Death Note 1; Vol. 1 & 2

Author: Tsugumi Ohba

Artist: Takeshi Obata

Translator: Tetsuichiro Miyaki

Publisher: VIZ Media

Year: Dec 2010 (Originally published weekly from Dec 2003- May 2006 in Weekly Shōnen Jump)

Pages: 386

ISBN: 9781421539645

Series: Death Note #1 (Vol.1&2)

Genre: Manga

Reading Time: Dec 19 - Jan 6

Binding: Paperback - Black Edition

Goodreads

Blurb:

Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to ride the world of evil. Will Light's noble goal succeed, or will the Death Note turn him into the very thing he fights against?

Review:

 It's taken various comic cons, suggestions, pleads and admiring glances at that gloriously black binding for me to finally buy a copy of this book. Really, what does my library have against manga? I admit, after reading the blurb, I thought what much else is there to the story? How can this go on for 6 books? But I have been surprised, and will continue to read this series for a while to come.

 The Death Note isn't as simple as it sounds, there are rules, lots of them and more yet to be discovered by myself I'm sure. As Light learns the rules he adapts the way he uses the notebook, continuing to make the story more complex and intriguing. It's also thought provoking, which any great book should do, let alone a comic. There's mystery behind what Light does and a psychology to the main character that you have to question. Is he really just a good citizen, cleaning up the world? Will the power drive him crazy? Could I do as he's done if I were in his situation? So, yes, I must read the rest of this series. . .

 But what a great idea, the Death Note is the dream of every teenager at one point or another! The fact that it's put into the hands of a teenager is brilliant, bang on the audience's territory and right up my street! The continuing black and white artwork helps set the mood, this is of course a terrible weapon and must be treated as such. But if Ryuk's unchanging facial expression doesn't make light of it nothing does. 'Hyuk! Hyuk!' Our lovable Shinigami is a fine eater of apples and monster from another world. An excellent companion for Light.

 The threat to Light and Ryuk are those on the side of the law, coming in the shape of the mysterious L and Light's own father. L is as quick as Light, this is a heads-on battle, with the mystery of the Death Note between them. Light is learning the new rules and L is fast on his heels, taking the clues as Light chooses to or not to leave them. Though L doesn't necessarily do this to save the poor people's lives that are at risk, but you can learn about that yourself.

 How the first readers allowed a week between each chapter to read this, I have no idea. It's a quick read (though with Christmas and mock exams I took longer than I should have) that I think is a wonderful addition to my shelves!