Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 11/20/2009
The week of November 20, 2009
Fiction | Nonfiction | Graphic Novels
Fiction
Kendall, Beverley. Sinful Surrender. Zebra: Kensington. Jan. 2010. c.320p. ISBN 978-1-4201-0869-9. pap. $4.99. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Missy Armstrong has loved James Rutherford forever, but since she engineered an "accidental" kiss three years ago, he, although attracted right back, has been avoiding her. Missy launches a campaign to win James’s heart despite her family’s opposition and James’s discouragement. Devious plots, false accusations, and misunderstandings spice up the marriage-focused social whirl as James struggles to resist Missy—with marginal success.
Verdict An impulsive, amazingly bold Victorian heroine finally gets her man in a sexy historical that features a number of memorable characters—including an unbelievably overbearing marriage-obsessed mother and a particularly desperate debutante—and several unexpected but welcome plot twists. Although the loose threads are tied at the dénouement, the story would have benefited from more careful and tighter editing. This is Atlanta-based Kendall’s debut romance.—Kristin Ramsdell, California State Univ. Lib., East Bay
Barbanell, Les. Breaking the Addiction To Please: Goodbye to Guilt. Rowman & Littlefield. Jan. 2010. c.120p. ISBN 978-0-7657-0674-4. $26.95. PSYCH
Psychotherapist Barbanell (supervisor, New Jersey Inst. for Training; Removing the Mask of Kindness) presents an important analysis of the less-known "caretaker personality disorder," characterized as an addiction to helping others. These unusual caregivers have a craving to please and an uncontrollable desire to give without receiving. While the initial positive response from the receivers is the "high" for the helping caregiver, many receivers soon begin to feel intruded upon and controlled by the obsessive caregiver. Here, he offers insights gleaned from his unique practice; explains the basic traits of the addiction, the role of the unconsciousness in the etiology of the disorder, and typical masks that hide underlying emotional turmoil; and presents practical suggestions for long-term recovery and stability.
Verdict Barbanell frankly integrates his own personal experiences as a recovering pleaser. Both this work and his earlier title provide a foundation to understand better this relatively obscure disorder. A vital work for those in the helping professions and people suffering from this disorder.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Edwards, Paul. How To Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC. Chicago Review, dist. by IPG. Dec. 2009. c.352p. index. ISBN 978-1-55652-816-3. pap. $12.95. MUSIC
Filled with real tools and overflowing with inspiration, this comprehensive how-tomanual examines the art and craft of rap. Edwards, who has researched the creative process of rappers and has interviewed more than 100 hip-hop artists, breaks the book down into discussions of content, flow, writing, and delivery. Although Edwards contributes, most of the advice here comes from the rappers themselves, including pioneers along with mainstream and underground rappers such as Chuck D, Nelly, and the members of Cypress Hill, A Tribe Called Quest, and Pharcyde. Both newcomers to rap and more experienced listeners and artists can gain insights in the time-honored tradition of learning from the past, as told straight from the artists’ mouths. Instruction ranges over selecting topics and form, editing, rhyming techniques, putting words to music, collaborating, vocal techniques, studio tips, and performance.
Verdict A good read even for nonartists interested in learning more about hip-hop creativity, personalities, and history, this offers insights into music and poetry. Highly recommended; with a foreword by Kool G Rap.—Lani Smith, Ohlone Coll. Lib., Fremont, CA
Epstein, Randi Hutter, M.D. Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank. Norton. Jan. 2010. c.320p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-393-06458-2. $24.95. MED
Medical journalist Epstein (Columbia Univ.) presents a concise and entertaining summary of changes in conception, gestation, and birth from ancient times through the 20th century. Most of the focus is on the period beginning around 1900 to the present. As she investigates how myths, fads, superstitions, fraud, emotion, and science have intertwined through the ages, she posits that much of the history of childbirth in the last 100 years involves the swings between the embrace of and the distancing from science and technology. Among the questions Epstein tackles are: Is infertility psychological, or is a pill the answer? Is the best choice natural childbirth or a quick and painlessly anesthetized one? Or maybe a quick and not-so-painless C-section? Added to the debate today are the possibilities of predesigned babies, sperm banks, and frozen embryos.
Verdict Epstein presents the history and the current controversies of child birth clearly and with a liberal use of humor. As a result, both general and professional readers will enjoy the book.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp. Medical Lib., Denver
Hollingham, Richard. Blood and Guts: A History of Surgery. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin’s. Dec. 2009. c.320p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-312-57546-5. $27.99. MED
Trained as a physician, British science journalist Hollingham (How To Clone the Perfect Blonde) discusses the developments that made surgery and survival from surgery possible. These include a developed understanding of anatomy and advances in anesthesia and antiseptic techniques. He also focuses on the development of heart surgery, organ transplantation, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery. Hollingham tells his story through brief biographies of operating room heroes and villains. Readers will cringe at tales of doctors who resisted Ignaz Semmelweiss and Joseph Lister’s antiseptic measures that demonstrably saved lives in maternity and surgical wards or the knife-happy Walter Freeman who performed countless lobotomies from 1946 to 1960. Uplifting stories include the imagination and determination of the first heart surgeons, the compassionate British physician who advanced plastic surgery for the wounded of World War I, and the dedicated researchers who still struggle to perfect organ transplants and cures for brain-based diseases.
Verdict This is a lively and provocative history of surgical advances that will make each reader grateful to be alive in the 21st century. A helpful time line and suggestions for further reading are appended.—Kathy Arsenault, St. Petersburg, FL
Imber, Gerald, M.D. Genius on the Edge: The Bizarre Double Life of Dr. William Stewart Halsted. Kaplan. Feb. 2010. c.366p. ISBN 978-1-60714-627-8. $29.99. MED
New York–born and Yale-educated William Halsted (1852–1922) was one of the most innovative surgeons of the 19th century. A pioneer in the design of the modern operating room, into which he introduced scrubs and gloves, he conquered two surgical frontiers: radical mastectomy and hernia repair. Plastic surgeon Imber (Absolute Beauty: A Renowned Plastic Surgeon’s Guide to Looking Young Forever) drew extensively on several hospitals’ archives and secondary sources to create this compelling portrait. Not just a biography, this is also a study of the hospital and medical school at Johns Hopkins that also includes detailed profiles of Halsted’s famous colleagues, including neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing and pathologist William Welch. Because few letters between Halsted and his wife, whose perceived manly appearance Imber repeatedly notes, survived, there is little known of their private life.
Verdict Though at times repetitious and failing to live up to the breathlessness of its title, this biography is thoroughly enjoyable and engaging. With seamless explanations of medical and scientific terminology, it is suitable for medics and readers of the history of American medicine.—Martha E. Stone, Massachusetts General Hosp. Lib., Boston
Osbourne, Ozzy with Chris Ayres. I Am Ozzy. Grand Central. Jan. 2010. c.416p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-446-56989-7. $26.99. MUSIC
Osbourne, lead singer for the legendary band Black Sabbath, popular rock solo artist, husband to Sharon, and recent TV personality, is lucky to be alive. His autobiography describes the excesses of his rock ’n’ roll lifestyle—every bottle, needle, pill, girl, and gun. He holds back nothing, and it is horrific, fascinating, and often hilarious. Case-in-point: He asked Betty Ford where the bar was while checking into rehab for the first time. Ayres (Death By Leisure: A Cautionary Tale) does a great job of getting out of the way because his contribution is seamless; the voice here is pure Ozzy. Readers get behind-the-scenes stories of all of the numerous, infamous incidents of his life, including rumors of Satanism, biting the heads off of bats and doves, the bizarre death of guitarist Randy Rhoades, his courtship of the now-famous Sharon Osbourne, and his constant and endless battles with alcohol, drugs, and lawyers.
Verdict Fans of Osbourne and his family and readers of rock ’n’ roll biographies must read this. One of the most amazing rock autobiographies of all time; highly recommended.—Todd Spires, Bradley Univ. Lib., Peoria, IL
Sears, William, M.D. & with Martha Sears, M.D. Prime-Time Health: A Scientifically Proven Plan for Feeling Young and Living Longer. Little, Brown. Jan. 2010. c.448p. illus. ISBN 978-0-316-03541-5. $25.99. HEALTH
Along with his wife, Martha, pediatrician Sears—author of more than 30 books and a colon cancer survivor—provides middle agers with practical advice on staying healthy. Here, he lays out easy-to-read steps on how to plan for a healthy retirement by focusing on protecting the heart, brain, gut, eyes, ears, lungs, bones, joints, skin, and gums, an area rarely covered in other health guides. He begins by exploring how the body changes with age and how we can improve health through lifestyle like buying household plants and air purifiers to aid in breathing. Focusing on nutrition throughout, Sears gives examples of healthy foods and provides sample menus and tips. He also covers such topics as sleeping, general well being, health care, and fitness. The concluding chapter contains an action plan to incorporate the healthy tips into everyday life.
Verdict Although there is some repetitiveness, Sears’s text is simple to follow and includes valuable illustrations. His latest work will appeal to middle-aged consumers looking to lead a healthier life. Many may recognize the Sears name from his parenting books. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/09.]—Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr., Tompkins-McCaw Lib. for the Health Sciences, VCU Libs.
Siegel, Daniel J. Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation. Bantam. Jan. 2010. c.336p. index. ISBN 978-0-553-80470-6. $27. PSYCH
Siegel (psychiatry, Univ. of California, Los Angeles; The Developing Brain) presents the theory of mindsight, combining the practice of mindfulness, or focused awareness, with neuroplasticity—the theory that the brain is transformed anatomically and physiologically through learning and social interaction. Siegel defines mindsight as the ability to focus attention on the workings of the mind and use that information to change and redirect inner experience. Using the image of a closed fist representing the parts, functions, and processes of the brain, he explains the underlying neurobiology of the mind as a system of neural networks monitored and reshaped by thought and experience. With examples from his own practice, Siegel describes how he has used mindsight to treat clients with mild symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and other mental disturbances. Though Siegel admits in an endnote that more research is needed before conclusions can be made linking neuroplasticity to issues of mental health, he maintains that mindsight as a cognitive therapy shows promise in future mental illness treatments.
Verdict This will appeal to those fascinated by recent studies in neuroplasticity, e.g., Norman Doige’s The Brain That Changes Itself, and of the role of mindfulness in behavioral and physical change as depicted in Sharon Begley’s Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain.—Lucille M. Boone, San Jose P.L.
Smith, Patti. Just Kids. Ecco: HarperCollins. Jan. 2010. c.304p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-06-621131-2. $27. MUSIC
Smith’s remarkable musical achievement was finding the common ground between punk rock and beat poetry—the spontaneity and intense, sloppy energy—to create music that was throbbing with life. With that in mind, it’s a mystery why her first book of prose—a memoir of her relationship with the late photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and their struggles to find a place in the New York City of Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground—feels so inert. It reads like a first draft, as though Smith strained to achieve clarity in prose without sacrificing the poetry. This story of the misadventures of Smith’s youth occasionally sparks interest with an anecdote about one of an endless parade of famed Greenwich Village iconoclasts (Jimi Hendrix, Allen Ginsberg, and Janis Joplin make cameos), but the renowned poet and lyricist’s storytelling is just disappointing. Verdict For Smith or Mapplethorpe completists only. Readers interested in the milieu should consider Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain’s Please Kill Me. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/09.]—Ned Resnikoff, Library Journal
Sorkin, Andrew Ross. Too Big To Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought To Save the Financial System—And Themselves. Viking. 2009. 624p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-670-02125-3. $32.95. ECON
This blow-by-blow narrative centers on the near implosion of Wall Street in September 2008. Sorkin, chief mergers and acquisitions reporter at the New York Times, concentrates his story on Lehman Brothers, AIG, and Merrill Lynch. With these and other financial firms at risk, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, other government officials, and hundreds of bankers scrambled to avoid what they thought could be financial Armageddon. From hundreds of interviews and other sources, Sorkin constructs a detailed account of the meetings, phone calls, and even the thoughts of the participants, depicting scenes of bankers and government officials under extreme stress as Lehman went bankrupt, Merrill merged with Bank of America, and AIG became essentially a ward of the government. Sorkin’s analysis ends with Paulson’s forcing Troubled Asset Relief Program funds on the nine largest banks in October 2008.
Verdict The level of detail and the multiple typos in the published edition will test many readers’ patience. General readers may not find this the introduction and explanation that they were looking for, but Sorkin’s historical account of this critical time is highly recommended for motivated readers already in the know. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/09.]—Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Stachowiak, Julie. Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto: Action To Take, Principles To Life By. Demos. Nov. 2009. c.288p. ISBN 978-1-93260-344-6. pap. $19.95. HEALTH
This is a call-to-arms for those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) to take control of their lives and be empowered by someone living with MS. Stachowiak (author of the MS pages on About.com) takes the reader through the basics of the condition, outlining what types of MS there are and the symptoms, treatment, and professional care available. She blends that information with the practical and sometimes intangible aspects of emotional health and enjoying life. With a conversational but authoritative voice, this a positive joy to read and work through. In each of the 12 chapters are brief texts explaining how readers can "Do Your Best," "Know Your Stuff," "Make It Better," and "Take Charge." None of the concepts covered here is new, but it is refreshing and powerful to have them all gathered in one text. One downside: Some of the chapter headings are unclear.
Verdict This is an excellent overview of the current state of MS knowledge, coupled with empowering tools for those living with it. Patrons could use it as a launching pad to continue research on their own.—Elizabeth J. Eastwood, Los Alamos P.L. Syst., NM
Brubaker, Ed (text) & Sean Phillips (illus.). Sleeper: Season 1. Wildstorm: DC. 2009. c.288p. ISBN 978-1-4012-2360-1. pap. $24.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Eisner Award winner Brubaker (Criminal) deconstructs the espionage genre with a thriller about super-powered double agent Holden Carver, who has become stuck in his undercover persona in a super villain criminal underworld. Trapped in a coldly beautiful belly of deceit, Holden finds himself increasingly pressed to justify the killings he must execute on behalf of Tao, the man whose organization he has infiltrated. Holden’s world has all the classic noir elements, including a femme fatale (or two), hard drinking, brawling, and high-powered nocturnal action. As Holden climbs the criminal ranks, his hopes of extrication dwindle, and he begins looking for any way out. Phillips’s art breathes life into the distinct, quirky characters, and his expert use of light and shadow highlights the noir-like action.
Verdict Brubaker has crafted a compelling, inventive, and intricate tale of moral ambiguity. A winner for adult fans of noir, spy, and thriller genres, as well for readers of similar titles featuring super-powered action from the wrong side of the law like Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s The Boys and Mark Miller’s Wanted.—David Ward, Univ. of Illinois Undergraduate Lib., Urbana
Cannon, Kevin. Far Arden. Top Shelf Productions. 2009. c.400p. ISBN 978-1-60309-036-0. $19.95. GRAPHIC NOVELS
On the copyright page, Cannon’s (T Minus: The Race to the Moon) book is described as nautical fiction first and a graphic novel second. Indeed, while it may not grip hard-core Patrick O’Brian readers, it is a rip-roaring nautical adventure, with hints of Herman Melville, Jack London, and the Three Stooges. Cannon’s archetypal characters are delivered with a wink and include a stowaway orphan with an outlandish Dickensian name and a jaded author trapped in a scenario straight out of Stephen King’s Misery. Cannon’s background in nonfiction is evidenced by the research he has seamlessly injected into this fluid story. But although Cannon illustrates in a rougher but equally engaging style as Craig Thompson, he overuses a convention that has become an indie comic staple of late: his action panels showing a punch include the word "PUNCH!" while another panel of a kick to the face includes the wording "FACE KICK!" All tongue-in-cheek, of course, but it gets tired.
Verdict This is more Pirates of the Caribbean than Master and Commander, but its charm, wit, and humor make it an enjoyable experience.—Robert Young, Charleston, SC
Ennis, Garth (text) & Steve Dillion (illus.). Preacher: Volume 1. Vertigo: DC Comics. 2009. c.352p. ISBN 978-1-4012-2279-6. $39.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Vetigo’s Eisner Award–winning series returns in a new hardcover edition. A genre-mashing exploration of faith, this mixes horror, the supernatural, and conspiracy theories into a road movie recalling classic American Western tropes. Here, Ennis (Battlefieds; Back to Brooklyn) follows man of the cloth Jesse Custer, his hit man girlfriend, and vampire best friend as they flee a bizarre assortment of miscreants while searching for God. At its release, this was one of the first Vertigo titles to push the boundaries of sex, violence, and language aggressively. While some of its pop culture references have grown dated, the overarching themes and entertaining storytelling still resonate strongly a decade later.
Verdict Essential for Hellblazer and Transmetropolitan fans, this will have broad appeal among aficionados of adult-themed graphic novels. The budget-conscious may want to pass on this edition, however; the hardcover price gets you only a short two-page introduction and 15 pages of pin-up art.—David Ward, Univ. of Illinois Undergraduate Lib., Urbana
Gaiman, Neil (text) & Andy Kubert (illus.). Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?; The Deluxe Edition. DC Comics. 2009. c.128p. ISBN 978-1-4012-2303-8. $24.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Every fan has dreamed of a Gaiman-penned run at Batman. Here, he delivers his version of the final Batman story ever told. The tale opens at Batman’s funeral with mainstays from the Bat family in attendance, along with stalwarts from the rogues gallery. Selina Kyle, Alfred the butler, Superman, and Ra’s Al Ghul each relay differing threads as to how Batman died and claim to know who or what was responsible. In the second issue, the narrator, an ethereal presence (presumably a deceased Bruce Wayne) looking down on the wake’s events, comes to grips with his parents’ death and his role as Gotham’s protector.
Verdict Gaiman and Kubert offer an excellent homage to the veteran artists and writers who have contributed to the Bat-mythos over many decades. While some fans will appreciate the effect, others will find it a retread of Warren Ellis and John Cassady’s Planetary/Batman crossover lacking the superhuman sleuthing, explosions, knock-downsdrag-outs, or other heroic feats that fans may expect.—Jeff Hunter, Royal Oak, MI
Katsumata, Susumu. Red Snow. Drawn & Quarterly. 2009. c.240p. ISBN 978-1-897299-86-9. $24.95. GRAPHIC NOVELS
In his Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, Paul Theroux said that manga may be not only the end of the novel but also of the written word. It is doubtful this award-winning short story collection would change his mind, even though readers will find evidence of Theroux’s beloved ukiyo-e prints (as channeled through Osamu Tezuka) in Katsumata’s (Man-Wheeled Cart To Go to Africa) often delicate artwork. The gekiga master shows impressive artistic range by blending panels of detailed realism, from a horse in a stable and a centipede maneuvering in the rain to stylized, cartoony humans that look anything but realistic. The short stories here are also far more substantial than Theroux’s broad generalization. As with a lot of manga, the whimsical artwork and comical histrionics played for comedy belie that the actual stories are certainly not for children. A perfect illustration of this is that the title story is named after the menstrual cycle of a mythical mountain hag.
Verdict Manga readers will love the expressive verve of Katsumata’s fluid art, and fans of other gekiga masters like Yoshihiro Tatsumi will enjoy these salty, albeit sometimes cryptic, tales.—Robert Young, The Comics Interpreter
McFarlane, Todd & others (text & illus.). Spawn: Origins Collection. Vol. 2. Image Comics. 2009. c.132p. ISBN 978-1-60706-072-7. pap. $14.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Steven Niles (30 Days of Night) and Spawn scribe David Hine chronicle the plight of the Hellspawn once known as Al Simmons, condensing the narrative of the long-running image comic and providing insights into the dramatis personae. Unfortunately, even though Niles has the reputation of a horror master, his prose is disappointing and ultimately bores. Furthermore, as the majority of the considerable Spawn canon is covered here, the authors are limited to touching upon major plot points and characters, eschewing the details that might have proved more satisfying. The layout is poorly executed as well, with text broken up into single lines and awkwardly placed blocks ruining continuity. Where this does shine is in Ashley Wood’s (The Official Metal Gear Solid Comic Book) paintings. From the tiny single panel insets to the majestic full-page splashes, his vivid artwork seems to breath a menace of its own.
Verdict Spawn fans and genre enthusiasts are better off buying the collected volumes of the actual comic book.—George Sun, New York
Wagner, Matt (text) & Amy Reeder Hadley & Richard Friend (illus.). Madame Xanadu: Disenchanted. Vertigo: DC Comics. 2009. c.240p. ISBN 978-1-4012-2291-8. pap. $12.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Most of literature’s greatest magicians are women. Madame Xanadu is part of that long-standing literary tradition. This story follows Nimue, a sorceress of Arthurian legend, through the fall of Camelot to early 19th-century America. A dreamlike atmosphere pervades both in narrative and in illustration, and comics fans will be surprised to find references to other DC works—the cameo of Death from Neil Gaiman’s "Sandman" series being the most satisfying. Scenes flow seamlessly from one to another, and a profound clarity of tone, as opposed to light content, make this a quick read. As each frame has just the right amount of action, each vignette is relatively self-contained. The book reads less like a novel and more like a collection of connected short stories. The greatest pleasure is in the potential of enticing sequels to come.
Verdict Fans of fantasy fiction featuring strong, determined women will find plenty to like here, as would all fans of mainstream DC comics.—M. Brandon Robbins, Wayne Cty. P.L., Goldsboro, NC
White, Shane. Things Undone. ComicsLit. Nov. 2009. c.88p. ISBN 978-1-56163-563-4. pap. $12.95. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Rick’s life is falling apart. Then again, so is Rick. Attempting to get back on track, the young graphic artist moves to Seattle, taking on a new job creating video games. Still, he feels like a failure in his work, in his friendships, and in his relationship with the girlfriend who relocated to be with him. On top of that, Rick seems to be turning into a zombie. Bits of him keep falling off, but nobody notices his suffering. White (North Country) creates a quirky look at the angst of those too young for a mid-life crisis. The zombification process is an effective metaphor for Rick’s increasing disconnection from life, and the dark humor here keeps the story from becoming depressing. The appealing orange wash suits the gently macabre subject matter; White’s slightly squashed figures with oversized heads have a jaded manga appeal.
Verdict Offbeat, funny, and thoughtful, this should appeal to Jason(The Living and the Dead) fans. Although it’s accessible to teens, the issue of suicide may trouble some readers, and the perspective will appeal more to adults who have questioned their own direction in life.—Julia Cox, Penticton P.L., B.C.
Yost, Christopher (text) & Pasqual Ferry & Frank D’Armata (illus). Ender’s Game: Battle School. Marvel. 2009. 128p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-7851-3580-7. $24.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Based on Orson Scott Card’s excellent novel Ender’s Game, this acts as a visual representation of six-year-old tactical genius Ender Wiggin’s first days at Battle School. The original work lends itself to the graphic novel format, with guest writer Yost (X-Force) smoothly emphasizing action over psychological aspects. Whereas in the source material the story slowly develops, here readers will find a relentless pace. Ender’s future is depicted through a dark, almost rendered vision that highlights the tense atmosphere of Battle School and his conflicted inner psyche.
Verdict A fine companion piece to the original with a focus on action that makes for quick reading. Longtime Card fans will wish for more emphasis on Ender’s psyche and the politics as depicted in the original, however. Readers new to the story will have difficulty picking it up since many details have been left out here. Hopefully, this will be remedied in the upcoming Ender’s Game: Command School.—Justin Hoenke, Cape May Cty. Lib., NJ
Yuu Watase (text & illus.). Fushigi Yugi. Viz Media. (VizBig Edition). 2009. c.200p. ISBN 978-1-4215-2301-9. pap. $17.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Miaka Yuki was transported into an ancient realm and given the task of assembling the seven celestial warriors of Suzaku. At the same time, Miaka’s rival, Yui, is assembling the celestial warriors of Seiryu on the behalf of a kingdom with a despotic ruler. In this volume, which houses volumes seven, eight, and nine of the original series, Miaka and her warriors face ambushes and retreat from Seiryu’s forces. Despite the attacks, Miaka finds herself falling in love with Tamahome, one of the celestial warriors. Many readers of the original Fushigi Yugi series should consider purchasing the VizBig editions, which preserve the original right-to-left presentation of the text and include color art extras as well as all of the mangaka marginalia. The artwork is bigger because the page sizes are slightly larger, which may appeal to some graphic novel readers and graphic novel writers and illustrators in training.
Verdict This is probably the best known series of shojo fantasy currently available and should be a core title in any shojo manga collection. Recommended for older teen readers because of violence, nudity, some sexuality, and sexual violence.—Christine Gertz, Univ. of Alberta
