Kiss of the Rose Princess

Gr 7 Up—Anise's father gave her a rose choker and told her that if she ever removed it she would face a terrifying punishment. But wearing it draws unwanted attention as she is constantly reminded that she is violating her school's dress code. When the choker mysteriously disappears, the teen receives several magical cards, each one able to summon a knight who has the power to help her. These knights happen to be boys at her school, and each one is attractive in a different way. Some of them don't want to listen to her, while others like being bossed around, and when they talk to her in school it brings even more unwanted attention. The protagonist evolves as she begins to see each of the boys differently and discovers their hidden strengths and flaws. What is not completely clear in this volume is why these boys need to protect this "rose princess." However, there are hints that in future volumes Anise will face several challenges, in the form of a demon lord and her angry father. Shouoto's traditional manga-style drawings are filled with windswept energy that help propel the story forward. There is a lot of crashing action, and panels teem with objects in motion, from wild, flying hair to dramatically falling rose petals. Fans of fantasy/romance manga will enjoy this book and will look forward to future installments to learn more about what happens to Anise and her knights.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library