Posted June 11, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Dinosaur Sanctuary
Genres: Manga,
Science Fiction Pages: 202
Series: Dinosaur Sanctuary #4 Rating: 
Synopsis: DINO ON THE LOOSE!
Suma Suzume is getting ready for her first winter as a dinokeeper at the struggling Enoshima Dinoland, but she’s got more to deal with than just keeping dinosaurs warm and cozy. When a report comes in that a Velociraptor is roaming the streets of Japan, Suzume and her coworker Kaido are sent to help! Can they bring the raptor back unharmed?
Aaahh, I loved some of the chapter opening images in vol 4 of Itaru Kinoshita’s Dinosaur Sanctuary —Â the Sherlock Holmes-esque one really made me laugh. We get a bit of variation here in that Suma ends up away from the dino-park, trying to track down a velocipraptor who escaped from smugglers. I love that the plots and how they work out are carefully based on trying to extrapolate how dinosaurs lived, and how they could live now.
The rest of the book gets back to the problem of the park’s social media somewhat, and pairs Suma up to work with yet another guy who is sceptical of her ability and seriousness about the job. I kinda hope that she doesn’t easily win him over within the next volume… though I get that her arc (inasfar as character development is happening) is all about proving herself. That doesn’t have to mean everyone likes her!
Still really fun, mostly-low-stakes, and full of dino-facts.
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Itaru Kinoshita, manga, SF/F
Posted June 10, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
The Stranger in the Hoarding House
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 182
Rating: 
Synopsis: After a traumatic incident at work, Kamakura locked himself away and let the trash pile up around him, resigned to his fate as a hikikomori... That is, until the day Katsuyoshi climbed in through his balcony.
At their landlord's behest, Katsuyoshi offers to help Kamakura clean his apartment, insisting that Kamakura stay with him in the meantime. Kamakura reluctantly agrees, wondering why Katsuyoshi would offer to help out a complete stranger. Turns out, Katsuyoshi has his own reasons— and his own trauma— to work through.
As they tidy together, the pair open up to each other and slowly begin to heal in this sweet slice-of-life romance about moving forward, one trash bag at a time...
Joe Aruku’s The Stranger in the Hoarding House is pretty short and sweet; the characters are thrown together when Katsuyoshi climbs into Kamakura’s apartment after someone throws a ball to break the windows, and finds him there locked in with a load of trash. Things went badly for Kamakura and he just stopped caring, but Katsuyoshi tasks himself to get him back on his feet — not just out of the kindness of his heart, but partly in redemption for being unkind to someone close to him who was in a similar situation.
The whole thing resolves pretty quickly, particularly the hoarding problem, and there’s not an enormous amount of build-up to the relationship before it launches sideways into a weird sexual encounter, but the relationship between the two of them turns sweet and supportive, helping both of them make good changes to their lives.
It’s not amazingly detailed or fleshed out, but it was cute, all the same.
Rating: 2/5 (“it was okay”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Joe Aruku, manga, romance
Posted May 31, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Dinosaur Sanctuary
Genres: Manga,
Science Fiction Pages: 206
Series: Dinosaur Sanctuary #3 Rating: 
Synopsis: THE NEWBIE LOOKS FOR HER DINO HOME.
Suma Suzume, the newest keeper at struggling Enoshima Dinoland, has reached the end of her three-month orientation period. It’s time for a new challenge: working alongside each of the department heads to find her permanent place on the staff! First on the list is Igarashi Keisuke, and Suzume will learn what makes him tick as they care for the park’s pachycephalosaurs and stegosaurs.
Each volume of Itaru Kinoshita’s Dinosaur Sanctuary is pretty similar because it’s mostly “dinosaur has problem, solve it, dinosaur is happy”, but I’ve been enjoying that somewhat predictable format.
Volume three has pachycephalosaurs, which was exciting! I used to adore them as a kid. I didn’t know we think maybe (probably? I need to look this up more) Dracorex was just a juvenile form of Pachycephalosaurus, or that we have little skeletal evidence below the wrist for their anatomy. I’ve seen so many reconstructions, I’d assumed they were based on a greater number of bones!
It also delves into some realistic stuff about how to keep a dinosaur park afloat, positioning it as very akin to a zoo. If dinosaurs are commonplace, does the shine fade? Given the success of zoos, I kinda doubt it, to be honest — but combined with the accident previously mentioned, maybe that would be enough? Or maybe if you don’t have any of the most glitzy, high status dinosaurs? Perhaps yes.
Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Itaru Kinoshita, manga, SF/F
Posted May 24, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments
Dinosaur Sanctuary
Genres: Manga,
Science Fiction Pages: 164
Series: Dinosaur Sanctuary #2 Rating: Synopsis: A richly detailed manga about a rookie zookeeper learning how to care for dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes, sure to delight dinosaur lovers!
Dinosaurs are alive! In 1946, a remote island was discovered where dinosaurs never went extinct. Through breeding and genetic manipulation, dinosaur populations increased and dino-mania reached a fever pitch worldwide...until a certain terrible incident occurred. Afterward, dinosaur reserves like Enoshima Dinoland fell on hard times. Enter Suma Suzume, a kindhearted rookie dino-keeper! Can she be the one to save Dinoland from extinction?
The potential drama from the first volume of Itaru Kinoshita’s Dinosaur Sanctuary passes over really quickly, actually, giving us a bit more of the characters’ backstories and motivations without major personal drama.
It’s still overall fairly low-stakes, with one of the main stories being Suma getting to look after a baby dinosaur who imprinted on her. Benkei is adorable, and Suma’s arc of understanding what Benkei’s good at and what might be good for him was pretty fun.
It remains really cute and fun, including the dinosaur expert’s bits. I love that they had a consultant to make sure the facts and art look right (as far as we can be sure).
Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Itaru Kinoshita, manga, SF/F
Posted May 17, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments
Dinosaur Sanctuary
Genres: Manga,
Science Fiction Pages: 194
Series: Dinosaur Sanctuary #1 Rating: Synopsis: A richly detailed manga about a rookie zookeeper learning how to care for dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes, sure to delight dinosaur lovers!
Dinosaurs are alive! In 1946, a remote island was discovered where dinosaurs never went extinct. Through breeding and genetic manipulation, dinosaur populations increased and dino-mania reached a fever pitch worldwide…until a certain terrible incident occurred. Afterward, dinosaur reserves like Enoshima Dinoland fell on hard times. Enter Suma Suzume, a kindhearted rookie dino-keeper! Can she be the one to save Dinoland from extinction?
The first volume of Itaru Kinoshita’s Dinosaur Sanctuary was definitely the light reading I needed on the particular day I finally picked it up. It’s aimed at a younger audience, but it’s a lot of fun, including the fact files in between chapters by an actual dinosaur expert. I love that they have a dinosaur expert consulting on it!
Obviously there’s a hint at big potential drama, from the fact that two of the characters (at least) are linked to a big and deadly incident that’s been alluded to several times… but it’s fairly low stakes. Mostly it’s about taking care of dinosaurs, which, yeah. Obviously I am very into that, and the theorising about what they might need in order to be kept in what is essentially a zoo.
I actually found this by stumbling onto a thread on Bluesky about how they translate thagomizer in the Japanese version (the answer is ” サゴマイザー/sagomaizaa”, apparently). And they say Bluesky doesn’t sell books!
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Itaru Kinoshita, manga, SF/F
Posted May 1, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Delicious in Dungeon
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga Pages: 191
Series: Delicious in Dungeon #1 Rating: Synopsis: When young adventurer Laios and his company are attacked and soundly thrashed by a dragon deep in a dungeon, the party loses all its money and provisions... and a member! They're eager to go back and save her, but there is just one problem: If they set out with no food or coin to speak of, they're sure to starve on the way! But Laios comes up with a brilliant idea: "Let's eat the monsters!" Slimes, basilisks, and even dragons... none are safe from the appetites of these dungeon-crawling gourmands!
I didn’t really know much about Ryoko Kui’s Delicious in Dungeon going in, only that it featured a team of broke adventurers who need to learn to cook monsters in order to help them progress in a dungeon. I didn’t know about the whole “because a dragon has eaten the main character’s sister” part, which… to be fair… is not a major part of the story because they don’t seem to feel much urgency about it at all.
The pacing feels weird, as each chapter is essentially just a little episode in “what to cook next”. There are some fun touches, like the nutrition balance cards after the various meals, and the ingenuity of how to cook some stuff, and I really enjoyed the almost scientific interest Laios has in various creatures, figuring out how they work.
Overall, though, I felt a lack of character development (the most was Marcille, but it was mostly “whiny elf girl whines and then eats the food anyway”) and… direction? So I’m not sure I’ll read more. The lack of pace would probably have come across better if Laios’ sister wasn’t, you know, being digested. I know that they expect to just resurrect her but… yeah. Still.
Rating: 2/5 (“it was okay”)
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Ryoko Kui, SF/F
Posted April 30, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Do You Really Want Only A Meal?
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 164
Series: Do You Really Want Only A Meal? #2 Rating: Synopsis: Now happily dating, 27-year-old Masamune Hanzawa takes his boyfriend, 19-year-old Natsuki, on a birthday trip, but he unfortunately spends the whole time worrying he hasn’t done enough. When they run into Natsuki’s mom at the train station, she thanks Masamune for taking care of her husband and son. Inspired, they decide to come out to Natsuki’s parents about their relationship. But in a world where same-sex relationships face societal resistance, how will Natsuki’s family react? As love meets uncertainty, Masamune and Natsuki must navigate uncharted waters together.
Volume two of Yasu Tadano’s Do You Really Only Want a Meal? is really pure fluff. There are two potential sources of conflict: firstly, Masamune trying overly hard to find ways to please Natsuki (actually against his wishes), and secondly, the two of them telling Natsuki’s parents they’re dating. Between the age gap and the fact that they’re gay, that does give them some pause.
Aaaand in practice all conflict quickly fizzles out! It’s just cute and fluffy, with Natsuki’s parents surprised but supportive, and Masamune being a pretty perfect boyfriend.
There is also a fun bit where Masamune practises cooking and makes food for Natsuki for once, and also where they clearly go a bit further than making out (unclear if they have sex, but probably; it fades to black).
But really, no conflict here, just fluff. My only negative comment would be sometimes the transitions between scenes were poorly or not-at-all signposted. Why have they suddenly changed location?! Ohhh, okay, time skip.
Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, romance, Yasu Tadano
Posted April 16, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Tied to You
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga,
Romance Pages: 320
Series: Tied to You #4 Rating: Synopsis: Wooseo's heart has been swayed, and Jigeon is determined to win it over completely, once and for all. But a meeting between Wooseo, Jiseok, and the Connector may throw a wrench in his plans when Jiseok reveals his brother has been deceiving Wooseo. The lies, the manipulations, the mind games--when all is laid bare to Wooseo, will he choose to stay tied to Jigeon?
Volume four of WHAT/Chelliace’s Tied to You brings everything to a head: Jigeon lays all his cards on the table, Jiseok does too, and Wooseo has to choose what he wants and decide whether he wants the Connector to change anything, or whether he loves his fated partner after all.
There could be some really fascinating stories in this world with non-fated partners, even without the existence of the Connector — Jigeon clearly doesn’t trust to fate, after all, so perhaps there are other pairs out there who make do with ring connections that don’t reflect their feelings. But in this one I don’t think there’s much doubt about what Wooseo will choose in the end…
Even though Jigeon confesses to manipulating the situation, it doesn’t suddenly become a healthy romance — even if Wooseo now chooses it open-eyed. Jigeon’s nature isn’t trusting, not even of fate; I think he’d treat Wooseo well, and carefully avoid any chance of things cooling by manipulating the situation, no matter what. It’s not a relationship I’d choose for myself, for darn sure!
But… maybe it’s good for them. Certainly it was satisfying to see the decision made, and for Wooseo to realise that he has feelings for Jigeon in his own right, not as a stand-in for Jiseok. Still, once more, a warning that this isn’t a fluffy romance (and isn’t intended to be).
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Chelliace, manga, romance, SF/F, WHAT
Posted April 10, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga,
Romance Pages: 308
Series: Tied to You #3 Rating: Synopsis: Wooseo has finally found a way to remove the Ring. The catch? Doing so erases all memories related to one’s fated partner. While he loathes being a burden to Jigeon, for some reason, the thought of losing him hurts just as much…In the face of Wooseo’s uncertainty, Jigeon decides to make a gambit—by revealing he is irrevocably in love with him! But all risks come with consequences, and Jigeon’s actions have pushed his brother over the edge. No more sitting on the sidelines…Jiseok refuses to let his best friend be stolen away, even if it means dropping a truth bomb of his own!
Volume three of WHAT/Chelliace’s Tied to You keeps rattling on, with Wooseo wrestling with the idea of getting the ring removed and losing all his memories of Jigeon, and Jigeon still carefully manipulating the situation to force Wooseo to ultimately see and accept that he’s his fated partner, and nothing else compares…
And of course, even Jiseok’s part of that plan, his confused jealousy boiling up and making him rash — I would sympathise more with him and think that Wooseo probably would be better with him, if he hadn’t physically hurt Wooseo because of the rivalry between himself and his brother. That’s just not okay: it’s clear that Jigeon, too, would resort to violence — but he’s never behaved that way toward Wooseo, his desired romantic partner, while Jiseok has.
You end up kind of rooting for Jigeon, despite the manipulation and stalking. He would take care of Wooseo and make him happy, because he’s so desperate for Wooseo’s love. It’s impossible to feel totally at ease in rooting for that, though, because… well… manipulation and stalking.
I wanna be really clear that I am absolutely not recommending this as a romance, for that reason. It’s intense and fascinating, but definitely not any kind of fluffy romance, despite the soulmates concept.
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Chelliace, manga, romance, SF/F, WHAT
Posted April 3, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Sailor Zombie
Genres: Horror,
Manga Pages: 200
Rating: 
Synopsis: Two months have passed since the world was overrun by zombies. High schooler Maiko Inui, a girl who longs to become an idol, finds refuge in Fujimi Girls’ High School, where the surviving students reside. When hordes of zombies mercilessly attack the girls, how will Maiko and her friends fight back?! Horror meets harmony in this vibrant tale where heroes don’t wear capes…but sailor suits instead!
Jiji and Pinch’s Sailor Zombie is a bit weird, and turned out to be not much to my taste. It’s set in a world where zombies have risen, and some schoolgirls (and some of their teachers, who seem to rely on the girls) have survived. One is weirdly bloodthirsty and gets them all into trouble (of course), while the main character stumbles upon the school after coming from somewhere else, and may weirdly (but predictably) have a key to making the whole zombie apocalypse thing a lot more manageable, by making the zombies cry.
I didn’t love the art and some of the decisions, like not even giving some of the cannon fodder girls faces (just blanks with numbers on them). Just… lazy. And overall it all just felt kind of scattered and rushed, without building up any real rapport between characters or anything like that.
The story is pretty lacklustre and scatterbrained; I won’t be continuing the series.
Rating: 1/5 (“didn’t like it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, horror, Isshin Inudo, Jiji, manga, Pinch
