Time for another collection of NetGalley reviews. Today we have some non-manga entries, including a work of literary fiction, a webtoon, and a nonfiction book about math. I do plan on doing some posts that aren't book reviews, including a discussion of my favorite video game series, in the future, so if you're tired of my reviews don't worry, I'll have something else to say soon.
I received free review copies from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
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Title: We'll Prescribe You a Cat
Author: Syou Ishida, trans. E. Madison Shimoda
Rating: 4/5
While not a manga and not in my selection area, as a cat lover I couldn't resist this cover and title. As the cover blurb says, cats are always the purrfect cure. A mysterious clinic in Kyoto prescribes cats rather than therapy or medication was too good a premise to pass up. Each cat and their assigned person is given a chapter -- a burnt-out businessman who finds himself working a new job, a child dealing with elementary school cliques, a geisha who's unable to move on from her missing cat, and more -- and the humans' lives are changed by the cats. It's not as light and fluffy as one may expect because it does deal with the more melancholy aspects of life for both humans and cats, but it also shows the joy a cat can bring and everyone's lives are changed for the better by the surprising end. This is a good, emotional read for anyone who loves cats and wishes for a little magic in their lives, especially the kind that is worked by pets. We'll Prescribe You a Cat is published by Berkley Publishing Group and available September 3, 2024.
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Title: Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell
Author: unfins
Rating: 2/5
Love Advice caught my Faustian-enthusiast eye, even though I must confess I've never gotten into webtoons (the format or the app, Webtoon). This series follows a student, Paul, who summons Astaroth, Duke of Hell, for the purposes of getting the girl. The result is annoyed superpowered demon eating cereal. Meanwhile, the object of Paul's affection has her own secrets of course, and his own sister is trying to get rid of the demon. The human character design is lackluster but serviceable, while the design for Astaroth is actually quite good. The plot sort of meanders and doesn't focus on the human-demon relationship as much as the title would suggest. It's an okay start but didn't grab me as much as I had hoped. I expected more comedy from the odd couple setup and focus on the demon trying to help the human and that plotline is dropped very quickly. From other reviews I've read, other readers felt the same. Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell is published by Wattpad Webtoon Book Group and available November 5, 2024.
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Author: Lance Red
Rating: 5/5
Get ready for the weird and the wonderful with Yōkai Bestiary, a book that teaches the reader about Japanese mythological beings and how to draw them. I was immediately intrigued since I both love yōkai and enjoy drawing. This is a unique approach to the topic. Each yōkai (Japanese for "strange apparition") is given an introductory page and then a set of guided instructions on how to draw them. Like most how to draw books, it focuses on step-by-step tutorials built around basic shapes that are refined into the final product. Nothing too groundbreaking in the world of art books, but the information about the yōkai makes it special. Red is an experienced fantasy artist perhaps known for his art for the table top RPG Pathfinder, and his style brings a bit of Western fantasy to the Eastern beasties he discusses. This book will appeal to fans of Japanese folklore and those looking to draw unique fantasy art. Yōkai Bestiary is published by Quarto Publishing and available September 10, 2024.
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