Frau Faust, v.5 by Kore Yamazaki

Frau Faust, v. 5 by Kore Yamazaki - 176 pages

Johanna's plans to reunite / rescue Mephistopheles comes to fruition.  Who will survive this final battle?

This is the final volume in Frau Faust.  I really enjoyed the series.  My only complaint is that it could have been stretched out a little more.  The story was very quick moving and could have used a few quiet pauses to make more impact.  Still, I would definitely recommend this series.

Frau Faust, v. 3 by Kore Yamazaki

Frau Faust, v. 3 by Kore Yamazaki - 160 pages

After defeating Lea, Johanna and Marion seek out Sarah to help restore Nico's body.

This volume revealed a little more of Johanna's past.  It also revealed more hidden secrets.  A great addition to the series.

Frau Faust, v. 2 by Kore Yamazaki

Frau Faust, v. 2 by Kore Yamazaki - 160 pages

Marion follows Johanna to the town where she hopes to find Mephisto's leg.  However, something sinister is going on at the church there.  Somehow both Marion and inquisitor Vito get caught up in the trouble.  Now Johanna and inquisitor Lorenzo must work together to save them both.

I'm starting to really enjoy this series.  It seems to be hitting it stride.  This volumes introduces more characters who are interesting while making you wonder more about the characters introduced in the first volume.

Frau Faust, v. 1 by Kore Yamazaki

Frau Faust, v. 1 by Kore Yamazaki - 178 pags

Marion is saved by Johanna from a life of crime in exchange for a favor.  This starts his adventures with Frau Faust, the eccentric scholar who made the infamous deal with the devil Mephisto.

While this book didn't immediately capture my attention, it was interesting enough to make me pick up the next volume.  It was odd in that the final chapter in the book was a stand-alone story featuring completely different characters.  There was no indication if it was supposed to fit into the story line of Frau Faust in some way.

Night Shift by Charlaine Harris

Night Shift by Charlaine Harris - 308 pages
Midnight, Texas #3

There's something wrong in Midnight.  People are being drawn to town to commit suicide at the crossroads.  Though the residents try to stop it, they can't.  A demon is waking beneath Midnight calling to the residents and others in his attempt to enter and conquer earth.

This is the third and final book in the Midnight, Texas series.  I've really enjoyed this series and wish there were books.  I enjoyed the characters and their interactions.

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff - 370 pages

Daphne, daughter of Lilith and Lucifer, is living an existence of boredom and fear in Pandemonium (the eternal city of metal and flame.)  She lives vicarously through her brother Obie (son of Lilith and Adam) when he brings her back souvenirs from his trips to the human realm to save lost souls.  Her chance encounter with a human boy named Truman who crossed the veil too soon changes her life forever and gives her the courage to go look for Obie when he goes missing on Earth. 

The world building for Pandemonium is very well done.  The reader can picture it all just like seeing it in a movie.  This is an interesting twist on standard teen angst fiction by having the protagonist be totally ignorant of human social customs and forced to interact in our world to try and find her brother.  This is another dark tale from Yovanoff that is marketed as a Teen book but will appeal to adults as well. 

The Devil Is a Part-Timer, v.1 by Aiko Hiiragi

The Devil Is a Part-Timer, v.1 by Aiko Hiiragi - 177 pages

The Devil King was forced to retreat from battle and was trapped in an alternate dimension with his loyal commander.  He needs to recoup his magic powers to be able to return to his world and overtake it.  But for now, he is determined to rule Japan.  He has a plan and it all starts with his part-time job at the local fast food restaurant.

This is the first book in the manga series.  I found it hilarious.  I loved the fact that Maou believes he will be able to take over the world if only he gets promoted to full-time at the local McDonald's-like restaurant.  It's also amusing to see the interactions between Maou and Emi, the hero who followed him to defeat him forever.  Definitely a series I will keep reading.

The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts

The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts - 322 pages
Sign of Seven Trilogy #3

Gage knows that it's time to finish off the demon that has tormented his hometown for one week in the summer every seven years.  He knows they'll succeed in defeating it.  He just isn't sure he'll make it through the battle.

This is the final book in the Sign of Seven trilogy.  It was a pretty good ending to the series.  There was never really doubt that all the main characters would survive as it is a romance trilogy, but it still played up the suspense.

The Hollow by Nora Roberts

The Hollow by Nora Roberts - 325 pages
Sign of Seven Trilogy #2

Fox and Layla are working together in many different ways.  She's taken on the job of being his office administrator after his previous one quits and moves away.  He's helping her learn how to use her psychic abilities.  And they are just starting a relationship.  All while trying to defeat the demon that terrorizes the town for one week every seven years.

This is the second book in the series by Nora Roberts and great addition to the series.

Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts - 322 pages
Sign of Seven Trilogy #1

On the eve of their 10th birthday, friends Cal, Fox and Gage go camping in the woods and accidentally unleash a demon that terrorizes their town for one week during the summer every 7 years.  It's now 21 years later and the friends are gearing up for another horrible week of psychotic breaks, suicides, and murders.  Quinn comes to town to research the phenomenon for her book and finds herself linked to the guys and the demon.

This is the first book in the Sign of Seven trilogy.  It's a good intro to the series.  It's got enough creepy bits without being scary.

A Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell

A Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell - 323 pages
A Witchcraft Mystery #2

Lily's been asked by her assistant Maya to check out the sounds of a haunting at her art school.  When she goes to investigate, she discovers the body of a murdered man.  While most everyone at the school assumes the ghost killed him, Lily knows that it was a man.  But it turns out that man might have been possessed by a demon that was bound into a hidden closet in the school.  Now Lily has to find out who the demon is and get rid of him before more people get hurt.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first one in the series.  It was a light, fun mystery to read.  It was also a quick read.  The only thing that bothered me was the main love interest that seems to waffle way too much between believing and not believing in the supernatural.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - 329 pages

Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the Waste into an old woman.  In shock, she leaves her family's hat shop and takes up residence in the wizard Howl's moving castle as his housekeeper after making a bargain with the fire demon Calcifer.  Calcifer will break her curse if Sophie breaks his contract with Howl. But it isn't so easy to break the contract with Howl continuously falling in love, a scarecrow chasing Sophie, and searching for the missing Prince Justin and Wizard Solimon.

I love this book.  Diana Wynne Jones was possibly the best fantasy author for kids and teens in my opinion.  Her books are also intricately plotted with great characterization and moments of humor.  I listened to this on audio and absolutely loved the narrator's version.  The accents she used for the different characters were great.  I especially loved her Welsh accent for Howl.

Black Butler v. 19 by Yana Toboso

 Black Butler v. 19 by Yana Toboso, 176 pages

Ciel Phantomhive and his devil of a butler are investigating strange happenings in the woods. They and Ceil's four dedicated servants encounter a village in the woods filled with strange and hostile people. Just when you thought nothing could harm Ciel and Sebastian, the woods take their toll on them. 

Black Butler V.18 by Yana Toboso

Black Butler V.18 by Yana Toboso, 176 pages

Their private school business complete, Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his demon of a butler, Sebastian, return to Queen Victoria to divulge the whereabouts of her missing nephew. After returning home, he is once again summoned by Queen Victoria to embark on another "royal watchdog" mission. This time, he is to discover the cause of death of certain persons who have ventured into "cursed" woods.

Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki

Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki
v. 4 - 192 pages
v. 5 - 192 pages

Oz is still trying to trace Alice's memories and help her discover what she lost. The Cheshire Cat comes onto the scene, but his purpose is mixed. We also meet the Mad Hatter. I still don't quite know what exactly is going on, but little by little it's making sense. Hoping the next volumes will shed some light on a few questions I have about Oz, Alice, Break, Gil and others.

Black Butler by Yana Toboso

Black Butler by Yana Toboso, 352 pages

V. 15 (176 pages) - V. 16 (176 pages)

It just keeps getting better and better. Ceil Phantomhive and his demon of a butler, Sebastian, enter Weston College as student and teacher to discover what has happened to the queen's nephew. Through a series of tricks and with a whole lot of help from Sebastian, Ceil is finally able to secure an invitation to the Midnight Tea Party given by the elusive head of the college.

Black Butler (Manga) by Yana Toboso

Black Butler (Manga) by Yana Toboso , 768 pages
V1 - 192 pages , V2 -192 pages, V3 - 192 pages, V4 - 192 pages

12 year old Earl Ciel Phantomhive became head of his family when his mother and father where murdered and the family home burned in flames. Ciel was kidnapped (we later find) and comes back later with a black clad butler who seems to know Ciel's every thought and need. All of the characters of the book love Sebastian for the most part and think he's the most amazing butler around -- capable of doing some truly magnificent feats. The manga has side notes and flashbacks that gradually fill in the blanks of what happened to Ciel and his family and why he contracted with a demon to exact revenge on those who hurt his family and humiliated him. Throughout the manga, Ciel and his extraordinary butler work together to solve various mysteries plaguing the "Great Empire of Queen Victoria"  -- especially the streets of London -- while at the same time gathering information about who ordered the murder of his parents and then Ciel's kidnapping. Ciel's family has always been the Queen's Watchdog and when he returns to his family's home, he resumes the duties of his father. Ciel is also the shrewd owner of a toy company and various other Phantomhive businesses as the books progress. The characters are well done and the story lines draw you in. I would say it's the manga is dark humor for the most part, but tastefully done.

Blue Exorcist, v. 1 by Kazue Kato

Blue Exorcist, v. 1 by Kazue Kato - 200 pages

Rin is the offspring of Satan and a human mother.  The moment he finds this out is the moment that his whole life changes.  His foster father dies protecting him, he unleashes his demon powers, and he decides to attend True Cross Academy to become an exorcist.

I'll be honest.  I didn't care for the anime of this series.  I only picked this up as it fit the month's challenge theme of books turned into tv.  However, I like the manga better than the anime.  The characters don't seem quite so whiny.  It also condenses the story quite a bit so you're not getting a lot of extra stuff that doesn't really matter.  I'm not sure if I'll keep reading the series -- but it is much more likely than my watching the show.

Possessions, v.1: Unclean Getaway by Ray Fawkes

Possessions, v.1: Unclean Getaway by Ray Fawkes - 80 pages

Gurgazon the Unclean is the cutest demon ever seen.  She looks like a five year old girl.  She's been captured and she desperately wants to escape.  And so starts the plans.

I picked this up based on the cover.  I thought it was extremely cute.  However, I did not care for the book at all.  I found the characters annoying.  The story and illustrations did not live up to my expectations.

When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs

When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs, 272 pages

Definitely a book you'll want to finish in one sitting. The storyline flows really well together and the ending shocked me. Totally not what I had expected. Shamera lost her family at a young age due to raiders invading the castle where her father was Captain of the Guard. All Shamera has left is "The Old Man" who was once the King's personal mage, and her master,  until his hands were maimed and his eyes blinded at the fall of the castle. Shamera has become a thief to exact revenge against those who stole her family away and hurt her master -- those who now have claimed the land as their own.  Something evil is striking down nobles and when the evil finds the Old Man as its next victim, Shamera finds herself drawn into the castle as the Reeve's "mistress" to discover who the murderer is. Lord Kerim, Reeve of Southwood, doesn't believe in magic, but nothing can explain away the very inhuman way each victim meets their end. It will take all of Shamera's skill and sorcery to discover who the culprit is and how to dispose of it. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed every single page of the story.