Book Review

An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Volume 2 Review

An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Volume 2 Review

An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Volume 2 Review

After reading the second volume of Elf Bride, I found myself just as committed to this fluffy romance tale as I was with the first volume. Putting the oddities of Nephy’s rapidly developed personality aside, I had a lot of fun reading about Nephy and Zagan acting as parents while slowly growing closer to one another.

Demelza • 22nd October 2018

Toradora! Volume 2 Review

Toradora! Volume 2 Review

Toradora! Volume 2 Review

Toradora! continues to impress with its well written cast of characters and gripping story. New girl Ami is liable to get on your nerves if you’re a Taiga fan but the tale unfolding around her is compelling enough that this hopefully won’t matter.

Demelza • 13th September 2018

Otorimonogatari Review

Otorimonogatari Review

Otorimonogatari Review

Otorimonogatari is an odd entry in the Monogatari series. Due to the toning down of the comedic aspects and use of a third person perspective, this is a very different Monogatari to the usual.

Demelza • 3rd September 2018

Kokoro Connect Volume 1 Review

Kokoro Connect Volume 1 Review

Kokoro Connect Volume 1 Review

Although this first volume is playing with a concept that is sure to be familiar to many, the strength of the writing brings everything together for an insightful and moving story. This is a release not to be missed for fans of drama and slice of life!

Demelza • 28th August 2018

An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Volume 1 Review

An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Volume 1 Review

An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Volume 1 Review

An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride offers a heartwarming and outright adorable story. The initial set-up might put people off but the series is determined to make Zagan and Nephy’s relationship pure rather than something born of master and servant. Those of you in the market for a new fantasy romance need look no further than here.

Demelza • 21st August 2018

Garrison Girl Review

Garrison Girl Review

Garrison Girl Review

Garrison Girl is yet another entry in this huge franchise that deserves to be in any fan’s collection. Garrison Girl is everything I find fascinating about Attack on Titan in one gripping instalment.

Demelza • 6th August 2018

Hanamonogatari Review

Hanamonogatari Review

Hanamonogatari Review

Hanamonogatari was a huge disappointment coming off the back of some incredible stories in this franchise. Kanbaru fans will likely get a lot more out of this book than I did, but otherwise there isn't a great deal to like here.

Demelza • 27th July 2018

One Piece: Color Walk Compendium – East Blue to Skypiea Review

One Piece: Color Walk Compendium – East Blue to Skypiea Review

One Piece: Color Walk Compendium – East Blue to Skypiea Review

This collection of three art books showcases best-selling Eiichiro Oda's great artistic talent.

Ian Wolf • 3rd July 2018

Kabukimonogatari Review

Kabukimonogatari Review

Kabukimonogatari Review

Overall Kabukimonogatari was a real delight. While the series continues to be consistently interesting from volume to volume, this one tries to do something a little bit different and that works well for it.

Demelza • 19th June 2018

The Dark Maidens Review

The Dark Maidens Review

The Dark Maidens Review

Hardened mystery fans like myself might see through The Dark Maidens' tricks too quickly but there’s something to be said for the fact the story does draw you in. If you don’t cotton on to its endgame then there’s definitely a compelling story of betrayal and mystery here for fans of the genre.

Demelza • 30th May 2018

A Sister’s All You Need Volume 1 Review

A Sister’s All You Need Volume 1 Review

A Sister’s All You Need Volume 1 Review

A Sister’s All You Need is a good read for an older audience. It's certainly not without its issues, but if you're looking for a story about creators working in the light novel industry with a focus on comedy then this is a good choice.

Demelza • 23rd May 2018

Toradora! Volume 1 Review

Toradora! Volume 1 Review

Toradora! Volume 1 Review

With a heartwarming story and two interesting protagonists Toradora! not only brings something new to the western light novel market, but also provides a simply stellar release.

Demelza • 15th May 2018

From Truant to Anime Screenwriter: My Path to “Anohana” and “The Anthem of the Heart” Review

From Truant to Anime Screenwriter: My Path to “Anohana” and “The Anthem of the Heart” Review

From Truant to Anime Screenwriter: My Path to “Anohana” and “The Anthem of the Heart” Review

From Truant to Anime Screenwriter: My Path to “Anohana” and “Anthem of the Heart” is an incredibly honest and insightful look into Mari Okada’s life. This book tells the remarkable story of someone with deeply rooted social anxiety and depression and their journey into the working world. A highly recommended read!

Demelza • 9th May 2018

Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis Review

Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis Review

Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis Review

Perfect Blue the book is not as psychologically or emotionally deep as its movie adaptation, but it’s interesting to discover where the original spark for the Satoshi Kon film came from. It’s rare to see original Japanese literature make its way over here, so pick up a copy if it piques your curiosity.

darkstorm • 25th March 2018

Nekomonogatari (White) Review

Nekomonogatari (White) Review

Nekomonogatari (White) Review

Overall Nekomonogatari (White) successfully offers a change of pace in a well-loved franchise by changing perspective from our resident fool Araragi to the class president Hanekawa! When she meets a mysterious tiger, we just know we're in for trouble, but will our hero be able to deal with this bigger feline menace?

Demelza • 5th March 2018

Nekomonogatari (Black) Review

Nekomonogatari (Black) Review

Nekomonogatari (Black) Review

Nekomonogatari (Black) rekindled my love for the Monogatari franchise and highlights just how big an impact translation can have on light novels. This latest entry in a much loved series comes highly recommended from me.

Demelza • 11th January 2018

Anime Supremacy! Review

Anime Supremacy! Review

Anime Supremacy! Review

Anime Supremacy! is well written, informative and charming - this is one of the best industry-focused novels to leave Japan in recent years. Without a doubt if you’re someone who cares about the workings of the anime industry then this book belongs in your collection.

Demelza • 12th October 2017

Nisemonogatari Parts 1-2 Review

Nisemonogatari Parts 1-2 Review

Nisemonogatari Parts 1-2 Review

Ultimately the existence of Nisemonogatari in English translation is bittersweet. The arc works well as an end to everything that has come so far but what should have been a high point for the series is brought down by a change in translator.

Demelza • 24th September 2017

Bakemonogatari Parts 1 – 3 Review

Bakemonogatari Parts 1 – 3 Review

Bakemonogatari Parts 1 – 3 Review

Monogatari is a series that, as a whole, largely passed me by, because I watched a couple of episodes of Bakemonogatari a few years ago and couldn’t get into it. However, last year I had the chance…

Demelza • 31st May 2017

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Volume 8 Review

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Volume 8 Review

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Volume 8 Review

How do you deal with feelings of love towards a god or goddess? What if someone proposed to you out of the blue one day? These are the questions that the eighth volume of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls…

Demelza • 27th May 2017