marie_thereadingotter's reviews
1266 reviews

Mao, Vol. 13 by Rumiko Takahashi

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This volume was one of those "side-quest" stories.  More characters were introduced, and we're no closer to learning the main goal of the Goko clan. 

Mao, Vol. 12 by Rumiko Takahashi

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

It's about time Nanoka had some stronger character development, and she finally got her own weapon. 
I liked seeing Natsuno again. I'm curious about her character and what her role will be in the larger story. Why was she compelled to collect parts, and who was it that compelled her? What does it mean now that the body is complete?

Mao, Vol. 11 by Rumiko Takahashi

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I like when books/manga explain a villain's motives. And this series has a cast of villains. 
I think this is the first time in the series when I almost sympathize with one of them.  Renji has good reasons targeting certain people. But the way he does it is a little misguided, he's trusting the wrong people. I have a feeling they will betray him when he's no longer useful to them.

Daindreth's Traitor by Elisabeth Wheatley

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's not that I don't like this series, it's that I still don't know what caused these two to fall in love so fast. It seems like insta-love Sstarting in book 1, but I still don't understand what it was.
I know in real life it's hard to put into words what it is that makes people fall in love, but I don't see what it was. It's my consistent complaint about this series. 

I'm going to finish reading it because the rest of the plot interests me, I'm still not sold on the romance. 

Mao, Vol. 10 by Rumiko Takahashi

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don't know how to feel about this series right now. I am curious where things are headed and who's really behind everything and how all these events are connected. But I feel like the side-quest stuff doesn't connect to the bigger mystery very well. It feels a little random. 
I like the characters, but a lot of them aren't very memorable, and I think they're supposed to be. 

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 4 by Kanehito Yamada

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Another wonderful volume. I love the characters, I love the setting, I love the story. It's so wholesome and cute. I have nothing bad to say about it. 

Mao, Vol. 9 by Rumiko Takahashi

adventurous informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Oooo things are getting really exciting. 

Inuyasha, Volume 06 by Rumiko Takahashi

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I don't know what it is, but I feel like the events of the anime and manga are in a slightly different order. The story feels like it's progressing a lot faster than the anime does. I think it's because we don't get a lot of Kagome in modern times at this point in the series, and in the anime it feels like every 5 episodes it becomes a Slice of Life school setting.

I am enjoying reading the manga. We get more of  InuYasha's inner thoughts and it's more clear where he stands with Kikyo in the manga. He has so much survivor's guilt. There's also some scenes in the manga that aren't in the anime that add more context to some events. 

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 3 by Kanehito Yamada

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I love this series. So far, this is my favorite volume, and it had two of my favorite arcs from the anime. 
I got all emotional again over hamburgers. (if you know you know)

Nolyn by Michael J. Sullivan

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75