[Book Review] The Innocent Mage

BY: Karen Miller
SERIES: Kingmaker, Kingbreaker (#1)
RATING: 1 out 5
RELEASES: September 1, 2007 by Orbit
GENRE: Fantasy, Speculative fiction, High Fantasy
AGE RANGE: Adult
SYNOPSIS: Enter the kingdom of Lur, where to use magic unlawfully means death.

The Doranen have ruled Lur with magic since arriving as refugees centuries ago. Theirs was a desperate flight to escape the wrath of a powerful mage who started a bitter war in their homeland. To keep Lur safe, the native Olken inhabitants agreed to abandon their own magic. Magic is now forbidden them, and any who break this law are executed.

Asher left his coastal village to make his fortune. Employed in the royal stables, he soon finds himself befriended by Prince Gar and given more money and power than he'd ever dreamed possible. But the Olken have a secret; a prophecy. The Innocent Mage will save Lur from destruction and members of The Circle have dedicated themselves to preserving Olken magic until this day arrives. Unbeknownst to Asher, he has been watched closely. As the Final Days approach, his life takes a new and unexpected turn ...
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[Manga Review] Dinosaur Sanctuary, Vol. 1

BY: Itaru Kinoshita
SERIES: ディノサン [Dinosan] (#1)
RATING: 4 out 5
RELEASES: September 27, 2022 by Seven Seas
GENRE: Science fiction, Slice of life
AGE RANGE: Teen
SYNOPSIS: CAN A NEWBIE ZOOKEEPER SAVE A STRUGGLING DINOSAUR SANCTUARY?

DINOSAURS ARE ALIVE!

In 1946, a remote island was discovered where dinosaurs never went extinct. Through breeding and genetic manipulation, dinosaur populations increased and dino-mania reached a fever pitch worldwide...until a certain terrible incident occurred. Afterward, dinosaur reserves like Enoshima Dinoland fell on hard times. Enter Suma Suzume, a kindhearted rookie dino-keeper! Can she be the one to save Dinoland from extinction?


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[Manga Review] Tail of the Moon, Vol. 1

BY: Rinko Ueda
SERIES: 月のしっぽ [Tsuki no Shippo] (#1)
RATING: 1 out 5
RELEASES: October 3, 2006 by VIZ Media
GENRE: Romance, Humor, Fiction
AGE RANGE: Teen
SYNOPSIS: Usagi is the granddaughter of the leader of a prestigious ninja village, but she's such a klutz that she's never made it out of the kiddie class. Frustrated with Usagi's lack of progress, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and have lots of ninja babies. But the lord has no interest in her or her childbearing potential!

The path to love is never easy, and Usagi has some unexpected competition. It seems that another ninja clan wants to welcome Lord Hanzo into the family, and they've sent the beautiful and talented Yuri to win herself a wedding. Usagi won't be daunted by her rival's looks and skills, but will Lord Hanzo's secret feelings for an off-limits princess be enough to send her away in despair?

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[Manga Review] The Cain Saga, Vol. 1: Forgotten Juliet

BY: Kaori Yuki
SERIES: 伯爵カイン [Hakushaku Cain] (#1)
RATING: 3 out 5
RELEASES: January 7, 2006 by VIZ Media LLC
GENRE: Gothic Horror
AGE RANGE: Teen
SYNOPSIS: Earl Cain Hargreaves investigates the macabre mysteries that haunt eighteenth-century London in this chilling prequel to Godchild !

Delve into the tortured past of Earl Cain C. Hargreaves, charismatic heir to a wealthy family full of secrets, lies and unthinkable crimes. The prequel to the Godchild series, The Cain Saga follows the young Cain as he attempts to unravel the secrets of his birth, all the while solving each new mystery that comes his way.

Five gripping stories of love, friendship and betrayal--"Forgotten Juliet," "Branded Bibi," "The Youths Who Stopped Time," "Double," and "The Death of Cleo"--comprise this poignant first installment of Kaori Yuki's atmospheric epic.

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