I'm warning you now people; this review will be short. Why? Because for once, I am truly at a loss for words for what to say about a series I'm reviewing. "xxxHOLiC" is quite simply one of the most bizarre things I've ever read. I honestly can't even really begin to explain what this series is, or what it's really about even. Reviewing this book might even be like trying to explain what "Fantasia" is to a deaf person. The story is about a boy named Watanuki Kimihiro, who is haunted by visions and ghosts day in and day out. Then one day, his feet start moving without him telling them where to go, and his feet take him to see Yuko The Dimension Witch. Yuko tells Watanuki that if he wants, she can take his "gift" away from him, but that it will cost him a high price (However what that high price is excatly is not known at this point). However before he agree's with anything she says (Or even has a chance to think her offer over), she declares that it's a done deal, and that he will have to work with her for awhile to pay off the debt. And after this happens the story becomes pretty unexplainable. I honestly don't think I've read enough of this book to describe what the series as a whole is like, whether the characters are likable or not, and just....I don't really know what's going on at all.

When I read "xxxHOLiC" I find myself being intrigued by the whole setup (Enough to warrant continuing the series), but I just can't really explain what makes it so interesting. The characters at this point in time are either kind of interesting to down right creepy. The art is unlike anything CLAMP has done before, and looks as gothic as "X/1999," but at the same time looks just as cute as "Cardcaptor Sakura." And the story...well, there is one, but I can't really explain what it's about without telling you what's going on page by page. People at message boards across the world right now are having an all out brawl about whether this is a good series or a bad series. Some find it bold and daring, some say it's creepy, and some people just don't get it at all. I think I mostly fall somewhere in between the first two. I do like that Del Rey has included the color pages for this book, and I must say that I must take back my comments in my review of "Tsubasa" when I said that "Tsubasa" doesn't cross over with "xxxHOLiC" anymore than it did with the other CLAMP series...however my comment was proven wrong by reading this, so I must apologize for that misinformation.

So am I recommending this title or not? That's a tough one. I'm going to recommend it on the sole purpose to see what this is like. I'm honestly not sure who this was made for, nor am I even going to PRETEND that I know what kind of people will like this, I'm even finding it hard to give a grade to this series myself! However this title will get a grade from me, and that grade will be B. I'm giving this title a B for the fact that it's inventive and strange, and it has the potential to be big. However take that grade with a grain of salt, as chances are you most likely will not feel the same way. However there is one thing I WILL say about this title: Walk in expecting the unexpected! And that's all the advice I can give you, the rest is up to you. Enjoy.

- -Review By Kevin T. Rodriguez- -

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