Notice for Review Requests

I receive review requests weekly. However, my personal schedule is hectic and I no longer review actively. (I also manage another blog called The Toronto Cafe and Food Blog). I do read every request sent but I apologize in advance that I do not reply to them all.

If I do take on a request, I will forewarn that it may take some time before I can review it. I am now looking to review adult fiction and self-help books instead of young adult fiction because I have grown out of it. If you are to request a review for either adult fiction or self-help, I will more likely to give it a shot.

In the meantime, Stop, Drop, and Read! serves as an archive book review blog. When I have the time, I may post a review. Thank you for understanding.

Friday, July 24, 2009

kimi ni todoke: From Me to You by Karuho Shiina

Title: kimi ni todoke: From Me to You
Mangaka: Karuho Shiina
Age Group: Teens
Series is: Ongoing with 8 volumes
Volume(s) Reviewing: 1
My Rating: 4/5

Always misunderstood, Sawako Kuronuma is a teen who just wants to be friends with everyone. Known as "Sadako" (the dead girl from the popular Japanese horror movie, The Ring) by her classmates, she is always alone and is being judged by her appearance. With her long, raven hair and introverted personality, people assume that she can attracts ghosts and put curses upon them.

But when a people-friendly and popular classmate of hers begins to hang around her more and more, everything changes!

Even though I don't like this book as much as I want to, there is something so sweet and humble about this manga that I have to give it a 4/5!

Sawako is a most peculiar protagonist. She is very meek and always so happy when someone says something nice to her. Even though people are afraid of her, she does not hate them. Her goal is to do something good everyday. I find her adorable, curious to know if she is going to change later on in the series. I did wonder why she didn't change her hair or do something in the beginning. Because she appears so much like the horror character Sadako, many fear her. I mean, if she cut and dye her hair or something, her problems will resolve right? But then again, the manga wouldn't exist if that happened.

Shota Kazehaya, the boy who befriends Sawako, is your all around-nice guy. You can't help but smile when you see him because he radiates a pleasant aura. He falls for Sawako but poor guy realizes that she only highly respects him! I kept thinking that she really does have a crush on him until the end. It seems like she doesn't know her true feelings for him yet and admires him very much because everyone loves him and he's such a great person.

What I love most is Shiina's artwork. Her characters are drawn with a gentle touch and they are just so pretty. It's very pleasing on the eyes.

So far, kimi ni todoke: From Me to You is a realistic manga that has to be read slowly so the reader can fully enjoy it. Will appeal to Honey and Clover fans. And there is also a cute set of free stickers attached onto the first volume!

Review copy provided by Viz.

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7 comments:

wdebo said...

Sounds really good! I gotta check it out.

Wdebo :)

P.S. I also wanted to tell you about my contest:

http://theelectricalbookcafe.blogspot.com/2009/07/contest-geektastic-stories-from-nerd.html

Hope you can check it out!

Joni said...

I read the first chapter in Shojo Beat- and it was good. I'm looking forward to reading the whole volume.

Diana Dang said...

@wdebo: Thanks for letting me know!

@Joni: It is a long series, I doubt I'll keep up with it tho. D:

Anonymous said...

Sounds good. I will be adding this to my wishlist. I LOVE Honey and Clover!

Diana Dang said...

I hope you'll like it if you pick it up!

Sydney said...

I've been following this series and it really is very sweet. It's not the best shoujo manga I've ever read, but it makes for a heartwarming read. I'm enjoying it immensely.

Unknown said...

i loved "kimi ni todoke" but i couldn't read vol. 5,,.,.,.if you know where to find it please tell me!