Biarkan Mata Berbicara

I guess it's only fair that I should admit right away that I am a devoted fan of Kei Tōme's work—both her art and her storytelling. So, I'll need to make sure I keep my impartial hat firmly on while writing this.

Elsewhere, I've mentioned that I tend to be an impatient reader, particularly when it comes to letting a story draw me in. "Hour of the Mice" more than satisfied me in this respect. Not that it's a frenetically paced story, mind you. In fact, it's quite the opposite. However, Tōme succeeds in creating a feeling of suspense from the very beginning.

The strength of the tale truly lies in its protagonists, as well as the meticulously crafted plot. Tōme not only introduces us to all the key characters within the first few chapters but also sprinkles abundant hints that things are not entirely well with them. Maki, the unofficial leader of the four friends, is color-blind; Ryo suffers from migraines; gentle Mei is severely anemic, which often lands her in the infirmary; and the bookish Natsume rounds out the group. As the story begins, the latter, having succumbed to curiosity, has been "confined" for three days as punishment for attempting to leave the premises. This also gives us insight into how fitting the title is—not only are the children "mice" in the same sense as lab rats, but they are also timid little mice, having grown accustomed to the oppressive conditions they have lived under since infancy.

Kiriko's arrival intensifies what I can only describe as a pressure-cooker atmosphere. Even before she arrives, Tōme has begun to ramp up the tension and sense of unease while keeping a tight lid on proceedings. The children are certainly not superheroes about to wreak havoc as they escape. Instead, they are intelligently and carefully portrayed as what they are—frightened, confused children trying to come to terms with a real world they know nothing about, as everything they thought was real crumbles around them. Add in the ongoing machinations of the powers running the academy, and you end up with a well-written, beautifully drawn (again, Tōme fans will recognize her style from a hundred paces) and superbly paced slice-of-life thriller that is well worth the read.

The synopsis is awesome

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