YoYo

Release of the Red Phoenix is the 3rd book in this children's manga series of 10 books by YoYo, a group of manga artists, and is brilliant. The adventures are fast paced and draw you into the story straight away. I find the reading of the manga graphics from back to front and left to right very easy to follow.

In Vermonia 4: The Rukan Prophecy the pace is pretty much supersonic, and gallops along at such a pace, that I was quite shocked to realise that I'd actually come to the end of the book! The story line is brilliant and utterly absorbing - the graphics very clear and easy to read - even if it back to front and right to left. I loved it and highly recommend it - the YoYo artists are doing an excellent job both graphically and story wise.

The story conitinues with friends Doug, Jim and Naomi trying to free their friend Mel.

It is quite a thrilling story with Jim taking on the spirit of Suiran The Winged Panther to guide the group. Each member of the group of friends will be called to take on the spirit of a guardian of Vermonia to not only free Mel but to help free Vermonia - last time is was Doug who heard the call of Raitetse - The Silver Tiger. Again I find myself being utterly enthralled with the story not wanting to put the book down.

Having never read a Manga story before I wasn't sure how I'd get on with Vermonia 1: Quest for the Silver Tiger, but I needn't have worried. Once I'd worked out that reading from right to left and not left to right - i.e. you start at what would be the back of the book and work your way forwards to the front, the story fairly wizzed by, and I found myself being fully involved with all the characters.

The graphics are easy to follow but the only thing I find just a tad weird - is why do the Japanese draw their characters with European faces?