Mimi's tales of terror

Gr 9 Up--From a master of horror comes a finely tuned adaptation of urban legends from Shin Mimibukuro. Each short story has two things in common: the spunky Mimi as the protagonist and a plot where the supernatural invades an everyday life situation. Tension builds more often from the unexplained factors rather than from any immediate threat, however some characters do experience trauma or die. Ito carefully crafts the atmosphere and pace of each story to draw readers into a mindset of light unease. Ordinary settings and characters look mundane right until the horrific appears. With the added heavy black inks, exaggerated expressions, and wispy lined details, the realistic dips into the uncanny. One's mental landscape develops a step further when the creepily lettered sound effects build in an aural component. Even after finishing, these feelings linger because the supernatural is often left unnamed and either ends without explanation or remains lurking just at the edge of reality. As a bonus, this work also includes Ito's one-shot story "Monster Prop." VERDICT For those who prefer spooky supernatural horror, this single volume collection of urban legends will send a pleasing chill or two up the spine.--Rachel Forbes