Vegabond Volume 1, by Takehiko Inoue

 

Miyamoto Musashi, still known by his birth name, Shinmen Takezo, was a wild young beast just starting out on the path of the sword when he was seventeen years old.

Takezo finds himself a fugitive warrior on the losing side of the conflict in the wake of the historic Battle of Sekigahara. Takezo is chased down like an animal because of his cruel character, which has made him an outsider even in his own village. An eccentric priest and a childhood buddy are the only people who can help Takez find his way at this critical juncture in his life.

I was always hearing about this book on the internet and from recommendations. I didn't know that there was a real-life samurai which this manga is based on him. I think that is very cool! This manga, Vegabond Volume 1, by Takehiko Inoue, contains 3 volumes in one, so it was a better choice for me. Believe me but this manga goes on very fast. It was very interesting to read and hear about the protagonist's life and his ways of survival. I recommend this book to people who like historical fiction and martial arts/action. Also, the artwork and the style are amazing! the details of every fight scene in the book are spectacular.

Reviewed by Natali <3, Grade 10

Glendale Central Library

Shoko's Smile, by Choi Eunyoung

 

Shoko's Smile, by Choi Eunyoung, is a collection of short stories exploring different women’s lives and how their relationships are complicated by personal struggles and political events. Eunyoung’s writing style allows her to paint her characters in a very fluid, organic way and their connections to other people are grief-ridden, intimate, and imperfect. One of my favorite features of these stories is how most contain a political backdrop, like mentions of the Sewol Sinking or Vietnam War. While politics are certainly an integral theme and raise interesting questions about Korean History, the stories instead focus on how people fare in the face of tragedy–how they carry themselves and navigate relationships while suffering through devastating events.

Each story contains such an emphatic, genuine display of human emotion that I was constantly struck by how real it all felt. While the moments depicted may seem insignificant or mundane at first glance, they reveal how small interactions can leave lasting impressions, both on interpersonal relationships and on people themselves. It’s a very sad book, and in addition to politics, another recurring theme is the loss of relationships. Many characters find their relationships broken or destroyed, either by the passing of time or their own mistakes. Despite the (sometimes overwhelming) theme of loss, Shoko’s smile is fundamentally about love; unrequited love, friendship, yearning and pining, love between grandmothers and mothers and daughters–all types of love that define our relationships and are experienced universally. Eunyoung’s blending of love and loss, and grief and joy create a moving story that captures the essence of human emotion in a scarily relatable way. This book definitely left a strong impression on me; I think about it often. I recommend it to anyone looking for an introspective book about flawed relationships and people!

Reviewed by Sam, Grade 10

Glendale Central Library  

Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 1, by Sui Ishida

Ghouls dwell among us, just like us in every aspect except for their desire for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is a regular college student until he gets transformed into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid after a violent confrontation. He must survive Ghoul turf fights, learn more about Ghoul society, and harness his new skills while trapped between two worlds. Shy Ken Kaneki is ecstatic to be going on a date with Rize. But it turns out she's only fascinated by his physique when it comes to eating it. Ken is dragged into the dark and violent world of Ghouls, which live alongside our own when a morally dubious rescue converts him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid.

This series is not one of my favorites, but if you like genres such as action, gore, and fantasy, then you will like this series. I liked the way that the main character is told in this book. Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 1, by  Sui Ishida, is a dark series and for some readers, it can be sensitive because of the way the protagonist and his thoughts are written. But I like the whole plot and it is interesting to read it and continue with the other volumes.

Reviewed by Natali <3, Grade 10

Glendale Central Library 

The Deal, by Elle Kennedy

 

Hannah Wells is a college student who ends up making a deal with the hockey player Garrett Graham. Garrett's GPA and grades are plummeting, which threatens his chances of getting to play professional hockey. After seeing that a girl in his class passed the exam, he strikes a deal with her. In exchange for tutoring him, he will help her get the attention of the guy she has been crushing on. After one unexpected night, Garrett Graham starts to develop feelings for Hannah and he has to convince the girl who finds him annoying that he is the man for her.

The Deal, by Elle Kennedy, was absolutely amazing. I loved all of the characters and their sense of humors. The funny moments made the book very fun to read and the plot was interesting. This book made me feel all kinds of different emotions from laughter and happiness to sadness. Hannah's backstory of what she went through and her trauma was well written and it made me feel very sad for what she had experienced. I think that this is a good book for people who enjoy college sport romances and characters finding unexpected love. It was a great book and I can not wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

Reviewed by PM, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library 

Ugly Love, by Colleen Hoover

Tate Collins finds drunk pilot Miles Archer outside of her brother’s apartment. They develop a mutual attractions towards each other, however Miles makes it clear that he is not looking for love. Their arrangement proves to be impossible when Tate starts to develop feelings for Miles. Miles past however keeps him back from accepting his feelings for Tate. The past gets brought up and secrets are revealed. The relationship between Miles and Tate becomes rocky.

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the plot of the story and the character development. The book made me sad when I heard about why Miles was afraid to be in a relationship and what had happened to him in the past. I would recommend this Ugly Love, by Colleen Hoover, to everyone. It is one of Colleen Hoover’s best books and it is a great first book to read by her.

Reviewed by PM, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library