Another good one in the series.

I suppose I think it could move a bit faster and have more action. However, that's just a minor point.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. The story had its own charm and kept me engaged throughout.

The characters were well-developed and their interactions added depth to the plot.

Although the pace could have been quicker, it didn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series to see where the story goes.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre. It's a great read that will keep you entertained.

So, at this stage, we are two-thirds of the way through.

Maybe my math is not entirely accurate, as it's not clear to me whether volume 13, which is included in my boxed set, is actually part of the initial story arc or not.

This installment has had plenty of twists and turns. However, not many of them really engaged me.

Sure, I'm curious to know where the story is headed, but this time around, I didn't feel a strong investment in the outcomes.

Most concerning, especially if I'm going to persevere until the end, is that I found myself rooting less and less for the protagonist/anti-hero in this one.

By the same token, I can't say it reflects well on me (or, for that matter, the storyline) that I'm more disgusted with the protagonist for being mean to his girlfriend (even if, arguably, she's not really his girlfriend... nor does the Dune-like concubine fit the bill, but I digress) than I am with his willingness to, um, yes, well... kill people!

And, lest we forget, at this point, we've long passed the stage of arguing that he's only killing people who deserve it or had it coming, but that's a topic for another day.

At this point, I'm pretty much committed. I have the boxed set, and I'm closer to the end than the beginning (and four manga books, as opposed to dozens, doesn't seem overly intimidating).

So the only remaining question is how quickly I'll come back for the next installment.

The story is rapidly establishing its foundation following the significant plot twist in the previous volume. Now that Near and Mello have entered the fray, Light discovers himself in a precarious situation, caught between a rock and a hard place. At times, he loses sight of his original goals and becomes consumed by a desire for revenge after his ego has been assaulted.

Misa continues to be a truly pitiful sight. How could one be so completely blinded by love? It's almost tragic to witness.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer

Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

We finally have the opportunity to properly meet Near and Mello. They are rather eccentric, just like L, but deliberately more immature and less mysterious.

Light persists in working on whatever it is that he has planned at present. Even Near is quick to note that it has been 5 years since L's death and Light has accomplished next to nothing. Has the situation with Kira truly achieved nothing productive in 5 years?

And now, the moment a complication is introduced into Light's plans, with Mello kidnapping people and threatening to obtain the Death Note, Light spends a significant portion of the volume simply standing around, reflecting on how little he knows.

Oh, and we are introduced to a new shinigami. Well, it's a shinigami who is not Ryuk or Rem, I suppose.

This new development adds an interesting layer to the story, as we wonder what role this new shinigami will play and how it will impact the ongoing battle between Light, Near, and Mello.

I wasn't really into this manga to begin with. However, since it was so highly praised, I decided to give it a try. But now that L is dead, the story seems to be going all over the place.

I try to keep in mind that the most important thing in this series is the Death Note itself and not really the characters. But there have been too many changes in the past volumes to keep me interested. I liked the frisky Misa better than the dumb puppy she has become. I preferred L over Near. The interaction between Light and Ryuk was quirky, but now he just follows Misa, repeating what she says.

I find that Near and Mello, no matter how much they are involved in the story, seem to have come out of nowhere and don't look right. Near looks like a five-year-old and Mello looks like a girl.

The part about Sayu being kidnapped didn't interest me at all.

In my opinion, the five-year leap in the story was not a good idea. It has made the story feel disjointed and has taken away some of the charm that it originally had. I'm not sure if I'll continue reading this manga or not.

Light is truly an enigma. Is he the anti-hero or the villain? It's hard to say. But one thing is for sure, he is absolutely brilliant. His mind is constantly working, coming up with complex plans and strategies.

Mello, on the other hand, is another favorite of mine. There's just something about him that I find appealing. Maybe it's his edgy personality or his determination to get what he wants.

As for Near, I don't think I care so much for him yet. He seems a bit too cold and calculating for my taste. But who knows, maybe he'll grow on me as the story progresses.

Overall, the characters in this story are what make it so interesting. Each one has their own unique qualities and motives, and it's fascinating to watch them interact and play out their roles.

* My Opinion *

Wow, this episode holds surprises and twists that are truly unique. So far, the boundaries between good and evil were rather clear, although L and Light didn't always manage this tightrope walk 100%. But in this episode, the boundaries blur very strongly and I must say, L and Light lose my sympathy. My moral standpoint keeps popping into my head and I keep asking myself how far one can go for the good. Meanwhile, other characters also surprise with their actions and thoughts and I wonder again where all this is leading and how it might end. All of this makes the characters come alive and the speakers do the rest. They convey emotions and I have the feeling of being right in the middle, experiencing their thoughts. All of this, combined with the gripping writing of the author, makes the short hour of the audiobook seem far too short. This time there was also a bit more humor and I grinned in between... wait, stop, I can't reveal that now. Sorry. It should be clear that I also give this audiobook a clear 5 live stars.

* Book Blurb *

In a live broadcast of Sakura TV, an unknown person threatens to reveal the true identity of Kira. The businessman Kyosuke Higuchi will stop at nothing to prevent this. On his way to the TV studio, he mercilessly kills anyone who gets in his way with the help of the DEATH NOTE. But L and Light are ready to do whatever it takes to stop him and get the DEATH NOTE into their own hands.

The swing moment has come and the story is no longer the same.

It drags somehow, as if reluctant to move forward. The characters seem to be stuck in a web of their own making, unable to break free.

The plot meanders, losing its sense of direction. The once-thrilling narrative now feels sluggish and tiresome.

Perhaps it is time for a new twist, a sudden turn of events that will reignite the spark.

Or maybe the author needs to take a step back and重新evaluate the story's structure.

Whatever the case may be, something has to change to bring this story back to life.

Only then will it be able to capture the reader's attention and keep them engaged until the very end.

Near and Mello are two important characters in the "Death Note" series.

Near is a young and intelligent detective who is often seen as calm and composed. He has a unique way of thinking and solving problems, which makes him a formidable opponent.

Mello, on the other hand, is more impulsive and hot-headed. He is also highly intelligent, but his actions are often driven by his emotions.

The reason why they "nerven die so rum" (annoy people so much) could be because of their different personalities and methods. Near's calm and calculating nature may come across as cold and unfeeling to some, while Mello's impulsiveness may lead to him making hasty decisions that have negative consequences.

However, it is important to note that both Near and Mello are ultimately working towards the same goal - to catch the killer known as Kira. Their differences in approach may cause conflict and tension between them, but it also makes for an interesting and engaging story.

In this volume, so many things took place. I initially believed that I couldn't despise anyone more than Light. However, here we are, and I find myself really not liking Mello. To be honest, I thought he was a girl at first. It would have been quite interesting and entertaining to witness a truly evil girl character. But unfortunately, that's not the case. Maybe there were some initial impressions or actions of Mello that led to my dislike. Or perhaps it was the way he interacted with the other characters. Nevertheless, my feelings towards him are clear. I'm curious to see if his character will develop or change in the subsequent volumes, and if that will have any impact on my perception of him.

I don't know why, but this just gave me vibes of the wizarding world after Dumbledore.

Maybe it was the mysterious atmosphere that surrounded the place. The old buildings seemed to hold secrets within their walls, as if they were whispering tales of magic and adventure.

The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, as if something wonderful was about to happen.

The people there had an otherworldly charm, with their strange clothes and even stranger abilities.

It was like stepping into a different reality, one where magic was real and anything was possible.

I could almost imagine Harry Potter and his friends walking down the streets, solving mysteries and facing challenges.

It was a place that made my heart race and my imagination run wild.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder as I explored this new world.

It was truly a magical experience that I would never forget.

My journey with this manga was truly amazing.

However, after that big event was stretched out, I decided to read the summary for what occurs from Vol 8 - 12. And I must say, I am really satisfied with how everything turned out in the end.

Even just through the summary, I could sense all the twists and turns that the story took. It was truly captivating and I was completely shocked by the ending.

I would definitely recommend this manga to others.

Although now that I am done with DeathNote, I don't think I will continue reading the later volumes.

Overall, I would rate this manga a solid 5/5 stars. It has been an unforgettable experience and I'm glad I took the time to explore this story.

Whether you're a fan of manga or just looking for an exciting and engaging read, DeathNote is definitely worth checking out.

I'm sure you'll be just as hooked as I was from the very beginning.

So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and see for yourself!