by ·0 Comments

By Kei Sanbe 

5 Stars

Erased, Vol. 1: Sanbe, Kei: 9780316553315: Books - Amazon.ca

This mystery, science fiction, suspense manga is full of twists and turns, and each chapter leaves you wanting to read more while also leaving you with a lot of unresolved questions. The original Japanese name of ERASED is called Boku Dake ga Inai Machi which means ‘The town where only I’m missing’. The title refers to a time when children in Hokkaido, Japan, went missing. 

This manga is about a man by the name of Satoru Fujinuma, a 26-year-old Japanese man, aspires to be a great name in the manga industry but has had difficulty breaking through, and is usually depressed during his days. Satoru has an unknown ability called “Revival” which allows him to go back in time to prevent tragedies. He is sent back in time to the year 1988 to help save kids from being abducted. 

The plot is interesting because his choices will have an impact on the future, and he can’t rely solely on his ability to save him from danger. Another fascinating thing about this is that the protagonist is in the body of an 11-year-old boy but has the mind of a 28-year-old man, which aids him in decision-making due to his experience. 

There are several points in the manga where the protagonist has reservations about these decisions and is unable to overcome them, resulting in horrific circumstances. When I was reading the novel, I came across a quote that stuck with me: “The future is always blank. Only your willpower can leave footsteps there.” Satoru discovers that the only person on whom he can fully depend for his decisions is himself. 

Benjamin J.

View in Library Catalogue: Print

 

by ·0 Comments

by Tyler Bevins

5 Stars

Ninja: The Most Dangerous Game: [A Graphic Novel]: Amazon.ca: Blevins, Tyler "Ninja", Jordan, Justin, Magaña, Felipe: Books

The graphic novel Ninja: The Most Dangerous Game is written by Tyler “Ninja” Blevins and Justin Jordan, and illustrated by Felipe Magaña. It tells the story of Ninja, a very good gamer that plays a battle royale game. Ninja and his friends receive a box in their mail, and when they open the box, they are “teleported” to a battle royale game. Inside the game, they become characters of it, and they have to play and win the game. 

The plot is very well written, in many instances, the reader thinks something is going to happen, but actually, the opposite of that happens. The book is written especially for battle royale players because the plot is set on a battle royale game. The characters have to go through the same experiences of battle royale players, but they are inside the game, and as the book says, “the last player standing wins the game and all of the others die”. 

Felipe Magaña did a great job of illustrating this graphic novel. Magaña made the players look like it is game, and the objects inside the game are very well-drawn. The effects like powers, teleporting, and others are kind of realistic but at the same time are illustrative, so it has very nice comics. 

The book is short in length and can be easily read in some hours. There should be some more details like explain what are some things for and why some things happened because sometimes the reader could get a little confused. 

Overall, it is a really fun read, and the plot makes the reader want to keep reading forever. 

Even though it is intended for teenagers, youth adults, and battle royale gamers, other groups would also like it because it is very engaging, the reader is kind of forced to think of solutions to some problems that happen in this graphic novel.

Thales R.

View in Library Catalogue: Print

by ·0 Comments

by Naoshi Arakawa

5 Stars

Your Lie in April 1: Amazon.ca: Arakawa, Naoshi: Books

Your Lie in April, otherwise known as Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, is a heart-touching, Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa. The series was published in 2011 and continued until 2015.  

The tale begins with Kousei Arima, once an astounding pianist until his cruel instructor, who is also his mother, passes away. This causes him to have a mental breakdown during his recital, with flashbacks of his mother’s abuse and death. He claims that he can no longer “hear the piano” as the overwhelming emotions drown him. Driven by his pain to refrain from playing, he presumes to living in his own monotonous colourless world. Living this bland life, he is astonished when he meets Kaori Miyazono, a free-spirited violinist. Now the question remains whether she can bring Arima back to music and, more importantly, back to life. 

This manga truly is worth reading as it is not just the practical, beautiful, yet tragic, love story. The graphics perfectly harmonize with the text as it depicts a number of themes such as love, friendship, growth, courage, and fulfillment. The dynamic artistry is well-suited for those who admire visuals and desire for their text to really come alive. “I swing between hope and despair at your slightest gesture, and my heart starts to play a melody. What do they call this feeling- I’m sure this is what they call love.”, (Arakawa, pg. 108) quoted from the protagonist, Kousei Arima. While reading this book, I was mesmerized by the wording the author used and felt as if I were the main character himself. For example, in that last quote, the language the author used to describe the feeling of the protagonist’s first love does its job in enticingly warming the hearts of many readers. Secondly, there are a number of hidden messages that emphasize the true meaning of the entire narrative, from true love and learning to let go to finding self-identity. Ultimately, it encourages people, especially teens reaching adulthood, to find their passion and be able to appreciate it, no matter what lies ahead. “We are all afraid you know.. to get up on stage. Maybe you will mess up. Maybe they will reject you. Even so, you grit your teeth and get up on stage anyway.”, (Arakawa, pg. 170) wise words from the female protagonist, Kaori Miyazono.  

Jaelyn M.

View in Library Catalogue: Print

by ·0 Comments

by Julie Kagawa

5 Stars

The Iron Raven (The Iron Fey: Evenfall, #1) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Raven is part of a spin-off series of books based on the original Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, published relatively close to today on February 9, 2021. The Iron Raven is formatted in a way that even someone new to the series, like me, was able to take in the setting and main characters from the main series quite easily. The story goes through the eyes of Puck, or Robin Goodfellow, who is an infamous prankster and powerful magician, as he battles himself and very large non-metaphorical monsters, together with old allies and new ones they find on the way. 

Personally, The Iron Raven seems like a perfect book with a blend of genres that would attract people who like comedy, fantasy worlds, constant action, and even romance. The way that it balances out all of these things is nothing short of amazing and truly shows why the Iron Fey series is an award-winning series of books. This is also made possible because of the insane depth of the characters that are only possible in a fantasy world where living hundreds of years is normal, and grudges last forever. I can tell that many complex situations in the original Iron Fey series are what gave these characters such a unique yet familiar aura. 

Beyond just giving the original fans a spin-off, this book also helped me get into the Iron Fey series due to the theme of the plot itself. Throughout the story, the book gives backstories for the old characters of the series like Meghan the Iron Queen, Ash, and others which allows newcomers to learn of the characters and for old fans to relive memories through Puck’s perspective. These flashbacks throughout the story carry the storyline and give us a powerful insight into why Puck struggles with himself. Other characters notice Puck’s change for the worse, saying things like “I don’t like this version of you, Robin Goodfellow”, or asking identity piercing questions like “Are you Puck, or Robin Goodfellow?” (Kagawa 196). The Iron Raven also vividly describes the setting of the Nevernever and the different courts and creatures within Puck’s short backstory, and how he became the Summer Court Jester. As the story progresses with a new adventure, it brings together old and new and emotions into the many battles the characters face. 

It can be hard to get into a series this long, but with the world-building and powerful plotline, it is worth it to at least take a look at The Iron Raven, or start your adventure with the original series first book, The Iron King. In conclusion, The Iron Raven is a perfect eye-catching book designed to satisfy old fans, bring in new ones, and hook us on a life-long amount of adventures and fun.  

Lyle

View in Library Catalogue: Print