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teamaker's review against another edition
It's a fast read and I could finish it in a couple of hours, but I wasn't really feeling anything as I read. The characters are fine, the setting is fine, but the stories are kind of boring. Also, it reads like watching anime.
mrrobothead's review against another edition
3.0
A rather cute and cozy read, but not quite what I was hoping for.
I read this while waiting for the next volume of Otherside Picnic, and was hoping for a creepier vibe. It could have been, though. Most of the story is told through the eyes of Kaori, a young woman who grew up in the spirit realm after having somehow ended up there as a toddler. To her, this mysterious world is familiar, so the even though the book describes the wold as eerie, it never really feels strange.
The series does have a lot of potential, though, so I'll probably check out the 2nd volume when it's available in English.
I read this while waiting for the next volume of Otherside Picnic, and was hoping for a creepier vibe. It could have been, though. Most of the story is told through the eyes of Kaori, a young woman who grew up in the spirit realm after having somehow ended up there as a toddler. To her, this mysterious world is familiar, so the even though the book describes the wold as eerie, it never really feels strange.
The series does have a lot of potential, though, so I'll probably check out the 2nd volume when it's available in English.
hidekisohma's review against another edition
3.0
So i picked this up on a whim at a half price books and thought "spirit world bookstore" looked interesting. was it as interesting as the premise promised? sadly....no.
So with this premise, you'd think it would mainly be about a spirit world bookstore and maybe the different kinds of books they have, the powers they possess, or focus on the different clientele. But..no. this is not what it's about.
The plot focuses around a human girl named Kaori who lives/works at the bookstore after she was adopted by a spirit. she's 20 now and a new human exorcist (who doesn't really do any exorcist stuff in this book) boy shows up and we basically learn about the spirit world through his eyes.
And herein lies several of the problems. First of all, the main characters are dull. Kaori is a boring, average, cook and clean with a tiny bit of sass doormat who doesn't really have a personality to rub together. The exorcist boy (who i didn't care to remember his name) is just a boring "i hate spirits" guy who grumbles his way through the book with some romantic angst between the two that i couldn't care about less if you paid me.
Another problem is, how about you have the story focus on...oh i don't know, the bookstore? if you're going to put magic in your slice of life, have it focus more heavily on that, not about Kaori whinging about if she wants to stay in the spirit world or telling me for the 15th time what they're having for dinner.
I know i sound angry at this book, but that's only because i was hoping for more. I didn't get more, and it made me a little miffed.
The book definitely reads very fast and you can get through it pretty darn quick if you just sit down and decide to plow through it. The descriptions don't get in the way and the language is easy enough that you don't have to worry about missing anything.
For being a spirit world though, it definitely feels a little.....lackluster i guess is the word i would use? like i never felt the world was vibrant, alive, full of wonder. I felt like it was just Earth, but...you know, always dark outside.
I don't think the author did enough to bring the world to life or make it feel different than our current one. I wish they had focused on that more than introspective Kaori issues.
There was definitely a good story in here, but it was mired down by slice of life tropes. All in all....it was FINE and if i got the second one as a gift or for free, i might read it down the road, but i'm not going to RACE out and get it.
2.5 out of 5 rounded up to a 3.
So with this premise, you'd think it would mainly be about a spirit world bookstore and maybe the different kinds of books they have, the powers they possess, or focus on the different clientele. But..no. this is not what it's about.
The plot focuses around a human girl named Kaori who lives/works at the bookstore after she was adopted by a spirit. she's 20 now and a new human exorcist (who doesn't really do any exorcist stuff in this book) boy shows up and we basically learn about the spirit world through his eyes.
And herein lies several of the problems. First of all, the main characters are dull. Kaori is a boring, average, cook and clean with a tiny bit of sass doormat who doesn't really have a personality to rub together. The exorcist boy (who i didn't care to remember his name) is just a boring "i hate spirits" guy who grumbles his way through the book with some romantic angst between the two that i couldn't care about less if you paid me.
Another problem is, how about you have the story focus on...oh i don't know, the bookstore? if you're going to put magic in your slice of life, have it focus more heavily on that, not about Kaori whinging about if she wants to stay in the spirit world or telling me for the 15th time what they're having for dinner.
I know i sound angry at this book, but that's only because i was hoping for more. I didn't get more, and it made me a little miffed.
The book definitely reads very fast and you can get through it pretty darn quick if you just sit down and decide to plow through it. The descriptions don't get in the way and the language is easy enough that you don't have to worry about missing anything.
For being a spirit world though, it definitely feels a little.....lackluster i guess is the word i would use? like i never felt the world was vibrant, alive, full of wonder. I felt like it was just Earth, but...you know, always dark outside.
I don't think the author did enough to bring the world to life or make it feel different than our current one. I wish they had focused on that more than introspective Kaori issues.
There was definitely a good story in here, but it was mired down by slice of life tropes. All in all....it was FINE and if i got the second one as a gift or for free, i might read it down the road, but i'm not going to RACE out and get it.
2.5 out of 5 rounded up to a 3.
lost_readingbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
mj_james_writes's review against another edition
3.0
This is a light novel my son bought me about over a year ago. The thought was very nice. A combination of his love of Japan/anime and my love of books. But as much as I have tried I am not an anime person and this book reads exactly like anime - it played in my head as I read. So it is exactly what it is supposed to be. My only valid thought is that the bookstore was not as essential as it should have been given the title.
aloejuiceevee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
brebee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
fairywyvern's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a sweet story. In true Japanese fashion this is a story about spirits and the human element. I love that their world is similar to ours. Each side has good and bad and family is everything. This is a warm-hearted story that will take the chill out of your rainy day. This is a great autumn read.
jaideb's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75