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Kingdom Hearts II #1-2
Kingdom Hearts II Vol. 1
Roxas is a boy who lives in sleepy Twilight Town with his friends Hayner, Pence, and Olette. As the last week of summer vacation comes to a close, the four spend their days together, making sure to leave no regrets. All the while, Roxas worries about the strange things that keep happening to him...
276 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2017
12 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 22, 2022
As a Kingdom hearts fan, it’s so nice to be able to read the adventures of Sora, Donald and Goofy!
Kingdom hearts in general makes me feel like a kid again with the combination of both Disney, Final Fantasy and the characters from the game itself.
This book is a lighthearted and fun read for anyone who wants to relive the adventures of our dear Sora!
Spoiler! The only slight difference from the video games is that except the people from hollow Bastien, organisation XIII and Sora’s friends, no one else seems to remember Sora neither does Sora himself remembers them, Which was a bit weird but you get used to it!
What I also liked was to see the point of view of the characters! Like how Namine and Axel feels when they start talking about if they have a heart or not.
Or Roxas conflict about just being Sora’s nobodies.
It was truly a nice touch to the book by the author!
I would definitely recommend this book to someone that love and adores the franchise! Can’t wait to read the next adventure in the next book!✨
Kingdom hearts in general makes me feel like a kid again with the combination of both Disney, Final Fantasy and the characters from the game itself.
This book is a lighthearted and fun read for anyone who wants to relive the adventures of our dear Sora!
Spoiler! The only slight difference from the video games is that except the people from hollow Bastien, organisation XIII and Sora’s friends, no one else seems to remember Sora neither does Sora himself remembers them, Which was a bit weird but you get used to it!
What I also liked was to see the point of view of the characters! Like how Namine and Axel feels when they start talking about if they have a heart or not.
Or Roxas conflict about just being Sora’s nobodies.
It was truly a nice touch to the book by the author!
I would definitely recommend this book to someone that love and adores the franchise! Can’t wait to read the next adventure in the next book!✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2018
I'm a big Kingdom Hearts fan, OF COURSE I'm gonna gush over this book and go into this book with a bias. I will say that it is a bit odd that the KH2 novelization is being split into two parts when the KH1 novelization did it all in 10-15 pages more than this book, but with how the story is told and formatted in the game, it is a LOT more story than KH1
I will say the one gripe I have with this game is one, whole chapter; no spoilers, but the trio re-visit a world and, in the game, whenever the trio(Sora, Donald, and Goofy) re-visit a certain world from the first game, the characters from those worlds remembers who they are, despite a whole year passing. In this world--THAT THEY'VE VISITED BEFORE IN THE FIRST GAME, I cannot stress enough--these characters don't know who they are, in the slightest, and it was something I couldn't get over.
With that said, this was a quick read that stayed as true to the game as it could. Great for any Kingdom Hearts fan. Loved the illustrations in the book--like with the first book, if I could add another fun gripe, it would be more illustrations lol.
I will say the one gripe I have with this game is one, whole chapter; no spoilers, but the trio re-visit a world and, in the game, whenever the trio(Sora, Donald, and Goofy) re-visit a certain world from the first game, the characters from those worlds remembers who they are, despite a whole year passing. In this world--THAT THEY'VE VISITED BEFORE IN THE FIRST GAME, I cannot stress enough--these characters don't know who they are, in the slightest, and it was something I couldn't get over.
With that said, this was a quick read that stayed as true to the game as it could. Great for any Kingdom Hearts fan. Loved the illustrations in the book--like with the first book, if I could add another fun gripe, it would be more illustrations lol.
January 7, 2026
4 stars. I would read this again if I’m in the right mood.
February 22, 2022
I loved this a lot!
March 18, 2019
Kingdom Hearts II: The Novel takes the first two volumes of the Japanese novel series and puts them in one single volume (the later two volumes completing the YenPress 2nd volume).
We start off with Roxas, a boy living in Twilight Town spending his days with friends Hayner, Pence and Olette when things start to go awry leading to the reveal that Roxas is in actuality the nobody of Sora. What is a nobody you ask? A nobody is an incomplete being that is left behind when a heartless is born and unlike their heartless counterparts they are cunning and can act almost human. Nobodies are not supposed to exist, or so they believe and are told with few exceptions. Without Roxas, Sora can not wake from the one year slumber he was placed in so Namine could rectify the damage of Chain of Memories.
In the second portion of the book, we return to Sora and his companions: Donald Duck and Goofy. They have no recollection of the events that took place in Castle Oblivion or why they woke up in a strange mansion. As they walk through Twilight Town, Sora has phantom memories from Roxas's perspective and knows things he otherwise would not. After meeting and parting with Hayner and the gang, the trio board the train that takes them to Yen Sid and are updated about the existence of nobodies.
Tomoco Kanemaki yet again brings new life into the Kingdom Hearts series with the perspective no longer 100% trapped upon Sora. We see interactions with Axel, Namine and Riku who always felt sort of glossed over in the games. If you loved the games, then consider giving the novels a try.
We start off with Roxas, a boy living in Twilight Town spending his days with friends Hayner, Pence and Olette when things start to go awry leading to the reveal that Roxas is in actuality the nobody of Sora. What is a nobody you ask? A nobody is an incomplete being that is left behind when a heartless is born and unlike their heartless counterparts they are cunning and can act almost human. Nobodies are not supposed to exist, or so they believe and are told with few exceptions. Without Roxas, Sora can not wake from the one year slumber he was placed in so Namine could rectify the damage of Chain of Memories.
In the second portion of the book, we return to Sora and his companions: Donald Duck and Goofy. They have no recollection of the events that took place in Castle Oblivion or why they woke up in a strange mansion. As they walk through Twilight Town, Sora has phantom memories from Roxas's perspective and knows things he otherwise would not. After meeting and parting with Hayner and the gang, the trio board the train that takes them to Yen Sid and are updated about the existence of nobodies.
Tomoco Kanemaki yet again brings new life into the Kingdom Hearts series with the perspective no longer 100% trapped upon Sora. We see interactions with Axel, Namine and Riku who always felt sort of glossed over in the games. If you loved the games, then consider giving the novels a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2020
4/5 stars (Also, there were 261 pgs. counted in my paperback copy)
This was a great read. I was definitely surprised by the amount of back story and hidden scenes mentioned in the book version that ties the timeline up together for different characters. But on that same note, I was kind of disappointed to see some of the worlds we visited in the second Kingdom Hearts game got skipped over (Agrabah, for example). Sad to see that the author had to make up for the overall plot, but I'm glad the majority of this book was summed up nicely.
While I do have some grievances over certain plot details, I'm hoping they are tied up nicely in the second half of the book. As always, I recommend this for Kingdom Hearts fans and anyone interested in its story that wants to read the book version instead.
This was a great read. I was definitely surprised by the amount of back story and hidden scenes mentioned in the book version that ties the timeline up together for different characters. But on that same note, I was kind of disappointed to see some of the worlds we visited in the second Kingdom Hearts game got skipped over (Agrabah, for example). Sad to see that the author had to make up for the overall plot, but I'm glad the majority of this book was summed up nicely.
While I do have some grievances over certain plot details, I'm hoping they are tied up nicely in the second half of the book. As always, I recommend this for Kingdom Hearts fans and anyone interested in its story that wants to read the book version instead.
September 14, 2018
Overall an enjoyable read. I love the games, so this was a really fun read. I really like how this novel shows us what is happening to other characters such as Riku, Kairi, Axel, King Mickey, and the Organization. It helps add to and explain their motivations and story arcs in the game.
I will say that the timing is a little odd, since the novel does not strictly follow the canon set forward by the video game series. For example, Sora didn't meet Hercules until Kingdom Hearts 2 in the novels. In the game series, Sora met him in the first game. However, I don't think the timing issues ruin the readability of the novel. It just takes some time to get used to for those who are heavily into the video game series.
I will say that the timing is a little odd, since the novel does not strictly follow the canon set forward by the video game series. For example, Sora didn't meet Hercules until Kingdom Hearts 2 in the novels. In the game series, Sora met him in the first game. However, I don't think the timing issues ruin the readability of the novel. It just takes some time to get used to for those who are heavily into the video game series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2025
3.5 stars
Nostalgic KH2 fans, who will constantly act like the game is the best in the series because nothing else can make them feel like being a child again: "KH2 has the best pacing in the series"
The official KH2 novelization, on its way to dedicate 1/4 of its page count to the tutorial then cut out all but two of the disney worlds in the first half of the game because they're all so inconsequential: "LOL, LMAO even"
I always like when these novels show something the game didn't, even if it's secondary canon, so it was neat to see more of what axel, riku and naminé are up to.
Nostalgic KH2 fans, who will constantly act like the game is the best in the series because nothing else can make them feel like being a child again: "KH2 has the best pacing in the series"
The official KH2 novelization, on its way to dedicate 1/4 of its page count to the tutorial then cut out all but two of the disney worlds in the first half of the game because they're all so inconsequential: "LOL, LMAO even"
I always like when these novels show something the game didn't, even if it's secondary canon, so it was neat to see more of what axel, riku and naminé are up to.
April 17, 2019
As someone whose been with Kingdom Hearts since the beginning, I have to say these books add so much to the series. Here, we finally get to see what everyone is thinking and feeling, what drives them, and their relationships with each other.
We also get to find out what certain characters were up to while Sora was on his adventure, and how it all relates to the main story.
If you’re a fan of these games I definitely recommend reading the novels.
We also get to find out what certain characters were up to while Sora was on his adventure, and how it all relates to the main story.
If you’re a fan of these games I definitely recommend reading the novels.
February 4, 2021
Kingdom Hearts is already a confusing story, but remove the video game elements and you get a mess of convoluted elements with almost no compelling qualities. It is also very repetitive; Naminé gets taken through a portal by a man in a black cloak at the beginning of nearly every chapter. However, some of the best parts of the game are still here, and if you are a huge Kingdom Hearts fan and know the story of the second game fairly well you might just enjoy it.
July 27, 2024
As Roxas spends the final days of summer struggling to understand the strange occurrences around Twilight Town, Sora and his friends must continue their journey across worlds to stop Organization XIII from using the heartless for their mysteriously nefarious goals. Kanemaki and Amano bring fans another hearty adaption, enjoyably humourous and corny despite the occasional pacing hiccup. Who are the people Roxas keeps dreaming about...and what do their fates mean to him?
December 9, 2018
I'm not sure why they decided to break this into a two part series, but I'm glad. It doesn't feel rushed, and the only thing that bothered me, was the constant emphases on him, when it's obvious who it is.
February 7, 2025
3.5 stars
i love kh2 i love the story
but it doesn’t work as well in novelisation
THE MANGA WAS BETTER‼️
(i am determined to read the rest of the kh novels before the end of the month i only have 4 left)
i love kh2 i love the story
but it doesn’t work as well in novelisation
THE MANGA WAS BETTER‼️
(i am determined to read the rest of the kh novels before the end of the month i only have 4 left)
February 20, 2018
KH is so confusing and heartbreaking and wonderful
#sokai #princessofheart
#sokai #princessofheart
December 28, 2018
I'm really confused trying to follow Riku/Axel/Namine's storyline in this...
December 18, 2024
🎶In yoooou and Iiiiii🎶
🎶There’s a new laaaaaand🎶
🎶(Angels in flight)🎶
🎶My sanctuaryyyyy, my sanctuary, yeah🎶
🎶There’s a new laaaaaand🎶
🎶(Angels in flight)🎶
🎶My sanctuaryyyyy, my sanctuary, yeah🎶
March 14, 2025
Riku has entered his pining era, and Sora going absolutely feral over ice cream is going to live in my head forever
December 14, 2025
Faithful and cuts out the fat. I like the fleshing out of Riku and Axel’s perspective.
March 5, 2018
Again I'll admit my bias in that I have played the games and really enjoyed them both for gameplay and story so naturally I do enjoy this book.
The only problem I have is that this feels very rushed. I understand cutting down the visits to all the worlds down to one time, but the best example I can think of is Agrabah where we're with Sora and the gang on their way to that world, then we cut back to Riku, and when we return Sora's giving a summary of what had happened. Why even mention it then if we were only get a summary of what they did there? I understand cutting some of the worlds because they did tend to repeat on plot: Pete or the Organization causing trouble using the Disney movie plot, beat up big bad monster, win. But I did not understand why they decided to deal with Agrabah like that.
They also divided up the game into two novels so I don't understand why they cut Agrabah like that. Surely they could visit it and have the side plot with Riku, Axel and Namine without getting too bogged down.
But I still had a great time and getting some more scenes with the Organization members will forever make me happy since they are some of my favorite villains. Afterall, they merely want to be whole once more and feel like humans again, but the reason you have to destroy them is the way they go about obtaining their hearts and how okay they are with ruining the lives and worlds of others. Villains with a goal within the realm of 'good,' but are evil because of the means in which they go obtaining that are always a win for me.
The only problem I have is that this feels very rushed. I understand cutting down the visits to all the worlds down to one time, but the best example I can think of is Agrabah where we're with Sora and the gang on their way to that world, then we cut back to Riku, and when we return Sora's giving a summary of what had happened. Why even mention it then if we were only get a summary of what they did there? I understand cutting some of the worlds because they did tend to repeat on plot: Pete or the Organization causing trouble using the Disney movie plot, beat up big bad monster, win. But I did not understand why they decided to deal with Agrabah like that.
They also divided up the game into two novels so I don't understand why they cut Agrabah like that. Surely they could visit it and have the side plot with Riku, Axel and Namine without getting too bogged down.
But I still had a great time and getting some more scenes with the Organization members will forever make me happy since they are some of my favorite villains. Afterall, they merely want to be whole once more and feel like humans again, but the reason you have to destroy them is the way they go about obtaining their hearts and how okay they are with ruining the lives and worlds of others. Villains with a goal within the realm of 'good,' but are evil because of the means in which they go obtaining that are always a win for me.
November 4, 2025
With Roxas easily being my favorite character in kingdom hearts, it was an awesome read. RATE FIVE STARS AT ALL COSTS!!!!!! poor Dymex.
UPDATED NOVEMBER 6, 2024! OK, guys. I should've updated this in June, but now, I finally remembered. I have finished the game, and boy, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. All of the bosses after Roxas were super easy. I write more about the game on my review for the second book. Check it out.
UPDATED NOVEMBER 6, 2024! OK, guys. I should've updated this in June, but now, I finally remembered. I have finished the game, and boy, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. All of the bosses after Roxas were super easy. I write more about the game on my review for the second book. Check it out.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews