I will say that Mondays are not my favorite day of the week. It's hard to get your mindset back on track after a relaxing weekend. I do, however, look forward to sharing my excitement reading manga with other bloggers and finding out new series to try. Thanks to Alison over at Alison Can Read for her meme of Manga Mondays.

 Description: Featured on the manga's cover -Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) Leader of France during the first French Empire. Became known as a hero for his victories as a general and went on to seize absolute control of the state in a coup d'état. As emperor, Napoleon's rule spanned almost all of Europe, but opposition to his rule grew widespread after his army suffered a bitter defeat by the cruel Russian winter, leading to his eventual seizure and exile. Even then, Napoleon managed to return to power for a time, only to be exiled once again. He died on Saint Helena Island. 

Review: Volume 3 of Afterschool Charisma digs a little deeper into the psychological aspects of cloning. When clone President Kennedy was assassinated, clones began to seriously think about their own fates. A few dared to question their purpose while some tried to commit suicide because they couldn't handle the pressure and great expectations to be just like their clones. Unlike his clone friends, Shiro Kamiya, the sole human student at St Kleio's Academy, a private and heavily guarded boarding school attended by the clones of historical figures, he never thought twice about his identity. He was absolutely sure about his own humanity until he suddenly meets an older research assistant who looks like his doppelganger. Was Shiro a clone all along? If so, why was he raised as a human all along?  As you can tell, I had a zillion questions flying at me at once after this shocker, but things get much more complicated.
   While Shiro is having an identity crisis, the clones are working on their last minute preparations for their big presentations. The biggest show stopper is testing the power of the Almighty Dolly, by saving Joan of Arc from burning at the stake. The tension builds as Rasputin and his followers recreate Joan of Arc's death sentence and escalates as assassins burst onto the scene to kill all of St Kleio clones. While the assassins don't really talk much in this volume, you can't help but notice that they look really familiar. 
   Afterschool Charisma is a series that will give you brain cramps after you are done, which to me isn't a bad thing. My questions are usually an indication of how much I'm invested in the story and the characters. I enjoy being in the dark and not having all the answers as I try to come up with my own solution and then discover interesting twists that I didn't expect. This volume has definitely a lot more action and kept me flipping the pages.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Rated T+ for mature themes, violence, some language, and brief nudity. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Afterschool Charisma Vol. 4 by Kumiko Suekane, Unwind by Neal Shusterman, Hetalia: Axis Powers by Hidekaz Himaruya, Code Geass by Majiko

  The Miki Falls graphic novel series is one of the hidden gems that I discovered this year. It's a great graphic novel series for older elementary and middle schoolers as well as other reluctant readers, particularly those who are hesitant to read graphic novels. While the books are wholesome they are not lacking in storytelling and drawings. I recently finished Winter, the last book in the graphic novel series.

Description (from Amazon): Can love survive? It's winter, and a bitter chill of desperation has settled over Miki and Hiro. Far from home, the young couple treks through the frozen north, with Akuzu's powerful agents hot on their trail. Miki knows they are determined to tear her and Hiro apart. But she has different plans. With the help of an unlikely ally, Miki and Hiro endure a daring journey, battling freezing conditions and frightening forces just to be together. Miki is certain they can make it, hoping that love really does conquer all.

Review: In the opening pages of Spring, the first book in the Miki Falls series, we see Miki falling out of a window and begins recounting what lead her to that moment. In Winter, the satisfying conclusion to the series, we return to that very intense moment and realize what has happened: Miki is willing to go to extremes, even causing herself harm, rather than giving into Hiro's superiors who threaten to tear them apart. Hiro and Miki are hoping to start life outside the rules that dictate Hiro's life, but unfortunately the couple can't catch a break. Each step they move forward, they are pushed back two to three spaces behind. They are finding it hard to distinguish between friends and allies. Crilley does not allow his characters to take the easy way out nor does he succumb to melodrama and despair. Miki's stubbornness remains her constant strength. She is unwilling to give up on her love, which she knows to be true, no matter what. There were a lot of twists and turns that occurred in this final volume that I didn't expect, which made the reading pleasurable and exciting. Crilley knows how to make use of different panel styles and space, sometimes spreading them across pages. One of the gorgeous spreads in this book is the snow falling with Miki and Hiro in the center. You can feel the cold air whipping around you yet feel secure and peaceful at the exact same time. As I mentioned in my other reviews of this series, readers of all ages will find much in Miki to admire, and they will be enchanted with this lovely and unique supernantural romance. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

If you like this book try: Twilight: Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim

  In Summer, Miki and Hiro were at the crossroads of their relationship. Miki wanted to expand on her romantic relationship with Hiro but Hiro is hesitate because it is completely forbidden with his line of duty. Like all couples in love, Miki and Hiro are having their share of troubles and must decide whether or not they want to move on. How they face their trouble and move forward in their relationship is the crux of Autumn, the third volume of this series.

Description (from Amazon): Is their secret safe? It's autumn, and Miki Yoshida's life is finally settling into a routine. She and Hiro are spending all their time together, and Miki couldn't be happier. There's just one problem.Hiro's breaking all the rules to be with Miki, and the more time they spend together—and the more they fall for each other—the more there is at stake. With jealous Reika on the prowl, Miki knows they can't hide forever.

Review: Miki Falls is a graphic novel series about two starcrossed lovers, one mortal and one supernatural. Miki is a high school student looking to find her own place in the world. She falls for Hiro, who works for a supernatural organization and is forbidden to have any relationships with human. Both Miki and Hiro can't fight their feeling with one another and decide they must fight against the forces that are determined to keep them apart. One of the reasons why I love this series is that Crilley expertly balances romance, mystery, and suspense in his series. Though Miki and Hiro's relationship may not be as advanced compared to other lovers in a series, their chaste passion is just as intense. Miki is a strong female character and doesn't let Hiro determine her actions. She refuses to allow him to make all the decisions and thus she avoids all the pitfalls and histrionics as many female leads in a romance. Hiro, though supernatural, acts as how a boy would act- doubtful of how the relationship would work yet willing to try his best. I also love how Crilley uses the theme of the seasons to not only set the scene of his series, but also reflect upon the stages of Miki and Hiro's relationship. Miki Falls is a must read graphic novel series for those who love a fresh take on starcrossed lovers.  

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended to strong Grade 4 readers and up.


If you like this book try: Miki Falls Volume 4: Winter

  It's really hard finding graphic novels that are appropriate for middle school readers. One has to be weary of how much violence or any other objectionable things found in graphic novels. Although one can argue that these objectionable things can be found in prose, the fact that it is depicted in graphic novels makes this format easily targeted. Thankfully, Miki Falls is an excellent graphic novel that is reading level appropriate along with a great story, romance, and characters. I recently finished the second volume of this four volume series.

Description (from back of the book): Has Miki fallen too hard? It's summer, and Miki Yoshida is learning all about love. Her senior year has blossomed with promise ever since she gained Hiro Sakurai's confidence. Now, she's resolved to keep his trust as he reveals more about his secret mission and warns:  "Don't get involved!""But Miki fears his work might do more harm than good, and she takes control—with disastrous results. How can trying to make things right turn out so dangerously wrong?

Review: I'm really enjoying the Miki Falls series! Summer takes place a few months after the first volume, Spring, but readers new to this series don't necessarily need to read the first book in order to enjoy this latest installment. Crilley provides enough recap to not drag the story down and continues at a good pace to keep the story moving forward. Miki has been successful in gaining Hiro's confidence and discovered his big secret. Now the two have formed a strong friendship as Miki learns about what exactly Hiro's special mission entails. As Miki learns more about Hiro and his past, she begins to realize that her place next to Hiro is impossible yet she can't help but feel close to him and she thinks Hiro feels the same.
 In Summer, we see Miki and Hiro become more dimensional characters. While Hiro tries to back away from Miki and conceal his feelings for her, Miki pushes forward and dares to ask why. She refuses to take no as an answer and doesn't dissolve into a pool of tears, which is one of the reasons why I like her so much. Similarly Hiro struggles with his choice of doing his duty or listening to his heart. More information about Hiro's job is provided in the book, which is really unique and interesting. We also see a female acquaintance of Hiro's past that adds more tension to this sweet love story.
   Miki Falls is an OEL, original English language manga-style graphic novel series. It is perfect for those readers who are hesitate about reading Japanese manga yet curious about the stories they contain. The soft black and white illustrations perfectly complement this gentle story about first love. I especially love the set up of separate panels that express the emotions that run across the character's faces making them real. I hope that you pick up Miki Falls and I look forward to reading Autumn, the third volume of the series. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended to strong Grade 4 readers and up.

If you like this book try:  Miki Falls Volume 3: Autumn by Mark Crilley

  Mark Crilley is mostly known for his Akiko novels and comic books. I was unaware that he also wrote Miki Falls, a manga-like supernatural romance series. Just the fact that a male, American writer writing a love story, especially told from a female point of view, and creating manga inspire drawings piqued my interest. Unlike many manga and graphic novel series, Miki Falls is completed and only contains four volumes, which are published by HarperTeens. You may recognize this title from my Bizarre Love Triangle Booklist for Valentines Day.

Description: Miki is ready for adventure and romance. She is tired of being a pushover and vows that her senior year of high school will be different. She will be confident and in charge. Her senior resolution is called into question when Miki sets her sights on Hiro, a tall, handsome new boy at school who is determined to be antisocial. Miki thinks Hiro is putting on a show and hiding a dangerous secret, but what is it? Miki is determined to find out.

Review: Miki Falls is exactly what I needed at the moment. After reading a few titles that left me in a "blah" mood, Miki Falls is a fresh of breath air for me and I'm so glad that I picked it up. As the story begins, Miki is both literally and figuratively falling out of a window and possibly in love too. We learn that Miki threw herself outside of a third story window. The reason is not given, however, we think it has to do something with Hiro, the mysterious and distant new boy that enrolled in Miki's high school as Miki beings to explain on how everything happened.
  Miki is a extremely likable teen. She is trying to confront her insecurities and no longer wants to be passive. She wants to take charge of her life, which at times makes her impulsive and stubborn especially when she refuses to be avoided by Hiro. She goes out of her way to be nice to him and to speak to him even though he has continually expressed his disinterest in anyone yet Miki sees a vulnerability in Hiro, a person who is much like herself- a rule follower and not living life.
  Hiro is your typical brooding love interest who is hiding a secret. I liked how his revelation is an odd twist and something that I didn't guess. Crilley does a great job in building suspense and mystery surrounding Hiro's past and his mood swings. I can't wait to see how the supernatural aspect of the book develops in the next three series.
  I really enjoyed Crilley's manga-like format. Unlike manga's the book does not read from right to left nor are the illustrations squeezed into panels. A lot of the illustrations are crisscrossing sequential panels that emphasize art as well as furthering the plot, which allows the story's emotion, humor, and drama unfold in front of the readers. My favorite part of the illustrations are the focus on the eyes of the characters that are cut in between dialogue to heighten the characters' sense of vulnerability, confusion, and shock. Crillye's light shading and unique facial features give the book a softer and romantic feel. 
  If you are curious about manga but a bit afraid of it's format, I would highly suggest to pick up the Miki Falls series not only to read a great story but also to experience what reading a manga might feel like. Even though the characters are in their teens, I think this series has a wide age appeal very much similar to the Twilight Saga due to a chaste yet passionate love story. It's definitely worth checking it out.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. This is a very clean romance that I would recommend to well read 4th graders and up.

If you like this book try: Miki Falls Vol 2: Summer by Mark Crilley