Idol Dreams, Volume 1

February 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-Life hasn't turned out so well for 31-year-old Chikage. In her mind, she's a hard worker but plain and unaccomplished. Like many, she wishes for a second chance at life-then she actually gets it. When an old friend offers her an experimental drug that restores youth, she doesn't hesitate to accept. Adventure crashes into her headfirst, and so begins her unexpected yet exciting idol debut. Sadly, with so much happening, she fails to recognize what is right in front of her. Tanemura's art is as beautiful as ever, with sparkly eyed protagonists, and full of emotional scenes. Fans of her work will appreciate how she tries to deviate from her stock character designs. Chikage's low self-esteem will resonate with teens, but her struggles to live up to the status of an "accomplished" woman make her an unsympathetic character. However, the courage she finds to face her fears and her desire to become a "her" that she can love are admirable. By the end of this volume, readers will be cheering her on. While the style, idol premise, and focus on young love will largely appeal to teens, adults, too, will find this tale enjoyable. VERDICT A promising mixture of romance, fun, and contemplation.-Rachel Forbes, formerly of Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

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