In/Spectre, Vol. 1 (In/Spectre #1) by Chashiba Katase

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Content/Trigger Warnings: Terminal illness, hospitalization, graphic injuries, minor stalking

Dearest readers, I can’t believe I never knew about this manga series! To think it’s been flying under my radar all this time is ridiculous! However, I’m super grateful that my best friend recommended we buddy read this because I loved every second of it! Even if you’re not a fan a manga, I truly believe with my heart and soul that this will be one you want to check out, if not for the synopsis alone!

Our tale follows 17-year-old Kotoko who hasn’t had an easy life and how found herself under unique circumstances. Kotoko was taken as a child by spirits called yokai who made her their their negotiator of the mortal world, but in return they took one of here eyes and one of her legs. Now Kotoko is able to communicate with other worldly forces and keep the balance, but it’s not as easy as it seems. Since then, Kotoko has been the only one with her power until one fateful day she discovers her crush, Kur, has a secret or two up his sleeve. Together, Kotoko and Kur form a partnership that will make them stronger than ever, but for a girl who has so many gifts, love is going to be one tough quest to navigate!

I loved this book so much! I loved that this was a great way to introduce the series. The thing I loved most of all is the play of the yokai. If you’re familiar with Japanese mythology and folklore then these creatures are no strangers to you. However, if you’ve never heard of them before, yokai are a specific class of creatures, spirits, and demons; they’re known to be bewitching, attractive, calamity, and spectre in Japanese folklore. You may have also heard them be called ayakashi or mononoke. I love anything that takes Japanese folklore and myths to weave an interesting story or add a unique element into the book. It’s one of those things that will make me pick up a book instantly.

Another thing I really loved about this manga was the disability representation. Even more so for the fact that we get a very high action scene with our main character who’s disabled and showing that disabled people can be active and do many things even if they’re not like they’re old selves. I find that it’s not often we get the chance to read about a main character who can kick some series butt, but is also disabled and I just really loved every second of it. I think we need to have more disabled representation in books and I truly think this will be one book many readers will love for the disability representation.

Aside from the good elements, there was one thing that really bothered me and that was the way this book concluded. Near the end it sets things up for s weird love triangle and those can be a bit of a hit or miss for me. Honestly, this is a bit of a miss with me. I also don’t like how in the ending it was painting Kotoko is a childish light either. The whole thing just didn’t impress and I don’t think Kotoko owed Kur’s ex-girlfriend a full explanation of who she is.

Overall, I truly did enjoy this manga! I loved the pace of it all, the mysterious elements, the craving need to know more, and the way Kotoko takes on the world. Even though the ending was a bit of a miss with me, I still have plans to pick up volume two and continue on with the series. I’m always here for a good series that has some of my favorite elements in it. Plus, I really want to know what’s going to happen between Kotoko and Kur. I have my fingers crossed that this will be a bit of a slow burn romance and I love a good slow burn romance!

Buddy read with Kayla from Books and Blends | Her Review ❤️