August Wrap-Up & more

Happy August! 

It's the last full month of summer before school starts up again 😥 And yet I had quite a lot to do this month to prepare for school to start. 

It's also my birth month! And even though every month is a month where I should be "taking liberties" and reading whatever I want, I felt that extra this month with all the work and studying I was trying to avoid. Sometimes it's just 1000x easier to just read through a manga with lovely artwork as opposed to reading blocks of words. I also recently got back into manga because my sister convinced me to continue reading a childhood favorite, and now I'm hooked once more. And maybe I'm realizing that one of my favorite genres of manga are stories set in Victorian England where the protagonist is a morally grey genius who I adore and am secretly rooting for 👀

Books Mentioned

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) Vol. 26-30 by Toboso Yana
• Moriarty The Patriot Vol. 1-15 by Takeuchi Ryosuke & Miyoshi Hikaru
• People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
• Tokyo Revengers Vol. 1-24 by Wakui Ken

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Trigger/Content Warnings: homophobia, sexual assault, rape, domestic abuse, cheating, alcoholism, biphobia, mention of suicide

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Summary

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Rating: ★★★★+(0.5) (4.5/5)

I have finally read one of the biggest, most renowned books in the bookish fandom. And I most definitely understand why this book is so heavily praised.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo also touches on very important topics such as racism and homophobia, as well as misogyny, especially in the industry. Evelyn Hugo is a bisexual woman of color, and in her story she details the ups and downs of navigating through Hollywood and fighting to be in some control of the narrative of her life in a world that would revel in her failures.  

Evelyn Hugo is such an amazing character. She feels so real, and reading her recounting of her rise to stardom felt so personal. It honestly felt like I could just pull up google and search her name and there she'd be with her Wikipedia page detailing her filmography and what little Hollywood knew of her background. She is such a smart character and I loved reading about what ploy she would come up with in order to protect her life as well as the one she loves. 

I think it's best to go into this blind, so I will do my best to suppress everything I want to scream about when it comes to this book.

The story starts off pivoting around a certain question: Evelyn Hugo had married 7 different people, so who was her one true love?

Evelyn Hugo had several relationships that I think were very important to her, and I loved those relationships a lot. Her friendship with Harry warmed my heart. And I loved how much of a power duo they were when it came to creating successful movies together. The romance in this was also spectacular. I loved how TJR built the romance and how natural its progression was and how sweet it was and how she was continuously adding elements of tension to keep me invested in the romance.

Overall, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is full of drama and tension and lots of emotion, and it is such an engaging read. I read this entire book all in one sitting because of how invested I was—I could not put it down. 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, violence, gore, death, cults, child abuse, child sexual abuse, human experimentation

Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) Vol. 26-30 by Toboso Yana

Summary

In the Victorian ages of London The Earl of the Phantomhive house, Ciel Phantomhive, needs to get his revenge on those who had humiliated him and destroyed what he loved. Not being able to do it alone he sells his soul to a demon he names Sebastian Michaelis. Now working as his butler, Sebastian must help the Earl Phantomhive in this suspenseful, exciting, thriller manga.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Might I be extremely biased about this series? Yes, probably. It was my childhood series, and my friends from my middle school days can definitely attest to how invested I was in it. I watched the anime when I was about 11 years old, and started reading the manga a few years after the time season 2 aired. I fell off of it a few years ago since I've never been great at keeping up with serializations, but my sister (who is great at keeping up with serializations) insisted I get back into it. I don't know whether to be mad at her or sincerely grateful to her for getting me back into it, because I am once again obsessed.

It's going to be hard to say much without giving away spoilers, but I will try.

I had fallen off it around the time that the big plot twist happened. I still can't believe the theory that was circulating from around 2015 came true, because I had thought that it would be an interesting concept, but never considered it to be a possibility for canon. We also get a (complete I think?) backstory that is horrifying and haunts me to this day. I've always felt like it would be bad, but not this bad. My heart will always ache for Ciel. The story has always been dark, but I feel like it has definitely gotten progressively darker as the story goes on. I was actually quite taken-aback by how dark this story gets, and I wonder if maybe things went over my head when I was a teen reading this so many years ago. Needless to say, I would be a little appalled if my 13 year old self read what I had just read. So, if I haven't made it clear yet, this manga is definitely not for the weak of heart, and most probably for adults, so proceed with caution.

Speaking of Ciel, he has always been my favorite character. I love how Toboso Yana writes him. He's extremely accomplished, having built the toy company of his dreams and he's also successfully carrying out his duties as the Queen's Watchdog. But at the same time Toboso Yana does show him to be the child that he is; he's moody, bratty, irritable, and very stubbornly single-minded. But these flaws make Ciel such an amazing character. I also really love his relationship with other characters. His relationship with his servants, and their steadfast loyalty to him, always warms my heart. I also find his very complicated relationship with Sebastian very interesting because I really like how their fickleness adds another layer to this story. I like that Sebastian and Ciel's dynamic is one where they know that the other is the person they must trust the most in this plane of existence, yet they don't trust each other at all. It serves to remind the readers that this isn't just a story about Ciel and his overpowered butler getting revenge, it's also about the push-and-pull between godforsaken mortal and demon. I also thinks this showcases Ciel's genius in the way that he was able to settle a contract that benefits him even with a being that seeks to take advantage of and manipulate him. In conclusion, Ciel is an amazing character and I will defend him to my death.

Overall, Toboso Yana knows how to write a gripping story. From the very first arc, the mysteries that surround the Phantomhive household continue to grow. Every time the readers feel like they're starting to put the pieces together, Toboso Yana reveals that the puzzle is bigger than they initially thought. This read has reminded me exactly why this story had such a hold over me. I am so very invested in where this story has gone, and I will definitely be going back to following this manga very closely.

(Also, Toboso Yana's art is otherworldly. One of my biggest art inspirations.)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Crime

Trigger/Content Warning: violence, murder, gore, sexual assault, gun violence, self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide, arson, child abuse 

Moriarty The Patriot written by Takeuchi Ryosuke, illustrated by Miyoshi Hikaru

Summary

Before he was Sherlock’s rival, Moriarty fought against the unfair class caste system in London by making sure corrupt nobility got their comeuppance. But even the most well-intentioned plans can spin out of control—will Moriarty’s dream of a more just and equal world turn him into a hero…or a monster?

In the late 19th century, Great Britain rules over a quarter of the world. Nobles sit in their fancy homes in comfort and luxury, while the working class slaves away at their jobs. When young Albert James Moriarty’s upper-class family adopts two lower-class orphans, the cruelty the boys experience at his family’s hands cements Albert’s hatred of the nobility he was born into. He asks the older of the two boys—who has a genius mind and a killer instinct—to help him rid the world of evil, starting with Albert’s own family!

Rating: ★★★★+(0.5) (4.5/5)

I didn't expect to love this as much as I did, but ohmygod this was so entertaining.

Moriarty The Patriot explores themes of classism within Victorian England. It follows three brothers who are unsatisfied with the classism that is rampant in England, and the divide between social classes, and so they decide to hatch a not so savory plan to rid the world of the evil nobility and set England on track to being a more harmonious country. The entire cast is unhinged. Absolutely unhinged. But they are so endearing even with their questionable morals. It is a sort of retelling of the very renowned Sherlock Holmes, so the storyline is mystery after mystery and it is so entertaining to watch them dissect each one. When we follow Sherlock, we gradually uncover Moriarty's hand in the case. When we follow Moriarty, we are sometimes left wondering what his motive could possibly be, and/or what he could have planned this time. 

The story was surprisingly (to me) quite gruesome, and definitely tiptoes the line of what I am comfortable with when it comes to gore, but I'm not too great with gore in the first place. 

The relationships were written really well. I loved Sherlock and John's friendship and the way both work so well together but also sometimes have quite opposing opinions on what is morally just. I also loved the relationship between the Moriarty brothers and their group of "servants." I especially loved how much Louis and William care for each other and look out for one another. And, of course, I love the dynamic between William and Sherlock, and how they meet and instantly click since they are both highly intelligent and feel as if the other is one of the only people who can keep them on their toes, yet they are also supposed to be enemies due to their differing goals and opposing moral compasses. It's such a strange and interesting dynamic, and I absolutely loved watching them trying to think ahead of each other, but I also loved the few times when they actually met as Sherlock and William, and not as Sherlock and The Lord of Crime.

Overall, Moriarty The Patriot is definitely worth the read for its captivating storyline and gorgeous art. The anime is also very well produced and is a little different from the manga, a few short arcs were cut out, but it is still really good. I will definitely be keeping up with this manga for as long as I can. 

(If anyone has read Moriarty and wants to talk to me about the end of "The Final Problem" arc, please do. I am still going through a breakdown over it.)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Trigger/Content Warnings: bullying, loss of loved one

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Summary

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since.

Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

Rating: ★★★+(0.5) (3.5/5)

I feel a little bad for this rating, since this book is so well-loved. However, in my defense I rarely read books in the romance genre.

A year ago I read Emily Henry's 2020 release Beach Read and I loved it, but I think a lot of what I loved when it came to Beach Read was the darker parts of it—especially January navigating through her grief. People We Meet on Vacation also has its sadder parts as well as its exploration of family dynamics, but nothing hit as hard as Beach Read did.

I really loved Poppy and Alex. I love the friends to lovers relationship dynamic, and I think Henry really nailed the development of Poppy and Alex's friendship. I loved how much they loved each other, and how safe they felt around each other. They were a really fun duo and I loved each of their characters individually, separate from each other, as well as together. I also really loved their tradition of taking trips every year together, I thought that was really cute. 

However, I thought their summer trips really lacked substance. I love books that are told in non-chronological order, since I feel like the mystery such a structure creates really adds another layer to the story, but I thought that these summers that we got a look into weren't terribly interesting at all and I just wanted to return to the present timeline to watch them wrestle with the devil that is Palm Springs in the summer. I also felt like this mystery that fractured their friendship for years didn't really intrigue me all that much, and when I found out what actually happened I kinda just shrugged and went on with the story since it was pretty anti-climactic.

Overall, People We Meet on Vacation was a light and easy read, and I definitely recommend it for lovers of the friends to lovers trope. It personally wasn't really up my alley, but I can see why it is so well-loved by others and I definitely recommend everyone who loves the romance genre to give it a try. 

Genre: Shonen

Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, murder, gun violence, bullying, mentioned rape, mentioned sexual assault, loss of loved ones, death, suicide, domestic violence

Tokyo Revengers Vol. 1-24 by Wakui Ken

Summary

Watching the news, Takemichi Hanagaki learns that his girlfriend from way back in middle school, Hinata Tachibana, has died. The only girlfriend he ever had was just killed by a villainous group known as the Tokyo Manji Gang. He lives in a crappy apartment with thin walls, and his six-years-younger boss treats him like an idiot. At the height of his rock-bottom life, he suddenly time-leaps 12 years back to his middle school days!! To save Hinata, and change the life he spent running away, hopeless part-timer Takemichi must aim for the top of Kanto’s most sinister delinquent gang!!

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

I binge read all 200+ chapters of this in a very small amount of days. This manga is addicting.

I really love stories about time travel, and I especially love fix-it stories, and so Tokyo Revengers was right up my alley.

Our main character is both very similar to the typical shonen protagonist, but also completely different. I find that many shonen protagonists are headstrong, stubborn, physically strong, etc. and Hanagaki Takemichi is definitely stubborn and strong-willed, but he is certainly not the strong type. But somehow, Wakui Ken makes it work and even though he is not my favorite character of the lineup, he is definitely a character I respect. But I definitely did not respect him in the beginning, I actually really didn't like him at first because he seemed extremely shallow and stupidly impulsive, but he redeems himself in the future.

The thing that kept me watching though was the fascinating characters that kept showing up. I really loved how mysterious Mikey was from his first scene, and I also really loved Draken. Each of the characters are all unique and well-developed, and I ended up forming quite an attachment to each of them, which made the read quite painful. Especially since I latched on especially hard to Matsuno Chifuyu, who is my favorite character of the series as of now.

The story also has an extremely fascinating plot that kept me reeled in the entire time. There was never a dull moment, never a dull chapter. I also thought that the relationships between each of the characters were also very carefully and wonderfully crafted. For the longest time I'd thought 'how in the world would these characters, who are so vastly different from each other, ever become close friends?' But the development of these relationships actually made a lot of sense, and soon enough I felt like this biker gang (at least its top brass) really felt like its own found family. 

Overall, Tokyo Revengers is a thrilling shonen manga that will take you on the wildest rollercoaster ride of emotions. I started reading it since I'd heard great things from so many people in the nendoroid community, and I'm really glad I started it because I am now extremely invested. Also, I'm glad it updates weekly because I don't think I can survive waiting a whole month with how suspenseful this manga gets!

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more fun things

I actually watched a lot of shows and stuff this month, so I thought I'd share some of the other fun things that I consumed other than just books. 

I have a really good fanfic to share : 

ad perpetuam memoriam by redrobin1989

"I do not know if heaven or hell awaits me but I know without a doubt, though I cannot say why, that you are in neither."

I do feel a lot when I read fanfiction. I think it might have to do with the fact that I'm already so emotionally invested in these characters, taking them out of their canon contexts and creating an alternate story for them does not change these feelings. And though I often do feel a lot when I read fanfiction, it has been a very long while since I've felt anything near as heart wrenching and melancholic as I did when I read this fic. The first time I read it I felt such a heavy weight on my chest and I was left speechless. The second time I read snippets of this story, the weight of the words hit so hard and I had tears streaming down my face.

It is a gen Kuroshitsuji fanfiction that takes place a good century or so after the imagined end of the story, when most of the characters have grown old and/or passed, and follows the world as it uncovers the existence and importance of the Phantomhive family. A lot of it is actually quite light-hearted and humorous, and the writing is gorgeous, but some of the allusions to the late 19th/early 20th century when the events of Kuroshitsuji took place were so bittersweet and hit so hard. I highly recommend giving this fic a read if you're caught up with Kuroshitsuji, because it is so amazing.

I also watched some anime (not Haikyuu!!) for the first time in a while:

I rewatched Kuroshitsuji I & II as well as Book of Murder and I now have to admit that the first and second seasons of Kuroshitsuji were not the best. They were highly entertaining, but certainly not as amazing as I remember them to be. Probably because Kuroshitsuji I only follows the manga up until episode 15/16, and Kuroshitsuji II is just so off in terms of plot. I do still feel terrible for Alois and all he's gone through, and perhaps his obsession with Claude was born from his fear of abandonment and being alone, but Claude himself was quite a lackluster character (and quite creepy too. Why don't I remember him being this creepy all those years ago LOL).

Book of Murder, on the other hand, was just as amazing as I remember it being. It follows the manga very closely and the animation is stellar. I've always really loved the Book of Murder arc in the manga, because it was both extremely suspenseful (especially when you're keeping up with the serialization; that was a wonderfully stressful experience) and very amusing. I want to rewatch Book of Circus (if my heart can handle the pain) and Book of Atlantic, since Book of Atlantic was one of my favorite arcs in the manga. I only hope that they will animate the public school arc and beyond because it's such a great series and I want anime watchers to experience public school, emerald witch, and blue cult arcs too.

I watched Moriarty The Patriot Season 1 & 2 while reading the manga at the same time. I found it quite different, since there were short arcs that were never animated, but it still followed the same general timeline and plotline so it didn't bother me too much. Some of the arcs were also extremely gruesome and I'm kind of glad they didn't animate some of those arcs like the Hunting of the Baskervilles. That would have been too much for my heart, I'm afraid.

I decided to watch Tokyo Revengers on a whim, since a lot of my friends in the nendoroid community have been raving about it for months, and it was so worth my time because it was amazing. I've spoken about most of my Tokyo Revengers thoughts earlier in my manga review, which can be applied to here since the anime and the manga are quite similar I think. The animation quality is great and I love the opening and ending sequences. I definitely think Tokyo Revengers is worth the watch for anyone who is in between deciding whether or not to watch it.

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Yes, I spent most of my August reading manga 👀 

I did not post a September TBR, because I already know September is going to be quite the hectic month with moving into uni apartments, finishing up my online class certification, school starting, etc. So I'm glad I really got to indulge extra this month with all my manga bingeing :")

Also, this month they came out with the news that the MXTX novels are licensed to be published in English! 

The covers are absolutely gorgeous and I am so excited to have them in my hands this December 💓 I really can't believe after being in the fandom for years, when the donghua first came out and the fandom was just budding, that these series would become as big as they are now. I feel like it was shock after shock: donghua licenses, drama licenses, and now after years the novels are finally licensed to be published in English! I actually already have the Taiwanese version of Scum Villain's Self Saving System on my shelves, but my Mandarin still isn't advanced enough to read them on my own 😅 Hopefully one day!

And, of course, I'm hoping that there will be a lot more Chinese novels being licensed for publication in various languages in the future (Mo Du please, Seven Seas Ent.)!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful summer, and I hope you all had a great August ☀

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