the gods lie.

by Kaori Ozaki

Overview

Natsuru Nanao, a 6th grader who lives alone with his mother, strikes up an unlikely friendship with the reserved and driven Rio Suzumura. Natsuru plays hookey from soccer camp that summer, and instead of telling the truth to his mother, he spends all his time with Rio and her kid brother at their rickety house, where a dark secret threatens to upend their fragile happiness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781942993360
Publisher:	Kodansha USA
Publication date:	04/19/2016
Pages:	216
Sales rank:	157,849
Product dimensions:	5.48(w) x 7.49(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Kaori Ozaki (1978-) is a professional comic artist and character designer. She made her debut in 1993 at the age of 15 for shojo publisher Shinshokan with the short series An Angel above the Piano. Her breakthrough work Immortal Rain earned her great acclaim globally as it was translated into a dozen languages and eventually published in the United States by Tokyopop. She worked on the eleven volume series for 12 years before switching publishers and switching genres with her first title from Kodansha's young adult magazine Afternoon, The Gods Lie.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2016
Gr 4–7—Natsuru is an 11-year-old boy who gradually becomes friends with a shy girl in his class, Rio Suzumura, when she agrees to take care of a stray cat he's rescued. Previously, Natsuru's life was filled with going to school, playing soccer, hanging out with other boys, and coming home to his mother. But once she entrusts Rio with Tofu the cat, his life and his priorities start to change. He begins spending more time with Rio and her little brother and less time with his mother and friends. He calls out sick from soccer camp and spends several days living at Rio's house instead. Much of this story is sweet and uplifting, as Natsuru and Rio form a new kind of family unit and they grow to love and trust each other. But there is also an undercurrent of sadness because Natsuru's father is dead, Rio's father is gone, and Rio is holding a secret that can break her world apart. This is a delicate, sweet, and poignant story that will make readers think about what they would do if they were faced with the same challenges as these characters. Ozaki's artwork further enriches the story, sometimes ethereal and sometimes realistic, but always skillfully done. VERDICT For readers who will appreciate a beautiful and memorable stand-alone story about secrets and friendship.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

School Library Journal