This is the 13th volume in the 12-volume "Death Note" series. Yes, you read that right! This is actually a kind of summary/encyclopedia/reference work for the series, with info about many of the characters, interviews with the author and artist, and other tidbits. Since I don't own all the books in the series yet (I've been reading most of them via library copies so far), I had hesitated to pick up this book, but I had a Borders coupon and decided "What the heck!"

While I haven't read the entire manga series yet, I have seen the live-action two-part film version (very good, btw), though it only covers books 1-7 plus a bit of 12, with a couple of key changes in the storyline. I'm hoping to see the anime series eventually, but will try and finish the manga series first.

As for this book, I may dip into it right away, even though I have yet to "meet" many of the characters...

[The book came with a sealed envelope that contained a card with a picture of L and his real name, rather cool - but I didn't think it'd stay with the book once I'd unsealed the envelope, so I've decided to keep the card. But I've uploaded the image into this JE so you can see it. L's definitely my favorite character from the series!]

Later - I've seen the anime series now, and finished the books, and enjoyed it all very much. This book makes a handy guide, with its character info (including some information that never made it into the manga proper) and plot summaries. There are interviews and commentary from the authors, including some delightful bits about how certain aspects of the characters came about simply because the artist threw something in and the author decided to run with it.

While the series as a whole is pretty dark, it has its humorous moments - and then there are the omake strips, collected in this volume and very funny indeed.

The book also includes the original "Death Note" short story, which has some elements in common with the series but shows a rather different spin on the use of the notebook.

[There's an extensive TV Tropes page on the series, which got me into it in the first place.]

I donated this book to the ongoing charity-sale shelves inside Hannaford's at around 6. [They sell donated books for low prices, with the proceeds going to benefit various charities.] Hope the buyer enjoys the book!

*** Released for the 2014 Spook-tacular Halloween Challenge, for "death". ***

*** Released for the 2014 TICK TOCK release challenge, for "death". ***