Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 14 by Kiiro Yumi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 instead of 4. The Task Force comes up with a plan to transport the author Toma to an ally foreign embassy to help him defect. Genda takes the reins of his command back & directs Dojo, Kasahara, Tezuka, & Komaki to escort the author & throw the MBC off their tail. The plan leaks to their enemies, though, & the team is forced to split up in a sudden storm. Dojo & Kasahara attempt to reach a few different embassies but are thwarted by MBC agents. Dojo is shot & Kasahara finds them temporary shelter in a bookstore. Charged to continue the mission alone, Kasahara reveals her true feelings for Dojo before a long drive with Toma to a friendly embassy in Osaka.
Where to begin with my thoughts? Satoshi is targeted by an assassin, Toma’s search for asylum constantly disrupted, Dojo is shot–an issue with plenty of action but at this point in the story, not a lot took me aback. There have been many other encounters before but our team has more or less walked away from them all intact. Even Genda who was shot who-know-how-many-times a few issues ago came back. I guess what I’m saying is that this volume may claim high stakes but it doesn’t always feel that way.
But. . . Kasahara finally kisses Dojo & that’s pretty satisfying, even with her awkward declaration. Dojo’s gift of his insignia to Miss K to carry on her mission is also an interesting inversion on the chivalrous mark of favor. I think her trials to get Dojo to safety are just beginning & she’s going to need all the good karma she can gather.
Tallow & Grove 