October was a really fantastic reading month for me! I kicked some serious arse with novels I ended up devouring, and the vast majority of them were diverse, Asian literature books! I believe I ended up reading approximately 30 titles total! I have never, in all of my 30 years of life, had such a phenomenal four and a half weeks of reading. Today, I am finally going to share all of them with you! I’m deeply sorry that it has taken me so long to get this post up.
I will include the title and author, as well as the genres, a couple of things that I liked or disliked, and my overall rating for the book. Any relevant links to reviews shall also be provided. 🙂
Hiyokoi Volumes 2-7 by Moe Yukimaru
🐥 Shōjo, Romance, Slice-of-Life
🐥 The series follows a young girl named Hiyori who’s the shortest girl in her class. She ends up developing feelings for the tallest guy in class. They formulate a friendship and we watch as she navigates romance and new friendships.
🐥 Fantastic examination of social anxiety in both a metaphorical and emotional sense.
🐥 Very positive and feel-good.
🐥 4.25/5 per volume.
Dreamin’ Sun Volume 3 by Ichigo Takano
✨ Shōjo, RomCom, Slice-of-Life
✨ In this volume, we learn more about the character Zen and his relationship with his family, as well as some of the life aspirations that he has.
✨ Laugh-out-loud funny moments.
✨ The personal focus on a character aside from Shimana was wonderful and adds depth to the story.
✨ Positive and cute.
✨ 4/5.
Tsubaki-Chou Lonely Planet Volume 6 by Mika Yamamori
🐬 Shōjo, Romance, Slice-of-Life
🐬 In this volume, we watch as our protagonists embark on an awkward first date and discover what it means to be in a serious relationship.
🐬 Sensei Akatsuki is such a hottie and his inner conflicts with how to act towards a girl he really likes is genuine and cute.
🐬 The awkward nature of first love is depicted rather well.
🐬 Stunning illustrations.
🐬 3.75/5.
Devils’ Line Volumes 5-9 by Ryo Hanada
⛓️ Seinen, Crime Fiction, Supernatural
⛓️ In these volumes, a complex conspiracy begins to unravel as alliances and motives are unrevealed. Anzai begins blood-lust training and deciphers how to behave around the woman he has feelings for.
⛓️ Sensationally violent and graphic with strong sado-masochistic motifs.
⛓️ Original and engrossing storyline that’s equal parts dark, gritty, and contemplative.
⛓️ Wonderful illustrations.
⛓️ 4.5 to 5 for each volume.
Psycho-Pass: Inspector Shinya Kōgami Volume 3 by Midori Gatō
🔫 Seinen, Cyberpunk, Crime Fiction
🔫 Inspector Shinya’s current case begins to become more clear with this third instalment, raising the tension a bit.
🔫 Complex cyberpunk setting makes for an absorbing read, especially with the unique nature of the case.
🔫 More fluid and easier to read when compared to the first two volumes.
🔫 Great artwork.
🔫 3.75/5.
Fruits Basket Collector’s Edition Volume 1 by Natsuki Takaya
🐭 Shōjo, RomCom, Supernatural
🐭 Tohru Honda is a young girl in high school who finds herself suddenly without a home. Through various events, eventually she’s invited to stay with a fellow classmate at his house. Upon arriving, she discovers that his family has a very strange family secret!
🐭 Here’s the full review for this volume.
🐭 One of the best manga for this genre that I’ve read in a long time.
🐭 5/5.
Happiness Volumes 1 & 2 by Shuzo Oshimi
💉 Seinen, Psychological Horror, Supernatural
💉 Okazaki is an ordinary boy who typically gets bullied. Then one night a girl falls on top of him and asks him of an ultimatum. The next day he begins to notice some strange physiological changes to his body.
💉 Very dark and unusual story that is suspenseful and tense.
💉 Super slow-paced, more so than necessary; makes it difficult to get into.
💉 Artwork consists of dark shading and sketches that can be confusing at times.
💉 3/5 for both volumes.
Dragon on Trial (The Menagerie #2) by Tui T. Sutherland & Kari Sutherland
🐲 Middle-Grade, Fantasy
🐲 In this instalment, a dragon at the Menagerie is accused of a terrible crime. The kids get together to try and solve the mystery of what happened.
🐲 Cute humour that kids will love, especially in regards to modern pop culture references.
🐲 Good friendships.
🐲 Fast-paced, but rather simple and straightforward.
🐲 The MC’s personal conflicts don’t get enough attention.
🐲 3.5/5.
Resident Evil 0: Zero Hour by S.D Perry
🦇 Science-Fiction, Horror
🦇 This is the novelization for the video game Resident Evil: Zero, which the prequel instalment to the franchise.
🦇 Very atmospheric and creepy.
🦇 Interesting critters.
🦇 Cheesy dialogue and good chemistry between the main characters.
🦇5/5.
Resident Evil 1: The Umbrella Conspiracy by S.D. Perry
🕷️ Science-Fiction, Horror
🕷️ The novelization for the video game, Resident Evil, which was originally released on the Sony PlayStation.
🕷️ Wonderfully atmospheric and spooky; gross creatures.
🕷️ Great action and interesting setting mechanics.
🕷️ No Lisa Trevor since it’s the novelization of the original.
🕷️5/5.
The Butlerian Jihad (Legends of Dune Book One) by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
👶🏼 Epic Science-Fiction
👶🏼 Prequel series to Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga, taking place approximately 10,000 years before the events of Dune.
👶🏼 Fantastic universe-building that pays tribute to original series.
👶🏼 Diverse and humongous cast of characters that each influence the events in unique ways.
👶🏼 Complex political climates and intense exploration of systematic oppression, psychological affects of religious devotion, and differences between social class systems.
👶🏼 5/5.
The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
👑 Poetry
👑 A collection of poetry and the author’s debut book that focuses on harmful relationships, self-love, and self-harm.
👑 Here’s a full review of my thoughts on this book.
👑 Wholeheartedly disappointing and lacklustre.
👑 2.75/5.
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
🌻 Poetry, #OwnVoices South Asian Literature
🌻 Kaur’s second poetry collection focuses on relationships, representation, and self-love.
🌻 Here’s a full review for this book.
🌻 Disappointing in quality and emotional depth in comparison to her first collection.
🌻 3.75/5.
Heart: A Journey Through Love by Ayesha Khan
🌹 Poetry, #OwnVoices South Asian Literature, #OwnVoices Islamic Literature
🌹 A collection of poetry that focuses on love, spiritual struggle with faith, and self-love.
🌹 My full-review can be found here.
🌹 A lot of the poems resonated with me quite a lot, specifically the ones pertaining to faith.
🌹 3.75/5.
Rangoli by Pavana Reddy
🌈 Poetry, #OwnVoices South Asian-Fijian Literature
🌈 A collection of poetry that explores what it means to be an immigrant, racism and representation, familial relationships, and romantic relationships.
🌈 Check out my full review for this book here.
🌈 One of the best collections of modern poetry that I have ever read; SO MUCH to relate to.
🌈 5/5.
A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes Book Two) by Sabaa Tahir
🛡️ Young Adult Fantasy, #OwnVoices South Asian Literature
🛡️ In the sequel to the bestselling novel, we follow Elias and Laia as they embark on a mission to save Laia’s brother’s from the clutches of the most dangerous prison in all the realm.
🛡️ Here’s my full review for this book.
🛡️ First half was boring, but the second half has phenomenal political intrigue.
🛡️ Helene has the best damn character development and story arc.
🛡️ Too much focus on love.
🛡️ 3.75/5.
The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim
🎀 Young Adult Fantasy, #OwnVoices Chinese Literature
🎀 Li Jing is a 12-year old girl who is sold by her poor family to the Koh family as a bride so her family can survive the harsh season in Medieval China. They are very abusive and her life is filled with misfortune until one evening when she encounters a magical spider that helps her escape.
🎀 Check out my full review for this title here.
🎀 Author does a fabulous job of making Medieval China’s history, society, and challenges accessible to a younger audience.
🎀 Rich with Chinese culture and customs.
🎀 Advertised for middle-graders, but the content is a bit too strong for that level.
🎀 3.5/5.
Revenge by Yōko Ogawa
🍓 Short Story Collection, Psychological Horror, #OwnVoices Japanese Literature
🍓 A collection of stories that examine the macabre motifs that are all loosely connected to one another.
🍓 Check out my full review for this book here.
🍓 Brilliantly written with terse writing style.
🍓 Chilling and contemplative.
🍓 4.25/5.
Noble V: Greylancer by Hideyuki Kikuchi
🔱 Science-Fiction, Supernatural, Japanese Literature
🔱 A prequel novel to the Vampire Hunter D novel franchise by the same author, taking place thousands of years before the events of D.
🔱 Here’s my full review for this novel.
🔱 Messy writing and choppy storytelling.
🔱 Wonderfully violent with a sensationally over-powered MC.
🔱 2.5/5.
The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
🚪 Crime Fiction, Psychological Horror, Mystery, #OwnVoices Japanese Literature
🚪 A group of kids from a local university visit an island during their holiday to solve a grisly murder that occurred on the island approximately a year ago. Suddenly each one of the students begin to die in methodical ways.
🚪 Check out my review for this novel here.
🚪 A great homage to classic locked room mystery.
🚪 Slow beginning, but as the mystery unfolds the tension and suspense hook you well.
🚪 3.5/5.
