Manga Sutra Volume 3: Intercourse

There's a lot of humour in the Manga Sutra, really, it's a sex guide written as manga. Beyond that the relationship between the main characters just seems real. I think that's what makes it so much fun to read; these are people with whom the reader can identify. The supporting cast gets to be the caricatures that are so commonly seen in manga, but Makoto and Yura have a lot of reality in them.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Time of Your Life

I've read Fray, and I've wondered how Joss Whedon might rationalise going from a universe where all Slayer potentials were activated to one where there's not been a Slayer for centuries. I thought it was probably going to be one of those things that could be chalked up to inconsistent universe but it looks like he might actually thought of how he might reconcile the two.

I wasn't expecting time travel from Buffy. Time travel is always a tricky story. At least in Time of Your Life it's presented in a halfway believable fashion in that it happens because it's already happened.

The big reveal was supposed to be a big surprise, but I wasn't. I thought the story line was rushed along a little and I probably should have reread Fray before reading this one. It was good, but still just OK. It's a 3 for me.

Naruto Volume 3: Bridge of Courage

This has been my favourite so far. The training sequence, the strengths and weakness of the junior ninjas of Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura and, of course, the battle and where it brings Naruto. I especially liked that Kishimoto actually gave something to Sakura. In the first two volumes she's simply the cute girl that has a crush on Sasuke and who Naruto has a crush on but in Bridge of Courage she gets to be better than the boys at something and is given a more active role.

My only complaint is that it ends on a cliff hanger.

I'm giving this one a 5.

Naruto Volume 2: The Worst Client

I enjoyed the first Naruto volume to pick up the second. I'm glad I did. The Worst Client is an improvement over the first volume. The background is becoming more fleshed out and it's beginning to feel like a "real" world. Kishimoto is slowly building a mythology and I'm interested to see where it's going.

I'll give this one a 4.

Bleach Volume 4: Quincy Archer Hates You

There seem to be a lot of people in the Bleach universe that can see ghosts. I'm not sure if I like that. I did like the character of the medium, Don Kanonji, he made me laugh. And I enjoyed the discussion of what a hero is and what a hero does. Ichigo is growing into being a hero.

I'm giving this one a 4.

Bleach Volume 3: Memories in the Rain

And now Ichigo has a purpose. The first two volumes he was a Soul Reaper because he had to be, here he becomes one because he wants to be. There's a bit more background into his character and the classic tragedy that most heroes have to live through. I'm excited to keep reading to see how things progress.

I'll give it a 5.

Hordes: Evolution

Evolution is the first expansion of the Hordes system from Privateer Press. It's adds a couple of new warlocks for each faction, unit attachments, cavalry and weapon crews. It added things that I use for nearly every build. I still think Primal has the better 'locks but there are some things in this book that I hate to leave out due to lack of points.

I'll give it a 4.