I was given a copy of this manga in exchange of my review

In short, this was a fun but forgettable read.

The story really focuses on action and there is not really a moment where it slow down. As a big ready, I was really intrigued by the concept of a magical library and I am still intrigued by this part of the world-building.

Unfortunately, the major fault is that this manga lacks some character development. The main characters are not really fleshed out. You will learn a few things about them but it will feel mostly superficial. I felt a big disconnected from the story because of this: anything good or bad can happen to them and I would feel the same way.

I might read a second volume to see if this improve but will not go beyond if not

The Spellbook Library is a small bundle of intrigue, world building and secret powers all wrapped in one.

Two individuals, pulled together by sheer coincidence, find themselves on common ground, applying for the Spellbook Library. This is place of central significance in the magnificent world created by Uta Isaki. It is place where rare few employed with high standards and strict examination are trained to control and capture beasts. But getting in is only the first problem for our MMCs in the long list of problems they are about to face inside the library.

I loved the groundwork this comics laid for the series to come. What surprised me was the tough themes of prejudice and nepotism the story is set up to tackle in the coming instalments. I am eagerly waiting for the next instalments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing a copy for review. All opinions are my own.

3.5/5 rounded down

The spellbook library is the first outing of Kodansha Comics' new "portal series" a set of English-first manga publishing first on Kodansha US.

The concept of this story is unique and quite fun. Yan and Tohru meet on their way to an employment exam to join the spellbook library. A library where all books hold magical creatures. This volume depicts their entrance exam and part of the first day on the job, ending on a cliffhanger.

Whilst unique, there were some pacing issues that made it hard to follow the story at times. Overall I am looking forward to seeing how the story will progress in future volumes.

This manga had a really interesting concept about magic, libraries, and creatures. I loved how all the characters had goals surrounding the library where the books containing magical beasts are contained. I liked how there is some mystery around the motivations of the characters and their backgrounds. I want to know more.

This is the exact kind of manga I love, goofy with the undertone/hints of something darker, characters with tragic back stories, and beautiful art. I loved this volume and I'm so excited for the next one!

Yan was saved as a child and has dedicated his life to joining the Spellbook Library
Tohru is a soft tempered magical child who seems to be going with the flow of the world
They agree to work as a team to secure jobs with the Library and encounter a member of the royal family, the Princess, as their instructor
I would describe this as Attack on Titan with Books, so fun and mysterious!

A Magical Journey into the Heart of Enchanted Libraries

The Spellbook Library by Uta Isaki takes readers in a world where magic and knowledge blend. The protagonist's discovery of an ancient library filled with spellbooks is captivating, and the world-building creates a vivid, enchanting atmosphere. The story balances action with quieter, introspective moments, allowing readers to connect with the characters, particularly the curious and determined protagonist. Isaki’s integration of magic into everyday life makes it feel alive, with spellbooks almost acting as characters with secrets of their own.

Though the first book leaves some questions for future stories, it offers enough closure to stand alone. Fans of magical realism and mysterious libraries will find this novel a delightful and immersive experience.

This one was not for me. The pacing felt off. The artwork was not my favorite, there was too much line work that it looked blurry and made it hard to determine what was happening and that unfortunately made it hard to read. I was really excited to read this and was pretty let down.

A fun and unique concept that’s overshadowed by some pacing issues. The story is about a group of people who enroll themselves to take tests in order to work at the spellbook library, where there’s multiple different kinds of jobs that all center around working with the books and the magical creatures that inhabit them. The art style is great and the main character Yan and Tohru seem likable enough but I wasn’t fully invested. I wouldn’t be against reading any other sequels but it’s not a top priority for me either.

The Spellbook Library (1) is the first outing of Kodansha's new "portal series", a set of English-first manga they're publishing first on kodansha.us, written by the mangaka of Is Love the Answer?. With how much manga has exploded over the last 20+ years, it's fascinating that Kodansha has started a little niche of manga specifically made from Western audiences?

I didn't really get that feel from this volume at all-- it has a lot of things that are pretty standard in fantasy manga- a magic school/business, a test to get you there, great beasts, a main character with a mysterious aspect to him... a small girl with pigtails that's pretty high ranking and powerful...

In the end it didn't make too much impact on me personally but I think the concept is good and the execution is fine. It was fine!

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the eARC!

3.5 stars

This is a fun and fast paced manga. The idea of the spellbooks is fantastic along with the library housing them. It is definitely not what I imagined when I first read the title. Tohru seems like an interesting character with hidden secrets and is my favourite. I am not quite sure about the princess yet or what her ambitions are. Yan is lacking some development in my opinion which I hope we will see in the coming volumes.

The artwork, while amazing, is incredibly chaotic in some places and makes it a bit hard to follow the story as the readability is not there.

Overall the plot is something fresh and exciting. I am looking forward to seeing where the story will end up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to review this manga.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3 stars

This is a fun manga. Monster defeating type stories are fun, though I'm not quite sure which angle this series will take given where the MCs end up. The main trio is really enjoyable, with Yan's original image vs the one he's going for, Tohru's mysteriousness, and the princess's predicament. Honestly, the princess is my favorite (even if her name slips my mind). I really like the dynamic around her and how she's really trying to prove herself. Definitely a series I'd like to check out more of!

Yan and Tohru were both such good characters that were instantly endearing. A cute story with good art and much more of a plotline than I was expecting.

Didn't like it all that much.

I wish the art was clearer and the flow of story a little more organised. I liked the concept but the story was a little messy from the start.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

Definitely continuing this!! Didn’t expect to like this as much as I did! The fantasy school type setting mixed with the magic work setting and royalty drew me in immediately. The magic system/test was so cool and the art style is gorgeous. I am definitely going to pick this series up! I would love to see this as an anime as well. This is an easy fan favorite. Also, it’s one of those effortlessly hilarious ones! There are some little parts that make you laugh and some scenes that make you unexpectedly laugh out loud (which I did). And it mixes the serious and funny very well! Definitely recommend.

Volume one of The Spellbook Library focuses on setting the scene and the world and introducing the characters. Each of the characters seems to have a secret that will come into play in future volumes, and the concept is fun! Overall the art was good, although the writing could be improved.

First I want to Thank NetGalley, the Author and the Publisher for this ARC.

So this one started a bit.... ¿weird?
I still don't know what to think of it. I looks and feels intriguing, but also a bit boring.
I do like the idea of magic trapped in books, it being a creature, beast, elemental or just plain magic, I would like to know more. To be honest, any manga that's got magical books in a magical library is going to attract my attention. And so does everything with Dragons.
It did remind me a bit "very little bit" of "To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts", although, that one is a LOT darker.
In the end, It leaves you with a lot of questions, enough to make you want to read vol.2 but also leave you wondering if vol.2 is going to be better.

Overall it was a fun read.

This is Volume 1 in the series.

Yan had decided to join The Spellbook Library when he was sabed b the Sealing specialists. Tohru isn't particularly fussed about which department he is assigned to but he seems to have a secret that Yan hasn't yet figured out...

This was a quick read and at first the story seemed really similar to Black Clover. It is also quite fast-paced and action-packed.

Rated 4/5 due to its unique premise. While I'm intrigued to continue, I know this is not going to be a manga/series for everyone.

This volume is much more "setting up the duo MC's status quos" and generally less action-based. This could change in later volumes.
~
The manga, "Spellbook Library" by Uta Isaki gives an unique premise as spell books being more like "creature collectors" and "spell collectors." Imagine rather than learning from spell books, these books are instead used to temporary "seal" or rather capture creatures and sometimes spells. Certainly, not a premise anyone would expect when the default is "learning"/reading from spell books.

The implied lore and how spell books works is fascinating. Easy to understand though that like other video game creature capture devices, there are ranks to "seal" creatures into these books. There is a "capacity" limit rather than luck-based like said video game examples out there.

The two protagonists play off each other well. I'm personally more of a fan of Yan (glasses MC) over Tohru (black-haired MC). I can see Tohru appealing more to the shonen genre enjoyers. I personally like Yan for being a bit more of a character archetype breaker and his own kind of quirky. Tohru has an implied secret that is a little confusing to how it might fit in with the "spellbook" premise, but I'm happy to learn more on him.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author-illustrator for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I hope the release goes well.

This manga was so interesting! The beginning was a little slow, but once we got through the first chapter or two I found myself really enjoying the characters and the world they are in. I am intrigued by the magical library used to store all of the creatures, it is so cool! I think this manga has a lot of potential, and I am excited to see where it goes from here. Also, the art is very cute and I like the character designs.