xxxHOLIC: Volume 9

In volume 8 of the manga, the story of Watanuki's missing eye continues. It is a prized item within the spirit realm and soon, the very pretty youkai/sprite Zashiki-Warashi (whom you'll remember has a crush on Watanuki) is involved in this. However, she is captured by the evil Jorô-Gumo, leading her crew of loyal Karasu Tengu to seek Yûko-san's (and ultimately Watanuki's) help. The second story in the manga is about the thunder creature Raijû, whom Watanuki notices in an appliance store and has to rescue. The final story features a snow man contest between Watanuki and Doumeki-kun with the winner getting a special prize as Yûko-san observes. It was great seeing the Zashiki-Warashi return to the story. I really like her, though it was a shame that she and Watanuki didn't get to spend more time together at the end. The resolution of Watanuki's eye-arc was rather interesting and could lead to some additional "fun" down the road. The story of Raijû was OK. It gave us another look at Watanuki's progress since meeting Yûko-san, but also provided an interesting revelation about Doumeki-kun. The story of the snowman felt like filler to me, but I didn't mind. Del Rey does its usual good job with this title. Hat's off to the translator here! Bottom line: More good "xxxHOLiC" goodness, with the big plus for the return of the Zashiki-Warashi.

*Sighs* Clamp, Clamp, Clamp...when will we ever learn? If Clamp puts something out, we are bound to get addicted to it, are we not? We have Tsubasa, Magic Knight Rayearth, Card Captor Sakura...I have, sadly, got addicted to them all; if not the manga, then the anime. This new release is definately not and exception. I am sure that you have already read the description above, and do not need another one, by now you just want to know if it is worth your money, right? I, for one, would say that it is a ten dollars well-spent, if you don't mind buying the next one, and the next one, and the next one...for that is what will happen. You will be so pleased with the first book, the graphics, and the storyline that you will have to keep buying the series. So, if you ONLY want to spend ten dollars, don't buy this book, because once you read it, you are hooked. This series, as I am sure you have heard, ties in with Tsubasa (I enjoy Tsubasa more, simply because it revolves around Syaoran and Sakura). So, if you do intend to buy this book, you may want to check out Tsubasa also. So, to finally answer your question: is this book worth my money!? My answer to you is this; if you enjoy beautiful artwork, quirky characters, and cross-over manga...then YES! YES! YES! This IS the book for you!

CLAMP never, ever ceases to amaze me. How they can just crank out these amazing books is just...amazing! And trust me, this book is no exception.xxxHOLiC is a masterpiece. As you've probably already read, it's about a boy, Watanuki Kimihiro, who is haunted by ghosts and spirits. The beautiful witch Yuko says she'll get rid of them-for a price. So he becomes her servant/worker, and gets to see all of Yuko's crazy customers.This is not like Cardcaptor Sakura, in that you can't just read the book and understand it. You'll have to read some things twice, and really think about some of the things before you get them. It's not a chore though, it's fun.The art is absolutely stunning. It has a slightly gothic twist, which just makes it more interesting.When I first read the summary of this book, I was a little put off, because frankly, I am a fan of girly mangas, so it didn't sound all that appealing. But I was so wrong. This is a book not to be missed. One of the other cool things, is that if you're familiar with CLAMP's work, you'll notice a lot of little things throughtout the book from things like Cardcaptor Sakura, etc. It's fun to look for :D And this book crosses over with Tsubasa:RESERvoir Chronicle, which is CCS in an alternate dimension :DPlus, Del Rey publishing has included these cool extras in the back of the book! All in all, xxxHOLiC is NOT TO BE MISSED!

How these ladies can keep cranking these books out like sausage without them feeling like they were cranked out like sausage is beyond me. Dont' struggle, just accept. This is another fabulous book.This book is a collection of Twilight Zone style short stories, with our well-endowed witch Yuki and our petulant schoolboy Watanuki as our unifying characters.For those of you new to CLAMP, let me take you through the CLAMP checklist: Beautiful artwork -- check. Beautiful costumes -- check. Interesting characters -- heh, an understatement. A moral lurking just at the edges of the plot -- check. A plot that takes at least two books to develop -- check (you were not in a hurry, I hope). A plot and/or characters that are ever so slightly...bent -- oh yeah.Don't worry. If you read any of CLAMP's work fast enough and without any serious thought it won't ruffle your PG-13 sensibilities. It's just when you start to think about the issues that seemed like they were on the margins of the story that you realize what the story was *really* about.Ant THAT, for me, is what makes CLAMP such a damn fine read.

I have only been a medicore fan of CLAMP ever since I had first heard of them. That having been said, I was truly impressed with this manga. I was skeptical of anything with XXX in the front of it, however, the recomendations forced to me try reading it and i was not disappointed!Yuko, the witch, is among my favorite female characters because she not only has a well-developed character but has a creepy, occult streak a mile long. The situations of Yuko's clients are common happening yet have a hauntingly true to life reasoning behind thier severity and how easily it is to fall into these "habits" as her clients did.No action sceens, but they are not truly needed. And I am a great fan of action. It was so alluring, my thumb print is embeded in the pages i've read it so many times! Any fan of thought-provoking manga owes it to themselves to at least try this series.The power of CLAMP compelles you!