[ANIME] Tamon-kun ima docchi? / 多聞くん今どっち!? (2026)

But isn't this anime quite dark? Also, first half, I might add more after I see the whole thing.

Tamon-kun tells a story of Kinoshita Utage who one day replaces another housekeeper at her part-time, but finds herself looking after her favorite idol sitting and rotting in a corner with lowest self-esteem and temperament polar opposite from what she had seen on the screen. Even Tamon-kun himself spirals the very first meeting, because he is disappointing her with the way he truly is. But Kinoshita is a die hard fan, so these things are not what is iportant to her, so while being his housekeeper she also tries to uplift him.

This anime indeed has a lot of comedy and it's hysterical, but it's also dark as fuck.

Let's start from very positive side, animation is done beautifully, it's bold and bright and beautiful, has a lot of humorous moments that are memable.

The music is amazing, considering this story has idol group they did not cut corners on making some good songs for the anime group F/ACE, performed by seiyuus. 

And yeah, the anime is about an idol group, but mainly its' member Tamon-kun and his housekeeper Kinoshita Utage while they both navigate his mood swings and personality. May not be for everyone, but I found it enjoyable, even when I see their personas on stage and spouting most cringe phrases imaginable (about it later).

As for the rest and what I mean by it's fucking dark, although it's all sparkles and sunshine on the screen. The anime makes light of it, by making it a comedy, but I see it as pitch black at times.

1. True face of idols. Me, watching 6 episodes of this anime I see that 3 out of 5 idols of F/ACE group have completely different personalities from what they show on the screen and some are to the point of being nasty. This is the part I always consider when I look at idol groups, because why can't it exist, it certainly can. And this is kinda scary in itself. Tamon-kun maybe the tamest of them all, but it's also dark if you dig deep. He's like the representative of all the idols who lose themselves in self-doubt and lose purpose, get so depressed they actually think about.. you know. When we find out about Ouri he also has a different personality, but partially it may be the result of his upbringing, although his temperament is nasty. So idols indeed are the idea, a fever dream and not a real person. To me it was always surprising that people eat this shit up. I mean it's obviously fake and sometimes it's obviously a fan-service, but fans will gobble it up. Same was shown here, like Tamon-kun and Ouri are teamed up for a bit of queer-baiting or how they act and what they say. Tamon-kun may be working hard on what to say, but in one of the episodes he clearly wrote a script, although heartfelt words he thought a lot about, but they're still a script. Interesting combo, right.

2. Parasocial relationships. This is also the cringe to me. When Tamon calls the fans "girlfriends" and fans eat it up, not leaving crumbs. To me this is beyond cringe. I was kinda surprised when I saw such behavior in real life, but this is how parasocial relationships are built. Idols act as if they're close to their fans through words, but fans take it so seriously that it's quite scary, like some honestly believe they can become something more than just a fan. They build this strong bond based on illusion and propel the group to success with support and sales. I know it's co-dependent relationship, but still. This is perfectly shown through Kinoshita, because outside of Tamon she has no life, at least we don't see it. Her room is full of Tamon-kun's cards and posters and all types of peripherals, while she also calls him god, prays to him and calls herself an 'otaku', meaning she's the crazier type (it is shown). To her Tamon-kun came as a savior (although we don't see much, they showed one incident of broken friendship, but maybe something to do with Kinoshita's temperament as well), but what she does is so obsessive, not only collecting everything related to him, but also having notes with everything he said in all of his shows.

Although we can laugh at it, because for others such behavior is crazy or silly, but another episode that is a good example is when Utage and her two schoolmates see news about idol seeing someone and they switch a mode dancing maniacally while we hear a word 'murder' on repeat, since they are ready to harm anyone who dares to be close to their idol. Because they consider the idol "THEIRS". meaning he belongs to everyone and no one in particular, he is not allowed to have a relationship, because otherwise they can't have a fantasy relationship with their favorite idol. Look this shit up, how many idols lost fans when they disclosed their relationships, some may even break up because of fans harassment.

3. Utage and Tamon. Now.. we know so far that Utage is an openly obsessive girl. To her all Tamon is good Tamon. She tries everything in her power to help him, but she also always remembers her place and does not cross teh line.

But Tamon becomes a different story. His obsession becomes darker. Borderline dark romance tbh. He spouts phrases like he wants her to continue to be his fan only, to never leave him, to never cheat on him. He also starts switching between his personas and he does this because he knows this will influence Utage, meaning him being manipulative. Like holy shit!

Honestly, this show may be fun, before you dig deeper. It makes fun of a lot of things, but claims to be comedy and romance, yeah right, I will believe if it's dark comedy and dark romance ahahaha

[MANHWA] The Divorcée's Dessert Cafe / 이혼한 악녀는 케이크를 굽는다

Well, this was a journey.

After nine miserable years of marriage, Erin de Brissia is thrilled when her husband, Duke Raymond Von Lebensberg, accuses her of infidelity as an excuse to be with his own lover. After signing the divorce papers, she uses the recipes from her late mother to open a dessert cafe and receives rave reviews. But when her ex-husband and his lover get wind of this, they’re set on sabotage. Will Erin ever be able to taste the sweetness of success, or is this divorcée doomed to disaster?

This was a basic story for one sitting.

Very cliche plotline, very cliche developing of some parts. Have some thoughts on the whole thing, especially the ending. Saw some comments I don't agree with (if you see the special chapters).

The very cliche part is that this is an arranged marriage to future heir of the throne, but who already has a mistress by his side. The Emperor did not allow this woman to be a future Empress, so this is the compromise. But who knew her husband Raymond would gallivate his mistress everywhere for nine years. After being framed by Serena (mistress) for another time Erin is forced to divorce her husband with nothing but leftovers of her dowry.

With the help of those money she opens a cafe in a more remote area, since she always liked baking and it was her dream. But more to me she liked the feeling of independence.

She thought she left it all behind but the vile mistress couldn't leave her alone and kept getting in her way.

Another cliche part is how Erin has a childhood friend, who was caught with her and what actually caused the scandal, but he was friendzoned quite early and disappeared. I think we don't see him as ML because when he had the chance to clear her name he didn't and we don't forgive mistakes (according to author), but honestly if you think about it, she was dirvorced on charges of infidelity and carried that infamy with her.

Another cliche part is how the ML is someone she knows, he belongs to Imperial family as adopted grandson, but his family is the branch of Imperial family so yeah.

He is an interesting fellow, he liked Erin for a long time and actually was sent away not to get too caught up in his feelings, so dude also paid his price for his feelings. Now hearing that she was forced to divorce he is back in the capital and is ready to get the girl. Not truly. He is very respectful of her wishes, even if he might seem a bit pushy at times.

Manhwa does not dwell or spend times on details, I forgot several times it had some fantasy element. Like Erin had the power to heal, even through her desserts.

Tbh this was a sudden turn, I wouldn't mind if she was just baking and it was a little cute story where she travels with a newfound love to his realm, but no, we have to add the basic stuff where the mistress Serena has to try and frame Erin more and more times before she finally gets caught up in her own shit.

Same for her former husband, so greedy for power that he was ready to do anything. Blind to the decisions of others, that he could have just laid back and waited for his throne to arrive, especially if he listened to what was said to him by the Emperor.

Serena and Raymond have such a cliche ending tbh, like she betrays him, because she didn't get what she wanted from him - throne. And he also got caught up in his struggles and is exiled.

Back to FMC. She spent 9 years of loveless marriage and opened a cafe. She has her strong opinions and can take care of herself. Calix happened to be there to uplift her in what she's been doing. He has his own conflicting stance where he wants her for himself, but also can't confine her.

Like some say her baking is her dream and she literally dropped it for a guy, but I do not agree. Baking is more like manifestation of doing what you want and Calix unlike previous Raymond is capable of giving her all the freedom and trust in their relationship, something she never received previously, even if her status changes from baking to the Empress. Also her cafe was still going on through other people, so the legacy was kept afloat. Not to mention their extra chapters show that it was quite significant they had a daughter with both powers from their parents and she is the sole heir, despite being a girl.

But in general because the story was so galloping it felt quite shallow. I even type here right now so I won't forget it in five minutes. And I am capable of that. It's quite sweet for a quick read, but honestly... I don't know what I should be waiting of it. From one side it's sweet and cute, but from another it felt like some parts were just glossed over. Like very background conflict, or poisonous demon venom etc. But we can't have that in a cooking manhwa. 

Also, I still don't like gourmet, I skipped all those parts about cooking and desserts. And ten times when someone says it brings you joy. For a change I wanted someone to cry.

Anyway, that's how this story went. I even included most of the spoilers here. But who cares.

[MANHWA] Can't Get Enough of You / 못 잡아먹어서 안달

Can be found on Webtoons. Decided to post about it because it's one of those that started to get better, but took a nose dive.

The story follows Kim Taejun who tragically loses his parents in a car accident, the accident is blamed on Han SoEun's father who was their driver. By extention the family her father worked for couldn't forgive her either, even if she was but a little girl.

Kim Taejun felt hatred towards the person responsible for his loss of parents and thought he's going to hate Han SoEun too, but she became part of his good childhood memories.

Later Han SoEun is sent off behind Taejun's back and they are separated for 20 years.

20 years later Han SoEun starved for love and who was seeing her current boyfriend undergoes a dangerous organ donor operation to save the life of her future mother-in-law whom she already considers family, but by chance she realizes that they did all this just for her to donate part of her liver and they did not plan to proceed with marriage.

Meanwhile, her company ad her department welcomes a new CEO, Kim Taejun. She doesn't recognize him and certainly did not retain part of her memories. Kim Taejun at first came with more vindictive plans, but seeing what Han SoEun got herself into he couldn't help but start digging into it.

He hates her but he loves her.

It's a very cliche beginning, thankfully the deal with her not wanting to separate from the family was resolved quite quickly, otherwise I would have dropped it back at the beginning.

Although Kim Taejun is vindictive, but he's a more complex personality and is a great character.

They find themselves in a very cliche situation, she did not know what her father had done, she doesn't recognize him, he becomes her new love. But the past is between them.

He slowly let's go of his past and doesn't blame her and he truly loves and cherishes her.

It would have been better that way, but this love for cheap melodrama involves his family who come into picture and his grandfather who plans to send Han SoEun away and she agrees when she figures what her father had done.

So. this is the moment when you start kinda hating on her and this dumb trope.

Instead of talking it out and bringing it up she decides for them both that it's going to be better for her to leave. But later he spent months in trying to find her overseas, he eventually succeeded, but it's as if she changed her character and she started to annoy me a lot. Sis, your father was the only survivor, he doesn't blame you and truly shows how he loves you instead of your ex dog boyfriend, whom might I add she never dragged to court for what his family did. But with a man who is ready to go to such lengths for her she started to showcase her temper. And the story as well tried to portray him as the bad guy.. what? Sure they had not the best start with him doing things with ulterior motives, but eventually things changed, he worked on making everything better.

I couldn't understand her switch at all, it felt like it exists for cheap melodrama and to add theatrics. Before it gets resolved. Because once again she never dragged the family of her ex for what they did, she felt so MarySue in that moment. I could understand her decision, it was high-sounding. She only defended herself publicly with a post, but still did not take any actions, but never prevented others from doing so (sounds tiny bit hypocritical). But when it came to ML she is like - nope, I will make sure to hurt the man I love more with my words, while I know what my dad did and I know what Taejun did and said the words of forgiveness and the fact he searched for me high and low but does it matter, I have a temper now. Honestly, I got a bit tired of her and I just skipped that part entirely. So I have no idea how they resolved it. I was getting ennoyed how tropey this story was getting.

I dunno, the manhwa fails at portrayal and goes into melodrama effect too often.

Surely to resolve everything from their past it's going to be the most cliche plots of all - her father is not at fault and everyone will be able to forgive each other, I bet you it'll be shit like that.

So it becomes known Taejun's unkle is the responsible person, SoEun's dad blood test was forged because otherwise the residue of him being drugged will be seen.

When will these author learn that things aren't that simple. I wonder if in the future she's going to do another "escape" (ughhh) because she will realize she lived away from her father who moved to a different country because he was used like that. But Taejun's family will have reason to let go of the past and be at peace knowing her dad was not at fault.

Honestly, why can't they just do a story normally. All these dramatics that are so overused.

I honestly don't want to continue reading it, since it's predictable af. 

The only great characters to me were Taejun, who worked through his past and came to terms with it.

Another was Hyunjin, the girl who came for revenge. Her arc was interesting, I'm glad I stuck around, it was satisfying to see that she came out of it clean too. But she had no regrets in what she's done, even if she did not do it for herself. I dunno, it was more impactful than FMC's side.

Also FMC SoEun was also too stereotypical, although you could understand her partially with her longing for family, while being separated from her father and growing up like an orphan. But she did not know the details of the past, so that past was not part of her story. Yet, she's always typically self-conscious, with low self-esteem etc. Pretty basic stuff. Sometimes all these portrayals of being shy and shivering (I don't mention crying during sex, who fucking cries during sex?) just look bad, as if she can't change and will never change and it's weird to me. As if the person never grows close or comfortable with their loved one.

[TOPIC] "Lazy" costuming in romantasy manhwa

I've been on a new wave of reading manhwa lately, but I noticed several peculiar things about the creative process in manhwa that seemed to be dominating for the one final result - efficiency. A lot of usage of 3D modeling, same images, patterns etc. The only thing that makes them look different is the art style. Though sometimes it also looks rushed and crude.

I personally love costuming, especially in movies, if it's a decently budgeted film and the director invites a visionary we can end up with some amazing costume decisions that will distinct the movie from the rest. The movie even may up ending a complete garbage truck, but costuming may take it to another level and impact the viewer. Nowadays a good styling at the premiere also attracts a lot of attention.

And it doesn't matter the genre, be it fantasy or urban story. Costuming may play a big role and become some sort of an iconic moment. At least in Hollywood that's for sure.

As of lately I've read some decent Korean novels and manhwas, which was surprising to me. The reason being the love of Korean authors writing many toxic plots just for the sake of it. It may be completely illogical and bad, but it will mask itself behiind some heart-wrenching moments that people will be distracted by to notice the fallacy. But I digress.

But I found it surprising how downright foolish some of the visuals actually are and how lazy the thought process behind the costuming is. All for the sake one goal - efficiency. Draw fast, throw some stock images and be done with it.

If you've read at least one or two manhwas, you probably have seen the majority of them, because they look the same. The excessive use of 3D modeling for everything, starting from houses, horses that will give me nightmares and even the plates and food. Sometimes artists are lazy to draw correctly around those and the entire thing often looks wanky and uggo.

While the costuming uses no rhyme or reason, the female gowns are always these wackadoodle pastes of hundreds details that are meant to distract you from how crazy it looks or how modern it feels. And they mean to say it is "European ambience". These are not my words, it's a legit tag used for romantasy set in a country that will remind you of something European, even though it's a fantasy country.

I'd love to talk about how messy it looks with styles mixed, too many modern pieces included everywhere, which to me as a reader doesn't help to immerse myself into what supposed to be a fantasy.

But when it comes to dresses... girl. This is a mess.

Even if they would just follow some past historical fashion they would be totally fine, copy and paste what a big deal, but they need to bring this girl fantasy of sparkles and gems that often just looks illogical.

Before I dive into it I must have an honorable mention, this should be given best costuming award, at least arist had put some thought in it - My In-Laws are obsessed with me. And not to mention artist will never forget the gloves, which is a big part of the story (if you know, you know). But has a better distinction between day wear, ball gowns and overall female / male fashion. The artist even takes care of the hairstyle for the FMC. Also the story is great, I loved it.

For example, Pereshati here wears an evening dress that is more elegant, usually ones worn for the dinner, the palette is always subdued and dark, like she wears darker colors than anyone else, the same as the rest of the family. It may be connected to family's curse. She also has her gloves on at all times. Everything is simple and conforms the settings and supports the gloomy situation of the family she married. She also has always her hair up in a simplest of buns, but still it's not as frivulous as other manhwas.

Another one that stood out to me among others was Mother's Contract Marriage, which is visually stunning, totally stands out among others. And I don't care if our main characters wardrobe looks too modern tbh, but it looks cute. It has a strong theme of found family and discovering happiness, which is why it has a lot of yellowich color scheme.

The wardrobe is also interesting, since it helps to tell the difference between characters and they all have their own individuality. Lyrica is the one with assortment of cute dresses appropriate for a girl her age, colorful and cute, very much like herself.

Like this one here, cute simple dress with apron from getting dirty and it's one of the simplest ones. Prince on the other hand looks really modern in his pants that look like jeans, his jacket bears some of the medals but also some other adornments, which fits his contradictory personality and rebelling spirit.

Back to other manhwas. The fashion is weird. Mostly, it exists, but trends don't. I see no trends in romantasy manhwa, ever. It always feels like - whichever idea came to mind, we will realize it. And I find it funny because often time they mention fashion in the manhwa itself, but they don't have distinct elements to make up a trend. Like the FMC can wear a full skirt, then it's more fishtail, she can wear a hat, then she wears a bonnet. It's like mix and match of styles. It can exist, but it looks like a mess.

There are no trends, no silhouettes that are fashionable, it's always just a lot of ruffles and a lot of stock images that are used. You know those, 2D images of necklaces that look obviously flat or other embellishments and patterns that looks same dead.

There is often no distinction between day wear and ball gowns. This is baffling to me because otherwise characters look like Christmas trees in their everyday life, dressed in full evening gowns with jewellery glittering to the universe.

There is no distinction between status. Like you look at people who definitely should have different status, but they all look the same.

Why I mention this is because I think it's missed opportunity and secondly, artists make some interesting mistakes while disregarding what they're writing about just for the sake of being "pretty".

I can give an example, can't make screenshots though.

In manhwa called Marchioness Maron (or just call it moron, would be fitting considering the story), FMC is sent to isolated territory and she basically has nothing with her outside the dress she's wearing. The mansion Marron is a dilapitated building that does not seem to hold much. Let's admit she might have found a change of clothes, but other than that?

But later she develops the territory slowly and brings in several occupants. The manhwa draws attention several times to the fact that they need to sell some of their produce to survive and Maron herself mentioned the lack of money. So on one of their outings she buys a dress, it's an investment, I admit, but later on she is seen to be walking around always in more sophisticated dresses and each time they're different, not to mention embellishments are all gems, which makes her dresses look expensive. Which in her current settings looked quite not right and conflicting. Not to mention she does not need to wear those for her everyday wear. There is no one to see her, she established her status among her (small bunch of) people.

This is a great example, because it has lacing. Lace was always considered a luxury, even for our modern society which created machine to do the machine-made lace, but where would a romantasy get a high-tech stuff like that, so it's hand-woven item for sure. This is her day dress I mind you, she is just sitting behind a desk doing her thing wearing that. Does it look like a ball gown? Definitely. Does it looks expensive? Absolutely. This is why I said she is dressed rather expensive for their situation. I can understand the idea of finally letting your main character doll up after predicaments, but honestly, it lacks in logic. 

One of the main trends in romantasy is actually the copy of what GoT. Northern territory ruled by a Duke that defends against monsters.

Almost every other romantasy manhwa is about a Norther territory that protects from monsters and they also have beef with central territory which is supposed to be the ruling center. Not to mention almost every other male lead character has dark hair and red eyes, watch out for that shit.

But it's hilarious when characters are drawn in some fine embellished dresses while it's a winter territory they describe as COLD. Clothes always look thin and you would expect more fur but no.

I forgot which manhwa I've opened up lately and it basically showed a female character walking around in winter in her heels. It's not a boot, it's a full high-heeled shoe with some gems and stuff. And it's not a single occurance and no, she did not run out out of urgency, she wore it as if it was okay.

Clothes always look the same in many manhwas, they're elaborate and don't take into consideration anything except looking flashy. Like details of the plot, character growth, status, purchase ability etc.

I can understand efficiency, but sometimes it looks more than that, that artists did not waste even two brain cells on creating something unique or of their own. Sometimes gowns look simple only because the overall art style is like that.

I think novel covers art looks the best out of all, since the artists only draw this one picture and if they add too many details it might end up looking gaudy, but just the working on the texture and making the drawing look good make the most basic things shine. And I don't think it's realistic to draw like that all the time. I'm sure there are plenty out there just drawing, not really aiming to create a masterpiece.

But from time to time it's nice to see at least something. Although usually it's simple things, but at least it will give you something. For example, a color scheme that belongs solely to some regions to distinct the rivalry is the easiest to draw. Or often time the soft-looking female villain who always cries so the males will pity her will look innocent and wearing some light-colored clothes with lots of ruffle to support the girlishness. 

I remember someone made a hilarious comment how they're gonna have a PTSD from pink- or light-haired villains who look and act innocent (Chinese equivalent of White Lotus x Green Tea Bitch mix).

So basically, not everything is lost and it looks good, but often time it just does not look appropriate for what scene / situation the characters are in.

Well, ranting is over. I can go on even longer rant, but that's the gist of it.

[VIDEO] Punkey Doodles "Swan Princess"

Honestly, EACH TIME I see a swan now I think of this video 😂 why they did not write a story like that it's such a waste.

I came across one manhwa which basically has FMC as a cursed person who turns into swan. A FULL LAKE of cursed people who are birds, but not one of them goes berserk. I think it's such a wasted potential for a comedy. Yeah the person who cursed them has black magic. But the black magician needs the swan lady for sure, thus she won't do anything drastic to her, SO FMC COULD HAVE SHITTED ON THAT PARADE LITERALLY. With the rest of the birds. You're birds, just be swift and agressive.

[NOVEL] Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

Unhinged, but fun.

Welcome to Cape Carnage! Visit Once, Stay Forever.

Cape Carnage is a seaside town of colorful houses, quirky shops, and an unusually high body count. But with tourists comes trouble, and Harper Starling won’t let anyone ruin her picture-perfect home. A skilled gardener with killer instincts, Harper protects her sanctuary at any cost—especially for her aging mentor with a fading memory.

Troublesome tourists don’t check out of Carnage. They compost beneath Harper’s award-winning flowerbeds. But Nolan Rhodes isn’t your average tourist. Devilishly handsome, disarmingly charming, and skilled with a blade, Nolan is relentless in the pursuit of revenge. On every anniversary of the hit-and-run accident that fractured his life, Nolan slays another target. And he’s saved the best for last: the undeniably beautiful Harper Starling.

The problem? Harper isn’t the monster he expected. And she won’t go down without a fight. When an amateur true crime investigator comes to Cape Carnage on the trail of a long-lost serial killer, Harper and Nolan strike an uneasy truce. If Nolan helps Harper protect her town, she’ll keep quiet about his hunting habits . . . for now. But their alliance soon spirals into obsession, one that threatens to shatter every secret in Carnage—including their fragile love.

The Seasons of Carnage. Book 1

For sure it was bloody and fun. From the author of Butcher & Blackbird I never read.

I'm no fan of toxic traits, but if you can wrap it up nicely and add some dark humor and not make it super serious, I can deal with it.

The two main characters are totally unhinged, the story doesn't take itself seriously, although it has some good moments of friendship and care.

The plot itself is super easy, Nolan comes to town with a goal, but then he meets Harper and he did not expect to meet this type of Harper, so things got complicated, tied together they try to navigate how to get rid of Sam Porter, the head of amateur sleuth group, who had too much get in his head that he can do anything for fame. That means coming to Cape Carnage and tying the name of Harper's mentor and a serial killer named La Plume together (spoiler, not the same person). Harper wants to protect one person so dear to her, so she is ready for some blackmail. Nolan doesn't want Harper to get caught before he deals with her himself, so it's all in his interest to make it work.

Honestly, they didn't do much in that direction.

But the forced proximity kinda works and both have conflicting feelings. Nolan loathes himself for feeling anything towards a woman who killed his brother and yet to find out that she is not real Harper.

Harper had no one else except her mentior who knows her true self and a person she could rely on, slowly (very slowly) she tries to trust Nolan.

Although the plot is a bit predictable, but it's those bits and pieces of fun that make the picture going. Oh, and a bit of gore. Or not a bit.

I honestly had a feeling that maybe the entire Cape Carnage is on what's really going on but they stay silent because they're not that against of getting rid of few scumbags. Like the dude who pushed the pregnant nurse. Small towns may be weird. But it's fun to think that way.

Spoilers section~

To me the ending had a bit of a cliffhanger feel tbh, because by that time Nolan came to terms that he fell in love with a woman he came to kill, only to uncover at the very last chapter of this book that she is not who he thought she was, she said it herself but tbh it was cryptic. So what should he do with all that avalanche of emotions.

And not to mention the sleuth group acted as if they're ready to get into Cape Carnage the very next second since they got news of Sam and his companion deaths. But it's left for later.

I was also a bit surprised (not really) about the epilogue. I had a feeling they dealt with La Plume in the past, but it happens not to be the case, I wonder about this backstory.

Honestly, Sheriff always gave you the feeling that HE KNOWS EVERYTHING, but does nt get involved for some reason.

Anyway, I do wish to see maya with her talent for mixtures in the next book, won't it be fun? I think so. I have a feeling the girl cracked the two open the first time she saw them with severed head and hands, but because she is also from the same type of people she played along.

RATE: 3,75/5.

[ANIME] Debu to Love to Ayamachi to! (2025)

WHY NO ONE TOLD ME THIS IS GOING TO BE SEASON 1?!!

Lol I have no idea why I was so sure they will wrap up in one sitting. It's not like the plot is so complicated.

Koda Yumeko had an accident that left her with amnesia but also change of personality. Instead of gloomy and depressive self she now truly loves and appreciates herself for who she is. It also changes her life at work, her relationship with fellow collegues and even the VP of their company.

But her accident wasn't an accident at all.

I don't care who thinks what about this anime, I find it immensely positive.

Yumeko can pull some cringe speeches, but you can't be mad at her, she is cute and so positive about life, about who she is currently is. 

The anime doesn't dance on eggshells and shows some ugly side of people, but doesn't make everyone a hater you know. People around her appreciate her personality and know her antics and treat her as a human being like themselves, instead of it being a story where every single human being melodramatically concentrates on her weight.

You can't blame the past Yumeko  for being sad, since she was bullied since she was a kid. Imagine going through that as a child who has no idea why people hate her so much, just because she is overweight. kids are the cruelest, I tell you. But the past Yumeko closed herself off completely and spiraled, not having a single decent friend who would uplift her from her quigmire.

The accident did something good for her. I know some people say - peole should love you as you are. But that's a soothing bs. Because if you have an unlikable personality, why would people like you. Others treated Yumeko as air at work, but now she is outgoing extrovert who loves herself and finds herself cute.

Would never thinkI'd say a phrase like - brain damage came in handy.

It doesn't really say outright about beauty standards, but it's the underlying theme too. She doesn't fit it, but present Yumeko does not fuss about it. She sees herself in a more positive light than most people see themselves in the mirror. That she needs a lot of food to support that awesome body, she eats what she wants, her body is beautiful, she is totally cute, her hands are soft like marshmallows etc.

Surely, the anime also plays joke or two here and there, but it's actually nice to see how Yumeko handles all those jabs at her weight etc.

Like she meets her former classmate in the conbini and after her speech he says she's fun, he wished to know her during their school days. Let's not soften our punches, Yumeko was in a bad headspace, but also deprived herself from knowing better people.

Overall it's like a good message, life won't be all stars and sunshine, life may punch you in the gut, but don't be discouraged.

As for the plotline about the investigation, well, here I noticed it's a common thing nowadays that plot doesn't progress much. I honestly thought this is not some story that needs many seasons to be over, but i was proven wrong.

The investigation does not progress much, but we as viewers have pretty good idea who did it, but I still ask myself - why? Every "crime" has a motive of sorts. In this case Yumeko, or past Yumeko should not have crossed paths with Rikako, or CEO's daughter. She's been out of the company for some time, the only link between two women is obviously VP Keisuke, but the anime did not answer the question what was the relationship between Keisuke and past Yumeko. Why would Rikako go off the rails and push the woman down.

But who knows, there might be a twist (I doubt it), I say this because Yumeko never remembered the accident and they never showed it, but Keisuke acts as if he is afrad of her remembering. But Keisuke pretty much could have been present. Imagine that.

I can understand Rikako's post partum depression, but honestly, she bound Keisuke to herself in a pretty selfish way, what now he can't have his own life, have a woman to love have a family just because he is a friend and he's her support. I mean the girl needs therapy, not cuddling.

But again, the plotline did not progress much I'd say. I can not stress enough how disappointing it was to have a second love interest suddenly appearing, it's the same as when a love rival appears in shoujo manga, usually some childhood sweetheart girl who messes things up, dislike this move. The positive side is all the good energy Yumeko spreads. Animation sometimes looked cheap though. 

Maybe I will see if the manga is completed to know what's next. But Yumeko's seiyu did such a great job, gave her such a nice character.

[NOVEL] The Ties that Divide by Sandra and Taylor Preisler

ooh, this was rough

In the heart of Regency London, where the gulf between the opulent upper class and the squalid streets is as wide as the Thames, Zoe Demas, a young French woman entangled in two worlds, finds herself at the center of a chilling mystery.

When her lady's maid, Lucy, is found dead in the notorious district of Whitechapel, Zoe refuses to accept the verdict of a tragic accident. Determined to uncover the truth, she enlists the help of Quinton Huxley, a man whose expertise lies in navigating the murky waters between legality and the underworld.

Alongside a cast of characters as diverse as they are mysterious—Zoe's stepfamily, a Bow Street runner, a resurrectionist, and a gangster among them—Zoe and Quinton unravel a tale of forbidden love, jealousy, and betrayal that threatens to consume her.

Q&Z Regency Mysteries. Book 1

Well, this started well, but soon enough it became another case of - let me tell you, not show you.

We start from Zoe Demas, she and her mother escaped France, the imagery of her past still haunts her, she still feels out of place even if her life went well when her mother re-married when she was nine.

Zoe is a talented artist (I wish there was more of it) and has a bit of accentric temperament (very cliche thing to say about a French woman), so she has a bit of a temper even with servants.

But one day her maid is reported to be dead, no one takes upon themselves the investigation. But Zoe feeling guilt for her rude words before she last saw her maid made her turn to private investigator Quinton Huxley. This is where Q&Z come from.

He promises to find some leads, but the investigation to me was quite bleak, as if it wasn't even the important part of it all. We heard more about secondary characters, the inevitable and sudden pull between the two character, although I was sitting and thinking to myself "why are the attrackted to each other again?" I was not mad when we get to see more of Zoe's change, although at other times I thought why should I care?

I don't know about the tags on goodreads, but is this supposed to be a cozy mystery, because this was kinda... slow too.

I guess the fact that I got a really bad headache when I finished impacted my reading. But even before that I started feeling like we don't go anywhere.

Quinton finds his brother (how convenient) he is not blood-related, they just grew up in same place, who now rules some worst part of the London city. Another convenient acquaintance, Scottish resurrectionist Rory helps them to figure the maid actually gave birth. This is not the lead, but her connection to the killer. Because the one responsible is obviously the father of her child. I don't even mind this info, it's just too obvious.

Conveniently someone Quinton knows is murdered in the same manner and who is connected to the maid Lucy. Too many conveniences. Anyway, it becomes personal.

But again, too much time is spent on others.

Like the connection between Quinton and his two friends. They connect often and start discussing the past so the reader will know they have a strong brotherly bond. I call it info dumping.

Next is Quinton's attraction to Zoe...why? He calls her stubborn and many other names, but there is no particular reason that shows his attraction, it just comes in suddenly, the same sudden effect as how others around Quinton tell him - ooh, boy, you in love.

And of course they can't be together because now she belongs to a good family and he is some bastard born by an actress, so they're not meant to be. This is for later, but the book already gives a hint that he's not some low-born dude.

Sigh.

The writing at the beginning was comfortable and it's the type of book that is easy to read. And it feels liek the story progresses well. We exclude the obvious fact that some jargon was too modern.

But the way the story lacks depth and character just instantly like each other and many other details made me feel disappointed. For others it may have been a good read, but it's not enough for me, I wanted some thrill instead of a slow park walk. Also too convenient.

RATE: 3/5.

[SHORT REVIEWS] #26

NOVELS

CHINESE

Not much catch since I have no new stuff. I wait for the completion of 无间 by 二月竹

I already mentioned this book once. Author previously wrote Backtracking I once reviewed and liked a lot (it was about a boy who was murdered on a graduation trip, but actually survived and returned 10 years later for revenge). The new story is about investigation as well, since the main character Shen Qiao is connected to recently dead young people and the ML is investigating into it. I've been waiting for its' completion.

Next one is the very new article 人， 撸了毛得负责哦 by 挠时光, previously author wrote "Abnormal relationship" I also reviewed (about two men from prominent families who accidentally slept and realized they're compatible in bed, but they always were like enemies in life). The new story is about a young man Ou XiaoJiang who inherited a house which is claimed to be haunted, but the young man's side hustle is haunting ghosts. ML is a demon king whose lair was in this house. The synopsis has a light-hearted and humorous tone, maybe the story will be the same. After all the previous book also was like this. *new = basically only started publication on JJ.

Next very new one should be 天降老公[娱乐圈] by 沙舟踏翠

I previously reviewed this author too. Forgot the title I used, since it was obviously changed, the current title is 软饭硬吃[重生] (I think previous was connected to white rice or smth, the play on a saying since the main character was reborn and basically lived off his newly acquired husband, having a pretty fulfilling life). This new article is about main character Chen Yuxi, who is unknown celebrity, young guy who sells his music and is suddenly invited to a star-studded program, which catapults him into stardom.

No covers because they're all default and pointless.

The rest is only two that I keep by my side. Because they're spooky. Yes, I still read Welcome to Nightmare Live, I make a big pause while reading, but the story is so good it's impossible to forget what it's about. And the second has been waiting for me for some time, since it's also spooky 玄学大佬是罪仙 which I mentioned before. But again, when you're not into mood for spooky you can only let it wait. But I know that unlike other books I mentioned this one I really want to read.

US

Time for some detective stuff.

A Murder in Mayfair by Magda Alexander.

This one wasn't bad. I had my issues with it, but it's not entirely bad.

My pet peeve is how this is also written from 1st person POV, at least we have few POVs instead of just being in the FMC's head all the time. Mikaela (FMC) gets involved in the murder of her cousin's husband, since she can't let the scandal swipe the poor woman. Although I had my issues exactly with how fervent Mikaela described her own feelings, while I was thinking you have total nine kids at home, including yourself and your brother who inherited the title, but you are responsible for all of them. Are you sure? Anyway, comparing this to others this wasn't half bad. Pretty short, easy to read.

Edit: At least this was short and dynamic, the other books I saw this time around made me re-think my initial impression.

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna

Or Stella and Lyndy Mystery, Book 1.

I admit I was brought in by the cover. It looked "different". Who knew there's quite a number of similar ones. But I digress.  This is a DNF btw.

I decided to put it down at the beginning. Maybe the mystery is worth it, but I checked reviews after being buffled by the characters and it did not improve my impression.

Stella is an American heiress from Kentucky, she is taken with her father to visit England without knowing that her father arranged her marriage to a lord. She is against it, her father is a douch who can raise his hand against his daughter.

Lyndy, or Lyndhurst did not mak the picture better, because of how he thought about Stella from the beginning, he wasn't even thinking about her. He was thinking about thoroughbred horses he will get in this deal. Like it's the most important thing. Others mentioned that he is also in the same situation as Stella, being part of the deal, no he's not. Just listen to his thoughts on horses and you won't feel like he got the shorter end of the stick. Not to mention he is a man.

When he notices Stella's beauty he also feels about her like if he won a prize - oh my future wife isn't half bad. Which is also not good.

Honestly, they are young, I'll give them that. But he especially reads as absolutely not mature young man. He still needs to wipe milk around his mouth tbh.

Also everyone around Stella is either snarky or snobbish. I mean even if the American guy comes with money. Makes me think, Americans are considered rude around the world now, but back then, they simply didn't know the etiquette "rules" of Englishmen. So how rude is that?

Anyway, Lyndy spoiled it all for me  completely, since we know he's going to be the main part. I know I didn't read much, but I just sat and thought - why should I continue then? The writing is a bit all over, Stella is the only good character, Lyndy's thoughts made me think the worst of him, all character are bad.

Honestly the beginning read as if I'm reading some melodramatic historical romance, not mystery haha

Oh the mystery is about who got poor vicar who was there to wed Stella and Lyndy. Honestly, if I were them I'd say bad luck.

The Ties that Divide by Sandra and Taylor Preisler

Or Q&Z Regency Mysteries.

'Q' stands for Quinton, he is a hired investigator and 'Z' stands for Zoe, she wants to know the truth about the death of her maid.

Zoe lives in a reconstructed family I'd call it. She and her mother escaped France, while her father couldn't make it. Around when she was 9 her mother met her current husband. They live comfrotably and Zoe from time to time has a bit of a fit, she's a young talented artist who also has a bit of identity crisis due to her origins. But she had no idea the next time she hears from her maid is that the poor young woman will be dead. Zoe feels there is something wrong here and decides to hire a help. This is the premise of it all.

Good thing it's written normally. Also the flow is nice so far, I just tried out the beginning and you know when it's "comfortable" to read. 

Edit: The review is up, it's one of those cases where I change my mind halfway through. It's hard to describe it shortly, but I was disappointed with it. A lot of it was treated as introduction to all the characters, though honestly we didn't need all of their backstory in one book. Also main characters have instant attraction to each other and the book already spoils there is some of future development about ML's birth because so far they can't be together since their standing is so different~ FMC does a lot of impulsive things for her own good. The book did not feel special.

A Whisper and a Curse by Darcy Burke

Raven and Wren, Book 3.

I know I said I might put this series for good, but I might give it another try. I don't knwo why. I already said they got to me in the last one when they continuously complemented each other how good they are etc. But in general the books moved at a very slow pace and lacked thrill.

Ngl I like the color schemes of these covers, they make the series stand out among others.

The Body in the Garden by Katharine Shellman

Lily Adler Mystery. Book 1

I can also say a word or two about this one, because I opened it and was surprised that authors wants to make their FMC sound as if she was Sherlock Holmes. Find it ironic since her last name is Adler.

Lily, our FMC, is returning to life by coming to the city. She is still grieving after the loss of her husband whom she really loved.

In the first scenes she kinda sounds a bit smug too, the way she explains how she guessed and it really sounds like Sherlock version. Everyone is impressed. It kinda put me off a bit and I decided I'll put it down and come back when I'm ready for this type of stuff.

But the mystery is about how she decides to investigate the case that is obviously buried by paying off the police, so the police won't investigate further.

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

Or The Seasons of Carnage. Book 1

Comes from the author of infamous Butcher & Backbird. Which I never read, but I kinda want to try this book. You know when you're intrigued by something. It's better to scratch that itch.

Well, because I never read dark romance.

Edit: Started it, it's actually fun? I'm just surprised. Although I still dislike 1st person POV. But in general this is promising.

Edit2: 41% Shit, this is fun.

Edit3: Finished, the review is posted. But in general it was fun and unhinged. I liked that it had dark humor and didn't take itself serious. The plot is nothing fancy, but at least it's wrapped up not in a bad way. Was surprised it had such a strong "to be continued" feel, since partially the story left readers with some questions. Can't say anything about the love line in this book, since it's quite unealthy, but honestly baffling is how some things are nice if we separate them from their unhealthiness.

WEBTOONS
MANHWA

On your knees, Your Highness!

This one is HYSTERICAL. At least it is drawn as a full-blown comedy, even if some undertone is a bit serious. You can read it on Webtoons for free.

It's just a walking meme. I have no idea why I like reading this type of stuff, when things have a lot of meme material. But in general it's a pretty nice story. Not very new in the concept, but the story itself is okay. Sudden arranged marriage to shield the Duke from the King / Emperor who is this irksome old dude and can't let go, so instead of doing some serious stuff he spends it on schemes against the Duke. But I really like the FMC, she is strong and collected and does not have some fits, it's satisfying seeing her going into dark and oppressive mode where she unleashes at others. Even the Duke is on the receiving end of it all at times.

It's based on a novel, but I find manhwa works better for me. Still manhwa is ongoing of course.

The only funny thing is those 3D models they use, like her tiara that looks like it's for kids because of its' small size, I have no idea why sometimes they don't do more even with things that exist. I can understand it saves time and it's efficient, but have you seen those hilarious horses they always use? Or how all jewelery looks 2D flat. Everything is just either a pre-set pattern or 3D model that already existed. Even some art I've seen several times. I don't mention the decorative stuff like flowers etc. it's all from the obviously same pack, only the art style and the manner of decorating pannels makes things different.

OTHER MENTIONS: 

- I Never Abandoned the Tyrant (holy shit this is the weak type of FMC) The story is nothing spectacular, but honestly FMC stroke me as this weak poor fragile entity that is afraid of anything. Skipping on it.

- Enemies meet at the engagement ceremony. Interesting premise where characters do have a reason to hate on each other. At least doesn't treat enemies-to-lovers trope as some promotion stunt. Also the art is pretty and very vivid in bold colors.

- Stepmother's Märchen. What is it with characters drawn with their hair let down when other don't do it. I feel like every time it's a European ambience etc. but FMCs always let their hair down. It looks weird because others do not do the same thing. But I digress. Anyway, pretty decent and emotional story about FMC's rebirth and different choices made. At least it has some stakes and you see it unfold.

- Mary Psycho, or Her Merry Obsession I think that's the title. Pretty crazy story, which led me to consider others, which depicts an FMC who figures while she was blinded with medicine, she has no idea who was the man she considered her husband and why he did what he did. She goes on fully throwing her good wife persona and her screws get loose, so she was never completely healthy mentally and her goal is to find the man who pretended to be her husband.

- It's my first time being loved. Omg this is kinda heartwarming. I did not read much, but it was lovely and the art as well. Story about a girl who was reborn a 100 times and every life she must have sacrificed herself and never had a decent life. But now she has a loving family. FMC is still a baby when the story begins, so her expressions are priceless.

Edit: I needed to mention this because I haven't seen such a moronic FMC in a while

- Marchioness Maron, or Marquis Moron I'd say. FMC is a transmigrator and the OG girl really did some horrible things for three men, but they ditched her at the first sign of trouble. Now she is thrown into the contaminated area (actually they literally wanted to kill her first, but she survived), but then starts the moronic acts on her side. She is OP since she can survive and absorb and manipulate miasma, which is a big deal. But she wants to spend her time in seclusion, valid. But later when she appears here and there it's annoying how she wants to push the protag heroine to become a saintess, even if it's half-empty title. It's one thing to inform the heroine, but you put into her head that she's the protagonist of this world and one must love her and later when she appears to be doing good among people of her secluded place she starts to mop around as if she was replaced.. It's all over the place. Also a lot of details that are not good. You can get that maybe the original idea wasn't that bad, but the execution is simply bad. 

DRAMA

Agatha Chritie's SEVEN DIALS

Adaptation? I want to watch it since I love all the mystery stuff. But it's Netflix.... says it all. It can end up being simply bad / boring. But I want to give it a try regardless. After all it's a mini-series and has some good actors in it.

ANIME

Ooh~ I have a lot more things I want to check out compared to previous years combined. This Winter season basically only started with just few episodes out. So it's more like "I'm checking these out" if it's not a series I watched previously and am simply continuing like

Sousou no Frieren. Season 2.

Excuse me, but favorite anime. Fell in love with it. It has such an interesting atmosphere about it.

Edit: GLORIOUS!! Fuck, I love this anime. It's still the best, such a delight to return to this world.

Jujutsu Kaisen Shimetsu Kaiyu Zenpen (which season is this again)

Well, I'm watching anyway. I don't know how it happened that I was impressed by season 1 and when it came to Shibuya incident it was okay, still had wow moments, but in general felt shallow? Certainly things will change once again due to the plot. But I know for sure that I'll wait before binging.

Jigokuraku

Want to try it out. I think I saw some opening sequence? I have a feeling I did and was impressed. You know Tumblr is always ready to present you few gifs that will tickle your interest

Edit: I surely saw the OP theme from this one. It's really beautifully done. I saw the 1st episode and figured the overall tone of this anime and where it's going, thus decided to put it away for a bit and return when I'm into it, since it looked pretty good. I'm just into very light-hearted things right now.

Seihantai na Kimi to Boku

Unlikely choice, watched some introduction into the story on YT shorts, will try it out and see if it's good. Because YT shorts can just use all the best parts and sell it to me, but it might end up not being a good anime. How is it that in every anime the male character is a nerdy boy that looks like everyone else ahaha

Edit: Watched Ep.1 IT'S FFUCKING CUTE

Edit 2: Watched a bit more and it's still frigging cute, they are adorable, it's such a nice anime and campus love story done right. If it was a book, I would certainly skip it since I find the genre boring, if it was manga or anime I'd see it first to decide if it's up my alley or not. Polar opposites proved to be very positive and lovely.

Suzuki is a creature, I agree. This is so cute.

Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki

Choice was simple, I think I also saw the introduction, but also have you seen the poster? It kinda hooked me up. Like what is going on, right? My boy, are you flirting, are you trying to start something? I want to know.

Edit: ME TOO GIRL, ME TOO. The way girls oggled her on the train. But it went the way it's predictable, no one sees her as a female anymore outside MMC who finds her really beautiful.

Edit2: I watched up to latest 4th episode and yeah I was right about more serious tone, I mean if you compare to Seihantai. It's more girlhood, first feelings, exploration. A guy who dated before but doesn't know what love is is the same shocked by his feelings when it comes to Yoi-chan, while Yoi-chan who never dated or even been treated as a girl explores her feelings for the first person who saw her for who she was - a girl.

The only thing I was like - no~ is how 4th episodes introduces another potential guy who may become a new love interest and he is also Ouji, that's a name, which also means Prince... why this drawing style seems so familiar, I feel like I need to dig into who drew the manga, I feel like they had previous works and they might have been animated too.

Gorrgeeee

Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai

We're supporting BL in this house, will check this out as well. More and more BL works started to appear and they are openly BL and BL can also be good and compelling.

Like what is this, why is there some nerdy glasses and a dashing looking black cloak that look good together, stop it. I hope it's a real anime, otherwise I'll be pissed. You know how sometimes they put a full-blown anime poster but the story is basically animated cutouts or something of that sort.

Edit: It's the first episode day, where I watch every anime I chose. So far so good, all coice prove to be cute. Creation from the DEEN studio, studio that was never afraid to make BL anime even before the fangirls were gushing over Yuri on Ice, I just remember how everyone thought it changed history etc.. I mean, other animes appeared and influenced the sphere even before that, it was a process and YoI was just a part of it imo.

Anyway, an office worker sees a girl being sucked into some weird magic circle and tried to help, so both of them ended up being transported into another world. The girl is treated as Holy Maiden and he.. asked to work. He works as an accountant who also assessed the situation with ore logic than the girl. I mean yeah they asked her to be the maiden and she's the naive little girl said yes, but the dude is more experienced asking all the right question - how do you know they say the truth? Was not appreciated lol. But I'd like to see where it goes, if there will be stakes or it will be more tame.

Edit2: Honestly seeing it up to ep5 I was not expecting it will go by simple route of - we have to be intimate for you to survive, in other words forced proximity. Seiichiro is honestly working his ass off for this kingdom, his more modern view actually has benefits. It has some really dumb cliche moments which was surprising. I saw that manga had a bit of chibi moments to make it cuter, anime does it but rarely. Honestly, the development is a bit flat. Although I bet many will say stuff liek this is cute. Animation is also crude at times, but I never expected much.

Last but not least, actually it's not last, I have another three I want to see but I'm not going to include them so far.

HANA KIMI ANIME WTF

lol I saw the manga years ago, somewhere I might even have exclusive wallpapers the author posted on her web page. Later I watched the drama. But anime version? How many years ago this was published? It was one of the first mangas where a girl dressed as a boy in manga. Which started the whole gender bender thing. Also I wonder if they will make sensei gay or they will play it safe like in drama (they changed the photographer's gender to female in the drama, while the manga was so gay~). So I'm watching, even if I saw this story several times already.

Makes me remember that it got adopted and other countries get their own version and basically there were one or two other popular dramas that had the same vibe of gender-bender and girl pretending to be a boy.

Right now it looks quite silly, let's admit it, that no one noticed the girl was there, otherwise she needs to be an androginous icon.

[NOVEL] A Deadly Affair by Carla Simpson

Care to expmail why the main character is described as dark-haired but what I see on the cover is red hair ahaha. It's not the only question I had after reading.

London 1889 — Murder, mystery, and two people in a most unlikely partnership.

She's an unconventional lady who has traveled the world, practices the art of self defense most excellently, and has an interesting tattoo in, ahem... a very unusual place.

He's a former member of the Metropolitan Police, now a private investigator, who grew up on the poverty ridden streets of Edinburgh and has worked the dangerous back alleys of London's notorious East End.

A vicious murder brings them together in a race against time that takes them from the sordid back streets of London into the elite private clubs of the powerful and rich, to find the killer before he strikes again and prevent a deadly scheme.

A scandalous affair, deceptions, and secrets will challenge what they know and what they believe.

Come along as the lady and the detective join forces in an amazing time of new inventions, startling discoveries, and unexpected revelations, where a young woman who doesn't rely on anyone is forced to trust the irascible Scot who is a tough as they come and just might learn a thing or two from her... if they both don't end up dead!

Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe Murder Mystery. Book 1

The book is mid. The one redeeming quality I can mention is that it's easy to read. But I wonder if those grammar errors and typoes are only my thing.

I certainly would not lash out at it like some reviewers, because some of their arguments are basically pretty common things that we come across and it's a matter of preference.

Point main to make - never wait for hystorical accuracy from such books. It reads more like a antasy of authors decided to have and it's a pretty common trait among books that should be set in historical settings.

Now onto personal evaluation.

For me this book suffered the most because it used 1st person POV, we are in Mikaela's head and I'm pretty sure we don't need that. The girl has a bit of main character syndrome and is not bothered by the dangers she may find herself involved in. She is also a bit too headstrong. I think according to plot she had all the right to be so, but author did not dig deeper into it for me. Many pointed out that she tried to make herself useful and prove herself for this investigation, but I think that if we heard more about her and her sister's relationship as a reason, maybe it's give us a different impression. At times I forgot that the reason they're doing this is the fact her sister disappeared. And it's the start of this investigation.

because we're in her head we hear a lot of bits and pieces about her adventures, how she traveled the world and saw many things and also explored some that are considered forbidden or inappropriate for women. The society Mikaela lives in is very forgiving to women I guess, because otherwise she would be riddled with scandal, since her writing endeavors are like an open secret anyway.

I don't know, maybe if she was described as some sort of novelty or interesting entity others find fascinating it would redeem the situation, but for this we need author's voice.

Also we find how many skills she picked up during her travels. I really wish this was in 3rd person POV, because she could have just mentioned in passing as understatement her achievements in protecting herself, instead it sounded like she showed off. I'll be honest I would have been more impressed if she was described as some enigma instead of all the info. Ironic is how Angus said in the novel - it's what they didn't say. Author should take advice from their own character I think.

It's not the first person in historical settings that I find picking up eastern martial arts and I see nothing bad about it, but there's a difference in how you present readers with the information.

I would find it funnier if she would say that she tried cigarettes and whiskey and did not find them appealing ahaha instead she smokes and drinks a lot I think.

Yeah so she was too headstrong and too impulsive, sometimes not in a good way. It felt like she can't rely on others. Well, she admitted it, which was good.

As for Angus Brodie, he is interesting and I'd like to know more about him and his past, but again 1st person POV won't allow some subtlety unless they speak it out.

Unlike others I wasn't mad how Mikaela said too many times that he was a Scot. Because in life I had similar situation when you don't know how to describe a person but they're typical.

But my main thing would be two "plot holes" or how you should call them, for this I need to dive into spoilers.

So the story starts when the sister is missing but we find her maid dead, framed as other murders. Mikaela wants to find her sister Lenore or Lennie, while Lenore's husband does not seem as agitated as her because his wife went missing. For this their influential Aunt Antonia offers a person she thinks is perfect for the job. Private investigater Angus Brodie and Mikaela start their investigation by collecting info. Mikaela tried very hard to insert herself basically everywhere she could. But honestly sometimes she was damn impulsive.

They come into contanct with a person who found the maid, but the person was obviously lying. How convenient that the maid had a resudue under her nail, I wonder if chemical analysis existed in 1889 I have no idea. Anyway they figure she had some chemicals that are not common. Most "recent" would be connected to explosion incident. How two come together and why her sister?

So it happens they find ties to some anarchist group. One of theirs is a woman named Marie, who became involved with Lennie's husband (not really explained or had a deeper dive). Marie and another man deemed to be dangerous, but Mikaela heard their names when visiting a private theater performance by her dear friend (and actress, Mikaela knows everyone) in front of Prince of Wales and also, Lennie's husband. Suspicious.

During the performance tey tried to abduct the Prince, but Mikaela intervened, but was shot in the process. Which is the root of loopholes I think about.

Just a day or so later when they figured where the two escapees went, they gathered forces to arrest them, but Mikaela figured there is no time since she realized there will be something connected to gas, royal family and that radical group. 

Because there was no one around she brought it upon herself to go there and interfere with the plans.

There is not much said about the final scene, I wonder if it ever was important how shallow it looked, but during the Crystal Palace event when things solved pretty quickly, with few apprehended, including Marie (who Mikaela shot dead actually you go girl).

In their lair they found Lennie, who was still alive.

So here are the loopholes, why did they try to kidnap the Prince, if they had grand plan for he Crystal palace poisoning with gas?

And why Lennie was still alive when they had no need for her (don't get me wrong, but they sprinkled London with dead bodies and they didn' use her life to blackmail her husband, though it looked so at first). So Deadly Affair is about her husband getting into contact with wrong people, but this part did not get enough attention and was quite shallow.

Lennie was saved, Mikaela Frenched Brodie as a parting gift and everything was solved nicely.

But unfortunately mostly the book reads as quite shallow. Like who are these forces, will they ever appear again, should we even care?

Mikaela often did some impulsive things (most of the time) and did not think about anything at all, but there was not enough emphasis to me to why she did so. Yeah she mentioned how their parents were dead too many times, but it just wasn't enough for me. Although one could applaude for her bravery to rescue her sister no matter what.

Anyway, pretty filler story. I admit again that this read very fast. But still I think it was not without troubles. The only good hook that I might continue (not sure) is that the second book is about the actress, which was quite a character and the way it was described that she is accused in murder, but the only thing left of the gentlemen is the foot. I laughed, read as black humor to me.

RATE: 3/5.