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Grant J. (jedihanyou) - Reviews

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The All-New Tenchi Muyo! (The All New Tenchi Muyo!)
The All-New Tenchi Muyo! (The All New Tenchi Muyo!)
Author: Hitoshi Okudo
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 8/23/2014


Yet another fantastic volume of a wonderfully funny and heart-warming series. Now, if I can only get the last six volumes of it...


Amazing Agent Luna Volume 1
Amazing Agent Luna Volume 1
Author: Nunzio Defilippis, Christina Weir, Shiei
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 1/26/2016


I LOVE this series, and that's high praise from someone who generally despises American-made "manga". The characters are well-drawn, believable, and likable, and there is an excellent balance of romance, tension, mystery, action, and high school hijinks. You'll get both thrills and "feels" every volume - this is one series NOT to be missed! (Don't miss out on the 2-volume prequel series, "Amazing Agent Jennifer", either.)


Bound Beauty Volume 1
Bound Beauty Volume 1
Author: Mick Takeuchi
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 9/19/2015


An excellent start to what seems to be a promising series. It reminds me somewhat of the series "Yurara", so if you enjoyed that one, you should check this one out too. I'm looking forward to reading more! If I can ever find it...


The Breakdown of Higher Education: How It Happened, the Damage It Does, and What Can Be Done
Review Date: 11/13/2020


I don't ever expect to actually find this book posted. If you care at all about how America's future college graduates will think - or at least whether they'll be able to think at all - you'll read this and immediately share it with anyone you care about. I couldn't put it down.

On the other hand, if you're perfectly fine with the blatant leftist indoctrination centers that most higher education institutions in America have become, you'll probably burn this book in an attempt to destroy the evidence.


Chibi Vampire (Volume 1)
Chibi Vampire (Volume 1)
Author: Yuna Kagesaki
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 39
Review Date: 4/7/2016


While my wife is the one who owns this series, I've read it just as many times as she has - it's just that good.

This series is a beautiful supernatural romantic comedy/drama. It has frequent moments of intense hilarity, yet treats very mature topics (poverty, fatherlessness, isolation, rejection, loss of a family - and of course REAL romantic love) with all due seriousness.

Karin (the female lead) is one of my favorite "top-heavy" (ahem) ditzy manga heroines, in no small part because the author never puts her in anything more revealing than slightly tight turtlenecks. Modest heroines are a rarity in manga, sadly.

The male lead, Kenta, ranks right up there with Keiichi Morisato (of Oh My Goddess) and Yusaku Godai (of Maison Ikkoku) as a normal but GOOD man who works hard both to find his place in the world and to win the heart of the woman he loves. (So, if you're a man and enjoy either of those series, you'll love this one!)

The main story is 12 volumes, every one of them worth reading multiple times. Enjoy!


Chibi Vampire, Volume 2
Chibi Vampire, Volume 2
Author: Yuna Kagesaki
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 24
Review Date: 4/7/2016


While my wife is the one who owns this series, I've read it just as many times as she has - it's just that good.

This series is a beautiful supernatural romantic comedy/drama. It has frequent moments of intense hilarity, yet treats very mature topics (poverty, fatherlessness, isolation, rejection, loss of a family - and of course REAL romantic love) with all due seriousness.

Karin (the female lead) is one of my favorite "top-heavy" (ahem) ditzy manga heroines, in no small part because the author never puts her in anything more revealing than slightly tight turtlenecks. Modest heroines are a rarity in manga, sadly.

The male lead, Kenta, ranks right up there with Keiichi Morisato (of Oh My Goddess) and Yusaku Godai (of Maison Ikkoku) as a normal but GOOD man who works hard both to find his place in the world and to win the heart of the woman he loves. (So, if you're a man and enjoy either of those series, you'll love this one!)

The main story is 12 volumes, every one of them worth reading multiple times. Enjoy!


Chibi Vampire Volume 3 (Chibi Vampire (Graphc Novels))
Chibi Vampire Volume 3 (Chibi Vampire (Graphc Novels))
Author: Yuna Kagesaki
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 20
Review Date: 4/7/2016


While my wife is the one who owns this series, I've read it just as many times as she has - it's just that good.

This series is a beautiful supernatural romantic comedy/drama. It has frequent moments of intense hilarity, yet treats very mature topics (poverty, fatherlessness, isolation, rejection, loss of a family - and of course REAL romantic love) with all due seriousness.

Karin (the female lead) is one of my favorite "top-heavy" (ahem) ditzy manga heroines, in no small part because the author never puts her in anything more revealing than slightly tight turtlenecks. Modest heroines are a rarity in manga, sadly.

The male lead, Kenta, ranks right up there with Keiichi Morisato (of Oh My Goddess) and Yusaku Godai (of Maison Ikkoku) as a normal but GOOD man who works hard both to find his place in the world and to win the heart of the woman he loves. (So, if you're a man and enjoy either of those series, you'll love this one!)

The main story is 12 volumes, every one of them worth reading multiple times. Enjoy!


Clamp School Paranormal Investigators, Vol 1
Clamp School Paranormal Investigators, Vol 1
Author: Tomiyuki Matsumoto, Jamie S. Rich
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 10
Review Date: 3/18/2015


Caution: this book is a novel NOT a manga, except for a small bonus manga at the end. Although some consideration must be taken due to it being a translation, the story structure is extremely confusing. It was not written by members of CLAMP, and there are only about 20 pages total with CLAMP drawings (including the bonus manga). A fun read, maybe, but not in any sense a true CLAMP work.


Dragon Ball Z, Volume 3
Dragon Ball Z, Volume 3
Author: Akira Toriyama
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 9/19/2015


If you like musclebound (usually not ridiculously so) superhero v. supervillain manga action, you want DBZ. This series practically defines the genre. What more needs said?


Dragon Knights, Vol. 2
Dragon Knights, Vol. 2
Author: Mineko Ohkami
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 12
Review Date: 3/26/2015


OK, I'll be blunt - this series can be downright confusing at times. After an entire first volume spent blundering around in the dark, we finally get some back-story flashbacks to see a bit of HOW the three titular heroes got to be as and where they are "now". The panels feel very crowded sometimes, as if the author had too much to say and do in too little space - but perhaps that's par for the course for older manga of this genre. So far, I give the series C+ for artwork, B- for story. Try before you buy.


Evil's Return, Vol. 1
Evil's Return, Vol. 1
Author: Hwan Shin, Jong-Kyu Lee
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.8/5 Stars.
 16
Review Date: 3/13/2016


I'll admit it - I read a scanlation of this online. That I chose not to own it after reading it should speak volumes. Other reviewers that say that what quality it has early on drops off are 100% correct. The plot was confusing (even for a scanlation), the artwork is sub-par, and to be blunt it was far less interesting in the end than it made itself out to be... it literally didn't GO anywhere until the tail end where it came to a crashing halt. Read online before getting it - which you probably won't.


Evil's Return, Vol. 2
Evil's Return, Vol. 2
Author: Hwan Shin, Jong-kyu Lee
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.1/5 Stars.
 11
Review Date: 4/6/2016


I'll admit it - I read a scanlation of this online. That I chose not to own it after reading it should speak volumes. Other reviewers that say that what quality it has early on drops off are 100% correct. The plot was confusing (even for a scanlation), the artwork is sub-par, and to be blunt it was far less interesting in the end than it made itself out to be... it literally didn't GO anywhere until the tail end where it came to a crashing halt. Read online before getting it - which you probably won't.


Evil's Return, Vol. 3
Evil's Return, Vol. 3
Author: Hwan Shin, Jong-Kyu Lee
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.9/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 4/6/2016


I'll admit it - I read a scanlation of this online. That I chose not to own it after reading it should speak volumes. Other reviewers that say that what quality it has early on drops off are 100% correct. The plot was confusing (even for a scanlation), the artwork is sub-par, and to be blunt it was far less interesting in the end than it made itself out to be... it literally didn't GO anywhere until the tail end where it came to a crashing halt. Read online before getting it - which you probably won't.


Evil's Return Volume 4 (Evil's Return)
Evil's Return Volume 4 (Evil's Return)
Author: Hwan Shin, Jong-Kyu Lee
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.6/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 3/13/2016


I'll admit it - I read a scanlation of this online. That I chose not to own it after reading it should speak volumes. Other reviewers that say that what quality it has early on drops off are 100% correct. The plot was confusing (even for a scanlation), the artwork is sub-par, and to be blunt it was far less interesting in the end than it made itself out to be... it literally didn't GO anywhere until the tail end where it came to a crashing halt. Read online before getting it - which you probably won't.


Fushigi Yugi: Priestess (The Mysterious Play, Vol 1)
Fushigi Yugi: Priestess (The Mysterious Play, Vol 1)
Author: Yuu Watase
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 45
Review Date: 4/7/2016


As a man, I can say that this is one of the few wholly shoujo (girls) manga out there that a guy can really enjoy... and NOT because of fanservice, because there's none - the very scarce nudity always serves a purpose, it's not gratuitous.

It's a mostly uncomplicated love story with excellent artwork, fanciful but believable characters, and enough action to convince you that the author would make a top-notch shounen (boys) mangaka.

Some may not find it interesting that the lovers get together almost right away, but the challenges they face and overcome together during the 18 volumes of this series really drive home the subtle and oh-so-true undertone coursing through them all: it really is easy to fall in love, but making a relationship work always takes EFFORT.

That's why every time I read it, it reminds me - just a little - of my wife and myself :)


The Ground Beneath Her Feet
The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Author: Salman Rushdie
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 9/15/2015


I received a hardcover copy of this book from a high school teacher of mine, who I still greatly respect. However, he should have previewed it - speaking as a high school teacher myself, now, it is definitely NOT appropriate reading for a high school student!

I didn't actually read it until years later, because (frankly) the description utterly bored me. Almost immediately, I began to dislike the book; not due to the cultural difference - on the contrary, I liked learning something about Indian culture - nor even so much due to the undesirable content. It was just, well, boring! I would have had a more enjoyable time reading a textbook on Indian culture, and it would have been faster, to boot.

I can honestly say this is one of the few books I have ever read and considered putting down before finishing. I'm just not a quitter. Nor would I disrespect the author's hard work by burning it... though I was sorely tempted. I ended up leaving it behind on the desk of the teacher I was substituting for the day I finished reading it on my lunch break, with a note warning of the contents.

So, there you have it. I was 99% bored with it, forced myself to finish it, and very nearly burned it once I was done. Don't waste your time, or a credit, on this book.


The Ground Beneath Her Feet
The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Author: Salman Rushdie
Book Type: Audio Cassette
  • Currently 0.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 9/15/2015


I received a hardcover copy of this book from a high school teacher of mine, who I still greatly respect. However, he should have previewed it - speaking as a high school teacher myself, now, it is definitely NOT appropriate reading for a high school student!

I didn't actually read it until years later, because (frankly) the description utterly bored me. Almost immediately, I began to dislike the book; not due to the cultural difference - on the contrary, I liked learning something about Indian culture - nor even so much due to the undesirable content. It was just, well, boring! I would have had a more enjoyable time reading a textbook on Indian culture, and it would have been faster, to boot.

I can honestly say this is one of the few books I have ever read and considered putting down before finishing. I'm just not a quitter. Nor would I disrespect the author's hard work by burning it... though I was sorely tempted. I ended up leaving it behind on the desk of the teacher I was substituting for the day I finished reading it on my lunch break, with a note warning of the contents.

So, there you have it. I was 99% bored with it, forced myself to finish it, and very nearly burned it once I was done. Don't waste your time, or a credit, on this book.


The Ground Beneath Her Feet
The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Author: Salman Rushdie
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 0.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 9/15/2015


I received a hardcover copy of this book from a high school teacher of mine, who I still greatly respect. However, he should have previewed it - speaking as a high school teacher myself, now, it is definitely NOT appropriate reading for a high school student!

I didn't actually read it until years later, because (frankly) the description utterly bored me. Almost immediately, I began to dislike the book; not due to the cultural difference - on the contrary, I liked learning something about Indian culture - nor even so much due to the undesirable content. It was just, well, boring! I would have had a more enjoyable time reading a textbook on Indian culture, and it would have been faster, to boot.

I can honestly say this is one of the few books I have ever read and considered putting down before finishing. I'm just not a quitter. Nor would I disrespect the author's hard work by burning it... though I was sorely tempted. I ended up leaving it behind on the desk of the teacher I was substituting for the day I finished reading it on my lunch break, with a note warning of the contents.

So, there you have it. I was 99% bored with it, forced myself to finish it, and very nearly burned it once I was done. Don't waste your time, or a credit, on this book.


The Ground Beneath Her Feet
The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Author: Salman Rushdie
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 23
Review Date: 9/15/2015


I received a hardcover copy of this book from a high school teacher of mine, who I still greatly respect. However, he should have previewed it - speaking as a high school teacher myself, now, it is definitely NOT appropriate reading for a high school student!

I didn't actually read it until years later, because (frankly) the description utterly bored me. Almost immediately, I began to dislike the book; not due to the cultural difference - on the contrary, I liked learning something about Indian culture - nor even so much due to the undesirable content. It was just, well, boring! I would have had a more enjoyable time reading a textbook on Indian culture, and it would have been faster, to boot.

I can honestly say this is one of the few books I have ever read and considered putting down before finishing. I'm just not a quitter. Nor would I disrespect the author's hard work by burning it... though I was sorely tempted. I ended up leaving it behind on the desk of the teacher I was substituting for the day I finished reading it on my lunch break, with a note warning of the contents.

So, there you have it. I was 99% bored with it, forced myself to finish it, and very nearly burned it once I was done. Don't waste your time, or a credit, on this book.


The Ground Beneath Her Feet
The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Author: Salman Rushdie
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 0.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 9/15/2015


I received a hardcover copy of this book from a high school teacher of mine, who I still greatly respect. However, he should have previewed it - speaking as a high school teacher myself, now, it is definitely NOT appropriate reading for a high school student!

I didn't actually read it until years later, because (frankly) the description utterly bored me. Almost immediately, I began to dislike the book; not due to the cultural difference - on the contrary, I liked learning something about Indian culture - nor even so much due to the undesirable content. It was just, well, boring! I would have had a more enjoyable time reading a textbook on Indian culture, and it would have been faster, to boot.

I can honestly say this is one of the few books I have ever read and considered putting down before finishing. I'm just not a quitter. Nor would I disrespect the author's hard work by burning it... though I was sorely tempted. I ended up leaving it behind on the desk of the teacher I was substituting for the day I finished reading it on my lunch break, with a note warning of the contents.

So, there you have it. I was 99% bored with it, forced myself to finish it, and very nearly burned it once I was done. Don't waste your time, or a credit, on this book.


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