more of Keiichiro and Tetsu as well as Tsumugi and Master Kurayori in the next volume.

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

   1/2

  3.5 / 5 Stars

Manga Reviews: Finder Deluxe Editions, Vols. 6-8

So let's talk about m/m romance manga. These manga are frequently called Boys Love (BL) and fall into two main categories: yaoi and shounen ai. Shounen Ai is the non-explicit m/m romance manga and Yaoi is the explicit version. Both of these manga genres are aimed towards women while Bara is the BL genre that is targeted towards gay males.

The series I'm reviewing today definitely falls into the Yaoi category. Something you need to keep in mind about Yaoi is that it perpetuates some problematic tropes. That trope being that of non-consensual sex or sex with dubious consent.

So let's talk a bit about each volume. My reviews aren't going to be long and will just be a few of my thoughts about them. I will be honest. The Finder series is violent and does use the sex with dubious consent trope but it's used less and less as the series goes on. I know it's problematic but I can't help but love it a lot though.

Finder Deluxe Edition: You're My Desire, Vol. 6
(Finder Deluxe Edition #6)
Ayano Yamane
Release: April 10, 2018
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Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

After being held prisoner in Hong Kong, Akihito Takaba is finally brought home to Japan by his lover Ryuichi Asami. But once again, the feisty photographer escapes Asami’s grasp! It’s not long, though, before Akihito becomes ensnared in a stalking incident and sees Asami’s darker side return. Will he chase the scoop or the man he’s not quite ready to admit he’s attracted to?

Review:
I'm not going to lie. This volume was good but felt like a bit of a let down after the Naked Truth/Hong Kong arc. Akihito is finally back to Japan after his captivity in Hong Kong and he is trying to make sense of his feelings and where Asami fits in his life. Things have changed after Hong Kong for both the photographer and Asami. We know it. Asami knows it. Akihito I think knows but he isn't willing to accept it yet. 

This manga contains two loosely connected stories. One features Akihito and Asami and it's just more chapters adding to the main arc. The other is a side story about the high schoolers, Hiyama and Mizuno. To the main story, Akihito and Asami's, I would give four stars. Akihito goes after a story about a stalker and inadvertently discovers that Asami is somehow connected to it. He has some decisions to make and while he can be idiotic and prideful when it comes to Asami, I do like where the story is going and that Akihito chose to go to him of his own free will.

As for the second story about Hiyama and Mizuno, I would give it only two stars because it was all talk and very little actually happened. The most interesting part of it was, once again, the bit with Akihito and Asami. The rest was quite boring.

   1/2

  3. 5 / 5 Stars

Finder Deluxe Edition: Longing For You, Vol. 7

(Finder Deluxe Edition #7)

Ayano Yamane

Release: June 12, 2018

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Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! Photographer Akihito Takaba takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Ryuichi Asami—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

Akihito is freeloading at Asami’s apartment, polishing up not only his photography skills but also his skills as a househusband. His career is on the upswing, even though he still finds himself in perilous situations and has the occasional run-in with police. So imagine Akihito’s surprise when, while out chasing a scoop, he spots Asami with another man clinging to him…in tears! Are Akihito’s days as Asami’s live-in numbered?

Review:
One thing I've noticed the last few volumes is that in this new translation the language is way more casual and uses more American slang in places when compared to the old one. It doesn't take away from the story per say but it doesn't lend the same emotional depth as the first translation either.

Asami and Akihito’s relationship deepens in intensity in this volume as Akihito's work brings him into contact with Asami's and I foresee him getting into some difficult situations. In this volume, there's a shady politician, a mysterious club manager, a high-end escort club, and a missing girl factoring into the equation. I really liked the addition of the new characters in this volume and I want to know more about them especially Kuroda and his relationship with Asami. 

Akihito is finally questioning what he really wants from life and his relationship with Asami. Unfortunately, he's developed a inferiority complex when it comes to his place in Asami's life and it's going to get him in trouble. This arc is not as good as the Naked Truth story arc but it's getting there. By the end of this volume, I can say that I am totally here for it. The story is progressing well, but slowly. I'm hoping now that Akihito is starting to accept his place in Asami's life that he'll cause a few less of his own problems. 

What I love about this volume is that we are finally getting a glimpse behind the mask that Asami wears in public. He has a soft spot for Akihito and it's getting more and more apparent that he really cares for him. I really enjoyed this volume and I can't wait to see where things go with Sudo and Akihito's search for the missing girl.

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

   

  4 / 5 Stars

Finder Deluxe Edition: Secret Vow, Vol. 8

(Finder Deluxe Edition #8)

Ayano Yamane

Release: March 14, 2017

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Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

After Asami's subordinate Sudo betrays him, Akihito attempts to chase Sudo down, only to wind up captured and at his mercy. Sudo's fixation on Asami has only grown stronger with time, to the point of wanting him dead. But Sudo isn't the only threat: another enemy appears on the horizon, gunning for the power Asami wields!

Review:

Poor Akihito. He’s still playing the damsel in distress in this volume. But it looks like he has finally accepted his feelings for Asami. Hallelujah!

Things are heating up in this arc and it's getting good as things with Sudo and the missing Aoki come to a head! The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat! I was so sad when I finished and there was no more pages. I just need to know what happens next after that ending!

I don't usually comment on the side stories but I have feelings about both of these. I'm a bit upset that they changed the end of the first side story from what it originally was. We know drugs are bad but this is a mature manga about a photographer and a crime lord. It felt really out of place. I definitely prefer the original ending.

The second side story was my favorite where we have Asami dressing Akihito up in a suit and taking him to dinner at a fancy restaurant before heading to Macau for some adult style gaming. My favorite part of the story is that we get to see a new side of Asami! On the surface, he seems impatient with Akihito’s child-like delight in their luxurious accommodations. But the businessman reveals an unexpected playful side to his nature. It was so good to see another side of Asami and his feelings for Akihito!

Gah! The English translations are now caught up to the Japanese volumes and we're back to waiting a long time. The wait to find out what's going on might kill me. I can't wait to get my hands on the next volume.

   

  4 / 5 Stars

My reviews of other books in this series:
Finder Deluxe Editions, Vols. 1-5

Manga Reviews: Princesses and Heroes

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 10

(Yona of the Dawn #10)

Mizuho Kusanagi

Release: February 6, 2018

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Yona and her friends have taken to calling themselves bandits and have been protecting Fire Tribe villages from cruel government officials. Meanwhile, Kang Tae-jun, the Fire Tribe chief’s second son, goes to Katan Village with orders to eliminate the bandits there. He still believes that he’s killed Yona—but suddenly, he hears her voice! What will happen when they come face-to-face again?

Review:

This volume features one of my absolute favorite examples of character development in a manga. Tae-jun started off the series as a forgettable, self-absorbed noble who didn't care remotely for anyone but himself. But now...well, just read and find out! All I'll say is Tae-jun's redemption arc is magnificent! 

We also get to see Yona coming into her own as she fully embraces and brings aid to the poverty stricken lands of the Fire Tribe. She is also very patient with Tae-Jun as he begins to explore this unknown world of sickness and struggle, because she understands his point of view as well. We can definitely see her becoming more worldly at this point.

This is one of my favorite volumes in the whole series so far which is saying a lot! I love this manga so much! The characters and plot development are so well written, and the artwork is phenomenal! I have my fingers crossed that we get many, many more volumes!

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

    

  5 / 5 Stars!

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 11

(Yona of the Dawn #11)

Mizuho Kusanagi

Release: April 3, 2018

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A red-haired princess loses her family and her kingdom... Now she must rise and fight for her throne!

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family!

Yona and her friends head out in search of a crop that can grow in barren land. On their travels, Hak becomes filled with grim determination while training Yona in swordsmanship. Yona notices that he's acting differently and tries to cheer him up, but what Hak does next leaves her stunned!

Review:

This volume has a perspective twist and it’s focused around Hak and how he feels about their circumstances. And we get another backstory chapter! This flashback again shows exactly how much Hak, Yona, and Su-Won cared about each other, making Su-won’s betrayal that much more painful. I think we sometimes forget that Hak was just as affected by his betrayal as Yona was. He and Su-won were good friends too.

Then there’s the issue about Hak’s feelings for Yona. Hak is going to be the death of me! The romance element of this manga is finally getting some page time and I AM HERE FOR IT. Am I the only one screaming for them to kiss already? Then again, I've been wanting that since like volume three. As much as Yona has grown throughout this series, I still want to shake her at parts. I think she is FINALLY starting to realize that Hak has feelings for her.

This story arc is a bit slower paced because our heroes taking a break in a village, but character-wise a lot progresses in this volume. I just need the next installment in my hands! I want to know what is going to happen next! I might riot if Yona ends up with Su-won though.

    

  5 / 5 Stars!

My reviews of other books in this series:
RTFB: Yona of the Dawn, Vols. 1-9

My Hero Academia, Vol. 11

(My Hero Academia #11)

Kohei Horikoshi

Release: February 6, 2018

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Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Bakugo’s abduction by the League of Villains was a carefully calculated move designed to draw out the Heroes—All Might in particular—and destroy them. Midoriya and his friends set out on a rescue mission that eventually pulls in not only All Might but also several other heroes! The casualties mount, until at last the mastermind of the plot appears—the only villain powerful enough to go head-to-head with All Might and possibly win…All For One!

Review:

This series just keeps getting better and better! The fight I've been waiting for has finally arrived as One For All vs All For One comes to its epic conclusion. As well as highlights All Might's as a hero, a teacher, and a person. Guys. I just really, really love All Might.

This volume was a fast-paced race to the end of the current arc. It was filled with battles and we're starting to see some of the fallout from the numerous villain attacks on UA. It was intense! I was at the edge of my seat the whole time! I almost had a heart attack will reading it. It also marks a turning point in the series, I think. I also think this volume will act as an amazing prelude of what’s to come because things have changed for our younger generation of heroes.

It might be the end of the current arc but it really feels like a beginning. I'm curious to see where the story goes from here. And as someone who love the anime just as much as the manga, I'll be the one of the first to say that I really can't wait to see this arc happen in the anime! It's going to be epic!

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

    

  5 / 5 Stars!

My Hero Academia, Vol. 12

(My Hero Academia #12)

Kohei Horikoshi

Release: April 3, 2018

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Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Class 1-A is working on developing their ultimate moves—a process that will test their strength and creativity in all-new ways! To help them out, Mei Hatsume, a student from the Support Class, is brought in to develop improvements to their costumes. The attention from Mei might be more than Midoriya can handle, but he’ll need every edge he can get to pass the next hurdle for the students of U.A.—the Provisional Licensing Exam!

Review:

This volume was definitely a lot more laid back than the last one which was probably a good thing for my heart after the excitement of the last volume. 

I love how more and more characters keep getting introduced as the series progresses! In some series, the large casts can get confusing and the characters can begin to feel one-dimensional. What I love a lot about My Hero Academia is that each character feels fully realized even if it takes a few volumes to learn more about their backstory. Each of them have such unique personalities and awesome powers. I can say that genuinely like/love them all! Well, except Mineta who, in my opinion, can go die in a ditch somewhere.

Honestly, I love the direction the story is going! The action just keeps coming and the characters are constantly developing. With the introduction of new characters, the world feels larger in this volume. Things are no longer revolving just around U.A. High, its students, and the handful of pro heroes that teach there.

The art in this series is simply amazing! The small details are what really makes this manga so fun and special. Like the book on how to teach which sticks out of All Might’s back pocket made me chuckle a bit. The thing is those small details give us so much insight into the characters and really add to the storyline. That book in All Might's pocket show that not only is he trying to become a better teacher, it shows that he understands that he has some shortcomings that need to be resolved. These moments are subtle and small but they show us so much!

My Hero Academia just keeps getting better and better. There is always something going on that keeps me interested and that is why this series is one of my all-time favorites. The Licensing Exam is far from over and I can't wait to see what happens next!

    

  5 / 5 Stars!

My reviews of other books in this series:
RTFB: My Hero Academia, Vols. 1-10