Review: MAID-SAMA! (2-in-1 edition), Volume 6

Release Date: November 1st, 2016

Type: Manga, Comic, Series, 2-in-1, shojo, young adult, teen, Just Kiss Already!

About the Book: A 2-in-1 edition of the romantic-comedy series where chaos ensues when the student council president’s secret—that she works at a maid café—is discovered by the school’s #1 hottie!

As if being student council president of a predominantly male high school isn’t hard enough, Misaki Ayuzawa has a major secret—she works at a maid café after school! How is she supposed to keep her image of being ultrasmart, strong and overachieving intact once school heartthrob Takumi Usui discovers her double life?!

Misaki and Takumi go on a double date with Sakura and Kuga to the hot springs! However, Misaki is still shaken up after learning about Takumi’s past. So what kinds of challenges await her when she unearths even more information about his family. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I am so very happy that they are releasing the rest of Maid-sama! I started reading this series last year, and I was heartbroken to find out that since Tokyopop closed down, there was no plans to release the rest of the series in English. So huge huge thanks to Viz Media for picking them up and putting them out there for those of us that never learned Japanese (I wish!). I think I continue to read manga series because, for the most part, they are absolutely adorable (or at least the young adult ones are - the adult ones, whoa man). Maid-sama! is no exception - the relationship between this very unlikely pair is just so cute, right from the get-go. 

I appreciate that we're finally delving into Usui's past. I was a little confused when he explained his family history in the previous volume, but we're getting more information now, and even meeting some of his family members. This just makes it all the more interesting, since it pushes Misaki and Usui closer together, working as a team to annoy, or fight back, his family. The bit towards the end - featuring their ninja stalker, was laugh-out-loud ridiculous, and was perfectly done. This manga is great at throwing in the little bit of silliness you need to handle how serious it can get.

Cover Lovin': Fits perfectly with the rest of the series! 

Recommendation: This will be awfully confusing without having read the rest of the series, so interested readers definitely need to start with book one.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). I love this series, and I can't wait for the next volume!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~ 

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Review: TOO WILD TO TAME by Tessa Bailey!

Release Date: September 6th, 2016

Type: Series, Book two, Contemporary, Romance, Family Matters, Politicians Talk Dirty

About the Book: By day, Aaron Clarkson suits up, shakes hands, and acts the perfect gentleman. But at night, behind bedroom doors, the tie comes off and the real Aaron comes out to play. Mixing business with pleasure got him fired, so Aaron knows that if he wants to work for the country's most powerful senator, he'll have to keep his eye on the prize. That's easier said than done when he meets the senator's daughter, who's wild, gorgeous, and 100 percent trouble.

Grace Pendleton is the black sheep of her conservative family. Yet while Aaron's presence reminds her of a past she'd rather forget, something in his eyes keeps drawing her in. Maybe it's the way his voice turns her molten. Or maybe it's because deep down inside, the ultra-smooth, polished Aaron Clarkson might be more than even Grace can handle . . . [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: First: Check out my review of Too Hot To Handle, the first book in the series. See how much I loved it? Yeah, this second book is just as good!

I don't know if I can properly express just how much I love this series. When I finished the first book, I was practically shaking - I needed the second book that badly. Knowing I would have a similar problem at the end of this book, I refused to allow myself to read the preview of the third book included in the back of Too Wild To Tame - at least, not yet. I love this family, I love how they're finding themselves, and where they fit in the Clarkson family as they go. Seeing the siblings bicker, fall apart, and then come together would be worth it alone - but the love story, oh yes. Tessa Bailey knows how to write an excellent love story. Aaron and Grace just fit. You can almost see them as two oddly shaped puzzle pieces, and somehow - they fit together just right to make a beautiful picture.

In the first book, Aaron could be quite annoying. He always acted older than he was, like he knew more than everyone else - overall, an arrogant jerk. But in Too Wild To Tame, we see a different side of him. He's lonely, he's hurt, and he acts so arrogant because he's a fixer, and he just wants to fix everyone's problems. There is a scene in which Aaron breaks down, and I wish I could go into details because it was so emotional, and so powerful, that I was tearing up. I've read several books by Tessa Bailey at this point, and she manages to do that to me every time. These characters feel so real, their stories so vivid, that it's hard to not feel their pain and anguish.

Too Hot To Handle remains one of my top reads of the year, if not of all time. I was a little worried that Too Wild To Tame would be a victim of the sophomore slump, and lose some of that magic - not at all! Book two is going on the favorites list. I already can't wait to re-read them in preparation for the third book, coming out next year.

Cover Lovin': Not only does it work perfectly with the first book in the series, Too Hot To Handle, but this cover is hot hot hot.

Recommendation: Too Wild To Tame can work just fine as a stand-alone. But since each book features a different family member, and the family dynamic is pretty important - reading Too Hot To Handle first is recommended.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars! (5/5) I loved this just as much as the first book, but in a different way. This book just about made me cry, and it certainly made me laugh. Another awesome book by Tessa Bailey!

Make sure to get your copies of Too Hot To Handle and Too Wild To Tame today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Review: ROYAL WEDDING by Meg Cabot

Release Date: June 2nd, 2015

Type: Series, Book 11, Young Adult, New Adult, Adult, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Humor, Contemporary, We'll never be royals (royals)..

About the Book: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first adult installment, which follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding—but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare.

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia's gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn't need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother's leaked "fake" wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia's father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone—especially herself—that she's not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well? [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: This was everything I could have hoped for. The Princess Diaries is such an iconic series, and one I remember fondly from my younger years. I picked up the series a little later than most, I was twenty at the time, but that didn't mean I loved it any less. And when I heard there was going to be another book, I might have just squealed out loud. But I was also very, very nervous. Could this hold up to the series I loved so much? Is it too late for Mia to really get some sort of happily ever after?

Let me tell you - I was not disappointed. The characters all held true to their former selves, and you can even see the growth and maturity in them since the last time we got to see them, those many years ago. I'll admit, this book could have had a lot of issues, and I still would fangirl all over it. But really, it felt right. I got the happy ending I needed, and Mia became the amazing princess I always knew she would be.

This may be silly, but I want to thank Meg Cabot for writing this. The readers that grew up with Princess Mia will always have a special place for her in our hearts, and Meg Cabot gave us a gift by writing this book.

Cover Lovin': Look at it, just look at it! It's perfect. While the Princess Diaries books I remember reading were all pink, this pale blue gorgeous-ness is perfect for Mia.

Recommendation: For long-time fans of the series, for new fans of the series, for everyone. This series is a classic, and Royal Wedding is just what everyone needs. Side note: For a similar read, try The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan!

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars! Amazing, wonderful, I'm so happy I could cry. Maybe I did cry, you can't prove anything.

Get your copy today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

REVIEW: "Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice" by Stacy King

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Release Date: August 12, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Classic, Romance, Historical, Adaptations, Pride, Prejudice, Not as cute as Colin Firth or Matthew MacFayden...

About the book: Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold, new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

My Review: I am a huge fan of Pride & Prejudice, so I jumped at the chance to review this manga adaptation. Like the original novel, I eagerly gobbled up this manga version in one sitting. The art was very well done, with each character being appropriately distinctive while still showing familial resemblance, when necessary.

The manga version is very faithful to the original novel, which will please both purists and those looking for an alternative to the classic. Reading this graphic novel was like visiting the original story and characters all over again, just in miniature. Author Stacy King and illustrator  Po Tse do honor to the classic story and really make the characters come alive in this different style.

My only complaint is that the story and Elizabeth's character didn't quite pop as much as I would have preferred. If I were to give this version to a struggling or reluctant reader, I'm not sure this version would inspire as much love as the original novel.

Based on this reading, I would gladly pick up other Manga Classics volumes in the future.

Cover Lovin': The cover is elegant, and yet still eye catching. Overall, a very well done cover.

Recommendation: For fans of Pride and Prejudice. As a librarian, I can see giving this adaptation to a struggling or reluctant reader that thinks classics are stupid.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5). This is a very good interpretation, and it moves very quickly. As an adaptation, it's hard to not compare it to the original - in which case this falls flat, but anything will. The story was faithful to the original, and it was a fun read, but it lacked the punch of the original novel.