Manga Review: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Vol. 1 by Kanehito Yamada & Tsukasa Abe

November 8, 2022October 10, 2022 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 4 Comments

Title: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Vol. 1
Author: Kanehito Yamada & Tsukasa Abe (illustrations)
Genre: YA Manga / Fantasy
Publication Date: November 9th, 2021
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

“Elf mage Frieren and her courageous fellow adventurers have defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the land. But Frieren will long outlive the rest of her former party. How will she come to understand what life means to the people around her?
Decades after their victory, the funeral of one her friends confronts Frieren with her own near immortality. Frieren sets out to fulfill the last wishes of her comrades and finds herself beginning a new adventure…” (Goodreads)

I wanted to pick this one up because of the cover and it had high reviews. Unfortunately, I felt like the character development was lacking and it was just very slow-paced. I need something that is going to keep me engaged and this just didn’t do anything for me.

I did at least like that it starts after the heroes jobs are finished. They did what needed to be done and moved on with their lives. You don’t get to read about that very often.

Overall, this just wasn’t for me but it could be for you! The illustrations are well done.

WWW Wednesday | 10-12-22

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 7 Comments

Hello, My Lovely Bookworms!

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and is now hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

It consists of answering these three questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

My audiobook is Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. It’s time to get back into my unread tbr of books I own!

I will be starting Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho (arc) today. I have 5 arcs that publish on November 1st so I will be working through those!

There are also a few books from the library I need to get through and the first will be a manga called My Happy Marriage Vol. 1 by Akumi Agitogi.

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (🎧) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Married by Fate by Jenny Hickman (KU) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra (arc) ⭐⭐⭐
The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 1 by Natsu Hyuuga (manga) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Those Not-So-Sweet Boys Vol. 7 by Yoko Nogiri (manga) ⭐⭐⭐

My next audiobook has not been picked yet, haha. I have nothing from the library at the moment so we will see!

I will be reading Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston and She’s Gone by David Bell.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT READ? ARE YOU LOVING IT? HAVE YOU READ OR WANT TO READ ANY THAT I HAVE LISTED? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!

Find me on Instagram / Goodreads

Manga Review: Yona of the Dawn Vol. 35 by Mizuho Kusanagi

September 8, 2022September 7, 2022 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 2 Comments

Title: Yona of the Dawn Vol. 35
Author: Mizuho Kusanagi
Genre: YA Manga / Fantasy
Publication Date: April 5th, 2022
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

“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!
Feeling ill from the Crimson Illness, Su-won is unable to attend a conference with a South Kai delegation. Yona goes in his stead and manages to hold her own, but what will she do when someone blames her for the death of one of the delegation members?!” (Goodreads)

This is one series that I love to stay on top of. It’s a favorite and the cliffhangers are always pulling me back in!

Although this volume feels short, I feel like important things happened. There is more talk about Su-Won’s condition and Yona is trying her best to understand what is going on the empire as well as how to help Su-Won. He isn’t always my favorite character though and his little minions can be quite terrifying.

The best moment for me was between Yona and Hak. There isn’t many moments between them so I cherish the ones that do happen.

I’m always trying to figure out what will happen next but everything that does always surprises me and builds onto the plot well.

Overall, another good volume.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books With A School Setting | 8-30-22

August 30, 2022 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 14 Comments

Hello 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 a School Freebie. So I am just going with Books With A School Setting (Whatever That May Be (fantasy or not) 😂)

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Kind of Sort of Fine by Spencer Hall
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Made in Korea by Sarah Suk
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
No One Is Alone by Rachel Vincent
Waiting for Spring by Anashin
The Devil Does Exist by Mitsuba Takanashi

Have YOU READ ANY OF THEse? Are any on your tbr?

Let me know in the comments below!

Find me on Instagram / Goodreads

Manga Review: Frozen II by Arina Tanemura

February 19, 2022 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 6 Comments

Title: Frozen II
Author: Arina Tanemura
Genre: Manga / Middle Grade / Disney
Publication Date: October 27th, 2020
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The manga tie-in to Disney’s phenomenally successful sequel, Frozen 2!

An Adventure North…

Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, she’ll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey to discover her past in order to save their future. Are Elsa’s powers enough to see her through their adventure into the unknown?” (Goodreads)

I found this book while searching for a different manga on Amazon but knew I had to read this one since I absolutely love Disney! I have read other mangas by this specific author as well so it did also weight into my choice to buy it because I have liked her illustrations. Plus, you can tell from the cover that it’s going to be good.

I honestly wasn’t disappointed with this one. It sticks to the movie very closely except for a few tweaks to the song lyrics. I’m not sure why this was the case since I think the original lines would have been fine. My favorite part was still Olaf retelling everything that had happened, haha.

The artwork is gorgeous! This is also a book I can share with my daughter since she likes Disney as well as this movie too. I also like that it doesn’t take long to get through either. It’s very convenient for someone (my child) who has a hard time sitting still.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read! I liked the artwork and being able to read this story while remembering the movie.

Manga Review: Yona of the Dawn Vol. 29 by Mizuho Kusanagi

December 11, 2021 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 6 Comments

Title: Yona of the Dawn Vol. 29
Author: Mizuho Kusanagi
Genre: Manga / Fantasy / Romance
Publication Date: April 6th, 2021
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Kai Empire begins their plans to attack the Kingdom of Kohka, with North Kai leader Ying Kuelbo particularly interested in capturing the Dragon Warriors! When Yona and Jaeha are taken to Kai Empire against their will, Hak debates the unimaginable in order to save them—joining forces with the Kohka army!” (Goodreads)

Man, when I say that this series continuously amazes me with each volume I truly mean it! No manga has ever made me feel so many things in just one volume. Let alone kill me with those cliffhangers! Haha. I’m glad I have the next volume readily available because I am starting it right away.

There are a lot of troubles that befall the characters in this one and we see how they handle them. Hak is stronger than ever as he tries to save and protect Yona. I love the dedication that man has for her! It is just the best! Honestly, Yona is holding her own as well. It’s amazing the development she has had throughout the series.

The dragons are in a bit of pickle and I’m honestly not sure how they will cut through the tension. It’s kind of sad to see how everything is unfolding but it’s war so it’s bound to bring bad things.

I’m glad friendly faces have appeared once again! I’ve missed a couple of them.

Overall, this was another great volume! if you haven’t checked this series out yet I’d recommend doing so! It’s filled with so many good things and will make you feel every emotion while reading!

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

February 23, 2021 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 9 Comments

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

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!)

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

9.) Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morganthaler

10.) The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

What book made you laugh out loud?

Let me know in the comments below!

Find me on Instagram / Goodreads

Manga Review: Fly Me to the Moon Vol. 1 by Kenjiro Hata

September 15, 2020September 14, 2020 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 4 Comments

Title: Fly Me to the Moon Vol. 1
Author: Kenjiro Hata
Genre: New Adult / Romance / Manga
Publication Date: September 15th, 2020
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-copy to review! All opinions are my own.

“First comes marriage, then comes an earthbound love that is out of this world!

From the day his parents named him, Nasa Yuzaki has been destined for outer space…or so he believes. But while trying to join the space program, he is thrown for a loop when an accident introduces him to Tsukasa, a mysterious girl with strange powers. Is she an alien, a moon goddess or something else? Since she insists on marrying him, Nasa has plenty of chances to find out!” (Goodreads)

I was curious about this manga after seeing it on NetGalley because aliens. Aliens are interesting and a blurb that mentions a quick marriage and aliens is definitely something that intrigues me.

There is a lot of potential for this series but this first volume didn’t do much to grab my attention.

Nasa gets some buildup in the beginning from his name to what he strives to do when it comes to his education. He is very determined! Obviously, a great quality to have.

Tsukasa is a very mysterious girl. We know nothing about her and it stays that way for the whole manga. Of course, they marry but even he knows nothing besides that she is beautiful and a restless sleeper, ha.

I’m sure as the series go on there will be interesting moments between them because they haven’t even kissed yet. They are new to love and that always makes for some good moments in books. Even though that may be the case, I’m just not sold on continuing.

Overall, it was an okay read and even though it had it’s moments. I just don’t think it’s for me.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Make Me Smile

July 14, 2020 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 19 Comments

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 Make Me Smile. Usually I get these giddy feelings from contemporary romance books. They are just so cute and I can’t help but smile! I will also have some manga on here as well.

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1.) Well Met by Jen DeLuca

2.) Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

3.) Husband Material by Emily Belden

4.) It Sounded Better In My Head by Nina Kenwood

5.) Waiting for Spring by Anashin

6.) The Devil Does Exist by Takanashi Mitsuba

7.) The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

8.) The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

9.) The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

10.) Maid-sama by Hiro Fujiwara

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What’s a genre or book that makes you happy?

Find me on Instagram / Goodreads

-Joanna TheGeekishBrunette (1)

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Authors I’ve Read the Most Books By

July 7, 2020July 6, 2020 ~ Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette ~ 16 Comments

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 Authors I’ve Read the Most Books By but I’m going to go with Favorite Authors. I don’t really keep track of this so I guess I will have to do some digging, haha. I will also be including mangas too!

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