Asterix and the Missing Scroll by Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad (Graphic novel, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

October 2015, Orion Children's Books, 48 pages, Hardback, Review copy

Content: lots of humour 

Book summary 

The long awaited new album featuring Asterix, the Gaul.

Julius Caesar has finished writing the history of his campaigns in Gaul. His publisher, Libellus Blockbustus, forsees a huge success ... but there's a snag: the chapter about Caesar's defeats by the indomitable Gauls of Armorica. Cut it, Blockbustus advises, and everyone will believe that Caesar conquered all Gaul. Or will they? Newsmonger and activist Confoundtheirpolitix takes the chapter to Asterix's village. Can the Gauls make sure the truth is revealed?

Following in the footsteps of Goscinny and Uderzo, the thirty-sixth Asterix album by Ferri and Conrad is a number 3 New York Times bestselling title.

Nayu's thoughts

This is a brand new Asterix tale which brought back memories of reading this series when I was little! Despite being a girly girl (something I'm even more into now) Asterix was somethig I loved despite there being barely any girls in it. It's a funny series, filled with humor which starts with someone's name. For example Cacophonix the bard is terrible at singing, so much so he frequently gets tied up and beaten up to save everyone's sanity. However, he is a secret weapon Asterix and co unleash on their enemies. 

There are continuous jokes and conceptswhich reoccur in most books including this one. For example Obelix is forever annoyed that he isn't allowed any potion because he fell into a vat when he was a baby, which explains his superhuman strength. Boars appear in every story which happen to be Obelix's favourite food. There's always a feast, usually in the Gaul's village, at the end of the

story including this one. Also the village chief is frequently berated by his wife, among other incidents which I've forgotten. There are more subtle and obvious reoccurrences which readers familiar of the series will pick up on, but most of the humour even first time readers will love.

Everything which makes Asterix Asterix is in this latest book. It's been years since I read one so I haven't noticed a difference by having a different author and illustrator to the earlier volumes. There's plenty of historical themes to explore, some naturally have a lot of artistic licence, but I think Asterix played a small part in my love of the ancient world. Go check it out!

You can find out more on the official Asterix website and Didier's website (the latter is in French).

Shiba Inuko-san volume 1 by Uzu (Manga, 10/10E)

 September 2015, Takeshobo, 118 pages, English, Ebook Review copy, 

Content: lots of humour

Summary from NetGalley

Adapted to TV Animation! A Dog in a girl’s sailor school uniform...!? “Don’t even think about it!” Shiba Inuko san is a 4- panel comic strip about an ordinary but fun school life of “Shiba Inuko san”, and her classmate Chako and Naporin. 

Nayu's thoughts

This follows the hilarious mystery of a talking girl dog who thinks she is human, as do most of her classmates which is hilarious. The one classmate who thinks Shiba Inuko's a dog is frequently surprised at how human her canine ressemblig friend is, resulting in a lot of jokes. 

There are lots of distinctly dog-like acts which Shiba Inuko-san does which are claimed as perfectly normal. I've read other manga with the vertical strip of 4 panels before: it's easy enough to follow and there are many profound moments in the glimpses into Shiba Inuko's life, as well as glimpses into Japanese culture. This is a book for when you need to smile. I haven't yet seen the anime version, but I'm sure it's just as fun!

Suggested read

For a random and slightly not quite human girl check out Suzunari! Vol 1 by Shoko Iwami (Manga, Young Adult, 9/10)

The Phoenix Presents Long Gone Don by The Etherington Brothers Robin & Lorenzo (Children's, 7 years +, 9/10E, semi short 'n' sweet review)

August 2014, David Fickling Books, 64 pages, Paperback, Review copy 

Themes: a weird world, varying types of friendship, 

Content: oodles of humour

Summary from David Fickling Books

Ten-year-old Don Skelton never imaged a school day could get any worse than drowning face down in a bowl of oxtail soup.

But he was wrong!

Transported to the spooky underworld of Broilerdoom, Don is soon forced to fight for his life-after-death against a host of villainous monstrosities.

Prepare to enter the hilarious and dangerous world of Long Gone Don, where one boy’s end is just the beginning of the adventure…

Extra note from the press release email I received: 

The Phoenix is a weekly comic for boys and girls aged 6-12 years (and beyond). Launched in 2012 by celebrated publisher, David Fickling, it is packed full of original stories - from epic serial adventures to one-off adventures – plus non-fiction and puzzles, all from some of the comic world’s most celebrated story creators

Nayu's thoughts

I had accidentally received this compilation of Long Don's exploits in The Phoenix along with a different compilation from The Phoenix Presents which I'd requested and will review in due course. This is certainly no ordinary story. It's extraordinary-ness is the reason for the not quite perfect grade, for at times it was too weird for me (I find Alice in Wonderland too weird to read/watch), and the graphics weren't 100% my style. And yet, in spite of that I found it a totally bonkers read which made me laugh way more than expected. 

The main character is male, which I always find hard to relate to as I prefer imagining I'm the protagonist, but Don finds himself more than knee deep in trouble so often it's hard not to feel sorry for him. There are strong female characters who made me think about theories about who they really are (I'm not saying any more on the matter), and every time I vaguely thought about stopping reading something would happen so I had to turn the colourful page! 

Find out more on the dedicated website.

Suggested read

Check out a graphic novel I'm desperate to have a book 2 for with a totally classy heroine Mo-Bot High by Neill Cameron (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)

Vern and Lettuce by Sarah McIntyre (Children's, Graphic Novel, 7 years +, 10E/10E)

September 2010, David Fickling Books

48 pages, Hard back

Review copy

Graphic novel, Children's 7 +

Lots of humour, animal antics,

Summary from Random House Children's Books

Welcome to Pickle Rye, home of best friends Lettuce the rabbit and Vern the sheep. Join them for baking, birthdays, bunny-sitting and a quest for fame in the big city! Vern and Lettuce reach for the stars, but danger is lurking just beneath their feet... Furry escapades from the DFC Library.

Nayuleska's thoughts

When I saw the cover, I thought this would be a cute read. I love bunnies and collect items with bunnies on. Lettuce the bunny has such an entertaining time Vern. They get into so much trouble, sometimes on their own and sometimes because of Lettuce's brothers and sisters. Vern is a generous sheep, sometimes too generous - he gives up his warm, natural coat to create presents for Lettuce's family. He then cold, leaving Lettuce and her family to come up with a solution.

One of the great things about this book is how there is a story to each page (sometimes it continues onto the next page). This makes it a perfect read if readers have a short attention span or are pressed for time. Just one page will have the reader laughing away. (From what I can gather, each strip featured in The DFC weekly). Reoccurring characters include moles, polar bears, a squirrel, pigeons. Some of those are gangsters. Some are rebels. All are funny.

I have so many favourite parts to this book. Here are a couple:

• Any scene involving Lettuce's brothers and sisters 
• When they help Vern cook and strange ingredients appear in the flour.
• When they sing 
• When they sleep in a tree 

Final Conclusion 

A must read to bring a smile to your face - this bunny and rabbit have a lot of fun together! Bunnies rule!! And pictures really do speak more than a thousand words.

For more bunny antics, check out Harriet in Stunt Bunny: Showbiz Sensation by Tamsyn Murray

 and The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett

Mo-Bot High: Book 1 by Neill Cameron (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)

28th October 2010, David Fickling Books 

80 pages, Hard back

Review copy

Content: Humour, lots of intrigue, a little moderate violence (robotic in nature), school setting

Summary from Random House Children's books 

Asha’s new school is insane. Everyone has giant robots that launch out of their mobile phones! 

She’s only been there five minutes when the school bully challenges her to a fight. So now it’s not just about figuring out who’s cool and who isn’t. She has to learn to pilot her Mo-bot. And fast.

But while Asha gets to grips with her Mo-bot’s moves and customises her DMC, she’s being watched… Her piloting skills are about to be put to the ultimate test, and there’s nothing her new friends can do to help.

Nayuleska's thoughts

I first saw this when I went to the Random House Children's Book brunch. The cover caught my eye. I stood there, gazing at it thinking 'Awesome!'. It truly is awesome. As some readers will know, I am an anime fan. I watch a variety of genres, including those were 'robots'/'dolls' are used for fighting. Under the user's guidance, these objects become great fighting machines (and also helpful for saving people). I adore those shows a lot. To see an English graphic novel using those ideas had my eyes shining brightly. 

I mean, just look at that cover. The colours of the mo-bots are cool. How they actually work is really clever, and the reader doesn't get to know the full story behind them in this novel (I mean, why keep them secret?). The way of initialising fights is a way that a lot of readers will be able to relate to. 

Asha is a fun character. She's really thrown in the deep end, but she does her best in the bizarre situation. And her best raises the interest of others in the school.... Not only is Asha fun, she has a funky hairstyle in a vibrant colour. She has stylish accessories, and even adds fashion to her own Mo-Bot, with a bit of help from the character named after me... The whole appeal for me for anime/manga/graphic novels is how the character looks and the storyline. If the characters' ensemble doesn't grab my attention, then I'll switch off/stop reading. No chance of that in Mo-Bot High. I'm very eager for book two. If I had my way, every girl would be given this book. It's that awesome! 

I wish mo-bots really existed - they are great fun! Mine would be purple, with yellow glitter. Although, one of the coolest parts of this is that there is a character with my name in here, who looks a bit like me too! And her Mo-Bot is very cool. 

Either way, I can't help but keep looking at this story. It's so much fun!

Head over to the Mo-Bot High website for news, pictures and much more. More info on Neill can be found on his website.

Be sure to check the interview with Neill here

Suggested read
Another hilarious read is Vern and Lettuce by Sarah McIntyre (Children's, graphic novel, 7 years +, 10/10E)

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale - illustrated by Nathan Hale

October 2008, Bloomsbury Books
144 pages, paperback
Personal Copy

Mid-grade/action adventure graphic novel

comic action, mild violence, a stolen kiss

Summary from Bloomsbury
Bestselling and award-winning author Shannon Hale teams up with first-time author and husband Dean Hale, and with Nathan Hale (no relation to either) to create a stunning comic book. Action and originality abound in this hugely entertaining, Wild West-retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ fairytale

Escaping from the enchanted tree where Mother Gothel imprisoned her, Rapunzel sets off alone through the ghost towns and Badlands of Gothel’s Reach. She is determined to find Gothel’s Villa and teach Mother Gothel a long-overdue lesson for her years of treachery and lies, and help her real mother get out of the mine camps where Mother Gothel has kept her enslaved.

Rapunzel’s adventures take her across a country much akin to the Wild Wild West, where she is soon wanted – dead or alive – for horse thieving, kidnapping, jail breaking and using her hair in a manner other than nature intended!

In this highly original take on the familiar story of Rapunzel, Shannon and Dean Hale introduce us to a feisty and dynamic heroine and Nathan Hale’s illustrations offer a striking visual feast, ensuring this is a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Mom's Thoughts
No one had even heard of this book when I tripped over it on Amazon while hunting down a child-friendly graphic novel for my voracious 8-year-old, so I picked it up with some trepidation. What grabbed me at first was the cover. A princess in pants fighting with braids? How is that not cool? It was time for a test read, just to make sure the book was age appropriate. *wink wink*

By page three I was laughing. The beautiful pictures combined with the witty narrative voice sucked me right in. Rapunzel (don't call her Punzie!) is a fun, bold, real character. She's curious, she's rebellious, she's angry, and she's hungry, everything a real girl is during the course of a day.

Calamity Jack with his lucky bean and egg-less goose are a good counter-point to Rapunzel's sometimes forceful personality. Jack is engrossing enough as a secondary character that I'm planning on buying the second book (Calamity Jack) in November (even though it's out now).

I think parents and children alike will enjoy this wild west adventure with a princess who can save herself, but still has time for mom. This is going to be my go-to book for the winter holidays this year, I know quite a few little princesses who will enjoy reading about a strong female lead and who will cheer Rapunzel's choice to ditch Prince Charming.


Kids' Thoughts
"Mom, it's a book! Look at her hair!"

Within minutes of finding the book on the table as an after-school surprise the girls were curled up together on the couch, slowly turning the pages as Eldest read aloud. Some of the words were a little hard for her second-grade reading level. The infrequently used western-style slang confused them a few times, but the pictures kept them from getting lost and made them laugh.

This has become a bedtime staple. Daddy reads one chapter every night and the girls flip to their favorite parts to read during their free time. The jokes and allusion to romance are at just the right level for grade-schoolers.


Final Conclusion
Real women can rescue themselves, but it helps to have friends at the end of the day.

Glister: The Faerie Host by Andi Watson

4th January 2010, Walker

80 pages, Paperback

Review Copy

Children's, girls 8+

Clouds: 3

Cushions: 1

Smiles: 3

Tissues: 3

Yunaleska's recommended rating:♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Walker Books

The third book in a delightfully quirky and funny series for girls told in comic-strip and featuring Glister Butterworth – girl-magnet for the weird and unusual.

It is coming up to Halloween and already Glister's father is bustling around getting ready for Christmas! The Butterworths are putting up decorations for the tree and making preparations for the big day, but Glister is sad – her mother is missing and Christmas just wouldn't be the same without her. She is determined to find her mum and solve the mystery of her disappearance. However, boundary changes in the area mean Faerieland and Whixleyshire's borders now meet right outside Glister's front door. Once Glister has ventured into Faerieland in search of her beloved lost mum, very strange things start to happen and her biggest challenge will be finding her way home again.

Purple cover, title includes the word faerie - I had to get this. I whooped with glee when I opened the book -it's set out in graphic novel style! (although it reads left to right like normal novels.)

This is a new series for me, and I absolutely adore it. Glister's father is Christmas mad - the decorations become more abundant with each passing year, and he starts preparing very early on, so by the time Christmas does come round Glister isn't all that excited. However, this year she gets a present from her mother - who is missing. I nearly cried when the present arrived, for its something Glister has wanted for so long. The present pushes Glister into searching for her mother - which means she must go to the forbidden Faerieland. Her father wouldn't approve - so naturally she doesn't tell. She wasn't to know that while off on her adventure time outside Faerieland passes at a faster rate. Thankfully her father's concern for her well being doesn't last forever. Glister manages to bring back a very special animal to their home, whose power can be discovered at the end of the book.

Glister's adventure is a heart-warming tale full of love and magic. There is mild peril for Glister, but she's always able to overcome the obstacles, with a bit of help from those in the magical realm - and from a gift from her mother. The drawings are cute and funky: Glister's personality is visible before any words are said about her. I'm a huge fan of graphic novels, and this is a great introduction to the style of book for young girls. There is more than just a story to this book: at the back and front are two craft activities, written with diagrams and step-by-step instructions. It will encourage the reader to get creative and have fun with friends and family after finishing the book.

Andi Watson has his own website, full of info on Glister and other books.

Liked this? Try Glitterwings Academy 1: Flying High by Titania Woods

Calamity Jack by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

4th January 2010, Bloomsbury

144 pages, Paperback

Review Copy

Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Cushions: 2

Daggers: 2

Pencils: 5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Bloomsbury

Bestselling, award-winning author Shannon Hale teams up with husband Dean Hale and Nathan Hale (no relation) to create a second stunning graphic novel. Action and thrills define this gangster-filled and hugely entertaining retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack thinks of himself as a criminal mastermind − with an unfortunate amount of bad luck. A schemer, a trickster . . . maybe even a thief? But, of course, he’s not out for himself − he’s trying to take the burden off his hardworking mum’s shoulders. She’d understand, right? He hopes she might even be proud.

Then, one day, Jack chooses a target a little more . . . ‘giant’ than the usual, and as one little bean turns into a great big building-destroying beanstalk, his troubles really begin. But with help from Rapunzel and other eccentric friends, Jack just might out-swindle the evil giants and put his beloved city back in the hands of the people who live there . . . whilst catapulting them and the reader into another fantastical adventure.

I was more than a little happy at getting a graphic novel through the post last week. This is the first one I've ever owned to be the size of nearly an A4 sheet of paper. The story of Jack and the Beanstalk was never my favourite fairy tale as a child, but that was primarily due to the fact that even then I preferred female protagonists. This retelling of classic tale changed my mind completely.

Gangsters and the wild west are a genre which I haven't really touched before now. Jack isn't really a 'good' boy - he's a con artist with a little pixie, Pru, as a partner. He isn't entirely bad for his heart is in the right place. He loves his mother dearly and wants a better life for her. That might be the reason he uses for stealing from the giant. The giant wasn't all too happy with his home being crushed by the beanstalk, so off goes Jack into exile, without Pru. He meets up with Rapunzel, who had her own adventure in the earlier book of Rapunzel's Revenge.

Rapunzel is the reason why I enjoyed Calamity Jack. She is cool. Her long hair is now a weapon (not attached to her head) - she uses it for a lasso, for swinging herself and Jack across wide gaps. She isn't a heroine you'd mess with. Which is good because Jack doesn't really have special powers. Apart from Pru, who after being annoyed with him for leaving her, agrees to help defeat the giants. That was the funniest part of the story - who would mess with a swam of pixies (Pru's friends) as they flew up the building to distract the brownies (who are chained to the building and create quite a racket?) Those pixies are scary!

The inclusion of Rapunzel had me in stitches, and although I still think Jack is an idiot, he does have redeeming qualities. He tries his best to put right the past. He worries that Rapunzel might not like the shadier part of his life, but her reaction shows that he underestimated her character completely.

Graphic novels are by nature illustration orientated. The colour scheme used fits the style of the wild west. There is so much expression in the character's faces that often words weren't needed. I love how the speech bubbles sometimes had broken lines to indicate fear or whispers. The style is distinct and I think I'd recognise it on its own without knowing who the illustrator was.

Calamity Jack may be about Jack, but for me Rapunzel stole the show. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more like it. (And more Rapunzel, who rules!)

Shannon and Dean Hale have a website here.

Nathan Hale (really not related to the authors) has his own site here.

I currently don't have another book similar to this one, so I can't give another recommendation.

Vermonia: Call of the Winged Panther by Yoyo

October 2009, Walker Books

208 pages, Paperback

Review Copy

Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Clouds: 2

Cushions: 4

Pencils: 5

Smiles: 2

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Blurb from Walker

The adventure continues as four friends go on a journey of discovery to find their true warrior spirits in an epic battle to save the planet of Vermonia.

Evil Lord Uro's soldiers have kidnapped and imprisoned Mel far away from her friends, Naomi, Doug and Jim and far from her home on the planet of Blue Star. But the friends pledge to find her and continue on their fated journey through the Turtle Realm. Their destiny has long ago been foretold in an ancient prophecy, and they are hailed as four warriors returned to save Vermonia from the destructive clutches of Lord Uro and restore it to the peaceful reign of Queen Frasinella. Before they can accomplish their task, and fulfil their destiny, the skateboarders from Union City must learn to release special power animals and become one with their true warrior spirits. In this thrilling new episode, Jim hears the call of the winged panther who urges him to survive.

Yay! Book 2 has arrived :D Good news for Yoyo, I will not be trying to track down where they are. The brilliant climax in Book 1 is addressed immediately at the start of this second installment in the series. My relief as the outcome for Naomi unraveled was short lived, for Doug has to head off to a shrine where he gains his warrior spirit. He and his friends get trapped by a woman who turns people to stone. Somehow they manage to escape. If only that was the end of their troubles. Doug's spirit guide is correct in saying their journey has only just begun (paraphrased).

There's a new character in town, Fly, a friend of Rainbow's. Jim isn't too keen on Fly - he views him as competition. Rainbow later intimates that she likes Jim, rather than Fly. But Fly must stay on the scene - he can open doors by magic, transporting the friends to different places (that scene is pretty cool). Jim is sad that they have to leave Rainbow in order to continue their quest. However Rainbow isn't gone for long, much to Fly's horror. I'm hoping she'll remain on the quest for the full duration, because more of her identity is revealed in the book, including the reason why Fly is so protective of her, and why she is so interested in helping her new friends find Mel.

I liked how Mel's story is included - I got to see how Uro treats her, a little of what she is feeling as a prisoner. I personally don't think her friends will find her for a long time. Or, if they do, it won't be the end of the story. Additionally more is revealed about the power the guardian spirits bestow on the friends. Even with the new powers I don't think it will be easy to destroy Uro when the final showdown arrives. The friends don't have time to take a break and train up in their powers. Free time doesn't exist in Vermonia.

I have to say the ending isn't as much of a cliffhanger as book one, but it is strong enough for me to sit glaring at the last page.

The world of Vermonia is explored on the official website.

Liked this? Catch up with the first tale in Vermonia: Quest For the Silver Tiger.

(Oh, I've since read other manga and not all have obvious chapter breaks, but the breaks in scene are recognisable).

Vermonia: Quest for the Silver Tiger by Yoyo

August 2009, Walker Books
208 pages
Review copy

Graphic Novel: fantasy (children's 9+)

Clouds: 2/5
Cushions: 6/5 (yes, its a six. Why? See below)
Daggers: 0.5/5
Pencils: 5+ (new rating for manga/illustrated books, how much I like the illustrations)
Smiles: 3/5
Tissues: 1/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥

Manga! Manga! Manga! Understand this is manga? I was positively dancing at receiving this one. As a manga lover (and anime...and all things Japanese) I had to review this.

The first manga review just happens to be the first in a new series, which is the first publication for Yoyo! Lots of firsts here.

The colour pages at the end and the beginning have me praying this will end up as an anime. The story lends itself well: the summary of the problem, summarised at the beginning has me thinking 'how will x happen?' It reminds me of several rpgs (role play games - yes, manga, anime and games go hand in hand) where the mythical tale is explained at the beginning, in stunning graphics and good choice of music, before the quest itself begins. Vermonia 1 is just missing the music.

What I liked was that the heros and heroines of the tale, although they were once friends, they've had a falling out at the start of the story. 12 year old skateboarders Doug, Naomi, Jim and Mel haven't got a clue that their destinies are tied up with a time of darkness in a far away world. Or that such a realm would appear in their skateboarding spot. Their lives are intertwined with the four guardians of Vermonia, each who have unique skills which the children will unravel over time.

This first volume is full of surprises, lots of 'oh's coming from me. Mel's kidnapping sets the other three friends on the quest to find her. Only, its not as simple as that. In the new land, they bump into Princess Rainbow. She looks as pretty as her name suggests. Princess Rainbow, due to circumstances which you'll have to read about, joins up with the skateboarders in their quest. One of them encounters a Vermonian guardian, and mystical powers are awakened. I can so see this becoming an anime series. When you look at the pictures, you can almost see the light reflecting off objects, or hear 'zings' emanating from them.

The characters have flaws which make them all the more lovable. They have problems which I feel every reader can relate to. I think I understand why Mel reacts as she does, something which the others, because they haven't experienced it or had something similar happen, they don't get where she's coming from. Mel's problem is nothing compared to what happens to her in Vermonia. I think, when her friends eventually catch up with her, their old squabble will be forgiven. Greater dilemmas await those four skateboarders known as warriors from Blue Star!

There's such a cute (kawaii!) creature who guides Mel, Doug and Jim in their quest. There's a unique style with the character's faces: they are what I call more western style drawings, so will appeal to the wider market including those not so used to manga. I for one can say if I see more work from Yoyo, without being told they were the creators, I could easily pick the work out.

Two things I wasn't so keen on. The first, was that there were no chapter breaks. Usually, in the mangas I've read so far, the story is divided into chapters. This makes it much easier to read: I pick one up, can judge how many chapters I can read before dinner is cooked. I miss not having the breaks, because I couldn't figure out where to stop!

The second thing - well, it is a huge plus, if its looked at in a certain way. The ending. Writers in most stories should be hung, drawn and quartered by readers if they leave the story literally at a cliffhanger edge. There should be some satisfaction in the ending, a goal achieve or progress made by the protagonist. TV shows can get away with cliffhangers (in fact, they depend on it to keep the audience watching). I reluctantly agree the same is true for manga. But there are cliffhangers, and there are cliffhangers. The moment I finished the book, I was there, searching for when the next installment is due. October 1st. The rest of the series of 10 books will be released over 4 years. I predict each book will end on a cliffhanger more dramatic than the last. Just great. I want to know what happens right now! There may 'only' be a few months between each release, but trust me, those few months are feeling like a lifetime.

I think you can tell when I really like a book: I try not to say too much because I believe any information is a spoiler. I guess that's not quite the point of a book review, but this is good. If you like manga or anime at all, go buy it!

Check out the world of Vermonia here