This was a fun manga! It reminded me of Sorcery of Thorns (monsters sealed in library books) and Library Wars (one of the MCs being saved as a young child by someone from the library). The two main characters are total opposites, but they form a fast friendship as they enter the exam to join the library. I get the feeling that all's not as it seems, as there are hints at political intrigue within the library, as well as secrets surrounding Tohru's past. This first volume is focused on world building and establishing the characters, and does so in a quick, engaging way. It also ends on a cliffhanger that has me eager for the next volume!

This manga ends on a cliffhanger! Just thought I’d throw that out there. It’s the beginning of the story of two young men who want to enter the Spellbook Library where magical books seal up equally magical monsters to keep them from wreaking havoc on the world. When he was a child, Yan was saved from just such a monster by Libraries and ever since has wanted to serve in the library. Joining him is Tohru, a mysterious young man with magic powers who ends up being partnered with Yan when both of them are accepted into the Library to serve under Princess Emel.

The manga is in black and white, read left to right, and — to be honest — I found some of the early action scenes a little hard to decipher, like the mugging on back the spell beast in part one; I couldn’t tell who was doing what at first glance and had to go back and pore over the scenes, but ended up just moving on. The backgrounds are a little flat and uninspiring, but the character work is decent.

However, the world building (what little we see of it in the three parts) is well done; such how spellbooks work to hold spellbeasts, a hint of politics when the princess is dealing with her fellow librarians and more hints of strife and behind the scenes shenanigans when a captain from another department has a few words with the princess.

I’m intrigued enough in the story to keep reading, and will be keeping my eyes out for the next book in the series. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

I'm pretty neutral on this one. I love the idea! But I wasn't drawn in enough by the characters and the little bit of plot we got was chaotically action packed. BUT the concept is strong enough, that I would be willing to pick up volume 2. The art was fine.

Fun story that makes me want to find out what happens next! Not a huge fan of some of the artwork, it got confusing at times but this may also be an issue with digital versus paper format.
Thank you NetGalley!!

This was such a fun book! I really enjoyed the intrigue and can't wait until the second one. It's also a quick read and can easily be finished in one sitting.

I was so confused as to who was supposed to be the main character. Sometimes it seems it’s Yan but other times it would make more sense if it’s Tohru.

We see the inner thoughts of Yan; how he was rescued by the Binding Librarians which led to his ambition to become one himself.
From Tohru we only know (from Yan’s perspective) that he is mysterious.

That’s why almost from the start of the book I mostly thought Yan was the main character but the cliffhanger at the end made me rethink it; maybe Tohru is really the main character.

Also, the one on the volume’s cover is Tohru.

Or maybe it’s both of them? Honestly, a bit confusing.

The first test to become a librarian is a bit… nonsensical. It seemed like the test was made so that noone got it right as it fixated on a little detail of the instructions they are given.

Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC

This was a good start to the series, I like the way the magic works with Beasts trapped inside Spellbooks, I didnt quite get it at first but after a few pages I worked it out :D I will be recommending this and picking up a print copy!

(Ronded from 3.75 stars)

The story was very intriguing and the art was fun. Definitely not a bad read. I did get confused at times; the storyline seemed to jump occasionally and there were a few unnecessary elements in my opinion. I did find myself laughing a few times, and the cliff hanger at the end did make me want to know what comes next.

The idea of a group being tested to work at a library filled with books containing magical creatures is really interesting. The artwork is well done, but the pacing feels inconsistent—some parts drag on before the action kicks back in. The series has a lot of potential thanks to its solid concept, so I’d be open to reading future volumes, though they wouldn’t be a top priority for me.

many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Kodansha Comics for the arc, all opinions are my own.

I was sucked in from the very first page. Yeah, I was a bit confused at first; there's no long-winded exposition to get you accustomed to the lore and backstory, but you'll pick it up within the first 50 pages. The characters are interesting and there's an air of mystery regarding the backstory of a few of them. There's unknown connections and intrigue. Overall, I was absorbed into the setting and plot (the art is absolutely amazing!) and the characters are comfortable and likeable.

My favorite character is Riki; he's the typical loud-mouthed, boisterous, over-the-top anime guy constantly monologuing about how he's going to be rich, famous, and the best at whatever he's doing. Total dork, though. But all of the characters have their own unique backstories, mysteries, and draw-ins.

I'm definitely going to pick up the next volume in the series!

The Spellbook Library adds a twist to a familiar concept. Those wishing to work within the walls of the library to harness beasts within the pages of various spelling books. The readers are introduced to an unlikely duo with their own motives to join the library staff. This is a really fun start to a series that sets up some interesting characters and begins to build some mysteries around them as well as the library itself. The only issue I had when reading the text was that it was difficult to tell which character was speaking at times.

I was pulled in right from the beginning! Tour and Yan live in a world where spellbeasts are real and must be sealed away in magical books by Spellbook librarians. After being attacked by such a beast at a young age, Yan, has vowed that he will one day join the librarians. Jump to present day and Yan is on the way to take his exams when he runs into Tohru, another examinee who runs into some trouble along the way. With each other’s help hopefully the two can succeed. I absolutely loved this book. Right from the beginning it was action filled. I would highly recommend for anyone who enjoys action fantasy.

A land of magical things that contains spell beasts, spellbooks and so much more. A rough and tumble young man named Yan tries to leave his fisticuffs behind to embark on an adventure of a lifetime, employment at the Spellbook Library. As he rushes to the library to take the tests, he happens upon another young man, Tohru, being mugged, saves him and his valuables from thuggery, and learns that he too is hoping for employment at the same institution. Plenty of other souls vie for the chance at employment, but only a small number shall be gainfully employed and divided into the various departments that keep the kingdom safe.
I really wanted to enjoy this one since I’m a lifelong lover of libraries and fantasy. It had a great premise, but I think it fell a bit flat for me. One of the things that bothered me about this volume is that the text blocks seemed to be too large for the panels they were in and thus distracted from the equally important artwork.

The Spellbook Lobrary by Uta Isaki is full of action right from the start and draws you into the story with great illustration style and fast paced style.

⭐⭐⭐ stars

The spellbook library introduces an intriguing premise: a world where magic is real and spells are stored in a vast library. The story follows a young boy named Aichi who discovers he has a unique ability to see and interact with magical energy. This leads him on adventure into the Spellbook Library, where he must unravel mysteries and learn to control his newfound power.

The artwork is visually appealing, with detailed backgrounds and expressive character designs. The story itself is engaging, with a good pace and a sense of mystery. However the other characters, particularly Aichi, feel somewhat underdeveloped, and the plot felt a little predictable.

Overall, The Spellbook Library is a promising start to a series. With further character development and more intricate plot, it has the potential to become a truly captivating read.

Would recommend to: Fans of fantasy manga who enjoy stories about magic and libraries.
This review is based on the first volume of the series.


Thank you Netgalley and Uta Isaki for receiving this review e-arc copy. Got this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I like cozy fantasy and the stakes hit just right. Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I think the pacing of the book is off at times but will probably pick up the next book in the series.

This was amazing! I loved the library spellbook and enjoyed the characters. The artwork was just as amazing. I was hooked on the storyline and I can't wait to read more to find out what happens next.



Thank you Kodansha Comics for the ARC!

The Spellbook Library is action-packed and full of mystery. You can't help but get invested in where this story will go right from the start!

Our three main characters include a short-tempered troublemaker who has "transformed" (sort of) into a better person so he can become a member of the Specialized Sealing Unit, a mysterious boy of questionable origins who can use magic, and a princess who is trying to push aside her title and status and prove her skills and worth to her colleagues. Our dynamic trio all meet on the day of the employment exams for the National Spellbook Library. From that day, nothing but hilarity and chaos ensues.

Readers of fantasy and historical fiction will love this new manga series!

Thank you to Uta Isaki, NetGalley, and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an advanced reader's copy to review.

#TheSpellbookLibrary #NetGalley

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Uta Isaki for providing me with an ARC of The Spellbook Library, Vol.1 in exchange for my honest review.

The Spellbook Library, Vol.1 is a delightful and magical read filled with humor, charm, and a cast of likeable characters. From the very beginning, the story draws you in with its enchanting premise and vibrant world-building. The concept of a library filled with magical spellbooks and spellbeasts is both unique and imaginative, providing endless possibilities for adventure and intrigue.

One of the standout features of this manga is its stunning artwork. The detailed illustrations bring the world to life, capturing the magic and whimsy of the spellbeasts as well as the warmth of the blossoming friendships among the characters. The art complements the story perfectly, enhancing the sense of wonder and immersing the reader in the fantastical setting.

The characters themselves are another highlight. Their personalities are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to root for them as they navigate the challenges of the magical library. The dynamic between the protagonists adds depth to the story, and the humor sprinkled throughout keeps the tone light and enjoyable.

What truly sets this volume apart is its originality. The concept of spellbeasts and their connection to the spellbooks is refreshingly inventive.
My 5-star rating reflects the sheer enjoyment I experienced while reading this volume. The combination of compelling characters, imaginative world-building, and beautiful artwork made for an enjoyable reading experience. I’m eagerly looking forward to continuing with the series and exploring more of the magical world Uta Isaki has created. It’s a captivating start to what promises to be an enchanting series.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of this manga.

I really enjoyed reading this and thought it was a great step into the world of a new series. The main characters were really quirky and charismatic, easy to tell apart by temperament. I liked the magic element and of course a magic library?! Absolutely yes from me!

I would love to continue to read more in the series and see where our new Librarians end up on their journey.