This was such a fun title, it was an intriguing premise with interesting characters and I definitely want to keep reading this series.

***ARC from NetGalley ***

Another reviewer referred to this story as chaotic and that is the perfect description. I love that this is set in a library and I will definitely keep reading this series. However, there were several times where I was unable to determine what I was looking at, which took away from the story,

That said, I want to know what Yan and Tohru get up to next and why the Princess is so suspicious of Yan, or is it Tohru?

As a library staff member, I was very excited to see this manga and had to request an ARC. I t is such a wonderful start to a very promising story of the protectors of the library.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this arc!!

5/5 stars

This was such a fun and exciting read! This is such an imaginative fantasy story, and love letter to libraries and librarians. The magic system is really cool, the creatures we've seen so far are interesting, and the art style is really pretty! I'm super excited to read more of this, especially with the cliffhanger it ends on!!

I have a passion for books and fantasy, so a story centered around a magical library naturally piques my interest. In this manga, two unlikely friends attempt to gain entry to the magical library. Throughout the process, they face trials that demonstrate not only their skills but also the strength of their growing friendship.
This sets the stage for a charming and cozy narrative. However, I found some of the storytelling to be somewhat clichéd. I eagerly anticipate further exploration of this fantastical setting. The artwork is truly enchanting, with my favorite illustrations being those of the magical creatures that are the transportation on the town's streets.

"The Spellbook Library" will appeal to readers of the "Library Wars" manga. It is a quick read that will capture the imagination of readers who like books with bookish and magical themes. The elements of spellbeasts are reminiscent of the wonder and danger of encountering magical creatures in "Fantastic Beasts".

Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Uta Isaki for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

In a tale as old as time, young and brawny troublemaker Yan is ready to turn his life around to join the Spellbook Librarians, the enigmatic protectors of the realm who use libraries like knights use swords to research, tame, and capture the wild magical beasts that prowl the realm. Yan hopes to repay a debt to the Spellbook Librarians who saved his life when he was a child, and he's put everything he has into studying for the entrance exam and shaking his past shady reputation. On the day of his exam he has an unexpected in with a timid young boy named Tohru who has his own mysterious motivations for wanting to joining the library as well. Together they set off to face their futures and the long and winding road to becoming Spellbook Librarians.

I think this manga has potential to be a new and fun fantasy-heavy series, and I'm curious to see where it goes! There's a lot of things to love here - a library-based magic system, mysteries from the get-go, the school dynamics, potential for political intrigue amongst some of the characters, scalable magical beasts to trap, and some of the goofy antics that come with following around teenage boys. In future novels I'd love to see some more character backgrounds and more explanation into the magic system, but that's the hard part about starting a new series - you can't binge for the answers and are thus left on the edge of your seat.

This is the first volume of "The Spellbook Library" by Uta Isaki and sets the tone for a promising new series. If you love books, magic, and great characters then this book is a wonderful addition to your own library. The illustrations of the library and the city take you to another world where magic is real and yet it reveals how integral magic is in the social, political, and economic landscape of the city. The librarians in this book also showcase amazing strength in protecting the city against the magical creatures. Join Jan and Tohru as they take the employment exam to become librarians.

I cannot wait for the second volume!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review.

The Spellbook Library vol. 1 has so many things I enjoy in it, that I needed to get my hands on a copy. Libraries and magic? Sign me up!

Trouble-maker, Yan, grew up wanting to be like the spellbook librarians who saved him as a child. When Yan is finally able to take the Spellbook Librarian employment exam (an exam taken by MANY, but only a small hand-few are selected and employed by the mysterious library). On his way to take the exam, Yan comes across the mysterious Tohru who also wants to become a spellbook librarian (for reasons currently only known to him).

The artwork and story are great, reminiscent of others in this magical-realism genre. As a Young Adult Librarian, I’m always searching for new manga for my teens (and even colleagues). I’ve already put in a purchase request to get a copy of volume one for our collection.

Thank you again for the opportunity to read this manga—I can’t wait for volume 2!

I could not finish this book. It did not grab my attention at all, unfortunately. The premise is interesting, but the execution is not great.

Libraries, spell books, beasts, a mythical world and a graphic novel at that - basically, this pretty much is the ideal set-up for a favorite read!
This is part 1 and it was a quick and enjoyable read. I am looking forward to part 2, because I now have questions! everyone seems to have a back story which the author hinted at, but didn't tell or show yet.
The notes on the artwork after the end of the book was such a treat to read.
PS: This is where I want to work too when i grow up. :)

I really enjoyed this volume! The concept of spellbook librarians protecting magical tomes is such an interesting take on fantasy, and it immediately pulled me in. The story blends adventure and mystery with a touch of heartwarming moments, making it a fun and engaging read. There were also parts that made me laugh, which was a nice surprise! I love how well-rounded the characters are—Yan and Tohru, in particular, have such an intriguing dynamic. The story is just the perfect hook to lure you into reading the rest of the volumes. I’d definitely recommend this to friends who are into manga!

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book, it gave me a similar vibe to Witch Hat Academia, but was engaging enough that it kept my attention. The art was beautiful and not a typical manga style. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves Witch Hat Academia, Harry Potter or a not-quite-Dark Academia setting.

Yan and Tohru are determined to join the Spellbook Library. Both have their reasons, and despite their vast differences, their fateful meeting proves beneficial for both of them. But joining the Spellbook Library isn't easy, and the positions there are highly sought after. Will they be able to make their dreams come true? And if they do somehow get in will they be up to the task?

I enjoyed The Spellbook Library. It was an easy read with effective world building, interesting characters, and lovely artwork. It made me think of Harry Potter or Rachel Caine's the Great Library series. The first volume set up the characters, gave some resolution to different matters, but left enough open to make readers curious for the next volume. All in all, an enjoyable read.

The shouty opening is particularly disturbing, but once the caracters start headinh to the library the story's chaos is sorted out. I liked the concept of magical creatures stored in books. It was nice to see that cooperation and questioning was the solution rather than heroic stand your ground. And Yan is very sweetly enthusiastic. I've since started the Witch Hat Atelier series, which is similar in feel, but since there are more volumes published, it's easier to keep up with. Perhaps I'll return to the series at some point when it's more progressed.

The slimes in the comic and his monotone when he stated that something needed to be done. Slimes that shape shift from the books is wild. The fact it depends on the page count and how big the slimes will be is diabolical. The cutest little thing can breathe fire, that’s cool. The storyline is unpredictable. Yan seems to be the monotone one and I like him the most with his nonchalant attitude.

A fun first episode to a magical world and the 'Librarians' who keep it safe and running.
Yan and Tohru are new recruits at the 'Spellbook Library', a special body of magical users that trap magic beasts who would harm humans in 'spell books', which ordinary folks can then wield to perform magic.
Yan and Tohru are both likeable characters with interesting backstories though we quickly find out that Tohru seems to be hiding several secrets. This light-hearted, fast paced volume follows the pair through the recruitment exam and their initial tasks at the library. It also introduces several intriguing characters and potential future conflicts.

In a world where spellbeasts are trapped in books to protect people, two unlikely friends join the Spellbook Library to achieve their dreams.

Yan and Tohru are a good pairing of disparate personalities that make sense together. They're fun characters with depth and secrets we're just starting to scratch at. And then there's the princess and the world they inhabit to make things even more fascinating.

This volume left me with many more questions than answers, but in a way that made me interested in seeing what comes next instead of just frustrated. We get just enough hints at a larger plot mixed in with the happenings at the moment to make it seem like something big is coming. I liked that.

The art is cute and very dynamic, ranging from hyperdetailed fantasy to silly chibis and everything in between. It works really ell for the story in that it balances the silly with the serious in a very visual way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the chance to check out this first volume!

This was the first time I read something from Uta Isaki, and I got super curious! The concept of a library full of spellbooks is so interesting, got me hooked. I really liked this manga, and I really hope I get to read the next volume soon! Recommend!

Though some of the scenes were kind of hard to understand who was doing what and had to reread some of the scenes, i really enjoyed this one! The worldbuilding and the characters and their actions were very well done. I loved the concept of such spellbooks work to hold spellbeasts, a hint of politics and a princess dealing with her fellow librarians and the captain!
Thank you