I have to admit, I think my love for the original anime series may be a huge part in why I gave it 3 stars rather than a lower rating - I try to think objectively and realise I don't come up with many reasons as to why this work stands on its own without the hype of such a popular anime behind it, and the characters that also already stood on their own outside of this novel. The style of writing chosen just didn't mesh well with me, and a lot of parts throughout read as fanfiction rather than an official work. I found Beyond Birthday and his motivations interesting, but

I still don't quite understand how he was able to possess shinigami eyes, and the failure to explain this is really confusing

. It also just kind of dragged on. It's not the worst book I've ever read by any means, and I found some of it interesting, but ultimately I don't think I would read it again.