The Spellbook Library vol. 1 is a great start to this shonen series! In this volume, we get to learn about the main characters: Yan and Tohru. Yan was saved by a member of the Spellbook Library when he was younger and has wanted to work in the library ever since! Tohru is a little more mysterious, but it's mentioned that he's spent his entire life so far in a manor so I'm excited to learn more about him in the upcoming volumes! We then get to see them sign up for the Spellbook Library's entrance examination and the ensuing challenges they face. I really enjoyed their characters, and thought that Yan's aggression and Tohru's pacifism played off each other nicely.

I can't wait to learn about the mysterious person that saved Yan and I'll definitely be on the look out for the second volume!

The Spellbook Library Vol. 1, written by Uta Isaki and published by Kodasha, introduces readers to a fascinating blend of fantasy, mystery, and character-driven storytelling. Released on October 22, 2024, the volume sets up a promising narrative that explores the world of Spellbook librarians and the complex dynamics between its characters. The first chapter quickly establishes the core duo of the story: Yan and Tohru. The focus is on their teamwork as they undergo a test to become Spellbook librarians. The test is pivotal in shaping their relationship and their roles within the larger story. Through this challenge, the theme of collaboration and trust emerges, setting the stage for their growth throughout the story. We also get a glimpse into the fantasy world through the test and build up of what exactly is a Spellbook librarian. In Chapter 2, Yan's perceptive nature leads the reader to question Tohru’s enigmatic character. Tohru, though seemingly ordinary, starts to feel more complex as the chapter unfolds. Additionally, Rikki enters the scene, offering a perspective on classism and nepotism within the Spellbook society. This chapter also delves into the roles of Spellbook librarians, explaining their crucial responsibilities and introducing the hierarchy within their society. A notable moment in this chapter is when Yan gives the advice to Tohru: “Instead of wasting your time worrying about failing, you can concentrate on how to recover if you fail.” This quote resonates as a theme of resilience. The chapter concludes with Yan and Tohru being assigned to the Public Relations department, where they will work alongside a princess, setting up intriguing possibilities for future character interactions and plot developments. By Chapter 3, Yan and Tohru begin to learn the ins and outs of their new roles, and the story takes a deeper dive into their evolving relationship. Tohru’s mysterious side becomes even more pronounced, leaving readers curious about his hidden depths. This chapter also introduces the concept of the "doors" in the Public Relations department—locations that, while seemingly irrelevant to their current duties, are sure to play a significant role later in the story.
Yan fulfills his lifelong dream of thanking the sealing department captain for saving him as a child, leaving him with no motivation until he finds a new goal. However, the tone shifts when a Spellbook is accidentally unsealed, and the duo, along with the princess, must venture to seal it again. The manga ends on a cliffhanger as Tohru is faced with the inability to destroy the Spellbook beast. Tohru's decision to try sealing it instead sets up high stakes and leaves you eagerly awaiting the next volume. I enjoyed this volume and would rate it a 4/5 stars.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

The Spellbook Library, Vol. 1 by Uta Isaki wasn't a bad manga volume by any means. I quite enjoyed it, all of the magical creatures sealed in library books? Sounds fantastic. Unfortunately, I've already been a fan of reading Magus of the Library for awhile, and it's very similar. I am way more attached to the Magus characters and storyline than to this one, but maybe I will still pick up the next volume sometime.

I wasn’t sure how spell books and libraries would turn out but this story was so much fun. The different department options, the characters, the spell beasts. Yans short temper is amusing, and I enjoyed seeing his self awareness. Tohru is the character I’m most interested in. It kept being mentioned how he seems a tad mysterious and it makes me have so many questions. Emel seems to serious and monotone. I’m hoping as the series progresses she will being emoting a little more. Riki was annoying, I’m hoping it stays the occasional side character.

I can’t wait to see what all spellbeasts come out, and what being in the PR department will actually end up meaning.

Black Clover meets the first Hunter x Hunter arc. The worldbuilding was interesting, and I love the library setting. The story is following 3 main characters: Yan (a thug who turned his life around), Tohru (a mysterious boy), and Emel (a princess). Yan seemed to have the most development, where we learned about why he wanted to work for the library, but we don’t learn much about the other 2 in this volume. Yan has a good sense of humor which matches well with Tohru’s quiet demeanor (think Asta and Yuno in Black Clover), but I wish we got to learn more.

This volume was mostly introducing the world, so it’s understandable that we didn’t get to learn much about the characters. The spell beasts seem well thought out, and I am curious about the different types of spell beasts in this world. I would also like to learn more about the different departments in the library, and I like how it is emphasized that all departments are important, not just the sealing department. The cliffhanger has me engaged, and I will be continuing on with this series.

This last week, I read vol 1 of The Spellbook Library through #netgalley This manga is set in a world where dangerous spellbeasts roam the land. Spellbook librarians capture, categorize, and manage the keeping and circulation to these spellbeast. Spellbeasts are so integrated into the way of life, that they are vital to functioning and productivity of the towns and the people.

On the day of the library’s employment exam, Yan and Tohru meet as they are on their way to the exam. Yan is a guy with a rough attitude who’s turning over a new leaf, wanting to meet and emulate the spellbook librarians that saved his life as a kid. Tohru meanwhile, is a seemingly laidback and very mysterious boy that, even at the end of the 1st volume, we don’t learn much about.

Vol. 1 covers their employment and placement exams, and the beginning of their first day at their jobs. This volume does a good job of slowly introducing you to the magic system and introducing characters that will be important in the future while introducing our protagonists to their jobs. It also introduces many mysteries that, by the end of the volume, have yet to be answered. For example: what is up with Tohru? Why does he seem to have magic independent to the spellbooks that everyone else is seen using? Why is there a princess working in the library? Why are so many librarians disrespecting the princess and putting her down all the time?

I think that this is an intriguing world and magic system, but I wish that there were some more questioned answered in this volume, since almost none of mine were answered. Volume 1 ends at a cliff hanger, while raising more questions about Tohru and sort of hinting that answers are on the horizon. Rest assured, at least some of these questions are answered in vol.2 which is not published yet. For people like me who aren’t very patient, the publisher, Kodansha, has helpfully put their website at the end of the book with the information that if you make an account, you can read the chapters for this series for free.

The artwork and storyline are pretty good. I always wish that manga were longer, but I will read volume 2!

This is an interesting take on another library of spells//magical creatures. It proper Japanese//Manga fashion the library has lots of order//departments and an entrance exam.

This is more of a classic style manga with seemly powerful and likable characters that most people underestimate. The exposition is given in a clean way.

The proof also included some behind the scenes character drawings that were a nice touch.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.

Meh. The beginning was clunky, with the artwork and dialogue not making ANY sense. The reader is thrown into this world with no idea of what is going on and not in a "ooh, I want to know more!" way, more like "what the heck is going on and do I really care to read more?".

It did get better and started to make more sense, but two characters who were in danger and the two heroes were not drawn in a way where this reader could differentiate them, so I was SUPER confused about who had released the book demon thingy for too many pages. I like to think that I am not slow when it comes to reading comprehension, but when I have to flip pages back and forth to figure something out and the book ISN'T a literary classic or in another language, that is usually not a good sign for me. I won't say no to reading the next volume, but I am not going to go out of my way to seek it out.

2, this is a big middle of the road 'meh' to me, stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and Kodansha Comics

It wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but I didn’t really connect to the characters. I liked the world building, it seems like an interesting world. It’s just not interesting enough to keep me reading the series unfortunately.

Such an Interesting concept. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next volume. In this unique fantasy manga, we follow thru as they begin their journey to the spell book library entrance exam. They’re joined by a reformed hooliganism that wants the ability to meet the librarians that saved him as a child. Once they’re at the exam they realize that there’s a lot more to this than meets the eye.
I’m obsessed with the art and the creatures and the world building.

This was a really interesting and unique manga that I could not put down. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and the character development in particular.

Thank you Kondansha Comics and NetGalley for giving me an e-arc of The Spellbook Library!

3.5 Stars. need the next volume ASAP.

This is something that is not what I typically pick up, however, I am glad I did! The Spellbook Library a super fun and fast-paced fantasy graphic novel/ manga about individuals who run a magical library of fantastical creatures! The main characters are both applying to be librarians at the library (for different reasons) and the story ends on a cliffhanger! I hope to read Volume 2, because I am very interested in seeing how the story develops. Though the art style is a little difficult to interpret at times, I do think it is still very good art and I enjoyed looking at it through my reading journey. I enjoyed the overall story as well as concept, though such a short novel left me wanting more from the plot as well as the overall story. I hope that in future volumes there is more world building because I am really interested in the history of the library as well as the characters and I hope we learn more! I WILL be requesting volume 2 if it becomes available.

A gripping book, this story pulls you till the very end, I enjoyed reading it. I definitely will love to see more from the author

*Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

When I first came across this manga on NetGalley being promoted as perfect for fans of Cardcaptor Sakura, I was IMMEDIATELY skeptical. CCS is one of my all time favorite anime/manga, both in terms of nostalgia and current enjoyment.

So I was delightfully surprised when I got sucked into this first volume, mouth agap at that cliffhanger! There were some parts that I found cliche or a bit annoying but the story overall is very engaging. I want to know more about the motivations and secrets of the main characters. And I want to explore more of this world of spell beasts and librarians. I will definitely be coming back for the second volume. 5/5 Stars

I loved the art and writing of this manga. It was fun, fast-paced, and easy to follow. I also enjoyed the magic system and the dynamics between the characters. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC of this book.

The premise of this manga has a lot of potential, a library full of spellbooks containing dangerous creatures. The story started off pretty well, with an interesting beginning and some library-related incidents that made me smile with their relationship to real libraries (I did wonder if the author is a librarian or has worked in a library).

Unfortunately my enjoyment did go down somewhat as the story continued. The plot failed to really hold my interest and it wasn't helped by the fact that the art was sometimes hard to interpret. The characters seemed interesting but didn't feel fully developed in this first volume. The cliffhanger ending was also honestly annoying.

Overall I think it is decent but underwhelming. It is only the first volume and I do believe the premise and characters have enough potential that the series could easily improve as it continues. Considering how expensive manga can be though, unless I find volume two in a library one day, I might not end up reading it.

I have read the first volume of the series courtesy of NetGalley and the second and much of the third on the Kodansha website, although they have done something strange and the last two chapters are not available. This is to say you that the manga is quite addictive, even if a little naive sometimes.

It’s very Japanese, despite being also made with Americans readers on the author’s mind, and with that sense of humor so peculiar and particular to many manga. And in addition to the two main characters, there is also a princess who wants to be a librarian above all and books, many books, plenty of books. And it is so because books, and the amount of information they can keep, are as protagonists as the spellbeasts and the librarians..

A library is home to books, that’s the purpose of a library. But this library holds special books, spellbooks. And these books don’t contain spells but magical creatures that are trapped in the pages for the safety of humanity. The Librarians are tasked with protecting it.

The artwork in this manga was really cute, however, some of the panels were a little overdrawn and it was hard to understand what was written. The characters were really interesting and I look forward to learning more about them. The world was built really well and it was easy to understand.

Overall, this manga was really cute and I’m excited to see more of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an uncorrected e-arc of this title.
This was a fun read overall. I enjoyed the concept... think Pokemon blended with ghostbusters, in a library environment. I liked the two main character friends too. It felt a little disjointed though... this may be because it was an unfinished copy, and/or because I was reading this on an e-reader. The art style was lovely! My rating is actually 3.75 stars.

The Spell book Library is a great mix of good art and a good story line. I'm not usually a manga reader, I tend to enjoy the style of graphic novels better, but I really enjoyed this story and format.