"The best reason to read about the old Greek heroes is to make yourself feel better. No matter how much you think your life sucks, these guys and gals had it worse."
― Percy Jackson ―

“Wisdom can be gleaned from any source if only one looks hard enough.”
― Odin ―

"be aware that you could encounter other beings who may strive to deceive, distract, or manipulate. They go by the names draugr (zombies), vala (seers), witches (witches), and telemarketers (annoyances)."
― Hounding ―

“It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.”
― Professor Dumbledore ―

"Muggles not to try playing Quidditch at home; it is, of course, an entirely fictional sport and nobody really plays it.
― Professor Dumbledore ―

“You know the problem with heroes and Saints? They always end up dead.”
― A Wise Woman ―

“But no one chooses a future. You choose a path without being certain where it leads.”
― Cardan Greenbriar ―

"The intelligence it displays is breathtaking. But it’s almost childlike in some of its simplicities"
― Olivia Klein ―

“A secret too long kept can kill a soul by inches. I watched a secret almost destroy a man once, the finest man ever made. Such a secret is like keeping treasure in a tomb. Little by little, poison eats away at the gold. By the time the door is opened, there may be nothing left but dust.”
― Brother Zachariah to Matthew Fairchild ―

you have just been recruited by the Monster Police. You may be wondering, why? [...]
8.You know too much, and should be recruited because the secrecy of the Shadow World has already been compromised for you.
9. You know too little; it would be helpful to the Shadowhunters if you knew more.
10. You know exactly the right amount, making you a natural recruit.
― Magnus Bane ―

" One can give up many things for love, but one should note give up oneself."
― Magnus Bane ―

“I’m a free spirit
Adrift in sunshine and song.
Office hours bore me.”
― Haiku by Apollo God of Prophecy ―

He’d spent a lifetime turning to humor in moments of difficulty. It often made the unthinkable endurable.
― Okami ―

After too many duologies review i think i should give you a break and review the novellas instead. Besides, this also the continuations of another duology that i'm going to read next, so yeah it will be another duology fiesta later after this.

I decided to do both of the novellas in one review because it's such a super short novellas for both of them, just like 6 pages... ish? and since both gave the same timeline just based on two different point of view, so yeah.. you got the point. Okay, let's dive in!

Reading Order

 As always, based on our book bible Goodreads, Okami and Yumi both listed as novellas in Flame in the Mist duology, between that main works. Okami is listed as Flame in the Mist #1.25 and Yumi is listed as Flame in the Mist #1.7 which means the plot takes time after the first book and before the second book. 

So definitely read the first book first then this two novellas and then after that continue to the second book of the series. By the plot of the story you can read Okami first then Yumi but actually it didn't really make a big difference if you read Yumi first since the story takes in different places with slightly different time yet didn't really spoil each other if you read it not in order anyway.

What is it All About?

But anyway, the black clan is discovered by Mariko's brother and threatened to kill all the member of black clan, but Mariko asked him to take her to Prince Raiden, her betrothed if he still want to marry her. But not only taking Mariko, her twin brother, Kenshin also taking Okami, as hostage because turns out he's the son of the so called traitor.

Okami is his side POV story when he was captured, in prison wagon heading to Inako, where it's probably become the place for his punishment, probably death. This also become the explanations about why Okami made Tsuneoki use his name, Takeda Ranmaru for years.

Yumi in other hand finally got a letter from her brother, Tsuneoki (who in first book we know him as Ranmaru) and the plot takes three days after Okami's capture. This one took us to the life of a Maiko (i googled it, it's more like junior Geisha, like.. still in training) and her will to help not just a messenger for his brother.

Is It Worth Reading?

Yes i did read each of them twice before i write this review, and yes i also search for the first book recap in order to remembering myself of what happened in the first book because i'm just too lazy to reread the first book again. And yes it's a bit of confusing to really set the character's name since the event of "this guy's name is suppose to be this instead of this one" but after twice reading it i get it. 

My Verdict

We are back again with another Is it worth reading? series where i will rate is the companion book worth your time to read or not. And i promise this would be my last Rick Riordan books review. For well... at least next month? who knows? I might read his Magnus Chase series in next few months or maybe next year depends on my mood. Anyway, without further ado, let's dive in!

Reading Order

By our book bible goodreads, this book didn't really listed with the number of the series, since it's not a novella but a companion book. BUT!! no worries fellas, i will give you a good reading order to you to avoid spoilers!

1. Read the whole Kane Chronicles (book 1-3)

2. Read Demigods & Magicians ( Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover) IT'S A MUST!

3. Then read this book

Why? Because the demigods and magicians include the story about Setne and how he end up in this book. At first i was going to read this book first then Demigods and Magicians (since it's a crossover, so i think i will finish Kane first then the crossover) but it end up a bit spoiler there. So, since I've done it, and you shouldn't, use this guide instead. Unless if you okay with spoilers. 

What is it All About?

So this book is talking about a guide for Brooklyn House magician, more like introduction about the house, how it looks like, talking about Egyptian Gods also, so yeah, just like its title, it's the manual for young magicians who's new, just joining the Brooklyn House. But it also added fun stories after the war and Setne the crazy magician ghost. 

Is It Worth Reading?

I think it's fun read, since the characters took turns to write the book, not only Carter dan Sadie, but also other characters in the Brooklyn House, even some gods included as the narrator.  I felt so challenged to answer all the quiz in the book tho i find some part of the book doesn't really fun, like the Bas's section to get ugly thing, i don't think it's really informative or fun read.

I like that if there are some comment added in the book by other characters who didn't narrate that chapter, they use different font. Just like the concept of Kane Chronicles where Sadie and Carter bickering and adding comment in each time they take turns to narrate, this one is also made like this which is  good because Riordan sticks to its concept even for this companion.

My Verdict

I would say Neutral for this one, even skip it. It's not because it's not a good read, i like it. But it doesn't really necessary for you to read this one in order to finish the whole series, but yes it is a fun read indeed. 

Previous Chapter :

"Giant-chicken mode," I remembered.
"Dude, my avatar is a falcon-headed warrior."
"I still think you could get a sponsorship deal with KFC. Make some big bucks.”
— Percy and Carter —

Annabeth and I had been fighting together for years. We knew each other’s abilities. We could anticipate each other’s moves. I might have felt awkward and nervous about being her boyfriend, but fighting with her? That came naturally. Hmm…that sounded wrong. Oh, well 
—Percy Jackson —

"I have to create, or it was all for nothing. I have to create, or I will crumple up with despair and never leave my bed. I have to create because I have no other way of voicing this.” Her hand rested on her heart,[...] “It is hard, and it hurts, but if I were to stop, if I were to let this loom or the spindle go silent …Then there would be no Hope shining in the Void.”
— The Weaver —

"I have known you, a long time ago. I don't know where, but i think i know why. [...] i've been searching a long time for something i think i lost"

"Dad had always told me to move forward, never backward. So i keep my toes away from the pier and inland toward the slumps. Best to be alone out here. I'm a floating soul, a phantom.. i belong nowhere. Charlie's words echo in my mind. I bet the Republic hasn't seen the last of you. I smile. No, I sincerely hope that they haven't"