#Waco Ioka

[fridaraph]

The "Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits

This anime is good in the sense that we have handsome guys and beautiful girls and yet the characters are complex and it contains lots of pacifist messages. I am happy this gem is recognised as a gem.

[lauraagrace]

I'm still surprised by how much I deeply love this shoujo series! 🥹 I will never not be thankful to everyone who voted for it in my event earlier this year! 🙏

One of my favorite manga I've read this year and EAGERLY looking forward to volume ten releasing from @officialshojobeat! 🤩

YouTube Video Review: https://youtu.be/mjnZoWzcGwg

[balu8]

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits

by Midori Yūma and Waco Ioka

Viz

[officialshojobeat]

New Shojo Beat Releases for April 2024

These volumes will be in bookstores this month.

Kimi ni Todoke: Soulmate vol. 1 by Karuho Shiina **New Series**

Neighborhood Story vol. 2 by Ai Yazawa (creator of Nana)

Rainbow Days vol. 9 by Minami Mizuno

Tamon’s B-Side vol. 3 by Yuki Shiwasu

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits vol. 9 by Waco Ioka Midori Yuma, and Laruha

Skip Beat! vol. 49 by Yoshiki Nakamura

[doronjosama]

This week's (7/24/24) New Comics Day score: Kakuriyo Bed & Breakfast For Spirits V.8 by Midori Yuma & Waco Ioka! #NewComicsDay #NewComicsWednesday #NewComicBookDay #ncbd #kakuriyobedandbreakfastforspirits #midoriyuma #wacoioka #comics #manga #graphicnovels #CleaningOutMySubBox #GirlsReadComics #IBleedComics #Fujoshi4Life

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A post shared by Elin Winkler (@doronjosama)

[kierrasreads]

2023 Reads!

Thank you to everyone for joining me on my book journey! I'm looking forward to another year of good reads! If you have any recommendations, please let me know.

Without further ado, here are my reads for this year!:

Howl's Moving Castle, Castle in the Air, and The House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones

California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora by Matt Ritter

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

I Am a Cat Barista (Volume 1) by Hiro Maijima

Koe no Katachi/A Silent Voice (Volumes 2-6) by Yoshitoki Oima

Karakuri Odette (Volumes 1-5) by Julietta Suzuki

Komi-san wa Komyushou Desu/Komi Can't Communicate (Volumes 23-26) by Tomohito Oda

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

Horimiya (Volume 1) by Hero

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (Volume 5) by Fujita

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits (Volume 1) by Waco Ioka

Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono

Skip & Loafer (Volumes 1-3) by Misaki Takamatsu

Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san (Volumes 2-4) by Honda

Toshokan no Daimajutsushi/Magus of the Library (Volumes 3-5) by Mitsu Izumi

Blasphemy: New and Selected Stories by Sherman Alexie

Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

Saint Young Men Omnibus (Volume 1) by Hikaru Nakamura

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

Insomniacs After School (Volume 1) by Makoto Ojiro

Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible (Volume 1) by Nene Yukimori

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

Twisted Love (Twisted #1) by Ana Huang

Wind/Pinball: Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball by Haruki Murakami

Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future by Elizabeth Kolbert

Killing Floor (Jack Reacher #1) by Lee Child

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas by Megan Shepherd

Muffin but the Truth (Bakeshop Mystery #16) & Catch Me If You Candy (Bakeshop Mystery #17) by Ellie Alexander

A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Red-Headed League, A Case of Identity, The Boscombe Mystery, The Five Orange Pips, The Man with the Twisted Lip, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, The Adventure of the Speckled Band, The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb, The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor, The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet, The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, Silver Blaze, The Yellow Face, The Stock-Broker's Clerk, The Gloria Scott, The Musgrave Ritual, The Reigate Puzzle, The Crooked Man, The Resident Patient, The Greek Interpreter, The Naval Treaty, and The Final Adventure by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks (audiobook)

Gokushufudō/The Way of the House Husband (Volumes 1-3) by Kousuke Oono

Grand total: 90

[aishiteru-kenshin]

Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi | かくりよの宿飯 

[rockislandadultreads]

Manga For Everyone: Picks from a librarian

Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 1 by Tomohito Oda

Timid Tadano is a total wallflower, and that’s just the way he likes it. But all that changes when he finds himself alone in a classroom on the first day of high school with the legendary Komi. He quickly realizes she isn’t aloof—she’s just super awkward. Now he’s made it his mission to help her on her quest to make 100 friends!

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol 1 by Fujita

The awkward, romantic comedy manga about geeks in love that inspired the new anime! Can a professional man who's secretly a hardcore gamer and a woman who's secretly a fujoshi date without their hobbies getting in the way, or revealing each other's secrets?

Narumi and Hirotaka are, by all appearances, a power couple. They're young, good-looking professionals. But they have secrets from everyone but each other: They're serious geeks! Narumi is a fujoshi, and Hirotaka's a hardcore gamer. Their sweet, awkward love story started life as a webcomic before becoming a full-blown manga series by popular demand, and is about to become a major anime series!work.

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Vol. 1 by Waco Ioka

Faced with the choice of being married to a strange spirit or being made into dinner, Aoi decides to create a third option for herself! Aoi Tsubaki inherited her grandfather’s ability to see spirits—and his massive debt to them! Now she’s been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo, the spirit world, to make good on his bill. Her options: marry the head of the inn her grandfather trashed, or get eaten by ayakashi. But Aoi isn’t the type to let spirits push her around, and she’s determined to redeem her grandfather’s IOU on her own terms! Aoi wants to work off her debt to the Tenjin-ya inn, but she only has one day to find a position and none of the managers are willing to hire a human! If she can just get someone to see past her family background, Aoi is certain she can prove her worth!

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 1 by Kiiro Yumi

In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves--the Library Forces! Iku Kasahara has dreamed of joining the Library Defense Force ever since one of its soldiers stepped in to protect her favorite book from being confiscated in a bookstore when she was younger. But now that she's finally a recruit, she's finding her dream job to be a bit of a nightmare. Especially since her hard-hearted drill instructor seems to have it in for her!

[juleswolverton-hyde]

Otaku Nostalgia | Anime & Manga June 2021 Update

One thing not a lot of people know is that I used to be a big otaku. Yes, you read that correctly. 

I was an otaku.

However, after graduating high school, I gradually left the hobby behind and started to focus on matters like work, university, and travelling. Nevertheless, on my last trip before the pandemic grew severe again, I bought a few manga when I was in Paris (late July/early August 2020). I meant to renew my interest in this part of Japanese culture back then yet took about a year to properly sit down and read them. I do have to admit it was a bit of a struggle since my French has grown rusty in the past four years. All the same, they brought back memories of my teenage years and may or may not have kickstarted the itch to collect manga again.

Okay, they have though I do have to say I try to keep the collection to a minimum since manga is quite expensive in The Netherlands. Fortunately, or perhaps not so in regards to the mangaka, there is the opportunity to read a lot of them online.

In regards to anime, it would be a lie to say Jaebeom and Christian Yu don’t form part of the reason I started watching again. Netflix providing me with Beastars was another push to kick back, relax, drink coffee, and watch a few anime episodes (or binge a whole series).

Having said all this, I thought it would be nice to provide monthly updates on what I watch and read. Also, if you have any recommendations, please leave a comment or shoot me a message. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

Manga read: 6

Anime watched: 4

Manga

Currently reading: Kakuriyo Vol. 2 & Wotakoi Vol. 3

Summaries provided by Goodreads.

Wotakoi Vol. 1 & 2

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Josei

Author & Illustrator: Fujita

Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary: Narumi and Hirotaka are, by all appearances, a power couple. They're young, good-looking professionals. But they have secrets from everyone but each other: they're serious geeks! Narumi is a fujoshi, and Hirotaka's a hardcore gamer. Their sweet, awkward love story started life as a webcomic before becoming a full-blown manga series by popular demand, and is about to become a major anime series!

Review: Normally, I am not one for romcoms and avoid them at all costs to spare myself from their boredom. However, Wotakoi forms an exception to the rule since Narumi’s & Hirotaka’s as well as Hanako’s & Tarou’s love stories are the perfect blend of serious adult matters and what it means to be an otaku or a nerd in general in a world which sees nothing but the stereotype.

I might be aro and ace, but this series gives me hope I might one day find someone who accepts my nerdy side and participates in anything geeky since they are a nerd themself.

Yes, this romcom is the only one I will accept as good and enjoy to the fullest.

Kakuriyo Vol. 1

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Supernatural, Josei

Author: Midori Yuma

Illustrator: Waco Ioka

Rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary: Faced with the choice of being married to a strange spirit or being made into dinner, Aoi decides to create a third option for herself! Aoi Tsubaki inherited her grandfather’s ability to see spirits—and his massive debt to them! Now she’s been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo, the spirit world, to make good on his bill. Her options: marry the head of the inn her grandfather trashed, or get eaten by ayakashi. But Aoi isn’t the type to let spirits push her around, and she’s determined to redeem her grandfather’s IOU on her own terms! Aoi wants to work off her debt to the Tenjin-ya inn, but she only has one day to find a position and none of the managers are willing to hire a human! If she can just get someone to see past her family background, Aoi is certain she can prove her worth!

Review: All right, I know I said I will only accept Wotakoi as a good and enjoyable romcom, but this one is splendid too. Also, I have a soft spot for anything having to do with yōkai (be it in the shape of ayakashi or something else).

Furthermore, Aoi is a strong-willed girl who knows what she wants. It is a nice change from the softer girls who are more dependent on the male protagonist/love interest. Independent women, that is where it’s at.

In regards of the secondary world, I adore how the reader gets an insight into the Japanese Underworld. Whereas Hades and Hel are dark nothingness, Hell is a flaming pit (depending on who you ask because Bede’s vision or, rather, Drythelm’s is vastly different from Dante’s), and Buddhism knowns a bright light of wisdom that stops the cycle of reincarnation, Kakuriyo is filled with ships flying in the sky and lanterns lighting up the heaven. I do know how to envision the other realms, though I am certain they will intrigue me just as much if the manga will introduce them.

Lastly, I merely want to bring the best fox boy to your attention. I ship Ginji and Aoi so much despite not having read much of the manga nor having seen the anime. This boy is just the sweetest, caring, and cheekiest lad out there.

That Wolf Boy Is Mine Vol. 1

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Supernatural, Shōjo

Author& Illustrator: Yoko Nogiri

Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary:  Komugi’s not sure what to expect when her family moves to the remote northern island of Hokkaido, and she starts at a new high school. But she certainly didn’t expect a boy to come up to her and say, “Gee…you smell good, somehow!” That boy is Yu Ogami, and Komugi finds herself strangely drawn to him. But when she sees him in an unguarded moment, she discovers he’s a werewolf! Now she has a choice to make: to keep his secret, or to ask for help and risk angering a wolf-boy?

Review: I love this manga and that is an understatement. Has this manga unconsciously influenced my personal writing? Maybe. I can’t say I mind, though the summary really does remind me of my current project (Not by the Moon/Until the Last Page of Spring). 

I digress.

Anyways, the plot is fairly simple and straightforward. However, the manga thrives on the interactions between the characters. Essentially, this is what the story is all about: a normal girl falling in love with a wolf (don’t you glare at me) and being pulled into the world of ayakashi, a world she tries to reconcile with her own. It’s cute, quick, and simple. Moreover, there are only four volumes. Therefore, it’s a perfect story to binge-read in one sitting, especially now that it is summer.

Rose & Wolf Vol. 1

Genre: Comedy, Romance, School Life, Supernatural, Shōjo

Author & Illustrator: Jun Yuzuki

Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary:  This romantic comedy follows a high school girl and a male student with a hidden secret, both attending in Sumeragi Academy, one of Japan's most elite boarding schools. Futaba Yoshino is a freshman girl taking regular courses at the academy, but she daydreams about Kōga Kiriya, an aloof second-year student with translucent, dusk-colored eyes, but he's on the advanced track of special studies. Although they live in different worlds, something unexpected suddenly brings them together.

Review: I will be completely honest and admit I bought this manga because it was on sale and the title caught my eye (for obvious reasons). Nevertheless, I was disappointed with the story due to its clichés, poor worldbuilding, and less than awe-inspiring ‘wolves’. In fact, they were supposed to be dogs yet all I could see were boys with animal ears.

Worldbuilding-wise, the concept of the beast being reliant on an item for its lifeforce is a trope that is either done well or a complete flop. In the manga, a boy relies on a pearl a girl swallowed and can’t get back which condemns him to die. To me, this is an example of a poor execution of the trope. After all, with what little biology I had in high school, I am fairly certain the mangaka is being too drastic in her story.  

Tokyo Ghoul: Re Vol. 1

Genre: Dark fantasy, Supernatural thriller, Seinen

Author & Illustrator: Sui Ishida

Rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary:  Haise Sasaki has been tasked with teaching Qs Squad how to be outstanding investigators, but his assignment is complicated by the troublesome personalities of his students and his own uncertain grasp of his Ghoul powers. Can he pull them together as a team, or will Qs Squad first assignment be their last?

Review: It is a shame my French has become rusty and I could therefore not understand the whole of the story. It also doesn’t help I haven’t finished the original series (though I am still eyeing the box set). 

Notwithstanding, from what I did comprehend of the plot, it is as dark and gritty as Tokyo Ghoul. Many beloved characters from the original story return in the sequel, giving the reader a sense of where they’ve ended up and their place in society.

I can’t say anything else since I think it’s better to first have read the original series to avoid confusion. However, there is a brief introduction to the world in the first volume. Nevertheless, for newcomers or people who return to the Tokyo Ghoul universe after a long time like me, this intro is too little to go on. Henceforth, read Tokyo Ghoul first and only then start this series. 

Anime

Currently watching: The Morose Mononokean (Fukigen na Mononokean)

Summaries provided by MyAnimeList.

Tokyo Ghoul (S1) & Tokyo Ghoul √A (S2)

Genre: Dark fantasy, Supernatural Thriller

Episodes S1: 12

Episodes S2: 12

Rating S1: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Rating S2: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary S1:  Tokyo has become a cruel and merciless city—a place where vicious creatures called "ghouls" exist alongside humans. The citizens of this once great metropolis live in constant fear of these bloodthirsty savages and their thirst for human flesh. However, the greatest threat these ghouls pose is their dangerous ability to masquerade as humans and blend in with society. Based on the best-selling supernatural horror manga by Sui Ishida, Tokyo Ghoul follows Ken Kaneki, a shy, bookish college student, who is instantly drawn to Rize Kamishiro, an avid reader like himself. However, Rize is not exactly who she seems, and this unfortunate meeting pushes Kaneki into the dark depths of the ghouls' inhuman world. In a twist of fate, Kaneki is saved by the enigmatic waitress Touka Kirishima, and thus begins his new, secret life as a half-ghoul/half-human who must find a way to integrate into both societies.

Review: This was actually a re-watch for me, likely one of the last anime I saw before I dropped the hobby. And, boy, did it bring back feelings! 

I won’t give any spoilers, but I was bawling my eyes out once again at the end of season two. In fact, I think I cried more during that season than because of the first.

I know Japan has a strict code on what can and can’t be shown on screen, but I would have liked for the gore to not be censored. After all, in the manga, it’s guts and gore galore. I didn’t mean to make that rhyme, but there you go.

Other than that, I was pinned to the edge of my seat as I was watching, indulging in pure nostalgia while also continuously being put on edge by the story. It goes without saying this is my go-to for when I want something dark and gritty that also, funnily enough, comments on modern society.

Wotakoi

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Episodes: 11

Rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Summary:  Having slept through all four of her alarms, the energetic Narumi Momose finds herself running late for her first day of work at a new office. As she races to catch her train, she makes a promise to herself that none of her coworkers will find out about her dark secret: that she is an otaku and a fujoshi. Her plan goes instantly awry, though, when she runs into Hirotaka Nifuji, an old friend from middle school. Although she tries to keep her secret by inviting him out for drinks after work, her cover is blown when he casually asks her whether or not she will be attending the upcoming Summer Comiket. Luckily for her, the only witnesses—Hanako Koyanagi and Tarou Kabakura—are otaku as well. Later that night, the pair go out for drinks so that they can catch up after all the years apart. After Narumi complains about her previous boyfriend breaking up with her because he refused to date a fujoshi, Hirotaka suggests that she try dating a fellow otaku, specifically himself. He makes a solemn promise to always be there for her, to support her, and to help her farm for rare drops in Monster Hunter. Blown away by the proposal, Narumi agrees immediately. Thus the two otaku start dating, and their adorably awkward romance begins.

Review: I have nothing to say about the anime that I haven’t already mentioned in my review of the manga. Henceforth, refer to that to know my thoughts.

Beastars S1

Genre: Coming-of-Age, Drama, Fantasy

Episodes S1: 12

Rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary:  In a civilized society of anthropomorphic animals, an uneasy tension exists between carnivores and herbivores. At Cherryton Academy, this mutual distrust peaks after a predation incident results in the death of Tem, an alpaca in the school's drama club. Tem's friend Legoshi, a grey wolf in the stage crew, has been an object of fear and suspicion for his whole life. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, he continues to lay low and hide his menacing traits, much to the disapproval of Louis, a red deer and the domineering star actor of the drama club. When Louis sneaks into the auditorium to train Tem's replacement for an upcoming play, he assigns Legoshi to lookout duty. That very night, Legoshi has a fateful encounter with Haru, a white dwarf rabbit scorned by her peers. His growing feelings for Haru, complicated by his predatory instincts, force him to confront his own true nature, the circumstances surrounding the death of his friend, and the undercurrent of violence plaguing the world around him.

Review: I bloody adore this series! It is also the one which initially got me back into the otaku game. Admittedly, the animation first threw me off a bit since there is a lot of CGI going on. Notwithstanding, I kept watching because of the story and Legoshi (for obvious reasons). In all seriousness, I had more fun following Legoshi’s point of view than the others’ likely because he is relatable to me as a person. Granted, I’m not a tall predator (if anything, I am likely closer to Hal’s or Juno’s height) but his personality overlaps a lot with mine.

All in all, I cannot wait to start watching season 2 and to begin reading the manga. I recently acquired the first three volumes, so I think I might binge-read them in the near future.

[glassandmetalwings]

Who’s ready for me to try to sell you another manga? (I need and extra tag just for these tbh...)

Today, I’m gonna talk about Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits, by Waco Ioka.

Also, as a note, I’m going to use the terminology used in the translation, rather than terms seen more frequently within the anime and manga community. So, for example, rather than saying Genji is a kyubi or kitsune, I’ll be calling him a nine-tailed fox ayakashi.

Anyways, meet Aoi Tsubaki, a college student who lives alone, loves to cook...and can see ayakashi, or spirits/yokai. Most of the time, she avoids conflict with them by feeding them. Aoi was taught to cook by her recently deceased grandfather, Shiro, who adopted her after she was orphaned by her single mother.

In true manga fashion, her life changes after she gives her lunch to a mysterious masked ogre at a shrine before running off to class. When she returns to pick up her lunch box, he suddenly appears to spirit her off to Kakuriyo, the spirit world...and also claims she’s his bride?!

Surprise!

But this isn’t just some standard infatuated kidnapping. The orge, known as Odanna, is a handsome, powerful, and influential ayakashi, and owner of the Tenjin-Ya inn, which sits right near the gate to Utsushiyo (the human world). And taking Aoi has to do with his beef with Shiro.

See, in his youth, Shiro regularly traveled between Utsushiyo and Kakuriyo. On one such trip, he stayed at Tenjin-ya, indulged in some of their most expensive food and drink, nearly leveled it, and then tried to run away without paying. With a debt of about 100 million yen, the Odanna gave him a choice: either work at Tenjin-ya for the rest of his life, or letting the orge devour him. Shiro, being a crafty man, offered an alternative, he would return to Utsushiyo, and if he hadn’t paid of his debt by his death, the Odanna could take one of his granddaughters as his bride (human brides are very valuable to ayakashi, and help raise their status).

And guess who the only granddaughter who can see ayakashi is?

Anyways, Aoi very much doesn’t want to marry an ogre, especially one she’s barely met! So, much like her grandfather, she suggests an alternative: let her work at Tenjin-ya to pay off Shiro’s debt. Odanna agrees on the condition that, if she can’t find work, she’ll become his bride. He will offer her no protection from other ayakashi as an employee, and if she runs, he’ll devour her. While the conditions are steep and not in her favor, Aoi agrees.

The only problem? Finding work in Tenjin-ya is hard. All of the staff hates humans, and the majority despise Shiro, so they refuse to give her a job. Her only assistance comes in the form of Ginji, a nine-tailed fox ayakushi and young master of the inn. He ultimately directs her to a small, empty restaurant hidden away within Tenjin-ya, suggesting that, given she’s so good at catering her food to the tastes of ayakashi, she tries setting up shop. But again, she has basically the rest of the staff against her-especially the kitchen staff, who don’t want competition.

Can Aoi make this work?

--

That was a long summary, and it doesn’t even touch everything within the first volume. Currently, the series is incomplete in the US. We’re at volume five, and while apparently the series only filled six tankobon in Japan, it doesn’t...feel like it’s going to wrap up in the next volume? But there’s always the possibility I’m wrong.

Needless to say, I’m enjoying Kakuriyo. The art is gorgeous (especially the food), and the characters are deeply engaging. Even super minor characters, such as Kasuga the raccon dog ayakashi, have great character and personality. It’s cute, and puts a lot of depth into the relationships between characters. I also really like how it includes a lot of less popular ayakshi. Yes, there are tengu, and orges, and kitsune and so on, but there are also ayakashi like noperra-bo and hitosume.

But brain isn’t working, but it’s just really good, okay?

[balu8]

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits

by Midori Yūma and Waco Ioka

VIZ

[officialshojobeat]

Shojo Beat Manga for January 2022

These volumes are available now!

My Love Mix-Up! vol. 2 by Wataru Hinekure & Aruko

Snow White with the Red Hair vol. 17 by Sorata Akiduki

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits vol. 7 by Waco Ioka

**Final Volume** Love Me, Love Me Not vol. 12 by Io Sakisaka

-Editor Nancy

[asexualbookbird]

What a good month for reading! I got through all books I wanted to read, plus some extras! Read a stack of graphic novels that have been sitting on my floor for months, AND books I've been meaning to read for ten thousand years. I deserve a medal to be honest. I played through most of Cult of the Lamb, which is very fun. I just have to big boss to beat, but I needed a break. Had a great time watching Good Mythical Evening, and made irresponsible book purchases with friends. What. A. Month.

Tress and the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson ⭐ snore, snooze, boring, I have read more entertaining cereal boxes

To Shape A Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose ⭐⭐⭐⭐ fun! thought provoking! Full of dragons! My only complaint was the lore was info dumped, but otherwise a very good read!!

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers ⭐⭐⭐ my least favorite Wayfarers so far, but I'm interested in how the audiobook version is because I enjoyed the first book better when I listened to it and I think I will feel the same about this one

The Unconquered City by KA Doore ⭐⭐ I'm sorry, this was my least favorite of the trilogy. I started it like five different times since it was released and I thought it was me, but we simply did not vibe

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I see why people are feral over this one. I would have liked more in depth world building and think it would've worked better as an adult novel than young adult, but overall a fun read

Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WHAT A CUTE LITTLE GRAPHIC NOVEL! The art is fun, I adore the colors, and not to be dramatic but I would take on a scary necromancer for Blob Ghost

Kakuriyo 1-4 by Waco Ioka and Midori Yuma - I don't like rating individual manga volumes, I prefer to rate series as a whole, but so far! This is a good one! Reminds me of Ancient Magus' Bride but with more food

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo ⭐⭐ okay my expectations were low so I wasn't exactly let down by this, but phew this sure is a debut novel from 2013 huh! I look forward to Six of Crows lololol the bones are there, but where is the muscle

SO MUCH READING it's almost as if I've been stressed out or something haha Surgery is next week, but also! I've hit some road bumps in life. My dog needs dental surgery and I'm upset about it. I'm trying to figure out crowd funding because oof I do NOT have 800 dollhairs for this. I do also have some stickers I made and didn't tell anyone about that I'm going to share soon. So. Look out for those lolsob

Please let September be kind, please,

[doronjosama]

This week's (01/18/23) New Comics Day score: Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast For Spirits v.7 by Waco Ioka! #NewComicsDay #NewComicsWednesday #NewComicBookDay #ncbd #kakuriyobedandbreakfastforspirits #wacoioka #manga #comics #graphicnovels #CleaningOutMySubBox #GirlsReadComics #IBleedComics #Fujoshi4Life https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnk6uwwr2Ti/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kierrasreads]

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits by Waco Ioka & Midori Yuma Volume 1 Review

Plot

Faced with the choice of being married to a strange spirit or being made into dinner, Aoi decides to create a third option for herself! Aoi Tsubaki inherited her grandfather's ability to see spirits- and his massive debt to them! Now she's been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo, the spirit world, to make good on his bill. Her options: marry the head of the inn her grandfather trashed, or get eaten by ayakashi (supernatural beings/spirits). But Aoi isn't the type to let spirits push her around, and she's determined to redeem her grandfather's IOU on her own terms! Aoi wants to work off her debt to the Tenjin-ya Inn, but she only has one day to find a position and none of the managers are willing to hire a human! If she can just get someone to see past her family background, Aoi is certain she can prove her worth!

Discussion

OF COURSE, the head of the inn is hot! He also happens to be an ogre- a rather cunning one at that. In all seriousness, I was excited to read this series, since I've seen a good deal of hype surrounding it. I hope that I can see Aoi's restaurant (for lack of a better word) welcome its first customer, but I suppose that's what the next volume is for!

The inn staff has no desire to hire her- good thing that this isn't set in the US because they would be hit with a discrimination lawsuit before they can say "bon appetit!" I kid, of course. Somewhat. I hope that we see Aoi form a friendship with a few of the other staff members, I think they would get along swimmingly (save for their desire to eat humans- one step at a time).

I love that Aoi wants to work off her debt and is determined to not marry the head of the inn, that's admirable. She's giving me Haruhi Fujioka vibes (any OHSHC fans here??)- and her recipes sound amazing! I'll have to try them.

Rating

5/5