School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-This volume-the first of a trilogy-introduces the concept of the Alichino, a beautiful creature that grants wishes but is inherently evil and feeds off human weaknesses. Tsugiri meets a girl in search of the enigmatic creature in order to save her brother's life. Throughout their quest, he learns more about the Alichino and himself, and this graphic novel ends in a tense cliff-hanger that leaves readers wanting more. Through traditional back-to-front and right-to-left manga illustrations, they are drawn into a world of heroic fantasy and the quest to distinguish between good and evil and truth and deception. This book has exquisite illustrations and a compelling story line. Although delivered with minimal violence, sex, and harsh language, the story is complex. With the wildfire popularity of manga with teens, this volume is an excellent choice for graphic-novel collections.-Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The questions of destiny, life and death will ring hollow and pretentious for those not willing to surrender to this manga's beautiful art. The tale is populated by gorgeously aloof creatures, impossibly long-limbed with darkly fringed cats' eyes and cascades of hair that frame masklike faces. Alichino are a form of demon, mystical beings that grant deeply held wishes in return for souls. Only one person is able to slay them, Tsugiri, but he's faced with an unexpected bond with one of his hereditary enemies. Tsugiri is a typical goth hero in that he's haunted by destiny and cursed by being special, but the fantasy situation allows a strong expression of such themes as searching for one's place in the universe and trying to make decisions while manipulated by forces beyond one's control. The story, nothing to write home about and sometimes hard to follow, is simply a vehicle for the lovely goth characters. The landscapes, ornate chambers and sweeping natural vistas are similarly detailed and the visual richness threatens to overcome readers. Fans of such manga as Paradise Kiss and xxxHOLiC should be equally mesmerized by these androgynous aristocrats. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
