@bookstodon My #review of The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 2 #lightnovel by Natsu Hyuuga, Kevin Steinbach (trans.) and Touko Shino (illust.) is now live! This was enjoyable as the first volume, not least because the setting and mysteries expand.
@bookstodon My #review of The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 1 #lightnovel by Natsu Hyuuga, Kevin Steinbach (trans.) and Touko Shino (illust.), is now live! A fast, delightful read with a thoroughly entertaining protagonist.
I finally managed to finish the first part of the soldier arc. It was not easy, the story was so sloooow at the beginning and Myne is very annoying :ds_tanjirodeadinside: .
But now there are a few interesting tidbits and fantasy elements right at the end, which makes me hope for part 2. I'll give it until the end of the soldier arc to decide if I like it enough to continue. :AquaThumbsUp:
No good deed goes unpunished. As Ume discovers when she rescues Shiomi. Neither Shiomi nor the jealous, vengeful ghost that stalks her appreciates the act. Something they both make clear. As for Ume’s partner, Tomo, he is less than thrilled at the intrusion of an unpleasant third into their relationship. “I know I told you to find someone who would appreciate your advances, but I really question your taste.”
Come, follow Ume-san, Shiomi-san, and the increasingly exasperated Tomo as the three explore their attraction for each other in a world where creepy things wait and watch from the shadows.
I looked at the cigarette in my hand, thought, “What the hell?” and took a puff; “Ugh, unflavored.” But I’d finally gotten a kiss from my konbini girl, a secondary kiss, but a kiss.
Come, follow Ume-san, Shiomi-san, and the increasingly exasperated Tomo as the three explore their attraction for each other in a world where creepy things wait and watch from the shadows.
Quote: “Whore, yariman, kuzuningen, shine, shine, shine,” Meiko-kun gloated. The air in front of me seemed to waver like smoky glass and beyond I could see a landscape of tumbled monuments, shifting ash, and flickering shadows. The dismal sound of wailing voices filled my ears.
Willow Wren: Lion and Gazelle
My Girlfriend Almost Got Me Killed Side Stories
Chapter 1: Released: Lion and Gazelle
(Art: Mai-sensei)
Summary: Tanaka Kanoko writes about Shiro-san and Kaori-san’s first meeting.
Quote: Tanya was good at this game. With her platinum blonde hair, she made me think of a lioness waiting to pull down a timid gazelle. If Tanya could bring her down, she would be a prize trophy.
From: My Girlfriend Almost Got Me Killed, So We Had Wild Sex (Serialized Novel)
From Chapter 4: Glass Heart
There was something behind me; I could feel it, and I could smell the cloying odor of roses. My back grew cold, and my hands turned numb, but I got the door unlocked, and it burst open. Kao-san stood there like a goddess come to earth. In one hand she thrust forward a cross and with the other shoved a Shinto charm into my hand. She stepped past me, saying, “Meiko-san, you can’t have her; she’s mine. Om Vajrapani Hayagriva Garuda Hum Phat.”
Light Novel Review: I’m in Love with the Villainess: She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner.
By Inori
Illustrated by Hanagata
Published: Seven Seas Entertainment
(This review starts by talking about the series and Inori-sense, but I get to this volume by the end.)
Inori-sensei is one of the best authors to be currently writing Yuri. (I would say of queer literature) She is one of us and gets it. This is an author who is humorous at the same time she tackles serious topics. She is one of the few authors that can have me belly-laughing. Her talent doesn’t end there. The story is serious and serious issues are embedded in it. (Economic equality and queer existence.)
Her characters include both out and closeted lesbians, as well as a trans character. She treats these characters with respect and understanding without bludgeoning us with the sad realities many of us face.
You are going to be hearing a lot more about Inori and “I’m in Love with the Villainess” because an anime based on her books is planned for this fall. Inori seems excited about the anime, so I have high hopes that it will be good.
Sensei is very engaged with her readers, including her foreign fans. This is good because foreign fans have been a major driver of her continued success. When her books first appeared, they were only available as ebooks. The West got physical books first.
“I’m in Love with the Villainess” is a must-read for Yuri fans and those interested in queer literature.
What about “She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner.” Like all Inori’s books, it is well written. Both humorous and serious. The book covers the same ground as the first series, but from Clair Francois’s, the villainess’, point of view.
Anyone who has read the first series should love this book. And that is where we get the major problem with “She’s so Cheeky.” While you are meant to be able to read it as a stand-alone series, it fails at that. There is so much material that demands you have read the first series. I can’t imagine reading it without first having read the first series. Which, as I have pointed out, is well worth reading.
From: My Girlfriend Almost Got Me Killed, So We Had Wild Sex (Serialized Novel)
From Chapter 3: Worm to the Apple
My fears appeared to be correct. Now that I knew what to look for, I spotted her occasionally in the cafeteria or on the campus grounds. More alarming, she audited a few lectures I attended. She never approached me, but I could feel her eyes on me. She sat watching and occasionally fingering one of her crucifixes. I considered approaching her, but I thought that would make things worse. Hopefully, she would get bored with following me if I didn’t pay any attention.
From: My Girlfriend Almost Got Me Killed, so We Had Wild Sex (Serialized Novel)
From Chapter 22: Why Don’t You Tell Me
She stood up. Her face was blank, the papers slipped from her fingers and the photos of handsome men fluttered to the floor. “I trusted you. But he was right. You are going to leave me. These...” She waved her hand at the folders.
i need more people to join fedi so i have people to talk to about niche manhwa/manhua/manga (even lots of popular series don't have many posts on here).
remember, if you wanna find people who like the same things as you, use hashtags! tag your posts and search/follow tags! i've been trying to tag all my posts, especially for niche series, in the hope that fellow fans will eventually find me haha
in fact, i'm gonna take this opportunity to spam some catchall tags so any new people on fedi can find me:
Princess Sakura’s Court: Black Tea
My Girlfriend Almost Got Me Killed Side Stories
Chapter 1: Released: Black Tea
(Art: Mai-sensei)
Summary: Shiro-san and Kao-chan discuss tea.
Due to a life situation and vacation, the next chapter of Girlfriend will not appear until early August.
Quote: I took a sip of the tea. The strong, bitter flavor spread across my tongue and adhered to the roof of my mouth. If I asked her what it was, she would say Assam, or some strange named tea I had never heard of.