A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton – Review

A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton – Review

BACK COVER:

It is said that what a man sows he will reap–and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago.

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he’ll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald’s adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William’s twin, both who long for Reginald to a-flight-of-arrows-by-lori-bentonaccept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures.

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

MY REVIEW:
Action. Adventure. Romance. And a healthy dose of history. All this and more are in store for you in this rousing historical tale.
I love the way author Lori Benton captures the speech pattern of the Oneida Native Americans. Is it true to form? I have no idea, but I could sure hear their voice in my head.
I also love the way Anna Catherine and Two Hawks finally get to . . . umm . . . I suppose I shouldn’t give it away. Let’s just say their story will leave you satisfied.
I did get a little annoyed, however, with William. Yeah, I understand he had a rough life and felt betrayed and all that, but that doesn’t excuse his stupid choices. Stupid man. But I suppose such strong feelings toward a fictional character are the sign of a fantastic author, eh?
If you’re interested in the Revolutionary War era, plus a sweet little love story, this is the book for you.
Bonus Review:

A Flight of Arrows is book two in the Path Finders Series. This book continues where book one left off. The Revolutionary War is about to begin, as the British and the Continentals build their armies. William has left to fight for the British, after finding out his father, Reginald Aubrey, kidnapped him at birth, separating him from his twin brother and parents. He also found out that his birth mother was white and his birth father was an Indian. His brother, Two Hawks, and father, Stone Thrower, are on a mission to find him before something happens to him, and before the war reaches their home.

I was SO excited to finally get this book. Book number one really left me hanging. The author did a great job of letting the story build, telling it from different points of view. I had really had no idea how things were going to come together, and I have to confess, I had no idea it would end as it would, but even thought it wasn’t how I may have ended, the way the author wrapped things up was wonderful and glorifying to God. This is one of the first series I’ve read that I thought would make a wonderful movie.



from
http://ift.tt/2dEkDOT
Always With You by Elaine Stock – Review

Always With You by Elaine Stock – Review

Description:

Can she move forward without knowing her past? Will he enjoy his present if he can’t free himself from what he left behind? In the heart of the Adirondacks, Isabelle lives in the shadow of a dark family secret whose silent burden strips her family of emotional warmth and faith in God. Tyler belongs to the religious sect called The Faithful, which Isabelle’s father dislikes immensely. Yet, because Tyler belongs to this group, Isabelle sees only a man devoted to his family and faith. She wants it; she gets it; they marry. And when the truth comes out, Isabelle faces two choices: Staying could endanger her always-with-you-by-elaine-stockchild. Leaving could cost her life.

Reviews: 

Always With You’s chilling premise is taken right from current headlines. Polarizing groups of people
lashing out in an attempt to keep those within safe and protected is happening all around us. Somehow hurting to protect seems noble and revenge feels right. But in the harsh light of truth neither of those is justifiable.

Isabelle, who is saved from a fate worse than death by a mysterious outsider. She falls hopelessly for him. Her family had given her anything she could ever need but had neglected her confused and insecure heart. Tyler belongs to a sect and lives outside of town in a communal setting. He is driven to keep his family together and indebted to the leader of the group who had rescued him.

As the deep hatred of the frightened townspeople intensifies and the racially biased violence escalating within The Faithful comes to light Isabelle becomes horrified at the choices she now faces. And at what she has chosen to believe. When some of her family secrets spill over as she makes a move toward freedom, she is shocked back into helpless surrender again.

An intimate look into how truth can easily become twisted and how followers can be made through manipulative acts of kindness and escalate into powerful mind control. Chilling and suspenseful yet filled with the promise of grace.



from
http://ift.tt/2dez4eb
A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan – Review

A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan – Review

Rachel Matthews isn’t one to rely on others to take care of her. Destitute and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money–even if she’s forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel’s brother sends a friend–the widely admired cattle baron John McIntyre–to rescue her, then sets off to earn enough money to buy back the family ranch. But when months pass without her brother’s return, Rachel isn’t sure she can take one more day in John McIntyre’s home–especially once she discovers that he’s the one who holds the deed to her family’s ranch.

Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they a-sweet-misfortune-by-maggie-brendannavigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan’s delightful series set in
the Old West.

Review:

A Sweet Misfortune takes place in Montana in the Old West. Rachel Matthews’ parent’s have passed away, and her and her brother are in danger of losing their family home. Her brother, Preston, leaves for the gold fields, leaving Rachel alone. Her only choice for employment is as a dance hall girl, which she is unhappy about. However, when Preston’s friend, John McIntyre, gets a letter from Preston asking him to rescue his sister, he feels it’s his duty as a friend to help out. After taking her to his home to stay with him and his Grandmother, Estelle, he tries to settle back into the life of a cattle baron, but is distracted by Rachel’s character and beauty. Rachel, on the other hand, is upset that her brother hasn’t returned, and does not like being dependent on strangers. But John is different than other men and she can’t help being drawn to him.

This was a great book. I admired Rachel’s character. Working in the saloon was not ideal, but she was able to keep herself from becoming a “soiled dove,” and try to continue to trust in the Lord. I also liked that she was able to humble herself to accept help from strangers in order to get back on her feet. John’s character grew throughout the story, too. He became less judgmental and began to see that wealth and status were not quite as important as he originally thought.



from
http://ift.tt/2dEkyuh
Pseudonymby Dennis Hensley and Diana Savages – Review

Pseudonymby Dennis Hensley and Diana Savages – Review

Sheila Davis once said, “I’d give my life to become a best–selling author”—and that’s exactly what it cost her. Growing up on an Indiana farm, Sheila Davis has one dream—to become a professional writer. But her farmer father sees no reason for his daughter’s fanciful thoughts to pull her away from her duties at home. After winning a scholarship, Sheila convinces her dad to let her attend a summer writing course at a nearby school, where she flourishes, thanks in large part to the encouragement of her high school English teacher. It seems as though fate has smiled on her when a whirlwind romance with upperclassman Dan Gray turns into a proposal of marriage, with a promise to support her pseudonymby-dennis-hensley-and-diana-savageseducational and professional dreams if she’ll delay them and hold a job long enough for him to complete his degree. But Dan’s personal agenda sentences Sheila to years of menial work as he climbs the ladder of academia, meanwhile secretly sabotaging her every attempt to become a
published author. The longing never dies, however; and when Sheila gets a once–in–a–lifetime opportunity to take a shot at getting published, she risks everything and dives in—only to encounter some stunning twists and turns she never anticipated, never prepared for, and never even imagined she’d have to confront.

Review: 

Sheila Gray has always wanted to write. She was groomed to write by the only person who believed in her. But the spare life of being the only female in a hardworking family left her chained to her home. Until her teacher found a way to get her out from underneath her needy and broken father.

But just as Sheila’s future looks promising her path twists to a similar road, one that holds empty promises and even more soul crushing dream breakers.

Sheila’s teacher finds her again, and convinces Sheila to finally take a chance, a huge one. Sheila’s prison doors temporarily open when she finds her voice. A freak twist of fate breaks the chains completely, letting her try out all she had ever dreamed she could be.   

This is a lovely what-if almost suspenseful read. I loved the unique storyline. A simple act of changing flights to help someone out reframes Sheila’s world and belief system. The thought of the twist of fate and the outcome is indeed the stuff of novels.



from
http://ift.tt/2dprpKB
When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren – Review

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren – Review

Description: 

Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled―or maybe yanked―away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, when-i-fall-in-love-by-susan-may-warrenMax pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

Review:

  When I Fall In Love is book three in a series about the Christiansen Family.  This story revolves around Grace Christiansen.  She is a homebody who is afraid to try new things, especially after her rejection from culinary school.  After catering her brother’s wedding, she is surprised to find out that the family has bought her a three week vacation in Hawaii to attend a culinary event.  Terrified of the thought of going alone, she initially refuses, until her sister, Eden, admits she wants her to go to gain more experience to cater her own wedding.  In the meantime, Eden’s fiancé, Jace, recruits his hockey playing friend, Max Sharpe, who goes to the same culinary event every year, to watch out for Grace.  Neither Max nor Grace are looking forward to meeting the other one, but when they do, there is an instant connection.  Their feelings begin to grow for each either, however, the secret Max is keeping may keep them apart forever.
                I LOVED this book!  After reading the first two, I began to feel invested in the Christiansen family.  It was exciting to see them back, to see what was happening with characters that were in the background before, and see the featured characters from other books go about their lives.  I can relate to Grace’s character a lot, being a homebody myself, afraid to take risks and not good with change.  Watching her character grow was inspiring to me.


from
http://ift.tt/2drsIVx
A Love Like Ours Becky Wade – Review

A Love Like Ours Becky Wade – Review

Back Cover

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their a-love-like-ours-becky-wadechildhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

Review:
A Love Like Ours is about two childhood friends, Lyndie James and Jake Porter. They grew up together and were best friends, but when Lyndie and her family moved away, they lost touch. Now, 20 years later, Jake is running his brother’s Thoroughbred Ranch, and suffering from PTSD after having served as Marine overseas. Lyndie is returning to Texas with her family and hopes to get a job at the ranch training horses. Jake is surprised at his reaction at seeing her, as he has hardened his heart so much since coming home. But she makes him want to feel alive again, but he doesn’t want to allow himself to feel anything. Lyndie, on the other hand, makes it her mission to draw him out and become the Jake she knew as a child.

This was such a wonderful book. I felt a kinship with it from the beginning, as my maiden name is Porter and my dad was a Marine. My heart went out to Jake. He went through a terrible event, and was punishing himself for it, even though it was no fault of his own. It just shows that when we try to shoulder our burdens ourselves, it can destroy us. I admired Lyndie’s determination in re-friending him. If he had acted towards me the way he did towards her, I’m not sure I would have been able to stick around. I highly recommend this book. Looks like there were others in the series, too. I’d love to get my hands on them!



from
http://ift.tt/2dvYRk9
Read Fist of the North Star Manga | Readterest.com

Read Fist of the North Star Manga | Readterest.com

Fist of the North Star (Hepburn: Hokuto no Ken, lit. “Fist of the Big Dipper”) is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, the 245 chapters were initially accumulated in 27 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha. Set in a post-apocalyptic world which has been destroyed by a nuclear war, the story centers on a warrior named Kenshiro, the successor of a lethal martial art style called Hokuto Shinken, which gives him the skill to kill most adversaries from within through the use of the body‘s secret critical points, often leading to an extremely brutal and gory death. Kenshiro dedicates his life to fighting against the various ravagers who endanger the lives of the weak and innocent, along with competing martial artists, including his own “brothers” from the exact same clan.

In the 1990s, culture was ruined as an outcome of a worldwide nuclear war and many creatures died out. In spite of these occasions, 30% of humankind survived and entered an age where the strong ruled over the weak, as the few survivors fought over whatever supply of food and uncontaminated water remained in the wasteland of the world.

Kenshiro, successor to the historical assassination art of “Hokuto Shinken”, wanders into a village in search of water when he is caught in a trap and imprisoned by the local defense force. In prison, he befriends a young orphaned girl named Rin who nursed him back to health. When the village is attacked by a biker gang and Rin is taken hostage by their leader, Ken breaks free from his cell and savings Rin, defeating the gang leader with his deadly martial art technique. Kenshiro leaves the village and continues his journey, now accompanied by a young thief named Bat. He becomes involved fist-of-the-north-star-mangaagainst the King organization after observing the many atrocities they have committed. As he infiltrates the gang’s stronghold in the town of Southern Cross, he finds out the leader of King is his old nemesis, the Nanto Seiken master Shin, the man who engraved the seven scars on Kenshiro’s chest and kidnapped his fiancee Yuria. Kenshiro emerges successful in his rematch with Shin, simply to discover that Yuria is no longer with Shin.

Kenshiro continues his journey and continues on to fight several more enemy organizations. After being reunited with Rin and meeting new allies such as the woman warrior Mamiya and the Nanto Suichōken successor Rei, Kenshiro learns that his three former brothers-in-training in the means of Hokuto Shinken are still living. The third brother, Jagi, a violent thug who sought to torment Kenshiro after losing the Hokuto Shinken series to him, seeks revenge against Kenshiro but is quickly eliminated. Kenshiro goes on to search for the second brother, a tender healer named Toki, and learns he is being kept prisoner in the dungeon city of Cassandra. After rescuing Toki, Kenshiro learns that Raoh, the eldest of the four brothers, has become a ruthless warlord known as “Ken-Oh” and is now seeking to conquer the post-apocalyptic world. Kenshiro goes on to challenge Raoh, but the long grueling battle ends in a stalemate and the two warriors are forced to settle their differences another day. Rei is fatally wounded as a result of an earlier conflict with Raoh and he spends the last few days of his life tracking down his nemesis Juda, successor of Nanto Kōkakuken, who once tormented Mamiya in the past. After defeating Juda, Rei goes to die, at peace with himself.

Kenshiro joins a resistance movement led by a vintage benefactor, the Nanto Hakuroken successor Shew. When Shew is captured and executed by Souther, Kenshiro faces Souther and foils his aspirations. With Souther now gone, Raoh recovers from his wounds and goes on to resume his reign of conquest. Toki, who is on the brink of dying as a consequence of intense radiation poisoning, challenges Raoh as part of a childhood promise they made to each other, but is ultimately no match for him. Raoh can not bring himself to land a killing blow on his own brother, and leaves after getting the better of Toki. After Toki expires in a battle against the freelance warrior (and Yuria’s brother) Ryuga, Kenshiro is left as the only one who can conquer Raoh.

The Last General of Nanto appears and decides to side with Kenshiro as a way to conquer Raoh, sending out her five guards, the Goshasei, after Raoh. Kenshiro and Raoh both learn that the General’s true identity is Yuria, Kenshiro’s lost fiancee. After a number of numerous events and conflicts, Kenshiro emerges triumphant over Raoh and he’s eventually reunited with Yuria. On the other hand, the victory is bittersweet, as Yuria, having affected by radiation sickness, has only several years left to live.

The peace that follows Raoh’s downfall does not last long and the world returns to chaos several years after. Kenshiro rejoins his former traveling companions, Bat and Rin, inside their battle against an oppressive Empire, fighting under the banner of the Hokuto Army. The Hokuto Army saves the rightful Empress Rui, who’s additionally Rin’s estranged twin sister, foiling the plot of the usurper Jako, who was blackmailing Rui’s defender, the Gento Kōken successor Falco, to do his evil bidding.

Nevertheless, Rin is taken captive by the remnant of Jako’s forces and is sent off to the mysterious Kingdom of Shura, a brutal land of warriors ruled by three overlords who’ve all mastered the ways of Hokuto Ryūken, a martial art which branched off from exactly the same family alongside Hokuto read-fist-of-the-north-star-mangaShinken into the ways of darkness. Kenshiro gets the better of Han, the third-position overlord, who discloses that the Kingdom of Shura was Kenshiro’s birthplace. Also, Kenshiro also learns that Hyou, the second overlord, is his biological older brother. After a grueling battle, Hyou and Ken accommodate their differences and Kenshiro seeks out the highest-ranking and most powerful of the three overlords, Kaioh, who’s Raoh’s biological older brother, and plans a conquest to rule the post apocalyptic world in the name of evil after wiping out the followers of Hokuto Shinken. Nevertheless, Kenshiro is finally helpless against Kaioh’s wicked powers, and the man called Shachi, a feared righteous warrior throughout Shura, helps him virtually escape departure. After having regained from the harrowing fight, Hyou discloses to Kenshiro that the homeland of the progenitor family of all Hokuto fashion martial arts, the Hokuto Soke, lies in Shura, and holds the secrets of beating Kaioh’s overwhelming power. Upon gaining the favor of the spirits of the Hokuto Soke, and rightfully bestowed the ancestral techniques in a race against Kaioh, Kenshiro goes to confront the conqueror. When Kenshiro and Kaioh meet up again, the latter reaches a pressure point on Rin that leaves her unconscious and amnesiac and will compel her to fall in love with the first person she sees; Kaioh then sends her away on a horse before rematching Kenshiro. The closing battle concludes with Kenshiro defeating Kaioh, who makes his peace with Hyou as both of them pass away.

Afterward, Kenshiro rescues Rin and leaves her under Bat’s care as he goes on an experience with Raoh’s orphaned son Ryu. Meanwhile, a villain named Bolge appears, seeking retribution against Kenshiro for blinding him in a fight a long time past. Bat brands himself with Kenshiro’s seven scars and fights in his spot, simply to be crucified by Bolge and tortured to near-passing. Kenshiro saves Bat, subsequently fights and kills Bolge, while Rin recovers her memories and professes her love to a recovering Bat. Afterward, Kenshiro leaves and continues his job as the Post-Apocalyptic Savior, defending the poor and fighting off the greedy and violent, as the world finally begins to recover from the nuclear war.



from
http://ift.tt/2cDomPq
Read Slam Dunk Manga | Readterest.com

Read Slam Dunk Manga | Readterest.com

Slam Dunk Manga (Hepburn: Suramu Danku?) is a sports-themed manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue about a basketball team from Shōhoku High School. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1990 to 1996, with the chapters collected into 31 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha. It was adapted into an anime series by Toei Animation that has been broadcast globally, enjoying much popularity particularly in Japan, several other Asian countries and Europe.[1] As of 2012, Slam Dunk had sold 120 million copies in Japan alone, making it one of the best selling manga series ever. Inoue after used basketball as a fundamental topic in two subsequent manga names: Buzzer Beater and Real. In 2010, Inoue received special commendations from the Japan Basketball Association for helping popularize basketball in Japan.

Hanamichi Sakuragi is a delinquent and the leader of a gang. Sakuragi is very unpopular with girls, slam dunk mangahaving been rejected an astonishing fifty times. In his first year at Shohoku High School, he meets Haruko Akagi, the girl of his visions, and is overjoyed when she is not repulsed or frightened of him like the rest of the girls he’s asked out.

Haruko, recognizing Sakuragi’s athleticism, presents him to the Shohoku basketball team. Sakuragi is reluctant to join the team at first, as he’s no prior expertise in sports and believes that basketball is a game for losers (as well as the fact the fiftieth girl rejected him in favor of a basketball player). Sakuragi, despite his extreme immaturity and fiery temper, proves to be a natural sportsman and joins the team, largely in the hopes of impressing and becoming closer to Haruko. Later on, Sakuragi understands he has come to actually love the sport, despite having previously played mainly because of his crush on Haruko. Kaede Rukawa — Sakuragi’s bitter rival (both in basketball and because Haruko has a massive crush, albeit one-sided, on Rukawa), the star rookie and a “girl magnet” — joins the team at exactly the same time. Not long after, Hisashi Mitsui, a proficient three-point shooter and ex-junior high school MVP, and Ryota Miyagi, a short but fast point guard, both rejoin the team and together these four challenge to execute team captain Takenori Akagi’s dream of winning the national tournament. Together, these misfits gain publicity and the once little-known Shohoku basketball team becomes an all-star challenger in Japan.

 

Slam Dunk Manga Review:

Slam Dunk is most likely the best manga ever released and the anime version is one of the best I ‘ve ever seen. Even though the show has ended more than a decade past, many folks wiill wholeheartedly agree that this franchise has stood the test of time.

The narrative is simple but the performance is incredible, each chapter is full of wit, action, drama, comedy and a great deal more. The anime series was good and worthy to be considered a landmark anime, but if you have yet to see the anime then you do not know what you are missing. Yet there are things that aren’t shown in the anime series which is why it really is critical that you read this manga.

Takehiko Inoue certainly understood the best way to end the show with a bang! The last game is so good, every character is at their finest and certainly no other title can rile up the subscribers emotions similar to this, it really feels like your watching the NBA finals.

The artwork is just great even though there are a lot of better looking manga out there, the decade old graphics still manages to go toe to toe with other more recent names out there.

The characters of this title are by far the most fully developed in any title out in the market and I am not just speaking about the principal characters, I am also talking about the supporting cast even those belonging to competing teams. The character development is so good that it is hard to select one character as a favorite. Each character has a well told heritage even people who appear in just a few chapters have a very detailed and well executed background story. You’ll probably recall the names of not only the Shohoku players but also the names of these competitions, most notably “Sendoh”.

Complete Slam Dunk is among the best Manga ever made and I am convinced that once you read it, you may agree with me. I ensure that you just will not be able to resist concluding the manga in a few days if not a few hours because it is that damn great. If you think the anime was excellent, try reading the manga and I am sure you’ll feel that the anime series could have already been better, the interhigh games are one hell of a joyride!



from
http://ift.tt/2dt7mZ0
Read Haikyuu Manga | Readterest.com

Read Haikyuu Manga | Readterest.com

Haikyuu Manga is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. Individual chapters are serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since February 2012, with bound volumes published by Shueisha. The series was initially published as a one-shot in Shueisha’s seasonal Leap NEXT! magazine before serialization. As of July 2016, twenty-two volumes have been released in read-haikyuu-mangaJapan.The manga has been licensed in North America by Viz Media.

Junior high school pupil Shōyō Hinata acquires a sudden love of volleyball after seeing a national tournament match on TV. Although short in height, he becomes determined to follow in the footsteps of the championship‘s star player, nicknamed the “Little Giant”, after seeing his plays. He creates a
volleyball club and begins practising by himself. Eventually 3 other members join the team by his past year of middle school, driving Hinata to get his two buddies who are in different clubs to join just for the tournament. Nevertheless, they are conquered in their first tournament game after being challenged by the championship favourite team, including the so called “King of the Court” Tobio Kageyama, in the first round. Though Hinata’s team endures a miserable defeat, he vows to finally surpass Kageyama and get the better of him. Fast-forward to highschool, Hinata enters Karasuno Highschool with the hopes of joining their volleyball club. Sadly for him, the very man he vowed to surpass appears before him as among his new teammates.



from
http://ift.tt/2cD19rF
A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar – Review

A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar – Review

Description: 
Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off–only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.
Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her,A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally–and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar’s extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.

Review:

A Thousand Shall Fall tales place in the autumn of 1864 during the Civil War. A young woman named Carrie Ann Bell, leaves a difficult family situation disguised as a Union Soldier, looking for her runaway sister. Instead of finding her sister, she finds herself in the middle of a battle, and is captured by the Union soldiers, mistaking her for a deserter. When it’s discovered that she is really a woman, Colonel Peyton Collier of the Union cavalry takes her under his wing. As time progresses, they begin to care for each other. Peyton decides to send Carrie Ann to his Aunt Ruth’s house for protection. In the meantime, Carrie Ann is in contact with a childhood friend who is fighting with the Confederates, and the secrets she’s promised to keep could cause more problems then she realizes.

I say every time how much I enjoy these period books, and this one is no exception. To see what people had to go through during that time, and the fact that families and friends were fighting each other is just heartbreaking. I admired Carrie Ann’s willingness to do what she could, not only to find her sister, but to care for wounded men after battles, no matter what side they were on. This was a great book and I can’t wait to read the second one!



from
http://ift.tt/2drUCFP
Eden Hill by Bill Higgs – Review

Eden Hill by Bill Higgs – Review

Description:

Nothing seems to change in Eden Hill, Kentucky, and that’s just fine with Virgil T. Osgood. He’s been content to raise his family and run the only service station in town. But when a new station is set to open right across the road from Virgil’s pumps, he suddenly faces obstacles in his career, his marriage, and his self-worth that he’s never even dreamed of.

Cornelius Alexander wants his new Zipco station to succeed and help establish a strong foundation for his growing family. As long as he follows the Zipco guide, he’s sure to be a success―and prove his father wrong.

Reverend Caudill wants to be a conduit for grace in his town, but that grace is challenged by the Eden Hill by Bill Higgschanges sweeping through in the early 1960s. For the sake of this small town, Virgil and Cornelius must learn to get along, but how do you love your neighbor when his very presence threatens to upend everything you hold dear?

Review:

Eden Hill is a charming book set in the early sixties. Virgil and Mavine own a small gas station in their homey little town. When Cornelius Alexander brings his pregnant young wife to town along with his huge glossy dreams, everything turns upside down. Can Virgil accept a new and snazzy super station right across the street? Oh, and Mavine has been reading a woman’s magazine that has begun to mess a little with his marriage, too. Is nothing sacred anymore?

 

Filled with quirky and realistic characters, Eden Hill portrays family lives, church, the comings and goings of neighbors as they meddle, care and enrich each others lives so well I felt like I was sitting in the town square observing it all. I was born in 1962 and some of the scenes reminded me of snapshots of my childhood. Some of the characters definitely reminded me of folks I brush shoulders with in church and at work, too. Charming and sweet and darn fun to read, I recommend this novel, it would be a great summer read.



from
http://ift.tt/2dqR5DG
To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander – Review

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander – Review

Description:

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.
 
An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an Tamera Alexanderoffer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse.

Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance–and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder–Maggie’s father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail–Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

Review: 

To Win Her Favor takes place in the South right after the Civil War. We learn about Maggie Linden, who lives with her father on their plantation. They are close to losing the plantation, but Maggie thinks she can make everything okay by racing her horse, Bourbon Belle, at the annual Peyton Stakes at Nashville’s racetrack. Cullen McGrath has moved from Ireland, looking for a fresh start, and hoping to buy a place for himself. When he happens upon the Linden’ plantation, he meets Maggie’s father. They agree on Cullen buying the plantation, as long as he also agrees to marry Maggie and take care of her. It is not an ideal situation for either of them. The story then follows their relationship, as they try to hide things from their past from each other, and fight growing attraction they are feeling.

I love stories written in this era. I admired both characters, and understood why they kept their secrets from each other, but at the same time, I kept wanting to tell them to just be honest with each other and communicate! The story was well written and I really enjoyed it.



from
http://ift.tt/2dyEHSN
The End of Law by Therese Down – Review

The End of Law by Therese Down – Review

Description: 

Berlin, 1933: as Hitler rises to power; the law–designed to protect and serve–becomes twisted to the will of those who dream of a pure Aryan race.
SS Officer Walter Gunther is intensely loyal to the Third Reich. His readiness to kill without question or remorse would seem to make him the ideal candidate to lead the T4 euthanasia programme. SS officer Karl Muller, a trainee doctor and engineer, is also brought into the programme, and assured that The End of Law by Therese Downhis work is consistent with the Hippocratic oath he’s due to take.
Their mandate: to kill the “unworthies”–not just the Jews, but crippled children, the mentally ill, homosexuals. Hedda, Walter’s wife and old acquaintance of Karl, has no idea of what their work entails. Until, that is, the fate of their families is at stake, and each must confront afresh the choices they have made.
This dark, tense novel is a compelling story of human tragedy, and man’s potential to revel in, or fight against, the evil actions of a corrupted nation.

Review:
The End of Law is a heavy, heavy read. I tend to shy away from wartime fiction. In my thought process there is no sense in reading something depressing when life can be so heavy all by itself. And I don’t like the omniscient point of view where the narrator knows the inner thoughts of every character. Two strikes for The End of Law, but once I got past the first couple pages I just couldn’t stop. I found so much horrific history buried between the covers, but I also saw the wonder of people sacrificing and fighting against the encroaching evil of the Nazis. The characters are mainly members or attached to members of the Nazi party, many are protected from the horror of reality, others’ hands are so dirty that all sanity seems to be gone. When a little bit of truth leaks out, a powder keg blows within one family. The results are tragic. However, the thread of hope is not lost. God was not silent during that period of insanity. And the proof is in the good of the people who fought against the ideas of a few mad men. I so recommend this novel to anyone interested in this time frame.



from
http://ift.tt/2dyDnPy
Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon – Review

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon – Review

Description:

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, Hope Harbor by Irene Hannonhope, and love to countless lives–including their own.

Fan favorite Irene Hannon brings a whole new cast of characters to life in a charming Oregon seaside village. Emotional and heartwarming, this story invites readers to come home to Hope Harbor, where love and hope bloom–and hearts heal.

Review:

Hope Harbor takes place in small town America on the coast. We follow Michael Hunter, who’s wife died due to a sudden illness. He has many regrets about not being there for her while she was alive. He decides to come to the place she talked of visiting as a child, Hope Harbor, hoping it would help him to clear his head and find direction. Tracy Campbell runs a cranberry farm with her uncle, and has her own issues. Her husband died a tragic death, which she holds herself responsible for. Michael and Tracy meet under less than ideal circumstances, and manage to keep running into each other. Different events provide a chance for them to get to know each other better, and though they both feel they are unworthy of being loved again, they can’t help the feelings that develop.

This was a great story. My heart went out to each character for different reasons, but looking back on the story, it’s amazing to see how each of their lives impacted everyone in the town, and if they hadn’t been the people they were, and done the things they did, everything would have been different, if that makes sense. This was a great story.

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers



from
http://ift.tt/2dqsN1i
Read Ushio and Tora Manga | Readterest.com

Read Ushio and Tora Manga | Readterest.com

Ushio and Tora Manga (Hepburn: Ushio to Tora Manga) is a supernatural manga by Kazuhiro Fujita. It was adapted into three OVA series: one with six episodes released from September 11, 1992 to February 1, 1993; one with four episodes released from June 11, 1993 to August 1, 1993; and one single episode OVA released on October 1, 1993

Ushio and Tora centers around the travels and battles of Ushio Aotsuki, who is always being stalked and assisted by a colossal, supernatural, and occasionally imperceptible tiger-like creature named ushio-and-tora-mangaTora.

Ushio’s family keeps a temple in Japan, where 500 years ago, his samurai ancestor battled that same monster to a standstill, and eventually trapped him against a stone using a cursed spear called the “Beast Spear”, which grants strength, speed, and endurance to the wielder in exchange for his soul. Ushio inadvertently unsealed the cavern Tora was immobilized in.

Initially, Ushio refuses to remove the spear immobilizing Tora down (as Tora made the strategic blunder of mentioning the first thing he would do upon being freed would be to devour Ushio), but Tora’s unsealed presence brings various creatures to the temple. Ushio is driven to free Tora, who’d like to eat Ushio, but dares not since Ushio keeps the spear close by. The series centers around their relationship, interspersed with conflicts against mythological foes, and with Tora’s attempts to grapple with modern life. During the routine conflicts, Ushio slowly begins to find that as much as Tora promises to be irredeemable, the demon takes to fighting evil and defending the innocent with more enthusasim than he cares to admit.

The story also includes Ushio’s relationships with two ladies: the tomboyish Asako Nakamura and the feminine Mayuko Inoue.

Episodic in nature, most of the manga is a series of fights with different yōkai or other creatures from Japanese myths. Major arcs in the storyline:

  1. The Beginnings
  2. Journey to Asahikawa
  3. Crisis at Kouhamei Sect Monastery
  4. The Kansai Yōkai Army
  5. Artificial Monster Technology
  6. Brainwash
  7. The Final Battles

buy-now-with-amazon



from
http://ift.tt/2dyBYZs
Read Space Dandy Manga | Readterest.com

Read Space Dandy Manga | Readterest.com

Space Dandy, stylized as Space☆Dandy (Hepburn: Supēsu Dandi) is a 2014 Japanese science fiction comedy anime series produced by Bones. The series follows Dandy, an alien hunter who’s “a dandy man in space,” in search for extraterrestrial beings with his robot helper QT and a cat like alien named space-dandy-mangaMeow.

The space opera show follows the misadventures of Dandy, an alien hunter who is “a dandy guy in space”, in search of undiscovered or uncommon extraterrestrial beings with his robot assistant QT and a cat like alien named Meow. Though he and his crew act with the greatest motives, despite being normally dimwitted and next to worthless, Dandy is unaware that he is being pursued by Dr. Gel of the
Gogol Empire.

Through the show, with the final episode describing the rationale of its loose continuity, some episodes take place in an alternative universe where the chief protagonists and antagonists end up dying, getting turned into zombies, or getting trapped in distinct aspects or periods of time. Additionally, there are Easter eggs, in the form of references to older science fiction, music, anime and Internet culture.

Main character in Space Dandy Manga

Dandy
Space Dandy is an easygoing and forgetful young man working as an alien hunter whose occupation will be to find new alien life forms across the galaxy and have them registered with the Space Alien Registration Center. He’s the captain of the Aloha Oe , his private spaceship. Dandy frequently visits an intergalactic Hooters-type restaurant called “BooBies” where he indulges in his posterior fetish and dreams of someday buying out the franchise. Dandy can be shown to have many hidden talents, including being a prodigal surfer effective at surfing on intangible notions for example time and having a profound understanding of physics, like figuring that when a man “warps” on ships, they may be truly moving their consciousness to some universe which is somewhat further forward in exactly the same timeline as an alternative to moving to an alternate place of exactly the same universe. Unbeknownst to him, Dandy is targeted by the Golgol Empire due to his link to a reality-defying element called pyonium. Ultimately, after the universe comes to a conclusion, Dandy is revealed to be, unbeknownst to even himself, an omnipresent figure who exists in all hypothetical timelines (with his various skillsets belonging to other previous Dandies), while turning down the position of god of the new multiverse (because as a bodyless god, he would not be able to go to BooBies), leaving the present universe with the words “Remain dandy, infant.” The set ends where it started (with Dandy and QT heading to BooBies, where they’ll meet Meow for the very first time), except Dandy’s experiences from his multiverse-hopping ventures have made him grow as an individual and wonder if he’s the same as he was before.

QT

A part of Dandy’s crew, a robot that resembles and additionally operates as a vacuum cleaner. QT boasts being more intelligent and capable than its fellow crewmates, but its utility is stymied by problems caused by its obsolete hardware including memory shortages and battery outages. Despite being female in voice and some of its mannerisms, QT is known as a man by Dandy and Meow on several occasions and looks to self-identify as such. It is capable of feeling an extensive range of emotions, but for the most part sees them as confusing, extraneous, and unnecessary for computing. QT can be obsessed with everything being peaceful and orderly, and because of this is revealed to be an enthusiastic fisher due to the zen-like nature of it. QT can also be demonstrated to be capable of feeling love, having fallen in love with a sentient coffee making robot in the season one finale, but gave up after it recognized the robot was itself in love with the shop’s sentient cash register, who QT was compelled to fight to after the cash register turned out to be part of an anti-human extremist terror organization. QT is subsequently shown drinking a cup of coffee in remembrance of its lost love. QT seems with Dandy in the new universe, unaware of the adventures that they have yet to undertake and acting vexed by Dandy’s challenging of himself.

Meow

A dimwitted catlike Betelgeusian (Beterugiusu-seijin) who is brought aboard the Aloha Oe after Dandy and QT mistake him for a new species of alien. His real name is Me#$%* (pronounced Merowmreowreow), and is called Mew by his buddies back at home. His name, “Meow”, is given to him by Dandy as neither he nor QT could comprehend his real name. Aside from lounging around the Aloha Oe, he assists Dandy by giving him advice on where to find rare aliens, to varying amounts of success. Meow also displays many world cat-like inclinations, such as an aversion to dogs, spending a whole episode angrily shunning a dog like alien, before breaking down in tears when she died after he understood that she still liked him despite his spiteful attitude towards her. Meow comes from a family lineage of metalworkers, and was set to inherit the household company before leaving Betelgeuse to become an alien hunter because of his frustration at living a monotonous existence, but after spending time there with Dandy and QT, Meow learns to appreciate his house and family.



from
http://ift.tt/2czAEIq
Read Tiger & Bunny Manga | Readterest.com

Read Tiger & Bunny Manga | Readterest.com

Tiger & Bunny Manga (Taigā Ando Banī?) is a 2011 Japanese anime television series made by Sunrise under the direction of Keiichi Satou. The screenplay was written by Masafumi Nishida, with original character design by Masakazu Katsura. The show began its program run in Japan on April 3, 2011 on Tokyo MX, followed by rebroadcasts on BS11 and MBS, and ended on September 17, 2011.Viz Media are also simulcasting the series, streaming on Hulu and Anime News Network. It truly is place in a futuristic city where heroes fight crime whilst promoting real life patrons, focusing on two superheroes, the old-fashioned Kotetsu T. “Wild Tiger” Kaburagi and the rookie hero Barnaby “Bunny” Brooks Jr., as they’re compelled by their employers to work collectively.

The series occurs in “NC 1978” in a fictional, re-imagined version of New York City called Stern Bild tiger-bunny-mangaCity, where 45 years before, superpowered individuals known as “NEXT” (an acronym standing for Known Things with eXtraordinary Gifts) began appearing and some of them became superheroes. Each of the city‘s most famous superheroes work for a patron business and their uniforms also include advertisements for real life companies. Their heroic task is air on the popular television show “Hero TV”, where they amass points for each heroic accomplishment achieved (arresting offenders or saving civilians, for example) and the greatest graded hero of the season is crowned “King of Heroes”.

The story mostly concentrates on expert hero Kotetsu T. Kaburagi aka Wild Tiger who is assigned a new partner, a young man named Barnaby Brooks Jr. Yet, Barnaby and Kotetsu typically have trouble working together as they have conflicting opinions on how a superhero should act while at the same time attempting to crack the enigma of the murder of Barnaby’s parents. Additionally, the look of a homicidal vigilante NEXT named “Lunatic” stirs up the public and makes them question the meaning of heroes.



from
http://ift.tt/2dfJsyU
Read Inu x Boku Manga | Readterest.com

Read Inu x Boku Manga | Readterest.com

The Maison de Ayakashi (メゾン・ド・章樫 Mezon do Ayakashi?), better known as the Ayakashikan (妖館?), is a high security apartment building where humans with demon ancestors, or yōkai, live, each guarded by their own Secret Service bodyguard. A yōkai girl named Ririchiyo Shirakiin moves into the Ayakashikan hoping for some peace and quiet. But instead, she finds herself with the service of the Secret Service agent, Sōshi Miketsukami.Inu x Boku manga

The first four volumes of the manga are a prologue. At the end of volume four, a foe possesses Karuta,
leaving her in a coma for several months, and uses other yōkai to assault the other residents of Maison de Ayakashi.
Because of this, virtually every person in the principal cast is killed except Renshō, who’s currently 41 years old. Part two takes place 23 years later, when those killed are reincarnated. The yōkai lad, Mikoto, is still alive as the friend of Watanuki who is now a middle schooler. A time capsule is sent to the past, and now, in the third arc, the narrative jumps back to days gone by when they have been about to make a time capsule for his or her future selves.



from
http://ift.tt/2d2svhl
Read Kamisama Hajimemashita Manga | Readterest.com

Read Kamisama Hajimemashita Manga | Readterest.com

Kamisama Kiss Manga (Hepburn: Kamisama Hajimemashita Manga, lit. “I Became a God” or “God Began”) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Julietta Suzuki and serialized by Hakusensha in the shōjo manga magazine Hana to Yume. The show is permitted for regional launch in North America by Viz Media as part of their Shojo Beat imprint.

After Nanami’s dad runs away due to gambling debts and she’s evicted from her apartment, Nanamikamisama-hajimemashita-manga meets a strange man hanging from a tree because he will be pursued by a dog. The guy‘s name is Mikage. He gives Nanami his house as a thank you for saving him. She accepts the offer because she actually is displaced. When Nanami arrives at Mikage’s home, she is shocked to see that it is not a ordinary house but a shrine for worship. After that she is greeted by both Onikiri and Kotetsu who are the keepers of the shrine. She subsequently meets Tomoe, Mikage’s recognizable, and she learns that Mikage used to be the Earth Deity of the shrine and has bestowed upon her his mark so that she may be the new deity. At first Nanami is hesitant, but as she lives with Tomoe, Onikiri and Kotetsu she starts to understand and works hard in her new place as the Earth Deity. As the narrative advances Nanami finds herself falling in love with Tomoe, but he rejects her because the love between a person and a yokai is taboo. Despite saying that, Tomoe finds himself falling in love with her also.

 

Kamisama Hajimemashita Manga Review :

Nanami Momozono

A teenage girl whose father ran out on her because of his gaming debts, and she was often mocked for her poverty by her classmates. She becomes the local land god after Mikage transfers his position over to her. Nanami begins with very little spiritual power, but she works hard at balancing her godly responsibilities with her schoolwork and finally becomes skillful at purifying Tomoe within their current age, successfully nullifying his hex and becoming engaged to him after five hundred years of waiting. After Tomoe is turned into a fox, she attempts to stop Akura Ou from getting his yokai body back and to save Okuninushi so she can request him to turn Tomoe human. Nevertheless, Nanami doesn’t have time because she’s only six months to live. It is because her life span was taken from her by Akuraou. In the second season, Nanami became an expert using her only godly weapon called white talismans, with which she can do many things so long as they don’t exceed her in strength. She also used a “shikigami” called Mamoru. He is in the shape of a small monkey that can fit in the palm of her hand, but he can take the shape of a young boy. With him she is able to create barriers against evil that can do various things that range from purification to banishing of yokai.

It is later shown at the end of the manga, that a 10 year time skip happens, she gets married to Tomoe, who is now a human. She works as a kindergarten teacher, but retired as she bears the baby boy she and Tomoe have created. She and Tomoe later goes back to the Mikage shrine after fulfilling of being an adult.
Mikage
A mysterious guy who was once the land god of the shrine, and who left 20 years ago for unspecified reasons. He fulfilled a just homeless Nanami and bestowed the land god symbol on her, declaring that she was better satisfied to be the god than him. He’s light hair and glasses and wears a trench coat and hat. Through the manga he could be described as some one shrouded in enigma about what his true motivations actually are, but it’s suggested that his strategy has been to show Tomoe that people and yokai can fall in love and that Nanami may be the one that can achieve Tomoe. Yet, it’s not clear if this is his only basis for the situation and events he put in place. Although he failed to appear much in the beginning of the manga, he’s since recently returned back to his shrine, but he accepts Nanami as the land god and not him.

Shinjuro Kurama

A wildly popular idol with the gimmick of being a “fallen angel” with goth cosmetics and a bad boy attitude. He is a crow tengu in the Kurama mountain, who initially wanted to become the land god by eating Nanami’s heart. After being thwarted by Tomoe and later saved by Nanami, he gives up on this system and regards her as a buddy, even allowing her to stay at his flat when she temporarily loses her godhood. He’s a lingering dislike for Tomoe, and the 2 are prone to dissing each other whenever they meet. He’s also revealed to have a more humanlike attitude compared to Tomoe and Mizuki. He also has emotions for Nanami and constantly strives to flirt with her, but he appears to have accepted her connection with Tomoe.

Mizuki

A lonely snake familiar of the abandoned and submerged Yonomori shrine. When Nanami saves his life from her cruel classmates by re leasing him out a window, he falls in love with her. He abducts her shortly after, thinking to wed her. Regardless of this, Nanami takes pity on him and guarantees to visit after Tomoe rescues her. He loathes Tomoe, obvious to his endless mocking and bantering. He even goes as far as to manipulate Nanami various times through the action of “assistingto attempt to discourage her feelings towards Tomoe, although she’s unaware. He afterwards becomes Nanami’s recognizable to save her from a sea demon after she inadvertently loses herself to save Tomoe. He has the power to make amazing benefit. He also states that he can be himself whenever he’s with Nanami.



from
http://ift.tt/2dfVZpG
Read Green Blood Manga | Readterest.com

Read Green Blood Manga | Readterest.com

Green Blood has been running in Kodansha’s weekly Young Magazine since June 13, 2011. After around the 12th chapter, the manga started to become absent nearly every fourteen days. After Dilemma 10-2012 it went on hiatus for few weeks and returned in Problem 24-2012. Another longer hiatus occurred after Problem 38-2012 and returned in Dilemma 49-2012. Next longer hiatus happened after Dilemma 01-2013 and returned for Dilemma 06-2013 and 07-2013 and then again went on hiatus until Issue 17-2013. The manga finished with Chapter 49 on May 13 in Issue 24-2013 green-blood-mangaand the closing 5th volume was released on July 5, 2013.

The ending of the civil war indicated the beginning of the industrial revolution in America and immigrants from all over the world travelled to find their American dream. But what anticipated the bulk of them was poverty, discrimination, and hopelessness. Manhattan, New York was full of immigrants flooding through the ports and the 6th district, Five Points, was considered at time, the world’s worst slum. The mobsters corrupted the entire area, including the authorities by paying them off; Five Points was the mob’s land and they were the law.

But even Five Points, where there seemed to be nothing but robbery, prostitution, and murder, showed some signs of hope. Luke Burns was an honest and righteous teen who realized that the gang was the reason for their cruel lifestyle and that joining the mobsters wouldn’t bring him the American dream. But his older brother, Brad Burns, had become an assassin for the largest gang group of Five Points, the Grave Diggers, a secret he kept from Luke for his own protection. Brad was known as the Grim Reaper and his reputation preceded him as a ruthless and proficient killer.

 

Green Blood Manga Review :

Is like another one of your average timeless Old West pictures. Big brute who runs around slaughtering people in order to that kill one guy to exact his vengence but has no idea where he is. Smaller brother who believes his older brother (the large brute) is a good for nothing jackass. Bad guy f*cks the peace of town and unexpectedly there’s a gunfight. Bad guy runs away, some random dude gets executed for the gunfight and the brothers unite and chase after the bad guy into the sunset. * sigh* is it not platitude?

But…its great. Its really good. The story might be another one of those payback narratives but it really is really quite impressive. It really is well orchestrated and it brings out the greed, lust and violence that’s the Old West.

Characters are pretty platitude though. Two good guys, one bad guy. Other avaricious, horny and\or violent assholes in between. Yeah, classic Old West.

The art is good and it compliments the story and truly brings out the scerenity of the surrounding (even a decapitated head can be beautiful if you have a look at it in the right angle).

Its a good read if you are into seinin mangas. Its not overly gory (unlike Zetman) and not too sexually explicit (also unlike Zetman).

In a nutshell, Green Blood might look a bit cliché (okay, maybe a little too cliché) but its still fun to read and you will appreciate it should you be a seinin enthusiast



from
http://ift.tt/2dnHEtb
Read Clover Manga by CLAMP | Readterest.com

Read Clover Manga by CLAMP | Readterest.com

CLAMP

• Tokyopop (2001–2002)

• Kodansha (Amie, 1997–1999)

• Shôjo, Science Fiction, Romance

• 16+ (mild language, violence, mild sexual situations)

Clover was the flagship title of Kodansha’s short-lived anthology Amie, which was intended to showcase edgy and genre-bending shôjo manga. Clover certainly challenges the people’s perception of what shôjo manga should be, with its gritty cyberpunk setting, violent action scenes, and bold, high-contrast artwork. In a distant dystopian future, powerful psychics are both coveted and feared by Clover Mangaclandestine government agencies. These psychics are called Clovers and are ranked according to their power. One-Leaf Clovers are the lowest, on up to Four-Leaf. There is only one Four-Leaf Clover known to exist—Suu—and she has lived her entire young life in compliant captivity. After bargaining with the government wizards who want her contained, Suu sets forth on a pilgrimage to Fairy Park with Kazuhiko, a former military agent, as her bodyguard. It wasn’t chance that pulled him out of retirement for this job; while in her cage, Suu struck up a long-distance friendship with Ora, a torch singer who was Kazuhiko’s lover, and through Ora, Suu fell in love with this older man she had never seen. While the plot might echo Akira or Battle Angel Alita, the execution is distinctively CLAMP. Lead artist Mokona outdoes herself with art deco stylings and fashions that defy gravity in eye-catching ways. The romantic pairings highlight many forms of romantic love, smashing barriers of age and gender. The first two volumes tell one stand-alone story, while volumes 3 and 4 are prequels. On their Web site CLAMP puts Clover on its “in-progress” list, although after eight years with no new work, a continuation seems increasingly unlikely. Don’t let that dissuade you—the series more than stands up as a completed work.



from
http://ift.tt/2dfIgiR
Read Claymore Manga | Readterest.com

Read Claymore Manga | Readterest.com

• Norihiro Yagi

• Viz (2006–ongoing)

• Shueisha (Monthly Shônen Jump, 2001–ongoing)

• Shônen, Fantasy, Action

• 16+ (violence, partial nudity, attempted rape)

In a vaguely European fantasy world, everyone lives in fear of Yoma—flesh-eating humanoids claymore-mangawho can disguise themselves in human form. The only warriors strong enough to oppose them are the
Claymore, human-Yoma halfbreed swordswomen-for-hire, who are almost as feared as the monsters themselves. Clearly inspired by the medieval setting and limb-severing gore of Berserk, Claymore suffers from a slow pace, mediocre fight scenes, and uninspired, repetitive visuals; even when the monsters start turning truly monstrous, which takes several volumes, they aren’t memorable. The sinewy, pale character designs blur the line between Yoma and humans. There are a few good scares, but beneath the solemn atmosphere, it’s just a fighting manga with lots of silent brooding and none of the fun. Some nudity is censored in the English edition.



from
http://ift.tt/2dfliF0
Detectives Manga by CLAMP | Readterest.com

Detectives Manga by CLAMP | Readterest.com

CLAMP Gakuen Tanteidan, “Clamp School Detective Agency” (CLAMP)

• CLAMP • Tokyo-pop (2003)

• Kadokawa Shoten (Asuka Mystery DX, 1992–1993)

• Shôjo, Comedy

• All Ages

During their dôjinshi days, the women of CLAMP created a fictional kindergarten-through-college school in Tokyo for the gifted and brilliant, where extravagance trumped learning and grown-ups were all but absent. The elementary school division is dominated by three personalities: sixth-grader Nokoru DETECTIVES mangaImonoyama, the class chairman, is heir to billions, has an IQ second to none, and can detect a woman in distress from two kilometers away. Fifth-grader Suoh Takamura is descended from a ninja clan and is a martial arts master. Akira Ijyuin seems like just a sweet-natured kid with a talent for cooking, but he’s secretly the master thief 20 Faces (see Man of Many Faces). Together they are the Clamp School Detectives. Led by Nokoru, their mission is to help all women in need (one of the series’ big jokes is that Nokoru fancies himself a passionate feminist, when really he’s all about chivalry). The cases range from finding the owner of a lost stocking to helping a stuck-up girl find her heart. Mileage will definitely vary with this series—it’s short, cute, and not too demanding. It’s also a good pick for younger readers, with nothing racy and jokes that appeal to all ages. Others will likely be put off by the overly precocious cast and lack of a major story arc. The characters and Clamp School make an appearance in Man of Many Faces, Duklyon: Clamp School Defenders, X/1999, and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.



from
http://ift.tt/2dfofVM

Kategori

Kategori