Wolf Children by Mamoru Hosoda

 

Wolf Children - Ame & Yukoi - Mamoru Hosoda - 4 Stars 

Hana falls in love with a young man in her college class but learns he is part wolf. They fall in love and when they have children, we see this cute picture of their family together and little wolf children. Unfortunately, as soon as you start this book, you find out quickly that  their father is killed, leaving Hana as a single mother to try and raise her little wolf children, not knowing the best decisions to make throughout the story. 

This story was beautiful, yet sad. I am so glad I read through it and really want to watch the film now. So emotional. Hana was just wanting to do her best as a single mom and take care of her children the best way she could. I loved seeing others help her too along the way. 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PTKFRs

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*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book 2 Sailor Moon Naoko Takeuchi

 

Book Review - Sailor Moon Book 2 - 2.5 to 3 Stars

So, as I have said before, Sailor Moon is such a nostalgic anime/manga series for me. It was a favorite of mine when I was young. I initially thought this would be a 4 star, but really sitting with it, it's really 3.

As an adult re-reading the series, there are things that make me giggle and smile - such as Usagi with her friends saving earth, Luna and Artemis together and the Serenity/Moon back story. The artwork is also amazing. It's probably my favorite artwork from any manga series.

However, there are things that make me cringe. Specifically, the ending of this makes me cringe with the whole Chibi-Usa thing coming down from the sky and her lips end up on Tuxedo Mask's - issa no for me. Especially since technically he is her father in the future, sooo yeah. 

I also still have an issue with the age difference of Usagi and Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask....I think she's 14 and he's 16 or 17. It looks like the anime portrays him as a college student and 18 but the manga is more like 16/17-ish. I know this was back in the 90s when this was created but yeah I wish they were closer in age. Many of the scenes of them together are fairly intimately shown and she just obsesses with him and throws all the responsibilities to the wayside sometimes. It also bothers me there is suicide displayed in this book in relation to their relationship. 

I will also mention the general themes in this book are Sailor Scouts who are basically like warriors based on the planets and a lot of astrology plays into this series. Generally, it hasn't bothered me so far but some of what Rei does in her psychic abilities/seeing into the future have a little bit. There is also re-incarnation in this series and that is shown a lot in this book because we see the Sailor Scouts previous lives on the moon and their back stories where their memories were erased.

Overall, I still enjoyed this but not as much as I probably did as a young teen. 

Sailor Moon Book 1 Manga

 

Sailor Moon Book 1 Review - 4 Stars 

It's hard to read and rate this manga as it is something very nostalgic for me personally. I loved Sailor Moon the show and books growing up as a young girl. I had a fan club with my friends in middle school and it has always been something I enjoyed. 

After reading book 1, I still enjoy the story and the characters but do have some issues with it from a christian perspective and as an adult re-reading it from a different point of view now. 

Let's start with what I LOVE.

- Sailor Scouts and their friendship

- Usagi being so ditsy and funny

- Luna as the talking cat - the best. 

- The overall storyline with their past and Tuxedo Mask coming in to help 

- The humor throughout the book 

Here's what I am not crazy about anymore and don't find appropriate for young readers personally:

- How rooted in astrology some of the book / characters are (I can remember as a young girl getting heavily involved in astrology after watching and reading Sailor Moon so it's something I think needs to be treaded lightly on for younger readers especially. It's not a ton -- but there are some pieces that are involved and pulled from it.

- The Shintoism Parts with Rei and Worship of Deities mentioned   

- Tuxedo Mask always kissing Usagi when she passes out after a fight and then whisking her off to his apartment. He is 17 and she is 14. While nothing happens between them, it isn't my favorite to see. I am a bit more forgiving of it since I know their past and such together, but want to mention it for content reasons.

Overall, I really still enjoy Sailor Moon as a manga but want parents and readers to be aware of the content as I read through the series and will be pointing out parts that I love vs parts I am not crazy about.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/45xxFXf
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5785984344
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP6NLPxY6po

Series Review: Perfect World Manga Books 1-9

 

 

Perfect World Manga Series - Books 1 through 9

Some of these below are actual reviews, others are just thoughts....wanted to just put all this in one review post. Overall, I liked the ending in book 9 (need to read book 10 and 11) but I didnt feel the need to after book 9. This book shows us what it means to be disabled in such a beautiful way but the angst and love triangles bothered me so I had mixed feelings throughout the series as you will see below.

Book 1 Review: 4 Stars

This is such an adorable manga that will grip at your heart strings. We see all the struggles our main male character goes through, as he is disabled in a wheelchair, while trying to help others in his job. The main characters met originally in high school but this takes place many years later as they are adults in their careers, where they meet again. Loved our main guy and girl together so much. The ending was precious. I just want them to be happy together! My heart. Cant wait to continue on. I loved this so much. So emotional and I’ve never read a manga like this before! A few places of mild language for reference.

Book 2 Review: 3.5 Stars

Wow this series is so emotional and stressful but so good! As we continue to follow our main characters and their romance, some stressful situations start to pop up for our characters. Looks like we have some love triangles coming in that I’m not crazy about but still a engaging manga that truly lets us in on the struggles of someone disabled and in a wheelchair. From his every day life to trying to have a relationship, you truly feel for the characters in this story as they try to navigate everything together. I would be ok with the other guy coming in for the love triangle, but the nurse has gotta go😝😝😝😝

Book 3 Thoughts: 4 Stars

YALL THE ANGSTTTTTTTTTT AHHHHHHH. AND TO END ON A CLIFFHANGER I GOTTA GO TO BOOK 4. THANKFUL TO HAVE ON LIBRARY DIGITAL LOAN🤣🤣🤣

Book 4 Thoughts: 3.5 Stars

My heart is breakkkkinngggggg for these characters! I need happiness! Lol going to take a break on these for a bit, phewwwww. Still such a great series. But I’m a bit frustrated right now with the characters😭😆

Book 5 Thoughts: 3 Stars 

OK YALL —-ahhhh I’m frustrated 😭😭😭😭so much heartache 💔💔💔💔

Book 6 Thoughts: 2.5 Stars

Didn’t love this one - Just ready for the ending 🤣🤣🤣🤣💀
unnecessary language (God’s name in vain) and just tired of the love triangles

Book 7 Thoughts: 3.5 Stars - no thoughts added on goodreads.

Book 8 Thoughts: 4 Stars

Loveddddd this one so much more. AHHH finally getting back to where I want to be with our main characters!!

Book 9 Thoughts: 5 Stars

LOVE LOVE LOVE. SO MUCH HAPPINESS. MY HEART😍😍😍 I got emotional!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmUXgZGhqm4&t=64s