Book Review: Demon Slayer, Vol 17 by Koyoharu Gotouge

 

Demon Slayer, Vol 17      

Author: Koyoharu Gotouge

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: October 6, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Fantasy Manga/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

Shinobu and Tanjiro battle Doma, Upper Demon  #2, still reeling from the death of their kind-hearted master. Meanwhile, Zenitsu faces one who was once his senior, but now is a demon. And the new head of the Ubuyashiki family carries on as best he can, with the assistance of his younger sisters, even though he is only 8 years old!

Kaigaku taunts Zenitsu for his perceived weakness, despite not having seen him in some time. Zenitsu admits he can only do the first form, and that Kaigaku can do everything but that. Surprisingly, Zenitus doesn’t seem upset by anything this demon says or does. Perhaps he has changed in the course of his training? When Zenitsu uses a technique that Kaigaku doesn’t know, the demon is dismayed that he wasn’t taught this move, then shocked to learn it’s one that Zenitsu came up with himself! Urokodaki watches over Nezuko, waiting and hoping that she will be able to become human once again, both for her sake and to foil Muzan’s plans.

Tanjiro and Tomioka encounter Upper 3, Akaza, who is surprised to find Tanjiro still alive after their last encounter on the Mugen train. He and Tomioka are both impressed with Tanjiro’s technique development. But Akaza makes the mistake of denigrating Rengoku to Tanjiro, who remembers something that Inosuke taught him.

Tanjiro has come quite a long way since he first began his journey as a Demon Slayer! Where before he could barely face the lower demons, now he battles with the upper ones, well on his way to confront Muzan himself. Interesting back story in this volume, and I have to admit to being more impressed by Zenitsu than I was before (still like him asleep the best lol). How long before they come face to face with Muzan? Good volume, looking forward to the next one!

 

 

Book Review: Demon Slayer, Vol 14 by Koyoharu Gotouge

 

Demon Slayer, Vol 14      

Author: Koyoharu Gotouge

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: June 2, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Fantasy Manga/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

Tanjiro is finding it difficult to cut the thick neck of the demon he is battling, and the effects of Nezuko’s blood seem to have worn off. A sixth demon appears, one who insists on referring to the demon slayers as villains! Genya believes the newcomer to have been summoned by the demon they are fighting, and this one is the demon of joy and of pleasure. The new demon berates Tanjiro and Genya for picking on the small demon. He seems to grow stronger the harder they fight him.

The demon Gyokko is searching the village for the chief and comes across Haganezuka, who is engrossed in sharpening a blade. Gyokko becomes enraged when he cannot gain the swordsmith’s attention, too focused on what he is doing. Meanwhile, Tokito is sure his life is about to come to an end and reflects on his childhood while Kotetsu racks his brain for some way of helping the Hashira. When Haganezuka gives Tokito the blade he was sharpening, his strength and purpose are renewed, and so the battle with Gyokko continues!

Tanjiro’s battle with the upper rank demon is not going as well as he’d like when a sudden appearance by Kanroji, the love Hashira, saves the day. She is deeply offended when the demon refers to her as a tramp! But does she have what it takes to defeat him?

This volume of Demon Slayer contains a lot of back story for Hashira and demons alike. I find that interesting, as it gives more depth to the characters. Even the demons have redeeming qualities (well, most of them).  I’m hoping if they defeat this level 4 demon, they’ll be able to get some of his blood to use to find the cure for Nezuko!

Another great volume, looking forward to the next one!

 

 

Book Review: Demon Slayer, Vol 12 by Koyoharu Goutouge

 

Demon Slayer, Vol 12     

Author: Koyoharu Gotouge

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: March 3, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Fantasy Manga/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

The upper echelon demons are gathering, no doubt to receive Lord Muzan’s latest instructions regarding the current situation. Apparently, they do not all get along, and even among so-called allies there is a certain amount of animosity and competitiveness as they attempt to curry Muzan’s faavor. Some of these demons are certainly less human than others and some are decidedly creepy. When Muzan announces the death of Gyutaro, Doma offers to gouge out one of his eyes as atonement for having brought Gyutaro and Daki to his lord’s notice. Muzan declines the offer. He tells them he sees them all as failures, having failed to live up to his expectations. The Ubuyashiki family is still alive and the blue spider lily has not been found. Gyokku claims to have information on the family’s whereabouts, so Muzan says once confirmation is obtained, he and Hantengu should go there.

Tanjiro awakens from what must have been a dream – or was it a memory – to find that he has been unconscious for two months. He asks after his friends and learns that Zenitsu awoke and was sent on a mission, and Tengen was up, but supported by his wives’ shoulders. Inosuke, on the other hand, was in bad shape. Tanjiro decides he must be hallucinating seeing  Inosuke on the ceiling, but it’s really him. Tanjiro inquires if a katana has come for him, as his was chipped in the recent battle. But all he has received is an angry letter from Haganezuka. It is suggested that Tanjiro go to see the swordsmith in person , and Tanjiro is surprised to learn how close the swordsmith village is. But getting there is far from straightforward.

On Tanjiro’s arrival, he learns that the swordsmith has disappeared and is being sought. Probably sulking, they assume, as that is often his way. Not because his sword has been damaged but because of what he perceives as his shoddy workmanship that allowed the sword to be damaged. While searching, Tanjiro encounters a rude Hashira bullying a small swordsmith, so he intervenes. Tokito, the Mist Hashira, insists on using the practice doll, although Kotetsu tells him it will break. But every action has its consequences, even selfish ones.

This begins the Swordsmith Village arc, and we are seeing the upper ranked demons in larger numbers than before. Their relationship to their lord is interesting to watch, and you know they are just jockeying for position in order to get closer to him. They’re feeling the pressure of his displeasure and will do anything to regain his favor. The swordsmiths are interesting. We see little of Inosuke this volume, and none of Zenitsu, but I’m sure they’ll be back soon. Muzan is an interesting study, cold-hearted demon that he is. In this volume, he was actually standing on the ceiling as he addressed them.  It’s always fun to watch Tanjiro battle, and he certainly has to keep his wits about him to defeat these foes. Hopefully he’ll be able to obtain the blood he needs to help cure Nezuko.

Great volume, looking forward to the next one!

Book Review: Ring Shout by P. Djèli Clark

 

Ring Shout     

Author: P. Djèli Clark

Publisher: Tordotcom

American release date:  October 13, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Historical Fantasy/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

1920s Macon Georgia is a time filled with prejudice and hate… and filled with the evil that is the Ku Klux Klan. But there is something not right about these Ku Kluxers, other than the obvious. Some of them are not what they seem, demons in human form, inhuman incarnations of hate. But Maryse Boudreaux can see them for what they are. And she has a sword that can whup them real good. And lots of friends who feel the same way and want nothing more than to send these misbegotten demons back to where they came, if not worse.

Now they’re about to re-release that damned movie, that Birth of a Nation, that stirred up so much trouble, so much hate, and so much violence, the first time it saw the light of day. There’s trouble brewing in the air, and Maryse isn’t about to sit back and let it be… she’s going to do something about it, no matter what the cost… and no matter how terrified she is of what’s coming.

I literally drank in this book in just a couple of days, a fascinating, brilliant tale that combines history with fantasy, and introduces us to some damn memorable characters. I cried at the end. Was it relief or sorrow? Read the book and find out for yourself.

This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be the last. He writes with a rich colorful language that sings, much like Maryse’s sword, and it’s filled with people you won’t soon forget. Even hateful ones, like Butcher Clyde. I look forward to reading more of his work.

Winter Demon Volume 3 Review

Winter Demon, Volume 3  

Author:  Yamila Abraham

Distributor:  Yaoi Press

American release date:  2008

Format/Genre:  Manga/Yaoi

Publisher/Industry Age Rating:  Mature

Overall Personal Rating:  ★★★★

Similar series or titles to check out:   9th Sleep

Hakuin and Fuyu deliver the healed girl to her home, which is in the monk's village of Morikoku.  Fuyu wishes to spend the night, to get a chance to fondle Hakuin in privacy now that the girl is gone, but the monk insists they  need to get to Priest Shidan to fix the demon whip, so Fuyu contents himself with telling Hakuin, in very graphic language, just what he would like to do to him, as they go on their way.    As they near the priest's house, they run into another demon - one who has eyes for Fuyu!  It turns out to be none other than Figaru.  It seems that Shidan cannot fix the weapon, he must take it to his mentor, who cannot abide demons, so only Hakuin  may accompany him.  Which leaves Fuyu alone with the horny incubus!  Although Shidan does contain him in a magic circle, the only concession he is willing to make to Fuyu's safety.  Thanks a lot, Priest Shidan!

Synopsis:

Alarming news arrives the next morning, and the two demons set off after Hakuin and Shidan.  Which is just what Shidan's mentor wants, for this is a trap she has laid purposly for the Winter Demon - she has a score to settle with him for some past wrongs.  In the aftermath, Hakuin broaches a rather delicate subject - that Figaru needs Fuyu to heal.  To what lengths will the demon go in order to please his little monk?  And what of his new knowledge, of things he wasn't meant to know?  Hakuin isn't healing properly, he needs to see a doctor, so he asks Fuyu to take him back to Morikoku, to Doctor Takuma.

In the Epilogue, we meet Doctor Takuma, who is searching for a particular medicinal leaf he needs to help heal his sister; his supply is out so he is searching in a dangerous area, as there is said to be a demon there.  But he is determined to help his sister.  He is discovered there by the demon, Lord Ryuuto, who takes him to help his ailing wife - but he wishes her taken out of life, not brought back!  (As a healer, he could cure her himself, but he cannot kill her)  When Takuma eases her from her pain, Ryuuto says he can use the spring whenever he likes, but he won't agree to heal Takuma's sister.  The doctor returns to avail himself of the wonderful hot spring, and he finds himself fascinated by the conversations he has with the demon. Ryuuto realizes that the doctor feels an attraction for him, and he is certainly attracted to the human,  so he makes him a rather unusual proposal - of marriage!  The confused doctor returns home to think.  But his ruminations are interrupted by news of a battle - there are wounded coming, lots of them.  And he receives assistance from an unexpected source!

 Commentary:

By now, the story of the Winter Demon has wrapped itself about my curiousity and my need to know.  The character development is good, as we follow these two in their courtship.  I hope that Fuyu's newfound knowledge won't queer things for them - no pun intended.  And I hope tha the will be able to overcome his past.  To err is human, to forgive divine.  Does this go for demons too?  There are some interesting questions brought into play in this volume about relationships, intimacy, and sex versus love.  This is probably the same school of thought used by those who seek out sex therapists, the rationale being that it's medicinal, not sexual.  You'll have to decide that for yourself.  But there's certainly stuff to mull over in this volume.

The addition of Doctor Takuma is an interesting one - now we have a potential new couple on our hands, and a rather comely one at that.  Ryuuto seems to have promise, but at the same time he's a bit of a bad boy; automatic turn-on for a lot of women.  I am curious to see how this thing with him and Doctor T works out.

Winter Demon has not only founds its pace, Yamila Abraham is hitting her stride, and hitting it well.  The action flows smoothly, with a good balance between action and introspection, never leaving out that element of heat, in the form of the demon's narrated fantasy (with visual aids, of course!), which is pretty damn hot.  I, for one, hope Fuyu gets his way, I'd surely like to see that.  At the end of the volume there is a preview for Volume 2 of another Yaoi Press offering, Dark Prince. 

We're almost to the finish line, enquiring minds need to know - will Fuyu prove that his love for Hakuin is genuine, and will the purification mumbo jumbo prove to be just that, and not the glue that binds them together?  Stay tuned, yaoi lovers, for the last exciting volume!