Manga Review: Dawn of the Arcana Vol.4-13 by Rei Toma

Title: Dawn of the Arcana Vol.4-13
Author: Rei Toma
Genre: Manga / YA Fantasy / Romance
Publication Date: September 2nd, 2014
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Blurb from first volume so no spoilers!

“Princess Nakaba of Senan is forced to marry Prince Caesar of the enemy country Belquat, tantamount to becoming a hostage. While Caesar is pleasing to the eye, he is also selfish and possessive, telling Nakaba outright: “You are my property.” With only her attendant Loki at her side, Nakaba must find a way to cope with her hostile surroundings, her fake marriage…and a mysterious power!” (Goodreads)

So I have decided to change up how I review mangas by reviewing the first volume for initial thoughts and then reviewing the series as a whole once I have finished it. I do have reviews for the first three volumes which can be found here, here, and here!

Overall, I enjoyed this series. There were a few volumes that were good, but for the most part I loved each one.

One of my favorite parts of this series is seeing the growth from the characters, especially Nakaba and Caesar. They developed so much individually as well as together. They will definitely be one of my favorite couples because even when things get hard and they must make choices that can put a wedge between them, they still hold on to hope and the realization that they love one another.

Nakaba’s development does remind me a lot of Yona from the manga series Yona of the Dawn. Nakaba must learn to fight to protect those around her as well as learn what it means to play political games. She carries a lot of weight on her shoulders but at least she has people who care and want what is best for her even if she struggles with decisions. She is also always wanting everyone to get along, especially with those that are seen as worthless and no good. She fights for them and does not stop.

Caesar has a whole transformation and I thank Nakaba for it. He didn’t understand the struggles of those under him especially when it came to the ajin. He learned that those who he thinks are different are still human and should be treated like one.

Loki was another big player in this manga and I’m still not sure how I completely feel about him. The last few mangas had him in questionable light and the plot twists surrounding him were quite surprising!

Again, I loved this one! The political games, the romance, and the characters were all great and I can see myself coming back to this series.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud (2/23/21)

Hello, Lovely Bookworms!

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018.

Today’s prompt is Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud. It doesn’t happen often where I laugh because of a book, but when it does it’s simply the best! But to be honest, I think book make me cry more than anything, haha. This list took me a bit to compile.

1.) Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winter

2.) Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura

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3.) The Devil Does Exist by Mitsuba Takanashi (whole manga series)

4.) Maid-Sama by Hiro Fujiwara (whole manga series)

5.) The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones (silly goat!)

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6.) Yona of the Dawn by Mizuho Kusanagi (whole manga series(Specifically this volume!))

7.) Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

8.) The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

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9.) Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morganthaler

10.) The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

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What book made you laugh out loud?

Let me know in the comments below!

Find me on Instagram / Goodreads

Manga Review: Naruto Vol. 1, 2, & 3 by Masashi Kishimoto

Title: Naruto Vol. 1, 2, & 3
Author: Masashi Kishimoto
Genre: YA Manga/ Fantasy
Publication Date: September 1st, 1999

“Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world’s greatest ninja! (Goodreads)

I’m pretty sure I tried to read these as a teen and maybe I got through the first one? Or maybe I tried watching it? Honestly, I’m not sure but I do remember some parts about Naruto.

Lately I have wanted to read more manga and I have really wanted to start this one and Bleach. They were both ones that I never finished.

Naruto finally came in at the library and they had two and three available so I quickly burned through all three in record time! They were very enjoyable and honestly had me laughing at certain parts.

There are characters that don’t stick around for too long but I didn’t mind that. I liked getting to know Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, as well as Kakashi (he’s just so cool!).

This is your typical outcast training to be the very best but it grips you in and makes you feel for the characters. Plus, there is a lot of fighting! The only downside is that they usually end on a huge cliffhanger and now I am left waiting until my hold comes in…

Overall, I think I am going to really enjoy this series since I already liked the first three. Can’t wait to continue through and see where Naruto ends up.

Manga Review: Waiting for Spring Vol. 6 & Vol. 7 by Anashin

Title: Waiting for Spring Vol. 6
Author: Anashin
Genre: YA Manga / Romance
Publication Date: December 13th, 2016

“In her efforts to become a more proactive person, Mitsuki has agreed to join the school festival committee. Now she must lead class in putting together a cafe for the day of the big event. Towa has agreed to help her, but his mind is elsewhere. His team is about to have a joint practice with Hōjō, and he and Aya will finally have a basketball showdown…!” (Goodreads)

 

I have been enjoying this series as I read a couple each month. Mitsuki is still oblivious to her surroundings when it comes to boys but I think she is slowly catching on.

Towa and Aya are still in competition for her and another guy joins in. Is a love square a real thing? Honestly, I’m not sure who I ship her with. They each have great qualities about them and it definitely would be hard to choose if I was in her place.

The plot is thickening, not only because of the boys but from girls who like boys that are infatuated by Mitsuki. I feel like things are going to get real soon. I mean even the cliffhanger at the end was pretty surprising and I’m curious to see how Towa feels about it!.

Title: Waiting for Spring Vol. 7
Author: Anashin
Genre: YA Manga / Romance
Publication Date: May 12th, 2017

“Mitsuki has been working so hard to prepare for the school festival that she passes out from exhaustion. When she wakes up, she finds herself in an unfamiliar bed…It turns out to be Aya who’s come to her rescue, like he always used to. Meanwhile, Towa comes to an important realization on his own—he resolves to confess his feelings to Mitsuki, and the day of the school festival may be his best chance!” (Goodreads)

 

So many good things happen in this book!

There are many confessions and I’m still on the fence when it comes to who I’d rather see with Mitsuki. Towa and Aya are different from each other and I like them both! Ugh, it’s so hard to choose! Sometimes Aya does beat Towa because Aya is more confident in himself and isn’t afraid of his feelings. I like that. Although I do have a soft spot for shy boys so again, confused. 🤷‍♀️

Most of the plot focuses around a school festival and seeing Towa as a pirate was awesome! Of course Aya has to come into it too but you won’t see me complaining.

Mitsuki is definitely an overachiever and even when she can’t do it all and doesn’t ask for help, Aya is always there for her. (points awarded to him!) I do like that he makes it a competition and let’s Towa know what’s up, ha.

Overall, I’m still really enjoying this series and will be continuing on with it.

Manga Review: Yona of the Dawn Vol. 23 by Mizuho Kusanagi

Title: Yona of the Dawn Vol. 23
Author: Mizuho Kusanagi
Genre: Manga / Fantasy
Publication Date: April 7th, 2020

About the first book:

“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!” (Goodreads)

Gosh, I love this series!

It feels like every time I pick up the latest volume I fall more in love with it.

The intensity is really building up when it comes to war/violence that is happening throughout the kingdom. There is also a lot of good though and Yona does her best to keep the peace.

Yona is such a fantastic and I have enjoyed her character development throughout the series. She is so strong, brave, and I’m not even sure how she manages it all.

This is one series where I don’t just like the MC but literally everyone. Each one is so easy to love even if they were just introduced in the last volume.

The plot does get quite intense and leaves many cliffhangers to hopefully be resolved in the next volume or two. I am literally not okay and was feeling so many ways reading the last half.

Overall, this is a series I would highly recommend. I can’t wait for the next installment.