Review: 'After School Charisma, Volume 1' by Kumiko Suekane

The premise if this particular manga involves a school for clones of famous historical figures attended by a lone "regular" human, the son of the director, who begins to question the true purpose of the school.  And the humanity of his classmates.


Character development is intriguing and the figures chosen to be represented in the clones are both multicultural and unusual. Who'd have thought that Joan of Arc and Hitler might attend school with Marie Curie and Florence Nightingale? A compelling mix of mystery and questioning of fate make this an interesting read that should hook manga readers looking for a bit more depth to their stories.  Recommended for public libraries and high school libraries.


Book Source: Local Library
Reviewer: Rebecca


Recommended Ages: 16+ Sensuality, Adult Situations, Violence


Recommended for Readers of:

Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji	Black Butler by Yana Toboso	Zombie-Loan by Peach-Pit	Chobits by Clamp

And you thought your teens were bad... Oresama Teacher Vol. 1-3

The Oresama Teacher manga series by Izumi Tsubaki is a highly entertaining manga that has both girl and guy appeal (no easy feat in the manga world).  Oresama follows Kurosaki Mafuyu, former teen delinquent, whose mother has sent her to a new high school where she is determined to reform herself into the picture of femininity and virtue.  But with a new friends like Hayasaka-kun and a homeroom teacher like Saeki Takaomi, Mafuyu's life is bound to be anything but ladylike.

Filled with unrequited love, fighting and a strange fascination for a person who is not what he seems, Oresama is a light read perfect for someone looking to escape everyday dull-dom for an hour.  The series is currently ongoing, so who knows how the threads will come together or who will end up together?
Recommended for readers of:
Hana Kimi, Zombie Loan, Nightschool, Otomen

Mythic New Series by Jennifer Estep

Touch of Frost introduces readers to Gwen Frost and Mythos Academy, school for the descendents of warriors (of legendary fame), where they learn the skills needed to defend the world from the Reapers.  Gwen, who isn’t sure she buys the whole “magic” thing, is the new student and a total outsider – a descendent of Gypsies not fantastic beings right out of myth.  The only talent that sets Gwen apart is her gift of touch which allows her to pick up memories and emotions from people and objects.  However, this gift is also a curse that allows Gwen to see the deepest, darkest secrets a person may possess.  When a student is murdered on campus Gwen feels compelled to discover the truth and stumbles into a plot darker than she could have imagined.

Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy series should appeal to readers who are looking for a more mature Percy Jackson, Tera Lynn Childs or C.C. Hunter novels.  The students of Mythos range in age from 16 to 21 and mature activities from drinking to hookups are commonplace (and pretty much ignored by the instructors).  This novel starts with a bang and rockets to an epic conclusion without glossing over important plot points or character development.  Ms. Estep manages an interesting combination of detail and momentum that will have readers eagerly reaching for Kiss of Frost, the next book in the Mythos series.

Recommended for Readers of: