It's truly astonishing that upon my second read, which took place after a considerable time gap, I found myself liking it even more. Here's a tip for all readers: Never allow distractions to creep in or leave a significant gap between reading two volumes of Death Note. You might end up forgetting everything, which would then lead to a re-read of all the volumes. Light, once again, is single-handedly engaged in a battle against multiple foes - Near, Mello, the SPK, and the Japanese Task force. It's quite remarkable how strategies constantly flow through his mind, and he manages to deceive almost everyone! However, as I mentioned in my last review, the Japanese Task force should have been able to identify Light if they were even half as intelligent as him. This volume once again emphasizes the aspect where the evil within Light has manifested in a new form, as he doesn't hesitate for a moment when it comes to sacrificing his own father! This volume serves more as an appetizer for the upcoming intense battle between Kira and the child prodigies - Mello & Near! -------
Death Note simply wouldn't be Death Note if it didn't end on a cliffhanger! Kira just utilized the power of people to shield himself from Near's suspicion while simultaneously attempting to subdue him. This volume was somewhat dull compared to its predecessors. It mainly showcased Mello's power and capabilities, all the while keeping Kira in the spotlight. Unfortunately, this volume witnessed the end of Detective Yagami. One flaw I noticed in this volume is the way the Japanese task force has been blindly trusting Light, despite his lack of emotions after the detective's death. It's becoming a bit confusing now with the book changing hands and the ever-increasing number of rules, both fake and real. We're going to have to hold on tight!