Lenni Reviews: 'Angelus: The Books of Raziel Book Three' by Sabrina Benulis

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Well, Lenni did it again; reviewing a cool sounding book that's not the first in the series. Heck, this is the conclusion of a trilogy! Ah, well...

Angela Mathers is the current Archon who sits on the throne of Hell. By being there, she is fulfilling a prophesy that means she has the power to end the universe by opening the Book of Raziel. But the book isn't a 'book,' it's her best friend Sophia and the only way to 'open' the book is to kill her. But Lucifel sits on the throne of Heaven, the realms are set to collide and destroy one another, leaving Angela with a terrible choice to face.

Although the premise of this dark fantasy novel is cool, the overall story left me kinda flat. While the characters are well rounded and engaging, the plot is carefully woven together, and the creatures are interesting to read about; it hits all the usual beats; thus ends up a bit predictable. According to her author bio, Sabrina Benulis likes anime and you can tell from how the book is structured on its way to the ultimately satisfying yet bittersweet conclusion. Even without having read the first two, 'Angelus' would obviously be the climactic final season of an anime in one book. This also means - for my fellow anime watchers out there - there are points that are pure filler. You can take them or leave them but you want to get back to the main story. However, 'Angelus' does take an original and creative view on the whole mythos of angels, demons, Heaven, Hell, and how humanity fits in with all of them.

On the whole, it's an ok book. I can easily see this being classified as 'older teen' if not for some bloody fights. If you like dark fantasy and would like to take a break from watching an anime and read one, 'Angelus' isn't a bad pick.

Angelus will be released from Harper Voyager on February 9, 2016.

KONOSUBA -God's blessing on this wonderful world! Episode 1 Review

Gamer Kazuma dies in a freak accident, and is met in the afterlife by a crass goddess, Aqua. 

Konosuba - God's blessing on this wonderful world is an anime that might seem familiar to some based on  the influences from shows like Sword Art Online. However don't let the comparisons this show will get turn you off. This show is its own identity and pretty damn entertaining.

The main protagonists Satoru is a gamer who never really leaves the house. He just stays in the house and plays his favorite rpg games. When I was first introduced to Satoru I immediately asked myself. How many times are we're going get the no life otaku/gamer stereotype in these shows? Satoru seems to have no ambition, pretty much a loner and only lives for games. This type of character is simply becoming the normal in anime. Anyway Satoru decides to finally go outside but only to buy a limit edition copy of his next game. While on the way home he sees a girl is about to get hit by a car and pushes her out the way. As stated in the synopsis Satoru dies. He then is offered the chance to choose his afterlife. He can go to heaven,  go back to Earth or something else. That something else is fighting the Devil King in a parallel universe and having special powers. Satoru chooses the last choice and the story really begins. 

Konosuba really picks up once Satoru and his companion Aqua enter the new world. If you're a fan of RPG games you will like the nods of the format the anime has layed out. The show is viewed like playing an RPG. The characters enter the town, they talk to the people for information and go the Guild to register for a class or quest. This aspect made me ignore Satoru one note character and just allow myself to immerse with the story. The world is beautiful with different type of classes from mages, adventurers and more. Satoru gaming experience makes him a natural how to survive. However he learns he's not such a hotshot as he believes. This knowledge kind of dampens his ego a bit and forces him to train hard to level up.  I would say that his companion Aqua is a show stealer. Aqua is the goddess that met Satoru in the afterlife and offer him his afterlife choices. She is sarcastic, let's her status of goddess go to her head but really cares for people. Out of the two protagonists I will think the audience will be drawn to Aqua more. She's better written, has witty dialogue and has more charisma.  The animation looks great, the music is will make you feel like you're in a RPG and the voice acting delivers. The show is nothing new under the sun but it's still entertaining.

Final Grade 8.0/10

 

Dimension W Episode 1 - Collector Review

Kyoma Mabuchi, a Collector, runs into some trouble on a job and ends up bringing back an android girl named Mira.

I think 2016 has introduced us to another bad ass in the name of Kyoma Mabuchi. The show Dimension W is off to great a start with a strong cast of characters, refreshing plot and stellar animation. In the first episode we're introduced to Kyoma. He is a man who is surrounded in mystery. All we know is that he acts as a Collector and takes certain jobs that he is hired to do. He has the same style of a mercenary but I wouldn't call that. While details of who Kyoma is not shown. I like the way they tell us through actions what type of man he is. He is a man of action. A man who is going to get the job done. He appears cold but you can sense he's a good man. I'm curious to see how he develops and what we will learn from him this season.

Dimension W also succeeds with presenting us a refreshing concept and world. In the world of 2071 the energy crisis is solved, with the discovery of cross dimensions fields known as coils. These coils have infinite source of energy which was founded in the W dimensions. The episode shows the importance of these coils and how it's the livelihood of the world. There is however coils that shouldn't be used with also amazing amounts of energy called illegal coils. This sets Kyoma on a misson to stop those who are trying to use it. The world is refreshing and I was really drawn into the situations of the coils and the effects of it. Dimension W has great animation, a good score and great characters. Episode 1 does one hell of a job of introducing us to this world.

Final Grade: 8.5/10

Rainbow Days Episode 1 Review

Natsuki is a hopeless romantic who, just after being dumped by his girlfriend, falls in love with a girl handing out tissues while dressed in a Santa costume. Will Natsuki reconnect with his dream girl?

Rainbow Days has a nice premise, concept and good execution. Natsuki was dumped during the holiday season. He meets handing out tissues and instantly falls in love.  Natsuki is hell bent on finding this girl that he met that fateful night. Natsuki can be somewhat delusional. He only sees what he his reality wants him too. Think of it like this. A girl can just being nice but he will think it's romantically link. One thing I like about the show is how Natsuki is trying to get back into the dating world. His friends show their support by trying to help him with tips, take him out and keep him in check. I like how they show how Natsuki was affected by the break up. I just wish they showed more of it. Overall this anime is off to a good start. Natsuki quest to learn more about his crush should keep you interested.

Final Grade 7.0/10

Ojisan and Marshmallow Episode 1 Review

The series is about a man named Kusaka who has a fascination for marshmallows. Kusaka gets involved in a relationship with an office lady named Wakabayashi, and the story focuses on their relationship in the workplace.

Before I begin you have to know that is an anime short. It is only last 3 mins long. However in those three minutes I was pretty entertained. This anime short developed and planted seeds of a fun relationship between Kusaka and Wakabayashi. The short makes it clear that Kusaka loves marshmallows and Wakabayashi is having fun taunting him with it. There is chemistry between these two that will certainly be explored in later episodes. I did like the little play fight scene tey had. But the short didn't leave me wanting more. Maybe five minutes to establish more would be great. It was still a fun three minutes.

Final Grade: 7.0/C- 

Erased Episode 1: Flashing Before My Eyes Review

Satoru Fujinuma is a struggling manga artist who works at a pizza parlor. Ever since he was a kid, he has been holding himself responsible for a kidnapping incident. Finally, the time has come for the truth from his past to be revealed…

I haven't seen an anime with such a strong first episode like "Erased" for some time. I have to go on record and say that I'm hooked. This show is off to a great start and if 2016 anime is similar we are looking at a good year. One thing episode 1 does so well is introducing us to our main character Satoru Fujinuma. Satoru is guy that keeps to himself. He's a struggling manga writer who seems to not be able to tap into his full potential. There is something traumatic that is holding him back from unlocking his heart. This is something that he has been putting off for years and he is ready to confront it.

As stated in the synopsis Satoru feels responsible for a student who was kidnap. For the sake of spoilers I won't say anything about the episode. I will say I love how they depict how he carries this weight for all these years. The use of music, camera angles and the way he is presented is spot on. There is also supernatural element which works even for this realistic tone the show is going for. The ending of episode 1 is unexpected and will have you rewatching it for hints of next week. This show so far is taking its characters, plot and world seriously. A touch of slice of life, supernatural and real situations makes this off to a great start.

Final Grade A-/9.0

Only Yesterday Review

 Only Yesterday is a film that truly embodies the spirit of life and how dreams can change or stay the same form childhood. Taeko, a 27 year old woman, lives in Tokyo and decides to go out into the countryside to work as a field worker. Along the way she starts to reminisce about her life as a little girl and starts to question if she completed her dream since childhood.

The story is great and the use of imagery and animation has the style of what we love about Studio Ghibli. The animation is so nice and crisp and I love the watercolors that were used for the past and then the heavy, darker, colors for the present (1982). Also with the past dream sequences, some of the scenes seem half finished, making it more of a dream than reality and shows how life can past by in a blur.

The music is absolutely amazing and it sets the mood for each scene. When the music is not playing its at pivitol moments in time when I am on my seat to hear and to see what happens next. The music helps the mood and brings out such great emotions that also inhances the performance of the characters and actors.

Speaking of which, the voice actors in the movie is also great and one can tell they are invested in the story and really bring each character to life. Daisy Ridley and Dev Patel were amazing and gave such great emotion to the characters and the other characters as well, especially the flashbacks to Taeko as a little girl.

Overall I give this movie a 9/10. A must see if your a fan of Studio Ghibli and this story, for me, hits home to me on a personal level and what a story to have to celebrate 25 years of amazing storytelling. Dreams can be a reality. Take chances and have heart and you will see it come true. Anime Rules!!!

Lenni Reviews: "Bane" by Amelia C. Gormley

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I must have said a dozen or so times in my tenure as a book reviewer here that I'm going to be writing a review for you guys for the second book in a series without having read the first one. Well, surprise! Bane is the sequel to Strain, which I have indeed read! I happened upon it in one of my free ebook newsletters so when I saw this book in my review box, I snatched it up.

Bane follows the further adventures of Rhys Cooper, a man with a strange immunity to the virus which has ravaged the planet. The virus has three strains that do three different things: infect you with a disease called Rot, turn you into a monster called a revenant, or a super-human they call Juggernauts (or Jugs for short). Scientists in the Clean Zone have caught wind of Rhys' immunity and asked him to be a test subject for a possible vaccine but his partner; Darius Murrel, and the rest of Delta Company don't trust the government. It is the same government that developed this virus, had the Jugs fight for them, then banished them from society.

While as steamy (read: smutty) as the first book, Bane focuses more on the twisted story of trying to find a cure and a safe place for uninfected people and the Jugs they fear. With the virus in the book is so virulent, transmission and risk of another outbreak is a constant concern. The tension surrounding a possible vaccine, how it will effect the balance in the word, and whether or not it will even work, was the most riveting part for me, and I look forward to a sequel if Gormley has one in the works.

As for the M/M romance aspect of it, Rhys and Darius are pretty well established as a couple. The main romantic conflict comes from characters introduced in a different book; Nico Fernandez and Zach Houtman. Nico is a Jug and Zach is one of the doctors working with Rhys on a cure. Kept apart for a decade by Nico's infection, they are thrown together again. Their possible reconciliation is the backdrop to a well built, post-apocalyptic landscape.

To sum it all up, Gormley has sharp world building skills and a red hot pen for her erotic portions of her books. If you like your M/M romance with a sci-fi bent, Bane is a welcome addition.

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“If you like Lenni’s reviews; she also has her own writing posted at www.atthequillsmercy.com”