livinliterary's reviews
1634 reviews

This volume didn’t resonate with me as much as the previous ones. The way the enemy deals with Komaki felt overly dramatic—it just didn’t sit right with me. Also, Dojo slapping Kasahara again? Not cool. I really want to ship them, but moments like that make it hard to get fully on board with their relationship.

I wasn’t a fan of Komaki and Marie’s storyline, either. The whole “big brother” dynamic between them never quite worked for me. The fact that after 10 years, Marie is still portrayed as a “high school girl” while Komaki is now 27 didn’t feel right, especially with the large age gap. I’m all for age gap relationships when done well, but this one felt a little off to me.

While I still enjoy the series, this volume didn’t quite hit the mark. I’m hoping the next one picks up the pace and tone I’ve come to love!

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 4 by Kiiro Yumi

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lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

This volume wasn’t as strong as the previous ones, mainly because of the beginning and the frustrating sexism from the parents. The continuation of the abduction storyline didn’t quite hit the mark for me—the execution felt a bit messy and could have been handled better.

That said, the backstory reveal was something I totally saw coming. I mean, come on—it was obvious that Dojo was her “prince”! The story was practically screaming it from the start. Still, it was fun to have that confirmation.

Kasahara remains a loveable protagonist, but her ditziness sometimes drags on, which can get frustrating. I love that she always puts in her best effort, but there are moments where I just want her to catch on already.

Overall, while this volume had its rough spots, I still enjoyed it and am looking forward to seeing how the story continues!

Wool by Hugh Howey

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Wool is a fascinating and absorbing political sci-fi that completely pulled me in. As an early dystopian novel, it offers a chilling insight into a possible future for humanity—one that feels disturbingly real. The setting alone is incredibly unique, and Howey does an amazing job of making the reader feel the claustrophobia, classism, separation, and overwhelming sense of futility that define life in the silo.

The characters are compelling, and I really felt their frustration and desperation as they navigated this rigid, oppressive world. The political intrigue kept me hooked, and I loved unraveling the mystery of the silo alongside them. While some parts dragged a little, the overall tension and atmosphere more than made up for it.

I’m definitely looking forward to diving into the second installment and seeing where this unsettling, thought-provoking story goes next!

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 12 by Mizuho Kusanagi

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adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The Happy Hungry Bunch is back, and things are getting tense between the Fire Tribe and Sen Province! This volume leans more into the political side of things rather than the usual running around solving problems, which made for a really interesting shift in focus. We get an even deeper look at the Fire Tribe—not just their leadership but their people and how they operate, which adds another layer to the worldbuilding.

Tae-Jun’s growth continues to be one of the highlights of this arc, and despite the serious political tensions and the slow build-up to war, the Happy Hungry Bunch still brings their signature banter and chaos to balance it all out. I also adored the two bonus chapters in this volume! Seeing these characters’ relationships grow even more was such a treat, and Gija’s backstory? Cue the tears. It made me appreciate and love his character even more.

While none of the political moves or battles in this volume particularly surprised me, they’re all pushing the story forward at a steady and engaging pace. I cannot wait to see Suwon’s side of this conflict as the lead-up to the battle intensifies!

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 11 by Mizuho Kusanagi

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funny medium-paced

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

4.5

Anyone else take their time reading these volumes just to soak in the stunning artwork? Because same. I absolutely love the art in this series and kept catching myself flipping back just to admire certain pages all over again. It’s that good!

That said, while I’m still devouring this series, this volume felt a bit weaker than the others—not because it wasn’t enjoyable, but because not much really happens in terms of big plot movement. It felt more like a breather between major events, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it did make this volume feel slower compared to the rest.

Still, the characters and their interactions continue to shine, and the world remains just as immersive. Even when the pacing slows down, I find myself completely invested in Yona’s journey, and I’m more than ready for whatever comes next!

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livinliterary's reviews 1634 reviews

livinliterary's reviews
1634 reviews