Back in 2019, bestie Ginger asked if she could tag along with me on my next trip to the UK. Of course I said yes. I went every couple of years just because, and she had never been overseas. As far as she was concerned, it would be her only time getting to. And on the plane back, she was already talking about "next time."

As far as we were concerned, next time would be next year. The Cubs (her favorite baseball team) were scheduled to play an exhibition game in London. Well. Of course I'd be happy to go with her. No need to even ask.

Then 2020 happened, and the only real plus side was that we hadn't bought any tickets in advance.

A lot has happened since then... globally, yes, obviously. But now the man who raised me has passed away, I own the house I grew up in (and its many leaky creaky bits are my responsibility to repair), and my finances are finally such that I can travel again. But it's really, really strange how something that became so second-nature to me half my life ago can become so foreign after five years.

I remember my first trip to the UK: something I assumed would be once-in-a-lifetime. It was Christmastime, I spent most of the trip up in Manchester with friends and made London a relatively brief visit, and even getting stranded in a few spots on the way back due to flights being cancelled didn't ruin it. It was a trial-by-fire solo trip there and back. But after everything that happened, subsequent trips felt easy.

On one trip, I recall leaving a friend's club in London, several white wines and a lot of conversation I've mostly forgotten later, and making it home to my friends' place a few stops outside the city without getting lost or turned around. And picking up sushi to go along the way. For me, someone who's clumsy and forgetful and always has been, it was weirdly empowering to conquer a major city that way. (Never mind that the tube makes it extremely easy to traverse London—I'll take my victories where I can.) Whatever the reason, and despite my general distaste for big cities, London has become a place where I feel surprisingly okay.

And yet 2020 did a number on all of us. Even now, I still get anxiety about going out to run errands. I feel weird about it being the "first time" to do something since then. It's not the first time getting on a plane since 2019, fortunately; that was for Ginger's wedding. And for a bit, as I was weighing up locking down the ticket, I felt serious anxiety. Like I'd never done this before. Like I was in my 20s again and facing down something totally new. And I wonder how long it will be like that for each of us. Four going on five years later, what will be our First Time Since?

For what it's worth, the anxiety is gone, because I remembered how much I love touching down in London and seeing all those familiar people and places. I've got tickets to (what I swear is going to be) a very cool show, I've got my new clothes bought, I have plans and plans-for-plans with friends I've not seen in ages. And yes, there will be photos and blog posts.

I started writing this freeform because I wasn't sure what to say this week—I'm between books and tea samples and publications, and other things I'd like to talk about long-form haven't really progressed enough for a deep dive. But I'm trying to be better about always having something lined up, even if that means talking a lot of nonsense. I suppose this is to acknowledge that we've all got things we're coming back to, even now. And I hope whatever it is you're coming back to, it goes well.

And also that I'll be in the UK for a bit next month and I can't wait.

Finally, September is here. It's the beginning of the 'bers, my favorite time of year. This is when tea, a cozy reading chair, and a stack of books all feel the most right.

This month's books run the gamut from modern fantasy to hard sci-fi, from the atrocities of the past to the dangers of the present and the possibilities of the future. Thanks as always to every author and publisher who sends me ARCs. And be sure to support these writers (and anyone whose work you read) by sharing your own reviews on Amazon and GoodReads—it really helps!

OVER THE DRAGON'S WALL
by Alanna Vane
Available Now

Sage is barely a teenager, and her life has taken a terrible downward turn. Her mother, an accomplished violinist, recently passed away. Her father, angry and unable to provide for his children, abandons them. Now Sage has been separated from her siblings Wren and Violet by the foster system. But in her darkest hour, she receives a key that could answer all her questions: one that unlocks the door in the wall separating the world from Nytari, the dragon who rules over fate.

Now in a world of ghosts and talking animals, Sage finds herself in the company of Igor. But this musician-turned-priest doesn't know how to help the dead move on, or how to wake Nytari. In her time at Nytari's mansion, she struggles with what she wants. More than anything, she wants to find her mother and heal her family. But she also feels the pull of music: learning to play the violin in her mother's absence. Overshadowing both, though, is a fear of taking up space: a belief that she is unlovable and selfish. As she navigates riddles and paranormal dangers, she discovers new truths about fate, suffering, and herself.

Over the Dragon's Wall is a weighty, but beautiful, book for young readers. It's a pitch-perfect examination of grief amidst emotional abuse: the desire to ask for what you need, dampened by the belief that having needs makes one unlovable. This is one of those rare books that will find the people it's meant for; some may not fully comprehend Sage's struggle, but those who have struggled similarly will feel seen and benefit from its gentle message. The fact that this appears to be the first in a series is exciting; I can't wait to see what other experiences will be dissected in this close-to-home fantasy world.

DIVIDED
by CC Robinson
Available Now

It's the late 21st century, and the former United States of America has rebuilt after the Great Civil War. Under the thumb of a dictator named Martin who believes that ethnic groups simply cannot mix, the nation's remaining major cities are each walled off into four segments: Ivory, Obsidian, Havana, and Little Asia. Everything from greetings to holidays to food is segregated, and different groups may not mix even in academic or professional situations. At least, that's how things are aboveground.

In the decades since the Great Civil War, a resistance has been pushing forward. And now four young people in one segregated city find themselves in the midst of it. Marcos dreams of leaving Havana to be a truck driver, but finds himself moved to a prison camp. Harriet has been an Obsidian code-runner for much of her life, but her participation is about to ramp up. Rose, a Little Asian, pursues academic success while contending with the new knowledge that her mother has been resistance for a long time. And Jason, the son of a powerful Ivory man, finds himself tasked with overseeing these secret prison camps. As Rose and Harriet train, Jason attempts to use his clout to bring the camps down while Marcos works to strengthen their forces from the inside.

Divided is the first in a planned four-part series, with second book Caged coming next year. While the book is technically well written and the characters are believable and unique, this is a very by-the-numbers YA dystopian fiction. There's nothing especially bad or wrong with being a by-the-numbers example of a genre, but we've come to a point where I read a very similar book practically once a month. It's true that fiction, especially YA fiction, follows trends. Just because it's understandable that we got a bumper crop of zombie and plague fiction in the wake of the pandemic doesn't mean we can't wish for more variation amongst it. The same is true of dystopian near-future American fiction under a divisive dictator: I understand that everyone wants to tell this story, but this is an opportunity for multiple insights rather than the same one on repeat.

There's also a concern that, in many cases, I don't know what's an in-universe issue versus an author oversight. For example, while it's demonstrated in the text that the four racial subdivisions are messy (with some people being "misclassified" and disparate cultures being Occam's Razored), there's no mention of Indigenous people at all. If that's a plot point, it's tense and menacing; if the author simply forgot about Indigenous people, it's concerning. Similarly, are the on-the-nose names of the subdivisions uncomfortably bad because we're meant to cringe away from them as readers? There are so many things in this book that could go either way like this; and while I want to give the benefit of the doubt, I can't know in one book if I should.

NO ADDRESS
by Ken Abraham
Available Now

On the day of her high school graduation, after years being bounced around in the foster system, Lauren finds herself homeless. At first, she's convinced it's just a temporary inconvenience. But soon she finds herself folded into a street family of people in her same position. Each has found themselves unhoused for reasons beyond their control—including Jimmy, who has fled an abusive home. Veteran Harris, recovering addict Violet, and former movie star Dora work together to make their situation as livable as possible.

But Robert, a high-earning gambling addict, has other plans. It's his job to ensure that this street family's encampment is cleared away to make room for a new development. But he, too, will soon find himself in unexpected circumstances. As Jimmy struggles to find work, Violet seeks healthcare, and Harris does what he can to keep his found family together, a local charity makes plans to renovate a motel into a haven for the unhoused. And Lauren, who once rejected the kindness of Harris and company, finds herself falling for Jimmy.

No Address is a novelization of the upcoming film of the same name, coming to theaters this fall. As a narrative, it's a strong one, and makes me look forward to what the attached film has to say. The novelization itself isn't bad, although your mileage may vary in terms of the backloaded spiritual message. Even speaking as someone "with religion," I found the talk of God to run hot and cold for a community in dire straits. The story itself is a keen reminder that every person has their own story and circumstances, and we can never truly know why someone has ended up where they are. While five characters could never encompass every circumstance, these five provide an insightful cross-section.

With all that being said, the No Address Movement is a multifaceted organization with many aspects to it: the film, the documentary, an album, a study guide, and this book. 50% of proceeds from these many projects will go to nonprofit organizations addressing homelessness. To me, these actions speak far louder than any slightly imperfect messaging.

OFF MIDWAY STATION
by Marc Alan Edelheit
Available September 13

Jim Garrett's career is not off to an auspicious start. After firing the deciding shot to stop a space mutiny, he is simultaneously commended and punished: lauded for his loyalty, but unlikely to ever lead a ship of his own as he dreamed. Years later, he prides himself on his technical work. But his luck may be about to change.

Once every 50 years, an alien threat known as the Push launches an attack. But this time, they're early. And the only defense is an experimental ship, the Surprise. With lives on the line and time no longer on their side, Garrett and his peers must combat enemies both within and without to save lives. But what they discover as they fight could change the course of this battle forever.

Off Midway Station is an intriguing story hobbled by messy pacing. The first chapter, and many chapters in between, are compelling. The late-stage discovery about the Push is a game-changer. However, the majority of the book is taken up with very long play-by-plays of launching procedures, characterization that is told directly after being shown, and long-form worldbuilding. (Note that I am a huge proponent of worldbuilding; however, much of this book read less like a book and more like the Edelheit's worldbuilding notes.) The moments of intrigue and action were there, and were good, but were hidden amongst long chapters in which the entire action consisted of Garrett buying a drink and getting on a train. I respect the author's dedication to realistic worldbuilding; however, I hope that later entries in the Guardians of the Dark series allow the world and character to speak for themselves and flow from scene to scene more naturally.

RISE OF THE SPIDER
by Michael P. Spradlin
Available September 24

12-year-old Rolf lives with his older brother Romer and their widower Toymaker father in Germany circa 1929. He doesn't know a lot about politics, but he knows that the two new boys in town, Hans and Nils, have some strange ideas. They've joined the youth branch of the growing National Socialist party, which claims it will fix all of Germany's ills by instating strong leadership. And before long, Romer himself has been lured into the Hitler Youth, putting an even larger wedge between the elder brother and the rest of their small family.

Soon, Rolf suspects that Romer may have a hand in the attacks on Jewish shopkeepers in town. But playing sleuth like his favorite storybook hero won't be enough to stop the violence. Before long, he must tell his father. And together, Rolf and his dad witness up close the beginnings of the Nazi Party and its stranglehold on Germany.

Rise of the Spider is the first book in The Web of the Spider, a middle-grade series offering a child's view of the rise of Hitler between the wars. It's a chilling and poignant story: starting with the all-too-common disagreements over the dinner table and "my dad says" commentary and spinning out into violent attacks. Spradlin's prose is perfect for young readers: relatable without being stilted, both insightful and believable for its preteen narrator. This series would make an excellent accompaniment for young students who might find history lessons of a century ago otherwise distant.

 

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending these samples!

I love building out my TTRPG library—but there was a point at which I realized that building out that library means more than having a bunch of modules and guides. It was around the time I read How to Defend Your Lair. The thing is, anyone can DM and anyone can play, and that's the beauty of it. But for people who do want a bit more, there is more.

On September 24, we get a one-two punch of TTRPG library must-haves. One is for roleplay, and one is for fun.

The Düngeonmeister Book of RPG Trivia

By Jef Aldritch & Jon Taylor
Available September 24

I've loved the Düngeonmeister book series ever since friend and collaborator Rob mixed us up themed drinks at one of his monthly games. The number of books I have to hand by Aldritch & Taylor is constantly growing, and each has made me (I like to think) a better player.

This one, though, is mainly for funsies.

This handy book serves up more than 400 trivia questions about RPGs and RPG culture. From the beloved to the obscure, from the games themselves to the media around them, this one is full of thinkers.

Since I got my copy, I've enjoyed pulling the book out before one of my weekly games and testing my friends at the table. Who was the rogue who died at the beginning of the Darkest Dungeon Chick tract? What was Marlon Wayans's character's class in that one D&D movie we don't talk about? Which video games shaped the TTPRG industry? All that and more is covered in this book. Plus, there's "Critical Info" throughout, offering more details on especially bizarre trivia tidbits.

Will this book make you a better player? Probably not; but it's not meant to. Will it start some fantastic discussions at the table before and after games? Absolutely. And you'll find out why Gary Gygax spent his life on an FBI watchlist. And isn't that worth the price of admission on its own?

The Ultimate RPG Series Presents: Oh Captain, My Captain!
by James d'Amato
Available September 24

Whether I'm writing a story for publication or crafting an RPG character, one of my favorite ways to build them is by answering questions. It's how one of my regular groups starts every session, and it leads to some of the most intriguing plot points. Now imagine a short-form TTRPG where that's the entirety of the process. That's Oh Captain, My Captain!... and it's one of the most surprisingly satisfying one-shot RPG experiences I've ever had.

Each player is a member of a crew led by a bold captain. Only one thing is known about that captain: the crew trusts them implicitly. This small crew is accompanying the captain on a quest for a legendary treasure—and you also don't know what that is. Details about the captain, the treasure, and the characters at the table are revealed by taking turns answering questions. At the end, players come to a consensus on what the treasure is, what sort of captain they follow, and how they confront one final challenge once the treasure is in sight.

I played this game with Phoenix and Katy, the former being a local DM whose table I'm at fairly regularly, the latter of whom is usually at those tables with me. Starting out with nothing but one of the "Captain Cards," we ended up with surprisingly fleshed out characters of our own. Through pointed questions, Phoenix created a strait-laced former paladin who refused to execute the captain and was recruited into her crew; Katy created the captain's secret lover; and I created a young prisoner captured by another crew and offered freedom in exchange for help on this quest. We were all shocked at how naturally and quickly these characters arose through nothing but questions.

That said, the questions are extremely well written and lead to a series of follow-up questions in the group. For example, one card states: "The captain once confessed a regret to you. Why does this haunt you?" Note that the question is not focused on the minutiae of what that regret was (though it will come out while answering the question). Rather, it asks how the character was affected by the revelation. All the questions are like this, leading to insightful discussions.

If there is one issue with this deck, it's that the voting on the captain's nature is a bit too open-ended—to the point of causing confusing rather than encouraging discussion. The three options are "strong or evil," "weak or foolish," and "wise or righteous." Two of us voted the third; one of us voted the first. But we were all agreed that our captain was equally strong and righteous, but that the strength took priority. The best way around this is likely to have a discussion about your choices after they're made and figure out what each of you is really voting for.

Oh Captain, My Captain! is a fun game for people who enjoy character building. But it's also a fantastic exercise to help new groups learn to roleplay together. It demonstrates, in a contained game, just how quickly collaborative storytelling can bring a cast of characters to life. For longer gaming sessions, it's also a great warm-up to get your brain into that "yes and" space. This will not be living on my bookshelf; it will be living in my gaming bag, accompanying me everywhere. I am legitimately in awe of this game.

 

The impostor syndrome that comes with being an editor for the Black Archive range is offset by the fact that I get to read these amazing books before the majority of the world. It's also a reminder that there's no one way to write a Black Archive, and every approach comes with its own flavor. Some are deep dives into history; others are careful looks at the production of a specific story and everything that went wrong (or right) at the time. Some analyze the surrounding literature and media that influenced the story, while others pick apart the story itself. A hard line for quality bounding a nebulous playing field for approach makes this one of my favorite series to read, edit, and write for.

As ever, it would be disingenuous of me to review, but I can preview. Dale Smith's treatment of Silence of the Library and Forest of the Dead marks the 72nd entry in this series, and it's a reminder of the wildly different approaches a Black Archive can take. Rather than a straightforward analysis or a production brief, Smith uses the two-parter to launch off into a variety of topics—branching out into the wider world and then back into the episode itself. Sections of the book cover everything from women in media to the nature of fear to how one might oversee a library the size of, well, the Library. There's also a discussion of the nature of writing long-game story arcs: how much is planned, how much is happenstance, and how much does it matter which is which?

Personally, I especially enjoyed the discussion of how Steven Moffat's grounding in comedy informs his drama—and, by extension, how comedic beats can be transformed into dramatic beats. This book also pulls from Smith's own life and experiences: a reminder that a good Black Archive is, at its heart, the event horizon of a Doctor Who story and its observer.

As I read each of these new entries, I also re-evaluate my own role as a Black Archive writer. What does it mean when I sit down to talk about an episode? What can I bring to a reading of a story, and where does that intersect with my interests and life experiences? That will be addressed for a second time soon.

Pick up a copy of The Black Archive #72: Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead

 

August is the busiest of months at my day job, hence this set of reviews coming a bit later than intended. This month's books include middle-reader and YA tales, vampires, Jinn, witches, and one of my favorite literary detectives making a comeback.

Thanks as always to every publisher and author for sharing their ARCs with me! Follow the link above each book to get a copy for yourself, and be sure to leave a review of your own to support them!

A BITTER TASTE
by Josh Reynolds
Available Now

There are few feelings better than opening a new Daidoji Shin novel, and A Bitter Taste is no exception. Set in the world of Legend of the Five Rings, the series follows a seemingly lazy and empty-headed member of the courtly Crane Clan. But like every excellent gentleman detective, Shin has hidden depths, and spends his ample spare time turning his mind to puzzles and mysteries. In his fifth outing, the walls are closing in as his family is demanding he finally settle down and get married. He's convinced this is the direst thing that could happen to him... until he's accused of the murder of Kenzo, a Crane Clan auditor.

Now, Shin and his allies—including bodyguard Kasami, investigator and former fiancee Ko, and loyal gambler-turned-servant Kitano—must clear his name. Diving into this strange murder, however, unearths even more mysteries, many dating back across all the books so far. Shin may know he hasn't committed murder, but there's much more he doesn't know. And his discoveries will call into question every choice he's made and every associate he's trusted since his crime-solving adventures began.

A Bitter Taste is a concentration of everything that makes Daidoji Shin novels so good, from the Wodehousian dialogue and social antics to the multilayered mystery waiting to be unraveled. Long-time readers will have a lot to contend with, as the events of this book upend much we thought we knew, and not everyone will make it out alive. It's a novel as glib and dramatic as the white-haired sleuth himself. This is Reynolds at his best—which, as his work is always top tier, is saying something.

JOSEPHINE'S TEAR
by V.I. Davis
Available Now

In Sophie Devereaux's world, humanity's only protection from the threat of Dark Witches is vampires. In exchange for safety, humans offer the nobles of each vampire clan a vassal: a companion to feed from, who will be returned home after year's end. After her mother was killed, allegedly at the hands of Dark Witches, Sophie has stepped up to be a vassal herself. But it's not out of gratitude: in truth, her mother was killed by a vampire, and the key to ending the threat of both vampires and Dark Witches lies in a magic amulet somewhere in the manor she now calls home.

As Sophie navigates the world of vampires, she also learns more about her lord, Henry. This handsome, seemingly penitent vampire isn't like the others. As she contends with her feelings for Henry and discoveries about her mother's demise, she seeks out the amulet known as Josephine's Tear. But as the truths of this world become more evident, Sophie's path forward becomes more difficult. In the end, she may have to sacrifice someone she cares about—and perhaps her own humanity—to set things right.

The character work in Josephine's Tear is excellent, and this vampire romance sidesteps (and even calls out) a lot of the issues I personally have with paranormal romance in general. Lack of consent and the involvement of underage parties were both addressed and laid bare in the form of subplots involving the story's less savoury parties. That said, less care seems to be given to the crux of the story. Josephine's Tear itself is a macguffin, there's no denying; however, much of the meat of the story speeds by in a page or two. While it's clear that the focus of the book is the romance, it would be nice to see the seeds of that excellent fantasy adventure plot really bloom. Davis is an excellent new voice with a lot to bring to the genre, and seeing both her strengths balanced in further volumes would be a treat.

THE LAST WITCH IN EDINBURGH
by Marielle Thompson
Available Now

Nellie Duncan lives in an alternate Edinburgh in the 1800s—one where women are hanged as witches in the town square. Nellie doesn't fully believe in witches; but one night, as she's helping her drunken father keep watch for resurrectionists, she sees a woman brought back to life: one she'd only just watched hang.

This discovery leads her to Rae Women's Apothecary, where certain women of Edinburgh care for the locals and fight for the winter deity known as the Cailleach. Those who fully embrace their role as the Cailleach's daughters become "witches" of a sort: gifted with longevity and a second life. As Nellie finds a lover in Jean Rae and a place among these women, the Cailleach's jealous son fights back, seeding the ground with hate for any woman who might serve her. And decades later, when Nellie returns to the site of her defeat with her adopted daughter, she discovers she's not as alone as she thought. Not only that, but the battle against Angus and his withering summer heat must be fought with new tactics.

The Last Witch in Edinburgh brims with love of all sorts: romantic, familial, the love between friends, and the love between mentors. It also speaks a lot of often-forgotten truths about violence against women—notably, that women can be guilty of it, and that men are not born violent and hateful. In its latter half, it does occasionally suffer from the same issue as many modern books with a message: a seeming uncertainty about whether or not it's speaking the message clearly enough, leading to the dialogue to drive said message home occasionally being stilted and reading more like a college course than a narrative. That, however, is the only real downside of an otherwise engaging and heartfelt novel.

NOT NOTHING
by Gayle Foreman
Available August 27

Alex—more commonly referred to in the pages of Not Nothing as "the boy"—has done something terrible. At the age of 12, he has an impending court date, the threat of a reform home, and community service ahead of him. He's taken up work he can't stand at a retirement home, forced to work alongside a girl named Maya-Jade whom he instantly decides to dislike. Then, while delivering meals during a lockdown, he meets Josey: a 107-year-old man, blind and nonverbal. But something about Alex makes Josey break his silence.

Soon, the two begin to talk, with Josey telling the story of how he met his wife Olka and the two's trials during the Holocaust. Their time together inspires Alex to do more: befriending Maya-Jade and the other residents of Shady Glen, fighting for what's right, and telling the stories of the rest of the residents. But as Josey's story nears its end, the truth of Alex's crime comes out—to Josey, Maya-Jade, and everyone.

Not Nothing may dwell on dark topics, but it's ultimately a hopeful read. It posits that, no matter how little you've done before, or how badly you've acted, you are always in a position to change. To use Alex's most hated word, there is always an opportunity to become a better person. It's an important lesson, especially for young readers—we can always become the best version of ourselves, even when others have seen us at our worst.

DAUGHTER OF LIGHT AND DARK
by Ahlam Faris
Available August 30

Mina has been called many things in her time, not all of them kind. In a world where humans summon and enslave Jinn into rings, Mina has the uncommon ability to see and speak with them freely. So she knows what it means for a Jinn's freedom to be taken—not just for the Jinn themselves, but for the very fabric of reality. So, with the help of her Jinn protector Ashrush, she sets out to free the powerful spirits trapped inside a dozen gold rings. That includes the one belonging to her late mother.

On the first leg of this daunting task, Mina faces opposition from many fronts. Four of these rings belong to members of the Sultan's family, and Mina must engineer friendships in high places to even get close to them. Meanwhile, a cult is systematically killing off the Seers who commune with Jinn, and it would seem that Mina's friend Saif has some sort of connection to them. And there's something else: a dark power within Mina that has begun to emerge for. Could this have something to do with the name the Jinn use for her—the Daughter of Light and Dark?

Ahlam Faris's first book is enjoyable, with a good structure and an interesting narrative. It does suffer a bit from the common issues of a first book, especially a self-published first book: unchecked typos and occasional grammatical issues, plot points that could be better grounded with a second pass, and so on. But none of these factors counts against Faris's talent. She's brewed up an intriguing story in an equally intriguing setting, and I look forward to seeing her writing grow and evolve over time.

 

It's that time again—time for me to get a new issue of Otaku USA Magazine in my mailbox and remember I wrote about a whole bunch of anime several months ago. The Fall 2024 issue is the latest, and I've got several pieces about some shows I really liked very much.

The first of my three reviews in this issue is for Unnamed Memory, a fantasy/romance about a cursed heir to the throne and the long-lived witch he loves. This has a lot of Frieren energy, particularly in terms of the toll of immortality.

Given the Black Archive draft I'm currently working on, I've actually been thinking a lot about immortality in fiction and how it's often seen as a curse or a monkey's paw. The examination of longevity as neither a blessing nor a curse, but rather a new spin on the human condition with its own joys and difficulties, is extremely refreshing.

Speaking of paranormal beings in love, my second review is for Vampire Dormitory. This series is pure shoujo bait, she said affectionately—about a vampire named Ruka who's so obsessed with 2D girls that he can't fall in love with a real woman. Instead, he decides to love on sad boy Mito, showing him affection until his blood tastes good again. The twist? Mito is actually a girl!

I had a lot of fun watching this series, and sometimes you just need the shoujo formula to bring you a bit of joy.

Finally for my reviews this issue, but not for my contributions this issue, is Tonari no Yokai-san. Set in an alternate universe where yokai and other beasties live alongside humans, this is a surprisingly cozy series with a lot of heart.

The deeper you dive into this series, the more there is to love: from examinations of what it means to be human to some truly dark mysteries. But all of it keeps a sort of Ghibli-adjacent vibe that makes even the most dramatic episodes feel like a warm hug.

And then there's my feature on Astro Note. This is an absolutely fab original rom-com series with lovely animation and great writing. But what really makes me love it is its retro vibe... in particular, the similarities it bears to not one, but two Rumiko Takahashi classics.

Check out your local newsstands for the latest issue, and keep an eye on the Otaku USA website for more features from me!