Luca has had a rough life being raised in a band of mercenaries and serving as their bugle caller in order to earn his place in their ranks. He claims he can see sounds, which show up as a peculiar line and dot pattern as he plays his instrument. One battle, his mercenary group teams up with a larger army, and he discovers a hidden talent to project his notes to the soldiers on his squad. They become inspired by his music, but the opposing forces likewise have a strong and gifted soldier in their ranks. Luca soon discovers he is part of a special and elite group of powerful warriors, and his particular skills will be put into use guarding a spire full of treasures from a bygone civilization.
0 Comments
Adapted by Shiori Shiono, illustrated by Ren Sakuma
Our villainess is an isekai-ed 30-something who finds herself in the world of her favorite otome game, though she’s been reincarnated as Luciana, the villainess. The version she’s always played was the free version, and this is the full paid for version, starting at least six months before the game actually begins. Knowing that her character will meet a terrible end, she creates a plan to live in the shadows and not attract the attention of the love interests, thereby slipping under the radar when the heroine shows up later. But details come to light and she can’t sit idly by while some folks potentially meet horrible deaths! And getting involved also leads to a revelation regarding her magic, which, to her knowledge, has been lackluster even in the game! 
Illustrated by Hiyoto Yunoki. Character designs by Posuka Demizu.
Booklist starred review Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Publisher: Yen Press Publication Date: July 22, 2025 ISBN: 9798855410617 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 10/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Fantasy, War, Magic, School Life, Yen Press 
Zoe, a fledgling witch from a secluded island, was told from a young age that people on the mainland would persecute her and burn her at the stake. One day, she and her friend, Shishka, sneak away and discover the mainland is unlike what it was reported to be. Instead, Zoe meets and falls in love with Clive, a kindhearted young man who takes them in. Clive tragically dies soon after their wedding, leaving Zoe lost and in a sea of anguish. Zoe also meets a scarab beetle named Eliza in the same predicament. The two take comfort in each other’s grief, discover that Shishka is also a widow, and all three decide to study magic in earnest to find a way to bring their partners back to life.
Illustrated by Sumire Kowono
School Library Journal review Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 6-12 Publisher: VIZ Media Publication Date: July 8, 2025 ISBN: 9781974755837 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Elementary School, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Adaptations, Fantasy, School Life, Magic, VIZ Media 
The Knights continue to battle the Leech monster and try to get the wounded citizens to the doctors, who are secluded away from the festival and the city. With Coco being attended to by doctors, Qilfrey has to go after Cuestas alone. Beldarut watches over Coco while Qilfrey is away, and he shows Coco a handy spell where she can make her essence into a smoke creature to follow her master. She hopes to convince Cuestas to come with Qilfrey, but a brimmed hat unexpectedly shows up, and the entire plan goes awry.
Aria is a young witch who lives all alone in a secluded forest, protected by a magical barrier put in place by her dearly departed grandmother. She has to keep to herself to keep the existence of magic and witches safe. One day, a talking white wolf wanders into her sphere, cold and alone, and the two become friends due to their want of companionship. Aria names the wolf Gwyn and offers to let him stay with her. Gwyn begins to notice a few off things, like Aria seems to never do magic, and he wonders about the barrier that seems to have let him and other humans into Aria’s space… there’s more to this world than Aria may know or has been told about!
On the other side of the castle, away from Silver Eve, a few witches plot in a jail cell. A wizened old man draws many glyphs on a young man and promises that he will turn into an ooze and be able to escape this cell. What he fails to tell him is that there is a horrifying leech guarding the outside of the castle walls, and the man fuses with the leech to create a large monster that invades the castle town during the festivities. The Knights are deployed but have a difficult time fighting the many arms of the monster, and most witches cannot figure out what type of monster they’re fighting. As the giant leech feeds on blood, it grows stronger and covers more of the city, seeking out even more victims.
Illustrated by Rito Kohsaka
Lord Kudo and Miyo have a fateful meeting at the Usuba house, the home of Miyo’s maternal family, where her grandfather and cousin (of sorts) explain that Miyo does, in fact, have a gift, and this is what has been causing her to have nightmares and deteriorating health. Arata challenges Lord Kudo for the right to protect Miyo and have her live in the Usuba mansion where she will learn to harness her power, and Arata’s Usuba powers are meant to control other gift-bearers like Kudo, regardless of how strong they are. In another part of the kingdom, someone has unleashed many grotesqueries, leaving Kudo and his unit to pick up the pieces. 
Illustrated by Miya Tashiro
Princess Mio is taken hostage by the king of Totodoto who wants to put her and many other unhumans up for auction in a corrupt, black market auction house. At first, Mio laments her situation and the unhuman guard who is assigned to her. When she realizes her guard is from her kingdom, she decides to take charge of the situation, and she creates a plan that will hopefully provide an opportunity for many of the unhumans to escape. The auction exposes the king's corruption, and the citizens of Totodoto become upset with their sovereign. Mio also meets her fiancé for the first time! |
About MeI've been reading manga and comicbooks for years. Now, I write reviews and other helpful things for School Librarians, teachers, parents, and students. Search this site
Ratings, Audience, and Subject Tags
All
Archives
October 2025
|
© 2025 Sara Smith |
|
|
