276. Death Note: Black Edition, Vol. 5 by Tsugumi Ohba

Death Note: Black Edition, Vol. 5 by Tsugumi Ohba. Art by Takeshi Obata. (US) - (Canada)
Death Note, Vol. 9 & 10

Pages: 384
Ages: 16+
Finished: Dec. 17, 2011
First Published: 2003, this edition Sept. 6, 2011
Publisher: Viz Media
Genre: YA, manga, paranormal, crime
Rating: 5/5

First sentence:

You should get some sun.

Acquired: Received a review copy from Simon & Schuster Canada.

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.

This is the second last book in the "Black Edition" of this series, which combines 2 volumes into one book.  With volumes 9 and 10 of the series combined here, as expected, is a powerhouse packed full of action and wits and logic facing against each other as L is joined by Mello and Near in tracking down Kira.  Another major character is killed off in this volume and it was a major shock that I did not see coming.  If one thought L was strange the two new characters M and N are even weirder by L's standards and pretty creepy as well.  N  pretty much sides along character-wise with L, while on the other hand M has an unethical side which makes him an even more dangerous character than Kira to this reader.  While not giving any plot away at this point in the series, I will say that things have certainly changed from the beginning and gone in a different direction than I would have ever expected, but the books still contain everything I love about the series:  the crimes, the witty logical repartee between L (M & N) and Kira.  Another new character is introduced who takes over the role as the second Kira and he is a devoted follower of Kira.  The book is bringing into play some deep ethical questions now.  I've always liked Light, even though I abhor what he does and have wanted him to lose in the end, but he is a hard guy to totally dislike.    Highly anticipating the last volume, which will be my next read coming up soon.