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after_hours_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
dchaseb's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I mean come on...I work in a library and the plot is kind of sort of happening in a way haha.
elliel_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shksprsis's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
I found this entertaining, particularly for anyone who loves reading (which I'm sure is everyone on Goodreads), even if it's in the same generic vein as most shojo. As per usual in most serialized manga, whether oriented toward girls or boys, the main character is somewhat bland, has some skills, but her only notable good quality, which is even spelled out in the text, is that she never gives up, since we like giving children The Little Engine that Could message. Kasahara is basically like a commando/librarian version of Naruto, minus a demon that she can channel to give her power. I acknowledge that main characters in these types of serialized works are normally bland with a slew of insecurities to be more broadly appealing to their target audience, in this case, bookish pre-teen girls, but it still bugged me that the main character was just kind of...lame. The straight-A Tezuka, the only recruit other than Kasahara to be selected to serve on the elite taskforce, is a jerk, but I couldn't help myself agreeing with his assessment of Kasahara as kind of a lazy airhead. I hope that as the series progresses, Kasahara (and all the others) becomes not only a better-developed character, but a kick-ass librarian ;p
This was nothing particularly unique or creative in this series's first volume, with the main character's motivational prince reminiscent of other shojo (and Utena, even though that was a deconstructed use of the manga prince archetype), and a love interest that the main character "hates," but with whom I am sure she will end up falling in love. All of these seemingly terrible things said, it's only a first volume, and I think that the series has the potential to become much more interesting depending on character and plot development. I would definitely like to see an examination of the politics and power struggles of censorship that are touched upon, and even if the series doesn't get drastically better, it'll be fun to read more of a "fighting" series about books.
This was nothing particularly unique or creative in this series's first volume, with the main character's motivational prince reminiscent of other shojo (and Utena, even though that was a deconstructed use of the manga prince archetype), and a love interest that the main character "hates," but with whom I am sure she will end up falling in love. All of these seemingly terrible things said, it's only a first volume, and I think that the series has the potential to become much more interesting depending on character and plot development. I would definitely like to see an examination of the politics and power struggles of censorship that are touched upon, and even if the series doesn't get drastically better, it'll be fun to read more of a "fighting" series about books.
emmarj's review against another edition
3.0
Who could not want to pick up a book about defending all the books!?
But the military stuff was too over the top for me and the protagonist is a total bumbling idiot. It probably gets better as it goes but I have way too many other things I want to read to invest more time in this.
But the military stuff was too over the top for me and the protagonist is a total bumbling idiot. It probably gets better as it goes but I have way too many other things I want to read to invest more time in this.
emilyrainsford's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
4.0
Oh my god this was so hilarious and fun!!
The premise alone of this manga is such a blast. Essentially, the government has set up a "Media Betterment Committee" to censor books. But the locally run libraries are fighting back and this means that libraries have a kind of military force as well as the clerical staff. The manga is about the main character following her dream of becoming a soldier for the library.
MC Iku Kasahara is an endearing and hilarious hot mess. There's a senior officer who is her nemesis.... with a little slow burn *tension*. He's also 5'4", I loved the short boy rep lol. It's a manga so you do have to look past the fact that he slaps her in the face hard enough to swell and refuses to apologise lol, manga is kinda wild sometimes.
The mix of military and library setting is so much fun. The art is quirky and expressive, and I loved the little honest and vulnerable notes from the artist in each chapter.
The English translation is very well done, the text feeling natural and colloquial.
I've never really read a proper manga before and this was a great one to start with. Very easy and fun - and set in a library! I think there are about 15 volumes of this so plenty to read if you enjoy the first one!
The premise alone of this manga is such a blast. Essentially, the government has set up a "Media Betterment Committee" to censor books. But the locally run libraries are fighting back and this means that libraries have a kind of military force as well as the clerical staff. The manga is about the main character following her dream of becoming a soldier for the library.
MC Iku Kasahara is an endearing and hilarious hot mess. There's a senior officer who is her nemesis.... with a little slow burn *tension*. He's also 5'4", I loved the short boy rep lol. It's a manga so you do have to look past the fact that he slaps her in the face hard enough to swell and refuses to apologise lol, manga is kinda wild sometimes.
The mix of military and library setting is so much fun. The art is quirky and expressive, and I loved the little honest and vulnerable notes from the artist in each chapter.
The English translation is very well done, the text feeling natural and colloquial.
I've never really read a proper manga before and this was a great one to start with. Very easy and fun - and set in a library! I think there are about 15 volumes of this so plenty to read if you enjoy the first one!
kemendraugh's review against another edition
5.0
This is literally everything I wanted it to be.
Also dude, so excellent. It's like what if Farenheit 451 was real but helloooo Libraries exist? So what would be THEIR next move in that sort of world?
Militia. Book-protecting Militia, obvs.
<3
Also dude, so excellent. It's like what if Farenheit 451 was real but helloooo Libraries exist? So what would be THEIR next move in that sort of world?
Militia. Book-protecting Militia, obvs.
<3
snazel's review against another edition
2.0
Really interesting concept, but more books, less romance! Come on, guys!