Mount TBR 2015 discussion

As I have a lot of manga that I'm reading I will continue and see if I can get 36 more books read this year. I will be starting with all the manga that I have finished but did not post because I finished my last 36. So I'm now aiming for 72 which is just under El Toro. Let's see!

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 11 by Bisco Hatori. It is 190 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As it is the eleventh in the long running series you need to have read the first ten to understand the story. The cover has Tamaki and the twins on it. The intended reader is someone who likes over-the-top humor, fun characters, and light romance. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story is told from Haruhi's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- With the Host Club member on opposite sides, the sports festival at Ouran High School has become an all-out war! Can the bonds of friendship withstand the strain of competition?

Review- Tamaki gets to compete with Kyoya fairly. Tamaki wants to see what Kyoya could do if he would just stop trying to impress his father. Since Kyoya's father did not go to the festival then he gets his wish. There is more drama with the twins. They are starting to have different goals and that is changing things between them. Everyone is seeing that Haruhi likes Tamaki more than she realizes and of course Tamaki is still clueless about how he feels. But in general it is very funny and over-the-top like normal. Hunny and Mori are doing what they to help and Mori gets a funny side story about getting a new pet. Good volume.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 12 by Bisco Hatori. It is 179 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Kyoya, Hunny, and Mori on it. As it is the twelfth in the long running series you need to have read the first eleven to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who has read the previous volumes, likes over-the-top stories and love stories. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story is told from the perspectives of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Hikaru and Kaoru's fight over Haruhi is taking its toll on Hunny and Mori, who are trying to watch over the estranged twins. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Tamaki, Kyoya starts looking for Tamaki's mother in France.

Review- Hikaru and Kaoru deal with the fact that they are growing into different people. It was a good story line but Kyoya's was better. Kyoya and Tamaki have a very odd relationship but they are friends. So Kyoya wants to find Tamaki's mother and see if she is alright. He is doing this without telling anyone else because he is Kyoya. When he gets back to Japan and tells everyone about this woman he met, it was very touching. Haruhi pushes herself forward to ask about her health as Tamaki could not speak. Hearing that his mother was fine made him speechless for a few frames. This is really heartwarming for a series with so much humor.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 13 by Bisco Hatori. It is 194 pages long and it published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Haruhi looking cute on it. As it is the thirteenth in the long running series you need to have read the first twelve to understand the story. There is no sex, no language, and no violence in this volume. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Mei, wanting Haruhi to face up to her feelings, leaves out a magazine that has a checklist for determining whether a girl is in love. As Haurhi reads through the checklist, she realizes that one host may have captured her heart without her even knowing...

Review- Lots of plot happen in this volume. Everyone now but Tamaki knows how who feels about who. In addition to the over-the-top humor, there is some serious stuff happening. It ends with a little bit of a cliffhanger but I am very interested to see how this is going to work out. Haruhi is also trying to change herself, to be more interested and involved in the world around her. She does not know what to do about her feelings but she does not feel like she 'deserves' him so she is going to change. I think that will add an interesting layer to the plot. Not much more in this wonderful series.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 14 by Bisco Hatori. It is 189 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As it is the fourteenth in the long running series you need to have read the first thirteen to understand the story. The cover has the twins on it. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story is told mostly from Haruhi's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- Hikaru has asked Haruhi to go out ieht him, but he doesn't want her answer right away. Yet at the same time, he's trying to get Tamaki to realize he's in love with Haruhi too. If the Host Club prepared for a love triangle among its members?


Review- Well at least Haruhi gets it by the end of this book. Tamaki still does not but that is okay. Something big is brewing with him plot-wise. The lawyer that they met in the last volume was there again and helped them find Haruhi when plot happened. She is doing something for Tamaki's father but other than that nothing more known. The humor in this volume was all about the drama between Haruhi and Tamaki. The twins being the twins help but just more the same chaos.


I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 15 by Bisco Hatori. It is 183 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As it is the fifteenth in the long running series you need to have read the first fourteen to understand the story. The cover has Kyoya on it looking cool. The intended reader is someone who likes humor, silly love stories, and good characters. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story is mostly told from Haruhi's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- The members of the Host Club plan an event to help Tamaki get over his separation anxiety from the Host Club, and even Haruhi gets in on the action. Will the bonds of friendship between Tamaki and Haruhi become bonds of love?


Review- The first is the blurb and is fun but I liked the second story better. Honey and Mori are finally going to go to college. But that means they will not be together all the time. Mori is working through that and it makes a very interesting plot and character development. Of course Kyoya has his hands in everything. Haruhi and Tamaki are making their way to each other but the slow going is making everyone else crazy. But with only three volumes left I am wondering how Hatori is going to work out Tamaki's problems.


I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 16 by Bisco Hatori. It is 183 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Hunny and Mori on it looking sweet. As it is the sixteenth in the series you need to have read the first fifteen to understand the story. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The story is mostly told from Haruhi's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- The two senior members of the Host Club are graduating and will lead separate lives at university. Everyone is mourning the loss of the "Hunny-Moir Combo", but the longtime duo already seems to have ended their close friendship. Now Mori has challenged Hunny to a duel- but why?


Review- First section is about Hunny and Mori but the real plot is about Tamaki and his grandmother. She has taken him into the house but she is not happy about it. In fact she wants to turn everything that Tamaki loves in his life into the past. She is a great villain for a comedy series. At this point I do not understand why Tamaki's grandmother is doing this. It makes no sense at all. But it does make great drama. Poor Tamaki he just cannot win for losing. Only two more volume until the end.


I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 17 by Bisco Hatori. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Tamaki on it looking sweet. As it is the seventeenth in the long running series you need to have read the first sixteen to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes over-the-top humor, good characters, and long plots. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this series. The is mostly told from Haruhi's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- Tamaki's father and grandmother, the heads of the powerful Souh Corp., are behind the Host Club's suspension and the plan for Haruhi to be shipped off abroad. Now the Host Club members must pull out all the stops to save their beloved leader from his family's infighting.


Review- Lots happen in this volume to start ending the series. Tamaki and his grandmother at last reach a place of peace and maybe even love. Tamaki gets to see his mother again. Kyoya yells at people, which was fun. And Haruhi confesses to Tamaki in the last panel. Good times all around. I feel that Tamaki's family problems have been handled very well and that he got some good character time and growth. I was very glad that Kyoya yelled at Tamaki's father because he was not a good father in this volume. In addition we get to know what Kyoya plans to do with his future and how he is going to become the head of the Ohtori family. Poor Haruhi has some anxious feelings about telling Tamaki how she feels about him and it a very funny and welcome plot moment. Only one more volume left.


I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Seven down and 29 more to go. I am currently reading Ouran High School Host cClub volume 18 by Bisco Hatori, Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews, and Rise by Anna Carey.

Today's post is on Ouran High School Host Club volume 18 by Bisco Hatori. It is 224 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As it is the last in the series you need to have read the first seventeen to understand the story. The cover has all the cast on it with Tamaki and Haruhi in the center looking happy. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this series. The intended reader is someone who likes cute love stories, over-the-top comedy, and good art. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- Tamamki wants to ask Haruhi out, but he;s quickly overwhelmed trying to plan the best first date in the universe. The members of the Host Club volunteer to assist Tamaki in his endeavor, but can they save their foolish king from himself?


Review- A very sweet and satisfying end to a favorite series. Haruhi and Tamaki end up together and it is so sweet. The first date could have been a normal Tamaki disaster but everyone saves the day until they realize that Haruhi just wants to spend time with Tamaki and does not care what they do. It is so sweet my teeth hurt. Then they go off to America to study aboard together. At least until the rest of the Host Club comes too. Haruhi's face when she opens the door and sees everyone else on the other side was golden. I have enjoyed this series so much. I highly recommend it.


I give this volume and series a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this series with my own money.

8 down and 29 more to go. I am currently reading Hellsing volume 1 by Kouta Hirano, Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews, and Rise by Anna Carey.

Today's post is on Hellsing volume 1 by Kohta Hirano. It is 204 pages long and is published by Dark Horse Manga. The cover is red and black with the main character on it. The intended reader is someone who likes dark humor, vampires, and high action plots. There is some language, implied sexuality, and lots of violence in this book and series. The story is told from a third person omniscient perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- There's a secret organization in England created to defend the Queen and country from monsters of all sorts. Enter Hellsing, an agency, long in tooth, with the experience, know-how, and ...er... equipment to handle the problems that arise when vampires, ghouls, and the like clamber from the darkness. "What equipment?" you may ask. How about another vampire, souped by generations of study and refinement, armed with a big pistol loaded with special silver bullets? That oughta do the trick. But what really knocks 'em dead is the sharp wit, awesome artwork, and crazy, bloody action that make up the manga. The night is dark, but at least those creepy anti-heroes from Hellsing can make light of it.



Review- This is a very funny and bloody retelling of Dracula. The action is very intense but the dialog is pretty funny. The story has some interesting elements like how vampires are made, what they can do, and good history. Add in some crazy catholic priest with a kill them all mindset and your are in for a good time. The artwork does not impress me but it does fit the series. Victoria Seras the one that the reader will follow into this world. Alucard turns her at the beginning of the story and she is how we are going to understand the world. A very interesting and good start to a series.



I give this manga a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

10 down and 28 more to go. I am currently reading Hellsing volume 2 by Kouta Hirano, Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews, and Rise by Anna Carey.

Today's post is on Hellsing volume 2 by Kohta Hirano. It is 186 pages long including a short story at the end and is published by Dark Horse. As it is the second a series you need to have read the first one to understand the story. The cover has Alucard and Seres on it with bug guns. There is language, sexuality ,and lots of violence in this volume and series. The story is mostly told from Seras perspective. There Be Spoiler Ahead.


From the back of the book- A world of murder and mayhem, political intrigue and religious conflict, monster and undead heroes boils beneath the radar of regular existence. And it's bomb-grade business! There's the cute little police girl, Victoria Seras, a recently turned vampire, who refuses to drink blood and become the real things (but she's stilla darn good fighter): the super swank super-vampire Alucard, who hasn't completely shown his abilities; and the old butler Walter, who's got some tricks under his trousers as well. This is but a taste of the characters killing and being killed in Hellsing, and the action is just beginning.


Review- This volume has some very funny moments. Alucard and Anderson are trying to start fighting when Sir Hellsing goes to meet with the Vatican vampire hunters. Seras and Walter plan on them getting into, so they have a bunch of innocent Japanese tourists come in to the room. I am not doing this scene justice because it is hilarious. Lots of plot building in this volume. We learn that there is a group that both Hellsing and the Vatican want is in the shadows and they are doing something bad. The fist half is about an attack on the Hellsing building and it is a very good fight scene with some good one-liners. All in all I liked this volume better than the first. It was funnier, the plot made more sense, and I am getting used to the art style.


I give this volume Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

11 down and 27 more to go. I am currently reading Hellsing volume 3 by Kouta Hirano, Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews.

Today's post is on Rise by Anna Carey. It is the last book in her Eve trilogy. It is 310 pages long and is published by Harper. The cover has the main character on it facing away from the reader into a foggy landscape. There is some mild language, implied sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from the first person perspective of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the dust jacket- How far will you go when you have nothing left to lose?
When she lost her soul mate, Caleb, Eve felt like her world had ended. Trapped in the palace, forced to play the part of the happy, patriotic princess of The New America—and the blushing bride of her father's top adviser—Eve's whole life is a lie. The only thing that keeps her going is Caleb's memory, and the revolution he started.
Now, Eve is taking over where Caleb left off. With the help of Moss, an undercover subversive in the King's court, she plots to take down The New America, beginning with the capital, the City of Sand. Will Eve be able to bring about a new, free world when she's called upon to perform the ultimate act of rebellion—killing her father?
In Rise, Eve must choose who to leave behind, who to save, and who to fight as Anna Carey's epic tale of romance and sacrifice in the chilling dystopia of The New America comes to a stunning conclusion.



Review- I really enjoyed this ending. I think that Carey did a good job. She raises the stakes and Eve does rise up to them. Carey does end this book a very positive place. Eve has closure and hope at the end. The world has a chance to get better and Eve has a chance to live a happy life with Caleb and their baby. Having Eve be pregnant for this last part added to the tension. Carey gives some of the secondary characters some very interesting development. That was very enjoyable and that made some of the losses feel more sad. I hope that Carey does not do anything more in this world. She resolves all the plot problems and she did it very well. I would like to see her write in a different setting.



I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I was given this book as a gift.

12 down and 26 more to go. I am currently reading Hellsing volume 3 by Kouta Hirano, Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews.

Today's post is on Hellsing volume 3 by Kohta Hirano. It is 164 pages long and is published by Dark Horse. As it is the third in the series you need to have read the first two to understand the story. The cover has Alucard and Sir Hellsing on it. The intended reader likes vampire stories, over-the-top action, and very dry humor. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence this volume. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- Vampire! Nazis! Bloodshed! Action! Add to that a healthy helping of sleek style and an exotic locale, and you have Hellsing volume 3. Our scant troop of vampire-killing vampires and mercenaries are planning a little trip overseas... to beautiful South America, in search of the elusive Millenium Project, an old Nazi organization wirh very secretive origins. It's the start of a war, and only time will show bow nasty this war will become. But one thing's for sure, the vampire Alucard will make sure it gets off to a fitting start.


Review- This volume is not as funny as the last one but the action is very intense. And all the plot building. Still do not know much of anything about Millenium but we get to see how powerful they are. Alucard gets to play with them for most of the volume and he is having fun at the end. Millenium is prepared for him, so he having to work for the win. He could not be happier. No Father Anderson, just see him watching everything that is happening. Seras mostly stays out of the way too. It is really about Alucard having one long fight to restart the war between Millenium and Hellsing.


I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

13 down and 25 more to go. I am currently reading Hellsing volume 4 by Kouta Hirano, Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Today's post is on Hellsing volume 4 by Kohta Hirano. It is 200 pages long and is published by Dark Horse. The cover has Alucard on it looking at the reader. As it is the fourth in the series you need to have read the first three in order to understand the story. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence in this volume. The story is told from the third person perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- What do you get when the Nazis, sequestered in South America for generations, have engineered an army of vampires, and are preparing for an all-out campaign of deathly dominance? Well, for one, you get a little unity. It seems the Protestant Hellsing Organization and the Catholic Iscariot agency might just have to think about teaming up. It's looking like the world's biggest battle of blood and fangs is soon to erupt. Read about the nest, bug arms build-up as the first World War of the undead is mounting. It just heating up in Hellsing.



Review- More plot and action in this one. We get to see the Nazi villains at last and they are crazy. Anderson and Alucard see each other and start going. Seras is still trying to be human. Things go fast in this one. Alucard gets to shine towards the end. The Nazis call up everyone and declare war. Everyone is shocked but Alucard is laughing. He thinks that this is going to be fun and cannot wait for them to get there. Sir Hellsing is annoyed but that is normal for her. I am very curious about where a war with Nazi vampires and werewolves is going to go. But I think that I will laugh too.


I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Today's post is on Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews. It is the second in her Kate Daniels series. It is 260 pages long and is published by Ace Fantasy. The cover has Kate and Curran on it with a magic flare in the background. As it the second in a series you need to have read the first one to understand the story. The intended reader is read the first one, likes urban fantasy, and salty heroines. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence in this book. The story is told from Kate's first person perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.


From the back of the book- Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.
When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…



Review- I really enjoyed this novel. The story was interesting, I like Kate, and the world is great. I like Kate Daniels and I know that many other readers do not feel the same way. She is an interesting character. Maybe I just trust the authors but I think that she is believable. The plot was very interesting and so much world building was done in this novel. We get to see more of the way things work and more of different kinds of magic. Kate's magic is different but I really felt that I got that more at the end of this novel than from the first one. Witches and shamans are more explored in this novel but whatever Kate's new ward is not explained. Curran was a little funny in this one but he did not mean to be. I like the way that Kate handles him. Yes it could get her killed but she is not going to be afraid of him. I am looking forward to reading the next one.



I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

I have read 51 books this year from my Mount TBR pile. I know that we have a week left in the year but I'm calling this climb done. See you next year.

Well done!

Lynn wrote: "I have read 51 books this year from my Mount TBR pile. I know that we have a week left in the year but I'm calling this climb done. See you next year."

Great Job!