Book Review: Death Note, Volume 1

Death Note, Volume 1: by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

When a high school student named Light Yagami picks up a Shinigami's (a Death god's) Death Note, his whole life changes. Light decides to take out all the world's criminals, starting with his hometown's.

He meets the original owner of the Death Note, Ryuk, and the two become friends. But soon the killings are getting too noticeable and Light gains a reputation that causes the police to come after Light. Including a super-smart detective under the name of L. Can Light become the world's savior, or will he be sentenced to prison?

--Katelyn

Book Review: Death Note: Another Note

Death Note: Another Note--The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases by NisiOisiN, original concept by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

To be able to see a person's life span: do you see this as a blessing or a curse? It might even make someone slip from the thin line between genius and insanity. 

A killer is on the loose in L.A. and it has the police baffled. Naomi Misora is an FBI agent presently on leave. One night she receives an email. Not just any email, one from the world's greatest detective, "L" himself. He needs her to be his eyes and ears on the current serial murders, dubbed "The Wara Ningyo Murders" by the public. Odd considering the detective usually goes after much bigger cases, ones where over millions of dollars are at stake. While investigating, many things come to light, with all sorts of twists and turns. A peculiar private investigator, who seems to know more than he lets on. The book has detective and killer dancing around each other like some sort of morbid game. The lengths someone will go to to prove a point, and complicated puzzles make you think. A killing thriller with humor dashed in.

I adore this book and I've read it several times! I'd rate it Older Teen for language, gore, and violence.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: Death Note

Death Note
Story by Tsugumi Ohba, Art by Takeshi Obata

Ever wanted to have the power of a god at your fingertips? A god of Death, to be precise. This is just what happens to high school genius Light Yagami. It fell from the sky and into his life--the Death Note. The human whose name is written in this note shall die. This is the catalyst. Light decides it is his duty to cleanse this rotting world of its evil, and become its new god, by killing criminals, the wrong, the unjust. Just like that, dozens of people start to die, all from "mysterious heart attacks." There are approximately 115 rules in the Death Note. Quickly, Light gains a name for himself. Masses of people, deciding all the deaths of criminals are from some higher force, dub him "Kira" (our lord and savior). Ironically enough, it stems from the English word "killer." Not to say the entire series is about Light ruling the world, not if the great detective known as "L" has anything to say about it! Only seen as an old English L and heard through an electronic voice, L is the greatest detective in the world. So, who do you think will win? The world renowned detective or the prodigy with a supernatural notebook? 

I love this series! It made me laugh, cry, and hold my breath waiting for more! 

Rated Older Teen by Viz Media.

--Martha Rose

Book Review Bokuman

Bokuman, story by Tsugumi Ohba, art by Takeshi Obata

It's a manga about creating manga. The main character is a pretty average guy who has a talent for drawing. His name is Moritaka Mashiro. Then when his fellow classmate, Akito Takagi finds out about his drawing, he begs him to team up and make a manga. At first, Moritaka is hesitant about seriously considering it, knowing how hard it is to actually become a professional. Still, with the persistent Akito and a little push of encouragement from his crush, Moritaka accepts.

Rated T for Teen, from Viz Media.

--Martha Rose