Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 15 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 15

Author: Hiromu Arakawa

Book #: 15th of Series


Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Publish Date: December 18th 2007

Pages: 183

Format: Paperback


Date Read: November 5th 2013

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

How could we have fallen this low?

Summary:

The horrors of the Ishbalan campaign occurred years before Ed became a state alchemist, and has serious repercussions, which set the tone for the complicated dealings of present-day state politics. Lieutenant Hawkeye reluctantly tells Ed all the dread details of the role Colonel Mustang and the other state alchemists played in this tragic event.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Review:

We finally learn everything about what happened in Ishbal, but while this answers some questions, it also brings up new ones. 

Who is the Red Locust Alchemist?

Quotes:

Riza: "No matter how difficult things get, no matter how foolish you look struggling under the weight of your burdens, you have to keep living for the people you love."

"All tiny parts come together to form the great flow that makes up the world. So if negative feelings pervade our world, the flow of the rest of the world will become negative."

Why is alchemy being used to kill when it's supposed to help people?

Riza: "Can I truly believe that there will be a future in which everyone can live happily?"

It's the hand of man, not God, that we have to be wary of.

Mustang: "Then for future generations to be happy, as payment, we must carry corpses on our backs across a river of blood."


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/757546440

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 11 by Hiromu Arakawa

 Title: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 11

Author: Hiromu Arakawa

Book #: 11th of Series


Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Publish Date: January 16th 2007

Pages: 185

Format: Paperback


Date Read: November 1st 2013

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

"The truth is cruel but justified."

Summary:

Ed returns to Resembool and meets his father Hohenheim for the first time in many years. Although his father is happy to see him, Ed harbors intense feelings of resentment for being all but abandoned many years ago. However, anger gives way to intrigue as Ed and Al discover an important fact about the human transmutation ritual they attempted years before. What they thought was a partial resurrection of their mother was something else entirely - a revelation that could change their destiny forever.

Review:

Ed and Al are getting another lead on their search for the philosopher's stone, as well as whether or not they can use it to get their bodies back. Ed also uncovers the truth about the being that he and Al transmuted 4 years ago. This also leads to the revelation their teacher has, when this news is shared with her.

I think what I enjoyed most about this book was seeing the selflessness of both Ed and Al. They are truly remarkable people.

Overall, I would recommend this series to everyone!

Quotes:

Al: "This body of mine is a ticking time bomb."

Ed: "I won't run away... no matter what!"


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/753312399

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 10 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 10

Author: Hiromu Arakawa

Book #: 10th of Series


Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Publish Date: November 21st 2006

Pages: 186

Format: Paperback


Date Read: November 1st 2013

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

"As long as there's life in my body... I swear I'll never let anther person become a victim in this deadly game!"

Summary:

Barry the Chopper, the psychopathic killer whose soul is encased in a suit of armor, has been captured by Colonel Mustang's troops. Fearing he will reveal the Philosopher's Stone conspiracy, Gluttony and Lust decide to kill him, using Barry's own original soulless body to track him down! Though Colonel Mustang has anticipated their moves and set up an ambush, Gluttony and Lust prove too powerful and easily fight their way through to Barry, who is being protected by Al and Lieutenant Hawkeye. In a terrible battle, a badly injured Colonel Mustang sacrifices all in a last-ditch attempt to stop Lust!

Review:

Things are really getting crazy at the start of this book, and it was hard for me to figure out just exactly what was going on. I knew something was up... and something was! I was glad to see that I was able to keep my faith in one of my favorite characters and that, in the end, his actions in the previous book were explained in this one.

Finally, in this installment, we meet Ed and Al's father. I have my suspicions about him, and I think it's pretty obvious that(view spoiler). Even though we see him leave Ed behind, I know this isn't going to be the last time they meet.

We also learn the disturbing truth about what happened to Winry's parents, and who their deaths are connected to.

And, as we see the joyous reunion with one character, we see the demise of another.

Overall, this book left off on such a cliff-hanger! Can't wait for the next one. Would recommend this series.


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/753312124

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 9 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 9

Author: Hiromu Arakawa

Book #: 9th of Series


Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Publish Date: September 19th 2006

Pages: 183

Format: Paperback


Date Read: November 1st 2013

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

"This isn't just your problem, big brother. It's both of ours."

Summary:

Ed, Al and Winry return to Central Command, but only bad news greets the Fullmetal Alchemist and his friends. Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes has been murdered - and Second Lieutenant Maria Ross is the prime suspect! While Maria awaits an uncertain fate in jail, the living suit of armor bearing the soul of serial killer "Berry the Chopper" breaks free of the military and goes on a rampage. Now, the mysterious Homunculi must come out of the shadows to deal with the mess before their monstrous conspiracy is exposed. But for Colonel Mustang, Maes Hughes's former best friend, it's not about the truth; it's about revenge...

Review:

To much to process.

At this point, I think this is my least favorite book of the series. Obviously, by my rating, I still enjoyed it. But, first off, no.

What happened in this book must be a mistake, or at least, there must be something else going on that we don't know about yet. I cannot stand to believe that the actions of one of my favorite characters was justified because they just were not. Things better be cleared up or else.

Other than that, in this book we see more of our favorite serial killer: Barry the Chopper. 

We also learn some even more disturbing facts, especially as the Homunculi (which we are still trying to figure out) get even more involved in keeping all the other characters.. un-involved in their matters. 

There is also the re-visiting of the death of Hughes, which is still a really tender topic for me.

Overall, I better get my answers in the next book. Would recommend this series to all!

Quotes:

Armstrong: "That's it then? Cold hard logic? No one wants to live in a world like that."

Ross: "Women should be strong!"

"You have to keep moving forward by doing whatever you think is right."


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/752229200

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 8 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 8

Author: Hiromu Arakawa

Book #: 8th of Series


Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Publish Date: July 18th 2006

Pages: 185

Format: Paperback


Date Read: November 1st 2013

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

"I can't afford to worry about appearances. Not with the burden I'm bearing."

Summary:

The raid on the Devil's Nest becomes a slaughter, as government troops - led by the Fuhrer President himself, King Bradley - exterminate the half-human forces of the Homunculus Greed. But will Ed and Al survive the battle unchanged? As Greed is sent to meet his maker, foreign travelers arrive in Amestris, having crossed the great desert from the eastern country of Xing. Their names are Mei and Ling, and they've come for the Philosopher's Stone...and a secret even the Elric brothers never imagined...

Review:

Woah! What an information load!

In this installment we learn some very critical things about a particular character who holds a lot of power at the moment. I have always been a little suspicious about him, but never did I imagine to be true what we learn. None of the other characters seem to know about it, though, and I wonder how long it will take for them to find out. Hopefully in time!

We are also introduced to three new characters in this book, one of which being Winry's new boss, a very flamboyant mechanic who added some new humor, and two who seem like they will be hanging around for a while. One of them, a prince from a foreign country, has two counterparts with him who I enjoyed meeting, as well.

Overall, I am still shaken by this new discovery! I just hope that the others will pick up on it before it's too late. Recommend this series.


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/752124357

Waiting on Wednesday: Scan by Walter Jury and S.E. Fine

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating." (Hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

October 30th

Scan by Walter Jury and S.E. Fine

Tate and his father don’t exactly get along. As Tate sees it, his father has unreasonably high expectations for Tate to be the best—at everything. Tate finally learns what he’s being prepared for when he steals one of his dad’s odd tech inventions and mercenaries ambush the school, killing his father in the process and sending Tate on the run from aliens who look just like humans. 

Expected Publication: May 1st 2014

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I am a huge fan of aliens (ever since seeing the Aliens movies which, by the way, the prequel (Prometheus) and the first Aliens movie are the best!) but I haven't read very many books that I felt pulled it off just right. I am really looking forward to seeing how this one plays out!