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Book of Heroes

Yuriko Morisaki’s life does a major 180 one day when she is removed from class and sent home for the rest of the day. None of the adults will tell her what’s going on, and when she finally finds out, it is the worst kind of news possible. Her brother viciously attacked students in his …

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Gears of War: Aspho Fields

As a huge Gears of War fan, I was excited when Epic and Random House announced that there would be novels filling in some of the gaps and back story behind the award winning video game franchise. This first novel would not only take us back to the often referenced battle at Aspho Fields, but …

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xxxHOLiC: AnotherHOLiC

People who know me well know just how much of a CLAMP fanatic I am. I adore these women and the universe they have created. xxxHOLiC, both as the original manga and anime adaptation, ranks highly on my list of favourite manga and anime franchises. Everything they have written, I have loved. So I was …

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The Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya

In this fifth installment in the Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series, Kyon narrates a few important events that took place during his first year with the members of the SOS Brigade. Fans of the anime will recognize the first story in this collection as it comprised the majority of the second broadcast season. In Endless Eight, …

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Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince

Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince is the story of two youngsters, raised as brother and sister, who find themselves on opposing sides of the emperor’s war. Set generations after Saya stilled the Dragon Sword, marrying the Prince of Light and creating a new line of emperors for Toyoashihara (Dragon Sword and Wind Child), Toko comes …

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Dragon Sword and Wind Child

First in the Tales of the Magatama series by Noriko Ogiwara, Dragon Sword and Wind Child follows Saya, a young woman haunted by dreams and a known orphan in the village she calls home. The battle for control of Toyoashihara between the Children of Light and the Children of Dark has never much affected Saya, …

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The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya

The third installment in the Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series features four fun short stories: The Boredom of Haruhi, Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody, Mysterique Sign and Remote Island Syndrome. Each one of them narrated, as always, by our long-suffering hero Kyon, as he humors Haruhi so as not to destroy the world. Haruhi just can’t ever …

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The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

Christmas Eve is approaching and the SOS Brigade is planning a team dinner party to kick off the winter break. Kyon’s main concern is for his wallet, which he knows Haruhi will use to cover all the expenses. Things have been relatively normal lately – well, as normal as they can be with Haruhi around. …

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Summer, Fireworks and My Corpse

Zoo introduced me to the brilliance that is Otsuichi, and Summer, Fireworks and My Corpse has me on the brink of becoming an Otsuichi-addict. This second Otsuichi collection from the Haikasoru line-up published by Viz Media features his debut and award winning story Summer, Fireworks and My Corpse, the tale of a young girl murdered during summer vacation in a fit …

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Zoo

Truly one of the most enjoyable horror short story collections I have read in years, Otsuichi puts together fascinating tales of death that will horrify and shock you, yet you won’t be able to put the book down. Beginning with the title story in which a young man receives a photograph of his missing girlfriend, …

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