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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
no yeah, while i acknowledge that the twist was needed to keep the story going, the current cat-and-mouse game is no where near as investing as the previous one. the relationship isn't there, and the stakes just feel meh in comparison.
on the other hand, the last volume at least promises to be juicy.
3/5 stars
on the other hand, the last volume at least promises to be juicy.
3/5 stars
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I do really love this series but at times it can get a little long-winded. There is a lot more dialogue in this manga than there normally is which sometimes drags my attention from the images and I end up just reading it as a book.
I realise that there is a lot to this story and it needs to be explained but I just need to be in the right mood to appreciate it. For that reason, I think I prefer the anime to the manga I don't need to concentrate nearly as much as I do when reading it.
I realise that there is a lot to this story and it needs to be explained but I just need to be in the right mood to appreciate it. For that reason, I think I prefer the anime to the manga I don't need to concentrate nearly as much as I do when reading it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
☆3.75 Stars☆
Death Note - Volume V
Review:
NOTES & THOUGHTS
• I’m not much of a Manga (or comic, or graphic novel) reader. I much prefer a regular novel, however I really enjoy the Death Note manga.
• I’m not much of a Manga (or comic, or graphic novel) reader. I much prefer a regular novel, however I really enjoy the Death Note manga.
• I really enjoyed the concept of this manga (both this particular volume and the series as a whole). It was dark and entertaining, and the themes and ideas within were very unique and creative. I really enjoyed the fact that although it was quite dark, there were humorous elements throughout, breaking through the darkness and making for a more exciting read.
• I found this book quite slow to start, however it picked up towards the middle of the second half (part way through book 10 in the series) and I flew through the end of the manga. While the lack of pacing and action was a bit of a let-down for this particular story, it hasn’t dampened my excitement to see where this series ends. I can’t believe that the next book is the end!
• We got introduced to some additional characters in this book, which I wasn’t expecting this close to the end of the series. They made great additions to the storyline and worked well with the characters who we have already been introduced to.
HIGHLIGHTS
• I discussed it in my review of volume 5 of this manga, however I feel the need to bring it up again… Light’s character development. While reading this manga, I found that Light had further developed, becoming more like the Light we were introduced to at the start of the series. I know my writing sounds like it was more of a character regression, however it was definitely a progression – he’d gone through what he’d gone through and who he had become, and come out the other side, almost like his old self again. It made it almost like a plot twist, as I had expected him to be quite dark and creepy again (not that I’m complaining either way).
• I discussed it in my review of volume 5 of this manga, however I feel the need to bring it up again… Light’s character development. While reading this manga, I found that Light had further developed, becoming more like the Light we were introduced to at the start of the series. I know my writing sounds like it was more of a character regression, however it was definitely a progression – he’d gone through what he’d gone through and who he had become, and come out the other side, almost like his old self again. It made it almost like a plot twist, as I had expected him to be quite dark and creepy again (not that I’m complaining either way).
• While Light’s character feels less intense in this instalment, the book itself hasn’t lost its intensity- if anything, it was even more intense! It really feels like it’s building to something major- I really hope the result is as crazy as I feel like it will be! (I know I’ve read this series before, but I honestly can’t remember how it ends!)
DOWNFALLS / NOT AS GOOD
• The pacing was a bit poor for some of this book. Where I usually find the books in this series go straight from one thing to another within the storyline, but I found myself waiting for something to happen throughout the beginning of this book. While it did pick up in the end, it ruined my enjoyment of the storyline a bit, as it wasn’t at all what I expected from the series.
• The pacing was a bit poor for some of this book. Where I usually find the books in this series go straight from one thing to another within the storyline, but I found myself waiting for something to happen throughout the beginning of this book. While it did pick up in the end, it ruined my enjoyment of the storyline a bit, as it wasn’t at all what I expected from the series.
• This book felt a little repetitive in places, with some very similar activities occurring in the book that had previously happened in the rest of the series.
READING DATES:
First read - 2015
First read - 2015
Re-Read: November 2017
3rd January 2021 ** review written after this read-through.
BOOK ASPECTS (potential spoilers)
• Manga.
• Part of a 6(12)-part series.
• Combines books 9 & 10 in the Death Note series.
• Manga.
• Part of a 6(12)-part series.
• Combines books 9 & 10 in the Death Note series.
• Follows a dark storyline.
• Potentially triggering elements (themes of death, murder, violence etc.)
READING FORMAT:
Paperback
Paperback
♡ BOOK 9 OF 2021 ♡
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
2.5
I’m not really invested anymore. I just need to know how it ends. Super bummed.
I’m not really invested anymore. I just need to know how it ends. Super bummed.
4/5 Stars: ‘Death Note’ (Book #5 of ‘Black Edition’) by Tsugumi Ohba.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Manga, Criminal Fantasy.
→ Trigger Warnings: Toxic Masculinity, Emotional Manipulation, Violence.
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★★★★
→ Character Development: ★★★★
→ Setting: ★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★★
→ Writing: ★★★★
General Comments: A battle of wits; convoluted with several twists and unexpected turns that build up towards the impending finale. The original ‘Cat-and-Mouse’ chase is whittled down; whilst unfortunate, it masterfully adds to the tense and imminent doom approaching: will the protagonist or antagonist win? But who is who? The high-concept thriller never ceases to impress.
Favourite Quote: ‘You said she’s smart, but it only means she got high marks. She’s actually a stupid woman.’
Time Read: One Day.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Manga, Criminal Fantasy.
→ Trigger Warnings: Toxic Masculinity, Emotional Manipulation, Violence.
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★★★★
→ Character Development: ★★★★
→ Setting: ★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★★
→ Writing: ★★★★
General Comments: A battle of wits; convoluted with several twists and unexpected turns that build up towards the impending finale. The original ‘Cat-and-Mouse’ chase is whittled down; whilst unfortunate, it masterfully adds to the tense and imminent doom approaching: will the protagonist or antagonist win? But who is who? The high-concept thriller never ceases to impress.
Favourite Quote: ‘You said she’s smart, but it only means she got high marks. She’s actually a stupid woman.’
Time Read: One Day.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated