Decapitation: Kubikiri Cycle

I bought this book after reading Nisioisin's Death Note: Another Note, and just like that book, this one is fast-paced and very clever. The writing style is smart, quick and to the point, these characters don't beat around the bush much. The characters are incredibly vivid and unique. The Japanese names took a bit of getting used to, and the lack of "He said" or "She said" in the dialogue made some passages of extended dialogue just a little confusing to follow. (There were a couple times I had to back up a little to figure out which character was talking). All in all, however, the fact that Nisioisin cut a lot of that makes the dialogue flow faster and more naturally. This Japanese author is brilliant and I can't wait for Book 2 to be released in English.

If you aren't into illustrated covers (or Manga, for that matter) don't let the cover throw you. You need not fear harmless little Kunagisa Tomo or her blue hair (mosty). There will be so much going on in the course of this novel, you'll be far too busy to notice. Likewise, if you are not accustomed to Japanese names, the book title and character names may seem intimidating. Don't let it get to you! You're a serious reader. No sweat! Wet Crow's Feather, with its expansive mansion, is the exclusive island home of wealthy and powerful Akagami Iria, an heiress of 'highest pedigree'. And if she invites you to come, you get to vacation for free! Hell, she'll even pay you for your time! A great deal! There's only one little catch: only geniuses need apply. If you're the undisputed best at what you do -- a master artist; a savant hacker; a culinary prodigy -- or if your name has frequently been attached to words like 'laureate', 'Nobel', or 'paradigm shift' your cheque may already be in the mail. Iria-san is something of a collector. Since she never leaves her island home, what better way to keep from getting bored than to surround herself with the world's best and brightest? And why not? She has money to burn. But given that only geniuses make the grade, college student Ii finds himself feeling out of place. He's accompanied his often delicate (but always freakishly brilliant) friend Kunagisa. *She's* an infamous computer genius; *his* presence is merely tolerated. Maybe Ii is much more ordinary than the illustrious women he finds himself amidst -- an exiled heiress; a famed scholar; a master chef; a celebrated artist; an uncannily accurate fortune-teller/mindfreak; and, well, then there's Kunagisa. However, when heads start to roll, the question isn't only 'who dunnit', but who among them possesses the skills to solve murder among geniuses? If you like math-logic, murder mysteries, plot-twists, or interesting characters, you may want to take a serious look at this fun and entertaining book!