Black Bird, Volume 1 »

Kanoko Sakurakoji was born in downtown Tokyo, and her hobbies include reading, watching plays, traveling and shopping. Her debut title, Raibu ga Hanetara, ran in Bessatsu Shojo Comic (currently called Betsucomi) in 2000, and her 2004 Betsucomi title Backstage Prince was serialized in VIZ Media's Shojo Beat magazine. She won the 54th Shogakukan Manga Award for Black Bird.

R to L (Japanese Style).

There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. All that changes one day when Misao is attacked by a demon. Her childhood friend Kyo suddenly returns to save her and tend to her cuts--with his tongue! It turns out Misao is the bride of prophecy, whose blood gives power to the demon clan who claims her. But most demons want to keep her power for themselves--by eating her! Now Misao is just trying to stay alive...and decide if she likes it when Kyo licks her wounds.

Publishers Weekly

High school is hard enough, even under the best of circumstances. Misao Harada would love a normal high school life, but she has been burdened with "the sight" since childhood-a gift that allows her to see a world of myth and magic that surrounds ours. Lonely and somewhat mournful, Misao finds her world turned upside down when she reconnects with her childhood friend and first love Kyo and finds out that he is the head of a demon clan. As luck would have it, Misao is the bride of prophecy whose blood gives power to the demon who claims her. While other demon clans target her intending to consume her power, Kyo gives her the choice to become his bride and enjoy his protection. The tension between the two characters as they stave off supernatural forces is intriguing, and readers will no doubt long for Misao to become Kyo's bride. Sakurakoji's art is very romantic and the characters are almost painfully beautiful; fans will have no difficulty falling for Kyo's good looks and charm. Winner of the 2009 Shogakukan Manga Award for shojo manga. (Aug.)

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