2 weeks update
I was off line last week. So this is 2 weeks worth of reading and watching.
5. Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ, Gake no Ue no Ponyo, literally Ponyo on the Cliff). Quote: "Ponyo wants ham!"
from Wiki
from ANN
imdb
Rotten Tomatoes
- It's very pretty. The characters are likeable and so cute but ... it didn't have an impact on me.
- I was watching the dub since the people I watched it with prefer dub.
- I'm a bit disappointed - I was hoping the movie would be something similar to My neighbor Totoro.
- I will rewatch with sub, maybe I like it better then.
6. Cars. Quote: "Okay, here we go. Focus. Speed. I am speed. One winner, forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast. Breakfast? Maybe I should have had breakfast? Brekkie could be good for me. No, no, no, focus. Speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am Lightning."
from Wiki
from imdb
from Rotten Tomatoes
- A funny and good movie.
- I like that all the cars have their own characteristics
- Mater is mischievous but not mean.
- Rewatch? Probably.
----------
22b. 1 volume of Haridama Magic Cram School (はりだま退魔塾, Haridama Taimajuku).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Atsushi Suzumi
from DelRey
MAGICAL FRIENDS
Kokuyo and Harika are a little unusual-and not just because they’re sorcery students. They’re Obsidians, wizards who must use enchanted swords to help them cast spells. Their fellow students think Obsidians are inferior to “normal” wizards. But Kokuyo and Harika have something that their cohorts don’t: the power of friendship!
Some points:
- Borrowed from local public library
- There were some good reviews on this book so I kept the title to check it out.
- I didn't know it was shonen - it was short enough and interesting.
Bottom line, it's shonen.
22c. 2 volumes of Chicago (シカゴ, Shikago).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Yumi Tamura
From back of the books:
Vol 1: Book of Self
Shojo Adventure like you've never seen
Trade in your timid, high-school-age shojo (girls') heroine for a self-assure, kick-ass woman who can hold her own in both brains and firepower! CHICAGO is a near-future action story written by Yumi Tamura, an award-winning author and artist who has gained a massive fan base with her combination of shojo sensitivities and high-octane action.
Rescue Inc.
Rescue Workers Rei and her handsome partner Uozumi are looking for survivors after Tokyo's worst earthquake of the 21st century. But their efforts uncover man-made violence - they are suddenly attacked and their entire squad murdered! Some secret plot is lurking in the ruins of Tokyo Bay District D, and to find it, Rei and Uozumi must join a private funded hostage rescue organization run out of a Tokyo bar called Chicago. Now, Rei saves the lives of others while she searches for her own salvation.
Vol 2: Book of Justice
Chicago and Crime
After Tokyo's worst earthquake of the 21st century, rescue workers Rei and her handsome partner Uozumi uncover evidence of mass murder. As they try to save lives, their entire squad is murdered in an ambush! Rei and Uozume were forced onto the fringes of society until they are discovered by an independent rescue operation run in a secret from a south Shinjuku bar called Chicago. Now Rei's investigation turns up clues that links the murders of the rescue squad to an incident in Rei's troubled past!
Some points:
- Borrowed from local public library.
- It's a really short and somewhat intense series. It's not that Basara wasn't intense, of course.
- What to say about it. Very interesting. I don't know what to say about it. It was flipped.
- There are 2 main things that still puzzled me:
1) Why was Uozumi in jail?
2) Why was Billy kidnapped?
- The ending is open-ended and the author wrote in the notes that she may continue later on.
- The omake with the Doctor is funny and freaky!
Bottom line, I'm glad I read it.
23. 1 omnibus volume of La Rose de Versailles (ベルサイユのばら, Berusaiyu no Bara - also known as Lady Oscar).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Ikeda Riyoko
from Kana
France, au printemps 1770, l'archiduchesse Marie-Antoinette, fille de l'impératrice d'Autriche Marie-Thérèse de Habsbourg, se marie à 14 ans avec un Bourbon, le futur Louis XVI. La dauphine est protégée à tout instant par le capitaine de la garde royale, Oscar François de Jarjayes, qui n'est autre que la fille cadette d'une respectable famille de soldats. Un jour, alors que Marie-Antoinette se rend à un bal masqué à l'opéra, elle y fait la rencontre d'un gentilhomme suédois, Axel de Fersen et en tombe amoureuse. Ils ont tous les trois 18 ans leur rencontre va, à jamais, bouleverser le cours de leur existence.
Some points:
- Summary (loosely translated): France, spring 1770, the archduchess Marie-Antoinette, the daughter of the empress of Austria Marie Thérèse of Habsbourg, at age 14 was married to the future Louis XVI. The dauphine was protected by the captain of the royal guard, Oscar Francois de Jajayes, who was the youngest daughter of a respected family. One day, when Marie Antoinette went to a masked ball at the opera, she met a young Swedish, Axel de Fersen and fell in love. These 3 young people were 18 years old and their meeting would upset the course of their existence.
- I've wanted to check out this series for a long time since it's on most english bloggers' wish list to be licensed. But I saw there were only 3 volumes in French instead of 10, I wasn't sure if the series was on hold. What I didn't know was the first 2 French volumes were omnibus 900+ pages each. When I knew that, I got them right away. It was only about 1m month wait between ordering and holding the books in my hands :)
- The story started with Marie Antoinette and concentrated on her a lot. I wasn't really interested in her; I had read Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser, so it's like rereading a book that I don't plan to reread! I kind of have a second thought about the series. Once the book started to be more about Oscar, which is about the last 3/4 of the first omnibus volume, it gets more interesting to me.
- I do feel bad that she wasn't well equipped/prepared for her role that led to a tragedy. She was too young, went to France when she was only 14.
- I enjoy reading about Oscar more. She's a fun character with level head.
- She didn't listen to well-intended advisors because they told her to do not-fun things.
- I'm glad that her mother died and didn't know her ending.
- I should have seen the signs that Oscar was in love with Fersen - I didn't see it until she was drunk and calling Fersen stupid for going to fight in America!
- Oscar dressed in a dress once in the first volume and I suspect that the only once in the series.
- So Marie-Antoinette and Fersen were in love. Oscar was in love with Fersen. André, Rosalie, Girodelle, and Alain were in love with Oscar. Drama! And don't forget the Oscar fan girls!
- Oscar didn't look like a woman since she wears uniforms all the time.
- I'm surprised it was never a secret that Oscar was a woman.
- Lots of sparkles!
- The hair!
- Now I have a 70's manga series added to my list :)
Bottom line, what a fun series. 1 more volume for the conclusion!
24. 18 volumes of Red River (天は赤い河のほとり, Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori, lit. Heaven Is on the Banks of the Red River, also known as Anatolia Story).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Chie Shinohara
from Viz
Vol 1: Yuri, a pretty Japanese girl, is ecstatic after passing her college entrance exam and having her first kiss with her childhood friend-turned boyfriend. However, her luck soon changes. She starts to notice that water becomes agitated whenever she goes near it. One night, hands appear out of a puddle on the street and drag her into the water! Transported to an ancient village in the Middle East, she is then captured by armed troops and taken to the Queeen's palace for a human sacrifice. Adventure and good-looking boys fill this great first volume!
Vol 2: Yuri is a normal teen trapped in an ancient Middle-Eastern empire. In this volume, Yuri and Prince Kail return to the queen's palace to rescue Tito, but the queen will not let them in. Later, Tito's whereabouts are made shockingly clear. Yuri tries to get back to modern-day Japan, but the queen uses her magic to stop the attempt. Kail, in turn, fights back against the queen using his own magic. Will Yuri succeed in going home?
Vol 3: Yuri, a twentieth-century teen trapped in an ancient Hittite empire, learns the secrets of the Iron Age as her quest to return to her own time continues. Her protector, the dashing Prince Kail, finds out that war with a neighboring kingdom is immanent. At the dawn of the war, Yuri and Kail express their growing feelings for one another. The romantic adventure intensifies as Yuri's relationship with Prince Kail (and her chastity) is threatened by an unexpected interloper - the princes' own half brother!
Vol 4: Battle between the ancient empires of Hattusa and Mittani rages on, but Yuri is pulled away by Zannanza, Prince Kail's half-brother and his competitor for Yuri's affections. Kail, seeing evidence of another man's passion for Yuri, recoils with jealousy and refuses to let her back into the fray.
However, twenty-first century teen Yuri is thought to be good luck on the battlefield, and Kail relents, allowing Yuri to fight alongside him for the kingdom of Hattusa. Knowing that the time will soon come when he must send Yuri back to her own time, Kail struggles with his inner desire to keep her with him forever...
Vol 5: Ancient Hittite royal Prince Kail and modern teen Yuri continue to battle to save Kail's kingdom and to be with one another!
The two journey to the city of Malatia to prepare for battle with the enemy's armies. Yuri plots to foil the plans of the Prince of Darkness. If her attempt fails and she becomes a prisoner of the evil prince, she may have to surrender her relationship with Kail--and her way back to modern-day Japan!
Vol 6: Yuri, a modern-day teen, is trapped in the palace of an ancient Prince of Darkness! She waits there for Prince Kail, her savior and the only one who can send her back to modern-day Japan.
While Yuri attends to the prisoners taken by the Dark Prince's armies, hoping they can rise up and fight again, Prince Kail and his brother, Zannzana, journey into enemy territory. If they misstep, the consequences will be great--for both the future of the Hittite empire and Yuri and Kail's relationship!
Vol 7: Nakia's evil sister, Nadia, schemes to help Kail's archenemy, the Prince of Darkness! As the North Star blazes in the sky, Kail and his forces struggle to reach Mittani in time to rescue Yuri from becoming one of the dark prince's courtesans. Will they arrive in time to send Yuri back to modern-day Japan?
Vol 8: Ramses, the renowned Egyptian commander, helps Yuri find her way back to Hattusa, but on her return she finds tragedy has wracked the Hittite royal family. As a result of Nakia's manipulations, Kail's ascension to the throne is by no means guaranteed, and someone has been impersonating Yuri in her absence and dragging down her reputation among the Hittites!
Vol 9: Yuri fights to clear her good name by publicly confronting her impersonator. Rather than earning respect, however, she is exiled to a settlement of the sick and dying! Yuri sets out to change people's minds, all the time hoping to be reunited with Kail. However, her heart is broken when she finds out that Kail has been hiding a terrible secret of his own. Does Kail deserve his bad reputation?
Vol 10: Queen Nakia schemes to frame Yuri for the king's murder, expecting that the Senate will order her execution. Her plan seems to be foiled when Nakia's own son comes forth to claim that Yuri cannot be the assassin! In a last desperate attempt to do away with Yuri, Nakia uses her dark magic to take control of the situation. The Senate seems poised to do the queen's dirty work, but as usual, Kail has other plans…
Vol 11: Even a goddess has no immunity from persecution when she's falsely accused of the murder of the Hittite king. Forced to flee to Alinna, Yuri must deal with treachery, abduction by the Egyptian military commander Ramses, and someone's tragic self-sacrifice. And in the midst of all this turmoil, Yuri's potent feelings for Prince Kail, ever fraught with uncertainty, are shaken to their very foundations!
Vol 12: Kail's forces are triumphant in Alinna. Back in Hattusa, the victorious prince is declared the new king of the Hittites, even as Yuri uncovers a web of subterfuge woven by Queen Nakia that threatens the entire Hittite empire. Making matters worse, the neighboring nations of Arzawa and Ugarit have launched a two-pronged attack that compels the Hittites to field two countering forces--one led by Kail, the other by Yuri!
Vol 13: Yuri finds a way for her and the Hittite army to take the castle city of Beykal without bloodshed. In the course of this conquest she also gains a powerful new ally. Nakia, however, plans to thwart Yuri's eventual return to Japan by building a temple over the spring from which Yuri sprang! Responding to this new threat to his beloved Ishtar, Kail makes a decision that not only brings a fresh challenge from Egypt but may cost him his life!
Vol 14: Queen Nakia decides to prevent Yuri from ever returning to Japan by destroying one of the seven springs of Hattusa. Yuri races to stop her, but an omen compels her to ride to Kail, who is fighting the Egyptians in Ugarit. Her action tips the balance in favor of the outnumbered Hittites, and Kail is thrilled that she has chosen to stay in his age so they can be together. However, the two lovers little suspect that Nakia has set an insidious scheme in motion to prevent that--forever!
Vol 15: Kail's seraglio has expanded by seven willful princesses, and Yuri is forced to take a firm stand to stop them from harassing her to death. But when the princesses start dropping dead, one after the other, all the evidence points to Yuri as the murderer! Yuri is sure Nakia's scheming--and will-sapping black water--is behind the murders, but she wonders if that's all that's driving the real culprit to commit these heinous crimes. How will Yuri uncover the truth and expose the perpetrator without casting even greater suspicion on herself?
Vol 16: Kail's trusted commander Rusafa, under the influence of Nakia's black water, has made off with Yuri and turned her over to Nakia's henchman Urhi. Kail is not fooled--his suspicions land squarely on Nakia, and he has her placed under house arrest. Kail then prepares to perform a public prayer, promising the Queen Dowager that she will be put to death if Yuri does not appear by the end of the ceremony. Nakia knows this is no bluff and has Urhi arrange for Yuri's timely rescue, though that very rescue could well lead to the innocent Rusafa's ruin!
Vol 17: While Kail is away from Hattusa, his commander Rusafa is accused of attacking a noblewoman, and, on Nakia's suggestion, is subjected to a brutal test of innocence. News then comes from Ugarit, a nation allied to the Hittites, that Kail's brother is missing. Yuri goes to investigate and finds that the king of Ugarit has received a letter from Nakia that's turned him against Kail. As for the people of Ugarit, they're convinced they're about to be slaughtered--not by their conquest-hungry neighbors the Egyptians, but by the Hittites!
Vol 18: The latest Egyptian assault on Ugarit is being led by Ramses, who is not only their top military genius but still carries a white-hot torch for Yuri! Yuri tries yet another unorthodox strategy to defend the city, only this one backfires and lands her right in Ramses' clutches. When Kail finds out he takes off in pursuit of Ramses, who has abandoned the assault and is racing back to Egypt with Yuri. What neither man suspects is that the very nature of their romantic rivalry is about to undergo a profound change!
Some points:
- Borrowed from inter-library
- Yuri is a pretty strong and smart girl. She thinks for herself and is always in action and most of the time that got her into trouble and saved Prince Kail, too.
- The language barrier was solved differently from From Far Away, Prince Kail's kiss!
- Why did Zannanza have to die? Apparently, he's a plot device.
- There are too many bedroom scenes for my taste but it's part of the territory, I guess.
- She led the army and was very capable. She had to make a difficult choice.
- How would she fare amongst the *concubines*?
- Now she's pregnant.
- Nakia keeps coming back with evil plots!
Bottom line, it's a good series and I'm glad I'm able to read it. I like Basara much better though.
25. Black Silk. First sentence: "In the billiard room, the mantel clock ticked softly, its sound muted by the room's furnishings."
wiki
Written by Judith Ivory
Some points:
- I read the review of this book at DearAuthor.com and thought it was interesting even though I don't read romance much.
- It's interesting.
- I like the friendship between Graham and Submit which started reluctantly.
- I like that Submit found means to support herself via Henry, her recently deceased husband.
- The bedroom scenes are not too graphics - which is good.
- Poor Rosalynn.
- I can't stand William.
Bottom line, I'm glad I check it out. Reread? Maybe.
I was able to pick up this wonderful V・B・ローズ colorful illustrations:
There are spoilers for the ending :) which I don't mind! I hope that the series is doing well enough that Tokyopop would license it.
5. Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ, Gake no Ue no Ponyo, literally Ponyo on the Cliff). Quote: "Ponyo wants ham!"
from Wiki
from ANN
imdb
Rotten Tomatoes
- It's very pretty. The characters are likeable and so cute but ... it didn't have an impact on me.
- I was watching the dub since the people I watched it with prefer dub.
- I'm a bit disappointed - I was hoping the movie would be something similar to My neighbor Totoro.
- I will rewatch with sub, maybe I like it better then.
6. Cars. Quote: "Okay, here we go. Focus. Speed. I am speed. One winner, forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast. Breakfast? Maybe I should have had breakfast? Brekkie could be good for me. No, no, no, focus. Speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am Lightning."
from Wiki
from imdb
from Rotten Tomatoes
- A funny and good movie.
- I like that all the cars have their own characteristics
- Mater is mischievous but not mean.
- Rewatch? Probably.
----------
22b. 1 volume of Haridama Magic Cram School (はりだま退魔塾, Haridama Taimajuku).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Atsushi Suzumi
from DelRey
MAGICAL FRIENDS
Kokuyo and Harika are a little unusual-and not just because they’re sorcery students. They’re Obsidians, wizards who must use enchanted swords to help them cast spells. Their fellow students think Obsidians are inferior to “normal” wizards. But Kokuyo and Harika have something that their cohorts don’t: the power of friendship!
Some points:
- Borrowed from local public library
- There were some good reviews on this book so I kept the title to check it out.
- I didn't know it was shonen - it was short enough and interesting.
Bottom line, it's shonen.
22c. 2 volumes of Chicago (シカゴ, Shikago).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Yumi Tamura
From back of the books:
Vol 1: Book of Self
Shojo Adventure like you've never seen
Trade in your timid, high-school-age shojo (girls') heroine for a self-assure, kick-ass woman who can hold her own in both brains and firepower! CHICAGO is a near-future action story written by Yumi Tamura, an award-winning author and artist who has gained a massive fan base with her combination of shojo sensitivities and high-octane action.
Rescue Inc.
Rescue Workers Rei and her handsome partner Uozumi are looking for survivors after Tokyo's worst earthquake of the 21st century. But their efforts uncover man-made violence - they are suddenly attacked and their entire squad murdered! Some secret plot is lurking in the ruins of Tokyo Bay District D, and to find it, Rei and Uozumi must join a private funded hostage rescue organization run out of a Tokyo bar called Chicago. Now, Rei saves the lives of others while she searches for her own salvation.
Vol 2: Book of Justice
Chicago and Crime
After Tokyo's worst earthquake of the 21st century, rescue workers Rei and her handsome partner Uozumi uncover evidence of mass murder. As they try to save lives, their entire squad is murdered in an ambush! Rei and Uozume were forced onto the fringes of society until they are discovered by an independent rescue operation run in a secret from a south Shinjuku bar called Chicago. Now Rei's investigation turns up clues that links the murders of the rescue squad to an incident in Rei's troubled past!
Some points:
- Borrowed from local public library.
- It's a really short and somewhat intense series. It's not that Basara wasn't intense, of course.
- What to say about it. Very interesting. I don't know what to say about it. It was flipped.
- There are 2 main things that still puzzled me:
1) Why was Uozumi in jail?
2) Why was Billy kidnapped?
- The ending is open-ended and the author wrote in the notes that she may continue later on.
- The omake with the Doctor is funny and freaky!
Bottom line, I'm glad I read it.
23. 1 omnibus volume of La Rose de Versailles (ベルサイユのばら, Berusaiyu no Bara - also known as Lady Oscar).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Ikeda Riyoko
from Kana
France, au printemps 1770, l'archiduchesse Marie-Antoinette, fille de l'impératrice d'Autriche Marie-Thérèse de Habsbourg, se marie à 14 ans avec un Bourbon, le futur Louis XVI. La dauphine est protégée à tout instant par le capitaine de la garde royale, Oscar François de Jarjayes, qui n'est autre que la fille cadette d'une respectable famille de soldats. Un jour, alors que Marie-Antoinette se rend à un bal masqué à l'opéra, elle y fait la rencontre d'un gentilhomme suédois, Axel de Fersen et en tombe amoureuse. Ils ont tous les trois 18 ans leur rencontre va, à jamais, bouleverser le cours de leur existence.
Some points:
- Summary (loosely translated): France, spring 1770, the archduchess Marie-Antoinette, the daughter of the empress of Austria Marie Thérèse of Habsbourg, at age 14 was married to the future Louis XVI. The dauphine was protected by the captain of the royal guard, Oscar Francois de Jajayes, who was the youngest daughter of a respected family. One day, when Marie Antoinette went to a masked ball at the opera, she met a young Swedish, Axel de Fersen and fell in love. These 3 young people were 18 years old and their meeting would upset the course of their existence.
- I've wanted to check out this series for a long time since it's on most english bloggers' wish list to be licensed. But I saw there were only 3 volumes in French instead of 10, I wasn't sure if the series was on hold. What I didn't know was the first 2 French volumes were omnibus 900+ pages each. When I knew that, I got them right away. It was only about 1m month wait between ordering and holding the books in my hands :)
- The story started with Marie Antoinette and concentrated on her a lot. I wasn't really interested in her; I had read Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser, so it's like rereading a book that I don't plan to reread! I kind of have a second thought about the series. Once the book started to be more about Oscar, which is about the last 3/4 of the first omnibus volume, it gets more interesting to me.
- I do feel bad that she wasn't well equipped/prepared for her role that led to a tragedy. She was too young, went to France when she was only 14.
- I enjoy reading about Oscar more. She's a fun character with level head.
- She didn't listen to well-intended advisors because they told her to do not-fun things.
- I'm glad that her mother died and didn't know her ending.
- I should have seen the signs that Oscar was in love with Fersen - I didn't see it until she was drunk and calling Fersen stupid for going to fight in America!
- Oscar dressed in a dress once in the first volume and I suspect that the only once in the series.
- So Marie-Antoinette and Fersen were in love. Oscar was in love with Fersen. André, Rosalie, Girodelle, and Alain were in love with Oscar. Drama! And don't forget the Oscar fan girls!
- Oscar didn't look like a woman since she wears uniforms all the time.
- I'm surprised it was never a secret that Oscar was a woman.
- Lots of sparkles!
- The hair!
- Now I have a 70's manga series added to my list :)
Bottom line, what a fun series. 1 more volume for the conclusion!
24. 18 volumes of Red River (天は赤い河のほとり, Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori, lit. Heaven Is on the Banks of the Red River, also known as Anatolia Story).
wiki
manga updates
Written and illustrated by Chie Shinohara
from Viz
Vol 1: Yuri, a pretty Japanese girl, is ecstatic after passing her college entrance exam and having her first kiss with her childhood friend-turned boyfriend. However, her luck soon changes. She starts to notice that water becomes agitated whenever she goes near it. One night, hands appear out of a puddle on the street and drag her into the water! Transported to an ancient village in the Middle East, she is then captured by armed troops and taken to the Queeen's palace for a human sacrifice. Adventure and good-looking boys fill this great first volume!
Vol 2: Yuri is a normal teen trapped in an ancient Middle-Eastern empire. In this volume, Yuri and Prince Kail return to the queen's palace to rescue Tito, but the queen will not let them in. Later, Tito's whereabouts are made shockingly clear. Yuri tries to get back to modern-day Japan, but the queen uses her magic to stop the attempt. Kail, in turn, fights back against the queen using his own magic. Will Yuri succeed in going home?
Vol 3: Yuri, a twentieth-century teen trapped in an ancient Hittite empire, learns the secrets of the Iron Age as her quest to return to her own time continues. Her protector, the dashing Prince Kail, finds out that war with a neighboring kingdom is immanent. At the dawn of the war, Yuri and Kail express their growing feelings for one another. The romantic adventure intensifies as Yuri's relationship with Prince Kail (and her chastity) is threatened by an unexpected interloper - the princes' own half brother!
Vol 4: Battle between the ancient empires of Hattusa and Mittani rages on, but Yuri is pulled away by Zannanza, Prince Kail's half-brother and his competitor for Yuri's affections. Kail, seeing evidence of another man's passion for Yuri, recoils with jealousy and refuses to let her back into the fray.
However, twenty-first century teen Yuri is thought to be good luck on the battlefield, and Kail relents, allowing Yuri to fight alongside him for the kingdom of Hattusa. Knowing that the time will soon come when he must send Yuri back to her own time, Kail struggles with his inner desire to keep her with him forever...
Vol 5: Ancient Hittite royal Prince Kail and modern teen Yuri continue to battle to save Kail's kingdom and to be with one another!
The two journey to the city of Malatia to prepare for battle with the enemy's armies. Yuri plots to foil the plans of the Prince of Darkness. If her attempt fails and she becomes a prisoner of the evil prince, she may have to surrender her relationship with Kail--and her way back to modern-day Japan!
Vol 6: Yuri, a modern-day teen, is trapped in the palace of an ancient Prince of Darkness! She waits there for Prince Kail, her savior and the only one who can send her back to modern-day Japan.
While Yuri attends to the prisoners taken by the Dark Prince's armies, hoping they can rise up and fight again, Prince Kail and his brother, Zannzana, journey into enemy territory. If they misstep, the consequences will be great--for both the future of the Hittite empire and Yuri and Kail's relationship!
Vol 7: Nakia's evil sister, Nadia, schemes to help Kail's archenemy, the Prince of Darkness! As the North Star blazes in the sky, Kail and his forces struggle to reach Mittani in time to rescue Yuri from becoming one of the dark prince's courtesans. Will they arrive in time to send Yuri back to modern-day Japan?
Vol 8: Ramses, the renowned Egyptian commander, helps Yuri find her way back to Hattusa, but on her return she finds tragedy has wracked the Hittite royal family. As a result of Nakia's manipulations, Kail's ascension to the throne is by no means guaranteed, and someone has been impersonating Yuri in her absence and dragging down her reputation among the Hittites!
Vol 9: Yuri fights to clear her good name by publicly confronting her impersonator. Rather than earning respect, however, she is exiled to a settlement of the sick and dying! Yuri sets out to change people's minds, all the time hoping to be reunited with Kail. However, her heart is broken when she finds out that Kail has been hiding a terrible secret of his own. Does Kail deserve his bad reputation?
Vol 10: Queen Nakia schemes to frame Yuri for the king's murder, expecting that the Senate will order her execution. Her plan seems to be foiled when Nakia's own son comes forth to claim that Yuri cannot be the assassin! In a last desperate attempt to do away with Yuri, Nakia uses her dark magic to take control of the situation. The Senate seems poised to do the queen's dirty work, but as usual, Kail has other plans…
Vol 11: Even a goddess has no immunity from persecution when she's falsely accused of the murder of the Hittite king. Forced to flee to Alinna, Yuri must deal with treachery, abduction by the Egyptian military commander Ramses, and someone's tragic self-sacrifice. And in the midst of all this turmoil, Yuri's potent feelings for Prince Kail, ever fraught with uncertainty, are shaken to their very foundations!
Vol 12: Kail's forces are triumphant in Alinna. Back in Hattusa, the victorious prince is declared the new king of the Hittites, even as Yuri uncovers a web of subterfuge woven by Queen Nakia that threatens the entire Hittite empire. Making matters worse, the neighboring nations of Arzawa and Ugarit have launched a two-pronged attack that compels the Hittites to field two countering forces--one led by Kail, the other by Yuri!
Vol 13: Yuri finds a way for her and the Hittite army to take the castle city of Beykal without bloodshed. In the course of this conquest she also gains a powerful new ally. Nakia, however, plans to thwart Yuri's eventual return to Japan by building a temple over the spring from which Yuri sprang! Responding to this new threat to his beloved Ishtar, Kail makes a decision that not only brings a fresh challenge from Egypt but may cost him his life!
Vol 14: Queen Nakia decides to prevent Yuri from ever returning to Japan by destroying one of the seven springs of Hattusa. Yuri races to stop her, but an omen compels her to ride to Kail, who is fighting the Egyptians in Ugarit. Her action tips the balance in favor of the outnumbered Hittites, and Kail is thrilled that she has chosen to stay in his age so they can be together. However, the two lovers little suspect that Nakia has set an insidious scheme in motion to prevent that--forever!
Vol 15: Kail's seraglio has expanded by seven willful princesses, and Yuri is forced to take a firm stand to stop them from harassing her to death. But when the princesses start dropping dead, one after the other, all the evidence points to Yuri as the murderer! Yuri is sure Nakia's scheming--and will-sapping black water--is behind the murders, but she wonders if that's all that's driving the real culprit to commit these heinous crimes. How will Yuri uncover the truth and expose the perpetrator without casting even greater suspicion on herself?
Vol 16: Kail's trusted commander Rusafa, under the influence of Nakia's black water, has made off with Yuri and turned her over to Nakia's henchman Urhi. Kail is not fooled--his suspicions land squarely on Nakia, and he has her placed under house arrest. Kail then prepares to perform a public prayer, promising the Queen Dowager that she will be put to death if Yuri does not appear by the end of the ceremony. Nakia knows this is no bluff and has Urhi arrange for Yuri's timely rescue, though that very rescue could well lead to the innocent Rusafa's ruin!
Vol 17: While Kail is away from Hattusa, his commander Rusafa is accused of attacking a noblewoman, and, on Nakia's suggestion, is subjected to a brutal test of innocence. News then comes from Ugarit, a nation allied to the Hittites, that Kail's brother is missing. Yuri goes to investigate and finds that the king of Ugarit has received a letter from Nakia that's turned him against Kail. As for the people of Ugarit, they're convinced they're about to be slaughtered--not by their conquest-hungry neighbors the Egyptians, but by the Hittites!
Vol 18: The latest Egyptian assault on Ugarit is being led by Ramses, who is not only their top military genius but still carries a white-hot torch for Yuri! Yuri tries yet another unorthodox strategy to defend the city, only this one backfires and lands her right in Ramses' clutches. When Kail finds out he takes off in pursuit of Ramses, who has abandoned the assault and is racing back to Egypt with Yuri. What neither man suspects is that the very nature of their romantic rivalry is about to undergo a profound change!
Some points:
- Borrowed from inter-library
- Yuri is a pretty strong and smart girl. She thinks for herself and is always in action and most of the time that got her into trouble and saved Prince Kail, too.
- The language barrier was solved differently from From Far Away, Prince Kail's kiss!
- Why did Zannanza have to die? Apparently, he's a plot device.
- There are too many bedroom scenes for my taste but it's part of the territory, I guess.
- She led the army and was very capable. She had to make a difficult choice.
- How would she fare amongst the *concubines*?
- Now she's pregnant.
- Nakia keeps coming back with evil plots!
Bottom line, it's a good series and I'm glad I'm able to read it. I like Basara much better though.
25. Black Silk. First sentence: "In the billiard room, the mantel clock ticked softly, its sound muted by the room's furnishings."
wiki
Written by Judith Ivory
Some points:
- I read the review of this book at DearAuthor.com and thought it was interesting even though I don't read romance much.
- It's interesting.
- I like the friendship between Graham and Submit which started reluctantly.
- I like that Submit found means to support herself via Henry, her recently deceased husband.
- The bedroom scenes are not too graphics - which is good.
- Poor Rosalynn.
- I can't stand William.
Bottom line, I'm glad I check it out. Reread? Maybe.
- Continuing series: Manga
- Kindaichi 9: The Headless Samurai
- Basara 18-25 - The end - spoilers in blurb.
- I Hate You More Than Anyone 1, 4
- Butterflies, Flower 2
- The Lizard Prince 2 - The end
I was able to pick up this wonderful V・B・ローズ colorful illustrations:
There are spoilers for the ending :) which I don't mind! I hope that the series is doing well enough that Tokyopop would license it.