Title: Evan

Author: Diana Palmer and Kasumi Kuroda

eBook 

Pages: 127 the actual story ends on page 126

Publisher: Harlequin

ISBN: 9784596646842

Release Date: 7-08-14 (the copyright is 2006, which I’m assuming is for the Manga published in Japan, however at the bottom of the page it says: Original novel published by Harlequin K.K., Tokyo 1999, so I truly have no idea if that is for the book Evan being released in Japan or the Manga. If anyone knows, please let me know.)(See UPDATE below)

Book Details: Manga eBook *Now here’s the strange thing, all my other NOOK Books, I’m able to read on my computer with no issue at all. However, this title refused to be viewed on anything except the phone.

Where To Find It: Found it on the B&N website

Time that the story takes place? Current (though the source material was written in the 90’s, but Anna is seen using a cellphone in one of the frames.)

POV? A mixture of Third and First Person

What caught your eye? Found this by accident while looking up information on the novel Evan by Diana Palmer.

Did you enjoy it? Hell no.

Was it predictable? Well, yes . . . I’d read the actual novel.

Was it sexy? Tame? Sweet hell . . . that’s the strangest looking sex I’ve ever seen drawn.

Did you find it funny? Entertaining? It wasn’t even funny in a bad way.

Would you read it again? I have such a headache from even reading this, there’s no way I would ever subject myself to this again.

Is this part of a series? Only as far as this is part of Diana Palmer’s Long, Tall Texans.

As stated in my previous review of Evan, I discovered this Manga version completely by accident. I had no idea that such a thing existed. Which sent me on a week long exploration of Harlequin Manga.

I mean, I knew they were out there, I’d seen one for sale a few years ago. And to be fair when I’d glanced at them previously, I wasn’t that impressed. Oh, how I wish I’d listened to that little voice at the back of my brain . . . don’t buy this . . . don’t buy this . . .

But I did and I regret it completely.  

The art is done by Kasumi Kuroda and by the looks of it, they did a lot with Harlequin Mangas (I say they as I don’t know the sex of the artist and I don’t want to assume). There was very little I could find about Kuroda, only that they were listed as the artist on several Harlequin titles.

The art itself is good. If you’re a reader of Mangas, it will all look familiar to you, the style, the framing, the layouts. It even reads from Right to Left. Technically it all works and looks great.

Capturing the overall story? 

I’m so sorry to say this to any artist . . . 

This adaptation did not work. I’m curious to know if anyone that has read this without reading the actual novel understands what is happening in the Manga. Certain sections of the book are left out entirely in the Manga.

If you’ve read the book, here are some things different in the Manga: 

*Anna’s father is not even mentioned in the story.

*I feel like Louisa’s (the woman’s from Evan’s past) story was changed to reflect a darker agenda at play—it’s mentioned that she was after Evan’s money and just wasn’t able to go through with The Sex. The whole issue that scars Evan for life

*Anna’s attack is never shown at all. It’s barely a blip in the story. We’re at the party when Randall tells her they’re out of booze and that he needs to go get more. Next thing we know, Anna’s in the hospital.

The worst part of this entire reading experience is that both Anna and Evan are portrayed as completely unlikable. Never mind the whole 19-year-old virgin in love with a 34-year-old cowboy with a complex, they were just AWFUL.

Anna is made to look like a sex starved teenager with absolutely nothing going on, while Evan is made to be the biggest bastard you’d never want to know. Their interactions are more creepy than sweet, and more hostile than romantic.

The way the story was presented was just . . . I’m actually cringing just thinking about it. I have no idea if this was because the Manga was translated from Japanese—there are several Japanese “sound effects” and clearly Japanese influences in how names are arranged on businesses, instead of Taylor Gallery it’s Gallery Taylor. Again, if you’re a reader of Manga, none of this will seem out of place or off putting at all.

I’m not going to blame the artist, as I have no idea if they were the translator/adaptor of the novel. All I can tell you, friends, avoid this at all costs. If you want to read Evan, please buy the actual novel and not the Manga.

UPDATE: I was finally able to find some information on Anime News Network. Here’s a link to the article.