Boogiepop at Dawn (Boogiepop, the Light Novel) [Paperback]

Kouhei Kadono (Author)

Book Description

Series: Boogiepop, the Light Novel | Publication Date: August 5, 2008

There is an urban legend about a shinigami that can release people from the pain they may be suffering. This Angel of Death has a name — Boogiepop. The legends are true. Boogiepop is real.

When a rash of disappearances involving female students breaks out at Shinyo Academy, the police and faculty assume the girls have run away. But Nagi Kirima knows better. Something mysterious and foul is afoot. Is it Boogiepop or something more sinister...?

Told in a non-linear fashion that invites the reader to piece together the sequence of events and solve the mysteries alongside the characters, Kouhei Kadono’s first Boogiepop novel took First Place in Media Works’ Dengeki Game Novel Contest in 1997 and ignited the Japanese light novel trend. Today there are more than 2 million Boogiepop novels in print, plus a manga series, a live action feature film, and an unforgettable anime series, Boogiepop Phantom.

In 2006, Seven Seas released the first three Boogiepop novels and manga to critical acclaim. Now, Seven Seas is pleased to relaunch the novels in their original light novel format, along with three never-before-released novels starting with Boogiepop at Dawn, which chronicles the long-awaited origin of the mysterious Boogiepop.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kadono has proven that his series is one that should be on everyone’s shelf." —ANIMEONDVD.COM

"Boogiepop rips the rules of narrative wide open." —ANIME NEWS NETWORK

"Boogiepop and Others is something that should attract and interest any fans of the supernatural and of mysteries of any sort." —MANGANEWS.NET

About the Author

Born in 1968, Kouhei Kadono grew up uncertain about his direction in life. He spent a considerable portion of his early years frittering away his youth before somehow ending up writing novels.

 In 1997, Kadono-sensei’s first Boogiepop novel, Boogiepop and Others, took First Place in the Media Works’ Dengeki Game Novel Contest. Early the following year, the novel was released to widespread acclaim and ignited the Japanese “light novel” (young adult) trend. Since that time, Kadono-sensei has written thirteen Boogiepop novels and several related works such as the Beat’s Discipline short story collections and the two Boogiepop manga series entitles Boogiepop Doesn’t Laugh and Boogiepop Dual. In its entirety, the Boogiepop series has seen over two million copies in print and spawned a live action movie and a hit anime series.

In addition to the Boogiepop universe, Kadono-sensei’s body of literary work includes a wide array of fantasy and mystery novels such as the Jiken, Soul Drop, Limited World and Night Watch series.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 16 and up
  
• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Seven Seas; First Edition edition (August 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934876062
• ISBN-13: 978-1934876060
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Manga > Horror

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrible product description, great book., February 27, 2009

By 

Strobe (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boogiepop at Dawn (Boogiepop, the Light Novel) (Paperback)

The only important and accurate phrase in the Amazon product description sold me instantly -- "the long-awaited origin of the mysterious Boogiepop." And despite my misgivings about reading a "light novel" I wasn't disappointed.

While the origin of Boogiepop is briefly shown, the true focus of this book is the origin of Nagi Kirima, which is really a lot more interesting. Obviously, you have to be familiar with at least the events depicted in the movie and anime series to appreciate all this story has to offer.

Boogiepop at Dawn finally addresses the occasional, vague references about what really happened at the hospital back when Nagi and Toka were in middle school. It exposes the truth about Fear Ghoul and the serial killings (and the role Nagi played but always refuses to talk about), the murder of Kirima Seiichi, the modus operandi of the Towa Organization, and the way most future events in the Boogiepop universe were set in motion. Boogiepop only appears in a few scenes but you won't miss him at all, what with Scarecrow and Mo Murder sneaking around too.

This is my first time reading one of the Boogiepop "light novels" and now I plan to get the rest. Note that "light novel" doesn't mean unsophisticated, especially in this case. It mainly refers to the book's sub-novella length and pocket-size format. It's a quick read made quicker by revelation after revelation about things Boogiepop fans have been wondering since the beginning.

The main draw of the Boogiepop series isn't just the cool ideas and innovative storytelling techniques. Kouhei Kadono is a brilliant writer, and the translator for this edition deserves a lot of credit for conveying the depth along with the words.

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing!, December 21, 2008

By 

Bon Bon Mochi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boogiepop at Dawn (Boogiepop, the Light Novel) (Paperback)

This is the story of how Boogiepop began! It was a wonderful read, also due to the fact that I am a huge Boogiepop fan (but i don't recommend the live action movie -at all-), and it's a light novel that's fun and easy to read.