The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama

Translated by Takami Nieda 4 stars A wonderfully cozy read. Rumor has it that the hippo ride at Hinode Park has magical powers. Rub a body part on Kabahiko the healing hippo and it will heal the same part on you. Follow various neighbors as they seek Kabahiko’s healing powers, only to discover what they…

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Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom, Vol. 1 by Mo9Rang

Original Story by Iru Translated by Kakao Entertainment 5 stars Humor and cuteness collide in this adorable retelling of Snow White. After dying, children’s fashion designer, Baekhap Lee wakes up as Her Majesty Abigail Freidkin, wife of Sabrian, King of Nerghen, and stepmother to Princess Blanche. Unfortunately, Abigail has a reputation of bullying the staff and…

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Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 3 by Suol

Original Story by Gwon Gyeoeul Translated by David Odell 3 stars Just when Penelope thinks she’s getting the hang of hard more, more obstacles appear in her path. In this volume her relationships with her brothers become rocky and she has another encounter with the dangerous and unpredictable Callisto. An interesting volume with some intriguing…

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Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 2 by Suol

Original Story by Gwon Gyeoeul Translated by David Odell 3 stars Penelope continues her journey to survive as the villain in Daughter of the Duke’s Super Love Project. In this volume she ventures out to find Eckles in an attempt to secure him as a love interest and learns more about the mysterious Winter. An…

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A Kind Life: Eat Plants, Buy Less, Slow Down, and Save the Planet

by Carina Wohlleben 2 stars An okay read. Originally published in German, I feel like the translated title is a bit misleading. The book focuses on arguments for veganism and connecting more with nature. There isn’t a whole lot in the Buy Less and Slow Down departments. It also comes from a very privileged perspective…

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The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine, Vol. 5

by Irinbi Illustrated by Grrr Translated by Kakao Entertainment 5 stars Ailette continues her intense training to prepare for the upcoming time loops, tackling the last few floors of the Skyscraper of Suffering. But she’s in for a few surprises. New companions, new battles, and new challenges await her. Can she survive her current run-in…

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The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine, Vol. 4

by Irinbi Illustrated by Grrr Translated by Kakao Entertainment 5 stars Another fantastic volume that furthers Ailette and Tesilid’s story. Prinz is off to the Knight Academy and Bianca heads to the capital to investigate its political forces, but Ailette has plenty to keep her occupied. This volume is more battle-heavy as Ailette trains with…

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The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine, Vol. 3

by Irinbi Illustrated by Grrr Translated by Kakao Entertainment 5 stars In the previous volume, Ailette unexpectedly met the protagonist, Tesilid, but in the process got swept up in a dungeon. Find out who survives the epic battle and what Ailette’s next adventure brings. This volume covered so much ground. Ailette starts weapons training, obtains…

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Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 2 by Ryoko Kui

Translated by Taylor Engel 3 stars The party continues their decent into the dungeon to rescue Falin. Along the way they encounter golems, orcs, treasure insects, ghosts, living pictures, mimics, and a kelpie. This series is growing on me a little. Laois still weirds me out and I didn’t particularly like the kelpie chapter in…

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Disney’s Kilala Princess, Volume 5 by Rika Tanaka

Illustrated by Nao Kodaka Translated by Christine Dashiell 3 stars The conclusion of Kilala’s adventure. While there were definitely ups and downs in this series, the ending was pretty satisfying. Kilala and her friends make it to Agrabah and meet Aladdin and Jasmine. They must defeat Jafar to earn the sixth gem to get Kilala…

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