Miki Falls: Spring (Miki Falls Series #1) »

Mark Crilley is an award-winning author and illustrator who has been voted one of the “100 most Creative People in Entertainment” by Entertainment Weekly. Mark splits his time between Japan and Michigan.

It's spring—a time for new beginnings. This is Miki Yoshida's final year of high school, and she's determined to make this the best year yet. Miki is in control . . .

. . . until Hiro Sakurai shows up.

The tall, handsome new student is hiding something, and Miki wants to know what. As she breaks down Hiro's defenses, she is unnerved by how much she cares about him. Too bad he is the one guy who can't care for her back. But Miki is falling for Hiro, and nothing's going to stop her from getting close to him—not even his dangerous secret.

KLIATT

Miki Yoshida is a normal girl beginning her senior year in high school. One day, an errant arrow changes the course of her life forever. The arrow in question, which Miki shoots into a rice paddy, leads to a chance encounter with Hiro Sakurai, the new guy in town. Even though everyone thinks Hiro is a jerk, Miki decides to get to know him better. When gift baskets fail she resorts to the tried-and-true method of getting in his face until he acknowledges her existence. They become friends, but Hiro ends their friendship when Miki catches a glimpse of the dark secret he is hiding in his basement. Miki decides that Hiro has no right keeping secrets from her; she breaks into his house and confronts him. Hiro has no choice but to tell her the truth: he is a Deliverer, a quasi-celestial being entrusted with ensuring that love doesn't die out on Earth. Miki Falls: Spring is the first of a four-part storyline. This graphic novel follows the standard shojo formula: plucky, strong-willed girl meets handsome guy harboring a mysterious secret. The plot is fast-paced and entertaining, beginning with a cliffhanger—Miki throwing herself out a window—and never looking back. The b/w art emphasizes the characters' facial features and looks like it came straight from the artist's sketchbook. If I didn't believe in true love I would point out that many of Miki's actions could be considered stalking. Miki Falls: Spring contains light suspense and lots of non-sexual talk about romance, and is recommended for collections catering to girls (ages 12 and up), especially junior high school girls.