Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi

I'm going about this series a little differently from everyone else I know who has/plans to read this book.  That is, I'm reading the book before seeing the anime it's based on.  (And am I right in thinking that the anime hasn't actually been licensed yet?  If so, it's interesting that the book is coming out first.)  I'm curious:  does the anime only cover this first book in the series, or more books from the series?

Anyway, Moribito is about Balsa, a spearwoman who hires herself out as a bodyguard, and has sworn to save eight lives.  You'd think that it'd be easy to save eight lives in a faux ancient Japan,  but apparently, this is eight lives that are saved without taking a life, or ruining one.  Basically, she has to come out eight lives ahead.  I'm actually not quite sure that I buy the explanation, outside of the fact that it provides the valued narrative purpose of providing angst and keeping Balsa and Tanda from getting married until she fulfills her oath.

When Balsa sees the Second Prince, Chagum, knocked into the river, she dives in to save him.  Later, Chagum's mother reveals that the Mikado(emperor) has ordered Chagum to be killed, as the prince is the Moribito, the guardian of the egg of the Water Spirit.   As the existence of the egg challenges the Mikado's status as a descendant of the gods, the Mikado orders his son to be killed before the Imperial line can be dishonored.  In addition, there is the Rarunga, a monster who eats the eggs when they come into being, killing their guardians as they do so.  However, if Chagum can be kept alive and allowed to deliver the egg to its home by Midsummer's Day, then he will be safe from the Rarunga, and no longer a threat to the Mikado.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, the Second Queen effectively traps Balsa into being Chagum's bodyguard, though Balsa doesn't seem to mind the manipulations much.  Along the way, they're joined by Tanda, a magic weaver and healer who is Balsa's childhood friend, and Togorai, Tanda's elderly yet badass mentor.

Like a lot (ok, all) of the light novels that I've read, there's something very clunky about the translation, probably because of language barriers (though that doesn't forgive certain crimes in the Twelve Kingdoms novels!)  Like some others, though, the story is strong enough to overcome the clunky translation.

( more )

Also, on a completely different note from any of the above, I have to whine a bit about the books packaging.  At a glance, it's great: about 250 pages, catchy cover that suits the book, smaller dimensions(and appropriately lowered price) than most hardback books.  If you know what I mean, reading hardbacks that size is usually fairly like reading your average trade sized book.  Moribito, however, has a really heavy paper stock that almost makes it feel like reading a huge hardcover.  In fact, when I got home, I pulled the latest Dresden Files book off the shelf(it's been out 2 months now and I still haven't read it...I am a bad fan!) and weighed them one in each hand, and they were about the same.  The Dresden Files book has larger dimensions, and is 150 pages larger.

Incidentally, the author's note mentions there's also a manga adaptation.  Does anyone know anything about that?

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi

I'm going about this series a little differently from everyone else I know who has/plans to read this book.  That is, I'm reading the book before seeing the anime it's based on.  (And am I right in thinking that the anime hasn't actually been licensed yet?  If so, it's interesting that the book is coming out first.)  I'm curious:  does the anime only cover this first book in the series, or more books from the series?

Anyway, Moribito is about Balsa, a spearwoman who hires herself out as a bodyguard, and has sworn to save eight lives.  You'd think that it'd be easy to save eight lives in a faux ancient Japan,  but apparently, this is eight lives that are saved without taking a life, or ruining one.  Basically, she has to come out eight lives ahead.  I'm actually not quite sure that I buy the explanation, outside of the fact that it provides the valued narrative purpose of providing angst and keeping Balsa and Tanda from getting married until she fulfills her oath.

When Balsa sees the Second Prince, Chagum, knocked into the river, she dives in to save him.  Later, Chagum's mother reveals that the Mikado(emperor) has ordered Chagum to be killed, as the prince is the Moribito, the guardian of the egg of the Water Spirit.   As the existence of the egg challenges the Mikado's status as a descendant of the gods, the Mikado orders his son to be killed before the Imperial line can be dishonored.  In addition, there is the Rarunga, a monster who eats the eggs when they come into being, killing their guardians as they do so.  However, if Chagum can be kept alive and allowed to deliver the egg to its home by Midsummer's Day, then he will be safe from the Rarunga, and no longer a threat to the Mikado.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, the Second Queen effectively traps Balsa into being Chagum's bodyguard, though Balsa doesn't seem to mind the manipulations much.  Along the way, they're joined by Tanda, a magic weaver and healer who is Balsa's childhood friend, and Togorai, Tanda's elderly yet badass mentor.

Like a lot (ok, all) of the light novels that I've read, there's something very clunky about the translation, probably because of language barriers (though that doesn't forgive certain crimes in the Twelve Kingdoms novels!)  Like some others, though, the story is strong enough to overcome the clunky translation.

( more )

Also, on a completely different note from any of the above, I have to whine a bit about the books packaging.  At a glance, it's great: about 250 pages, catchy cover that suits the book, smaller dimensions(and appropriately lowered price) than most hardback books.  If you know what I mean, reading hardbacks that size is usually fairly like reading your average trade sized book.  Moribito, however, has a really heavy paper stock that almost makes it feel like reading a huge hardcover.  In fact, when I got home, I pulled the latest Dresden Files book off the shelf(it's been out 2 months now and I still haven't read it...I am a bad fan!) and weighed them one in each hand, and they were about the same.  The Dresden Files book has larger dimensions, and is 150 pages larger.

Incidentally, the author's note mentions there's also a manga adaptation.  Does anyone know anything about that?

Melody of Oblivion eps 19-21

I no longer understand what is going on.  Possibly, they are starting to explain things.  I do not know.  I did catch the explanation of the first Meros warrior and the origin of the Monster King, as well as the reveal about Koko's identity, but then I watched ep 21 and all semblance of thought and abilty to process was chased from my brain.  And I know telophaseis going to comment and say that I haven't reached the worst part yet.

I am not even going to try to explain, I will just post screencaps.  They say it better than I ever could.  If you click the cut and are eternally scarred by what you see, you are not allowed to never speak to me again, as I'm warning you now.  Also, no one is allowed to hold this anime against me in any context!

( so not safe for work... )

Melody of Oblivion eps 19-21

I no longer understand what is going on.  Possibly, they are starting to explain things.  I do not know.  I did catch the explanation of the first Meros warrior and the origin of the Monster King, as well as the reveal about Koko's identity, but then I watched ep 21 and all semblance of thought and abilty to process was chased from my brain.  And I know telophaseis going to comment and say that I haven't reached the worst part yet.

I am not even going to try to explain, I will just post screencaps.  They say it better than I ever could.  If you click the cut and are eternally scarred by what you see, you are not allowed to never speak to me again, as I'm warning you now.  Also, no one is allowed to hold this anime against me in any context!

( so not safe for work... )

*ahem*

Does anyone know where I can get the Claymore anime subbed that does not involve streaming or megaupload?  I need it.  

Also.  Shana.  (Anime, not Kathleen Woodiwiss book.)  Your opinions?

*ahem*

Does anyone know where I can get the Claymore anime subbed that does not involve streaming or megaupload?  I need it.  

Also.  Shana.  (Anime, not Kathleen Woodiwiss book.)  Your opinions?

Hotel Africa Vol 1

I wish to lodge a complaint. Ok, not a complaint, but the back cover blurb said that our narrator was Elvis. I…I thought they meant Elvis Elvis. Even though they, you know, didn’t really claim that. I just assumed. Somebody comment and say they thought the same.

Anyway!

July, Elvis, and Ed are three former film students who met in school and are now struggling to make it in the film industry. There seems to be one of those OT3-ish-not-quite-triangles going on between them, with Ed in love with Elvis, Elvis in love with July, and July being pretty closemouthed on the subject. (All this is set up in the first chapter.) Our main character, Elvis, is the son of a small town girl from Utah named Adelaide who met her first love, a black Elvis impersonator, when she ran away to Vegas one summer. However, he died in an accident a year later, and she went back home with their son. Several years later, she suggested to her mother that they turn their house into a hotel, since it was so big.

Their first guest is a mysterious young man named Geo, who declares himself to be in love with Adelaide, and becomes a permanent resident of the hotel. After Geo, more guests come pouring in, each a little different from the last, but none staying long.

The series, so far, is effectively two slice-of-life stories, split between the modern story of July, Elvis and Ed’s friendship and troubles (and, in this volume, how they met) and the world at Hotel Africa as viewed through Elvis’s four-year-old eyes. Little Elvis, incidentally, is devoted to redefining the word “precocious,” and is cute enough to squish. While I find the modern story interesting and definitely want to see what happens there (this volume focuses mostly on July’s issues with her famous screenwriter mother, and how the three became friends) I find myself much more interested in Hotel Africa itself, and it’s residents and visitors. While I sincerely hope the series ends with something along the lines of Elvis going home for the holidays to a happily married Geo and Adelaide, I have a feeling that the manhwa will go in the angst and loss direction instead. 

Also, while Tokyopop gives this a higher price than most of their manga ($12.99)  it's in a larger size, has 14 color pages, and is around 250 pages.  I thought it was a Dark Horse book when I saw it at the store, until I spotted the logo.  (It also seems like it'd fit in more with Dark Horse of Del Rey's lineups, but whatever.)
 

Hotel Africa Vol 1

I wish to lodge a complaint. Ok, not a complaint, but the back cover blurb said that our narrator was Elvis. I…I thought they meant Elvis Elvis. Even though they, you know, didn’t really claim that. I just assumed. Somebody comment and say they thought the same.

Anyway!

July, Elvis, and Ed are three former film students who met in school and are now struggling to make it in the film industry. There seems to be one of those OT3-ish-not-quite-triangles going on between them, with Ed in love with Elvis, Elvis in love with July, and July being pretty closemouthed on the subject. (All this is set up in the first chapter.) Our main character, Elvis, is the son of a small town girl from Utah named Adelaide who met her first love, a black Elvis impersonator, when she ran away to Vegas one summer. However, he died in an accident a year later, and she went back home with their son. Several years later, she suggested to her mother that they turn their house into a hotel, since it was so big.

Their first guest is a mysterious young man named Geo, who declares himself to be in love with Adelaide, and becomes a permanent resident of the hotel. After Geo, more guests come pouring in, each a little different from the last, but none staying long.

The series, so far, is effectively two slice-of-life stories, split between the modern story of July, Elvis and Ed’s friendship and troubles (and, in this volume, how they met) and the world at Hotel Africa as viewed through Elvis’s four-year-old eyes. Little Elvis, incidentally, is devoted to redefining the word “precocious,” and is cute enough to squish. While I find the modern story interesting and definitely want to see what happens there (this volume focuses mostly on July’s issues with her famous screenwriter mother, and how the three became friends) I find myself much more interested in Hotel Africa itself, and it’s residents and visitors. While I sincerely hope the series ends with something along the lines of Elvis going home for the holidays to a happily married Geo and Adelaide, I have a feeling that the manhwa will go in the angst and loss direction instead. 

Also, while Tokyopop gives this a higher price than most of their manga ($12.99)  it's in a larger size, has 14 color pages, and is around 250 pages.  I thought it was a Dark Horse book when I saw it at the store, until I spotted the logo.  (It also seems like it'd fit in more with Dark Horse of Del Rey's lineups, but whatever.)
 

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

I have to confess: I don’t actually recall the events of the first Kate Daniels book that well. I remember that I really liked it, that it had a kickass heroine, a pretty cool post-apocalyptic fantasy setting, a bit of a fun noirish feel, that it had all sorts of weres(not just werewolves) non-romantic pseudo-goth vampires, great worldbuilding, and touched on various mythologies, but seemed to have a bit of a fondness for celtic. Uhm…basically, I remembered all the cool bits, but none of the details. It happens. (If you’re me.) I also remember thinking that the book felt like it was supposed to be a lot longer, and got crammed into a smaller package, which is probably why the details didn’t stick.

Thankfully, the second book doesn’t have that problem, and feels like it was just the length it was supposed to be. This time around, Kate finds herself taking care of a 13-year-old girl named Julie, whose mother is part of a coven that has disappeared, and who has the ability to sense magic. Not helping things are the fact that the Flare (see below) is in full swing, allowing all sorts of Celtic beasties to come through, including Bran, an immortal Celtic “hero” who styles himself quite the trickster and ladies man. Bran, of course decides that it will be fun to mess with the people in town you least want to mess with and plays games with the Pack, who approaches Kate for help tracking him down. Kate has serious not-having-sex-yet issues with their leader, Curran. Not only that, but David, a 18-year-old were who was briefly (non-sexually, thankyouverymuch) bonded to Kate before is out to prove himself and invites himself along. Kate is very wise to the wisdom of a free babysitter who can rip out throats when taking care of a 13-year-old everyone wants.

I am going to take a moment to just steal a paragraph from the Dear Author review of the book to explain the setting, because I’m lazy that way:

For those readers new to the series, the Kate Daniels books take place in a futuristic Atlanta suffering from an advanced state of urban decay. In this world, magic batters the earth in waves, eating technology. When tech is up, spells fail and magical constructs lose their power. When magic is up, cars cease functioning and planes fall from the sky. But every seven years the waves increase in intensity until they culminate in a magical tsunami called a flare. During flares, magic is so powerful that even gods can walk the earth. 

(Go read the review.)

( a bit more )

Ahm…It is a good book and you should all go read it. 

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

I have to confess: I don’t actually recall the events of the first Kate Daniels book that well. I remember that I really liked it, that it had a kickass heroine, a pretty cool post-apocalyptic fantasy setting, a bit of a fun noirish feel, that it had all sorts of weres(not just werewolves) non-romantic pseudo-goth vampires, great worldbuilding, and touched on various mythologies, but seemed to have a bit of a fondness for celtic. Uhm…basically, I remembered all the cool bits, but none of the details. It happens. (If you’re me.) I also remember thinking that the book felt like it was supposed to be a lot longer, and got crammed into a smaller package, which is probably why the details didn’t stick.

Thankfully, the second book doesn’t have that problem, and feels like it was just the length it was supposed to be. This time around, Kate finds herself taking care of a 13-year-old girl named Julie, whose mother is part of a coven that has disappeared, and who has the ability to sense magic. Not helping things are the fact that the Flare (see below) is in full swing, allowing all sorts of Celtic beasties to come through, including Bran, an immortal Celtic “hero” who styles himself quite the trickster and ladies man. Bran, of course decides that it will be fun to mess with the people in town you least want to mess with and plays games with the Pack, who approaches Kate for help tracking him down. Kate has serious not-having-sex-yet issues with their leader, Curran. Not only that, but David, a 18-year-old were who was briefly (non-sexually, thankyouverymuch) bonded to Kate before is out to prove himself and invites himself along. Kate is very wise to the wisdom of a free babysitter who can rip out throats when taking care of a 13-year-old everyone wants.

I am going to take a moment to just steal a paragraph from the Dear Author review of the book to explain the setting, because I’m lazy that way:

For those readers new to the series, the Kate Daniels books take place in a futuristic Atlanta suffering from an advanced state of urban decay. In this world, magic batters the earth in waves, eating technology. When tech is up, spells fail and magical constructs lose their power. When magic is up, cars cease functioning and planes fall from the sky. But every seven years the waves increase in intensity until they culminate in a magical tsunami called a flare. During flares, magic is so powerful that even gods can walk the earth. 

(Go read the review.)

( a bit more )

Ahm…It is a good book and you should all go read it. 

(no subject)

 WHY IS THERE NO CHOCOLATE IN THIS BUILDING?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!??!?!!?

That is all.

(no subject)

 WHY IS THERE NO CHOCOLATE IN THIS BUILDING?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!??!?!!?

That is all.