Deep Scar Vol 1. by Rossella Sergi

Deep Scar 

by Rossella Sergi

Tokyo Pop: Shojo Manga

August 20, 2019

204 Pages

Plot: Sofia is a quiet young woman who longs for more independence. When she moves to Turin for school, it's her first time away from her family and her boyfriend Luca. But her new roommate, Veronica, leads a life very different from hers: she prefers evenings in the company of beautiful boys! Luca dreads the influence of Veronica and her entourage on Sofia, and especially the presence of the enigmatic Lorenzo, who seems to be a little too interested in his girlfriend. (2019, amazon.com)

Review: I've read many Shojo mangas in the past and if you like this genre (shojo manga), then you may enjoy Deep Scar. It has many similar elements of most shojo mangas - romance, drama, peer-pressure, and a lot of emotional ups and downs between the two main characters. Deep Scar is a romance at heart, but it seems the drama will revolve around the other love interest, Lorenzo. The author does a good job drawing out the tension and suspense of how Lorenzo knows Sofia (even though she doesn't), and why he is trying to keep his distance from her - even though he obviously doesn’t want to. Not much is revealed about Lorenzo in this volume. He is still somewhat of a mystery. I would consider this manga more New Adult rather than Young Adult because the main characters are not in high school. Sofia is in her first year of college and is living with a roommate. She is a reserved girl who has an innocent relationship with her boyfriend Luca. But, you can foresee the drama that will unfold between Sofia, Luca, and Lorenzo, which is what will keep the reader interested in what happens next.

On the downside, the characters do act a little over the top in some cases which is more appropriate when it's for comedic purposes. But, since there is no comedy in this story it just didn't fit well. The artwork is of good quality and you can follow the storyline very well. Overall, Deep Scar is an interesting new manga series that will appeal to readers that enjoy young adult/new adult romance manga. It's clear the themes of this storyline will be more "adult" in nature as the series continues; however, there is nothing explicit in this manga so far. For ages 17 and up.



*A DRC was given for an honest review.

Rating: 3 Hearts!

💖💖💖

Book Love by Debbie Tung

  

Book Love

by Debbie Tung
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing
January 1, 2019
144 Pages

Review:  If ever there was a book that captures the heart, mind, and soul of a bookworm, Book Love by Debbie Tung would be it!  With hilarious and spot on visual interpretations, this book truly captures the daily life of your everyday bookworm.  You will certainly find a representation of yourself on many of these pages if you are the following: Obsessed with books! For some, you may even feel like this could be a illustrated memoir!😂

I love how Tung can take a variety of situations and show how a bookworm would handle it.  This is not in a story format.  It is written and illustrated as moments in a bookworm's life. If you consider yourself a book lover, then Book Love is a must have for your shelf or coffee table!

*Received a DRC for an honest review.

Rating: 5 Hearts!

            💖💖💖💖💖

Manga Review: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Manga Classics:

The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas

Adapted by: Crystal S. Chan

404 Pages

Published by UDON Entertainment

Summary: On the very day of his wedding to the beautiful Mercedes, a young merchant sailor named Edmond Dantès is falsely imprisoned for life, laying to waste his plans of marriage and hard-earned fortune. Following several long years in prison he has managed to escape and reinvent himself as the mysterious Count of Monte Christo. It is the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Count has been plotting his revenge on the three men who had him falsely imprisoned. With a new identity, an incredible education abroad and a vast fortune, has returned completely unrecognizable to those who had committed their crimes against him. (2017, Amazon.com)

Review: Manga Classics has another great addition to their "Classics" series.  Here we have an adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.  I have only seen the movie, so I cannot compare the manga adaptation to Dumas' novel.  However, I have read other adaptations in the Manga Classics series (such as manga adaptations by Jane Austen), and I find them to be very accurate in the story line and characters.  So, although the movie and this manga adaptation are not very similar, I can safely assume that this manga follows closely to the actual novel.   Absolutely beautiful pictures done by Crystal Chan.  You won't be disappointed!  Recommended for ages 12 and up!

*DRC was given for an honest review.


Rating: 💖💖💖💖
             4 Hearts!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Tale and The Beast's Tale

Belle's Tale and The Beast's Tale

 Adapted by Mallory Reeves

160 pages each

Published by TokyoPop

Review:  I decided to review Belle's Tale and The Beast's Tale together as it is basically the same story, just with different points of view in the separate volumes.  The story line is based on Disney's new live-action movie that was recently released in theaters. You really can't go wrong with TokyoPop.  Their art is beautiful!  Mallory Reeves does a great job in adapting this story in manga form.  If you enjoyed the movie, or if you just love Beauty and the Beast tales, you will not be disappointed with this version. If you saw the movie than there won't be anything new here. But, if you haven't then you will see some differences in the original Disney cartoon and this new 2016 version.  There is more backstory revealed for both Belle and The Beast. So, that was enlightening.  Reeves also gives us some insight as to what the characters are thinking during important parts of the story.  Overall, a great adaptation for Beauty and the Beast fans.

*Recieved a DRC for an honest review.

Rating:💖💖💖💖

Manga Classics: Emma

Adapted by Stacy King

Art by Po Tse

308 pages

Udon Entertainment

Review: Jane Austen's Emma is one of my favorite stories, and reading the manga version by Stacy King and Po Ste was awesome!  Loved this adaptation!  Here we follow Emma Woodhouse and all her match-making schemes.  Filled with family dynamics, humor, friendships, and romance! You don't necessarily have to read the novel version first to enjoy the manga adaptation. This manga can be read on it's own as it follows the story-line, relationships, and plot pretty closely. Another favorite Austen classic of mine is Persuasion. I would love for King and Tse to create that story into a manga version. This is the last Austen adaptation in this manga series. I recommend this to anyone who loves Jane Austen and/or regency historical fiction romance.

*Recieved a DRC for an honest review.

Rating: 💖💖💖💕

Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility

Adapted by Stacy King

Art by Po Tse

308 pages

Udon Entertainment

Review: Another beautiful adaptation by Stacy King and Po Tse of the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility. If you are looking for a manga version that is as close to the original novel as possible, then this is a must read.  It follows the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate the complexity of English society and their ever evolving love lives.  All key points, plots, and relationships are included and wonderfully executed.  If you are new to manga, but love a good Austen classic (or regency period historical fiction), then you should give this manga and the other manga classics in this collection a try! 

*Recieved a DRC for an honest review.

Rating:  💖💖💖💖

Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice

Adapted by Stacy King

Art by Po Tse

377 pages
Udon Entertainment

Review: This Pride and Prejudice adaptation by Stacy King and Po Tse is perfect for all who love Jane Austen and Manga!  The dialogue and illustrations follow the story or Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy pretty closely and is great for any Austen fan, even if you don't normally read manga.  If you've never read manga before, this might just get you hooked!   I remember seeing this title at a local Barnes and Noble a while back, but I only got to scan through it.  I'm so glad I was able to get a copy and finally read it! The illustrations are beautifully done and the manga really captures the main parts of the story. 

Rating: 4 Hearts!