The Power of Love

Sailor Moon: The Novels #2

by Stuart J. Levy, Lianne Sentar

Sailor Moon is an international phenomenon that has generated billions in revenue and introduced entire generations to the world of Japanese entertainment. When a whimsical schoolgirl discovers that she is, in fact, the Princess Serenity, a tale of galactic adventures and mysterious romance begins. The hit TV series, the feature films, and the slew of merchandise were launched by this smash-hit manga.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction

142 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had read this when I was 12, I probably would have enjoyed it more, even though I still would have found it annoying in ways.

I love Sailor Moon so much, and this novel was a huge let down. Sailor Moon, though silly and clumsy, is gentle and cares for those around here. That is not the Sailor Moon represented in this book. The Sailor Moon in this book is a ridiculous, brand-name dropping jerk. Though Usagi in the show turned her nose away from Umino (Melvin) in the anime and manga, she was never a bully to him. In this novel, she and Naru (Molly) are borderline cruel to him.

On every other page, there is at least one brand name/celebrity that was popular in the 90s ealry 2000s mentioned. These brands are all mentioned in the book; Burger King, PlayStation, Furby, Tommy Hilfiger (which really got to me because Usagi apparently has this type of umbrella instead of her cute pink one with bunnies), DKNY, Dolce and Gabbana, Baskin Robbins, Jewel, Brandy, Jennifer Lopez, Dior, Chanel, YM, Hard Candy and even Tide with Bleach. It was disappointing to me to read all of this because when I was growing up, my family couldn't afford high end brands but I -was- able to see Sailor Moon on tv, so I felt like all those mentions took away from what she stood for, at least for me.

These novels were something I was looking forward to collecting for my kid, but now I don't think I will for the simple fact this book focuses more on those popular trends than actually doing something meaningful with the Sailor Moon universe.

I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 because there are moments of Sailor Moon spunk and some 4th wall stuff that reminded me of the anime and manga, but there aren't enough of them to deem a re-read of this novel.

[Jessica Foster]

The saga continues, very close to the television episodes I watched in the 90's. I'm not going to lie, this is pretty fun!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

:) cute

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Sailor Moon Novel is a sequel and, like the first opus, is based on three classic episodes from Japan's animated series, now on Huku in Japanese to tons of adoring Moonies in America! This adaptation has Serena, aka Sailor Moon, tackling a hunky diet instructor (who sucks energy from exercise gym enthusiasts who wanna look rail thin and gorgeous like, say, the LATE Britney Snow), tangles with a vicious lizardy petshop clerk (who specializes in Monchhichi-esque rabbit-monsters threatening animal lovers with hypnopowers beyond imagination) and wages unholy war against a witchy woman with incredibly long, and sharp, Lee Press-On nails (who wishes to dominate music fans with a cassette tape that, once played, will enslave ALL MANKIND!) as she attempts a daring rescue of a Japanese musician named Amade Yus (Amadeus, get it?) and save a love that will last for ALL TIME! Three stories, four chapters each, two books in and only ONE girl hero that matters to us all! And there's more good girl heroes to come in GR--I promise!

[TheCloudRunner]

I enjoyed these books back when I like...9 and actually waited impatiently for the following books to come out. I couldn't wait until my local library would get these in because I loved them so much as well as the show. I decided to reread them for the sake of nostalgia and as an adult, I can honestly say these books are so bad! Lol
My books actually have mistakes in them. Typographical errors such as misspelled words, forgotten letters, or deleted words altogether. And the constant name/brand dropping is SO annoying. Not to mention, no 13 or 14 year old girl is going to be wearing brands like Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel unless their parents are super rich, which hers are NOT. Do D&B and Chanel even make items for kids?? Im not a fashionista so idk.
I also don't remember Serena and Molly being such bullies to Melvin. Melvin was supposed to be your stereotypical nerd that we see in books and movies but there is no other way to describe how Molly and Serena treated him other then bullying. Calling him names, dumping their lunches on his head, embarrassing him, threatening him to get what they want. Maybe I was so wrapped up in the sailor moon craze that I just missed it all, or maybe I was just too young. These books came out when I was 7 and I didn't start reading them until a couple years later. But even still, I was a sensitive kid and stuff like that (if it were to happen in person) would have bothered me. I cried over everything lol.
Nonetheless, it helped pass the time between books I am reading and the nostalgia felt really good. Since the books are based off the tv show from the 90's, some "episodes" were super familiar and I could recall actual images from the series in my head. I have all 8 books and do plan on reading them all but wow lol these books are far from being great kid lit.