LightNovel.org

Title: Full Metal Panic! One Night Stand
Author: Shouji Gatou
Illustrator: Shikidouji
Licensed by: Tokyopop
Price: $7.99

Reviewed by: Matt122004

Just as quickly as I had finished the first in this amazing series, I got to start the second. How long did it take me to finish the second volume in this light novel series? Around two days cause I was lazy at reading it faster.

The second novel doesn’t disappoint and delivers a powerful and action packed story to the reader who is sure to have a smile cross his face as he watches all his favorite characters back in action again. The translation was just as good as the first, and the artwork was great, as usual.

The book was just about as thick as the first and definitely kept me pressing my face against the pages as I turned each with great anticipation. The big question that almost all of you are wondering, “Is the second as good as the first?” The answer is a simple, yes! I did however feel that the second novel was one tiny notch less than the first, but that is to be expected in a three novel story arc. I also already knew the characters, so unlike the first, I kind of knew how to predict the characters actions somewhat. However, I definitely enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first. Also on that same note, I would like to thank Shouji Gatou, the amazing author of Full Metal Panic, for the comedic opening to this second installment. The beginning had me laughing, and so did the end.

So what’s the story this time around? Well, Sagara is handling things pretty well. Fighting in giant mech’s in other countries, fighting terrorists in Japan, and going to school. Yep, life is normal for this abnormal teen, but even for him, things get……out of the ordinary. This intrudence into his daily schedule all starts when Tessa, his sixteen year old superior colonel, begins to have feelings for the overly adrenaline pumped Sagara. This combined with the detaining of a child terrorist who is being chased down by his terrorist organization and the fact that Kaname finds Tessa coming out of the shower as she tries to apologize to Sagara, creates problems galore for our favorite characters. Besides all this, something called “Behometh”, yea I didn’t like the sound of it either, is being readied to be launched by the A-21 terrorist group. What is the child terrorist’s connection and could he be a “Whispered”?

Filled with twists and turns, laughs and comedic events, and amazing plot turning revelations, this is most definitely not a book to miss!

Now……three more months till the third novel, which will complete this first story arc. I don’t know if I can hold on till then, but I will try!

My Grade for this Light Novel: A

The number 1 BL (boys love) publisher Libre Shuppan, and the well-known entertainment novel publishing company MediaWorks are starting a new label for publishing BL(boys love) light novels. The label is titled: "B-Prince Bunko", and will begin on April 7th, 2008, with 5 novels scheduled to be published on that day.

The first BL novels to be published on April 7th can be seen here.

Publication planning and editing will be by Libre Shuppan, publication by ASCII MediaWorks, and will be sold through Kadokawa Group Publishing.

Source: b-boy News

Title: Kino no Tabi (Volume 1)
Author: Keiichi Sigsawa
Illustrator: Kouhaku Kuroboshi
Licensed by: Tokyopop
Price: $7.99

Reviewed by: Matt122004

With this new craze of light novels coming to the US market, it can only be a good thing for fans. TokyoPop is one of only a couple publishing companies that have decided to release entire lines of light novels from Japan.

One of TokyoPop’s newest light novel releases was book 1 of the Kino no Tabi (Kino’s Journey) series of books. I had had my eyes on this book for awhile and finally decided to give into my interest and take a shot at reading it.

The story is about a young girl who lives in the land of adults. She is almost ready to turn 12 and take on a job where at that time, she will do the job she hates and live her life in misery, as is expected. However when a traveler named Kino visits the city and makes friends with the girl, he tells her that she can still lead a happy life and not be forced to do a job she hates. However when the girl tells her parents her revelation, the parents perceive this as the most defiant behavior ever, and the father prepares to kill his daughter to save his family from disgrace. And thus her journey begins with a valiant escape, the death of a friend, and the hijacking of a friendly talking motorcycle. The chapters afterwards are really a collection of short story’s that take place at different times during her journey. The story’s themselves are meant to make the reader question the situation and see the errors in this world of hers. Each of Kino no Tabi’s chapters are meant to transmit a value or thought. However, this does not mean the story is boring or slow, far from it, the pages practically turn themselves and the story continues to build till its climax.

Kino no Tabi starts out profoundly, and ends with you gripping the edges of the book. There is nothing I can say badly about this book. It is purely amazing and goes down as the best light novel release TokyoPop has given us. The translation by Andrew Cunningham is amazing and the book itself is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time. I would recommend this book to anyone, no really, anyone. In fact, I would go as far as to say that everybody should be required to read this book. I’m not kidding, when I say it is profound, I mean it. It’s simplistic appeal and profound message draws the reader in fast and doesn’t let go by any means. The author also has a an amazing way of writing, keeping the reader drawn into the story at all times. And each story is amazing unique and well thought out.

On two notes, the cover of the novel WAS changed from the Japanese release, however, the cover they used was thankfully a beautifully blown up illustration from within the book itself. On the second note, the chapters were changed. However, this change in my opinion was expertly done. The beginning of her journey is put at the beginning of the book instead of the end and the major chapter “Collosium” was placed as the chapter next to the Epilogue.

The only sad thing I can mention is that this book was released over a year ago and the second in this currently 11 book series still isn’t out. TokyoPop has said that this is because of licensing issues. I can only hope that this is resolved soon as I am literally on the edge of my seat to read the second in this stupendous series.

My advice to you is to not wait a single second and go out and buy this book and maybe a few extra copies for your friends and family.

My Grade for this light novel: A