Library Wars: Love and War (Volumes 1 and 2) by Kiiro Yumi (Story and Art)

Title:  Library Wars: Love and War
Author:  Kiiro Yumi (Story and Art) and Hiro Arikawa (Original Concept)
Location:  GRAPHIC NOVEL YA LIBRARY
Audience:  Young Adult (Older Teen and Up)

In the not so distant future, the government has created a committee to rid the populace of books that it deems unsuitable.  However, there is one agency that stands up to them - the library.  After a tragic incident between an armed political group and the library, it became apparent that there was a need for a military force at the library.  From that time on, the war between the Media Betterment Committee and the Library Forces continued to escalate. 

When Iku Kasahara finally finds the book she has been waiting years to read, it is suddenly on the MBC's confiscation list.  She tries to save the book from destruction by saying she will steal it, but the MBC attempts to take it by force.  She is rescued by an unknown officer in the Library Forces and from that day on she vows to join their ranks.  Library Wars follows the story of Kasahara and her struggle to become a member of the Library Force.  Through her bumbling and narrow scrapes, she is known to be rather impulsive, but dedicated.

What makes this series interesting is the blend of both action and romance.  Library Wars is categorized as a shojo title, but there is enough action to make this interesting for the shonen fans.  While the main storyline is about the war between the Library Forces and the Media Betterment Committee, the main focus of the series is the relationships between characters, especially Iku Kasahara and her commander, Atsushi Dojo.  Not only that, we also are subjected to Kasahara's internal monologue about her feelings towards Dojo and others.  Even with the focus on relationships, the main story is enough to keep you interested in the world of Library Wars.

The art style is not typically shojo (you can tell most of the men apart) and the action is clear and expressive.  The backgrounds are well defined and make you feel that you are with the characters.

Library Wars: Love and War, Volume 1 has been nominated for YALSA's (Young Adult Library Service's Association) 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

You can find the Library Wars: Love and War manga by Kiiro Yumi on the CPL Catalog. If you enjoyed Library Wars: Love and War, you may want to try Pumpkin Scissors by Ryotaro Iwanaga or Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow.