Book Review: Spy x Family: Family Portrait (Spy x Family Family Novels) by Aya Yajima

Spy x Family: Family Portrait (Spy x Family Novels     

Author: Aya Yajima

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: February 20, 2024

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/YA Light Novel/Comedy/208 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

The best spy in Westalis is the secret agent whose code name is Twilight, his real name unknown. He is indeed a master of disguise. His new assignment concerns a high-level minister in Ostania, Donovan Desmond, who is believed to be a warmonger. Twilight must find out what Desmond’s plans are before they can come to fruition. But the man is elusive, and rarely goes out among other people. The only sure way to get to him is through the prestigious Eden Academy, which his son attends. But to do so, Twilight needs a wife and child, neither of which he possesses!  And so Twilight has become Loid Forger, and he finds a wife and child – Yor and Anya – both of whom possess skills he is unaware of. The mission is on.

Mission 1:  Anya’s class at Eden Academy is going on an overnight camping trip! While Yor is apprehensive, as Anya hasn’t been anywhere overnight before, Anya realizes this could be very important for her Papa (Anya is a telepath, unknown to both Loid and Yor, and knows about Operation Strix). Anya comes up with her own plan, calling it Operation Camp Friends. But she is also a bit scatterbrained and, by the time they arrive at camp, the plan is forgotten. Everything Anya does seems to irritate Donovan Desmond’s son, Damian. The worst comes when they are assigned to partner for a task and, thanks to Anya, they get lost in the woods!

Mission 2: Yuri Briar is Yor’s younger brother. Yuri adores Yor, who raised him since he was little and sacrificed much for him. He’d do anything for her and is very unhappy with her marriage to Loid Forger, which he doesn’t realize is fake. He also isn’t especially fond of Anya, but he really hates Loid. When Yor asks him to come over, he is overjoyed… until he discovers the reason. But he can’t turn her down, which is how he ends up babysitting Anya.

Mission 3: Franky is in the spy business, an associate of Twilight, who provides him with intel, equipment, and whatever else he might need. But he resents that Loid treats him more like a personal assistant and assumes much, including having Franky walk the family dog, Bond (who can see the future, by the way, unknown to everyone but Anya, who can read his mind).  Franky (who Anya calls Scruffy) finds himself seeing a doctor at the hospital after his last interaction with Twilight. But leaving the hospital, he gets lost and ends up in a courtyard where he hears someone singing. He follows the voice to find a beautiful young woman. Afraid to talk to her at first, he discovers that she is blind, so he grows bolder, and they begin a friendship. Considering the nature of what Franky does, though, can their relationship last?

Mission 4: Loid has to make sure his family looks like a normal family to outsiders, so sometimes they have to do typical family things. Today he is taking them to the park for a picnic. While there, they are approached by a young art student, who wants to paint them. When he tells Loid his name, Loid recognizes it at once. This young man is actually a famous artist! Loid is afraid that any painting of the fake Forger family might end up in a very public place, seen by many people, and someone just might be able to blow their cover. What is he to do?

Short Story: In a quaint restaurant in Ostania, some of the staff discuss their feelings about the customers they serve, and how appearances can be deceiving. One of those regulars just happens to be the Forger family.

This book is a novelization of the Spy x Family manga/anime.  As such, I was skeptical but I bought it anyway because, well, it’s Twilight and he is amazing (I have a little Twilight figurine by my laptop 😊) And yes, there is a lot of exposition, because the author couldn’t assume everyone has read the manga and would know everything. Novelizations don’t tend to be as good as the original by nature of being written by someone other than the author. But as I was reading, I found myself slipping deeper and deeper into the way she portrayed the characters. These are not stories we saw in the manga, so it’s fresh material, and I enjoyed them greatly, especially Mission 2, which is saying a lot because I am not a fan of Yuri Briar. Mostly because he wants to kill Loid lol  If he only realized that Loid is Twilight, well…

At any rate, I ended up really liking this book a lot and I hope they do more of these. I understand there are novelizations of other series, such as Demon Slayer and Blue Exorcist, both of which manga I’ve read. I might have to look for those. I do recommend this if you are a fan of Spy X Family. 

Book Review: The Way of the House Husband, Vol 4 by Kousuke Oono

 

The Way of the Househusband, Vol 4      

Author: Kousuke Oono

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: September 15, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Comedy/168 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

While at the market, Tatsu finds the perfect fish! While he is going into glorious details with the fishmonger about what he is going to do to that fish, it’s suddenly yanked from his hands by a four legged thief. And the chase is on!

Tatsu spies smoke coming from next door! Heading to the rescue, he finds the culprit to be a man and his grill. He invites Tatsu to join him, but the intensely smoky atmosphere inside the apartment is less than appetizing. Tatsu leaps into action, declaring, “I’m gonna show you how the Japanese handle a beef.”

One of Miku’s colleagues has given her tickets to Bremen Land, a big kiddie park, and she wants to go with Tatsu. Tatsu is reluctant about the whole idea, especially as the place is liable to be filled with… well, children. Will Tatsu be able to enjoy this excursion?

Tora is finding that crepe sales at his food truck aren’t what they used to be, so he needs to do something else. He hears that bubble tea is all the rage but he knows nothing about tapioca balls, so reluctantly approaches the one man who is bound to have all the answers—Tatsu.

Tatsu gives Masa a lesson in shopping for essential but inexpensive household items—“Don’t you ever underestimate homemaking!”

When the regular picture book storyteller cancels at the last minute, and no one else is available, the bookstore owner reluctantly calls on Tatsu, who very enthusiastically undertakes the mission!  He makes his own drawings to accompany the tale he chooses to tell, which seems to be taking an unexpected turn into not child friendly territory.

Tatsu and Miku are enjoying a day at the beach, when they are approached by a group of men. Tatsu recognizes the Bears, the volleyball team that beat Tatsu and the housewives in a match. They suggest a rematch but Tatsu turns them down. However, Miku is not about to let that fly, and now it’s Miku and Tatsu versus the Bears!

Tatsu is helping tutor a young boy in various subjects, including math, where he uses some rather unusual examples. Everything else accomplished, his last task is an independent project, such as a craft project or a science experiment or journal. The boy declares his intention to do something easy, like a wooden pencil holder. Tatsu is on it! Can anything ever be truly easy with Tatsu, though?

Tatsu is spending time at a restaurant with a couple of his housewife friends, trading stories. Tatsu tells them tales from his past, invoking completely different images in their minds than what he actually experienced.

Another fabulous volume of tales about Tatsu! I love this series so much! I’ve already pre-ordered the next one. I never get tired of reading of Tatsu’s adventures, and the way he applies his Yakuza background to his present life. The artwork is wonderful, the stories filled with humor, as well as some tender, heartwarming moments.   I especially enjoyed Tatsu and Miku’s time at Bremen Land. There are a couple of bonus stories, and the one about Miku is great! Not sure when the live action version is going to be available, but I know they’ve added a couple of original characters who don’t exist in the manga, including a daughter. I’ll reserve judgment on that until I see how that works out.

Fantastic as always, looking forward to the next one!

Book Review: The Way of the Househusband, Vol 2 by Kousuke Oono

The Way of the Househusband, Vol 2     

Author: Kousuke Oono

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: January 21, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Comedy/160 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Tatsu seems to be under the impression that his body is going to hell, and his attempts to prevent that are annoying Miku. He goes to a fitness gym, where the ladies find him to be a little intimidating.

Tatsu is growing an assortment of herbs and vegetables on the balcony of his and Miku’s apartment, intending to use them in cooking and making tea. However, he is under surveillance by some zealous police officers who think he is up to something nefarious. Trailing him on his bike, they watch his meeting with Masa, which only reinforces their suspicions as they prepare to pounce!

In his enthusiasm for the way of the househusband, Tatsu’s household gadgets and hobbies are beginning to overwhelm their small apartment! Miku suggests he sell some of it at a flea market. But he discovers that another gang is working that territory and intimidating some of the vendors. Tatsu feels compelled to step in!

Tatsu goes with Masa to his apartment and is appalled at what he finds, especially in the laundry room. It’s up to Tatsu to aid Masa in this turf war!

Miku is in the market  for a new car and takes Tatsu along with her. Tatsu is ready, willing, and able to give his opinion on every model she looks at. Will he be a help or a hindrance? And will any vehicle live up to his standards?

Tatsu is teaching Masa the finer points of shopping when they run into another former Yakuza named Tora. The two men know what must be done to settle old scores!

When Tatsu does anything he gives it his all, whether it’s cooking or helping out the housewives’ volleyball team. When they find themselves in a practice match with a team composed of all men, will Tatsu be an asset or a liability?

Miku gets to leave work early one day. Running into Tatsu, she accompanies him on his mission. He says he’s gonna throwdown today. Say what? When Miku’s parents come for an unexpected visit, Tatsu shines with his domestic skills. But when Miku’s father wants to play catch with the son he never had, Tatsu is unsure how to respond.

Another wonderful volume of The Way of the Househusband! I know I’ve said it before, but I absolutely love love love this series. Tatsu is sooooo adorable! He tries so hard, and even when he doesn’t succeed, he learns from his experience, not to mention he is most apologetic. I love the relationship between him and Miku, and the way they are obvious equals, each one looking out for the other. I’m still hoping to see more of their backstory. Maybe in the next volume.

I forgot to mention the bonus stories in the first volume. There are three more in this one, one of which involves their cat Gin, who is also adorable. The artwork is wonderful. I did notice a couple of videos on Youtube. They should totally make this into an anime. The next volume comes out in May. Guess I’ll have to re-read the first two to get my Tatsu fix lol

I suggest you buy a copy of this manga for yourself and a copy for someone you love. I bought my two daughters each a copy of both volumes. Can’t wait for the next one!

Book Review: The Way of the Househusband, Vol 1 by Kousuke Ono

The Way of the Househusband, Vol 1       

Author: Kousuke Oono

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: September 17, 2019

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Comedy/160 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Once a fierce Yakuza known as “the immortal Dragon”, Tatsu has chosen to walk a different path now—the way of the househusband. He is very meticulous in everything he does, whether it’s meal preparation, laundry, or feeding the cat. He takes each duty very seriously and does the best he can, always eager to learn new ways to improve his performance.

The trouble is, people remember him for what he was, or they make assumptions based on his seemingly fierce appearance. On the other hand, his past experiences often guide him through the ins and outs of his current situation. When a shyster salesman with a shoddy product calls on him, he is more than happy to demo the man’s product.

One of Tatsu’s former men, Masa, is searching for his boss, wondering where he went. A chance encounter at the grocery store reunites them.  Masa wants to know why his former boss quit the Yakuza, so Tatsu invites him to take a walk with him.

Tatsu is headed out on urgent business. He doesn’t let a chance encounter with members of a rival gang deter him, not when there is a sale in progress! This is a great opportunity to show these yakuza the way of the househusband!

Tatsu’s wife, Miku, is crazy about Crime Catch Poli-cure, and is a huge collector. Tatsu plans to surprise her for her birthday with an addition to her collection.

On learning that the chairperson of the Women’s Association is coming to his apartment, Tatsu has to prepare, which includes utilizing the automatic floor cleaner, which brings unexpected results.

Watching a young boy for a neighbor leads to unexpected complications for Tatsu. Afterward, he teaches some supposedly tough guys about the way of the househusband.

While out shopping with Miku one day, Tatsu is dismayed to learn that people find him intimidating. How to change his image?

It’s only the first volume of this series, but I’m already in love with it, and am half way through the second volume and have pre-ordered the third. Tatsu, the former Yakuza, is completely adorable. He wears an apron with a shiba on it! He takes everything he does very seriously, determined to do his best. He and Miku are an awesome couple! This series is funny, sweet, romantic, and endearing. I love the artwork. Kousuke Oono does a fabulous job. The covers featuring Tatsu are priceless!

I guess you would call this a slice-of-life manga, as there isn’t one plot line but a series of incidents in Tatsu’s life as a househusband. There is a brief glance into how Tatsu was when he met Miku. I’m hoping to see more in a future volume. I want to see what brought these two together, and was she responsible for him quitting the yakuza way of life.

I can’t say enough good things about this series. I am looking forward to reading it for a long time to come!

One Piece 7: The Crap-Geezer Review

One Piece, Volume 7: The Crap-Geezer  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: July 6, 2005

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Sanji shows that he’s more than cook when he defends the Baratie with a tremendous kick, deflecting the fish-head, to the amazement of his crew! His action re-energizes the sea cooks, who vow to fight for their floating restaurant to the end against the scurvy knaves that comprise Don Krieg’s pirate crew. So of course Krieg has to throw them a curveball—in the form of his second unit commander, Invincible Pearl.

Synopsis:

Pearl, as his name implies, is a huge fellow covered in shields with pearl centers, and wears a pearl on his head. As he leaps onto the Baratie, he takes down two of the cooks with his Pearl Surprise move. One of Krieg’s men attempts to take the knife from one of the dying men but Sanji puts a stop to that with a swift kick. “A chef’s knife is his soul,” he tells him. “A crap-bum like you had better not touch it.”

Pearl boasts to Sanji that he’s been invincible in 61 battles to the death; in fact, he’s never even been injured, and has never lost a single drop of blood in battle. Meanwhile, Luffey is clinging for his life to a mast—if he drops into the ocean, he’s a dead man; since eating the devil fruit, he can’t swim a stroke and would sink like a stone. Luckily, Krieg’s maneuver drops him onto the Baratie, right on top of Pearl, drawing blood, to the pirate’s surprise. When Krieg’s crew see the blood, they immediately try to calm Pearl down, fearful of the consequences. Because of experiences as a child, when Pearl feels threatened, he sets himself aflame. Under the circumstances, being on a ship, afloat at sea and all, this is not a good idea.

The sea cooks back down from the human wall of flame, but not Sanji. “Moron,” he says, “you can’t be a cook if you’re afraid of fire!”  Things are starting to look up when Sanji finds himself on the wrong end of a gun barrel, being pointed at him by Gin, the pirate whose life he saved when he was starving!

Gin offers Sanji the opportunity to get off the ship, but he refuses, even when Chef Zeff taunts him, calling him eggplant head.  Luffy tries to intervene, but to no avail. He certainly doesn’t understand Sanji’s attitude, and neither does anyone else. Especially when Pearl pounds him with some of his best moves. Still the stubborn chef refuses to go. But there is method to his madness, and he finally explains why he refuses to let the Baratie be taken away from the ornery one-legged Chef Zeff. It all began nine years before…

When Sanji is done with his tale, everyone understands the debt he owes Zeff, and why he won’t allow anything else to be taken from him. Still, Luffy thinks Sanji is being ridiculous, and he sees only one way out of the situation—he intends to sink the Baratie himself. He tells Sanji it’s not worth dying over, and what use is Zeff saving his life if he’s going to just throw it away?

Don Krieg steps in and he and Luffy get into a battle of words, Luffy adamantly proclaiming himself the best pirate there is. Finally it comes down to Gin and Sanji. Can Gin kill the very man that showed him incredible kindness? Well, he is a ruthless pirate, after all…

Commentary:

The battle over the Baratie continues as we meet yet another of Krieg’s crew in the form of Invincible Pearl. Despite his record, Pearl’s a blowhard and not very likeable, but he’s an interesting villain. The backstory involving Chef Zeff and Sanji explained a lot about the latter’s loyalty to the crap-geezer, as he calls him. Sanji is a very interesting character, one I suspect we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future. In this volume, Luffey doesn’t play as big a part as usual, but when he does, he’s generally very brave, but often in the way, in misguided attempts to assist.

This is a fun series for all ages, and there’s lots more fun ahead. Sticking with it for the long haul!

Wednesday Briefs: Trapped in Time #12

Happy Wednesday and welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Briefs! This week's prompts are courtesy of our very own Prompt Diva, MA Church: The prompt is "pushing the envelope" with these alternate prompts:  Use: flat tire, cell phone, a type of liquid or "You want me to do what?" or have something to do with food in your story, or use: ceiling fan, candle, dead plant.

As you'll recall in last week's episode of Trapped in Time the boys were about to have breakfast, yum! Wonder if Doll ever gave in and ate a bug? Let's find out!  Then don't forget to visit all the other Wednesday Briefers, whose links can be found at the end of this post!

Trapped in Time #12

“I don’t suppose you have any bacon?” I ask hopefully. Charlie gives me a confused look, and Vittorio whispers that the poor creature is a vegetarian, and that if any prehistoric pigs exist in this point in time, the odds of find them and getting them to roast themselves for our benefit are slim to none.

Is it very wrong of me to hope we find a little schwein, and that perhaps a bolt of lightning…

Breakfast is done, and I’ve managed to avoid adding bugs to my diet, at least for now—too bad Myron can’t say the same; he’s looking decidedly green, but I have to hand it to him, he hung in there and took it like a man.

I’m sorry, that image is wrong on so many levels… I’d like to erase that from my memory… now.

My stomach is indignant and not being shy about letting me know it’s unhappy that there’s been no sign of any wurst. Not bratwurst, or knackwurst,  or bockwurst or blutwurst; not even leberwurst, which my mother makes herself and is very delicious!  No sign of meat of any kind, and I’m craving it in the worst possible way.

But on the brighter side, we’re going to get my penny farthing, for apparently the spot where it was last seen lies along the route that we must travel to get to the Professor. Or so Charlie says. And as we are strangers in a strange land, it is only reasonable that we trust to this native-born… man…  in order to get the lay of the land.

Vittorio and I clean up the remains of the meal. Just because we’re trapped in time does not mean we need not maintain our high standards as regards cleanliness and orderliness. It is ingrained in me, and he has learned it from me.  We gather everything together that we shall require for our journey. Charlie is unsure how far away the Professor is, and he has no understanding of measurement that he can put into any terms that we can relate to.

There is very little to carry, I’m afraid. We have the clothes on our back, and some food which we are taking with us, just to be sure of eating along the way.  Vittorio—my very clever lover—has taken some of the larger leaves and formed a makeshift travel bag which we can take turns carrying.

Just as we are about to depart into the unknown, suddenly a strange creature drops from the trees.

“Snakes!”  Myron screams, instantly flinging his arms over his head in a protective gesture. As if that would even stop a snake, if he wished to attack?

Being calmer, Vittorio and I watch the bundle of fur as it clambers up Charlie’s leg, chittering in a high-pitched squeal.

“Calm down, Myron, it’s not a snake, it’s a monkey,” I tell him; he’s quivering more than a bowl full of lime Jell-o.

Hmmm… could this be Charlie’s… wife? Why I think that, I don’t know. There’s nothing inherently female in this primate, and I think Charlie’s voice was just as screechy as this one’s is.

Charlie and the other chimp exchange a few “words” in their native tongue before Charlie walks the newcomer over toward the still shaking Myron. He says something in chimp, points to Myron. The monkey screeches again, its voice rising at least an octave.

“Myron,” Charlie addresses his lover. “This is…” Another word I can’t understand, but obviously one that refers to the monkey in his arms.  “She is my sister,” he adds.

Ah… so much for my theory that monkey Charlie has a mate. Other than Myron, that is.

“Sister?” Myron quivers, but I can see he’s growing a little bolder now, looking between Charlie and the monkey.

“Yes, my sister. She’d like to come with us. Do you think you can make her like me?” He sounds very hopeful, placing a lot of trust in someone whose skills with a wand are negligible at best, and often dangerous.

“You want me to do what?”

Vittorio and I trade glances. Just as Myron pulls out his wand, we move together with one purpose. I restrain Myron’s arms and Vittorio takes his piece of wood away. It’s for his own good, really it is, as well as ours.

“I am sorry, Charlie,” Vittorio apologizes, “but your sister is welcome to come as she is. Maybe the Professor can help her when we find him?”

Assuming Charlie doesn’t change back in the meantime, I can’t help but think. We’ve got no real ideal of the stability of any of these spells he’s “cast.” In fact, we might just find ourselves back where we started without a moment’s notice. Best not to tempt fate.

Charlie doesn’t seem overly upset. He chatters to his sister, and then she chatters back, before she leaps from Charlie’s arms into Myron’s, and plants a big kiss on his cheek.

Runs in the family, does it?

Myron seems a bit unnerved, but he takes it in stride, all things considered.

“You should give Charlie’s sister a name,” Vittorio suggests. Yes, something we can all pronounce would be nice.

Myron looks flustered. Perhaps anything to do with the opposite sex is beyond his ability to deal with. But at last, he says, “Mary.”

I understand immediately. He’s just named her after Mary Pickford, America’s Sweetheart. Good choice.  Vittorio vocally agrees with me. He reaches out to the newly christened monkey, and introduces himself, offering his hand, which she takes and licks, producing giggles from me.

Well, that’s all settled, now we are really ready to go.

Charlie and Myron take the lead, with Mary clinging to Myron. I guess she has become attached to him in the short duration of their acquaintance.  Charlie and Myron are holding hands. Vittorio and I follow them, our hands likewise engaged.

We’re going to see the Professor. Maybe he can find us a way home?

to be continued

Now go see what the other Wednesday Briefers are up to!

Nephylim     m/m

Michael Mandrake   m/m

MA Church     m/m

Tali      m/m

Lily Sawyer m/m

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Wednesday Briefs: Trapped in Time 11

Happy Hump Day! It's Wednesday, so it must be time for more Wednesday Briefs! This week's prompts are courtesy of our very own Prompt Diva, MA Church: "Tough road to hoe..." or the alternate prompts are: use: wood, fireplace, smoke or "What do/did you think about this?" or use: rope, a desk, window, or include a gravel road in your story.

Trapped in Time continues with the crazy antics of three guys who find themselves trapped in prehistoric times. Today's question is - what is Charlie's idea of breakfast, and will it be edible? Stay tuned!  Then be sure to check out all the other Wednesday Briefers, whose links follow my tale.

Trapped in Time #11

Vittorio continues to console me as I choke out my feelings against his chest for what I’ve done, my negligence in leaving behind my faithful pennyfarthing. Suddenly I’m taken by surprise by a pair of strong arms.

“Don’t be sad, Doll!” Charlie cries, throwing his arms about me from behind, and suddenly I find myself the filling in a Doll sandwich. Luckily Myron refrains from adding a bit of pickle to the mix.

“We’ll get it, don’t worry,” Vittorio whispers to me. He pulls out his handkerchief from his pocket, and although it’s lost something of its usual starch, probably due to the humidity, he dabs at my eyes, and then tells me to blow and I obey.

Charlie kisses my cheek before returning to Myron. He takes his hand, and leans down to him, kissing him with a great deal of passion and enthusiasm, before he announces, “Let us get our food!” And once again he’s leading the way, Vittorio and I bringing up the rear.

I’m not sure what I am expecting. It’s not as though we’re likely to find an automat here, in the middle of the jungle, even though they are very popular back home. It’s a very efficient idea; a quick and easy way to obtain one’s food when one is not at home.

Somehow I doubt there are any of those here. In fact, I am rather skeptical as to just what we will find when we finish this trek through the jungle.

Which we’ve just done, apparently. I stop short of running into Vittorio, and look around me. It looks exactly like every other bit of jungle we’ve seen thus far—full of trees veiled with vines, large broad-leafed plants, swampy areas, and assorted small creatures that skitter from view too fast to ascertain what they might actually be.

“Where are we?” The question needs to be asked, so I ask it.

“Home!” Charlie proclaims proudly.

Home where? We glance around. Not as though I had expected Charlie the monkey to possess any sort of man-made structure—according to Darwin, we’re far too early on the evolutionary scale to expect our forebears to put in an appearance—but I did expect… something.

“Home up there!” Charlie points up into the tree he stands under; all our gazes rise skyward.

“What do you think about this, Vittorio?” 

“Well, I think that it is logical that Charlie lives in a tree.”

Does this mean we have to climb the tree in order to have breakfast? That is an idea that I don’t particularly relish.

As if he can read my mind, Charlie says, “I shall be right back.” He begins to shinny up the huge tree until he is lost from sight.

While we wait, I can’t help but stare at Myron. Is it my imagination, or does his complexion seem to have cleared up a little? He seems fidgety, standing first on one foot, then the other. It suddenly dawns on me why that is, and I cannot help a slightly evil grin, knowing the cause of his discomfort. I catch his eye; he turns beet red, and looks quickly away.

Before I can say anything, Charlie climbs back down the tree with an armful of something—don’t ask me how he managed that without the use of his tail. He’s positively prehensile!

So, what have we for breakfast, and how quickly can we eat it?

He lays his burden onto the ground, stands back and surveys us as though he has just done something wonderful. And perhaps he has. We all gather around to see what he’s brought us. I see what appears to be bananas, and something else that might be another type of fruit. As well as a mass of leaves.

Not exactly what I had in mind.

Charlie takes one of the bananas, peels it, and holds it out toward Myron, who blushes but accepts it, biting off the tip. Vittorio peels one for me, and I turn my attention to my love.

“Eat this for me, Doll,” he croons. I open my mouth obligingly and take the banana in. It tastes okay, I guess, and fruit is healthy. I reciprocate by sharing this piece of fruit with Vittorio.

“I have something else!” Charlie cries. He gets on his hands and knees and starts rooting around some plants with bifurcated leaves. “Ah ha!” he cries. He cups his hands for us to see. In the middle of it are a number of wriggling things that I cannot identify at first, until I realize that those are some sort of bugs. What’s he going to do with those?

I’m sorry I asked as he takes one and wolfs it down, then hands one to Myron. Myron doesn’t look very excited at the prospect of adding insects to his diet.

“For you, Myron,” Charlie says lovingly, and holds the bugs out toward his lover again. Myron’s face turns ten shades of pale. He takes an wriggling insect from Charlie’s grasp and opens his mouth.

I cannot watch, so I turn away. It’s obvious to me that we need a little more… variety in our diet.

“Doll, you have to eat,” Vittorio whispers to me.

“Not bugs I don’t,” I insist, perhaps petulantly, but firmly. Not if I were starving and on my deathbed. Some things are simply not meant to be ingested. Insects are one of those things.

The next thing I know Charlie is standing beside us, holding out his offerings and smiling at us with the warmth of a hundred suns.

“Please eat,” he said. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”

A what? Where?

Vittorio, ever the diplomat, takes a couple of small bugs. I don’t even want to hazard a guess as to what they are.

“To see the Professor. He’s the smartest man in the jungle. He can help you.”

There’s another man in this place? Who knew? And how did he get here?

to be continued

Now go visit the other Wednesday Briefers and see what they are up to!

Nephylim    m/m

MA Church     m/m

Victoria Blisse   m/f

Sara York     m/m

Tali      m/m

Until next time, take care!


♥ Julie

Ouran High School Host Club Volume 12 Review

Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 12  

Author: Bisco Hatori

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: June 2, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Kyoya has made it his personal mission while in France to seek out Tamaki’s mother and bring back some word of how she is doing. To that end, and with his usual thoroughness, he devises a strategy to discover her whereabouts. Meanwhile back at home, Hikaru requests asylum with Mori while Hunny flies to Kaoru’s side, bearing well-meaning gifts.

Synopsis:

Word has gotten around about the sibling feud and fangirls are having a holiday! They see this as a very romantic situation, the brothers fighting over Haruhi. Something is afoot when Haruhi takes Hikaru to an amusement park, while Hunny brings Kaoru. An angry Mori demands to know what’s up. A bored Tamaki approaches his father in his office, something he never does, and confesses to his boredom, so his father offers to take him to lunch and buy him some nabe.

The twins reach an accord, and while maintaining their solidarity and togetherness, they launch a new campaign of individuality, beginning with a new hair color for one of them.

Back in France, the travelers visit an area that was a favorite getaway for the Impressionists. Kyoya is exhausted with his efforts on behalf of Tamaki, but he refuses to give up. The object of his endeavors, meanwhile, is very unhappy. He’d thought being without the others for ten days would be easy, but he hadn’t counted on the staff thinking he wouldn’t be home and having other plans, so he relies more and more on his father, clinging to him. One servant remains to protect Suoh Mansion #2, and she gives Tamaki a lot of food for thought about his future, and what he wants to do with it.

Haruhi has been trying to reach Kyoya but her calls don’t seem to be getting through to France. She finally gets him on the phone, but when she asks about Tamaki—unaware that he hasn’t gone on the trip with the others—Kyoya hems and haws and says that Tamaki has gotten diarrhea and can’t speak. Until Haruhi notices something strange in front of her house.

While Haruhi is dealing with a delicate stomach, Kyoya has discovered a woman who once worked for Tamaki’s family and goes to see her and gains great insights into his friend, and why he is the way he is. After talking to Haruhi, Tamaki has an idea of what he wants to do, and Kyoya has an idea where Tamaki’s mother might be.

In an extra story, Kuze’s Happy and Unhappy Everyday Life, we follow Takashi Kuze, American Football team captain, on his birthday.

Commentary:

While I was sad that Tamaki did not go to France with the others, I understand his selfless reasons. Kyoya’s search for Tamaki’s mother is very heartwarming and sheds new light on the sort of person he is, dispelling the myth of his lack of warmth and emotion. I’m happy that the twins have resolved their differences, although I thought Hikaru’s change was a bit extreme. I hope they aren’t serious about getting rid of the incest-play at the Host Club. I think their guests would be very saddened.

This volume of the Host Club has a lot of depth, and goes deep into the minds of some of the characters. I think my favorite scene was between Haruhi and Tamaki in the bathroom, when he’s shirtless. I had hopes, for just a moment…

I can only hope that one day these two will figure things out, and Tamaki will finally realize that he is not Haruhi’s father. I think they’d make a very cute couple.