[MANGA REVIEW] Pride & Prejudice (Manga Classics) by Stacy King

Pride & Prejudice (Manga Classics) by Stacy King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Kynthos-the-Archer by: ARC provided by Netgallery

Recommended for: Newbies to Jane Austen's work.

Read from January 26 to February 17, 2015 — I own a copy, read count: 1 

I am happy to award this manga adaptation of Jane Austen's famous romance 4 stars for the lovely artwork and smooth manga storyboard. I'd say it's a worthy purchase to add to your bookshelf. The cover itself would certainly look lovely on your shelf and the book would help ease the introduction of Ms. Austen's work to the younger generation.

Frankly speaking I am a newbie to Ms. Austen's stories. This manga adaptation of Pride & Prejudice is my first experience of her story. I haven't even watched any of the film adaptations. Nevertheless I am quite charmed by the storyline and Po Tse's lovely artwork. However there are times where I felt the characters' facial expressions to be a little overboard and this threw me off a tad. Aside from that, Elizabeth came out somewhat airheaded to me instead of displaying her reputed intelligence and her charming quick-wits. Perhaps this could be due to the manga compressed time frame which might have hampered the delivery of Elizabeth's feelings sufficiently. On the other hand, the presentation of Mr. Darcy is pretty well done. He is that handsome to a fault vainpot who is full of himself and that rich unpleasant dude who thinks that everyone else is beneath him. Yeah I sorta did a bit of research on the characters as a comparison guideline since I don't have any prior information on them to help me on the valuation.

Upon experiencing this famous classical romance via the manga adaptation I am now keen on reading the original novel itself. So bravo for a job well done to both Stacy King and Po Tse.

Introducing the lovely manga cover (softcover version):

Another colored artwork (hardcover version):

Meet the lovely Bennets sisters:

A sample page:

Darcy isn't as dashing here on this particular page. Sometimes he even looked a little villainous on the artwork. Other times he is a lady killer. Haha.

Do check out some more sample pages over at COMICS ALLIANCE

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Pride & Prejudice (Manga Classics)

Author: Stacy King

Illustrator: Po Tse

Publication Date: August 19th, 2014

Publisher: Udon Entertainment

Type: Manga

Genre: Classical Historical Romance

Description:

Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold, new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

WHERE TO PURCHASE:

★|| BOOK DEPOSITORY ||★
★|| AMAZON ||★
★|| BARNES & NOBLE ||★

* Reviewed on February 21st, 2015

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**ARC provided by NetGalley for reviewing purpose.**

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[MANGA REVIEW] Hikaru no Go, Vol. 23: Endgame by Yumi Hotta

Hikaru no Go, Vol. 23: Endgame by Yumi Hotta

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Read on September 25, 2014 

Frustrating and Unsatisfying manga. I've been DUPED.

I have never before felt so UNSATISFIED with a manga that I have been fairly enjoying. This manga managed to capture my attention eventhough I have zero knowledge about the boardgame it was centralised around. Yet it is also one to let me down terribly.

I felt cheated since I couldn't even have a lick at that dangling carrot the mangaka had used throughout the story to command her reader's interest. Reading this manga has ZERO rewards since characters you root for wouldn't get the prize they rightfully deserved. And the long promised showdowns between important characters did not materialize. What further can I say? I felt duped. It's like telling the readers that hardwork is bullshit and unrewarding. Plus, geniuses can for fuck off!

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[MANGA REVIEW] Hikaru No Go (Book 15) [ ヒカルの碁 15、さよなら] ] by Yumi Hotta

Hikaru no Go (Book 15) ヒカルの碁 15、さよなら by Yumi Hotta

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Read from September 23 to 24, 2014, read count: 1 

2 Stars because I felt sad for Sai. What happened in book 15 is very unfair to him. It was like he is just a tool, a stepping stone to be discarded when no longer needed. Where is the reward? After waiting for a millennia and this is the answer?

I am glad Hikaru is in a slump now. He should be, as it serves him right since he dared to forget who brought him into the Go world in the first place, tutoring him and encouraging him all the way. I do agree that Akira could be the catalyst to rev up Hikaru's passion to succeed in the world of Go but without Sai guiding him Hikaru could not have attain such heights of success in such a short time.

Actually part of why I am reading this manga after I've finished with its Anime version was a tiny hope that the story in the manga would answer Sai's unresolved wish since the manga does continues where the Anime had left off. The other reason was simply because I am missing Sai very much.

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[REVIEW] Trigger by Susan Vaught

Trigger by Susan Vaught

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Recommended for: Everyone from 14 years old and above.

Read from May 17 to 18, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1

Suicide victims often times are misunderstood by others. Many tends to be judgemental of them, calling them selfish, attention seeker or even mad. Suicides account for twice as many deaths as AIDS and over half of suicide deaths are by firearm.

Jersey Hatch is the voice of all those vulnerable, troubled teens out there. Vaught has crafted him based on her experience of working with young people as a practising neuropsychologist.

Jersey suffered permanent physical and neurological impairment after a botched suicide attempt. His sentences are often punctuated with random odd words in between and half of his body no longer work like it used to be. A big chunk of his memories leading to the day he shot himself in the head was obliterated after the tragic attempt to end himself. The Jersey After has no recollection as to why he pulled the trigger that day. Together we navigate along with him through his unsynchronized mind as he tried to piece everything together again while he faced hardships due to his disabilities and from his family, friends and teachers. Would the truth give him the peace he needed to finally settle down or would it cause him to want to pull the trigger for the second time?

Trigger gave us insights to a suicidal teen's mind enabling us to better understand this widespread devastating act of self harming. Aside from that it also explored the aftermath of suicide on family members, friends and those around the victim. The book represents a wake up call to us to start paying more attention to those we cared about, start to listen more, judge less, for you might save a life.

I would say that Vaught handled the theme of this book really well. It wasn't judgemental or clinical, she let the readers decide for themselves based on what they see -- this would create deeper impression on the messages within. As extra food for thought, she even managed to raise several other social issues such as parenting, school bullying and also the responsibility and risk of firearm ownership. Although Trigger addresses a heavy subject, it wasn't a difficult book read as I have first thought it would be. Vaught has included the right amount of humor to smooth out the rough edges. I admit to burst out laughing many times because of the humorous situations Jersey unintentionally created due to his runaway mouth.

Frankly there are some plot holes that chips away bit of the realism but it wasn't that big of a deal and since the book did achieved its aim on creating awareness on suicide, it didn't bother me that much.

I would highly recommend this book to older teenagers and to adults as well. In fact, everyone should read this book. Knowledge could save lives - even your own life. Prevention should always be the first step.

FACTS

Know that...

Consider this statement below before you act on your impulse or start judging others...

IMPORTANT to continue reading about the above statement here: Metanoia

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Trigger

Author: Susan Vaught

Publication Date: April 10th, 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

Type: Novel, approximately 75,000 words

Main Characters: Jersey Hatch, Mr&Mrs Hatch, Leza Rush, Todd Rush, Mama Rush

Tags/Keywords:

Title of Spoiler:

brains, brain damage, patients, rehabilitation, gunshot wounds, suicide, wounds and injuries, teenager, depression, school bullying, firearm, parenting, stigmatize

Description:

Jersey Hatch seemed to have it all together-he played sports, was popular, had a great girlfriend, best friend, and supportive parents. But when he emerges from a recuperative care center, all that is gone, his legs and hands don't work right, his mouth says every word that pops into his brain, and he has to write down his thoughts so that he remembers even the most basic directions and details. Through it all, one question haunts him: why did he try to kill himself

This review has also been cross-posted on my blogs:

WHERE TO PURCHASE:

★|| BLOOMSBURY ||★|| AMAZON ||★|| BARNES&NOBLE ||★|| KOBOBOOKS ||★

* Reviewed on May 19th, 2014

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[REVIEW] Sock it to Me, Santa! by Madison Parker

Sock it to Me, Santa! by Madison Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recommended for: Just pick it up. It would do you whole lot of good.

Read from December 24 to 25, 2013 — I own a copy


This brought love and Christmas to me. Warms my heart and tickle my funny bone. Plastered a goofy grin on me.

Ryan's first word describing Jamie to his mom was, soft. That goofy grin of mine started right at that point onwards. Lol. Ryan wasn't exactly a perfect person, he is filled with insecurities and was a little too self absorbed to see things around him clearly. He should really thank Mrs. Keats his homeroom teacher for setting up that Secret Santa gift exchange challenge.

That event did a hell lot of good drawing Ryan out of his protective shell, helping him to look deeper than the skin and also to let his true self shine. I'll say, Jamie brought out the best in Ryan and of course Ryan's loving understanding mom must be credited as well for the undying support she gave.

The author did great with Ryan's characterization, he is very much a believable teenager trying to find his own footing in life, was troubled by his sexuality and being too overly sensitive to public judgment. Although I didn't get to know Jamie as much due to the fact that the story was entirely in Ryan's POV, but he still managed to endear himself to me. Jamie might look effeminate and soft as everyone including how Ryan first perceived him yet he is stronger than anyone even the bullies and Ryan. This is because he stand tall and proud of who he is. He acknowledges his true self and wouldn't hide like Ryan did just to fit in. At least he isn't living a lie and I admire his courage and sense of self-value to stand firm against unjust negativity directed at him daily. He is beautiful inside out. He shines, and this is what attracted Ryan to him.

Ryan's sudden discovery of his fetish was priceless. There are many adorable moments in this book such as the aforementioned embarrassing fetish discovery, giggly chapstick exchange and the Great Shoe Operation was utterly romantic!


Here's my assortment of feelz for this book...

Fell in love with the Hoobajoob socks monkey

I want him please? Found him on the internet and fell in love with him. He makes me wish I could sew well.

Haz too much happy magic mushrooms


Touching, heart-warming moments worth a thousand words


Moments of intense annoyance over some idiots!


Lastly, bone-meltingly sweet and romantic moments which I took my time to savor each morsel

Then, I pen this short note....

Dear Author,

Thank you for bringing Christmas and love to me.

With tears of joy,

Kyn

That ending was perfect and most meaningful. It highlights a message that bigoted fools are unworthy of your time. So don't waste your life over these shallow minds. Go live life and love without regrets as it should be.

Pick up this book, read it and love it!



BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Sock it to Me, Santa!
Author: Madison Parker
Publication Date: November 12th, 2012
Type: Short Story, 13,290 words
Genre: M/M, Gay, LGBTQ, Coming Out, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Tags/Keywords: student, school, closeted, coming out, first love, having a crush, falling in love, romance, holidays, christmas, secret santa, gift exchange, contemporary, adorable character, adorable story, humor-comedy-fun, feel-good-story, effeminate male, engrossing, insecurities, low confidence, inspiring, no sex, realistic, twink, young adult, young man, angst

Description:
Ryan is assigned to Jamie Peterson for his class's secret gift exchange. If word gets out that he has to make a handcrafted gift for flamboyant and openly gay Jamie, Ryan will be the laughing stock of the school. It's a good thing no self-respecting boy would be caught dead in a craft store, because otherwise he'd be at risk of being spotted when his mom drags him to her weekly craft workshops. He hopes Jamie will appreciate all the trouble he's going to for this assignment. Finding the perfect gift is gonna be tricky. Jamie deserves something good, though, after all the crap he has to put up with at school. At least, Ryan tells himself that's the reason he's putting so much thought into the gift. It couldn't be that he has feelings for Jamie, could it?


WHERE TO BUY:





* Reviewed on December 26th, 2013


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Comment on December 25th, 2013:
Loved this <3 Will review soonish. Soaking up the love and tenderness now. *bliss*

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[REVIEW] Claus: Legend of the Fat Man by Tony Bertauski

Claus: Legend of the Fat Man by Tony Bertauski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recommended for: Great for Christmas and those young at heart.

Read from December 05 to 18, 2013 — I own a copy

4 Stars for this Bone-Freezing yet Heartwarming Book.

Nearly freeze my butt off reading this one. Felt like I have just gone through sub-zero in the North Pole. I was effectively transported to the Arctic experiencing blinding white snow and bone-deep chills. Besides that the reindeer rides almost ripped my poor acrophobic heart out. No amount of preparation could have calm my heart enough for such a rough ride. The World's Top Rollercoaster ride would simply be kiddie rides in comparison.

The story begun in year 1818, with an adventurous family of three trekking through the harsh Arctic environment with undying determination to reach the North Pole. It is a feat no one has yet succeeded. Unfortunately their plans was foiled when they were left for dead by their guides and a snow storm was raging. The Santa family was torn apart during that storm and Jessica and her teenage son Jon was left to fend for themselves when Nicholas disappeared in the storm while trying to locate their guides. Unbeknownst to the Santas, they were in for the biggest adventure of their lifetime when they were sucked into the scientifically advance world of the Nordic elven. Although it's a mathematical world with much scifi elements in it, I still find it magical and wondrous!

In Claus, we get to meet lots of fantastical creatures and legendary beings in the land of forever winter. Just to name a few, there is the famed 9 reindeers with Rudy being the biggest and strongest of the herd, the Abominable Snowmans, the round rolly-polly Nordic elven, cold and dangerous Jack Frost, and on goes the list. Only thing is... they all come with a twist, a scientific one of course since this is a scifi cum fantasy take on the legendary red robe fat man. Think genetic manipulation, energy field devices, holographic displays, space compressor and atom fragmenters, doesn't it all spells fun and adventures? So many wondrous things to keep us entertained. Asides from the fun and gripping adventure, the text was powerful enough to help cool down the temperature of my oven-like room. Snow and freezing water never left my mind throughout the story and what a treat it was for a tropical dweller like me. *bliss*

Cane the smallest and oddest elf is probably my favorite character although he is mute and was only a side character with a small role. For some reasons he is very endearing to me. It could be my motherly instinct taking hold of me. Hehehe. I felt that Cane is the character who has truly lost something most precious to him and my heart aches for him.

As for the rest of the characters they were well developed and round (no pun intended). They each have their own background and unique characteristic. They have their own hopes and dreams with strong will to back it up. In short, they are memorable characters. The author's magical pen has brought them to life vividly.

Romance was a constant here even in the midst of chaos caused by the elven war between two elven factions. The pure undying love between Nicholas and his wife Jessica was beautiful to behold. Along with the durable love between the kind hearted elven couple, Nog and Merry was just as inspiring. Then there was also the budding young love between young elven Tinsel and Jon.

Jack, the negative force in this story was just a misguided and misunderstood soul. He could have been as great as Claus if he was given the same opportunity to shine, to be accepted and acknowledged.

Spoiler:

Unfortunately the elven has lost track of what is important especially in the upbringing of a child. Poor Jack was shut out by his own people, even his own twin brother and mother was essentially ignoring his existence just because he was different, a freak of nature, an unintended results of a genetic manipulations to create the perfect ruler. Hence he was the so-called unwanted extra, a defective child whereas his brother was the ideal their people sought after. Jack has my empathy as he is only a product of negligence and discrimination. Jack is a lonely soul not by own desire but of disregards and unfair treatments. All he ever seek for was acceptance and love. I could understand his self preservation ways through his tyrannic rulings over the elven.

I guess he who sows bad seeds, shall reap bitter fruits.

What didn't worked well for me was the ending. It was a little abrupt with some loose ends left whipping in the cold winter wind.

Spoiler:

Seems like Santa just got up one day and decided to travel the world gifting children with toys just because of his sudden fancy. I know that he thinks it's time to announce and unite the elven with humans but why setting such a tradition of gift distribution? It's just that the idea was not properly introduced therefore it felt plastered on just for a jolly ending for the Christmas season.

Another peeve was with what had happened to Jon Santa after that unfortunate incident while escaping the six-leggers creatures.

Spoiler:

Why on earth does he need to lose his memories just to become an elven? So that he could be with Tinsel? He could be an elven and love Tinsel and his new life even with his memories intact right? It was a cruel thing to do to a mother. Jessica doesn't need this test of love to prove her love for her only child. She does not deserve any further pain. To me it wasn't a necessary plot to steer the story and it felt more like a nuisance to irk me. *Takes deep calming breath* Sigh... perhaps it was a plot to separate Jon and his mother in order to develop Jon and Tinsel's budding love. And, to project the strong spirit and bravery of Jessica and Nog when they were both on the run together. Damnit! it pains me to see Nog leaving Merry behind on his quest to save and protect Jessica.

Lessons of the story...
Never play god.
Never ever try to cheat Mother Nature.
Balance is the way to keep the cycle of nature healthy.
Greed only leads to destruction.
Never forsake your child.
Never underestimate anyone.
Never judge a person by external appearance.
Discrimination is an act of cruelty, an assault on human rights.
Courage and determination leads you towards your goal.
Love prevails and kindness rules.

Tony Bertauski has certainly revamped the legend of Santa and making it hip and current. The story and its charming characters touched my heart and warmed my soul. It is a lovely book for those young at heart and great for the winter holiday season.




BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Claus: Legend of the Fat Man
Related: Claus
Author: Tony Bertauski
Publication Date: June 19th, 2012
Type: Novel, 73,300 words (approximate)
Genre: Fantasy, Holiday, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Alternate Universe
Tags/Keywords:

Click to View:

young adult, holidays, captive-captivity-confinement, restricted freedom, special abilities, legends, suspenseful, action-packed, adventure, romance, love, family, alternate universe, amazing worldbuilding, science fiction, santa claus, jack frost, elf, reindeer, snowman, winter, snow, arctic, north pole, northern lights, aurora borealis, war, hatred, discrimination

Description:
Some legends are forged in fire.
Others are born in snow.

In the early 1800s, Nicholas, Jessica and Jon Santa attempt the first human trek to the North Pole and stumble upon an ancient race of people left over from the Ice Age. They are short, fat and hairy. They slide across the ice on scaly soles and carve their homes in the ice that floats on the Arctic Ocean.

The elven are adapted to life in the extreme cold.

They are as wise as they are ancient. Their scientific advancements have yielded great inventions -- time-stopping devices and gravitational spheres that build living snowmen and genetically-modified reindeer that leap great distances. They’ve even unlocked the secrets to aging. For 40,000 years, they have lived in peace.

Until now.

An elven known as The Cold One has divided his people. He’s tired of their seclusion and wants to conquer the world. Only one elven stands between The Cold One and total chaos. He’s white-bearded and red-coated. The Santa family will help him stop The Cold One.

They will come to the aid of a legendary elven known as… Claus.

WHERE TO BUY:




Comment on December 6th, 2013 @ 8pm:

Caved in and bought it from SMASHWORDS at its promo price, USD0.99. Another Christmas book to read for the holiday.

Comment on December 6th, 2013 @ 4pm:

Seriously considering dropping everything else to read this book first. I have a feeling this would help get me into Christmas mood.

It's on sale at a number of bookstores now. So why not?

The PREVIEW; was fantastic! It hooked me in instantly. And I am compelled to find out how the unfortunate Santa family could survive such calamity. I am worried for them now.

* Reviewed on December 18th, 2013

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