I'm a sucker for cute lil' animals, and I have to sheepishly admit that the pictures of the squirrel-like little guys on the cover probably had a good bit to do with why I bought this volume!

I got lucky - the story so far is as engaging as the art.

Maeda's characterization of Hibiki and the other main characters is well-executed, and the characters easily live in the reader's imagination as unique personalities. (Cardboard cut-out characterization is a common problem in manga, I've noticed ...)

The plot in the first volume is just the right blend of cute/quirky and dark/dramatic. There is a price for magic in Hibiki's world, but she seems to be bringing unexpected levity to a profession that usually calls for great sacrifices.

I'm looking forward to reading the second volume and finding out the answers to mysteries that Maeda deftly implied about the nature of magic, Hibiki's "master," and the capabilities of Hibiki herself. (Not to mention that the headmaster is a hoot, and surely there will be more adorable squirrel antics!)