Book review

[snowynight]

Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo aka The Strange Case Files of Ryōko Yakushiji
Junichirō Izumida only wanted to be a good police detective, but he was assigned to Ryōko Yakushiji, the deadliest woman of the police force. Ryōko is pretty, intelligent, and rich. More than that she butts into strange crimes that can't be explained by science and solves them with style. I really like that she is a magnificent bastard and enjoys it. The novels pack action comedy, supernatural investigation and social satire. A surprisingly light read for the writer.

Kino's Journey
I love stories of exploration and dicovery, and Kino 's Journey doesn't disappoint me. The world building is fascinating, with the sometimes cutting social commentery.

The Story of Saiunkoku
I love the China-inspired fantasy, and the hint that there is a world of history just beyond the readers ' reader. I love the protagonist. She is smart, strong-willed and very believable. The politics intrigues me greatly and I can't wait to see how it develops.

Ikebukuro West Gate Park
I love hard boiled mystery novels, and this series vividly draws the life of a group of marginalized teenagers in Japan. The world is bleak, and people often give up more than what is worth to survive, but there is warmth and hope too.

Vampire Hunter D
I really love the combination of sci-fi and vampire, in creating a very original setting of how vampire comes in rule and declines, and the classical gothic atmosphere. The vampires are deadly, and the combat is fast paced, and I really like how mysterious D is.

Legend of the Galactic Heroes
It is epic, not only in its length, but also in the scope of history and wars it covers. It manages to present a very intriguing discussion of themerit and limit of democracy, varied war strategy and loads of fascinating characters. It chronicles the rise and end of an age. Not a light read.

Comments

[torachan]

I love Ikebukuro West Gate Park so much! I've read the first of the sequels, too, and enjoyed it, though it wasn't as good.

I'm actually reading one of his other novels, 4teen, right now.

[snowynight]

Thanks! I am glad to find that someone other than me likes it. How is 4teen?

[torachan]

It's pretty good so far. I've only read about 50 pages because I'm actually in the middle of a library book I need to finish first, but I took 4teen with me the other day when I was going out and needed something to read, because Japanese paperbacks are tiny and can fit in my pocket.

[snowynight]

It sounds promising. Now I must hunt for it.

[torachan]

If you're in the US I can send you my copy when I'm done reading it.

[snowynight]

Unfourtunately, I am not in the US, but thanks for your offer anyway.