Posted April 14, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #10 Rating: 
Synopsis: "What can I do to move towards a future with you?"
As spring rolls around, Nobuko and Hiroki celebrate their birthdays together. Their third year of college brings with it a number of changes, causing plenty of anxiety for Nobuko -- until Hiroki makes a suggestion... The two of them begin fumbling towards a future after graduation, even as they grapple with their more affectionate impulses.
Volume ten of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story is all about Hiroki and Nobuko navigating their relationship as it becomes both more settled and a bit more difficult — when they’re rushed off their feet, studying hard, and not able to see each other so often, so there’s a risk of distance and growing apart.
I really love that they repeatedly communicate their way through problems and make promises to each other about it. It’s cute, and also a great model for how you can work through a relationship if you’re brave enough to talk — even when that’s difficult, as it is for Nobuko.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted April 8, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga Pages: 210
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #5 Rating: Synopsis: When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.
Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!
Volume five of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation features Eleven properly joining the party, wooo! We also see a bit more of Viscount Ray — and watch Lizel shamelessly manipulating matters to get what he wants.
I’m still deeply amused by people insisting this series isn’t a romance, because it really comes across like protesting too much when you have Eleven leaning across to cup and gently stroke Lizel’s cheek while asking to stay at his side. Like sure, this isn’t a kissing book, but Gil and Eleven (and plenty of others) are deeply drawn to Lizel, and it ends up coming across as preeeetty weird to keep insisting “no homo”.
I mean, maybe lots of people platonically gently stroke non-family members’ hair/cheeks and beg to stay at their side, but it’s pretty romance-coded, let’s be honest about this now.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Misaki, Momochi, Sando, SF/F
Posted April 3, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga Pages: 200
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #4 Rating: Synopsis: When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.
Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!
In the fourth volume of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, the bandit plot continues, and the red-haired adventurer who has been interested in joining them before gets a bit more serious, introducing himself as Eleven. His antics give us a more serious side of Lizel — seriously, don’t get on his bad side — which is intriguing. It’s my understanding that the light novel makes it clear that Lizel’s actively manipulating people around him, which is implied several times in the manga, but perhaps less explicit: this time makes it pretty clear.
The Gil/Lizel vibes take slightly more of a back seat to Lizel/Eleven vibes, but there’s still a sense that Gil is the only one Lizel considers an equal, the only one he allows to see all sides of him.
It’s more and more obvious that there are barely any women in the series, which is a bit eyebrow-raising, but I still love the art and the dynamic between Gil and Lizel.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Misaki, Momochi, Sando, SF/F
Posted March 17, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga Pages: 208
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #3 Rating: Synopsis: After defeating the underground dragon and finishing up their business in the mercantile city of Marcade, Lizel and Gil resume their journey, having promised Judge's grandfather to protect Judge along the way. But danger soon catches up to them when a strange group of bandits called the Forky Gang attacks in the middle of the night! It quickly becomes clear that someone is targeting Lizel... but who could it be, and for what reason?
As always, former noble and current adventurer Lizel takes all new developments in stride in his usual, laid-back fashion. He's celebrating his promotion from a simple E-rank to a D-rank adventurer â and setting his sights on ranking up again soon!
In the third volume of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, we get to see a brief glimpse of the world Lizel came from, which is pretty exciting. Aaaand the character interactions throughout the volume really make it seem like people doth protest too much about this not being M/M romance: even if Gil and Lizel aren’t meant to be together, Judge and Studd clearly have a crush on Lizel — that’s pretty much text, as they both bicker about being allowed to sleep beside him and the fact that Judge was allowed to hold his hand as he slept (after being scared by a bandit attack).
Plus Gil and Lizel’s bond is pretty close too, with Gil basically saying that nothing matters as long as he stays with Lizel. C’mon, folks.
I still wonder if it would help to read the original light novel, to help smooth out and clarify the plot — I do suspect at times that this being an adaptation means that things aren’t always as obvious to me as I could wish. Still, I continue excited to see where this is going, and if anything will finally rattle Lizel’s calm.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Misaki, Momochi, Sando, SF/F
Posted March 9, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga Pages: 176
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #2 Rating: Synopsis: When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.
Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!
I really enjoyed volume two of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation (story by Misaki, manga adaptation by Momochi). I am wondering where it’s all going exactly, and wondering if things would be clearer if the light novel had been translated, because I’d definitely grab that right now if I could. It feels like there are currents I don’t understand, and I don’t know whether that’s because we’re just not being told yet, or because there’s something lost in translation… or whether the writing’s just unclear.
It’s funny how vehement some reviewers are that this isn’t M/M romance. Honestly, it’s starting to feel like every male character is in love with Lizel! I’m fine with it not being romance, to be clear, but it does heavily lean that way. (The ads for M/M manga in the back also suggest that’s deliberate, let’s be real.)
I’m definitely eager to see both more of the world and more of Lizel’s actual character; his unflappability is fascinating, as is the brief crack in it which Gil sees. I enjoy their friendship a lot. And I still love the art and character designs.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Misaki, Momochi, Sando, SF/F
Posted March 2, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #9 Rating: Synopsis: "Up till now, even kissing or holding hands has made me so nervous. But now..."
An unexpected mix-up leads to a year-end excursion for Nobuko and Hiroki, who find themselves sharing a hotel room rather suddenly. But as their night alone with each other begins, neither one feels quite prepared... A turning point approaches in the love story of these side characters, as feelings of affection begin to blossom into something more.
Volume nine of A Side Character’s Love Story sees Nobuko try to visit home… and get the day wrong, leading to a need to stay in a hotel. And of course, Hiroki comes to the rescue and joins her (and since I’m always telling you all this is adorable, it is really adorable how eager he is to come and spend the time with her, and see her hometown).
I expected to find parts of this really painfully embarrassing given the whole “there’s only one bed” plot… but I love how Hiroki tries to set Nobuko at her ease and make the situation feel better, and the way they (as ever) talk through their problems. And he gets to meet her family a little too! So the embarrassment squick wasn’t nearly as bad as one would think.
And of course, it’s another little step forward for them…
Rating: 4/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted February 14, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #8 Rating: Synopsis: Winter is here, and the first Christmas that Tanaka-san and Irie-kun will spend together as a couple approaches. The two of them make plans to bake a cake together at Tanaka-san's place. As Christmas begins, they're both a little nervous: it's the first time she's invited a boy over, and the first time he's been in a girl's room. In the midst of it, Irie-kun works up the courage to ask for their second kiss... The heat of their love grows stronger in volume 8.
Volume eight of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story is super cute. I know I keep saying that all of it is cute, and it really is, but it’s turbo-charged here. Hiroki and Nobuko spend Christmas together, and also he gets sick and she goes over to nurse him a little. The glasses scene… be still my heart.
In terms of the arc of their relationship, nothing much changes here except that they get more confident with one another, with showing how they care for each other and treating each other as partners rather than just coworkers (something they struggled with even once they were together, at first).
One criticism: arrghh stop taking your masks off when one of you is sick! Wear them properly!
Rating: 4/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted February 9, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments
The Apothecary Diaries (manga)
Genres: Fantasy,
Historical Fiction,
Manga Pages: 176
Series: The Apothecary Diaries (manga) #1 Rating: 
Synopsis: Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn't long for a life of drudgery Using her wits to break a curse afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and...solving mysteries?
The first volume of the manga version of The Apothecary Diaries (original story by Natsu Hyuuga, drawn by Nekokurage) was fun; I wondered if I’d be more into the story if I’d read the light novel, after reading this, so I’ve been reading that as well and really enjoyed it. I’m very curious about Jinshi’s motivations and what he’s up to, and I wondered if maybe the novel went into a bit more depth. In some ways it did, but in others it didn’t.
Maomao’s a fun character though, with her fascination with her studies, her stubborn desire to avoid the people who sold her into this situation profiting by it, and her total lack of interest in Jinshi.
I like the art too, it’s very clear.
Rating: 3/5
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Natsu Hyuuga, Nekokurage
Posted February 2, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Star Collector
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 209
Series: Star Collector #2 Rating: Synopsis: Fynn's favorite activities are skipping class, smoking, and lying around. So when he's told it's time to shape up and try doing something else for a change, he has no idea where to even start.
Then, on a nighttime walk around his neighborhood, he sees a stranger with a telescope up on a hill: his name is Niko, and he loves to watch the stars. Intrigued, Flynn decides to find out more about this nerdy boy and what could be so interesting about the night sky that he loves so much.
This is the second and final volume of the Star Collector series.
Like the first volume of Sophie Schönhammer and Anna Backhausen’s Star Collector, this just feels a bit half-baked and rushed. I like the art and think it’s cute, and the enthusiasm and intensity of the crush and their first fumbling attempts to have sex ring very true for teenagers.
Buuut Fynn’s headlong rush into things still feels a bit off, even for a teenager. Parts of it make sense, like being mad at Niko not explaining what’s going on, but in other ways he’s going waaaaay too fast.
It’s all very melodramatic and teenage, in any case; it’s cute, but too rushed.
Rating: 3/5
Tags: Anna Backhausen, book reviews, books, manga, romance, Sophie Schönhammer
Posted January 26, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Star Collector
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 200
Series: Star Collector #1 Rating: 
Synopsis: Fynn's favorite activities are skipping class, smoking, and lying around. So when he's told it's time to shape up and try doing something else for a change, he has no idea where to even start.
Then, on a nighttime walk around his neighborhood, he sees a stranger with a telescope up on a hill: his name is Niko, and he loves to watch the stars. Intrigued, Flynn decides to find out more about this nerdy boy and what could be so interesting about the night sky that he loves so much.
The first volume of Sophie Schönhammer and Anna Backhausen’s Star Collector has cute art and some glimmers of compelling characters — I love that Fynn’s ex is friendly to both of them, not perfectly over the whole situation, but doing her best to be a good and supportive friend.
However, it feels rushed. Fynn’s interest in Niko, and then his apparent wish to come out to everybody before it’s even clear that he’s not just on the rebound or having a temporary fascination… There’s something that does ring true in the crush, but it doesn’t convince as a basis for a stable relationship. And maybe it’s meant to be that way, and volume two will reveal that…
There’s a lot of potential here, though, either way.
Rating: 2/5
Tags: Anna Backhausen, book reviews, books, manga, romance, Sophie Schönhammer
