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: Chi's Sweet Home

Chi's Sweet Home by Konami Kanata

This is adorable. That really sums it up for the most part. It's about a little kitten who gets separated from its mother and is found by a little boy named Yohei. Chi's Sweet Home is basically just small stories about a curious kitten and its new family. Always will bring a smile to your face. They keep the art style colorful, simple, and cute.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: B.Ichi

B.Ichi by Atsushi Ohkubo

In this world most people only use a small percentage of their brain power, but there is a certain group of people called "Dokeshi" who can unleash a higher percentage and the powers that come with it for one given condition. For our comical hero, Shotaro, his condition is that he has to do one good deed a day. He bumps into a girl name Mana, literally...while she's riding a motorcycle. He is fine (for the most part) and the two stick together. It seems like trouble can't help from seeking them down, and the friends are thrown into danger after danger. Shotaro seems to take it in stride, though, but could there be something beyond his smile?

Full of comedy and action, with some touching moments.

Rated Older Teen by Yen Press.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: Black Cat

Black Cat by Kentaro Yabuki

Train Heartnet was in a secret organization known as Chronos, working as an assassin. He had become rather infamous and had been deemed "Black Cat" as he would always deliver some bad luck with his ornate black pistol. Though the actual story starts years later. Train is an easy going bounty hunter along with his partner Sven. There is a lot of action packed just into the first volume! The pair of hunters go after a weapon smuggler who is dealing dangerous new technology, and cross paths with an elegant thief who offers to help. 

Overall a very good series with action, humor, and scenes that could make you tear up. 

Rated Older Teen by Viz Media.

--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: Dragon Drive

Dragon Drive by Ken-ichi Sakura

Ever wanted your own dragon? Well, as the name suggests, Dragon Drive is just that's about! Reiji Ozora is, to be blunt, kind of a loser. No special talents, and fails just about everything. Then one day his childhood friend, Maiko Yukino, introduces him to a new virtual reality game called Dragon Drive. Each player gets a dragon partner that is geared to their physical abilities, they fight other dragons to gain experience and level up. Reiji's dragon, named "Child," is extremely wimpy and of unknown nature. Reiji at first is disappointed, but after their first battle together, he realizes that there is more than meets the eye about his new little friend.

Rated All Ages by Viz Media.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: Case Closed

Case Closed by Gosho Aoyama

This was the very first manga I really got into and started to collect. In fact, the very first manga book I ever got was from this series! A forenote: the original title for this series is Meitantei Conan or Detective Conan. For copyright reasons they had to use Case Closed instead. Also, all the names have been "Americanized." Shuichi now Jimmy, Ran now Rachel, Kogoro now Richard, etc. 

The story follows teenage detective Jimmy Kudo, the modern day Holmes. One fateful day while at the amusement park, "Tropicla Land," with his childhood friend and crush, Rachel Moore, murder happens. Now then the actual case is solved rather quickly, but the problems for our young sleuth start afterwards when he sees some shady activity involving two men in black. Things turn sour when Jimmy is knocked unconscious and fed a mysterious poison that was supposed to kill him. Instead, when he wakes he realizes his body has been reverted to the age of an elementary schooler! With some help from his kooky neighbor and friend, Dr. Agasa, Jimmy takes the pseudonym Conan Edogawa. He moves in with Rachel, seeing as her father is a detective, it would give him more opportunities to find the men who did this to him. Body of a child and mind of a teenage detective, Jimmy Rudo leaves no case unsolved!

Rated Older Teen, from Viz Media.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: Blue Exorcist

Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato

Rin Okumura was raised by a famous exorcist by the name of Fujimoto, alongside his younger fraternal twin Yukio. One fateful day he starts to see things that are naked to the average eye: demons. The same day Father Fujimoto is forced to reveal the horrible truth about Rin's lineage. He is the child of demon, the son of Satan himself. In a moment of emotional weakness, Fujimoto is possessed by the Devil. Even though Rin made sure the gate between the worlds didn't get breached, Fujimoto died. Now Rin swears to defeat his true father, but doing so means entering the suspicious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist. 

Rated Older Teen, from Viz Media.

--Martha Rose 

Book Review: Black Butler

Black Butler by Yana Toboso

Set in Victorian England, the story centers around the young Earl Ciel Phantomhive. Head of the successful Phantomhive family at the mere age of 12. There is also a shroud of mystery surrounding Ciel's own personal shadow, his butler, Ssebastian Michaelis. The tiny Early works as Queen Victoria's dog to uncover and take down the criminals of England's underbelly. Not to say there is no humor, the house's other servants make sure of that. Whether the gardener accidentally "broke" a tree, or the maid tripped and ruined all the plates, or the cook just decides to make a meal via blowtorch, their antics make you want to crack a smile. There are also the things far outside the norm, such as Death Gods, Devils, and Angels. 

Rated Older Teen, from Yen Press.

--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

Book Review: Animal Land

Animal Land by Makoto Raiku

It's a whole new world where the only inhabitants are animals. Well, until Monoke, a tanuki, stumbles upon a baby human! While having no sharp teeth or claws surely needed in such a world, the child does have the ability to speak and understand all the different animals. The tanuki are a fun and silly bunch, yet it is still survival of the fittest. They are usually the target prey of many animals such as wildcats, wolves, and lions.

A cute manga with fun characters. Rated by Kodansha Comics as Ages 13+.

--Martha Rose

Video Booktalk: Children of the Sea

Children of the Sea by Daisuke Igarashi