I thought this was an interesting story with an engaging concept. I found it a bit hard to follow in places and would have liked more of an introduction or back story, but it was a good adventure and interesting to read. I liked the characters and the artwork was great!

Loved the characters and the plot-progression. Secrets, quirky characters and mysterious magical creatures come together in this Manga to build up the plot. I absolutely loved the humour and the character dynamics of this story. Looking forward to reading volume 2.

A good start. I had read two other standalone books by the author before, so I'm interested to see how it develops as a saga. ⭐3.8⭐

The library concept was interesting and inquisitive. The characters were cute and were comical too 😂😂 the supervisors were definitely smart and had gone thru a different training all together!
Wating for volume 2!!
The illustrations were a masterpiece! Extremely well done

Super interested in this story. I loved the concept and the artwork. I can’t wait to find out more about the backstories of these characters

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A really fun start to a manga, and I hope to read more! I really enjoyed this introduction to the characters and the world. I want to see more spellbeasts and learn more about the different departments of the library! I took a star off for the funky pacing, but I do want to continue reading because I am so intrigued.

I love libraries and magic so that caught my eye immediately. I think thus was a fun and easy read, great for someone looking for some quick entertainment. I think the characters could come across more stronger. Like, they come across a bit milquetoast. I loved the princess chara ter though. Looking forward to trying the next instalment.

My daughter requested this book on my account. She is an avid reader, and her favorite style is the anime style. She read this book lightening fast. I could tell she loved it. I kept trying to talk to her, and she was too engrossed in the book to acknowledge me.

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!