Customer Reviews

Death Note: L, Change the World

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is, quite obviously, based on the third Death Note movie, also called "L - Change the World". For anyone who hasn't seen the movies, I'd recommend watching the first two before reading this book, as they present an alternate ending for Death Note and it'd be easier to understand exactly what is going on if you're familiar with that ending. (Or, if you don't feel like watching them, check out the plot from somewhere. Won't be giving any possible spoilers here...)

If you have seen the third movie: this book doesn't follow it too strictly, leaving room for surprise. All the main events are there, but the way how you get from one to the other is a bit different. The characters are basically the same, though some, like the FBI agent, have bigger roles. The Thai boy is missing, and Near is on the background of the story as himself. Misa makes a very short appearance, and also Matsuda and Light's father are seen in the end.

Overall, the book was a fun read. It presents the final case L has to solve before his death, stopping a bioterrorism group who are ready to wipe out... well, most of humanity. I do love L's tricks... you can trust him to be at least one step ahead of everyone else. This isn't any masterful piece of writing, though, and at times things got a bit silly or overly dramatic, but ignoring that, I'd really recommend this book. In fact I enjoyed this a bit better than Another Note, the more popular Death note novel.

L is my second favorite DN and anime character (BB is the first). I read Another Note prior to reading this one and Another Note is by far the superior novel. This book has its pros and cons when compared with the movie that its based off of.

Pros:
1. Much more depth into L's character than the movie: The purpose of the movie was to flesh L's character out and reveal his more human side. In my opinion the movie didn't live up to this because the relationship between Maki and L seemed more like "carrier and cargo" than "brother and sister". The novel showed a greater and more affectionate bond between L and Maki.
2. Far more interesting than the movie: The movie held you interest but I felt that all the characters were a bit dull and un-exciting (especially Near, who just seemed to be stuck into the film for the hell of it). The novel widened the storyline and inserted some much needed humor.

Cons:
1. Writing style: At times the novel read like a fan fiction and it made the author seem kinda amateurish.
2. Trying too hard to appease to readers: There are some points in the novel that seem to be trying to please every DN Paring fanbase (i.e. a couple of L X Maki moments for those in that fanbase, L's constant fanboying of Misa satisfies the L X Misa fanbase, L's constant mourning of Light's death inspires the L x Light fans, and the scene where L is dressed in drag and wearing too much lipstick is geared towards fans of Uke (Submissive) L)

Part Pro, Part Con:
L's behavior in the novel is both a blessing and a curse. While his antics provide for a more entertaining and funnier L, they simply are not canon, not consistent with the personality relayed to us by the original mangaka in the series and the comics. I understand that the novel was meant to show L's more human side, to pull him out of the box of 'robotic reclusive detective', but the author tweaked L's character so much to the point it wasn't even L at all. At times it became completely unbelievable that it was him I was reading about, because what he was doing just did not fit. I admit that I did enjoy L's quirky behavior, it made me love L even more, but the fact still remains that it just didn't seem like L.

That all being said, I would still recommend this book to major L fans like myself. I wouldn't recommend this however to people who have not seen Death Note or have not read the comics.

As mentioned elsewhere, this is an alternate version of movie 3. Personally, I really liked the 3 live action movies, as well as the manga and the anime. I enjoyed "Deathnote: Another Note," the book by Nisioisin, and thought I'd give this book a try as well. Unfortunately, I was tempted not to finish it, simply because the writing is nowhere near the level of either the manga or "Another Note." (I only finished it because the cat was sleeping in my lap, and I couldn't reach another book.) Scenes are a choppy page and a half each, there is absolutely no character development, and the writing is not what I would consider as being on a professional level. (Sorry, M, whoever you are. And that said, there is certainly a lot of stuff published that I also don't consider to be on a professional level. Perhaps I'm too picky.) Read this pretty much only if you are a rabid L fan, and have to read everything associated with the Deathnote universe. Otherwise, I'd recommend giving it a miss.

After reading the manga and the corresponding anime series, I found this book almost insulting in sophistication. I found every chapter extremely transparent in terms of what was happening and nothing at all that added to the Death Note universe. After being on such a high after finishing the manga, this was a real downer and I wish I had not bought this book.

I liked reading this book a lot better than watching L Change the World (movie). The book is almost totally different. It is more action packed and adventurous. I found the movie a bit dull. Part 1 and 2 of the whole movie series are good, but part three is a bit dull movie wise. The book is really awesome and will make up for a dull movie. If you have never seen the anime series , than you should definitely watch that. The anime series is the best and most interesting. A lot is left out in these movies from what you see when you watch the anime. I actually read this book before I watched the movies and anime, and I understood what was going on with no problem. It was action packed and interesting from the beginning. But it definitely wasn't worth the near 20 bucks I spent on it at Barnes and nobles

This book is an alternative version of events that occur after Light fails and L survives. There is a lot of L, and only a few mentions of Misa and Light.

If you are not familiar with Death Note, this book may be 3 stars, as it is an easy read with some humor. Although, it is hard to find sympathy in a villain who goes as far as injecting a 10 year old girl/hostage with a lethal virus. The girl is saved, but is also as big a hero as L it turns out.

If you love L from Death Note, this is the book for you.

I really enjoyed reading this book. If you have seen the third Death Note film, you should know that this book is different than the movie, which can leave with a lot of the element of surprise.

The Thai boy is missing and Near is himself as N in the story, and the adventures lead with only L and the girl Maki. There's also the FBI agent Suruga. Like in the movie, we see a side of L that is surprising but sweet and concerning. I really loved the way in which they bonded with each other and it makes us think that they became good friends, especially in the moments where they hold hands for reassurance and L telling her that he would protect her. Since you know, she has been infected with the virus that her late father had smuggled into Japan, and the bad guys are after her and to try to obtain the antidote for the virus. L and Maki keep on trying every possible way to evade the villains to not track them down since they have a computer genius with them. Both of them made it on time to a viral expert who had worked with Maki's father in the past and asking for his help in making the antidote which he reluctantly agrees. The professor has a different name than in the movie. There was a scene in which L was too late when Maki decided to hand herself in to the bad people especially Dr. Kujo. She was taken away and when L couldn't catch up after fighting with the lady with the literally killing personality, he let out his anger and despair, this agony being strange to him. But the ending was a good one.

Here's another thing, there's a scene in which L is dressed up in a bear suit. XD

If you are like me and have read all of the Death Note mangas, watched the anime and the live action and you still want more, this is it.

It takes place in the live action movie world of Death Note, not the manga or anime. I have not seen the movie version of this (I like to read the books before seeing the movie), but this is a novelization of the movie. L has one last task before he dies - stop bioterrorists before they unleash an Ebola like virus across the planet.

It has nice nods to what has come before, there are cameos and a little more background on Wammy's House and the children trained there. I probably would have liked this if it were longer too. All in all, worth the read (only 188 pages!).

L: Change the World book is nothing at all like the movie, but it's very good and I really recommend you read it ^^

The book might not be as good as the movie, but you'll never know what will happen, that's the good thing. I was so interested in this book it only took me 3 days to read it.

I really would recommend you read this book ^^


--Misa Misa

THIS BOOK IS A GREAT READ AND IT IS A MOST READ OF ALL DEATH NOTE FAN THE MOVIES OK BUT THE BOOK IS GREAT