Kingdom Hearts III Vol. 1: Re:Start!!

Kingdom Hearts III #1

by Tomoko Kanemaki, Shiro Amano (Illustrator), Tetsuya Nomura (Original Creator)

After losing his strength in the Mark of Mastery exam, Sora sets out on another quest with Donald and Goofy to find the Power of Waking before the final clash with Master Xehanort. Meanwhile, Riku journeys into the realm of darkness to find Aqua, beginning the search for the rest of the seven guardians of light, and Kairi and Lea continue their training. The final chapter of the Dark Seeker Saga is about to begin!

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Light Novel, Manga

162 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2020

Reviews

[Julieanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kingdom Hearts III novelization's first volume has been a great entry into the novel series.

The novel picks up like the game, essentially where Dream Drop Distance leaves off but the novel also includes a full chapter dedicated to Aqua's Birth by Sleep 0.2 content, thus filling in some of the gaps the novels would have held had it not been included.

Kingdom Hearts III covers the beginning of the game up to the end of Toy Box and flows a bit better narratively than the game does.

[Kaitlyn Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why they decided to split KH3 into so many smaller books, except that it's because the game itself is so fairly large. But in doing so, and by going so fast through each world/part, it reinforces the notion that the worlds in KH3 were also a bit too fast (though I did love the game and each world visited). I wish the novel could have fleshed out different parts of the story a bit more, but instead, it got right to the meat of each story beat. Now, granted, this could be partly because the manga version of KH games tends to do more fun stuff with fleshing out the worlds, characters, and humor and therefore the novel is meant to just be that, a novelization (in several parts) of the game. It was, however, ultimately, a fun romp through the game as I have not gotten a chance to play it again since I beat it when it first came out, and I could hear most of the cutscenes through the book.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars

This was a pretty good entry - better than a couple of the other novelizations I've read. I liked the little glimpses into Sora's mind and emotional state, but that may be because I've been just obsessed with Sora and his arc since the game came out. Kingdom Hearts 3 just unlocked something about Sora's character for me, and I haven't been normal since. The novel has also been a great refresher on the game, because I am not as familiar with this one just because it is newer and I don't have the same nostalgia for it. I hope that the focus on Sora's psyche will continue through the other two volumes.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Kairi and Lea train with their new Keyblades, and Riku helps Mickey seek Aqua in the Realm of Darkness, Sora must find a way to gain the power of awakening by traveling the worlds with Donald and Goofy - and perhaps find a way to rescue the hearts still connected to his own. Kanemaki and Amano will keep fans entertained with this charming entry, a bit stiff in its dialogue but nonetheless humourous and promising with every exciting development. Where can Sora find the power he needs to save Roxas - and whoever else is part of his heart?

[WinterBat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A faithful novelization of the game, in all respects. It improves it in that it speeds through the repetitive gameplay and getting to the meat of the story, but also doesn’t escape some of the weaker, stilted, meandering, head-scratchers of the story

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the games and this did them justice. I was amazed at the writing in this. Great read.

[Sherry Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sorta getting burnt out on the books, this one has so much going on, that I had to put it down for a bit,but I really liked it! I’m excited for the next one!

[Ven · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I would read this again if I’m in the right mood.

[Thibaut Nicodème · Rating 3 out of 5]

One. That is the number of scenes in this that isn't just a transcript of the game dialogue. That sure is something.