rnbhargava's reviews
408 reviews

Summertime Rendering Volume 5 by Yasuki Tanaka

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

5.0

I love this series. This being the second to last volume, it’s a climax of a sort. That said the series has several climaxes because of its storytelling conceit. The characters are going on all cylinders. The highs are high, the lows are emotional gut punches. The shocks are huge. Love it. Highly recommended, only drawback is the occasional fan service nudity that’s entirely arbitrary.

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Tokyo Revengers (Omnibus) Vol. 5-6 by Ken Wakui

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This volume is mostly about a gang war and the shared history between the characters involved. Takemichi is determined to change the past through becoming a leader in Toman. It’s great reading and you’re deep into the series. I’m loving it. I’ve rated this volume at 4.5 simply because I’m loving it but it’s a make or break volume for surely everyone.

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Tokyo Revengers (Omnibus) Vol. 3-4 by Ken Wakui

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This volume deals with a lot of gang violence. Confrontations happen. There are injuries and repercussions from these events. It’s all very involving. Be forewarned.

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Tokyo Revengers (Omnibus) Vol. 1-2 by Ken Wakui

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This initial volume is quite good. The premise is a strong one, the protagonist can potentially save future lives by rewriting the events of the past. That said, the art could have been stronger and the character designs could have been more distinctive, personal flair additions given the characters wear uniforms. The story carries despite any small drawbacks with the art. The bonds between the characters alongside the time switch elements is very effective. 

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The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The narrative and mysteries were very engaging once it got going. The nature of online interactions in relation to popular pieces of media is fertile ground for storytelling. That said, the in game chats were a bit of a slog when broken up into 2-3 conversations happening near simultaneous. Yes, I didn’t mind flipping back and forth on pages but it took some adjusting. The characterizations are all really good. Seeing how all these different types of personalities could be prone to certain types of toxic online behavior was entertaining. I will say that one of the storylines is a bit hard to get by given it specifically involves kids. The side cases were good for highlighting the different contractors personalities. I liked that the entire main case was largely about people being manipulated by someone charismatic online. That all said, the book is lengthy and it could have been tightened up 200-300 pages or at least some of the game chat chapters could have been combined or tightened. 

Overall, I enjoyed it. Another good book in the series.

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Summertime Rendering Volume 4 by Yasuki Tanaka

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This volume keeps the action, mystery, suspense, horror, thrills and bits of humor going at a breakneck speed as we head toward the overall climax. I’m sure others will find faults with this series but I’m absolutely loving it and find it incredibly addictive.

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 5 by Hiromu Arakawa

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This volume is action packed. We learn more about our main characters. New antagonists bring the fight to our heroes. The moral ambiguity is abundant. We come to sympathize with some antagonists and question some believed to be heroes. The emotional parts are strong. I just wish there was maybe a bit more breathing room to linger in emotions amidst all the action, humor and suspense. 

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 4 by Hiromu Arakawa

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This series just keeps getting better. We mostly learn more of the Elric Brothers origin story. It’s fun, uplifting, tense, sad and tragic all at once. Youthful sense of invincibility meeting horror and tragedy. It’s just something you gotta read. I frankly can’t wait to jump into volume 5 in the Fullmetal Editions. 

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 3 by Hiromu Arakawa

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love this volume. Things really come to a head. The emotions and the literal story action and suspense is ratcheted up so much in this volume. This is clearly about where most will decide whether they enjoy the series completely or say this isn’t for me. I’m loving it.

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Spy x Family, Vol. 8 by Tatsuya Endo

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m absolutely biased. Yor is out to her personal and professional limit and I loved every single moment, including side plots and gags.

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