Inner Heart by Yuu Watase Series: Alice 19th Book: 2 Can’t say I’ve had any cute guys come up to me and claim me as their fiancée, but I would probably be a bit wary too. Such happens to Alice right in the hallways of her school…and right in front of her secret love, Kyo. But Frey, the strange marrying guy, has a much deeper purpose and joins Kyo and Alice in their mission to save Alice’s sister from a strong darkness, bringing to the table a more expanded knowledge about the Lotis Words and the group’s destinies as Lotis Masters. The main foe the teens face in Inner Heart isn’t very scary (she comes in the form of Oishi, a prissy, stick-up clique chick with a bit of scary on the side), but it does help the group gain a better understanding of how the whole otherworld, darkness-of-heart, kidnapping spirits thing works. Sure, Frey’s protective presence makes things a bit confusing, but Alice’s unintended love triangle is an adorable one with, considering they’re illustrated manga characters, two quite hot guys. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap

Lotis Master by Yuu Watase Series: Alice 19th Book: 1 What would you do if your words could literally affect the lives of others? Alice begins to find out exactly how it feels in the first volume of Yuu Watase’s (Fushigi Yugi, Ceres) series Alice 19th. Truly, all Alice wants to be able to confess her deep feelings for her sister Mayura’s quasi-boyfriend and archery classmate Kyo. But it becomes increasingly more difficult when Alice’s discovery and rescue of a mysterious, carrot-snatching rabbit gives her the ability to use the Lotis Words (words with underlying power, pretty much) and protect herself from disruptive forces, like the sketchy archer her sister sets Alice up with. Kyo, though unsure of pursuing any romantic interests with Mayura, casts himself in the role of protector of Alice from the get-go. However, whether Kyo sees Alice in any other light than a youth subject to precarious situations remains to be seen in the future installments, which will hopefully put Alice against riskier, more dangerous foes than just a hormonal teenage kid who needs a good kick in the behind. The underlying concept of Alice 19th and its relatable characters, though, are interesting and intriguing. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap

Honey Mustard by Ho-Kyung Yeo Book: 1 Who would’ve thought a simple crush could get you into so much trouble? Sounding like something straight out of the Traumarama section of Seventeen magazine, Honey Mustard follows Ara as she tries to confess her feelings for Jung Hanil…but ends up engaged to marry a guy she doesn’t even know! When Ara and Young-Woo are found in a precarious position at school after Young-Woo escapes a bully beating and Ara falls victim to a little too much alcohol, they must deal with their chaotic families, who are in furious tizzies about their children’s resulting school suspensions. It unfortunately reveals a whirlwind of twisted family priorities and emotions, none of which lend the least bit of sympathy to the kids, who just want their families to hear them out. Though it is a light-hearted tale with several moments worth of giggles, Honey Mustard is more than the typical hot guy-focused tale with any and every odd situation coming between the inevitable heartthrobs. The story could go in many different directions, with various outcomes, few of which could bring the unlikely couple together, which keeps it interesting. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 14 (For Mature Audiences) When Keitaro receives a mysterious letter from Pararakelse resident and Shinobu BFF Nyamo, Naru is thrown into a tizzy as her true feelings for Keitaro finally come forward. Could it be a love letter, or something else? And what will Keitaro do about his grandmother’s demand of a marriage to keep his Hinata House inheritance? Will Naru be the bride? Will one of the other girls fight to claim the title of Mrs. Urashima? Admittingly, a lot of these questions are answered just by the front cover, but even still, the chaos is worth turning the pages to see the hilarious, out-of-control ending to the great series. It is in this final installment that the dorm residents’ true love for Keitaro and Naru’s relationship is shown, even though they still bicker over who should really be Keitaro’s better half, just in case the klutzy budding archaeologist changes his mind. All in all, the friends of Hinata House are left in a very good place, though one can imagine their crazy, hilarious antics would still live on. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 13 (For Mature Audiences) Keitaro and Naru are finally, officially a couple. And that’d be great if everyone in the Hinata House were for it. However, this time, it’s not the deranged stalker half-sister trying to ruin things – it’s the deadly samurai. Motoko, who over the series has hinted at long-hidden feelings for the Tokyo University-bound landlord, but in this installment, they finally come to fruition…in a big way. Of course, it doesn’t help that Motoko is potentially facing the same ronin fate as her crush once did…but her anger management-lacking sister Tsuruko thinks she’s been accepted to Tokyo U! And Keitaro, well…he has a dilemma of his own when he’s faced with the opportunity to excavate ancient ruins at the Kingdom of Molmol, or fulfill the promise he made to Naru that has driven him thus far. The usual group chaos is in no way lacking in this book, though there are a few things that seem a bit inconsistent, like Su’s place of origin (it didn’t seem like even Su knew) and Kanako’s suddenly sedate obsession with her brother (she barely appears in the book). Still, the story is loads of fun, and puts Keitaro and Naru’s future at the forefront for the series’ finale. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 12 (For Mature Audiences) Seems like Keitaro and Naru are finally figuring out how they truly feel about one another…no thanks to Konako, Keitaro’s creepy half-sister and inexhaustible stalker. But an old curse long embedded in the Hinata House/Inn’s annex may very well try to keep the wishy-washy lovebirds (Keitaro and Naru, for clairification) apart, as a slip-up of the ‘I-love-you’ phrase sets fate on a course to make Konako’s dream come true. The curse approach seems a little cheesy, but in a cute, serendipity kind of way. However, Konako’s shifty loyalties – does she want Naru to be with Keitaro? Does she want to be with Keitaro herself? – is annoying at best, and further emphasizes her out-of-place presence in the Hinata House. As strange as her almost constant naked encounters and incessant meddling seems, though, she seems to make Naru appreciate the face of the eternally wrong-place-wrong-time Keitaro…even if she shows it with the occasional punishing kick. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 11 (For Mature Audiences) Keitaro is headed to America without the Hinata clan as he joins Seta in a archaeological study. But just because. Keitaro isn’t there for six months doesn’t mean everything is quiet. Right at the six-month mark, a mysterious girl invades the Hinata House with the place’s ownership papers and the intent of turning it back into an inn. Turns out the shady youth is Keitaro’s little sister, Kanako, who has an unusual obsession with the awkward boy, and a deep-set dislike for those who challenge her in her love. Instead of embarking on the expansion of the long-established ensemble of lovable characters, the eleventh book brings in a totally new face to fill the absence of Keitaro…and it doesn’t work that well. The stalker-type sister looking to sabotage the sorority of girls who each have long-established, meaningful relationships with her brother seems misplaced in an already complex set of still-yet-unveiled stories and character histories. If there had been mention of a distant half-sister in the previous novels, the plot twist may hold more ground, but as predominantly a filler for a main character’s absence, it seems a misguided choice. Luckily the original Hinata crew hasn’t changed one bit. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 10 (For Mature Audiences) Naru and Keitaro are inching closer and closer…but it’s with no help from the klutzy Mutsumi, who causes Naru to question the “maybe” she gave Keitaro by being diagnosed with amnesia and suddenly becoming betrothed to Keitaro! (It’s very complicated…) Unfortunately, with this installment, the other characters’ richly developing histories and personalities take a back seat to the Narutaro relationship, with only the occasional easily-resolved mishap that reassures the central characters of their feelings. As for Mutsumi, she seemed to be put into every position that could potentially compromise Narutaro and their aggravatingly tense awkwardness between them, just to drill home Naru and Keitaro’s hidden attraction and love for each other. The Mutsumi tale seemed a bit forced, but the commonplace high-jinks at the Hinata House make it a short, funny read. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 9 (For Mature Audiences) Looks like Keitaro’s luck might be changing for the better – he has passed his entrance exams for Tokyo University and is about to start the semester. But misfortune returns to him in a big way, giving him a broken leg and preventing him from attending the entire first semester of school! He isn’t short of adventure at the Hinata House, though, as Naru tries to absorb Keitaro’s bedside love declaration to her; Motoko’s sister shows up to hand the family business over to her, against her will; Seta returns to declare his love for, not Naru, but Haruka; and Shinobu sets her sights on a future at Tokyo U…and a date with Keitaro. The other characters’ histories are starting to develop and expand in great ways, and with Keitaro and Naru’s relationship making strides, the cast is showing signs of growing past the usual shenanigans, opening the next books up for interesting turns of events. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 8 (For Mature Audiences) Has Keitaro failed the Tokyo University entrance exams…again? That’s the lingering question in the eighth book of the Love Hina series, in which the freaked-out Hinata House landlord disappears to a far-off island to find some peace of mind and answers. But his female dorm mates aren’t ones to leave the unintentionally-perverted geek alone for long, for as soon as they find out the exam results, they set off on their own adventures to find Keitaro and return him to Tokyo. But with Keitaro’s newfound likeness of archaeology and mutantly-giant turtles in the way, it’s not as easy a task as it sounds. Keitaro and Naru’s relationship grows a bit stronger and more trusting in this one, with Naru becoming more relaxed and...less clothed around him. The others are just as meddlesome as ever, though, but enjoyably so. The establishment of Keitaro’s archaeological aspirations also provide a good solid base for Keitaro’s older years, should they be covered...or should he fail to get into Tokyo U once more. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book:7 (For Mature Audiences) The chilly winter has brought about a fiery blaze…literally! Klutzy Mutsumi, Keitaro’s childhood inspiration for trying for three years to gain entrance to Tokyo University, burns down her apartment and finds refuge at the Hinata House dormitory. With this, resident and Keitaro study buddy Naru makes her feels for the trouble-prone landlord more prominent, even trying to break the now determined and concentrated Keitaro from his studying haze with the occasional intended flash of cleavage and the assistance of their crazy roomies: the promiscuous Kitsune, the sword-wielding Motoko, the always-hungry Su, and the shy, self-conscious Shinobu. Can Keitaro finally win his battle against being a four-year ronin (prepatory student that failed entrance exams)? Will Mutsumi’s oft-naked clumsiness stand in the way of Naru exploring her true feelings for Keitaro? The girls are up to their usual antics in this one, but Keitaro and Naru’s relationship shows much more promise and solidity, revving up for the possibility of Keitaro’s fourth failed year and his continued stay as Hinata House’s owner. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 6 (For Mature Audiences) Christmas has come to the Hinata House! And it just wouldn’t be the holidays without a little chaos – this time caused by the returning Mutsumi, previous owner of flying turtle Tama-chan. Keitaro sure doesn’t seem to mind the new visitor as they become closer and more flirtatious, but Naru doesn’t know what to think, battling feelings she may or may not have for the trouble-prone Tokyo U. prospect. But when Naru learns that Mutsumi wishes to attend the university for the exact same reason Keitaro does – to fulfill a promise to a childhood friend – Naru reluctantly makes a long-lost connection between the teenagers, one she wishes was her own. Mutsumi ‘s klutzy, yet fearless personality is shown much more than it was in her previous appearance, showing her as a good potential match for the equally clumsy Keitaro. The other girls haven’t changed, however, with Kitsune just as promiscuous as ever and Su just as...hungry. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare Illustrated by Emma Vieceli The classic tale of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, a story of love, loss and betrayal at its emotional peak, has been recreated in the form of a manga. The tale follows Claudio and Hero’s relationship and the many obstacles that wish to break it apart (mainly Don John and his evil schemes) and Benedick and Beatrice’s gradual warming to each other through well-intended trickery. The imagery is well-received, though the visual likeness of the characters can be a bit confusing if one isn’t familiar with the story’s characters and intentions. There are also some emotional highlights (humorous, enlightening and saddening all) that aren’t reflected well in the imagery, and would be better understood and received in watching the Kenneth Branagh film of the same name (which, on a side note, I recommend highly). However, the story is retold well enough to arouse some interest of Shakespeare’s other works in the avid manga devourer. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Emma Vieceli

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 5 (For Mature Audiences) The Hinata clan is headed to the beach! But just when Tokyo University hopefuls Keitaro and Naru, whose feelings for each other are causing copious amounts of tension and butt-kickings, think they’ll be able to relax and relieve the stress from studying, they get sucked into chaos, if not by their rowdy dorm mates, then by Naru’s ex-tutor-turned-Keitaro’s-employer, Seta, who sees everyone as babysitters. The change of scenery helps the girls discover a little bit more about themselves – Motoko’s struggling femininity, Shinobu’s youthful curiosity – but Keitaro is just as accident-prone as ever, constantly switching from Naru’s good list to her naughty one. Meanwhile, the girls are receiving first kisses (from mechanical kissing machines, nonetheless), exploring shipwrecked vessels, performing in plays, and in the middle of all this, somehow finding time to help Haruka out at her summer beach café. It is also noteworthy to mention the tiny touches added to the story, like Tama-chan the flying turtle, whose introduction in the previous book shows he is as cute as a button, but can sometimes be a crafty troublemaker. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 4 (For Mature Audiences) Hinata House landlord Keitaro seems to have given up on his childhood dream of going to Tokyo University, and now he’s looking for a part-time job…without much success. But ever the trouble magnet, Keitaro stumbles upon a job opportunity with a Tokyo U professor…and that professor just happens to be the former tutor and old crush of Keitaro’s tenant and wish-washy love interest Naru! If lovelorn Keitaro wasn’t a sad little case already, having gained a reputation for literally falling into compromising positions and situations with all the girls of the Hinata House dorm, he becomes even more so with Naru’s unsure feelings about him and the professor, Seta. Each character’s personality is expanded a little bit in this book, revealing deeper flaws and relatable aspects that are charming and real. Keitaro is no exception, as he seeks the passion and reason to continue his ongoing struggle of continuing his education while handling a unique set of responsibilities few young people his age have. Another adorable, romantically-complex installment of the series. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 3 (For Mature Audiences) Girl-dormitory landlord Keitaro seems destined to fail at his attempts of getting into Tokyo University…and his cohabitation with four young girls doesn’t help. In the last book, Keitaro, with the help of the highly intelligent Naru, the girl that may or may not be the childhood sweetheart he promised his Tokyo U attendance to, gain the confidence to face the last exam before possible acceptance. Needing some time away from the stress of school, Keitaro and Naru separately head to Kyoto and happen upon each other at every step. But yet another girl stumbles (literally) into their lives, unintentionally threatening to unhinge their newfound tolerance of each other. Having Naru and Keitaro spend some time away from the others is a nice turn for the potentially romantic couple…but don’t worry, the others aren’t put to the wayside – they pop in at various times, showing their slow progress in finding the M.I.A. Keitaro and Naru…and each other. A chaotic, crazy, fun adventure. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 2 (For Mature Audiences) The girls of Hinata House are at it again, and their “landlord-in-training” Keitaro can’t seem to keep himself out of every precarious position he, almost always literally, falls into. In this second book, Keitaro and the live-in ladies have become more comfortable and tolerant of each other, some even bordering on fondness. But Keitaro’s second-year grades haven’t fared as well, and the promise he made to his childhood sweetheart, who may very well be Hinata’s own Naru, to attend Tokyo U is becoming more and more out of reach. Will all his hard work pay off in spite of the girls’ distracting, flirtatious horseplay? Or will poor Keitaro have to suffer through another year of preparatory school and give up the job any boy his age would wish for? The intentions of several of the girls can be quite confusing, like the rough-and-tough Motoko, who hints at feelings buried deep, but can’t resist any opportunity to practice her kendo on Keitaro. But the cute romantic between the struggling, love-deprived student and the girls is relatable and adorably charming, even if the reader doesn’t live with five crush-worthy young people like lucky Keitaro. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)

Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu Book: 1 (For Mature Audiences) Poor Keitaro Urashima, he just seems to fall into trouble everywhere he goes. As soon as he reaches his grandmother’s hotel, which has been turned into a girls-only dorm, to stay so he can concentrate on passing his entrance exams into Tokyo University, Keitaro winds up in every possible scenario in which he could see the several female residents in compromising positions or – to be blunt – naked. But when Keitaro is handed the ownership to the place, tensions – sexual and otherwise – rise, leaving the girls undecided about whether to kick the unintentional peeping tom out or embrace him as the new landlord. Each character has a unique and distinguishing personality, and you can’t help but feel sorry for Keitaro in his struggle to fulfill his childhood dream of attending Tokyo U (because of a promise made to a childhood love), along with coping with his inherited responsibility of the building’s upkeep and trying not to embarrass himself or the girls anymore. A light-hearted, cheeky, romantic adventure. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: AILove.net (Japanese)