All the ghosts, big, small and deadly are converging on the cursed Mount Tonglu. Battling the murderous challenges of the dangerous mountain, it is tiAll the ghosts, big, small and deadly are converging on the cursed Mount Tonglu. Battling the murderous challenges of the dangerous mountain, it is time for a new Ghost King to emerge, and our lovely, long-suffering Xie Lian has been given the onerous task of preventing this from happening.
The powers of Heavenly Officials weaken as they near the kiln of Mount Tonglu, and Xie Lian is no different. But he has the most marvelous ace up his sleeve: Ghost King Hua Cheng, who is one of the only two ghosts to have survived Mount Tonglu in recent times. Even though the latter’s powers are also considerably affected, turning him into the most adorable ten-year old, Hua Cheng’s composure and unflinching loyalty to Xie Lian remain intact.
As the duo are joined by the most unexpected companions, more dark secrets from the past are revealed and much chaos, mayhem and unexpected bonding occurs en route to Mount Tonglu.
I enjoyed this travel-adventure thoroughly. As always, it is packed to the brim with mysteries, action, thrills, chills, and of course the simmering, slow-burn chemistry of Hualian. Pie Ming’s character arc has developed marvelously, Ling Wen has thrown an unexpected spanner in the works, and the boisterous but endearing Quan Yizhen comes across an unexpected person from his past.
The year is 2017, and as Takemichi Hanagaki, a go-nowhere adult watches the news in his shabby apartment, he learns that the city’s disreputably powerThe year is 2017, and as Takemichi Hanagaki, a go-nowhere adult watches the news in his shabby apartment, he learns that the city’s disreputably powerful Tokyo Manji Group’s latest conflict has led to civilian casualties. And one of the deceased is 26-year-old Hinata Tachibana. Takemichi is shocked because Hinata was his middle-school girlfriend back in the day. As he is coming to terms with all the things going south in his life, Takemichi has a near-death experience and is transported back to 2005 : his middle-school year.
Various events lead Takemichi to realize that this time-leap might just help him prevent Hinata’s death in the future. But to do so, he will have to make tectonic shifts in his delinquent, cowardly school persona and face all the demons head on.
Okay, I did not expect to like this book. Adult or middle-school Takemichi is not exactly a likeable character and the school bullying and bloody violence were unsavory to boot. But as you reluctantly plod on, the plot picks up. In Hinata’s loyal, brave and cheerful presence, we see Takemichi in a different light. Takemichi’s almost-suicidal bravery to change the course of time is painful but oddly heartwarming to watch. Powerful characters promise to pave or shake the way for future mayhem and I want to know if and how Takemichi will be successful.
The villains, even in their fledging state, are drawn with flair and simmering menace and have an undeniable presence as you know they will be the future kingpins who will wreak havoc in Tokyo and be the architects of Hinata’s fate.
Book 1 sets the stage effectively and I want to know what happens next.
Merged review:
The year is 2017, and as Takemichi Hanagaki, a go-nowhere adult watches the news in his shabby apartment, he learns that the city’s disreputably powerful Tokyo Manji Group’s latest conflict has led to civilian casualties. And one of the deceased is 26-year-old Hinata Tachibana. Takemichi is shocked because Hinata was his middle-school girlfriend back in the day. As he is coming to terms with all the things going south in his life, Takemichi has a near-death experience and is transported back to 2005 : his middle-school year.
Various events lead Takemichi to realize that this time-leap might just help him prevent Hinata’s death in the future. But to do so, he will have to make tectonic shifts in his delinquent, cowardly school persona and face all the demons head on.
Okay, I did not expect to like this book. Adult or middle-school Takemichi is not exactly a likeable character and the school bullying and bloody violence were unsavory to boot. But as you reluctantly plod on, the plot picks up. In Hinata’s loyal, brave and cheerful presence, we see Takemichi in a different light. Takemichi’s almost-suicidal bravery to change the course of time is painful but oddly heartwarming to watch. Powerful characters promise to pave or shake the way for future mayhem and I want to know if and how Takemichi will be successful.
The villains, even in their fledging state, are drawn with flair and simmering menace and have an undeniable presence as you know they will be the future kingpins who will wreak havoc in Tokyo and be the architects of Hinata’s fate.
Book 1 sets the stage effectively and I want to know what happens next....more
Our kind yet much-ridiculed Heavenly Official Xie Lian has, as always, taken on the onus of helping his friends while plunging headlong into danger, mOur kind yet much-ridiculed Heavenly Official Xie Lian has, as always, taken on the onus of helping his friends while plunging headlong into danger, much to the horror of Ghost King Hua Cheng, who wants to protect his Gege at all costs.
As the usually upbeat Wind Master Shi Qingxuan is plagued by a malevolent force that feeds off the fears of his victims, Xie Lian decides to face the monster head-on besides Qingxuan. But what could have been a simple trial blooms into a larger and darker issue, as a terrible secret from the past is unveiled. And when one of the 4 Calamities : Ship-Sinking Black Water enters the arena, matters escalate at an alarming level.
Filled to the brim with mystery, adventure, horror, and ofcourse the ever-adorable chemistry between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, Vol.4 is a very satisfying yet heartbreaking read. But the comforting doses of humour brought about by the peerless Xie Lian’s disastrous cooking, and its impact on the unfortunate souls who consume it lighten the tense atmosphere considerably. Add to that, the Hualian unexpectedly intimate moments in the middle of mystical mayhem and destruction is funny and adorable in its own way.
Kim Namjoon a.k.a. RM's birthday was the perfect day to delve into Vol.2 of 7 Fates: CHAKHO. For the uninitiated, CHAKHO is a HYBE and Webtoon collaboKim Namjoon a.k.a. RM's birthday was the perfect day to delve into Vol.2 of 7 Fates: CHAKHO. For the uninitiated, CHAKHO is a HYBE and Webtoon collaboration, where each of the 7 members of BTS have lent their unique personality traits to the seven main protagonists of the fantasy series.
In Vol.1, we were introduced to the ethereal gatekeeper Haru (based on Jimin), young Zeha (impetuous and brave like Jungkook), and got a action-laden glimpse at slick Do-geon (exhibiting reliability and big brother energy like leader Kim Namjoon).
Vol.2 continues with Do-geon joining Haru and Zeha in their hunt for the supernatural tiger-monsters called the Beom. As more secrets are revealed about the enmity between the Beom and the human world, two more members are also pulled into the proceedings. We get superior archer Hwan (Mr.WWH Jin, if you please) who lost all but one member of his family in a Beom attack, and the powerful yet laidback young hunter Jooan (channeling Taehyung’s calm energy that is but a foil for his undeniable talent). Our dear Yoongi’s character Cein closes up this chapter as a human was swallowed by a Beom, was traumatized by the experience, but lived to tell the tale. Very Yoongi.
The series is growing more layered with the second volume that introduces members of the feared Beom. While all are heinously powerful, not all are uniformly wicked. Add to that the discovery of an ancient yet powerful sword and the stage is effectively laid for old scores to be settled, even as the young team of CHAKHO slowly comes together.
I agree that I am a bit biased where this series is concerned, but to be completely fair, I am also enjoying the story thoroughly. It has the right blend of mystery, action, mythology, humor, and growing camaraderie. The fact that the much adored BTS members are involved, is just the icing on this lushly executed series. ...more
Volume 3 gives a greater insight into how the beloved and prodigiously talented Crown Prince Xie Lian who ascended to Godhood started facing the realiVolume 3 gives a greater insight into how the beloved and prodigiously talented Crown Prince Xie Lian who ascended to Godhood started facing the realities of his impending downfall. As he returns to the mortal realm, despite everyone’s admonitions, to help his country embroiled in the clutches of a drought and a terrifying civil unrest, the idealistic Prince would soon realize that the world is far grittier and unforgiving than he had ever imagined.
If you adore Xie Lian as much as I do, your heart will throb with a constant ache throughout the first Arc of this book. Watching the adored Prince turn into a hapless vessel for simmering hate and resentment just because his young and impetuous heart thought it could turn the tides of fate to save his kingdom made me so so sad.
But the stubborn little soldier, with his bruised and bandaged face, who constantly stands by Xie Lian even when everyone else seems to have lost faith in him made me fall in love with Hua Cheng all over again.
“Even though your palaces and temples are burned down…don’t be sad. I will build you many more temples in the future – bigger, more magnificent, better than anyone else’s. No one will be able to compete with you. I’ll do it!” Aw, fetus Hua Cheng…..you have my undying adoration.
And then ofcourse, there is the legendary Three Thousand Lanterns scene in the second Arc. My God….Hua Cheng, you saved and restored your Gege’s mocked and ridiculed spirit with such dramatic flair.
The last quarter of the book is hilarious and entertaining, making up for the heartbreaking backstory of Xie Lian’s fall from Godhood. I continue to be entertained by the easy chemistry between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, the vivacious banter of the Wind Master, and the unexpectedly adorable rivalry that has sprouted up between the sentient weapons, Ruoye and Eming. How two deadly weapons have the endearing personalities of rabble-rousing golden retrievers is beyond me, but I love it! ...more
Xie Lian has finally confirmed what has always been obvious: the charismatic young San Lang is indeed Hua Cheng, one of the 4 powerful Calamities of tXie Lian has finally confirmed what has always been obvious: the charismatic young San Lang is indeed Hua Cheng, one of the 4 powerful Calamities of the Ghost Realm. And despite the legends surrounding the deadly Hua Cheng, Xie Lian continues to feel safe and cared for in Hua Cheng’s indulgent presence.
As a part of his Heavenly duties, Xie Lian is soon sent to rescue a trapped member from Ghost City, a terrifying place of macabre delights, debauchery, and doom. And coincidentally enough, the person who keeps this den of supernatural horrors under control is none other than Hua Cheng himself. As Xie Lian sees the Ghost King in his true element, he also needs to come face to face with the suppressed secrets of his own troubled history.
But what is even more interesting is the background Arc which forms the last portion of this volume. We get to meet Prince Xie Lian when he was the beloved and much revered Crown Prince of Xianle, discover the origins of two favourite characters, and see how one dramatic act of kindness towards a tortured and battered little child will seal the fate of our two main leads forever.
----- While I am obviously here for the crackling chemistry between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, I like the fact that the book is so much more than just that. It has a solid start fraught with action, adventure and danger, a shocking secret that will threaten to destroy Xie Lian’s carefully cultivated peace, the arrival of a truly depraved villain, and finally the first glimpse into the life of Crown Prince Xie Lian and the little street urchin he rescued, who probably set off the spate of shocking events that would follow down the centuries for the fallen God.
The talented, kind, and handsome Xie Lian was once the beloved Crown Prince of a prosperous land. With his noble deeds and impressive feats, he capturThe talented, kind, and handsome Xie Lian was once the beloved Crown Prince of a prosperous land. With his noble deeds and impressive feats, he captured the hearts of humans and celestials alike, and soon ascended to Godhood. But a spate of unfortunate events caused him to be banished to the mortal realm, not once but twice. Reduced to being a laughing stock and resigned to his misfortune, Xie Lian roamed the earth for eight hundred years, busking or eking out a living as a scrap collector.
When, by some quirk of faith, he ascends for the third time, he is ordered to take on heavenly tasks on earth, deal with troubling issues involving malevolent spirits and the like, in order to pay off his debts and retain his divinity. New friends and foes are made, the happy-go-lucky Xie still faces disdain, but one mysterious young man called San Lang continues to stay by his side. As Xie Lian battles demons, harsh barbs and uncalled for ridicule, he finds an unexpected ally in San Lang, whose calm demeanor, unruffled approach, and terrifying feats of magic seem to hide a deeper and darker secret.
Is San Lang just a self-assured lad or is he one of the 4 Calamities of the Ghost Realm: the feared but equally revered Crimson Rain Sought Flower: Hua Cheng?
And if he is the latter, why does Xie Lian always feel so safe and comfortable with him?
---
Ah, the joy of discovering a new genre (Chinese Web Novel encompassing Xianxia and Danmei themes) just because the two main characters seem to have a beloved fandom, plunging into it, and feeling relieved to know that the gushing hype was justified.
The slow-burn love story between a God who has fallen and a Ghost King who has risen, set amidst a series of supernatural mysteries, braced by a cast of characters who promise to contribute richly as the story progresses, peppered with humor, thrills and chills, and mesmerizing descriptions that bring Chinese mythology to vibrant life, was bound to grab my interest. And boy, these two lads have my heart.
Gentle but infinitely powerful Xie Lian who has faced centuries of ridicule with a self-deprecating vein of humor still manages to retain his innately decent nature, while being a canny God at it. And then along comes the devastatingly handsome, seemingly callous, but equally potent Ghost King Hua Cheng, who will provide the unflinching support that Xie Lian needed but never got.
I love these two as much as I love Jungkook and Taehyung. Hualin is my Taekook. If you know, you know. And I will support them unabashedly through 8 long books.
P.S. Also, how it is possible for a magical silk band called *Ruoye* to have such an adorable golden retriever personality?...more
The sweet summer romance of Wataru and Chiharu continues as they both are on the cusp of their twentieth birthdays. It is always a quiet pleasure to rThe sweet summer romance of Wataru and Chiharu continues as they both are on the cusp of their twentieth birthdays. It is always a quiet pleasure to return to the world of these two boys, where emotions simmer just below the surface, but make you blush with the remembered flush of first love.
Nothing much really happens, and yet like a fond mother hen, I smile at the everyday moments of shy but honest Wataru and stoic but brimming with love Chiharu. ...more
Former student of Tokyo Jujutsu High turned Salaryman turned Jujutsu Sorcerer (because he claims it is slightl“No matter what I’m clocking out at six”
Former student of Tokyo Jujutsu High turned Salaryman turned Jujutsu Sorcerer (because he claims it is slightly less idiotic than being a salaryman) Kento Nanami has entered the building. And damn, but his brilliant and unexpectedly hilarious.
I enjoyed this volume for Nanami and his epic battle with the twisted Mahito, but the Junpei arc was heartbreaking. ...more
Troubled writer Chiharu Izunome has just started coming to hesitant terms with the fact that he has been betrothed to be the local water dragon God, RTroubled writer Chiharu Izunome has just started coming to hesitant terms with the fact that he has been betrothed to be the local water dragon God, Rin’s partner. And then one of Rin’s supernatural friends comes and wreaks havoc on Chiharu’s home and person, unleashing the wrath of the usually goofy and airheaded Rin.
Seeing the Dragon God in his uncontrolled form might yet again shake the foundations of the growing affection between the two. And the more time that Rin spends on earth without winning the love of Chiharu, the greater he is in danger of vanishing completely like a forgotten legend. ---
I adore this duo, their chaos, and their uncertainties which they handle with such care and sensitivity. To see a larger-than-life Dragon God being completely whipped for an introverted writer who, while initially scandalized to learn about his fate, is eventually curious and touched by the gestures of the God who is trying so hard to win his affections makes for such an adorable storyline.
A lot of interesting events unfold this volume (including some intense shmexiness) and we get a resolution of some sorts. But there is a lot yet to happen and the creator unfortunately seems to have taken a sabbatical. I can’t wait to see how Vol.3 pans out for this couple and I have full faith in Meguru Hinohara who has consistently given out interesting stories and splendid art. ...more
Jujutsu Kaisen has been on my radar for a long time as a must-read shonen manga, but I never really got around to it. And then my infused-with-BTS-lovJujutsu Kaisen has been on my radar for a long time as a must-read shonen manga, but I never really got around to it. And then my infused-with-BTS-love insta-feed suddenly popped up the enticing observation that Jujutsu Kaisen’s iconic characters Saturo Gojo and Suguru Geto bear a resemblance to Kim Taehyung (in his white-haired phase) and Jeon Jungkook (in his man-bun era) respectively.
Of course I had to pounce on this series with renewed relish.
Vol.1 introduces us to the athletic and freakishly strong high-school student Yuji Itadori who would rather be a member of his school’s 3-member Occult Club than be coveted by the sports teams. When his dying grandfather’s last wishes to “always help people” AND “die surrounded by people” coincides with supernatural activity around his school, Yuji will make a drastic choice that will unleash a whole new and infinitely dangerous new world for him.
Blood, gore, mayhem, ancient creatures rising to wreck unimagined chaos, tempered with an already adorable, hilarious set of core characters, and honed with a great plotline makes me understand why this series is such a crowd-pleaser. The first book sets the pace at break-neck speed and leaves you with enough compelling cliff-hangers to hang on to Itadori’s coat-tails as he makes one shocking decision after the other.
But yes, I was here was Saturo Gojo. And boy, did he deliver.
AND YES!....he is completely Kim Taehyung-coded. His puckish sense of humor, exceptional skills, nonchalant manner of cutting obnoxious people down to size, unflinching loyalty masked by a couldn’t-care-less air of insouciance, and that edgy sartorial sense….Goju is Taehyung – Taehyung is Goju. I have yet to encounter Geto but what I have read up on him shows me glimmers of Jungkook’s infallibility too.
I got started on the anime along with the manga, and since both are a long-haul commitment, I don’t know if I will be in it till the bitter end. The anime is more to my preference here because it does infinite justice to those intricately choreographed battle scenes.
In conclusion, Saturo Gojo just made it to my list of favourite fictional mentors....more
And just when our wolf-boy Yu decides to stop letting his traumatic past overshadow his future and reciprocate Komuki’s love….Kuro Yata, the three-legAnd just when our wolf-boy Yu decides to stop letting his traumatic past overshadow his future and reciprocate Komuki’s love….Kuro Yata, the three-legged crow, powerful Ayakashi and Sensei to Yu and his friends throws a spanner into the budding romance.
With a tantalizing twist, this short yet endearing manga draws to a satisfying conclusion. Tsundere Fox-Boy Fushimi continues to be my favourite, but the highlight of this volume was the melancholic yet heartwarming insight into our two-tailed cat Senri’s past. Our feline-boy needs a big, reassuring hug because he truly is the sweetest.
Has the monsoon finally arrived in Mumbai? I think it has, and after a dramatic night of thunder, lightning, and the welcome respite of a steady downpHas the monsoon finally arrived in Mumbai? I think it has, and after a dramatic night of thunder, lightning, and the welcome respite of a steady downpour, the quiet aftermath of this Monday morning is bathed in freshness.
And this beautiful, quiet, metaphorically cobweb-free dawn was the perfect setting to do justice to The Oxherd Boy. Through the intricate yet delicate strokes of the Chinese Gongbi painting technique, the author goes along with a young farmer boy, his family ox, and a rabbit found in the garden to give us a parable based on the three pillars of Chinese philosophy: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
The life-lessons sparsely gracing each page on love, family, community, the power of imagination and creativity, the innate need to have a kind heart in a world that is steadily growing more cynical with each day, dealing with pain, heartbreak, uncertainty, loss and its aftermath, and the quiet solace of just lending a willing ear rather than unsolicited advice are nuggets of wisdom as old as time.
And yet, there is such a heartbreaking clarity in the wizened gaze of the smiling ox, the puckish charm of the can-do rabbit, and the philosophical observations of the solemn little boy, yet untouched by the ways of the world.
I am a fool for exquisite illustrations, and this book awash in soft brush strokes and exquisite detail, coupled with those little familiar gems that we need to hear every now and then, will have a permanent place in my home library.
On days when I can’t understand people and their motives, on days when I can’t fathom myself and my hopes, my expectations, and my disappointments, I will return to this book….stroll languorously through a rice field with the boy, the ox, and the rabbit. And make peace with my demons. ...more
The affluent (and politely callous) Yoshitaka Mashiba has informed his beautiful wife Ayane that he intends to divorce her, as per the informal contraThe affluent (and politely callous) Yoshitaka Mashiba has informed his beautiful wife Ayane that he intends to divorce her, as per the informal contract they entered just before their marriage. Later Yoshitaka is found dead by Hiromi, his lover (and incidentally, Ayane’s best friend), poisoned by arsenic-laced coffee. All evidence points towards his wife but how could she have committed the crime when she was hundreds of miles away when the crime occurred?
As seasoned Tokyo Police Detective Kusanagi starts to unravel the case, he finds himself falling for the gentle and unflappable Ayane, which could color his opinions, much to the chagrin of the newest addition of his team, Utsumi. When everything seems hazy and improbable, Utsumi finally decides to call upon the brains of the legendary physics professor Manabu Yukawa or Detective Galileo as he is popularly known.
Will Yukawa be able to solve the case, while also ensuring that his estranged friend Kusanagi doesn’t blur the lines between professional apathy and emotional attachment? ---
Keigo Higashino needs to be applauded…not for giving us convoluted murder mysteries but because we know who the murderer is within a few pages into the book, and yet we are willing to wade through the slowest of slow burn unravels to arrive at a conclusion that ties up all the loose ends in three taut pages.
Japanese writers have the ability to reach deep into the human psyche with sparse yet poignant words, and Higashino is no different. Without any unnecessary drama or cliff hangers, he compels the reader to wonder why the various players in the cat-and-mouse game behaved in the ways that they did, are their outer facades a true reflection of the darkness within, and do the very best and most cynical of seasoned detectives fall prey to the flutterings of the heart?
SALVATION OF A SAINT is not for the thrill-seekers who want a pulse-pounding murder mystery. And yet, it is a meaty and engaging read....more
I am in my hometown Mangaluru after four long years. As I sit through another bout of load-shedding in a growing pool of my own sweat, I often wonder I am in my hometown Mangaluru after four long years. As I sit through another bout of load-shedding in a growing pool of my own sweat, I often wonder what madness compelled me to come here in April, when the harsh summer was its peak.
And even as I mutter away inaudibly, the sweet scent of ripening mangoes wafts in from the temple room…. sensual, gentle but laden with promise, and even more special because these are the mangoes from our very own trees…not insta-perfect but just as delicious.
Obviously, I had to pick up this wafer-thin, but magical and beautifully illustrated ode to the King of Fruits by Sudha Murthy. Our desi literary Ajji weaves in an element of fantasy with her gentle homilies and tells us how the mango, which was originally a sour fruit, soon became the sweet and luscious gift of summer. With lessons on the impact of selfless charity and the follies of greed, she makes us appreciate this plump, yellow, nectar-laden fruit with renewed respect....more
When Rusty was in his twenties, he decided to leave the uncertainty of Dehra, and head off to the promising shores of England to find a publisher for When Rusty was in his twenties, he decided to leave the uncertainty of Dehra, and head off to the promising shores of England to find a publisher for his first novel. First in dour Jersey, and then in the glittering grasp of London, he eked out a clerical living by day and wrote away furiously into the night. But being ever so observant, he also took in the sights, sounds, quirks and eccentricities of the various characters who sauntered in and out of his life, adding humor, pathos, and sometimes, even an occasional pang of heartbreak.
After three years of adventures (including a run-in with the apparitions of Sherlock Holmes and Rudyard Kipling), the siren call of Dehra beckons, and Rusty returns to the familiarity of his trusted home. As expected, the charm of small-town India provides Rusty with enough fodder for his beloved typewriter. As he elaborates on the handful of nuts who pepper his bachelor’s existence, we also get a bitter-sweet novella when the train stops at quiet Shamli.
Ruskin Bond writes like the proverbial dream and to review his work seems like the heights of disrespect. He makes you laugh with his implicit barbs, sends a chill down your spine with unexpected spectres, causes a well of sadness as he paints the downfall of young heroes gone to ruin, has you smiling wistfully over the pangs of unrequited love, and chuckle delightedly over the quirks of a populace that is rich in drama and character.
This was a wonderful book to return to in my hometown and my respect for Mr. Bond's pen remains as staunch as always....more
Being aware of the comet’s impending arrival and its disastrous outcome for the rural town of Itomori, Taki starts setting his disaster-evasion plan iBeing aware of the comet’s impending arrival and its disastrous outcome for the rural town of Itomori, Taki starts setting his disaster-evasion plan into action. He wants to save the girl he has been swapping bodies with but never met, and all the people that he has inadvertently grown closer too, when he was in Mitsuha’s body.
Will the race against time, fate, and the unexplained magic work?
And will Taki and Mitsuha finally meet or be separated forever?
All this and much more are answered in Your Name 3, the concluding novel. The series had a wonderful premise and I was quite invested. However, I wished for more from the finale. Then again, keeping in mind, the ephemeral bond between the two body swappers, maybe this is exactly how it should have ended…a hint of a forever-after with no need to explore it further. ...more
Award-winning author Kunihiko Hidaka is found dead in his locked room, inside his locked house. The two people who discovered his body were his secondAward-winning author Kunihiko Hidaka is found dead in his locked room, inside his locked house. The two people who discovered his body were his second wife, Rei, and his best friend, fellow writer (with considerably lesser success) Osamu Nonoguchi. Both have iron-clad alibis, and Nonoguchi has kindly offered to give Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga a detailed account of events leading up to the murder.
Soon the murderer is revealed, by his own admission. The motive is clear and even a confession has been rendered. But Kaga is still skeptical. What seems like an open and shut case will reveal more disturbing facets as Kaga steadily works on the case and unravels the tenuous bond between the supposed best friends. --- A common statement from readers of Keigo Higashino’s works is: "I should have read his books earlier". And I agree wholeheartedly. The man weaves plots into masterful, intricates webs that would put Aragog and his descendants to shame. His mysteries are not for the thrill-seekers or action junkies. Please do not expect tantalizing cliff-hangers. They are slow-burners to be savoured.
Higashino’s works are psychological mind-sifters that establish the murderers well in advance. What the detectives handling the cases and we as readers want to know is why, when the accused has been discovered so early on, there is still a sizeable chunk of the book left to be read. And that’s where Higashino’s true magic begins.
He understands how the human mind works, quite often leading to its own downfall. And he quietly strolls along with the reader as you watch the true motives unfold, alarmingly, before your eyes. The book has been aptly named and you are appalled but not really surprised how an emotion like malice brings a man to his knees.
A masterfully written mystery that made me shut the book, and order yet another Higashino creation. ...more
Rural high-school girl Mitsuha and Tokyo high-school boy Taki were, by some strange magic at work, switching bodies. While the two were initially shocRural high-school girl Mitsuha and Tokyo high-school boy Taki were, by some strange magic at work, switching bodies. While the two were initially shocked, they had soon fallen into a kind of resigned acceptance and were enjoying each other’s lives, whenever the switch happened.
And then suddenly, the body-swap stops. And Taki feels lost and adrift. He has unexpectedly formed a bond with Mitsuha, and wants to know why this connection has suddenly broken.
Relying only on his memories, and his flair for drawing, Taki will return to Mitsuha’s small, isolated town, Itomori. He hopes to meet her and understand why this remarkable phenomenon occurs. But what awaits him will be more startling than he ever imagined.
Book 2 is a slow, introspective filler that sets the pace for what will undoubtedly be a tantalizing finale. The story tends to get a bit confusing at times, and you need to have a smidgen of patience to connect the threads. But it is a thrilling tale, and the artwork is exquisite.
An introverted metalhead with social anxiety and his extroverted neighbor with buried insecurities come together in this gentle, exquisitely drawn ManAn introverted metalhead with social anxiety and his extroverted neighbor with buried insecurities come together in this gentle, exquisitely drawn Manga.
During a particularly harsh winter when it was snowing heavily, hapless undergraduate Sakaki Kento finds himself freezing to death just outside his shabby new apartment. Luckily, he is rescued by Soushi, his grim, seemingly-taciturn neighbor with a piercing death-glare.
Soushi rarely opens his mouth, and prefers to lose himself in the throbbing beats of heavy metal rather than make awkward conversations with people. He is not rude by any stretch of the imagination, but his long hair, black clothes, glaring eyes, and menacing air tend to give off a ‘stay-away’ warning…something that he has carefully cultivated after a series of bad interactions in his past.
But Kento with his sunshine personality forms an easy friendship with his new neighbor and they are soon sharing meals with a non-intrusive camaraderie.
As time passes, the two glaringly opposite personalities realize that they have feelings for each other. But both have immense chips on their shoulders, and neither has the guts to take the next step. --- I adored this manga. Soushi has been drawn so beautifully with his gently waving dark hair, sudden bouts of crippling shyness, and quiet demeanour. The man rocks a man-bun with such aplomb too. Reading about his backstory makes me want to hug the stuffing out of this sweet lad, and the much repeated “we must protect him at all costs” comment is something that I strongly agree with.
Although it was a quick read, the creator has managed to pack in emotions, humour, and informative snippets into oft-misunderstood metalhead culture.
An atmospheric, slow-burn romance with a lot of intuitive grace, I enjoyed this book....more
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