Genju No Seiza, Vol. 1
Kamishina prefers to fly under the radar at his new school. Then a strange bird informs him that he is actually the reincarnated ruler of the tiny kingdom of Dhalashar. When classmates bully new friend Sato, Kamishina decides that being the better man trumps the popular crowd's rules. Unfortunately, his decision comes too late: Sato kills himself to escape the cruelty. Kamishina's rage unleashes ferocious birds on the funeral-goers, meting out fatal punishment that continues until the bloody tableau snaps Kamishina out of his anger. In a blink, the violence is reversed, but Kamishina is shaken. Is this turnaround part of his power as a ruler? Akino is themangatalent behind the popular Pet Shop of Horrors series, and as in those comics, she blends supernatural horror and temperamental characters with bits of wacky humor. Wisecracks lighten the terror, which is fleeting but potent, as Akino turns in an engaging exploration of Kamishina--from crushes and schoolwork to questions about destiny, identity, and responsibility.Robin BrennerCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved