Arcanum Unbounded

 Arcanum Unbounded is a compilation of short stories and novellas written by Brandon Sanderson about his Cosmere Universe.

Compiled by Khriss, a worldhopper from the Taldain System (White Sand graphic novel series), Arcanum Unbounded are some of the documents from the many Cosmere planets that give background, world building, character development. While they aren't dire, at this point in time to read them all alongside the major series, they are enlightening and a joy to read. 

Through reading these, I've discovered that my favorite story that Brandon has produced so far is Misborn: Secret History which has major spoilers for the Mistborn series (for both Era 1 and 2, read them first before you read Secret History otherwise you'll be vastly disappointed). But it is my favorite because Kelsier is amazing, Fuzz makes me cry, and Ruin is a major nasty piece of work but such an interesting character. 

As I said before, it is a compilation of stories of : 

The Selish System

• The Emperor's Soul, 
• The Hope of Elantris, 

The Scadrian System 

• The Eleventh Metal, 
• Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Elantia: Episodes  28-30, 
• Mistborn Secret History,

The Taldain System

• White Sand (an excerpt of the graphic novel and an excerpt from the written, rough draft version, which I like better than the graphic novel version)

The Threnodite System

• Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

The Dominad System 

• Sixth of the Dusk

and The Rosharan System

• Edgedancer

These are very good books that I highly recommend reading. If you haven't read any of the Cosmere series (which I suggest you rectify quickly) many of these stores are good to read as a standalone, except Misborn Secret History and Hope of Elantris. The rest could be enjoyed on their own without any hiccups or misunderstandings. My only other suggestion would be to read White Sand completely with the other volumes in the series to help things make sense, though for the excepts you'd be fine as a jumping off point for further reading. (For the rest of the written story of White Sand you can go onto BrandonSanderson.org and become a part of their newsletter and be able to ask for the link for the whole story. I've yet to be able to do it myself as my life isn't always free of craziness, but it's something I plan to indeed do in the future.)  

Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules

Delilah Dirk is one of my favorite people. Top 5 favorite characters from anything I've read. Easy. I was so excited to see than Tony Cliff wrote and illustrated another one of her adventures. It is definitely on my "I will buy ASAP" list.

Delilah is nearly always after some type of treasure, unless she is helping someone she likes--which often has some type of treasure or something along side it because she's picking on a bigger bruit than the guy that needs help. *breathes* While helping a bunch of sailor into a harbor, Delilah Dirk style, she meets a European with a tale of treasure. Not only do they find a slew of it in an unknown cave not far away, but also a clue to a larger horde and bigger price. Delilah doesn't turn down a challenge. Mr. Selim, Delilah, and the European writer (who ends up chronicling their tale) start their Indiana Jones-style archaeological dig.

Delilah is fantastic. At one point she is in jail, again, chipping away at the wall with a rock. The jailer looks down at her and asks what she's doing, she promptly states "Escaping" which she does. Awesomely!

I also love the way Mr. Selim and Delilah work together. It appears that by now they have done so many things together that they rely on each other (though not super heavy, they are their own people after all). I also really like the way he tells a general off. That was fun and I want more of it.

I also felt so sad at the very last picture in the back of the book. So sad... I loved the little boop she gave. It hurt my heart.

The artwork is beautiful. The adventure is fun. And I really want to read it again, even after just finishing it.

P.S. I'm going to be Delilah for Halloween and it is going to be awesome. More people should know Delilah Dirk. No, no, no, everyone should know her. She's just fantastic.

Fruits Basket Another

FRUITS BASKET!!! My all time favorite manga has made a very short sequel series.

And it's not finished yet, but man I wish it was. When I say short, I mean short. Three volumes, or so, short--which comparatively to the original series at 23 volumes is not a lot. Natstuki Takaya is still releasing chapters every week in honors of the new edition of Fruits Basket. I love them so much. But sadly none of the original cast shows up.

This story follows a very "shy and self-conscious" girl named Sawa Mitoma. She constantly feels like an inconvenience and a burden to all who are around here and believes if she looks only at the ground, she won't be a hindrance to anyone. But bumping into a Sohma (what every other girl in the world wants to do) has started to turn her would upside down. She has suddenly, somehow, made it into the student body presidency alongside Hajame and Mustuki Sohma. All kinds of Sohma's come out of the woodworks in order to help Mitoma find a bit of self confidence.

It is sweet, well drawn, and fun to see the next generation of Sohma's and the people associating with them. From and expanded YUKI-club, to stepping on someones face because they are laying on the floor like a cat *cough cough*, to many other little things. *sigh* It is really cute and I can't wait for the rest of it to come.

I may update this once all the chapters are out.

Snow Like Ashes

Snow Like Ashes was a great book. I was able to bing the audio book on a road trip and because and the intrigue I was didn't stop to rest as much as I should have. It was so engaging I couldn't stop.

Sixteen years ago, Spring destroyed Winter and many Winterians were enslaved. Now, Meira, and orphan and one of seven refuges after Winter's Fall, never seems to be able to help. With Mather's help she is finally able to go and hopefully do something to help her people. They are forced to flee Summer, again, to the capital of another country where she is suddenly pawned off in hopes that she can "help her country" that way. This isn't what she wants to do. She wants to fight and defend her people. Free them from the enslavement camps that Spring has them in, not prance around in dresses. Things obviously go more and more wrong and it is delicious.

I really enjoyed this book bing and am sad I hadn't read it earlier. I cannot wait for the next book.

Meira is a headstrong girl who just wants to help. She grows in this coming of age novel. Her internal adventure is to find her place in this world where she seems to constantly be on the run. Her tone made this book. She had so many internal jabs at the people around her that I laughed hard enough at to wake my son while we were on our trip. I loved it. I love her.

The world that Sara Raasch created here is great too. She's given attitude and personality to all of the seasons and other countries. Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and the other four countries are all vastly different places with an interweaving history. This obviously makes prejudices and hate as well as friendly-ish allies. Her background and world building was very well done. The setting was well enough done to leave me satisfied.

The magic system was fun too, though I do want more. There wasn't a whole lot of magic, but I can see it being far more prominent in the coming books of the series. What I liked most about the magic is that Sara Raasch gave us a reason and history behind the magic. How it was discovered and whatnot. Not many people do that.

I also have to say that Kate Rudd, the reader for Snow Like Ashes did a phenomenal job and made the book sooooo entertaining. Great job, I'll be looking for other books that you've done.

I don't think I have anything really negative to say about the book. This will be one that I suggest alongside Cinder, Six of Crows, Brandon Sanderson, the Manga I've read, and the other 5 Star books I've enjoyed.

Enjoy it. It was a great read.

Ouran High School Host Club

Ouran High School Host Club has been a favorite of mine for such a long time. This series is what got me into anime then to manga and actually led me to a bunch of my favorite music selections with Ouran as the AMV that I found on youtube-- with the help of my best friend, of course.

I loved the anime though it was far to short. Ouran is one of the most favored shoujo mangas out there and for good reason. It's fantastic. For those who love the anime or are in need of a cute romantic comedy, this is for you.

Haruhi Fujioka is a scholarship student at the renowned Ouran Academy. Ouran is a place where rich kids from rich families come to learn and socialize. The Host Club is where some of the richest and smartest kids come to entertain themselves because they "have too much time on their hands." The boys fawn over the girls and the girls love it. Haruhi stumbles into Music Room 3 where the Host Club meets and accidentally breaks a very expensive vase. In order to pay it back, Haruhi becomes the Hosts' "dog," running errands and whatnot, and quickly becomes a Host as well. What most don't know is that Haruhi is actually a girl. "How do you miss that?" Because she couldn't afford to buy the school uniform and got gum in her hair the night before--therefore cutting her hair herself and doing a horrendous job of it--she looked like a boy and everyone thought she was one. She didn't see the need to correct it, because a person is a person no matter their gender, and she rolled with it. The Host Club, of course, found out but let the girls who visit believe she was a boy so then Haruhi could pay back her debt.

The story goes on and, as any romantic comedy goes, some of the boys start falling in love with Haruhi. However because some of them are socially inept and others are idiots they don't realize it. Haruhi herself doesn't realize that she is falling in love with one of the boys. But they go on many adventures where they all grow, except for possibly two of them (maybe), and develop past themselves. I love the way they develop. They all grow in many ways, they all have their weaknesses, they all have their own personalities. It was a great feat, or so I think anyway, when I finally figured out which twin was which. I felt very happy with myself. They are so much fun.

I enjoyed the development with Tamaki's dad, as well as Kyoya's dad, and how they are portrayed here in the manga differently than in the anime. In the anime, Tamaki's dad is a doting father, who loves his son so much, whereas in the anime he seemed colder. Kyoya's dad isn't as lovey dovey as Tamaki's but he is very proud of Kyoya and all the work that Kyoya does do. He wouldn't actually slap Kyoya, because he's proud of him.

The artwork is really good and full of fun things. Beautiful artwork of places and cute moments. If you get iffy on the first few chapters, keep going. The artwork gets better and less rigid. It progresses  just like any writers, well, writing. They get better and by the second or third book, you won't be disappointed.

Ah, this story is amazing. Such fun and so lighthearted.

Part of the ending did remind me of Maid-Sama. Super rich boy who falls for a girl who is struggling to make ends meet. Parts of the stories were similar, maybe slightly cliched, but we're okay with it because the story is so much fun. I recommend both books, because they are great.

The anime is only about a forth of the manga series where you get the brief glimpse of the awesomeness that is Ouran High School Host Club. If you enjoy the anime, please read this one. If you cannot find a physical copy of the book there are manga reader apps, such as "My Shelf," to read it.

Read it. Enjoy it.

Hadi Girl

Hadi Girl is really cute. If you are looking for a short, cute story to maybe get you out of a funk, this is a good suggestion.

Hadi Girl is about a super shy girl who is easily embarrassed. She can't even watch two characters kiss on a movie without having to hide her face. One night a love angel and an egg pop into her room and she is given tasks to do and complete otherwise she will never find love. These tasks start out simple (hugging someone or looking at someone for 10 seconds), but then escalate from there (stepping into a boys bedroom, confessing her love). For most people it wouldn't be too difficult though some might be challenging, but for Kagura Sae, it is torture. However as she completes the challenges with one boy who ends up being her helper (though he is unaware of it) she actually starts falling for him and she starts doing the tasks because she wants to instead of being forced to.

Ahhh, cute! I really enjoy these little romantic comedies. This is a shorter manga (about 30 chapters/5 volumes) and so it was a quick pick me up from the heavier book I'm trying to read.

Kagura-san is a different character than is normally depicted. Most of the time anime girls are seen as ditzy or super brazen or simply kind or plain simple, but they are hardly seen as just shy, let alone brutally shy. This was different and goes to show that you can push through your weaknesses to get what you want. She was willing to face her fears and work through it.

I did find that it was harder to get my hands on. There was no physical copy anywhere here in the US that I could see (through my library anyway). But if you are interested you can find it on the app called "MyShelf." They have a great selection there.

P.S. A shout out to David for the suggestion.

Fruits Basket

This time I reread a series that is near and dear to my heart. I LOVE Fruits Basket. I read this series a few years ago when it was in high school and is perfect for teens. (Though I will warn you there is a tad bit of swearing, though it drop a lot as the story goes on--Kyo isn't so mouthy.)

Fruits Basket is a manga (a Japanese graphic novel) written by Natsuki Takaya. These graphic novels are written "backwards" for us English readers where you read it from the top right to bottom left. It can be difficult to read when you first start out, but by the end of the first book you'd get it. Going back to any other graphic novel is the hard part for me.;)

The premise of the story is that Tohru Honda, a kind and very selfless girl, just lost her mom in a horrible accident and when she can't stay with her grandpa (her dad has passed away as well) she decides to live on her own and finds a piece of land and sets up a tent. On her way to school after a little bit of time living in her tent, she finds a house that she didn't know was there (or that she was living on their land without their permission). She comes home to her tent one evening and Yuki Sohma (the "Prince" of her high school) and his cousin Shigure find her and invite her into their home. There ends up being a landslide where her tent was so she is invited to stay longer in their home until something else can be figured out.

She ends up finding out the Sohma family secret, that certain members of the Sohma family are possessed by the Spirits of the Zodiac where if they are too stressed or sick or if they get hugged/bumped into by members of the opposite sex they turn into the animal that they are possessed by. (Another warning, when they change back into their human form, they don't have clothes on. There isn't anything shown and it is done artistically, so I still think it's okay for teens to read it.)

Tohru is told that she can stay so long as she keeps their secret. As time passes, she meets all the members of the Zodiac and tries to find a way to break the curse.

But the reason I love these books is for the characters. It is a very character driven story. There are a lot of characters that we get introduced to (most of which are on the front cover of the 23 novels) and they are all very full characters. Thought out and have their own stories that we get to know them all. The characters develop in the way they are drawn and throughout their own real character progression.

The second thing I love so much are the themes that run through the book. Kindness is the best policy. Loyal friends are better than fearful allies. To just be yourself. (Amongst many others.)

These books have become my go to for a chick flick book. There are cute romances throughout the books. Hatsuharu and Rin are my favorite couple followed close by Torhu and her beau (which I won't give away). When I was in high school and reading it along with my best girl friends we split up who got which boy and I happily called dibs on Haru because of the way he treated Rin as well as his personality. (Not to mention, if he was a real person, he'd be smoking hot. ;) ) I was just super sad when the anime only got half way through the storyline and missed out on a lot of Haru's development.

Speaking of the anime, you should check it out. There are lots of sights you can find both the anime and manga (if your local library doesn't have it). You just need to search it out. And when you do, you won't be disappointed. This series was named the number one manga in the USA for a reason.

ENJOY!!!!

Update: There is also a sequel series called "Fruits Basket Another." Enjoy that one too.