Author Archives: kaiyatadokoro

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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Cover image for The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe / C.S. Lewis ; illustrated by Pauline Baynes.

A beautifully written novel written by C.S. Lewis has gained popularity over the years. This fantasy fiction is set in the 1940’s during World War II. Four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, are sent to live in the country with a professor. There, they find a wardrobe filled with mystical creatures and awaiting adventures in a land called Narnia. 

C.S. Lewis created this book with many details and lively scenes that keep readers engrossed in the story. I personally love this book and find it to be extremely enjoyable. It has many lessons embedded within it as well. To have courage, having the ability to forgive, and the importance of honesty are just to name a few important messages. I also enjoy the character development of Edmund and Peter. In the story, there are many details that describe their growth as individuals. Readers can see them shift from naive children to mature young adults. The use of sensory imagery is always pleasant to read. Whether it be the descriptions of landscapes or characters, Lewis does an excellent job keeping readers engaged in his novel.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is an entertaining book for those who enjoy fantasy and adventure. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes to use their creativity and imagination. C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series is a great read for many and I would definitely recommend it!

Kaiya T.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Violet Evergarden by Kana Akatsuki

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A detailed and charming light novel written by Kana Akatsuki has gained the attention of many. Violet Evergarden is a slice of life light novel that surrounds a veteran from the Great War, Violet Evergarden. After recovering from her wounds, she witnesses many people’s feelings and thoughts as she transcribes them onto paper as an Auto Memory Doll. Her job as a Doll takes her on an adventure that leads to self-discovery, and the reshaping of her clients’ lives. 

Kana Akatsuki beautifully crafted this book with many emotions and vivid moments that fill readers with many thoughts. I personally enjoyed both the anime and light novel. The animation and illustrations are amazing and it’s visually pleasing to one’s eyes. I also love the character development shown through Violet in her quest to find the meaning of emotions. The details used to describe her in the story gradually change to display her growth as a person as well. Viewers can see her shift from an emotionless soldier to a compassionate and kind young girl. These aspects of Akatsuki’s work always made it enjoyable to read.

This light novel is a good read for anyone who enjoys slice of life and romance books with a bit of adventure. I would  also recommend this to those who love gorgeous art and tear jerking plots. If anyone is looking for a good romance novel to read, I would definitely recommend Violet Evergarden.

-Kaiya T.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

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Best friends to enemies, learning to adapt to new environments, and creating characters with unique personalities are concepts Soman Chainani effectively intertwined throughout his series, The School for Good and Evil. Sophie, a perfect young girl, and her best friend Agatha, the gloomy lone wolf, are brought into a world much different than their own. They find their fortunes reversed as they land in schools opposite of their personalities.

This series brings much thrill and excitement. Chainani takes you on an adventure full of twists and turns while creating a plot that is both complex and exhilarating. Personally, I enjoyed the different characters and how they were based off of popular fairytales. The description of each individual develops a unique image of them, and their actions throughout the story make them even more enjoyable to read. I also enjoyed the many details that Chainani included in his writing; it always made his work fun to read and easy to picture in your mind.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys plot twists, meaningful themes, and a hint of drama and romance. It’s perfect for those who love fairytales and using their imagination. It’s always been one of my favorite series to read, so I would most definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a new book to read.

-Kaiya T.

The School for Good and Evil is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download from Libby.