princess_starr's review
4.0
I’m sad that this book is out of print now, because it’s a really good read that I just happened on when I need something new. It was hard to find to begin with, and with Tokyopop going under, chances of getting a copy are a bit slimmer.
I really clicked on this, mostly because of the premise. Hey, it’s about writing, I tend to jump on those books. And the whole ‘writing a story’ really comes to life here. I like that all of the main girls have ideas of where to take the characters they’re writing, even if they’re lifting from their own lives and experiences. I also like how, in the samples of the in-world ‘Chain Mail’, each of the writers has their own style of writing. It’s a subtle detail, but a good one. It gives the characters a little more of an identity in their own respective sections.
The plots of both the in-world story and the actual book tie in very neatly with too little obvious parallels. Like I said, I like the detail that these girls are drawing from their own lives to write this story, and it adds to the ambiguity of what’s really going on. This is a book that kept me guessing until the end, and it’s great to go back and try to pick up on all of the clues. The only downside is the somewhat confusing first person prologue, and while it’s explained early on, it still feels jarring as compared to the rest of the book. It’s the only part I could argue that would have been handled in the text of the main story.
While I don’t absolutely love the characters, I still really enjoy them and they’re very sympathetic. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Mayumi. Partially because she’s more of the writer in the group (she’s the only one specifically mentioned with an interest in fiction, and Western crime novels to boot), but I related more to her wanting to find something bigger for herself. She’s very supportive of her friend Sayuri, but I really felt her frustration about being regulated to the sidelines and treated like dirt by others. (And I really love her relationship with Sayuri; they’re friends first, interests second.) Mai is a character that could have very easily been written off as just a cool girl, with her love of music and just happening into the game. But she’s the one who figures out the details first and is the first one to pick up on the fact that something’s wrong with everything. She feels more like a typical teen girl, as a lot of her conflict is between her and her mother, but it feels genuine with Mai. I also really like that she feels the loneliest, having a lot of people in her contact list, but very few that she actually talks to regularly. And I like that part of the reason for that is that she wants more from these friendships than just gossiping about other friends and celebrities. (It does tug my heartstrings a little when both Mai and Mayumi admit to wanting to email each other once Chain Mail’s finished.) Sawako is definitely the weakest of the three main girls, as there’s not much to her outside of studying and Chain Mail. She’s extremely nihilistic, which definitely plays into the plot.
This is also one of the better translated novels that I’ve read. The dialogue and prose flow naturally, with only one or two parts that don’t work as well. The girls actually sound like teenage girls—Sawako’s a bit smarter, but still feels like a teenager at times—and while the in-universe writing is good, it’s still a bit unpolished and rough. Some of the plot twists, especially the reveal, could come off as silly, but it manages to work well, and as I mentioned, had me flipping back to the beginning to try to figure it all out.
It’s not a perfect book, but I’ve enjoyed reading this multiple times, and it still has me looking for clues. This is definitely a book to keep in mind, and if you’re lucky to find it, do pick it up.
I really clicked on this, mostly because of the premise. Hey, it’s about writing, I tend to jump on those books. And the whole ‘writing a story’ really comes to life here. I like that all of the main girls have ideas of where to take the characters they’re writing, even if they’re lifting from their own lives and experiences. I also like how, in the samples of the in-world ‘Chain Mail’, each of the writers has their own style of writing. It’s a subtle detail, but a good one. It gives the characters a little more of an identity in their own respective sections.
The plots of both the in-world story and the actual book tie in very neatly with too little obvious parallels. Like I said, I like the detail that these girls are drawing from their own lives to write this story, and it adds to the ambiguity of what’s really going on. This is a book that kept me guessing until the end, and it’s great to go back and try to pick up on all of the clues. The only downside is the somewhat confusing first person prologue, and while it’s explained early on, it still feels jarring as compared to the rest of the book. It’s the only part I could argue that would have been handled in the text of the main story.
While I don’t absolutely love the characters, I still really enjoy them and they’re very sympathetic. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Mayumi. Partially because she’s more of the writer in the group (she’s the only one specifically mentioned with an interest in fiction, and Western crime novels to boot), but I related more to her wanting to find something bigger for herself. She’s very supportive of her friend Sayuri, but I really felt her frustration about being regulated to the sidelines and treated like dirt by others. (And I really love her relationship with Sayuri; they’re friends first, interests second.) Mai is a character that could have very easily been written off as just a cool girl, with her love of music and just happening into the game. But she’s the one who figures out the details first and is the first one to pick up on the fact that something’s wrong with everything. She feels more like a typical teen girl, as a lot of her conflict is between her and her mother, but it feels genuine with Mai. I also really like that she feels the loneliest, having a lot of people in her contact list, but very few that she actually talks to regularly. And I like that part of the reason for that is that she wants more from these friendships than just gossiping about other friends and celebrities. (It does tug my heartstrings a little when both Mai and Mayumi admit to wanting to email each other once Chain Mail’s finished.) Sawako is definitely the weakest of the three main girls, as there’s not much to her outside of studying and Chain Mail. She’s extremely nihilistic, which definitely plays into the plot.
This is also one of the better translated novels that I’ve read. The dialogue and prose flow naturally, with only one or two parts that don’t work as well. The girls actually sound like teenage girls—Sawako’s a bit smarter, but still feels like a teenager at times—and while the in-universe writing is good, it’s still a bit unpolished and rough. Some of the plot twists, especially the reveal, could come off as silly, but it manages to work well, and as I mentioned, had me flipping back to the beginning to try to figure it all out.
It’s not a perfect book, but I’ve enjoyed reading this multiple times, and it still has me looking for clues. This is definitely a book to keep in mind, and if you’re lucky to find it, do pick it up.
foxingfae's review
4.0
Subject: would you like to create a fictional world?
Four young girls are brought together when a chain email gets sent around asking them to participate in a collaborative story. Sawako, Yukari, Mai, and Mayumi are all tired of the lives they’re living. So when the opportunity to get creative and share a secret hobby together arises, they all join in. The story has four parts and each girl can choose a perspective to write from: the female protagonist, her boyfriend, her stalker, and the detective. What begins as a fun and thrilling hobby, becomes more sinister as real life and fiction bleed together.
I did not expect to love this story as much as I did. The characters are given a lot of depth and they undergo significant change despite the book being just over 200 pages. The aesthetic of a group of teen girls typing out story chapters on their flip phones against the colorful backdrop of Tokyo was just (*chef’s kiss*) so enjoyable. It all brought me back to the time when I was their age and trying desperately to fit in despite drama with my friends and troubles at home. I think there’s something for everyone to relate to in this book. Hell, even the school bully gets a redemption arc.
If you want a story that reads like a wholesome slice of life anime with some effectively creepy undertones then I’d highly recommend Chain Mail, though you’ll probably have to buy second hand to get a hold of it.
Four young girls are brought together when a chain email gets sent around asking them to participate in a collaborative story. Sawako, Yukari, Mai, and Mayumi are all tired of the lives they’re living. So when the opportunity to get creative and share a secret hobby together arises, they all join in. The story has four parts and each girl can choose a perspective to write from: the female protagonist, her boyfriend, her stalker, and the detective. What begins as a fun and thrilling hobby, becomes more sinister as real life and fiction bleed together.
I did not expect to love this story as much as I did. The characters are given a lot of depth and they undergo significant change despite the book being just over 200 pages. The aesthetic of a group of teen girls typing out story chapters on their flip phones against the colorful backdrop of Tokyo was just (*chef’s kiss*) so enjoyable. It all brought me back to the time when I was their age and trying desperately to fit in despite drama with my friends and troubles at home. I think there’s something for everyone to relate to in this book. Hell, even the school bully gets a redemption arc.
If you want a story that reads like a wholesome slice of life anime with some effectively creepy undertones then I’d highly recommend Chain Mail, though you’ll probably have to buy second hand to get a hold of it.
cherryactually's review
4.0
"Fiction creates an unreal world that's better than the real one."
That line itself brought me to go on further into reading the book. I admit, for one, that the beginning of the book was a little dragging. Much like a lot of books, I guess. But I found my heart beating erratically by the time I reached the middle part of the book. I felt my chest tighten, and my mind racing as to the possibilities of what could happen next. It was suspenseful and thrilling despite being a teen angst short novel.
I, myself, am a roleplayer. I roleplay in the way the girls had done it in the book--in paragraph form, in detail, and it was much like a story. I've come to love a lot of people who I've roleplayed with, too. So the story was easy to relate to. It didn't matter where we lived, or if we ever will meet, but I've grown attached to these people. They've managed to hold a small (or big) space in my heart in the way that we connect through the stories that we've created over the Internet. Whether I know them personally or not, they've made a tremendous impact in my life. So this book was easy to relate to in a way.
As a person out of character, I can't really say I was an outcast. That part wasn't as easy to relate to, I guess. But I knew other roleplayers felt the same way whenever they post something out of character, ranting out the troubles of real life, and how they found solitude in our roleplay family, an escape from the real world. This book was mildly triggering, and I'm sure many people, whether they roleplay or not, would be able to relate, one way or another.
This wasn't just some cliche young adult story. In fact, this didn't inclue any romantic genre at all, and was more focused into lives of teenagers, depth and hidden away from the world, and was thrilling, to say the least. The dragging part in the beginning was absolutely worth it, as it just brought the whole story to raise its climax. Even though there was some sort of plot twist by the end, it was an ending that I very much appreciated.
I kind of want a part two.
That line itself brought me to go on further into reading the book. I admit, for one, that the beginning of the book was a little dragging. Much like a lot of books, I guess. But I found my heart beating erratically by the time I reached the middle part of the book. I felt my chest tighten, and my mind racing as to the possibilities of what could happen next. It was suspenseful and thrilling despite being a teen angst short novel.
I, myself, am a roleplayer. I roleplay in the way the girls had done it in the book--in paragraph form, in detail, and it was much like a story. I've come to love a lot of people who I've roleplayed with, too. So the story was easy to relate to. It didn't matter where we lived, or if we ever will meet, but I've grown attached to these people. They've managed to hold a small (or big) space in my heart in the way that we connect through the stories that we've created over the Internet. Whether I know them personally or not, they've made a tremendous impact in my life. So this book was easy to relate to in a way.
As a person out of character, I can't really say I was an outcast. That part wasn't as easy to relate to, I guess. But I knew other roleplayers felt the same way whenever they post something out of character, ranting out the troubles of real life, and how they found solitude in our roleplay family, an escape from the real world. This book was mildly triggering, and I'm sure many people, whether they roleplay or not, would be able to relate, one way or another.
This wasn't just some cliche young adult story. In fact, this didn't inclue any romantic genre at all, and was more focused into lives of teenagers, depth and hidden away from the world, and was thrilling, to say the least. The dragging part in the beginning was absolutely worth it, as it just brought the whole story to raise its climax. Even though there was some sort of plot twist by the end, it was an ending that I very much appreciated.
I kind of want a part two.
miss_tsundoku's review
4.0
Chain Mail: Addicted to You adalah sebuah novel remaja yang saya temui secara tak sengaja di celah-celah manga dan komik. Yang menyebabkan saya tertarik kepadanya ialah kulit depannya yang kawaii.
Novel psychological thriller ini berkisar tentang pergolakan jiwa remaja yang sering disalah erti oleh orang dewasa, dan tekanan to be accepted and fit in. Ia mengisahkan empat remaja yang tidak mengenali antara satu sama lain berkolaborasi menulis satu fiksyen di Internet mengikut perspektif masing-masing.
Ianya bermula apabila suatu hari Sawako, seorang remaja yang kesepian, menerima emel daripada Yukari yang menjemputnya ‘mencipta dunia lain’ dengan menulis fiksyen di laman web Chain Mail bersama-sama. Dengan menjemput Mai dan Mayumi secara rawak melalui emel, mereka akhirnya mencipta satu fiksyen yang setiap seorang daripada mereka menjadi watak di dalamnya dan bercerita mengikut perspektif masing-masing. Watak-watak mereka adalah seorang gadis sekolah menengah (Sawako) yang diekori oleh seorang stalker lelaki (Yukari), tutor/teman lelaki gadis (Mai) dan seorang detektif (Mayumi).
Namun, sempadan antara dunia fantasi dan realiti mereka mulai kabur apabila Sawako suatu hari menulis bahawa dia rasa dirinya benar-benar diekori. Sawako kemudiannya ‘hilang’ dari laman Chain Mail, ditambah dengan laporan akhbar tentang seorang remaja sekolah yang hilang dan kemungkinan diculik. Mai dan Mayumi yang berasa khuatir dengan ‘kehilangan’ Sawako di alam fantasi mulai mencari Sawako sebenar di alam realiti.
Novel ini adalah sebuah novel yang mendebarkan, dan termasuk dalam kategori buku ‘kalaulah-aku-tak-kerja-esok-memang-aku-khatamkan-malam-ini-juga.’ Penulis bijak mengeksploitasi lenggok bahasa dan melihat perspektif melalui empat pasang mata remaja yang berlainan. Dalam watak Yukari si stalker misalnya, stalker tersebut digambarkan seorang yang sakit jiwa. Yukari mencipta watak stalker tersebut dengan amat sempurna, sehingga saya membaca fiksyen mereka pun berasa gementar dan takut jika watak tersebut benar-benar wujud. Novel ini juga turut memuatkan beberapa prinsip dan falsafah Nietzsche yang digemari Sawako.
Walau bagaimanapun, novel ini sedikit mengecewakan di pengakhirannya apabila penulis membuat rumusan tentang semua peristiwa yang berlaku. Mungkin saya sebenarnya lebih suka jika penulis memberikan pembacanya kebebasan untuk mentafsir sendiri peribadi watak-watak di dalam novel ini.
Novel psychological thriller ini berkisar tentang pergolakan jiwa remaja yang sering disalah erti oleh orang dewasa, dan tekanan to be accepted and fit in. Ia mengisahkan empat remaja yang tidak mengenali antara satu sama lain berkolaborasi menulis satu fiksyen di Internet mengikut perspektif masing-masing.
Ianya bermula apabila suatu hari Sawako, seorang remaja yang kesepian, menerima emel daripada Yukari yang menjemputnya ‘mencipta dunia lain’ dengan menulis fiksyen di laman web Chain Mail bersama-sama. Dengan menjemput Mai dan Mayumi secara rawak melalui emel, mereka akhirnya mencipta satu fiksyen yang setiap seorang daripada mereka menjadi watak di dalamnya dan bercerita mengikut perspektif masing-masing. Watak-watak mereka adalah seorang gadis sekolah menengah (Sawako) yang diekori oleh seorang stalker lelaki (Yukari), tutor/teman lelaki gadis (Mai) dan seorang detektif (Mayumi).
Namun, sempadan antara dunia fantasi dan realiti mereka mulai kabur apabila Sawako suatu hari menulis bahawa dia rasa dirinya benar-benar diekori. Sawako kemudiannya ‘hilang’ dari laman Chain Mail, ditambah dengan laporan akhbar tentang seorang remaja sekolah yang hilang dan kemungkinan diculik. Mai dan Mayumi yang berasa khuatir dengan ‘kehilangan’ Sawako di alam fantasi mulai mencari Sawako sebenar di alam realiti.
Novel ini adalah sebuah novel yang mendebarkan, dan termasuk dalam kategori buku ‘kalaulah-aku-tak-kerja-esok-memang-aku-khatamkan-malam-ini-juga.’ Penulis bijak mengeksploitasi lenggok bahasa dan melihat perspektif melalui empat pasang mata remaja yang berlainan. Dalam watak Yukari si stalker misalnya, stalker tersebut digambarkan seorang yang sakit jiwa. Yukari mencipta watak stalker tersebut dengan amat sempurna, sehingga saya membaca fiksyen mereka pun berasa gementar dan takut jika watak tersebut benar-benar wujud. Novel ini juga turut memuatkan beberapa prinsip dan falsafah Nietzsche yang digemari Sawako.
Walau bagaimanapun, novel ini sedikit mengecewakan di pengakhirannya apabila penulis membuat rumusan tentang semua peristiwa yang berlaku. Mungkin saya sebenarnya lebih suka jika penulis memberikan pembacanya kebebasan untuk mentafsir sendiri peribadi watak-watak di dalam novel ini.
amy_belle's review
4.0
This was a really cool experience, honestly. The characters were relatable, the story moved at a nice pace, and I feel like I gained a little more insight into the enigma of Japanese culture. Highly recommend it!
elkcariboubiologist's review
4.0
What a unique premise for a story. At first, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book because YA can be hit or miss with me...and the beginning of this book seemed fairly immature. But as the story progressed, it really drew me in -- both in terms of the unique story and the suspense. I gave this 4 stars because I think parts of the story broke down in places and parts were rather confusing to follow toward the end. But I have to admit to figuring out some of what is revealed in the last few pages early on but not all. Others have bemoaned the ending but to me, it was perfect. It left me with an uncomfortable, apprehensive feeling...which in my mind, is representative of the masterful story telling. Would recommend.
Book 2 for #JanuaryinJapan
Book 2 for #JanuaryinJapan
orinr28's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
mollymauk's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5