R.O.D. Read or Die 4

R.O.D. Read or Die #4

by Hideyuki Kurata, Hideyuki Kurata, Shutaro Yamada (Illustrations)

See alternate cover edition here.

At the Manshu Academy, the secret Underground Library continues its feeding frenzy, while Yomiko struggles to make peace between the warring A and B level students. More chaos ensures when the Joker arrives with his squad of deadly commandos, hot on the trail of the Underground Library's most valuable-and powerful- book. Forced to choose between human life and literary value, can Yomiko make the right decision?

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Fiction, Comics Manga

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2002

About the author

Japanese Name (倉田英之)

Reviews

[Stephanie Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was full of action and suspense! Really enjoyed it but definitely wish the ending was a bit better. Enjoyed reading this!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, Yomiko Readman snapped out of it when she finally opened and read the last letter Donnie wrote before his death. She discovered it was Joker who set everything in motion: the death of Donnie, search for the underground library, and the book of truth. Even Ridley admitted painfully the whole set up. As Joker and his commando closes in, Yomiko was to determine the fate of this world, and the people who live in it. What’s gonna happen? How will it end? Read this and find out. This manga series is a bit different from the anime series. Anime is more elaborate. Manga left some to the imagination. Both versions are good.

[David Doel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was a disappointment.

[HannahBeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the only volume we had in the library. You have to read the first three to understand this final volume. There were a lot of action sequences so it's a quick read, but unless you know the characters you're lost.

[Lee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by the ending, but this had a lot more depth than the OVA series I watched. I would love to see another installment in this series.

[Heather Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I enjoyed the entire series. My only real complaint was that in the second and third books they started painting Yomiko as more vapid and dense than you would expect such a lover of books to be. However, the fourth book somewhat redeemed the series when it demonstrated that this denseness was what contributed to her being so powerful- if that makes sense? The series was really cute with some interesting plot twists. The most developed characters, despite the main character being a female, were the male characters. The relationships that got the most attention were all the male-male friendships/rivalries. I wish they had gone into more detail with Yomiko and Wendy or Nenene. This was great, quick series that will appeal to lovers of books and spy novels alike.

[Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final R.O.D. is not perfect but quite enjoyable nonetheless! Ultimately, that's why we read, is it not? To think, to learn, to enjoy! A few pages have some really memorable dialogue:

"As a bibliophile, as a paper master...as the woman in the world most loved by paper...even if your fate has become a burden...even if you've fallen into doubt...you must choose...READ OR DIE!"

"Books aren't meant to help people run from reality. If that were so, we'd just be slaves to books. We live the best lives we can...so we can be equal to the great books."

Well said, old friends. And with that, I have experienced the entire Read or Die universe. It's been fun!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In true epics, the hero(ine) always faces a crisis of faith. Such a crisis has come to Yomiko Readman, providing her with a depth of character that is lacking in people like Ridley Wan. Her faith has faltered but true heroes rise above such crises and become all the stronger for facing their demons. In the final showdown, loose ends are tied, allegiances are revealed and violent battles are fought in all comers, leading to a truly spectacular fight. Although the mystery of Readman’s disappearance and reappearance are never explained (which I find just a tad frustrating), the finale is a fitting conclusion for bibliomaniacs everywhere on the planet.

[Ceejay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect ending to a highly enjoyable manga series.In fact, this whole series got me to thinking about my relationship to paper (books). In the Manga, an individual becomes The Paper because books love them back. If that's true, then all of us who love books become The Paper.A horror novel instills fear in us. A love story makes us cry. A great cook book brings us joy. A text book brings us knowledge. A comedy makes us laugh. If all of that isn't getting love in return, then I don't know what love is. Thank you R.O.D. because you brought me insight.

[William Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the R. O. D. Read or Die OVA, and I was quick to pick up the four volumes of this story when I found it at my local library. Yomiko Readman is what all bibliophile dream of being. Her love of books has bone beyond the page and she is able to connect with the story, and the author in ways we can only imagine. Besides that, she can control paper and make it become any shape she desires. A must read for book lovers.

www.lockheed40books.com

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

And it all comes clear in the final volume, but I think the better choice on this one would be the DVDs as it's an adaptation anyway.

[Barbz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the version I read, but the end was very interesting...

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!