Book Review: Overlord, Vol 1 by Kugane Maruyama

 

Overlord, Vol 1      

Author: Kugane Maruyama

Publisher: Yen On

American release date:  May 24, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Fantasy Adventure /256 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Yggdrasil  has been a very popular multi-player online game for a dozen years. But nothing lasts forever, players’ tastes change, and all good things must come to an end. So it is with this particular MMORPG. One of the game’s  guilds in particular, Ainz Ooal Gown, is composed of very dedicated players, led by the Overlord Momonga. But the time has come for the game to end, and out of the 41 members of the guild, only a handful  remain. Of these, only two show up to the Tomb of Nazarick to witness the end of their beloved game—the Momonga player and his friend. But his friend is very tired from working hard and even he doesn’t stay the course, so Momonga finds himself alone, waiting for the countdown that will signal the end of Yggdrasil.

As Momonga waits for the end, he remembers the other guild members, and the accomplishments of the guild, with justifiable pride. Each of them has created the various NPCs that populate the tomb and designed their personalities. Momonga isn’t happy with what the creator of the NPC Albedo did, though, making her into a veritable bitch. So he does something he normally wouldn’t do, and goes into the program and changes her. Just for fun, he adds the line that will come back to haunt him… he says she is in love with Momonga. What the heck, the game is going out in a few minutes anyway.

Just before the game is scheduled to wink out of existence, though,something happens, something inexplicable.  Momonga first realizes it when he notices his senses actually working in this place, for example he can smell things around him, something he could never do before. And the NPCs… are actually responding with lines that are certainly not pre-programmed, and moving in ways they previously had not been able to. And why is Albedo looking at him so oddly? Almost as if she’s in love with him or something. What has happened here?

Before I read this, I started watching the anime, unaware that the books existed. But then the first volume showed up on my daughter’s wish list, so I bought it for her and borrowed a copy from the library for myself. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised at what I read. Reading the novel helps me make sense out of what is happening in the anime. In fact, I think I’ll start the anime again after reading a couple more books.

As a gamer myself, this is a very fun read, one that I am greatly enjoying. Momonga finds himself living inside the game, except it’s not a game, it’s a real world. Good thing he worked so hard on his character all this time, because Momonga is a force to be reckoned with! Kugane Maruyama is taking us on a fascinating ride into an MMORPG, but the difference is everything is real, magic exists, and the sorts of things players do in a game are the same things these people do here. I love how devoted and unabashedly lovesick Albedo is over Momonga, despite the fact that he is literally a skeleton, albeit a very powerful one.

The book contains some fabulous color drawings as well, done by the illustrator so-bin. I loved them! I also love how Momonga is quickly adapting to this new life in which he neither eats nor drinks nor breathes… nor anything else associated with his prior human life. His first order of business is to have someone scout outside and find out if they are still in the area in which the guild was located… or somewhere else. Also, he decides to meet with his staff, ie his NPCs, and see what’s up with them as well as give them their orders.

A new world has just begun and Momonga has to figure out how to live in it, since he has no idea if he can even get back to the real world… assuming he wants to.

Saturday is Horror Day #89 - No Good Deed

 No Good Deed

Colin (Idris Elba) is a convicted criminal who is serving a lesser sentence than he should have received due to circumstances. Up for parole after only five years, he is turned down because the decision has to be unanimous and one member of the parole board is determined he stay behind bars. On the way back from the parole hearing, Colin catches a lucky break and manages to escape. After visiting his ex-fiancé and dealing with her, he steals her car and drives away. But luck deserts him as he flees in the midst of a storm and is unexpectedly run off the road, crashing the car.

Terry (Taraji P Henson) has her hands full with a young daughter and an infant son. Her husband Jeffrey (Hemry Simmons) is a busy man, but he has promised her he'll come home early so she can get some things done. Only it turns out he has no time because he's heading out to take his father on a golf holiday for his birthday. Terry is unhappy, but what can she do, so she battens down for the approaching storm. An unexpected knock at her door turns out to be a man in distress, who wants to call a tow for his vehicle. Reluctant, she allows him to use her phone outside and doesn't admit him into her house. But after finding out it might be a while for the tow truck to arrive, she admits him, against her better judgement.

Her guest, whose name is Colin, turns out to be charming, and Terry begins to relax. Her friend Meg 

(Leslie Bibb) soon arrives for what was to be a girls night, but she doesn't mind the stranger in their midst and offers him wine as well. She flirts with him outrageously. But when she gets him alone in the garage, where he has gone to smoke, and he tries to convince her that he and Terry have been having an affair that Meg is unaware of, the shit hits the fan, and the situation goes from uneasy to dangerous...

I really enjoyed this movie.  I am a huge fan of Idris Elba, and much as I like him, I wasn't exactly rooting for him here lol He is quite charming... until he isn't. While Terry starts out as somewhat weak, or tired, and maybe too nice for her own good, by the end of the movie, there is quite the change and I was rooting for her all the way. I've liked her ever since Person of Interest and was glad to see her again. Nothing is cut and dried, and while you may assume how the ending will go, it's the journey to get there that will hold you spellbound. I give this film 4.5 Stars

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 2 by Yusei Matsui

 

Assassination Classroom, Vol 2    

Author: Yusei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date:  February 3, 2015

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Action Adventure Manga/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

A new teacher arrives at Kunugigaoka Junior High, a rather buxom young woman named Irina Jelevich. For some reason, she is hanging all over Koro Sensei, to the confusion of his students. Nagisa continues to document the teacher’s weaknesses so that they can use them against him and assassinate him, which will prevent him from blowing up the earth. But Irina is not really a teacher. She’s been brought in as a professional assassin! Karasuma insists she maintain her cover and teach the students, but Irina is sure she’ll be able to achieve her goal of assassination on her first day with the class.

The students dislike her from the get-go and deliberately mispronounce her last name as Hellabitch. When her teaching skills are found to be lacking, they yell at her to get out, they need to study for their college entrance exams.

All the students, including Class 3E, must attend student assembly. Koro Sensei even attends, in “disguise”. But the rest of the school is determined to humiliate Class 3E, even to the point of withholding vital information. But they haven’t counted on the ingenuity and speed of Koro Sensei, who saves the day! The treatment of Class 3E is all due to the machinations of the school’s principal, Asano. He believes that by holding the class up as examples of what not to be, and treating them badly, he will scare the other students into doing well for fear of ending up like them. He is one of the few who know the truth about Koro Sensei, and refuses to listen to arguments that he should treat Class 3E better, claiming that if the world isn’t going to be destroyed, he has the future to consider.

Exam time arrives, and Koro Sensei announces he wants his entire class to score in the top 50! Even if the principal is giving the other students unfair advantages. Can they do it, even with his accelerated teaching techniques?

It’s time for a school trip – three days and two nights in Kyoto! Koro Sensei makes an enormous travel guide for his students that should cover anything that comes up during their trip! However, some of the girls in his class have been targeted by some unsavory characters and find themselves in a peck of trouble!

In this volume, we are introduced to the charming yet obnoxious principal of the Junior High. His disdain for Class 3E is incredible and his treatment of them is beyond abhorrent! Also, we meet Irina Jelevich, who doesn’t exactly endear herself to the students, and who uses her two biggest assets to lure her targets to their doom. There’s also a bonus story about Koro Sensei and a particular bun!

Great volume, look forward to the next one!

 

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #50 (10.4)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Believing themselves to possibly be under fire, Vinnie and Ethan are both relieved and angry to discover that the culprit is none other than Ethan's brother Joey. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #50 (10.4)

Ethan turned toward me, his shoulders slumping a little. I felt his sigh and I ached for him and what his brother was putting him through. I pulled him to me and hugged him and we stood there without moving for a couple of minutes. Realizing we had places to go, things to do, we reluctantly pulled apart.

“You know what they say,” I said, in an attempt to lighten his mood.

“What’s that, Vin?”

“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” I winked at Ethan and he laughed.

“You always know just what to say.” He took my hand and directed our steps toward the rental car. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Vinnie.”

If I had anything to say about it, he wouldn’t find out, either.

We made it to the store without incident, and found everything on Sarah’s and Maureen’s lists and picked up a few things for ourselves as well. I kept a careful eye out for anyone with the least resemblance to a certain crazy actress or a certain supposedly incarcerated serial killer but found no one fitting either description.

“Do you think I’m being paranoid?” I asked Ethan as we loaded our purchases into the back of the car. He looked up at me as we finished and he closed the trunk lid.

“Paranoid? No, I don’t think that. I trust your instincts, Vinnie. But I also know you don’t like…you know who… not that you don’t have reason to dislike her.  But that might color your judgment sometimes, you know?”

I knew what he meant, and I couldn’t deny that. “But she didn’t make that phone call I received,” I pointed out.

Ethan nodded grimly. “I know. That’s why I called Anderson. And why we’re being extra careful. “We rounded the car to the passenger side where he opened the door. Before I ducked inside, he held me in place, his body snug against mine. “I’d never let anything happen to you, baby,” he murmured, his long fingers caressing my cheek gently.

 I caught his fingers with my own as I gazed into his beautiful blue eyes. “I feel the same way,” I assured him. “I trust you, Ethan, with my whole heart and soul. I know whatever happens, we’ll get through it together.”

“You got that right.” He flashed me one of his amazing smiles before the moment ended and he handed me into the car and took his place behind the wheel.

My brain was spinning in a million directions. This was the last place I’d expected us to be when we took this assignment. By now, we should have been comfortably ensconced in a nice Atlanta hotel, shooting the breeze with Uncle Benny. But everything had taken a definite left turn from my expectations.

“I think I’m going to call Benny,” I said, pulling out my cell.

“Good idea.” Of course Ethan realized I meant our pup, not his uncle.

By now, Troy should be in Roanoke with Brendan and Benny. I hoped the little fellow was behaving, although I knew he never gave them any trouble. Mostly because they spoiled him.

I counted the rings, waiting for Troy to pick up. But that never happened. I didn’t bother to leave a message at the tone, despite being requested to do so.

“No answer,” I told Ethan.

“Maybe they’re taking him out for a last walk,” Ethan suggested.

Maybe, but wouldn’t he answer his phone? Oh well, best not to borrow trouble.

“I’ll try again later,” I said, forcing myself to put a good spin on this, not my usual doom and gloom.

We reached the Thorne house and were heading up the long drive when Ethan and I both realized there was another vehicle there, one that definitely hadn’t been there when we left.

“You don’t think… could that be Heather’s car?” I hazarded a guess.

“I don’t know,” Ethan admitted. “I guess it could be Mercy’s, but why would she…”

He never finished the thought as we drew closer to the expensive looking sedan and the doors began to open. A moment later, highlighted by the glow of our car’s lights, I spotted a familiar face, and for a second I blinked because Ethan was there beside me. The next moment, I realized that of course it wasn’t Ethan… it was Troy McGarrett, along with Brendan and our little pup Benny.

What the hell was going on here?

 to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

 

 

Saturday is Horror Day #88 - A Quiet Place Part II

 A Quiet Place Part II

Following the death of Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) the family decides to move on, seeking to find safety or a solution to their problems. Now Evelyn (Emily Blunt) finds herself with two terrified teens and a newborn. But it's possible they might have the answer to the question of how to defeat the sound-sensitive creatures...assuming they get the chance to implement the solution.

The second film in the franchise is a little slow but still contains the horror of the first. In this entry, the daughter and son (Regan Abbott and Noah Jupe) are actually key players who step up to do what is necessary even when others tell them not to. They are both strong and resilient, and resemble their late father in that respect. I can't even imagine how I would begin to cope with this situation, especially having to give birth alone and then deal with a newborn. Face it, babies cry, and any sound could doom them all.

At the same time, I find myself not as interested in this film, not sure why. The Abbotts do encounter other people and discover that the creatures are not the only things they need to fear. Also in this film we see the first day and what happened then, even if we still aren't sure why it did. I understand there will be a third film. I'll probably watch it. I'll give this one 3 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #49 (10.3)

  Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Vinny and Ethan have a moment alone before heading to the store, but they're rudely interrupted. More danger? Seriously? See what's happening in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #49 (10.3)

Ethan and I both jumped up, weapons already drawn, looking for the source of the disturbance. Expecting to see a bullet hole of some kind in the step, I was surprised to find a rock lying there instead. Ethan saw it as well. His face flushed with anger as he holstered his gun and called out into the darkness, “Okay Joey. You can stop that shit right now and come on out where we can see you.”

Joey? Was he kidding? The next moment, Ethan’s brother slouched into view, wearing a smirk. That was the happiest I’d seen him since we’d arrived.

“Did I scare you two great big secret agents?” he taunted us.

My first impulse was to leap off the porch, grab the little bastard and beat the shit out of him. I went so far as to get to my feet, but of course Ethan, being the voice of reason, wouldn’t allow that.  “Please don’t, Vinny.”

I wasn’t surprised by that, although I was a little disappointed at not being able to punch Joey again. I did understand that this was Ethan’s brother, and I didn’t want to do anything to upset him, and I was certain Ethan was worried about peace within the family.

But that theory went right out the window the next second. “My brother, my problem,” he continued as jumped down the stairs of the porch, straight toward his brother. Joey froze in place, obviously not expecting any retaliation on Ethan’s part.

Ethan grabbed and twisted Joey’s shirt in one fist and lifted him straight from the ground, to my amazement. I mean, I knew he was strong, but damn… Granted, it was just a few inches, but still, very impressive, Mr. Thorne. Very impressive.

“You could have gotten yourself killed,” Ethan said. “Are you really that stupid?”

“K-killed,” Joey stuttered. “W-what do you mean? All I did was throw a rock at you two. Not like I tried to shoot you or anything.” I could see he was trying to maintain some semblance of dignity… and failing miserably. He squirmed in Ethan’s grasp until Ethan released his hold and allowed him to drop back to the ground.

“Well, there are federal agents watching the house for our protection, and they might have interpreted your actions as threatening. Lethal, even. They might have shot first and asked questions afterward. That would have been a little late for you, don’t you think?”

I suspected Ethan was exaggerating that last part to scare his brother all the more. Even so, I wouldn’t have wanted to put that theory to the test.

I closed the distance between Ethan and me and slipped my arm around his waist. My intention was to show our solidarity, but also to provide back-up, if needed. He wouldn’t dare attack us together, although I suspected he wouldn’t really try to hurt Ethan alone. He was too cowardly for that.

Joey glanced at us suspiciously. He pivoted slowly, looking around as if he might actually see the agents Ethan had been talking about. I could have told him that was a waste of time. Good agents would not allow themselves to be seen. Not finding what he was looking for, he must have decided to take another tack.

“Things were better before you decided to come around more often,” he sneered. The way his gaze bounced back and forth between Ethan and me, I could easily figure out what he was alluding to. Now that Ethan was out of the closet, he felt more at ease with seeing his family with me by his side. But that didn’t have to mean anything had changed with Joey’s relationship with them.

“You’ve brainwashed Mom and Dad into think what you two are is… is normal,” he almost spat out. I felt Ethan tense, and I tightened my grip on his waist, just to be safe. “And now you bring Uncle Benny back. Jailbird and fa—” He caught himself just in time and amended his slur. “Fairy.”

Not much better.

“Oh? Do tell me what you consider normal, Joey.” Ethan’s voice was deceptively calm. Only I could feel the storm brewing inside. At least he was keeping it contained… for now. “You mean like you and Heather normal? Is that your idea of normal? Or maybe I should ask Dad that question. What do you think, Joey?”

I know I didn’t hear what I just heard. And if I was shocked, color Joey downright stunned. His mouth opened and closed without making a sound, like one of the fish in Shedd Aquarium, in Chicago. My mother and I had been there a couple of times when I was a kid. I remember thinking Chicago was a noisy busy place, but the aquarium was like an oasis in the middle of the madness.

“I don’t know what you think you know,” he finally said. His tone had gone from belligerent to pitiful in a moment.

“Know about? Heather and Dad? You’re right, I don’t know. I don’t think I even want to know, to be honest. But I do know that you need to figure out your problems yourself and not take them out on everyone else. We’re not responsible for your unhappiness, no matter what you think.”

“Dad’s never seen me because of you,” Joey said. “You’ve always had it all. Good grades, lots of friends. A brilliant future. And now you have your happy ever after ending. Well, dammit, I deserve that too. I deserve happiness, don’t I?”

I noticed he’d clenched his fists as he spoke, and now he rubbed at one eye, then the other.

“You do,” Ethan agreed. “I’m sorry if you’re hurt. I only want to help, honestly. Both of us.”

I nodded but said nothing.

“Would you like to talk? We’ll be back in just a few, and we can listen—”

For a moment, I thought he’d agree. But then he turned and ran off once more.

 to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

Book Review: Skip Beat! Vol 14 by Yoshiki Nakamura

 

Skip Beat! Vol 14      

Author: Yoshiki Nakamura

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: September 2, 2008

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Shojo Manga/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Kyoko joins Director Ogata for lunch. He seems happy to see her, which is more than can be said for her co-stars. Naturally, the conversation turns to Ren and how he’s doing. The director is doing better as well, and has a new-found confidence he was lacking before. That is largely due to something Ren said to him. Meanwhile, Ren and Mr. Yashiro are headed to his next job. The agent is working on Ren to talk to Kyoko about how he feels, and Ren doesn’t even bother to deny his feelings anymore. Not to him, anyway. What Mr. Yashiro doesn’t know, though, is Ren’s past with Kyoko. Perhaps if he knew that, he’d drop hints to Kyoko in order to get these two lovebirds together! Ren believes that there is someone who could possibly sway Kyoko’s heart by the mere mention of his name, and that disturbs him.

Kyoko is scheduled for an interview on Japonet Scope, thanks to her rising star. But on her arrival, she notices a door marked with Sho Fuwa’s name! What, can he really be here also? But the guy she runs into is not Sho, and yet he knows who she is… and seems to look down on her? Kyoko is surprised to learn that a new group named Vie Ghoul has not only climbed the charts but they have a song that has surpassed Sho’s! But she is indignant to discover that they are imitators of Sho! An angry Kyoko marches to Sho’s dressing room and tells him she needs to talk to him!

Mr. Yashiro tries to get Ren to watch the music video clip that Kyoko is in, but because it’s Sho’s clip, Ren is less than inclined to do so. His agent is trying to make him jealous so he’ll do something about his feelings, but Ren is resisting.  Kyoko is being sent on location for a few days for the film. She doesn’t realize until she’s there that a well-known music studio is nearby. And oh dear, it looks as though both Sho and Vie Ghoul are going to be there! What else could happen? Maybe Ren could show up too?

Kyoko has definitely grown and matured since we first met her. And while she still plans to get her revenge on Sho, she is not afraid to tell him about his shortcomings. The rose-colored glasses she once wore are gone… even if she can’t see how much she likes Ren. Still, it’s a start. But what’s going on with these Vie Ghoul guys? Are they going to throw some oil on this fire or start a conflagration of their own?

Great volume, look forward to more!