Nijigahara Holograph
*Starred Review* A mother commits suicide. A bully keeps watch over a victim. A teacher withdraws from her students. An obsessed man weaves a tale of monsters. By shifting time and perspective, Asano is able to fit all of these puzzle pieces together to create a haunting story of trauma, guilt, and, finally, closure. At the heart of the tale is Arié, who tells one too many stories about the monster that lives in the tunnel behind the school. In an attempt to shut her up, her classmates push her into a well. The consequences of that action spiral outward in ways the children never imagined, affecting friends, family, teachers, and neighbors in ways the children never imagined, horrifically affecting friends, family, teachers, and neighbors, both physically and psychologically. Anger, hopelessness, and betrayal run rampant—echoed by the eerie, ominous clouds of butterflies swarming the town—and fuel heartless violence. Though there are many moving pieces, the fluid time line; tight, stark, and realistic artwork; and clues carefully revealed through deliberately worded dialogue and purposeful character design work in perfect harmony to prevent ambiguity or confusion. Critically acclaimed Asano deftly twists this disturbingly compelling story, managing to shock the reader at every turn. Its intricacies are even more rewarding on the second read. --Eva Volin