Manga Review: The Apothecary Diaries Volume 1 story by Natsu Hyuuga, art by Nekokurage Maomao lives in a country that is analogous to, but is not precisely, Ming Dynasty China. Daughter of a skilled but impoverished apothecary, she early showed a talent for the occupation, and is very skilled with drugs and poisons. She grew… Continue reading Manga Review: The Apothecary Diaries Volume 1
Tag: heirs
Movie Review: Samurai Rebellion (1967)
Movie Review: Samurai Rebellion (1967) directed by Masaki Kobayashi (Japanese title: Joiuchi–Hairyo Tsuma Shimatsu, “Rebellion–Receive the Wife”) The time: 1723-1727 C.E. during the Shogunate period. The place: The Aizu province ruled by Lord Matsudaira, a bit north of Edo. The person: Ichi (Yoko Tsukasa), daughter of a minor vassal. Ichi has been arranged to marry another vassal’s… Continue reading Movie Review: Samurai Rebellion (1967)
Anime Review: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
Anime Review: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury The year is 122 Ad Stella, presumably counting from the establishment of the first permanent space colony. Various corporations were quick to expand their presence, and with the discovery of the miracle substance Permet, the various space nations became more powerful than Earth. The Benerit Group… Continue reading Anime Review: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
Book Review: Dead Men’s Plans
Book Review: Dead Men’s Plans by Mignon G. Eberhart Sewal Blake is the stepdaughter of Julius Minary, the child of his first wife. Only a few years into their marriage, Sewal’s mother died, and Julius almost immediately remarried. She bore him a daughter, Amy, and a son, Reg, before passing away herself. Bereft and knowing… Continue reading Book Review: Dead Men’s Plans
Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79
Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79 by Gosho Aoyama Recap: Conan Edogawa is actually Shinichi Kudou (Jimmy Kudo in the U.S. version), a genius teen detective who was poisoned by the Black Organization and now has the body of a pre-teen. This makes it more difficult for him to get listened to, but he keeps… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79
Anime Review: Ultraman (2019)
Anime Review: Ultraman (2019) Decades ago, Shin Hayata, a member of the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), almost died due to a collision with an alien. To save his life, the alien merged with Shin and they became the superhero Ultraman, who protected Earth from monsters and alien invasion. Eventually the alien threat ended, and… Continue reading Anime Review: Ultraman (2019)
Webtoon Review: Disenchantment Seasons 1 &2
Webtoon Review: Disenchantment Seasons 1 & 2 created by Matt Groening Princess Tiabeanie (“Bean” to just about everyone) is not at all thrilled about marrying some prince she’s never met to cement her father King Zog’s alliance with another country. She’d much rather be drinking and carousing at the local inn. But marry she must,… Continue reading Webtoon Review: Disenchantment Seasons 1 &2
Book Review: Tombstone & Speedy, Range Detectives
Book Review: Tombstone & Speedy, Range Detectives by W.C. Tuttle W.C. Tuttle (1883-1969) was a prolific author of short stories and novels, almost entirely Westerns. One of his specialties was comedic detective Western stories, with cowpokes solving mysteries, not always with their brains. This volume collects three such stories starring the duo of Speedy Smith… Continue reading Book Review: Tombstone & Speedy, Range Detectives
Magazine Review: Famous Fantastic Mysteries Fall 2016
Magazine Review: Famous Fantastic Mysteries Fall 2016 edited by Matthew Moring Every so often, someone tries to relaunch a once-popular magazine. Most of these efforts fold quickly. The subject of this review is one such, lasting a single issue. As you’ll recall from a previous review, Famous Fantastic Mysteries was primarily a reprint title, presenting… Continue reading Magazine Review: Famous Fantastic Mysteries Fall 2016
Book Review: Heart of the West
Book Review: Heart of the West by O. Henry William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), better known to most readers as O. Henry, moved to Texas from North Carolina for his health. There, he worked on a ranch for a few years before feeling well enough to take up his primary occupation of pharmacist, and fell in… Continue reading Book Review: Heart of the West