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The Haunted Bookstore - Gateway to a Parallel Universe (manga) #2
The Haunted Bookstore - Gateway to a Parallel Universe (Manga) Vol. 2
An atmospheric fantasy series for bibliophiles and fans of Japanese ghost stories! (And don’t miss the original light novels, also from Seven Seas.)
Ever since she was three years old, Kaori has lived in a bookstore where the boundaries between the mortal realm and the spirit realm are blurred. Her adoptive father, who lives with her in this magical space, is a spirit himself. One day, Kaori comes across a bleeding young man who has stumbled into the spirit realm just as she did when she was a small child. Though the young man is an exorcist who has vowed revenge against all spirits, Kaori decides to embrace kindness and help him find his way back home.
Ever since she was three years old, Kaori has lived in a bookstore where the boundaries between the mortal realm and the spirit realm are blurred. Her adoptive father, who lives with her in this magical space, is a spirit himself. One day, Kaori comes across a bleeding young man who has stumbled into the spirit realm just as she did when she was a small child. Though the young man is an exorcist who has vowed revenge against all spirits, Kaori decides to embrace kindness and help him find his way back home.
180 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2021
1 person is currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 20, 2023
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/DHOTTsDihCY
"Human life spans seem long, but they're actually quite short. Don't waste your limited time together misunderstanding each other."
This was an interesting read! While I LOVED volume one, overall this volume just didn't hit the same. I'm not fully sure why that is because it still had quite a bit of the same whimsy elements, but it somehow felt different. I can say that unlike the last volume though, there was definitely more danger that lurked in this one! While we don't see the fight that took place, we do see how the said threat was harming spirits in very deadly ways.
Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly LOL) those were my least favorite parts! Not that they were bad mind you! But the one thing I DEEPLY love about this series and especially in this volume is the importance of life and relationships. Looking past what we've been taught when it comes to viewing others with prejudice and having this wrong idea that X people are "bad" simply because they were born as an X person. I definitely feel Kaori's dream of wanting the spirits and humans to live in harmony unfolds in a huge and beautiful way in this volume because previously we only see her and her direct influence on others (such as her family). Now we're seeing how she has deeply affected her entire community because of her heart and how she cares for the spirits. I found this to be especially powerful because while I know they are just spirits, the relationship that is shown here between human and spirit is one I so desperately want to see more of in the real world between those who have different nationalities, political views, religion, and so forth.
Another one of my favorite things about this series is Karoi's relationship with her father, and so glad we saw more of that! I teared up as we saw her internal monologue about will she always be his little girl even when she's an old woman. Her Dad may be cranky and lazy, but they have such a beautiful relationship and love the special scene we see of them!
Lastly, I feel there was a 180 with Suimei! LOL! He's been super rough around the edges since we've met him, but we see a lot more into his backstory that explains why he acts the way he does. Also seeing him show REAL emotion was deeply moving.
I guess saying all this, this read was deeper than the previous one even if it didn't evoke quite the same feelings as last time. Nonetheless, there wre still some amazing takeaways that touched me in an emotional way, which I wasn't expecting. I have one more volume on hand and am going to keep reading to see where the story goes next!
"Human life spans seem long, but they're actually quite short. Don't waste your limited time together misunderstanding each other."
This was an interesting read! While I LOVED volume one, overall this volume just didn't hit the same. I'm not fully sure why that is because it still had quite a bit of the same whimsy elements, but it somehow felt different. I can say that unlike the last volume though, there was definitely more danger that lurked in this one! While we don't see the fight that took place, we do see how the said threat was harming spirits in very deadly ways.
Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly LOL) those were my least favorite parts! Not that they were bad mind you! But the one thing I DEEPLY love about this series and especially in this volume is the importance of life and relationships. Looking past what we've been taught when it comes to viewing others with prejudice and having this wrong idea that X people are "bad" simply because they were born as an X person. I definitely feel Kaori's dream of wanting the spirits and humans to live in harmony unfolds in a huge and beautiful way in this volume because previously we only see her and her direct influence on others (such as her family). Now we're seeing how she has deeply affected her entire community because of her heart and how she cares for the spirits. I found this to be especially powerful because while I know they are just spirits, the relationship that is shown here between human and spirit is one I so desperately want to see more of in the real world between those who have different nationalities, political views, religion, and so forth.
Another one of my favorite things about this series is Karoi's relationship with her father, and so glad we saw more of that! I teared up as we saw her internal monologue about will she always be his little girl even when she's an old woman. Her Dad may be cranky and lazy, but they have such a beautiful relationship and love the special scene we see of them!
Lastly, I feel there was a 180 with Suimei! LOL! He's been super rough around the edges since we've met him, but we see a lot more into his backstory that explains why he acts the way he does. Also seeing him show REAL emotion was deeply moving.
I guess saying all this, this read was deeper than the previous one even if it didn't evoke quite the same feelings as last time. Nonetheless, there wre still some amazing takeaways that touched me in an emotional way, which I wasn't expecting. I have one more volume on hand and am going to keep reading to see where the story goes next!
August 7, 2022
I wanted to give this book a chance. I did not like the first book but loved the cover and backcover art. Usually if a book is ok the second book saves the series. Unfortunately this was the opposite affect for me.
Story was rushed and to many ideas in a small space. Nothing connected the first book to this one.
Story was rushed and to many ideas in a small space. Nothing connected the first book to this one.
October 2, 2022
It's okay. The story still doesn't focus on the bookstore aspect. Instead, it focuses on the supernatural creatures and culture around them.
I don't know whether I want to continue or not. There's nothing bad but also nothing begging me to read more, y'know.
I'm glad they cleaned up that bone situation.
I don't know whether I want to continue or not. There's nothing bad but also nothing begging me to read more, y'know.
I'm glad they cleaned up that bone situation.
March 22, 2024
Although shorter than the first volume, there was a little bit more going on in this volume. From Suimei finding his partner Kuro, a spider spirit known as a Jorogumo attacking other spirits and Kaori's 'recovery' from the having to what the twin die again and her father being worried about her.
Learning about Kuro and Suimei' history, and the sweet moment between Kaori and Shinonome in the flower field, there were a lot of tense moments and sweet tender moments.
I'm really happy to have read this volume and will be on the look out for volume 3.
Learning about Kuro and Suimei' history, and the sweet moment between Kaori and Shinonome in the flower field, there were a lot of tense moments and sweet tender moments.
I'm really happy to have read this volume and will be on the look out for volume 3.
August 11, 2022
ugh I loved this so much!! another fantastic volume that is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. a lot of feels packed in here, plus some backstory for suimei and his inugami partner kuro. the relationship kaori has with the other spirits is so sweet, but especially with her adoptive father...shinonome was quite paternal in this one!!
I'm loving how emotional and dark this series is. also, the art continues to be gorgeous! can't wait for the next volume.
I'm loving how emotional and dark this series is. also, the art continues to be gorgeous! can't wait for the next volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2023
I wasn't 100% sold on The Haunted Bookstore - Gateway to a Parallel Universe just from Volume 1, but the second volume definitely helped deepen the plot and establish more of the overall "vibe" to the story. Recommended for high school and public libraries. Put into the hands of readers wanting supernatural, adventurous stories.
March 9, 2023
This was a great sequel to the series and I enjoyed getting a bit more back story on Suimei as well as why he's in the spirit world.
Looking forward to continuing on with this series and Kaori is wonderful!
Trigger warning: death of a parent
Looking forward to continuing on with this series and Kaori is wonderful!
Trigger warning: death of a parent
August 14, 2023
😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️
a wonderful story continues
a wonderful story continues
May 22, 2024
More happened, but idk?
June 8, 2025
It's fine, just a little boring.
August 4, 2025
cozy artstyle
April 10, 2025
It’s a quick read, but somehow also feels slow? Good enough to keep reading the series, I guess.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews