Review – The Neon Boneyard (Daniel Faust #8)

The Neon Boneyard (Daniel Faust #8)
By: Craif Schaefer
Website: http://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/
Release Date: April 10th, 2018
Publisher: Demimonde Books
Series: Daniel Faust Series
Rating:


If you want to talk about series that show growth for the characters, the Daniel Faust series had better be at the top of your list. Craig Schaefer has done it again in this installment and, if you’ve been reading the series and paying attention, you’ll know what I mean.

#MangaMonday Review – No Guns Life, Vol. 2 by Tasuku Karasuma

NO Guns Life Volume 2 No Guns Life, Vol. 2
By: Tasuku Karasuma
Illustrator: Tasuku Karasuma
Translator: Joe Yamazaki
Release Date: November 19, 2019
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Series: No Guns Life #2
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


The second volume in the series, No Guns Life, Vol. 2 by Tasuku Karasuma is the next volume in this gritty noir science fiction manga which was begun with No Guns Life, Vol. 1. The arc in this volume is in the 2019 anime adaptation of this title, which goes by the same name. Those who prefer to pick up a manga series after the ending point of an anime adaptation will want to wait for a future volume before beginning their collection.

Review – Double or Nothing (Daniel Faust #7)

Double or Nothing (Daniel Faust #7)
By: Craig Schaefer
Website: http://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/
Release Date: June 27th, 2017
Publisher: 47 North
Series: Daniel Faust Series
Rating:


Okay, book number seven, I’m back and ready to brag about you.

This 7th installment of the series may be one of the best books in the entire series, and yes I know I’ve rated them all four stars and above but, trust me here, this one is amazing.

Review – The Castle Doctrine (Daniel Faust #6)

The Castle Doctrine (Daniel Faust #6)
By: Craig Schaefer
Website: http://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/
Release Date: September 26th, 2017
Publisher: Deminode Books
Series: Daniel Faust Series
Rating:


Oh Daniel Faust. It’s been over a year since I read this series and I can’t get it out of my head. I’ve even gone back and listened to some of the audio books just to prolong my love of this series. Also, with more books promised by Craig Schaefer I’m excited to get more reviews out before the new books are released. So, with that, let’s dive into why, at book number six, this series is still captivating.

#MangaMonday Review – The Brave-Tuber, Vol. 1 by Takahito Oosaki and Ikuro

Brave-Tuber Vol 1 by Takahito Oosaki and Ikuro Brave-Tuber, Vol. 1
By: Takahito Oosaki (Illustrator); James Gaubatz (Lettering)
Illustrator: Ikuro
Translator: Thomas Zimmerman (Translation); Dawn Davis (Adaptation)
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Publisher: Seven Seas
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


In a world replete with isekai, this manga is much more of a typical fantasy if that fantasy was thrown on its head and mixed in with a little YouTube and vlogging culture. If that sounds like a mix you’ve never heard of before, you might be right. The Brave-Tuber, Vol. 1 is written by Takahito Oosaki and illustrated by Ikuro, and is set to become an ONA in late December of 2019.

Review Writing Struggles

Okay, so we all know Katie is awesome about writing awesome reviews and articulating her thoughts. Me, on the other hand? *WOMP WOMP*

So, rather than just whining about how awesome she is and my lack of awesomeness I wanted to look at why I struggle to write reviews. I came up with a list. No excuses, mind you, because for every book I’ve read since my last review went up I have a review started. I just have to edit it so it is possible to understand my ramblings and sounds a bit more articulate than simply saying “read this yesterday” or “never touch this.”

So, here we go. The list.

  1. Series – I am a series addict. Therefore, I run into the issue of wanting to read the series and then, wanting to tell everyone about the amazing moments in the series and realize, mid-sentence, mid-review, I am spoiling the entire book or in some cases major plot points in the series. Literally, for me, to encourage someone to read sometimes the only thing I can say, without spoiling is “massive plot twists ahead, prepare yourself.” And that, while true, isn’t a full, proper review. But for series that go on for more than 4 books you run into the issue of wanting someone to understand how amazing, how mind-blowing the series is as it grows but you don’t want to ruin it.
  2. Timing – if I don’t write down my thoughts quickly I lose what I wanted to say. This is rather inconvenient when I’m reading right before bed (or when I’m procrastinating on going out cause I’d rather stay in and read), listening to an audio book while at the gym or driving, etc. So, not ideal timing. And, in some cases (driving, lifting heavy things, etc) not safe to literally stop what I’m doing to write it down.
  3. Memory – see above. I lose what I want to say. Also, with series, when I binge through them I honestly forget what happens in each book. I just know the story arc and I’m obsessed. Also, I tend to run into the issue where I am convinced a certain plot point happened in book number three when it happened in book five. This ties into my binge reading series books.
  4. Editing – I’m a perfectionist. So right now, this article has been edited within an inch of it’s digital life. So imagine how long it takes me to edit a proper review. Yeah, there are problems here.

So my question is, for anyone else who writes reviews, what are your struggles? Am I just lazy? Or, just too much of a perfectionist?

Currently working on several reviews and actually posting them so (hopefully) I can get my act together. No time like the present.

Friday Reads!

With the year drawing to a close, there’s only a few more Friday Reads to go. This weekend I’ll be trying to catch up on some arcs from 2019 I haven’t read yet. Or…that’s what I want to say. Goodreads keeps informing me that there’s still 11 days to the end of the year and I can definitely meet my reading goal.

More …

Review – The Missing Season by Gillian French

The Missing Season by Gillian French The Missing Season
By: Gillian French
Release Date: May 21, 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rating:


Gillian French’s newest novel, The Missing Season, is a novel that straddles several genres—mystery, horror, and thriller. The author is no stranger to the genre, her novel Grit being nominated for an Edgar Award. This novel, too, is a great example of a young adult book that falls within that liminal space between thriller and horror.

#MangaMonday Review – Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 1 by Tomohito Oda

Komi Can't Communicate Vol 1 by Tomohito Oda Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1
By: Tomohito Oda
Illustrator: Tomohito Oda
Release Date: June 11, 2019
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Series: Komi Can't Communicate #1
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 1 by Tomohito Oda is a delightful manga that begins on the first day of high school. It’s a story of friendship, teenage awkwardness, and of learning to overcome the fear of communicating with others.