Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Vol. 1 by CLAMP

The back of my ARC version of this copy says "The success of this book depends on influencers like you." Look at you, book, trying to get on my good side by making me feel like I'm the book blogger equivalent of Kyle Jenner - it's working, BTW. Don't stahp.

I haven't actually read any Cardcaptor Sakura, which is a travesty, because she's supposed to be the quintessential magical girl and I hear she's got great cross-over appeal for people who like Saint Tail and Sailor Moon (I love both). This is apparently a relaunch of the series, taking off where the previous story ended.

Sakura is now in middle school and embarking upon the next journey of her life. It seems like her magical days are at an end, but then one day she has a dream that results in her finding a mysterious key and all of the cards turn to crystal. She has to use new powers to discover these new cards, as strange things begin happening and a mysterious, hooded (and probably hawt) figure stalks her in her dreams.

I don't know if you're familiar with manga, but the rules are very similar to paranormal romance - unlike real life, if a mysterious figure stalks you in your dreams, there is a 99.9% probability that it is some hot dude with supernatural powers who thinks that this is how courtship works.

I thought this was really cute. Sometimes manga comes across as very "young" but Cardcaptor, like Sailor Moon, really didn't feel that way at all. I think that's because, like Sailor Moon, it features a cast with a wide range of ages and there's a focus on interpersonal relationships. Between the adorable animals that can "plushie" themselves, the cute nerdy dudes that turn into hot angel dudes, and the squee-worthy interactions Sakura has with friends and family both, there was a lot to enjoy.

Also, manga depictions of food are just - well, unparalleled. It's really bad, because I usually end up wanting cake or pudding by the time I finish reading these things. There's several panels in this book devoted to the making of a mouth-watering cheesecake, and it sounded so good I wanted to cry.

If you enjoy manga, you will enjoy this. And based on what I read so far, reading the previous books in the serious is not mandatory in order to understand what's going on, so that is good, too!

Thanks to Netgalley/the publisher for the review copy!

3.5 out of 5 stars