Throne of Glass

I know what you're thinking. WHAT?! TWO REVIEWS IN ONE DAY? Yup, you're eyes aren't tricking you. But they may be tricking mine......

Is this book really a reverse harem? Not exactly, but it's very close (Darnit, Nox, why did you just have to be a friend?!?!?! Wait, I think tha was his name...) However, the protagonist does have two men who have the hots for her and with a triology, there will hopefully be another. BUT WAIT. A DEAD SOMETHING-MORE-THAN-A-FRIEND FROM THE PAST?! IS HE ACTUALLY A-

Anyways, Throne of Glass is about the known world's greatest assassin named Celaena Sardothian. She's been imprisoned in a labor camp where the typical person dies within two months. She's lasted a year. One day, she Celaena gets called by the prince who wants her to participate in a competition where others like her compete to win the title as the King's lap dog champion. If she refuses the offer, she'll remain at the prison camp, but if she accepts and wins Celaena will have to be at the king's beck and call for 6 (I think) years. Celaena isn't stupid and takes up the job, wondering how she will stand the man who conquered her old home and threw her into that hell-hole they call camp. With the prince constantly teasing her and the captain of the royal guard protecting her, the former assassin will fight to become the Champion and perhaps even find something she's never found before in the form of a foreign princess: a friend. But when the contest takes the dark turn, Celaena will have to find out what's taking out the competitors before it takes out herself. There is something dark and evil deep within the castle. And she may be their only hope.

Or something like that. Idk, but that's pretty much how it is. And I didn't mean for it to sound cheesy....

But the plot is a-ma-zing. After all the crap I've been reading these days, Throne of Glass is a refreshing change of pace. It's not overly layering its romance to a suffocating level but leaves you just enough to make your toes curl (my heart just doesn't beat like crazy at kissing scenes. Is that weird?). You get your action and Celaena is easy to relate to. Big surprise, I mean world's greatest assassin being compared to world's unnoticable girl? Ya right. Btw, there is magic. Nobobdy can resist magic. Or demon-like creatures. Or beating up demon-like creatures. Heo yah.

And now for the characters:

• I. Love. This. Heroine. Celaena Sardothian is the known world's greatest assassin, but was captured because of betrayal and put to work at the salt mines. She hasn't lost herself and is like any normal girl...except for the fact that she's an assassin. Very witty and cunning, Celaena is not only fast, agile, accurate, and skilled in weapons but also a killer with brains making her a deadly opponent. So basically, that makes her kick-ass, tough-as-nails protagonist who's still true to herself and still enjoys what life has to offer. Btw, she loves her books and dresses. Did I mention that I love her?
• The Prince Charming is really cute. Dorian Havilliard is the heir to the throne but has a tense relationship with his ever power seeking father. More of a scholar than a warrior, Dorian loves to read good books. (Oh my gosh, a smart and handsome prince) He isn't fond of his spoiled younger brother or his mother's never ending quest to find him a bride but warms up to a sarcastic assassin instead. He is childhood friends with the Captain, Chaol Westfall and eventually changes from an apathetic prince to wanting to become something great. He's really a sweetheart and a very likable character. He's so freakin cute.
• OUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, Chaol Westfall is the first person we meet in the book after Celaena. He isn't fond of Dorian risking his life with the world's greatest assassin, but doesn't complain. At first, Chaol tried to keep his distance but eventually Celaena earns his respect and they later become friends. He also enjoys reading a good book but just doesn't have the time. You will just adore him. HE'S JUST SO ADORABLE AND A TOTAL SWEETHEART.
• Then comes our lady friend, Nehemia Ytger. She's a foreign princess from Ellywe that was sent to learn the customs of Adalarn (something like that, I forgot the country's name) and possibly to become Dorian's bride. Celaena and her befriend each other because of mutual like. In the end, you will love her. She's not there just to fill in a best friend void. No, she's here to play a part. QUICK, THE WORLD IS ENDING! The best friend actually plays a CRUCIAL role!

Sorry for the lame profiles but I guess some is better than none.

And, oh my gosh, what I love about the romance in this book is that you don't know who Celaena will end up with. Dorian AND Chaol get their fair share of momments. And trust me, you will debate who you want to end up with Celaena. IT'S SO HARD.

But in a nutshell, Throne of Glass is an book with a great plot that utilizes its characters and includes romance to an appropiate point. There is mystery and magic that you want to explore. What is killing the other contestants and who is this person who appears in Celaena's dreams (though the latter is easily answered)? ToG has an easy to relate to female heroine and you will spend an entire night just to finish it! Or at least I did... Be sure to read its sequal, Crown of Midnight, and its four prequals. More books are to appear in the series. I hope you enjoy!

Tokyo Crazy Paradise

GUYS, I'M ACTUALLY BAAAAACK!!! But that's not what I'm here for. Now for the review.

Tokyo Crazy Paradise is about Japan in the future (I promise, the whole in-the-future stuff is just a coincidence. I don't have a fetish). In this future, it's not uncommon for females to be sexually assaulted by men, so to keep Tsukasa safe, her mom raised her up as a boy. After her parents died doing their duty, Tsukasa and her three brothers are stuck on the streets. To make matters worse, Tsukasa has to work as a bodyguard to pay off a huge fine to a young yakuza boss who will do everything to keep her by his side. But what's with that style of fighting? Could there be more to Tsubasa that meets the eye?

Okay, guys, I'm not gonna lie. The other two guys come later in the story and it really focuses on Ryuji (Sandaime is what everyone calls him) and Tsukasa but....IT STILL COUNTS. THE OTHER TWO GUYS LIKE HER TOO SO IT HAS REVERSE HAREM QUALITIES. But the plot, humor, and action makes it worth reading.

Plot-wise...I love it. You never know what happens next. Well, okay, maybe you do but that's not the point. When, I first started reading TCP, I thought it focused on humor and Tsukasa's relationship with Sandaime, but in the end there was more. I won't say anything, but this...Did not see that coming!

Humor.....Omg, Tsukasa and Sandaime are always so funny together. Tsukasa is already so funny, but then you have Sandaime force-feeding her and making her break stuff to increase the debt. Not only that but his face while doing all that so freakin' straight, it's funny. I laughed so much....

Tsukasa is an awesome protagonist. She holds justice high but is strong at the same time. I love seeing her fight! She looks so cool when she does! She. Kicks. Butt.

Okay, as for guys, you obviously have Sandaime. Nobody can resist him. I'm serious, I loved the guy. He's such a great match for Tsukasa! But as the story develops, you have a cop who's very caring, insanely strong, and who has an uncanny ability to recognize anybody after seeing them once. Then...the enemy. I'm not gonna lie, he's hot. But...ya.....You learn to love (yet hate) him anyways. All the guys are handsome. There's you're reverse harem.

If the art looks familiar, it's because the mangaka of Skip Beat also wrote TCP. In my opinion, TCP is better but that's just me. See if you like it! Even if it wasn't a reverse harem towards the end, Tokyo Crazy Paradise is worth reading.

Basara

Okay, so weekly update plan sooooooooooooooo failed. Oh well, what can you say? I've decided that my reviews seem long and I can't give out much recommendations because I don't want to write them. Why? Because the are so. Fricking. Long.

This is why I will make my reviews SHORTER. Thus, giving out MORE recommendations. Thus, having MORE fun. Thus, actually DOING something with this. Thus,......idk. But ima shorten this shit and actually give you reverse harem recommendations. YES! Plus, I can detail reviews later when I'm still searching. You understand how hard it is to find all these things, right? Good ones, no less.

BUT ANYWAYS a while ago, I read this wicked manga called Basara (Cue the eyerolling. It's the title of this entry. I know) and well......IT'S A REVERSE HAREM. WHOO! I was just reading it for the plot but....hey. More guys=more choices. And I like choices. Basara is probably the first romance manga that I've just stumbled across and found out that was actually an ANIME made based on it. Granted, the anime is old and only has like 13 episodes (which does absolutely NOTHING to the deep, plot-twisting, page-turning, 100+ chapter manga) but it looks pretty decent.

Now, it's been quite a while since I've read Basara but instead of just ripping off the summary like I usually do, I'm going to give you my summary.

Many years after the world survived an apocalypse, Japan has turned back to a system of kings. During that time, a baby dubbed "Boy of Destiny" was prophesied to unite all of Japan together. However, Sarasa, the female twin of the "Boy of Destiny", must fill in the void her brother left when the Red King kills him. Sarasa, fueled with her motive for revenge, journeys over Japan to gain allies to defeat the Red King, but she eventually finds out that maybe there is a bigger cause to fight than to get just mere revenge for her brother and village. Maybe what she is fighting for is not to right the past but to better the future.

That was my poor excuse of a summary, but what can I say?

The reason I'm mentioning this manga/anime? Well I'm glad you asked! The reason is:

a.) Awesome story. Did not see some of the plot twisters coming, the pacing is good, character development is superb, and, omg, THE FEELS. You will understand me once you READ IT

b.) GET YOU'RE OTOME PROSPECTS RIGHT HERE. ONLY 3 LEFT IN STOCK! THE ELEGANT, EVER-SUPPORTING FRIEND THAT YOU CAN DEPEND ON! OR MAYBE YOUR TYPE IS THE MANIPULATIVE BITCH GUY THAT'S ACTUALLY DECENT IN THE END? BUT WAIT! A COCKY, KINDA-CUTE-ACTUALLY, SWEETHEART-IN-THE-END TYPE? OHMYGOSH. But that's not the point. All these guys have a back story that gives them a real life quality and at the end of the day, you just want to hug and comfort them. Trust me. Tears will be shed. And hearts will be broken, for you want ALL of them to end up with Sarasa.

c.) The protagonist is freakin' awesome. She's so true and actually develops. She makes mistakes like you and me. You can connect to her. She has her insecurities and her "NOOOOOOOOOO, DON'T DO THAT" moments, but that's what life is about and that is what is so special about this manga. It's not just a war against good and bad. It reads deeper and lets you see the perspective of others. Not everybody sees the leader's way as the right way. Plus, she can fight? CHA-CHING! But anyways, SHE IS FREAKING AWESOME

Ahem- as I was saying - I recommend this manga to those of you who love reverse harems and can withstand more fighting than romance (it comes later, but we've got to keep our priorities straight) and those who can hang on to a 100+ chapter manga. I prefer longer mangas so that I can enjoy it longer.

That's pretty much it. Look forward to more review from me!

P. S. "Demons" by Imagine Dragons is practically tailored for Shuuri. You will understand what I mean. I was just listening to it randomly when I was reading the later chapters of Basara and...the water works turned on by itself. I swear. But listen when you understand what I mean. Or just listen to the song. The lyrics and music is great anyway.