Bloody Kiss Volume 1
Tokyopop
Release Date: Available now
$10.99
Creator: Kazuko Furumiya
Format: 208 pgs.; B&W
ISBN-13: 978-1-4278-1579-8
Age Rating: 13 up
ICv2 Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Kiyo is a scholarship student wanting to be a lawyer when she inherits a decrepit mansion in a forest that has two vampire inhabitants.  Instead of selling the mansion for school money, she moves in and learns what it means to have someone depend on you. Kuroboshi, the lord vampire, has chosen her as his “bride” which means that she is the only human from whom he can feed.

The three chapters of the storyline showcase the friendship building between the human girl and the vampires.  There are comedic moments as Kiyo is a very strong willed teen and there are romantic moments that will have female readers swooning.  The artwork is a mixture of stereotypical shojo drawings and panels that completely embody the emotions being showcased.

With vampires still a big draw in teen literature it is hard to imagine this title not being popular.  Included in this volume is a short story drama called “Angel Love Song,” which is about a girl who joins forces with a boy to win a band contest.  While the quality of this opening volume is average for shojo series, the supernatural aspects will bump its popularity up a notch. Teens who have enjoyed Vampire Knight will find this one right up their alley.

- Kristin Fletcher-Spear

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