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marie_thereadingotter's reviews
1275 reviews
The Apothecary Diaries 11 by Nekokurage, Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
More mysteries and more reveals.
We finally get to know the Empress Dowager in this volume and some of her past, and some of the previous Emperor. He's such a creep.
I'm even more confused now. Is Jinshi the son or brother of the Emperor? I thought I had it figured out, but now I'm confused. Is this volume a red herring? Are they trying to do double fake?
I was really loving how everybody around Jinshi can see how smitten he is with MaoMao. He's very much in denial about how he feels about her.
We finally get to know the Empress Dowager in this volume and some of her past, and some of the previous Emperor. He's such a creep.
I'm even more confused now. Is Jinshi the son or brother of the Emperor? I thought I had it figured out, but now I'm confused. Is this volume a red herring? Are they trying to do double fake?
I was really loving how everybody around Jinshi can see how smitten he is with MaoMao. He's very much in denial about how he feels about her.
The Crown Tower 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
4.5
I love this world. Sullivan writes some of my favorite characters in all fantasy. Seeing where Royce and Hadrian started, and how much they hated each other compared to what close brother-like friends they were at the start of Theft of Swords is almost endearing. It makes sense they'd feel the way did before they got to know each other. Even in Revelations they had different views on things, Royce is far more cynical than Hadrian is. But it gives them a good balance of character. Even knowing they made it out of their dire situation, I was excited to read how they got there.
I was also ecstatic that Gwen was a main POV in this book. She was always a character I wanted to know more about in Revelations. I knew based on how Sullivan writes other female characters that there had to be more to her than was initially revealed. I just love her character, and hope she's in more books in this series.
I do also hope to learn more about Arcadius. I know he's not Turin, but I've heard whispers that there are context clues that he's Trilos. But I'm not certain about that based on what happens to Arcadius in Revelations. This does add to the loose ends that have yet to be fully tied up from the other books in this world.
The mission itself, of stealing the book is pretty cut and dry. The subtle humor in this series is what I feel like a lot of authors try to do but aren't good at. The humor is my kind of humor though, a little dry and sarcastic.
This book (the series too) really should be read after reading Revelations, even though these events take place before. I'm glad that I had changed my plan to read things in chronological order. I don't think things would've had the same impact had I read them that way. Maybe on a re-read I'll read them in that order.
I already have the sequel to this book from the library so I'm going to start that one right away. I hope/want to buy all the books in this world.
Something's Wrong With Us, Volume 18 by Natsumi Andō
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Eh... I feel like things are unreasonably melodramatic now. Bringing in a mustache-twirling villain in a step-mother feels over the top.
I'm just not sure these volumes are needed. I don't even know if the next one is the last one at this point. If it keeps going, I might just stop. The story was wrapped up (imo) in vol. 16
I'm just not sure these volumes are needed. I don't even know if the next one is the last one at this point. If it keeps going, I might just stop. The story was wrapped up (imo) in vol. 16
Something's Wrong With Us, Volume 17 by Natsumi Andō
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I don't know why this plot-line was here exactly, maybe to show how much the characters have grown beyond being angry at the world. The moments between Tsubaki and Nao were really sweet and I wish there had been more. The ending panel was amazing.
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 10 by Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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? No
I loved this volume. So much happened, and I am so excited to read what comes next. MaoMao continues to be a badass, even the Emperor likes and trusts her.
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 9 by Nekokurage, Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This volume was a lot of fun. A new servant was introduced at the end of the previous volume, and she and MaoMao have started to form a bond over their love for weird things. I'm really happy that she's found someone she can talk openly with about bugs and mushrooms.
MaoMao teaching her former laundry companions how to read was really sweet, and I love that Jinshi picked up on it being a good idea to offer that to more servants so they can have better job opportunities when their contracts are over. I also liked that information about The Madam's past was revealed. She's always been very mysterious.
I'm reading these now with excitement for when season 2 is made and seeing these scenes in the anime. No wait time at the library for vol. 10, so off I go to read that.
MaoMao teaching her former laundry companions how to read was really sweet, and I love that Jinshi picked up on it being a good idea to offer that to more servants so they can have better job opportunities when their contracts are over. I also liked that information about The Madam's past was revealed. She's always been very mysterious.
I'm reading these now with excitement for when season 2 is made and seeing these scenes in the anime. No wait time at the library for vol. 10, so off I go to read that.
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 8 by Nekokurage, Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
This volume is where the anime left off and a couple more chapters for some of the aftermath.
I loved reading this. I liked where things went after LaKan bought out the mysterious courtesan. I do also love that MaoMao seemed to set it up for it to happen that way even though she wanted MeiMei to be bought out.
I'm excited to read more past where the anime left off as I wait for season 2.
I loved reading this. I liked where things went after LaKan bought out the mysterious courtesan. I do also love that MaoMao seemed to set it up for it to happen that way even though she wanted MeiMei to be bought out.
I'm excited to read more past where the anime left off as I wait for season 2.
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 7 by Nekokurage, Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'm almost at the point that lines up with the end of the first season. Jinshi is *so* smitten with Maomao, and she is so clueless.
I liked that Maomao was able to embarrass her biological father, by outsmarting him in her own way.
This is a fantastic story, and I love the characters. I am really excited to read the next volume.
I liked that Maomao was able to embarrass her biological father, by outsmarting him in her own way.
This is a fantastic story, and I love the characters. I am really excited to read the next volume.
Inuyasha, Volume 12 by Rumiko Takahashi
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I read this volume *super* fast. I am trying really hard not to think of the anime as I read these. But it is hard. This volume seemed to have a lot of filler chapters compared to the last one. But it didn't bother me.
I do wish that Kagome trusted InuYasha a little more. At this point she should trust him to be honest with her, while he wasn't always honest with her when it came to Kikyo, he has been for a while. Though I do agree that if all they were discussing was their task, they could've had that conversation in front of everybody.
It felt like a lot and nothing happened in this volume. Likely due to the filler. I have been enjoying reading this for the first time after watching the anime a dozen times over the years. I really like the differences, and that there is far less filler of her going back to the "modern times" in the manga.
I do wish that Kagome trusted InuYasha a little more. At this point she should trust him to be honest with her, while he wasn't always honest with her when it came to Kikyo, he has been for a while. Though I do agree that if all they were discussing was their task, they could've had that conversation in front of everybody.
It felt like a lot and nothing happened in this volume. Likely due to the filler. I have been enjoying reading this for the first time after watching the anime a dozen times over the years. I really like the differences, and that there is far less filler of her going back to the "modern times" in the manga.
Esrahaddon by Michael J. Sullivan
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence