Anise Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being named Ninufa falls from the sky and hits her. Ninufa gives Anise four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?! Rated: T
KISS OF ROSE PRINCESS Volume 1 ©Aya SHOUOTO 2009
November 1, 2014
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
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.