Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 1) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 1

Series: Sakamoto Days #1

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, action, humor

Publication date: April 2022

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

Time has passed peacefully for Sakamoto since he left the underworld. He’s running a neighborhood store with his lovely wife and child and has gotten a bit…out of shape. But one day a figure from his past pays him a visit with an offer he can’t refuse: return to the assassin world or die!

My rating: ★★★★☆

I've been on a manga kick lately, so I'm glad this one was recommended to me because I really enjoyed it!

Review: Rule of Wolves (King of Scars #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Rule of Wolves

Series: King of Scars #2 | Grishaverse #7

Previous book in this series: King of Scars

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA, high fantasy

Publication date: March 2021

Published by: Imprint

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.

The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.

The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.

The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.

King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I still think that the Six of Crows duology is the superior series in the Grishaverse 😆, but I did enjoy the overall story in this series. Also, I love Nikolai, so it's always great when he's around. Lol.

Review: Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

Title: Dreadful

Author: Caitlin Rozakis

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: May 2024

Published by: Titan Books

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: It’s bad enough waking up in a half-destroyed evil wizard’s workshop with no eyebrows, no memories, and no idea how long you have before the Dread Lord Whomever shows up to murder you horribly and then turn your skull into a goblet or something.

It’s a lot worse when you realize that Dread Lord Whomever is... you.

Gav isn’t really sure how he ended up with a castle full of goblins, or why he has a princess locked in a cell. All he can do is play along with his own evil plan in hopes of getting his memories back before he gets himself killed.

But as he realizes that nothing – from the incredibly tasteless cloak adorned with flames to the aforementioned princess – is quite what it seems, Gav must face up to all the things the Dread Lord Gavrax has done. And he’ll have to answer the hardest question of all – who does he want to be?

Dread Lord Gavrax has had better weeks.

My rating: ★★★★☆

How did someone decide to go down the path of darkness?

When I first came across this book, I thought it sounded like a lot of fun! And it was! But more than that, it had a lot more depth than I was anticipating.

Review: Kindergarten Wars (Vol. 1) by You Chiba

Title: Kindergarten Wars Vol. 1

Series: Kindergarten Wars #1

Author: You Chiba

Genre: YA, manga, action, humor

Publication date: May 2025

Published by: Yen Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: IT’S PLAYTIME!

Rita is Convict No. 999, a former legendary assassin who now works at a kindergarten for the children of the world’s most powerful people. Her job is to protect the kids from the clutches of would-be kidnappers and contract killers. But even with her overwhelming strength, Rita has one fatal flaw―she falls head over heels for good-looking men, even if they’re her enemies! Can she find the hottie soulmate of her dreams amid the chaos at the “world’s safest kindergarten”?

My rating: ★★★★★

I don't even remember how I found out about this manga, but I'm glad I did because I freaking loved it!

The thing that caught my attention about this series was the premise of former assassins working at a kindergarten to protect the kids of the rich and powerful. But it's more than that:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #451: The Good Vibes Continue

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.