REDEPMTION IN INDIGO by Karen Lord
Small Beer Press, 2010, 178 pages, 978-1-931520-66-9, Trade Paperback, $16.00

Genre: Fantasy

My latest review at BSCreivew is of  Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord. This book is unique, enjoyable, and quick to read. It’s also my first experience with “magical realism,” and I have to say–I think I’m hooked.

~

UNHOLY GHOSTS by Stacia Kane
Del Rey, 2010, 352 pages, 978-0345515575, Mass Market Paperback, $7.99

Genre: Urban Fantasy

My new contribution at BSCreview is Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane. This first book in her Downside Ghosts trilogy is lots of fun and very exciting. Definitely pick it up when it releases on May 25th.

Of course, to make it even better, if you do become a Chess Putnam fan (as I did), then you’ll be interested to know that the next two books are coming out this year as well. The second book, Unholy Magic, is slated for July 6th, so you won’t have to wait long to follow up.

~

ŌOKU, vols. 1 & 2 by Fumi Yoshinaga
Viz Media, 2009, 205 pages, 978-1-4215-2747-5, Paperback, $12.99
Viz Media, 2009, 235 pages, 978-1-4215-2748-2, Paperback, $12.99

Genre: Alternate History/Historical Fiction/Manga

I have yet to mention this here on TRE, but I was recently asked to join the review team over at BSCreview. I’m quite excited about this, as you can well imagine, and I’ll be dedicating some of my reading and review time to my contributions there.

For my first submission, I have reviewed volumes one and two of Ōoku by Fumi Yoshinaga (manga-ka of Antique Bakery). It’s a great manga so far, and I’m marking my calendar for the next two volumes that will be coming out this year.

Keep your eye out for my next BSCreview contribution, which should be coming along very soon. In the meantime, go visit the site if you never have before. It’s full of great material on books, comics, television, and movies, among other things.

~

MONSTER by Naoki Urasawa
Viz Media, 18-volume manga series
Madhouse, 74-episode anime series

Genre: Psychological Suspense Thriller/Horror/Manga

Once again, Pink Raygun has kindly accepted one of my articles. This time I tackled a rather lengthy subject (at least, it’s lengthy when I write about it)–namely, the Monster animation. Granted, this is a book review site, and I only touch lightly on the manga. But, frankly, I consider the two rather interchangeable (as the article will explain) so I don’t have any qualms about linking to it here. Monster is Monster.

I begin with a general overview of the series and follow with short pieces on each of the major characters. I then talk about the animation itself as well as its American release. Keep in mind that I did write this before the first episode aired on Syfy (October 12). The show is now in its third week with two episodes every Monday night. I’ve been watching them religiously despite the fact that they keep me up far past my bedtime.

If you haven’t been watching, you should be! I’m still leery of the dubbing, of course, but anyone who knows anything about anime knows that’s just how it is. Although I will say that Liam O’Brian is a fantastic Tenma.

~