Black Butler Volume X

This was a Sherlock Holmes mystery.  I think I read nearly the same one in the last collection I read.  So I had a pretty fair idea of where this was going.  As a result, this story was very different from the others in this series.  It was less about the human condition and more about the story.  In a weird way, it felt like filler until it was time to go back to the demonic Ciel.

Rosario + Vampire Season II: Volume 9

I've had enough of the Fairy Tale story.  I've tired of Moka's past.  I'm ready for them to move on.

Vampire Knight Volume 14

Kaname doesn't deserve Yuki.  She's so much more devoted to him than he is to her.  Of course, Yuki doesn't deserve Yuki either.  For a love triangle it's messed up.  Interesting to see more of the history of this vampire world.  My sympathies are still with Aido.  He's just trying to protect Kaname and those he loves.

Bleach Volume 43: Kingdom of Hollows

More posturing; still no Ichigo.  The biggest gun is out for Ichigo to come save everyone though.  At least he seems to be falling out of the sky to do just that.

Bleach Volume 42: Shock of the Queen

I keep reading Bleach hoping for resolution.  I keep getting fight scenes.  The big guns are coming in, this might be coming to a close soon.

Naruto Volume 49: The Gokage Summit Commences

This feels like the beginning of the end.  I can't imagine Naruto not being Hokage by the end of this arc, and once he's fulfilled his dream, is there much point in continuing the story?

Naruto Volume 48: The Cheering Village

Unlike Bleach, Naruto has really grown in both attitude and in story telling.  Naruto is no longer the brash "act before thought" youth that he was in the beginning of the series.  Now, he's not only more powerful, he's more mature.

Bleach Volume 41: Heart

I know I just complained that Bleach was one long fight scene.  But holy cow was this a cool fight scene!

And then back to the battle over Karakura Town.  sigh

Bleach Volume 40: The Lust

I keep waiting and waiting for something other than a major battle to happen in this series.  Maybe I'm reading the wrong series.  Things happen in Naruto though.  Not so much in Bleach.  I was rewarded with the return of Ichigo this issue though.  Orihime seems to be going through something.  I do want to see where she ends up.

Death Note Volumes 3 & 4

I couldn't find the regular editions of Death Note so ended up with this combo volume.  No matter, it got me further ahead in the story.  Ohba and Obata are really good at conveying Light's emotions as L gets closer to finding out the truth.  The second carrier of a death note has bought him a little time but not that much. 

Having read this right after The Psychopath Test was an interesting juxtaposition.  I found myself referencing the check list to confirm Light's status.  His use of Amane clearly points to him lacking empathy.  He's a strong contender for the psychopath label.

Bakuman Volume 4

I feel bad for Mijo.  Things are going so well for Moritaka and she's getting into the creepy area of voice work.  Things are much different in Japan.

Bakuman Volume 3

I like that they separated and still came up with the same kind of story to tell.  It really gives the feeling that they have a great partnership.  They're also growing as characters.  This work is more complex than I would have thought it would be.

Bleach Volume 39: El Verdugo

I'm seriously considering dropping Bleach.  I read it because I found Ichigo to be an interesting character.  He hasn't really been in it for pages and pages.  It's one long fight after another interspersed with the leveling up techniques.  I expect more.

Naruto Volume 47: The Seal is Destroyed

Epic battle.  Really well built up through the preceding pages and then the huge payoff.  It might have just been a big fight scene but it was rewarding.

Naruto Volume 46: Naruto Returns

Naruto gets a pretty epic re-entrance in this volume.  It's hard to imagine that he'd get here when looking at where he came from.  Things are really building up.  Not good that Kakashi is having a heart to heart with his dead father.  I don't want this to be the end of that character.

Rosario + Vampire Season 11 Volume 8

That's a lot of back story to explain why Moka has the rosario.  Neat story but i felt it really took away from the action of what Ikeda is trying to create.  Most of the main characters have been lying on the floor while the mob forms at the door.

Black Butler Volume IX

Reading this reminded me too much of the movie Clue.  I kept expecting a fast forward run down of what had happened.  I don't believe Sebastian's dead though.  He seems harder to kill than that.

Death Note Volume 2

In the first book I could feel some empathy for Light.  He's just doing this to rid the world of evil.  I get where he's coming from even though I didn't agree with how he was doing it.  Here, he starts to attack those that would stop him and he becomes more villainous.  He's still very ingenious and that's why it's hard to put down.

Rosario + Vampire Season II Volume 7

These are getting harder and harder to read at work as they become more and more risque. 

The story progresses though.  The dynamic between inner and outer Moka is quite interesting and I wonder why other vampires don't seem to need the Rosario like Moka does.  I want to find out more about what happened in her memory to her mother and her oldest sister Aqua.

Naruto Volume 45: Battlefield, Kohona

Massive battle. Watching Sasuke throw down was pretty amazing and Naruto's training session was interesting. He really is growing and those in Kohona are starting to notice. I fear for Kakashi though. I know Kishimoto is not afraid to kill main characters, but he's one of my favourites.