I'm joining my blogging friend, Alison from Alison Can Read, on her manga meme Manga Mondays where bloggers can discuss manga we've read. I'm relatively new to manga and take more risk into finding out which genres or series to follow. I generally check around to see what is popular and/or recommended by other reviewers. Today I'll be reviewing the second volume of Library Wars.
Description (from Goodreads): In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves---the Library Forces! When the director of the Kanto Library Base gets sick, a temporary replacement is assigned, according to regulations. But Iku and her roommate Asako discover a trail of missing books that lead back to the temporary Director. Has he betrayed everything the Library Forces stands for and handed books over to the enemy?!
Review: I didn't really care for the first volume of Library Wars, which emphasized the romantic, in my opinion troubling, angle rather than the really interesting premise of fighting for the freedom to read and battling censorship. Though I liked the premise of the manga enough, I decided to read the next volume. Though some of my issues regarding the relationship angle are still there, I did enjoy this volume much more.
Volume 2 is much more eventful. We dig a little deeper into the characters and the potential relationship between Kasahara and Dojo. Kasahara is a sweet,likable girl who is reckless, impulsive, and emotional though she does have a good head on her shoulders and have good intentions at heart. I have issues with Dojo who continually berates her in one heartbeat and then in another can be caring. Dojo gives me whiplash with his mood swings. I guess you could call their relationship a love/hate one. Unlike many other shojo manga that I've read, which concentrates on romance, I really don't care for their relationship right now. I'm much more interested in what the Library Forces do and the different cases they tackle.
It was nice to see Kasahara get her first taste of action when the library has its first raid since she joined the staff. The team all knows an insider has been working with the government, though they can't prove it yet, and he's helped set up the book grab for the raiders. This time censorship is occurring within the system that was protected against it. I'm not sure if many people know, but this does happen in real life with many libraries. I worked with a woman in the past who would cut out pictures from Rolling Stone that she felt was inappropriate. You can image what was left of the magazine when she was done. I hope the series gets more interesting and digs a little deeper in its premise.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language and violence, which I would rate as PG-13.
If you like this book try: Library Wars Volume 3 by Kiiro Yumi
Description (from Goodreads): In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves---the Library Forces! When the director of the Kanto Library Base gets sick, a temporary replacement is assigned, according to regulations. But Iku and her roommate Asako discover a trail of missing books that lead back to the temporary Director. Has he betrayed everything the Library Forces stands for and handed books over to the enemy?!Review: I didn't really care for the first volume of Library Wars, which emphasized the romantic, in my opinion troubling, angle rather than the really interesting premise of fighting for the freedom to read and battling censorship. Though I liked the premise of the manga enough, I decided to read the next volume. Though some of my issues regarding the relationship angle are still there, I did enjoy this volume much more.
Volume 2 is much more eventful. We dig a little deeper into the characters and the potential relationship between Kasahara and Dojo. Kasahara is a sweet,likable girl who is reckless, impulsive, and emotional though she does have a good head on her shoulders and have good intentions at heart. I have issues with Dojo who continually berates her in one heartbeat and then in another can be caring. Dojo gives me whiplash with his mood swings. I guess you could call their relationship a love/hate one. Unlike many other shojo manga that I've read, which concentrates on romance, I really don't care for their relationship right now. I'm much more interested in what the Library Forces do and the different cases they tackle.
It was nice to see Kasahara get her first taste of action when the library has its first raid since she joined the staff. The team all knows an insider has been working with the government, though they can't prove it yet, and he's helped set up the book grab for the raiders. This time censorship is occurring within the system that was protected against it. I'm not sure if many people know, but this does happen in real life with many libraries. I worked with a woman in the past who would cut out pictures from Rolling Stone that she felt was inappropriate. You can image what was left of the magazine when she was done. I hope the series gets more interesting and digs a little deeper in its premise.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language and violence, which I would rate as PG-13.
If you like this book try: Library Wars Volume 3 by Kiiro Yumi
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I'm not really into Manga, but it seems to be fairly popular. Maybe I should give it a go. :D
I still feel like a complete n00b when it comes to manga. I've tried a few and have had a hard time getting into them.
You have me wondering if I'd find the romantic angle as troubling, since I'm a big romance reader. Glad you found vol. 2 much more satisfying.
Yay for Manga Mondays! The first few volumes of a series are always tricky - whether it's manga or a novel. You have a bunch of information to introduce but often also have character relationships to emphasize. It's a hard balance to make. That's good that this volume was better. Usually second volumes aren't as good.
"I have issues with Dojo who continually berates her in one heartbeat and then in another can be caring. Dojo gives me whiplash with his mood swings."
That type of relationship drives me absolutely crazy. I just can't get on board with the boys that give me whiplash - pick a mood and stick with it for a while please! I think the library/censorship issue with this series is really interesting though:)
Oh I know Allison has the best manga. I so need to get into it some day. I'm curious about the whiplash dojo! Strengthens the neck. ;D LOL This does sound cute.
Oh and the Rolling Stone mag cut up? Why have it? I mean it's Rolling Stone. It will be cut a lot. LOL
I've never even read a manga but I have a lot of friends who love them. I'm curious to know why they're so popular.
This one seems to have an interesting premise even though the guy's mood swings are a turn off.
Wow, a librarian actually cut out pictures from magazines? I'd never expect anybody working in a library to do that!