Fruits Basket #1

Thoru Honda's mother just died and now she is living on the Sohma Estate in a tent, but the Sohma's don't know that! She meets Shigure, Yuki and Kyo Sohma and discovers the dark secret they can't hide from. All the member of this Sohma house are possessed by a spirit of the Chinese Zodiac and the cat, who was tricked by the rat and rejected from the Zodiac. Thoru makes her mark on the family the minute she meets them and is just trying to keep up with it all.

Michaela: Although the plot line isn't very clear until later on in the series, I fell in love with the plot for each story and couldn't stop reading them! I love how each character isn't like a cut out cookie and how they all had something to hide. The whole series really gripped me. I go crazy between book publishes.

Rating: * * * * *

Basara By: Yumi Tamura

Sarasa's twin brother was the 'child of destiny' so what did that make her? Well, after her brother, Tatara's, death, she became her brother, literally! And now she is trying to finish the quest she had no preparation for, to beat the Red King. Now, to make matters more confusing, Shuri, actually the Red King but she doesn't know that, comes into her life. Sarasa doesn't know whether to fall in love with him or kill him but Shuri is persistent with getting Sarasa to fall for him and taking down Tatara. They both don't know their sworn enemy is the person they're falling in love with!

Michaela: I LOVE this series. The drawings, again, are amazing and you really get a good feeling for the character. And I REALLY want to see what happens when they discover who they really are. It keeps me on the edge, will they love each other or kill each other? It can be a love-hate relationship enough as it is but later on.......

Rating: * * * *

xxxholic By: CLAMP

Main character's name is an orphan with the terrible gift to see spirits. One day, he was drawn to freaky shop owner shop where wishes are granted....for a price. He is now stuck in shop owner's command to do chores and cook for her until his debt is payed and his wish to not see spirits is granted. The whole path isn't roses either, magic comes into play and sometimes, goes wrong....

Michaela: I liked it, the plot was different and the characters animated but the first book wasn't as good as the second or third where they overlap with another manga. The drawing was some of the most detailed I have seen and other series by this group are good too.

Rating: * * *

Peace Maker Kurogane # 1By: Nanae Chrong

Orphaned brothers, Tatsunosuke and Tetsunosuke are on a quest to avenge the death of their parents who were murdered in the revolution that is gripping Japan. They join a clan of elite samurai and wait to find the person who killed their parents. Ryoma, a wanted man, comes into their lives and makes it more confusing than it already is. But then again, life can't be easy when you're stuck as a page and there is a elite swordsman that can talk to the dead!

Michaela: All in all a good book but I didn't understand what was going on most of the time. It is a continuation of another series. I love the plot line and it's wonderfully drawn. It has hooked me enough to go back and try and figure out what's happening. I want to know what's up with the pig!

Rating: * * *