Saturday, 4 May 2013

Manga Review: Kiss Me Princess 2

Title: Kiss Me Princess (Volume 2)
Alternate Title: Boy Princess
Author: Kim Se-Young

Some words of wisdom:

I doubt what I'm saying is actually wise as this blog is even named Demented Diva. ~^O^~

In this manhwa, Princess Elena returns to take back her place as Prince Zed's wife. But, Prince Zed is not that welcoming of her. Princess Reiny, his sister also realise that Elena is not the one that she has known earlier. I think the only interesting thing that developed was that I finally see Prince Zed to be more assertive in taking his place as the rightful heir.

Besides that, here I got to know that the person whom they call mother is just the  King's mistress so Derik isn't even supposed to be the crown prince. How I hated the mistress. she was given a chance to repent before, but instead she wanted to commit more crimes so that she can get her son to be the king some day.

I also do not like the Shahi, the healer in the palace. He is treated like a lover by Derik but I think it was forced. He is forced to do the unthinkables as in sex and murder, but he actually have the power to poison the evil mistress and his son. He could easily poison them little by little and they would not even know. Why would he be Derik's toy is a mystery to me. He said he has a deal with Derik but seriously, is that deal worth it? Kill him before he has a devil spawn Shahi, or before he rule the country for surely he will be a bad king.

Manga Review: Kiss Me Princess 1

Title: Kiss Me Princess
Alternate Title: Boy Princess
Author: Kim Sae Young


My thoughts:

This wasn't what I intentionally want to read. I was searching for another manga with a similar theme but then found this. Lucky me. Oh yeah, this is a manhwa actually, means it's Korean's.

The art for this manhwa is not bad, it's just that I'm used to bishounen in the manga that it was a bit difficult to adjust. The main male character came across as too scary and unapproachable. On second thought, that might have the manhwa-ga's intention. :p

The story started when Princess Elena eloped with a commoner so Prince Nicole had to take her place, disguised as a girl to be married to Prince Zed, a prince of a neighbouring country. However, his secret was easily discovered by Prince Zed but he didn't exactly minded. That made Prince Nicole's life way better since he had to endure an over-bearing sister and mother-in-law.

Here, Prince Nicole got to see how the idyllic life of princesses is not as idyllic at all. He has to learn embroidery and other girly stuff and mind her manners. hat I like about this manhwa is there is a certain mystery around Prince Zed. he is the second born but he is busy taking care of the country. I'm wondering why his mother is so keen on making his eldest brother king. is she actually a step-mother? And, why is it her sister didn't like the mother as well. The sisters-in-law to be were also a bit irritating. To me, you guys are to-be wives, not wives yet. you shouldn't even be in the circle yet. =,="

I love Prince Nicole. He is childish, always want his own way but still as a prince should be.. strong. Unfortunately, or may be fortunately, Prince Zed is stronger. Prince Nicole is looking at Prince Zed as a role-model, even thinking to be like him when he grows older. It's not that he doesn't have any brothers. It's just that his eldest brother is a flirt and the second is a bookworm. I guess, Price Zed come off as cool.

Prince Nicole better watch out, because I don't think Prince Zed see him as a brother. This is a yaoi book, so, be careful Prince Nicole. Gambatte.. haha.










Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Manga Review: Kusuri Yubi Hime

Title: Ring Finger Princess
Original Title: Kusuri Yubi Hime
Author: Takamiya Satoru

This book is about Hinaki who was given a ring by her father. Her father said there is a prince trapped inside the ring. As a girl who believed in fairy tale, she naturally thought that it was true. She kissed the ring and a boy came out. That happened when she was young. She had lived with the prince ever since.  That black hair guy is the prince while the blond guy is her sempai who is in love with her. The story was humerous as the senpai keep trying to win her love. As most of Takamiya Satoru's book, it was easy to predict that she'll end up with the raven haired boy. Besides that, Hinaki kept trying to find ways on how to free her 'prince' from the ring.

I love it that Hinaki was so adamant on saying that the prince and her will stay together. Ah, i got tired of calling him the prince. His name is Sae. Hinaki is hopeless in housework so Sae took care of her. The setting was that Hinaki's parents are oversea so they live together... o.O a great development I see.

Since this manga only have one volume, not many things can be developed so I was somewhat disappointed. It was nicely elaborated but I wish there was more. Some scenes were to abrupt such as when Hinaki was trying to seduce Sae, but then she got scared instead. Sempai was a bit annoying as he kept popping up in various scenes acting like he owned the place. You can't help by getting irritated by a minor character that doesn't know how to give up. Usually, I'd pity the second hero, but in this case, I' love seeing him suffer. *evil laugh*

It was an enjoyable, but not so quick read. Maybe it was because I was distracted... Haha. I even stop to have dinner while reading this book. Talk about low commitment.


2013 Manga Reading Challenge




I feel like entering another challenge this year and I guess my manga reading is bit left behind. My aim is to finish 50 manga this year. I may or may not review them all but I hope I will. Anyway, anybody who's interested can click on the picture above to sign up as well.

Here are the list of manga I've read for the challenge. Click on the title to view the reviews.
  1. Devil's Kiss by Takamiya Satoru 
  2. Kusuri Yubi Hime by Takamiya Satoru 
  3. Kiss Me Princess 1 by Kim Se-Young 
  4. Kiss Me Princess 2 by Kim Se-Young 
  5. Kiss Me Princess 3 by Kim Se-Young 
  6. Kiss Me Princess 4 by Kim Se-Young 
  7. Kiss Me Princess 5 by Kim Se-Young 
  8. Kiss Me Princess 6 by Kim Se-Young 
  9. Kiss Me Princess 7 by Kim Se-Young 
  10. Kiss Me Princess 8 by Kim Se-Young 
  11. Kiss Me Princess 9 by Kim Se-Young 
  12. Kimi to Himitsu no Hanazono by Hayashi Mikase 
  13. Cute x Guy 1 by Tateno Makoto 

Manga Review: Devil's Kiss

Title: Devil's Kiss
Original Title: Akuma no Kuchizuke
Author: Takamiya Satoru
My Review:
I am writing this review as I read the book. I'm doing so because I have a memory span of a gnat... What can I say *sigh* This is going to be my first time reviewing a manga by volume so bear with me.
Firstly, I am absolutely in love with Takamiya Satoru. She has a way of making me swoon at her characters. Plus my heart always beats awfully fast when I'm reading her works. Or maybe that's just the caffeine coursing through my veins. ~^O^~

I love the way she drew her feathers.  
    




See... so pretty and fluffy. I think she loves angels and devils and witches as well since she seems to be drawing a lot of 'em. 

This volume consist of several one-shots. 
1. The first one would be about an angel and a devil. The angel is trying to pass angel school. To do so, she must captured a devil. She bended the rule a bit as she summoned a devil to be captured. Such a naughty little angel. Angels are not supposed to cheat. *shrug* How else can they show good examples to us humans. The angel's name is Sara while the devil is Rembrandt. Instead of capturing him, Sara was being lured by Rembrandt to not be an angel. As shoujo stories always go, I guess I don't have to tell you the ending. It's way too predictable.

"Whether you like me or not, as long as I can create unforgettable feelings in you, it's fine. Those feelings which you can't control, do you know what they are called? It's called love" -Rembrandt-

I think the thing that the manga-ka wants to emphasis in this story is that even when you're in love with somebody, don't ever change who you are to satisfy the one you love. It's okay if it's for the better but to change just simply he or she wants you to is simply irrelevant. For example, if you're somebody who throw rubbish anywhere on the floor, yes, change. be somebody cleaner who throw them in appropriate places like the dustbin. But, if you go all the way to change how you look, behave and well, what makes you, you, then that is wrong. Or should I say it screamed desperation. The person who is in love with you should accept you just the way you are. Besides, he or she has fallen in love with you because you have been yourself in the first place. Let's just assume that if you change too much, he or she will wonder where did the person they have fallen in love in the first place and they might just fall out of love.
2. Yosh, moving on to the second story. The second book is about Kiku, a flower that suddenly turned into a boy and Hina, a middle school girl. Kiku was a red chrysanthemum. To all that doesn't know what flower is that (including me, lol) voila:-
The plot was a bit undesirable. They do end up  together. It's just that Hina was supposed to be in love with her best friend's boyfriend, but did not have the courage to confess. Then she suddenly like Kiku. o.O And also magically has the will to tell him that she likes him. 

3. Is it me, or the story has become bothersome to read. This time it's about a popular girl who has fallen for her sempai. Like all Takamiya Satoru's male character, this one is also manipulative. I found out that the girl is actually afraid to be alone and easily trapped within the sempai's web. She learned that having many friends is not necessarily important, she just needed at least one who actually cares.

4. Hee, the fourth story is funny. It's about a high school student that is in love with the teacher. No matter what he did, he can't shake off  the student that cling to him. It just shows that if you pester a guy enough, he may eventually love you. 

Me: *shouting from a distance* "Hey crushhhhhh, if I say I like you and pester you everyday, will you like me?" 
Crush: *place a restraining order* "Not in a million years freak.
Me : *hide in a corner, sobbing uncontrollably*

To wrap this up, I guess I have mixed feelings about this book. I like the first and the last story but the second and third just didn't do it for me.




2013 Mammoth Book Challenge




It's May and it is Labour Day. Therefore I'm having a break from school which in turn give me free time to roam the internet. Since I'm not entering any challenges this year except for that Goodreads book goal, I guess I'd give this a go.

This challenge has four levels which are:-
a. Walrus: Read 3 mammoth-sized books.
b. Hippopotamus: Read 6 mammoth-sized books.
c. White Rhinoceros: Read 9 mammoth-sized books.
d. African Elephant: Read 12 or more mammoth-sized books.

I'm not going to be an overachiever this year since this challenge requires reviews. Something I don't exactly have time to do at the moment. So, I'm going to pick Walrus. Yay, for walrus. :3

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Random House
Page: 272

Goodreads synopsis:

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel. I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen. Stay, he says.

Everybody has to make choices. Some might break you. For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope.

But life can change in an instant.

A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one. As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all.

Gripping, heartrending and ultimately life-affirming, If I Stay will make you appreciate all that you have, all that you've lost - and all that might be.


Review:

Mia has just gotten into a car crash with her family, her father, mother and younger brother. She was in the hospital when she had and an out of body experienced. There she realised that all of them had passed away. She was tempted to move on but her boyfriend Adam kept her anchored.

I don't know what happened but the story was over before I knew it. It guided us through her lost and the flashbacks of her happiness with her family and Adam. The reason why I love this book was the grief and the fact that the author managed to make me feel that it is not enough and wanting for more. There's not much to say because the plot was mostly of her indecisiveness of staying or leaving for good. 

To her, there was not much to go back to. Yes, she still has her grandparents, her boyfriend and a whole life in front of her. Unfortunately, her entire family has left. She is either felt guilty living as they are dead or she just don't want to live grieving for them.

Dumbledore once said, "pity the living not the dead". Besides, death is the easy way out. It is harder to face life and what doesn't kill you make you stronger. This book did not make me want to appreciate life more or anything. It just taught me that in life they are no wrong or right decision but you still have to live with the consequences and to Mia it's a literal meaning.