Clover 1
by Clamp
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Book Reviews of Clover 1
Book Review: ...
Summary: 4 Stars
It was a little bit confusing at first and it made me feel like maybe there was an installment before this that I was missing, but overall it was pretty good. I agree with the person who said the repetitive lyrics were annoying, but it didn't really take away from the story. Anyway...I definitely think this will get better as the series goes on because they left so much unaswered. For example, apperently the song that the lyrics belonged to is a girl who the main character knew and loved. She never made it big, and she died. This was mentioned once and had nothing to do with the story (though it might in the future) and they never talked about it again. The relationships between the characters also gets increasingly fuzzy. The main character has to escort a girl to somewhere (he doesn't know where, but she does), and his two friends (who are in a relationship) are helping him somehow. Again, I don't really understand the technology of this world or get a feel for it at all...but they don't actually accompany him, but do something from a distance. Or something. So one of them (his name is Gingetsu) helps the main character escape from a guy he used to work for (I'm pretty sure) who is obsessively stalking the main character (Kazuhiko). Then the main character accuses Gingetsu of not spending time with Ran (the other friend) and tells him the offer he made is still open (??). It ends with the main character and the girl diving out a window while the girl sprouts wings. :) It was good (if I made it sound horrible in this review it wasn't intentional), it just left me feeling a little empty and confused. I need to read it again. I'm definitely getting the next installment, but I liked Banana Fish by Akimi Yoshida more. One thing that really annoyed me was that when it arrived I had to throw away the jacket because it was rippled (like after paper dries after being wet). Maybe from the cold. :( if you have access to a bookstore that sells it, get it from there. I have to get a new copy now.Book Review: Impressive
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll start off by saying the Japanese version of Clover is a masterpiece. The cover artwork is beautiful, as is the cover, which consists of a paper-back cover with a somewhat transperant dust cover, providing for a very ghostly and beautiful effect. Considering Tokyopop/Mixx is the new translator, I didn't expect much, most likely the same old Xerox-quality cover that's already worn at the seams. Oh, how wrong I was. At first, I thought I was looking at the Japanese version, for they are exactly identical in every aspect. Two thumbs up.Now for the story...I'll admit it's a bit obscure, I sometimes have trouble determining who is talking, but considering CLAMP and how talented they are in both their artwork and story skills, I think this is the effect, considering that the main character is overall somewhat confused about her life and purpose. Anyway...I noticed right away that the translation seemed a notch better from how it was printed in SMILE magazine. The reason for this is censoring. SMILE is a magazine for the younger set, and some of the situations are a bit older. A job well done, Tokyopop.
I advise everyone to pick up a copy of this book. It's very impressive for an English-translated novel, and the story will leave you begging for more!
Book Review: Excellent cyberpunk story
Summary: 5 Stars
The futuristic cyberpunk world the Clover characters inhabit is one of amazing technology. One can have a prosthetic arm one moment, then have a long, cybernetic sword the next. Illusion and reality are no longer at odds with each other, but instead work hand in hand. Like many of Clamp's works, fate takes a hand...In the first volume, Kazuhiko has been asked by the military he formerly worked for to take a 'special package' to an unknown place. Until he arrives where the 'package' is located, he doesn't even know what it is. When he gets to this mysterious package, he finds that it's actually a young a girl. This girl, named Suu, is special - a 'four-leaf clover' - something which should not exist, but does. Outwardly, however, and except for the rare occasions in which she uses her own mechanical wings, she appears to be a perfectly normal girl with a strange and sad loneliness, and with a special wish to go to a certain place.
The artwork is clean and sparse (in a good way). It's not filled to the brim with images like Clamp's usual works (which I also adore). This serves to reinforce the mood of isolation and gives the whole manga a film-like feel. A beautiful work that any fan of cyberpunk, Clamp or excellent stories/art will enjoy.
Book Review: YES!
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally, after years of horrible binding, printing, translating, and formatting, Tokyopop redeems itself completely with Clover. The design of the book is virtually identical to the original. The text on the front and back covers is Japanese, and there is a translucent white dust jacket with English translations in silver ink that overlay the Japanese underneath. Inside the front and back covers are full-color spreads on thick, glossy paper, such as have never been seen in the translated manga industry. Even the publishing & copyright info was tastefully moved to the inside of the back cover so as to be unobtrusive. The translation is also excellent! I was really surprised at how little censorship there was, esp. since this is Tokyopop we're talking about. Sexual references are left in, which is vital when you're reading CLAMP.As far as the content itself, well, it's CLAMP, what do you expect? The story is fascinating, the characters are intriguing, and the art is incredible. There aren't so many complicated two-page spreads as there usually are with CLAMP. Instead, they experiment with blank space and unusual angles. It gives the book a clean, austere feel that none of CLAMP's other manga has.
Buy this already!
Book Review: not great not bad
Summary: 2 Stars
Referring to the first volumn, This is a beautiful manga. The cover design is absolutly gorgeous. Truthfully though, I found the story somewhat less than great. Since the chapters ranged from being 1-8 pages long the flow of the story seemed unsteady and full of interuptions. Another thing was the constant repeating of the lyrics in the song. It was great at first and intriguing but eventually it just got [boring] too repetative. It was like " Okay! We get the picture, you hate your life!" It also bothered me that the book was so short and the pages so empty looking. I know it was on purpose for affect but that got kinda old quick too.
The plot is interesting but like I said the uneven flow of the chapters made the story confusing and left with too many questions.
The second and third volumes are a little better. The questions are more or less answered but the style still bugged me. Oh and one last thing about the manga group CLAMP...
Ok ^.^ I'm done venting. So anyway the story's not too bad and the art is absolutely gorgeous so keep this in mind. AND there are really pretty foldouts in color for each book. Other than my few complaints it's up to u whether u think it's worty the money or not.