Pet Shop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino

Pages (Paperback): 200 pages for book 1

Publisher: TokyoPop

Released: June 17, 2003

Note: This is a review of the entire series and not just the first volume, even though the information above is for the first book.

Description: A smoke-filled alley in Chinatown harbors Count D's Pet Shop. The pets sold here aren't your everyday variety and the Count prides himself on selling Love and Dreams in the form of magical creatures that come with an exclusive contract. But buyers beware. If the contract is broken the Count cannot be held accountable for whatever may happen. A fascinating and macabre look into the very soul of human nature.

Review: I absolutely loved this manga. The artwork is good. The plot, while sometimes repetitive in the earlier stories, still leaves you wondering what will happen to the owners who break their contract. Count D is clearly the star of the show. He's funny, charming, but cold at the same time. As the series progresses, he does loosen up a bit, thanks to police buddy Leon. I loved it!

Grade: 9.5 lines out of 10

Eon by Alison Goodman

Pages (Paperback): 544 pages

Publisher: Firebird; Reprint edition

Released: August 31, 2010

Description: Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.

When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.

Review: Eon isn't a new story, and yet, the plot, the Asian setting, and the characters were refreshing and fun to read. Eon's struggles were my favourite part, but also the most frustrating. I wanted her to open her eyes, but then again her situation kind of made that hard to do. The book does end in a critical moment, so you'll have to read Eona to find out what happens next. I can't wait!

Grade: 9.5 lines out of 10

Thank you to Penguin Canada for providing this book for review.

Read the full review at Books may Vary

Parasyte by Hitoshi Iwaaki

Pages (Paperback): 288 pages

Publisher: Del Rey

Released: May 1, 2007

Description: They arrive in silence and darkness. They descend from the skies. They have a hunger for human flesh. They are everywhere. They are parasites, alien creatures who must invade–and take control of–a human host to survive. And once they have infected their victims, they can assume any deadly form they choose: monsters with giant teeth, winged demons, creatures with blades for hands. But most have chosen to conceal their lethal purpose behind ordinary human faces. So no one knows their secret–except an ordinary high school student. Shin is battling for control of his own body against an alien parasite, but can he find a way to warn humanity of the horrors to come?

Review: When I first heard about this manga, I wasn't sure what to think. As I continued reading, it blew my mind. The story, characters, and message, are beautifully done. This manga is gory, so if you are not a fan of gore or you are young, I wouldn't recommend this to you. However, if you do pick this up, you'll not regret it. It's not only enjoyable, but thought-provoking as well. It's a great manga!

Grade: 9.5 lines out of 10

Reader the longer version of this review at Books may Vary.

The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes

Pages (Hardcover): 167 pages

Publisher: Bancroft Press

Released: June 15, 2009

Description: Lucy Burns wants a normal life: friends, love, and a family of her own. And she could have it all if only she could break free from the job she hates.

That job? Facilitator to hell.

And her boss is a real devil.

At the age of eleven, to save her sister's life, Lucy writes a desperate letter to "To Whom It May Concern", but when He writes back, Lucy is bound for life. There are perks: sure she's ageless, she's beautiful, and she can eat as much chocolate as she wants and never get fat, but there are also consequences.

She can never see her family again.

She can never have a boyfriend.

She must spend her life leading sinners to their demise.

After nineteen years of doing the Devil s dirty work, Lucy wants out, but it all seems hopeless until Teddy Nightingale, her easy listening music idol, gives her the answer: a little-known loophole.

If she succeeds, Lucy gets love, happiness, and everything she ever really wanted. But the consequences? They're considerably worse than death. To make it through, Lucy must decide what is evil and what is good, what is right and what is wrong, and if, in the end, there's ever any way to truly know.

Review: The plot is very charming and Lucy is a great lead character. She makes you want to root for her and hope that she can one day be happy. It also shows that material wealth doesn't always make one happy and if you add working for the Devil, it can make anyone want to cry their eyes out. I would have liked to see more of Lucy and her job, but other than that I thought the book was wonderful. Get it!

Grade: 9.5 lines out of 10

Need a little more, then check out the full review at Books may Vary

Maneater by Thomas Emson

Pages (Paperback): 380 pages

Publisher: Snowbooks

Released: June 2009

Description: She’s not sweet. She’s not nice. She doesn’t fight evil. She doesn’t protect the weak. She doesn’t work in an office by day and have a secret identity by night. She doesn’t have friends and family who know nothing about her, but when they find out they love her anyway. She’s not cool. She’s not clever. She’s not kind to animals. She won’t help children, the elderly, and those less fortunate than herself.

In fact, she doesn’t care. But if you hurt her, she will kill you. Actually, she’ll do worse than that. . .Meet Laura. She’ll eat you alive.

Review: This is a fantastic book and if you are a lover of horror and werewolves, then do yourself a favour and pick this one up. It's action packed, fast paced, and Laura is a great werewolf. She has no bones about killing people and I love that she's in tune with her animal side. My only complaint is that the phrase "eat you alive" is mentioned quite a bit, other than that, it's great. I loved it!

Grade: 9.5 lines out of 10



Want to read the full version, then visit Books may Vary.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

Pages (Paperback): 480 pages

Publisher: Washington Square Press

Released: October 16, 2007

Description: High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mournsthe death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf forcompany. But those books have begun to whisper to him in thedarkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imaginationand soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. Whilehis family falls apart around him, David is violently propelledinto a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populatedby heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps hissecrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.

Review: I love Fairy tales and a Book of Lost Things mixes and changes each story in a way that you can't help but smile at. The main story is about David and his journey in a beautiful, but deadly world. It's through his experiences there that he's able to reflect and grow as a person. People will die and whether or not there is a happy ending, I won't say, but you don't want to miss out on this book.

Grade: 9.5 lines out of 10


Need a little more information about this book, check out the full version at Books may Vary.