Gosick 1 [ペーパーバック]

For as long as many of us can remember, mystery novels have been given the shaft by the YA market. Passed over in favor of stories featuring sparkling vampires, spies and science fiction, the mystery genre has been viewed by many as a niche. As each year passes, it wavers dangerously close to fading into the background along with other recently forgotten YA genres such as Westerns.

Though a number of recent paranormal YA have attempted to add mystery-like elements into their stories, they have usually fallen short of creating the iconic trademark that has defined the genre for so long. When asked why there isn't any focus on mystery in the current Young Adult market, a number of book bloggers have proclaimed that the genre is just too difficult for the YA market to produce.

When I randomly stumbled across a new YA offering from Japan while browsing the aisles of Barnes and Noble, I grew curious. Would a Japanese author be able to breathe new life into the genre? I was soon about to find out.

Set in a small European country beside the Alps during 1924, the story follows Kujo Kazuya, a Japanese teenager sent abroad by his family to study at the prestigious Saint Marguerite Academy, and his adventures with the doll faced and inquisitive Victorique. When the young girl's investigative nature leads her to a cruise ship that matches the description of one of the school's local ghost stories, the two find themselves caught up in a life and death race against time that promises to pit their intellect against an unknown killer. Trapped at sea, the two discover a terrifying clue. This isn't the first time this has happened.

If there was any worry that the mystery genre was too hard for the YA market, lay it aside now.

GOSICK, in a word, is stunning. More than that, it's terrifyingly gripping.

Never failing to miss a mark, the story flows from one page to the next without pause or hesitation. Excellently written prose, unbearably suspenseful pacing and three dimensional characters that feel real enough to touch fill the pages of this beautifully illustrated novel.

If Sherlock Holmes had a literary daughter, it would be the doll faced Victorique without any doubt. Capturing the mood and essence of the mystery classic, GOSICK gives new life to the old archetype stories that have still continued to entertain many today while managing to weave in its own special and unique touch.

The decision of the author to base the story in the 1920's after World War I was genius. Not only does it enhance the setting of the story and prove more interesting, it dramatically changes the mood of the locations and the way in which children are treated.

As with any mystery, the ending is perhaps the most important aspect of the book besides the story itself and I'm happy to report that not only does GOSICK have near perfect pacing, it also has a near flawless twist of an ending. Readers hoping to be surprised will not leave disappointed.

In conclusion, there is almost nothing I can say negative about this book other than the fact that it ends. GOSICK succeeds in doing what a number of YA authors seem incapable of doing: believing that its readers are intelligent. This belief, coupled with its flowing narrative, culminates in what is likely to become a new classic for the Mystery genre.

- Matt Reeves

I love the format of the book and each character in each chapters. The girl surely reminds me of Sherlock Holmes but has more humor and delicateness. I recommend this book for kids all ages. The art in each chapter is wonderful and creatively done. The story line is great and the characters catch your attention VERY quickly, especially the main girl Victorique. I truly recommend this book! Grab it at your nearest book store!

I've been enjoying the anime, so I figured I'd try the book. In the end, I have mixed feelings.

- The good:
The characters are endearing, the plot is dark and intriguing, and the physical book itself is absolutely GORGEOUS. Lovely artwork.

- The not so good:
The writing itself is unfortunately a bit lackluster. I don't know if the problem lies with the author, the translator, or both, but the writing in general simply feels amateurish and unpolished. I realize that most readers don't get hung up on stylistic issues like I do, but poor writing can really ruin an otherwise great story for me. There are a number of "Japanese-isms" that seem clumsily translated, and a lot of the "clues" to the mystery are more or less shoved unsubtly in your face. There are also a shocking number of typos and misused words.

- Overall:
I'd give 3 and a half stars, but since I can't, I'll say 4 out of 5. The story and characters are entertaining enough to keep me reading despite the unimpressive writing -- and to honest, reading a translation with my hyper-critical English-major eye is probably a little unfair!