Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Volume 1

June 1, 2018

Gr 10 Up-Kaguya, the multitalented heiress, and Miyuki, the genius president of the student council, are the top students at the prestigious Shuchiin Academy. Smart, beautiful, and envied by all, the pair are rumored to be dating. The two privately agree they would make a good couple, but each refuses to admit it for fearing of looking weak and "losing" to the other. In a battle of wits, Kaguya and Miyuki each scheme to get the other to confess their true feelings, though their plans often go awry. This tale combines the romance/slice-of-life feeling of shojo manga with the action/adventure of shonen manga, and the characters' plotting will draw comparisons to the popular manga and anime series Death Note. The book captures the awkwardness of adolescent relationships perfectly and blows it out of proportion in over-the-top situations. Characters are distinct and easy to recognize, with a smaller supporting cast. Though never explicit, art and themes in later scenes dip into the risqué, fan-service realm, with a few moments of sexual innuendo. VERDICT Older teens who enjoy manga will be charmed by this fumbling love story and excited to read future installments.-Thomas Jonte, Pensacola State College, FL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.