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webz's review against another edition
4.0
So this is the first manga book I've ever really read.
Did I think I would like it?
No.
This is coming from the girl who thinks books with 500+ pages is the perfect amount.
Not too big, not too small.
Well, that's true as long as the book is good.
Aaaaanyways.
So at first I had a bit of difficulty reading everything from right to left, but I caught on fast.
And actually started enjoying the story.
My first thought about the book when I read the back was how stupid the idea sounded.
"Library wars"
Oh come on, doesn't that sound a little...hm...what's the word...
Stupid.
Yes, that's it.
But as I progressed through the book, I found myself rethinking that.
It was really good!
I really felt like although this is like, not a novel per say (*rolls eyes a bit*) the plot was actually pretty good!
And I felt like the characters were distinct (despite their perfect faces, but that's just how manga characters are drawn. As far as I know.... O.o Oh! Except when the main character had pimples XD That was different), had their own unique personalities.
I especially enjoy Dojo.
He's hard to read...but cares at the same time.
So...that's my take on this.
-Ash
Did I think I would like it?
No.
This is coming from the girl who thinks books with 500+ pages is the perfect amount.
Not too big, not too small.
Well, that's true as long as the book is good.
Aaaaanyways.
So at first I had a bit of difficulty reading everything from right to left, but I caught on fast.
And actually started enjoying the story.
My first thought about the book when I read the back was how stupid the idea sounded.
"Library wars"
Oh come on, doesn't that sound a little...hm...what's the word...
Stupid.
Yes, that's it.
But as I progressed through the book, I found myself rethinking that.
It was really good!
I really felt like although this is like, not a novel per say (*rolls eyes a bit*) the plot was actually pretty good!
And I felt like the characters were distinct (despite their perfect faces, but that's just how manga characters are drawn. As far as I know.... O.o Oh! Except when the main character had pimples XD That was different), had their own unique personalities.
I especially enjoy Dojo.
He's hard to read...but cares at the same time.
So...that's my take on this.
-Ash
linluvsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
At times the main characters remind me of Oresama Teacher but in a much healthier way. Also still hate these entrenched gender roles, but love the concept of the story and the characters.
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting first book in this YA manga series. The premise is that there is an elite team whose sole purpose is to save books in the libraries from those who wish to destroy them because they are deemed inappropriate. This first book seemed like it was primarily focused on setting up the characters so it wasn't as engrossing as I thought it would be, but I'm intrigued enough to read the next one.
gothradiohour's review against another edition
4.0
Its been a minute since I've read a right to left Manga, and while I think I have the pattern down of the text, it wasn't always the clearest. That being said I adored this premises, and I am a huge sucker for any Shojo stories. I am here for the protagonist and all the hunky men around her. If I didn't have 15 other books waiting to be read, I would read this whole series immediately.
alexaela's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
antisocial_auntie's review against another edition
4.0
People armed and ready to go to war over freedom of speech, protecting banned books?!?! Yes, please!
heyjudy's review against another edition
3.0
~3.5/5
[Contains spoilers.]
When VIZ first released this, I’m not sure why, but I didn’t pick it up. It sounded like it might be more serious, I guess, but I didn’t really hear much about it. Recently, though, I’ve decided that I think I wanted to give it a try. And so, when I got the chance recently, I picked up a few volumes. And now I’m starting to wish that I had picked up more.
When I did finally pick it up, I thought it would probably be pretty straight up shojo, and it is, but it’s also rather funny. And just overall entertaining.
Iku Kasahara, the starring role, is training to be on the Library Defense Force, in a world where the local libraries are fighting the government to the right to read whatever they want. The concept is kind of maddening (because, ugghhh, censorship), but it’s also really interesting. And I like what Iku is aiming to be: a hero to other people who love books, someone who can save the books, just as a mysterious man did for her a while back.
Iku is a pretty straightup cliché shojo heroine. She’s got a good heart, is not very smart but tries really hard, is looking for her mysterious man, has a love-hate (only, you know, not love quite yet) with her mentor (the obvious love interest). And I don’t really mind her. She’s not exceptional, but she’s fun, and I’m enjoying following her at the moment.
There’s a lot of other characters, as well. There’s her mentor, Dojo, who’s tough on her, but has a sweet heart. I like him, and am liking seeing her and him getting closer. Also, he’s shorter than Iku, and I like that. Just for the fact that, it bothers him, but it’s not really that big of a deal. Usually the girl is shorter, and the only time I can think of where that wasn’t true, is in Love*Com, where it was a thing, a theme, a major point of contention between the characters. Here, it’s just a fact, neither of them are of extreme heights (she’s 5’7, he’s 5’4), and I like that.
Then there’s another mentor, Komaki, who is always laughing at Dojo and Iku. I quite like him, as well. There’s a more minor character, Major Genda, who is just having a good time, also teasing Dojo and Iku. He’s just all around fun.
There’s Iku’s roommate and friend, Asako Shibazaki, who is training to be a librarian and not on the fighting front. I like her quite a lot. She’s straightforward, but helps Iku when she can, and enjoys flirting with Dojo (who doesn’t flirt back), and likes looking at the men around her. I’m really looking forward to getting to know more about her. Lastly, there’s Tezuka, who’s training with Iku. They have a angry relationship with each other, which is sure to turn into romance later, but I’m already all for Dojo; still, he’s not too bad.
There’s a lot of training, and Iku messing up and then doing her best to do better, and her freaking out over Dojo and Tezuka. It’s just really fun right now, actually, which I was surprised by. And I’m really looking forward to reading more.
[This review is also available on my blog.]
[Contains spoilers.]
When VIZ first released this, I’m not sure why, but I didn’t pick it up. It sounded like it might be more serious, I guess, but I didn’t really hear much about it. Recently, though, I’ve decided that I think I wanted to give it a try. And so, when I got the chance recently, I picked up a few volumes. And now I’m starting to wish that I had picked up more.
When I did finally pick it up, I thought it would probably be pretty straight up shojo, and it is, but it’s also rather funny. And just overall entertaining.
Iku Kasahara, the starring role, is training to be on the Library Defense Force, in a world where the local libraries are fighting the government to the right to read whatever they want. The concept is kind of maddening (because, ugghhh, censorship), but it’s also really interesting. And I like what Iku is aiming to be: a hero to other people who love books, someone who can save the books, just as a mysterious man did for her a while back.
Iku is a pretty straightup cliché shojo heroine. She’s got a good heart, is not very smart but tries really hard, is looking for her mysterious man, has a love-hate (only, you know, not love quite yet) with her mentor (the obvious love interest). And I don’t really mind her. She’s not exceptional, but she’s fun, and I’m enjoying following her at the moment.
There’s a lot of other characters, as well. There’s her mentor, Dojo, who’s tough on her, but has a sweet heart. I like him, and am liking seeing her and him getting closer. Also, he’s shorter than Iku, and I like that. Just for the fact that, it bothers him, but it’s not really that big of a deal. Usually the girl is shorter, and the only time I can think of where that wasn’t true, is in Love*Com, where it was a thing, a theme, a major point of contention between the characters. Here, it’s just a fact, neither of them are of extreme heights (she’s 5’7, he’s 5’4), and I like that.
Then there’s another mentor, Komaki, who is always laughing at Dojo and Iku. I quite like him, as well. There’s a more minor character, Major Genda, who is just having a good time, also teasing Dojo and Iku. He’s just all around fun.
There’s Iku’s roommate and friend, Asako Shibazaki, who is training to be a librarian and not on the fighting front. I like her quite a lot. She’s straightforward, but helps Iku when she can, and enjoys flirting with Dojo (who doesn’t flirt back), and likes looking at the men around her. I’m really looking forward to getting to know more about her. Lastly, there’s Tezuka, who’s training with Iku. They have a angry relationship with each other, which is sure to turn into romance later, but I’m already all for Dojo; still, he’s not too bad.
There’s a lot of training, and Iku messing up and then doing her best to do better, and her freaking out over Dojo and Tezuka. It’s just really fun right now, actually, which I was surprised by. And I’m really looking forward to reading more.
[This review is also available on my blog.]
kice7788's review against another edition
3.0
This story line and premis is great and I loved it but I do have to say its a little confusing and didnt flow very well. I will be picking up the next one just to see what happens but theres a lot in this series so I dont know if im going to be reading the whole series. but legit it is a cute story!