Manga Challenge Wrap-up Post

I had so much fun doing the Manga Challenge! I read a lot of great books. Thank you, Rhinoa, and I hope you host it again next year!

I read six manga books for this challenge:

Tokyo Mew Mew books 1 and 2
Fruits Basket 2
Dream Saga 3
Vampire Kisses 1
Avalon High 1

Again, I enjoyed this so much! My favorite read was the first Tokyo Mew Mew book, and my least favorite was Dream Saga 3.

Tokyo Mew Mew Books 1 and 2 (book review)

Tokyo Mew Mew, by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida, is a manga series about five young female superheroes. In the first book, we are introduced to the main character, Ichigo. While she is on a date with the guy of her dreams, she (and four other girls) are involved in a freak accident that merges their DNA with the DNA of five endangered species. These five girls have become the Mew Mews, and their job is to fight evil aliens that are trying to take over the world by infecting Earth's animals with deadly parasites, turning them into rampaging monsters called kirema animas.

Ichigo has been fused with the genes of an iriomote cat. Now, she can turn into an alien-fighting superhero with cat ears and a cat tail whenever she wants! But it's Ichigo's job to find the other four Mew Mews. One is a super-rich snob, named Mint, who wants nothing to do with Ichigo. She has fused with an ultramarine lorakeet. The other is a lonely girl who will take her anger out on Mint and Ichigo when in her Mew Mew form (she merged with a finless porpoise). Could these three ever join together as a team?

In book two, the other characters' identities are revealed. One is Pudding, an acrobatic, friendly girl who loves to make money and whose genes were fused with a golden lion tamarin's. The other is a beautiful model, Zakuro, who is fused with a gray wolf. The problem is, Zakuro wants nothing to do with the rest of the Mew Mews. Can the four girls convince their final partner to join them in time to save the world?

I really enjoyed these books. They went very fast, and they were exciting and engaging. I think I liked the first one better than the second, however. I give the first book 4 out of 5 stars, and the second 3.5 out of 5 stars.

These books were both for the Manga Challenge and for the Sci-Fi Experience.

Dream Saga #3 (book review)

Dream Saga #3, by Megumi Tachikawa, is the story of fifth-grader Yuuki, and five of her friends, who are destined to save the dream world (known as Takamagahara) from destruction. Yuuki and four of the others have "magic stones", which allow them to remember their time in Takamagahara even while they are in our world. The fifth boy, Takaomi, although he does not have a magic stone and therefore doesn't remember his time in the dream world (and in the same way his dream-self doesn't remember the time spent in the normal world), has been told of the events that are transpiring, and knows the secrets of the magic stones.

In this book, Yuuki and her friends are at the palace of Shinoukyu, trying to convince intrepid Miss Kaya (who happens to be their teacher in the real world) to join their quest. She has something that they need, and would be a useful addition to the group. But when Kaya is kidnapped by giant, angry insects, Takaomi finds himself bribed by her wicked father into going to rescue her alone. Because Kaya's father happens to have a sixth magic stone, and according to him, Takaomi can have it if he rescues Kaya. Takaomi, who longs to fit in, accepts. But can he save Kaya all alone? And even if he can, will her father pay up?

I enjoyed the plot of this book. It was suspenseful, interesting, and unique. But the drawings were confusing, and they often blended into one another. Sometimes I had to read a section over once or twice to understand what was going on. That is why I only give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Fruits Basket Book Two (book review)

Fruits Basket Book Two, by Natsuki Takaya, is the story of orphan Tohru Honda, and the enigmatic Sohma family. Three of the Sohmas-- Shigure, Kyo, and Yuki--have taken Tohru in, and they have let her know their terrible secret. Several of the members of the family are possessed with the vengeful spirits of the animals of the Zodiac, and whenever one of those people is weak or is hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they transform. Tohru has promised to keep their power a secret, but will she be able to when her best friends come over to spend the night? Especially when one of them is a psychic?

I enjoyed this book a great deal, but not as much as the first one. It was a bit more confusing, but other than that it was a wonderful story!

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy (book review)

Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy, by Meg Cabot, is the story of high school student Ellie and her boyfriend Will. Will just happens to be the reincarnation of King Arthur. Ellie herself might in fact be the reincarnation of the famous Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. And one of her teachers, Mr. Morton (or Merlin), is a long-lost member of the Order of the Bear, a group of scientists and historians dedicated to finding King Arthur's reincarnation. But now that they finally have, a new problem has come up...Will doesn't believe that he is King Arthur reincarnated. And in order for him to save the world from a horrible fate, he has to accept his destiny once and for all. What can Ellie do to convince him that the power in his hands is real?

I greatly enjoyed this book and would like to read the original novel someday soon. I would recommend this book to fans of Arthurian legend and fantasy manga.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives (book review)

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, is a manga story written by Ellen Schreiber and illustrated by Rem. It is the story of goth-girl Raven and her vampire boyfriend, Alexander. Just when seems as if their relationship is finally going smoothly, Alexander's cousin, Claude, and his gang of half-vampires shows up. And now they're trying to blackmail Raven into betraying Alexander. Will she become a traitor to her boyfriend, or will her friend Becky end up as a snack for Claude and his friends?

I realize this is a short review, but it was a very short book. I enjoyed it, and I would like to read the original novel, Vampire Kisses. I also hope to continue reading the Manga series.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

(This book is for the Manga Challenge.)

Joining the Manga Challenge

I'm excited to join the Manga Challenge, hosted by Rhinoa. Here is my list:

Fruits Basket #2 by Natsuki Takaya

Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot

Tokyo Mew Mew #1 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida

Tokyo Mew Mew #2 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida

Dream Saga #3 by Megumi Tachikawa

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives by Ellen Schreiber and Rem