Monthly Archives: August 2023

Adaptation Review/Comparison: The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2

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Before I begin the review proper I would like to preface that this review is mainly for those who are already aware of the Rising of the Shield Hero and while I will attempt to add context this review is more for those trying to decide whether to continue watching and/or reading the shield hero rather than those trying to decide whether to pick up the series or not. With that out of the way let’s start the review.

Now for those who decided to keep reading after that intro paragraph The Rising of the Shield Hero is a series of Japanese light novels written by Aneko Yusagi which was then adapted into an anime. The series follows the titular shield hero, Naofumi Iwatani, and his journey to save the world along with three other heroes.

The section of the story we are covering here is what is covered in the second season of the anime and in light novels 6-9. Now right off the bat, the anime decides to cripple itself by choosing to not adapt around 75% of the sixth novel which leads to an other-all state of confusion for anime watchers. You see much of the sixth novel is spent on introducing new characters and establishing new concepts and plot points. For example, in the light novel, we are introduced to the character of Eclair Seaetto who was tasked with helping the heroes learn actual combat abilities rather than just spamming their magic weapon skills like they had been. She also ends up beating the Sword Hero in a sword fight in order to prove a point which both highlights her skill with a sword and the fact that the Sword Hero is an awful swordsman.

Anyway, copying the anime in skipping that part we move on to what fans refer to as the Spirit Turtle arc. For a short summary of the plot for this part, in the world of the shield hero, there are four guardian beasts tasked with saving the world should the heroes fail to do so. However, a villain from another world going by the name of Kyo decided that he wanted to awaken the spirit tortoise early so that he could steal its power. Now unlike the previous section which only exists in the novels the spirit tortoise arc exists in both the novels and anime and both have their own pros and cons.

On one side of the comparison, the light novels do a much better job of highlighting the desperation Naofumi feels when fighting the spirit turtle and the sense of dread it brings. Not only do we hear Naofumi’s panicked thoughts but he also highlights how even with his insane level of defense the spirit turtle still manages to harm him. The novels also add the fact that the turtles’ servants act like parasites, using the still living bodies of their victims to grow their numbers. If the novels have one weakness it is that they are a slog to read through. This arc of the story happens to be rather stretched out and honestly it was painfully boring to read at some points.

On the other side of things, while the anime doesn’t do as much to establish the threat of the turtle it does have some definite benefits. For one thing the anime adds more scenes with the character of Ost Horai which give her more depth as a character and make it more painful when she dies at the end of the arc. Additionally, the anime was able to change the boring slog of the novels into mindless action which is a definite plus. If I have to be honest I would much rather watch the animes adaptation of this part than reread the novels.

The adaptation for the next arc, however, cements the Shield Heroes anime adaptation as less than stellar. To the anime’s credit they do at least cover this arc’s main plot points(Traveling to the other world to avenge Ost, meeting the Hunting Tool Hero, Raphtalia gaining the Legendary Katana Vassal Weapon, Fighting Trash 2, and killing Kyo) and it does alter a few things to make more sense like not spitting Raphtalia up from the main group immediately after entering the other world. The problem with this arc in the anime is that they only really cover the main plot points and skip over more minor but still important scenes such as Naofumi acquiring his Demon Dragon Shield which serves as his weapon of choice for quite some time in the novels.

In conclusion, if you want to truly experience the story of The Rising of the Shield Hero to the fullest I would highly recommend reading the light novels as while the English translation can be questionable in some areas it provides a better over-all experience with the story.

Book Review: Trial of the Sun Queen

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This novel was a very interesting novel from my perspective because it included all the fantasy tidbits that I personally enjoyed. This would be appropriate for fans of Sarah J. Maas (aka Throne of Glass and ACOTAR), especially if you are having a book hangover like I did.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

The story is about this girl called Lor. She is currently stuck in this high-stake prison that she’s been in for twelve years with her brother and sister for a crime they did not commit. The conditions are rough, as they have no clean water, no beds, and are all half-starved. The life expectancy there are around a year or two. The prison is meant to die in, and no one is ever released.

After she gets in a big fight with another girl, she gets put into the Hollow, in which no one ever survives. She’s sentenced for two weeks with no food, no water, and no shelter from the wild magical animals that gobble up humans like her.

After about a week, she suddenly gets rescued by one of the soldiers from a far away kingdom. She wakes up in luxurious clothing, a bed made for a queen, and a maid. As the story progresses, she realizes she is in a trial competing for the Sun King’s heart and the Sun King is very interested in her, even though she is very much overlooked by all the other beautiful fae competing for his heart as well.

As she competes in one trial after another, she somehow survives each and every one. She questions her abilities until she overhears the Sun King, Atlas, and her guard talking about her which makes her question why the King favors her and what she has to offer him (which she thinks is nothing).

The ending I will not spoil because I think it was very surprising to say the least because the story unfolds in a way that wasn’t expected. It is not as good as ACOTAR or Throne of Glass, but its close enough that it will get you hooked instantly!

Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter

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*this review may contain spoilers*

I’ve recently been in a reading slump and haven’t been able to pick up a book and genuinely enjoy it until this read! Those who have read my other posts will know I’m an avid romance reader and it’s my preferred genre and let me say this book fulfilled my little heart. :”)

This story follows Liz and Wes or Libby and Wessy. They’ve grown up being neighbors for most of their life and they were presented as enemies every since childhood to their adolescent years. Whether it be hide-and-seek or stealing each other’s parking spaces, they’ve been at it.

However, the book takes a twist when Liz’s childhood crush, Michael comes back and she gains those same feelings for him that she felt when she was a kid. She isn’t quite sure how to grab his attention and fall for her and this is when Libby makes a “genius” plan to fake date Wessy. Our rival neighbors are bounded by this fake relationship for Liz to get the guy of her dreams and Wes to obtain the parking spot right outside their houses.

With their final year of high school left, the book follows along on Liz and Wes’ friends, hangouts, etc. The very predictable ending is that they fall for one another, or rather Liz falls for Wes.

Even though this book has a great deal of predictability, the main characters are easy to become attached to because of their charisma and personalities. This book can guarantee someone out of a reading slump! (PS. I finished it in a day) This was also my first read from Lynn Painter and it has be intrigued on her other novels, which are all relatively new. I would recommend this book for anyone trying to get into romance or just want a fun read!

-Madison C.

Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer By Rick Riordan

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Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer is a young adult fantasy novel by famous author Rick Riordan. Magnus Chase, a homeless teenager who discovers that he is the son of a Norse god, embarks on a dangerous quest to stop Ragnarok, the end of the world.

At the beginning of the book Magnus runs away from his uncle’s home and lives on the streets of Boston. After monsters attacked him and Magnus narrowly escaped these beasts, he discovered his true heritage: Magnus is the son of Frey, the Norse God of Fertility and Agriculture.

He meets other Norse gods and heroes in Valhalla, the hall for fallen heroes.
The plot revolves around Magnus and his friends’ quest to retrieve the Sword of Summer, a powerful weapon that can stop Ragnarok. As the story progress, they face several challenges and obstacles, including battling monsters and navigating through different realms of the Norse mythological world.


This book is well-developed and has relatable characters. Magnus is a likable and sarcastic protagonist, and his interactions with his friends, including Samirah, a Muslim Valkyrie, and Hearthstone, a deaf elf, provide insightful perspectives about Norse mythology. The character’s diversity in the book is refreshing and adds depth to the story.


Riordan’s writing style is humorous, witty, engaging, and enjoyable to read. The story’s pacing is also well-done, balancing action scenes and quieter moments of character development.


If you read other Riordan’s books, the plot may be familiar with his previous works, such as the Percy Jackson series. Some of the plot twists may also be predictable for readers who are familiar with Norse mythology. Additionally, the book’s ending may feel rushed and unsatisfying to some readers.


Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer is well-written and entertaining and appeals to fans of Rick Riordan’s previous works and anyone interested in Norse mythology. The relatable characters, engaging writing style, and unique perspective on Norse mythology make it a worthwhile read. This book is available on Libby and at the Mission Viejo Library.

Happy Reading!
Bella H.

Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

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Ending my first year of high school, we read the famous Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet. I will say I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Last summer, I watched the play live thanks to Shakespeare by the Sea, and I thoroughly liked it. But now that I’ve read it, I know that I definitely didn’t understand everything I was hearing. I understood parts of it but some details went in one ear and out the other. Reading the book was enlightening, informative and very interesting; especially in how we can see glimpses of issues that are still happening today.

As many already know, Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy in which Romeo and Juliet are two star crossed lovers who end up taking their own lives. While their deaths are a big part of the tragedy, there are so many other deaths and unfortunate events that come up before the end. Many times, I tend to forget that this story is much more than just some young kids who fall in love and die. The true desperation and helplessness of these two children make things much sadder. The fact that they saw death as their only option can really connect to today’s society. While it may be stupid to die just because you can’t be with your beloved, it’s the fact that they see death as the only option left for them, like many young people today. Young people today may not have the same issue as Romeo and Juliet, but they may feel the same helplessness and the same feeling of being trapped.  It may seem simple to find another way out of this dark situation, but like Romeo and Juliet, people sometimes end up going to the extremes first. Shakespeare was very good at connecting his plays and other writings to reality, and this is just one of the many examples. 

After reading this, I also found that there were so many other people who were affected other than Romeo and Juliet, those mainly being Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, and Benvolio. I thought Mercutio and Paris had to suffer the most. Mercutio got caught in a feud he wasn’t even a part of and Paris had no desire to fight and only wanted to be with his love. And yet (SPOILER) Romeo and Juliet cost them their lives. And then there was Benvolio, who lost everyone around him. He lost his two best friends to a feud that didn’t have any reason to continue. Sometimes innocent people suffer some of the worst consequences. While Romeo and Juliet are already sad by themselves, the deaths of innocent lives truly make this play a tragedy.

Previously, I had liked the play. I thought it was pretty fun, hearing dialogue between each character, watching scenes play out, especially those with Mercutio. Mercutio was my favorite character in the play, probably like most people who have watched or read the tragedy. His Queen Mab monologue was fantastic and I found it a really interesting choice for his character. After reading the play, I enjoyed it more. It isn’t just fun now, it’s truly a tragedy. This play was fun at times, but after reading, I understand how sad it is, for these young people to feel trapped, for them to die so young, for them to suffer. If you ever want to read the famous Romeo and Juliet, I would definitely recommend it as long as you can understand or have a small translation of Old English. I used the Folger’s library edition that includes small translations of words and phrases on the side. Shakespeare was a huge influence and he made some amazing works. I can’t wait to read more of his works in the future! 

-Nicole R.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

1984 by George Orwell

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In the classic 1984, writer George Orwell invents a frightening world in which a totalitarian government, otherwise known as “the Party,” rules its citizens through extreme oppression. Within this highly imaginative society, the Party controls every aspect of an individual’s life, down to their very own thoughts. Any sign of rebellion would result in extreme torture till the point of death. Now, I could go on and on listing every aspect of living in such a society, but the Party’s main goal, one in which they try to engrave into the minds of all citizens, can be summarized perfectly into one sentence: “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.”

Now describing what this dystopian world is actually about, I would say that my favorite aspect of this extremely compelling read would have to be the perspective in which it’s told. 1984 is written through the life of a low-ranking Party member named Winston Smith, who disagrees with the views of the Party and secretly takes part in acts of rebellion. Given his rank, I feel as though Winston perfectly illustrates the experiences of a “common man” in such a society, causing people to sympathize for him as he battles against those “above him.” His philosophical views on life and politics also causes readers to better relate to and connect with his character.

Additionally, despite being a perfect example of Orwell’s brilliant creativity, 1984 also reflects the political climate in which it was written. The novel was originally released in 1949, a time when communism, the Cold War, and nuclear weapons were seen as a global threat to citizens across the world. Learning about this history caused me to appreciate and contemplate the novel even more, as it can also be seen as Orwell’s warning to future readers on a society that can very-possibly come to life if our political landscape isn’t dealt with carefully.

Overall, I found 1984 to be an enticing and eye-opening novel that exposed me to a world I could have never imagined. I truly believe it deserves to be known as one of the best classics ever made, and I can find myself recommending it to all readers.

-Aysha H.

1984 by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Best Lies by Sarah Lyu

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To Remy, Elise was everything—car rides in a bright pink Chevy, blissful nights away from arguing parents, and little bursts of support that made everything okay.

Until Jack.

Jack was the calm, steadying presence in Remy’s life. Rational and kind, sensible and compassionate, everything Remy ever wanted.

Remy and Elise lived on the wild side of life. Elise made days seem effortlessly thrilling. In fact, her favorite movie, Kill Bill, featured a fearless main character that she aspired to be: reckless in the face of danger, courageous when aiding others, and morally right when distributing punishments to those who wronged her.

If anyone came across her or Remy, Elise would make sure they got what they deserved. She exploded fireworks, released mice, and corroded cars, all in the name of justice.

What’s more, Elise was the person who guided Remy outside of her comfort zones, who helped her experience life without fear. Elise was, seemingly, an angel in the form of a rebellious teenage girl, sent just for Remy. When Jack cautions their behavior and disapproves of their ways, Remy has to choose between her two soulmates.

As Elise and Jack’s conflict turns deadly, Remy desperately wishes that she and Elise never met in the first place.

The Best Lies was an excellently crafted novel. Elise’s disobedient nature and Remy’s meek personality are the perfect blend of two entirely different characteristics to develop the plot.

The book was suspenseful and intriguing; I only wanted to discover Elise’s motive, just like Remy. The complicated relationship between Remy, Elise, and Jack was a definite page turner.

I really enjoyed reading Lyu’s writing style and experiencing the story alongside Remy. As her character learns to cope with struggles and eventually overcome them, I felt my own mood reflect Remy’s feelings.

Remy experiences the unimaginable throughout the novel. Love, friendship, betrayal, obsession. All of it. By the end of the novel, Remy learns that only the truth is the best lie.

The Best Lies by Sarah Lyu is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon

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The Tower Treasure, by Franklin W. Dixon, is the first book in his popular Hardy Boys series. The main characters are Frank and Joe Hardy, the teenage sons of a detective named Fenton Hardy.  Frank and Joe are amateur detectives, following in the footsteps of their father. Throughout the series, the Hardy boys solve mysteries and help bring criminals to justice.

In this book, Frank and Joe are riding their motorcycles when a speeding car suddenly approaches them from behind and narrowly misses them. The car is traveling too fast for them to read the license plate number. However, they are able to notice that the driver had a “shock of red hair.” A little while later, the Hardy boys find out that their friend’s car has been stolen, and they suspect that the thief is the same person who nearly hit them on their motorcycles. Soon afterward, they learn that forty thousand dollars has been stolen from a place called the Tower Mansion. The Tower’s owner strongly believes that its caretaker, Henry Robinson, committed the crime. Henry Robinson’s son is a friend of the Hardy boys, and they believe that Henry Robinson is innocent. The Hardy boys believe that the man who stole their friend’s car must have also stolen the forty thousand dollars. They need to prove their theory to clear Henry Robinson’s good name.

I have not read all of the books in the Hardy Boys series, but so far this is one of my favorites. Like the other books in the series, The Tower Treasure is relatively short, especially for a mystery novel. Despite this, it is full of suspense and action. It has cliffhangers at the end of almost every chapter, which makes the whole book very exciting. I have read more than ten of the books in this series so far, and I have enjoyed them for the most part. My only complaint is that the books tend to follow a certain formula that seems repetitive after a while. As a result, I found the books to be less suspenseful as I went along. These books are not as complex and well-written as some other mystery novels, such as Agatha Christie’s books. However, I would recommend the Hardy Boys to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, and especially to young readers.

The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Top 3 birds

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Birds are cool. Everyone knows that. But the real question is, what are the top 3 best birds?  That question I have already thought of, so here is the best bird trio.

Bird 1: Parrots

The first bird I will talk about are parrots. Parrots are quite different from other birds, although it might not seem like that at first. One way Parrots are different is because they are incredibly smart compared to many other birds and other animals. Part of how they become smarter is because they often replicate other sounds they hear, and it helps them learn quickly. An example of parrots copying sounds is when they hear what humans say, and they are able to repeat the words they hear. In fact, Parrots are the only animals that are able to talk. So, this is why parrots are one of the coolest and smartest birds of all time!

Bird 2: Ducks

Now, for the second bird, ducks. Ducks are very diverse animals, with over 100 different species, and all of them have waterproof feathers and webbed to help them swim… and they all eat rocks. The stones and pebbles that ducks eat are then gastroliths, which is a small rock used to help with digesting food. The ducks find these small stones usually by digging in mud. They also like to dig in the mud because the vibration makes the bugs come out to the surface, so the ducks can eat them. Once the rock is too smooth and isn’t good to digest food, the duck vomits the rock out, so the rock comes out smooth. Ducks also have a way of communication, which isn’t just quacks, as many people think. However, ducks making quack sounds is very common for ducks to do, but it is mostly used when the mother duck is calling her ducklings. They also squeak when danger is coming, and whistle in the morning sometimes to show they are happy and positive, and a couple other sounds.

Bird 3: Penguins

Last but not certainly least, penguins. One of the major differences between penguins and many other birds is that penguins can’t fly. But since they can’t fly, the do something called Tobogganing, where the penguin slides on its belly. This helps them move faster than waddling, and it conserves their energy, too. Penguins are also the fastest swimming birds in the world, specifically the Gentoo penguin, reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour. Penguins usually stick together in very large groups, and huddle together to share their body heat to get warmth.

Parrots, ducks, and penguins. These are the best 3 birds in my opinion for many reasons. Whether it is the interesting facts, or how they are funny and cute, I will always appreciate these three birds.

Want to read more about birds? Books about birds are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Teen Library Internship- applications accepted Aug. 7-21

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Looking to gain real-world experience, leadership skills, and more? Check out the Teen Library Internship!

This is a paid position and there are 3 openings.

Internship will run from September 18 to December 15 (off 11/20-11/24).

Interns will work 15 hours per week (up to 5 hours from home).

There are 2 required days/times onsite per week. Mondays from 4:30 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.

Complete the application and questions here (starting Aug. 7): https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/missionviejo

Please reach out to me if you have any questions! ohoward@cityofmissionviejo.org