Review: Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up

A funny romantic comedy about two high school nerds who went to a new school where they both had their “glow-up” debut. 

When Shizuki was rejected by his heartthrob, he was not only left with a broken heart, but also became pretty-girl-phobic on top of it. He decides to opt for a fresh start: new school, new looks, new friends and a healthy portion of confidence as the icing on the cake. Shizuki selects a school where no one knows his secret former self, allowing him to start anew as a blank canvas. To avoid any incidents and not trigger his phobia, he strictly avoids having eye contact with all the popular girls… until one day, when the prettiest and most sought-after girl in school asks him for help!

The cute blonde turns out to be his dreadfully nerdy and totally unpopular former library “companion” with whom he never spoke a word. Not much has changed at least in that respect; fellow ex-outcast Kusunoki is still as shy and socially awkward as she used to be and only managed to upgrade her appearance, not her social skills – when it comes to looks she definitely reached max level. Unable to speak to her peers, she’s not able to put her looks to good use and begs none other than the seemingly confident Shizuki for help. 

Shizuki however, wants to decline instantly. Not only does the cute Kusunoki challenge his deepest fears, but she also knows what an unpopular boy he used to be and could threaten his newly accomplished status. But due to Kusunoki’s clumsy cute demeanour, Shizuki gets roped into helping her overcome her social anxiety. From now on Shizuki has to navigate both his phobia and the extra level of attention he receives as he spends a lot of time with the school’s most popular girl…

My Reading Experience

I had a great time reading Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up. It’s funny, cute and features clumsy nerds who try to become popular kids – ever since I read Wotakoi, Love Is Hard For Otaku, “nerds trying to be normies” has become one of my favourite tropes. Apart from that, I also loved the art style. The drawings are pretty and the character’s emotions are nicely developed. A bit over the top, yes, but that makes it extra fun in my opinion. 

Who Would Enjoy This Manga?

Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up is great for readers who enjoy a cute and funny rom-com with pretty artwork. Otakus and nerds who like the genre will be able to empathise with the former-ducklings-now-turned-swans and might enjoy it even more – at least I do, hehe! If you love Wotakoi, Love Is Hard For Otaku or Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, you will definitely have a great time with this manga. 

Rating

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐

Story: ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐

Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Big thanks to Kodansha Comics for providing me with this digital review copy!

Details

Title: Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up 1

Author: Mitsuki Mii

Published: 20th of August, 2024

Genre: Rom-com

Big thanks to Kodansha Comics for providing me with this digital review copy!

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Review: The Storyteller’s Tale

The Storyteller’s Tale by Judith Bouilloc

Iliad is a snatchwords: She can breathe life into words by speaking them aloud. Thanks to this wonderful gift, the young woman has become the most famous storyteller in the kingdom of Esmeria.

What it’s about:
The Storyteller’s Tale is a lighthearted court romance with a magical twist, following the journey of Iliad, a young librarian caught in the political schemes and social dynamics of Babel’s aristocracy. After receiving a marriage proposal by an aristocrat who keeps his identity hidden, Iliad and her grandmother travel to the city of Babel to find out who this mysterious man is and what he wants with a low-born wife. 

At the heart of the story is a rich world filled with books, poetry and storytelling magic. Iliad’s fierce grandmother is a standout character, literally spitting fire to defend her beloved grandchild, adding a nice touch of humour to the narrative. Alongside intrigues, court life and political affairs, Iliad’s developing romance with the brooding Adil stands at the centre stage of the novel. Describing a world full of storytelling magic, the book is also full of literary references, making it a true ode to reading and bibliophilia.

My reading experience:
The book’s strongest charm is its setting. We dive into a world where books and libraries play a major role and stories are brought to life by so-called snatchwords; people who can take lines from a page and even turn whole stories into theatre performances. As a book lover, I found myself swept away by the frequent literary quotes and references, which felt like a love letter to readers and writers alike. The prose is lovely, despite it being a translation, and the descriptions of Babel’s gardens, architecture and the famous library are full of intricate details which sparked my imagination. 

While I loved the magical world and Iliad's fierce grandmother (seriously, her fiery temper literally burns through the pages!), I was disappointed and even a bit annoyed by the romance and the poorly developed plot. Adil, the male lead, comes off as gruff and unappealing at first, and even Iliad seems to agree. Yet she remains in Babel to learn more about him. His character development feels forced and their romance lacked the natural chemistry one would expect from a story like this. While the pacing of the first half is rather slow, it feels as if the author rushed and tried to squeeze all the content that was left into the last few chapters. Suddenly everything moves twice as fast, we jump from one scene to the next, and before you know it, you’ve reached the last page of the book. 

Strengths:

• Fierce grandmother: Granny steals the show! She’s sassy, protective, spits flames and even sets Iliad’s ex on fire. Her scenes are some of the funniest and most memorable moments in the book.

• Bibliophile magic: The magical elements involving books and storytelling are beautifully woven into the plot, making it a delight for bookworms like me.

• Charming worldbuilding: The setting is a treat: palaces, gardens and libraries full of mystery, books and magic. It’s the perfect backdrop for a cosy read.

• Literary References: The book is filled with quotes from classic literature and poetry, which adds depth and gives a nod to the author’s own love of books.

Weaknesses:

• The romance: The relationship between Iliad and Adil felt underdeveloped, forced and boring. While Adil’s tragic backstory explains some of his grumpiness, the sudden shift in Iliad’s feelings after initially being unimpressed left me unconvinced. 

• Character dialogue: At times, the characters switch from sophisticated prose to oddly simplistic dialogue, which feels out of place and jarring. 

• Plot gaps: There are a few plot holes, especially regarding Iliad’s motivations for staying in Babel after being openly disappointed by Adil’s indifference towards her. This could have been handled more smoothly.

• Pacing: While the first half is slowly paced, the majority of the plot is squeezed into the last two chapters and the book ends abruptly – only to be followed by a pretty cringe epilogue which is nothing but a half hearted attempt at wrapping it all up and sprinkling some sugary sweet topping onto a half-baked cake of a book. (I subtracted one star just for the epilogue).

Who might still enjoy this book?
Think Beauty and the Beast vibes but with books and a fire-breathing grandma!

If you love reading, magic and the "grumpy meets sunshine" trope, The Storyteller’s Tale might be right up your alley. Fans of stories set in grand courts with a lighthearted romance plot could enjoy this cosy, whimsical read, despite its weaknesses. 

Rating: ⭐⭐

Details

Title: The Storyteller’s Tale

Author: Judith Bouilloc

Published: 21st of August, 2024

Published by: Rivka Publishing

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

Age Range: Middle Grade / YA

Big thanks to Rivka Publishing for providing me with this digital review copy!

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Cosy Bookworm Checklist: 

• Libraries & books

• Gardens

• Magic

• Lighthearted

Current Read: Romantasy for Cozy Book Lovers

There’s nothing quite like cozying up with a good book, especially when those stories take you on a calm and cozy journey and allow you to explore magical worlds, fantastical libraries and bewitched tea. If you're looking to unwind and lose yourself in a story, I can recommend The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. 

The Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Plot

The story follows Mika, a witch living in hiding, who is invited to a mysterious house to teach three young witches how to control their magic. What follows is a tale filled with heartfelt connections, quirky characters, (a grumpy love interest *ugh*) and magical tea that makes you want to open your own little tea shop – Mika also plays with the same thought in the book, but you have to read it yourself if you want to find out if she makes this dream reality! 

For a touch of magic in your reading list, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a delightful escape into a hidden world with cottages, libraries and comfy attics.

Cozy Bookworm Checklist

• Magic

• Witches

• Tea

• Animals

• Libraries & bookstores

• Cozy home

• Nature 

If you are looking for a heartwarming story, charming magic, a cute dog, a delightful protagonist with plenty of flaws and a bit of (enemies to lovers) romance, you should definitely pick this book up. 

Which Book Will You Pick Up Next?

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