The Promised Neverland Vol 1 by Kaiu Shirai

Illustrated by Posuka Demizu

Super smart 12 year olds Norman, Emma, and Ray enjoy life at Grace Field House orphanage with their caretaker, Mom, who feeds them wonderful food, challenges their minds, and lets them play for hours outside in the beautiful fields and forest. Everything is fine until Conny is adopted but leaves behind her beloved stuffed rabbit! Emma and Norman run for the gate to get it to her, where they discover the true nature of the orphanage - they are livestock on a farm, being raised as food for demons!  After they make this shocking discovery, Emma and Norman put their full genius power behind finding a way to escape their home with everyone in tow so no more of their siblings are made into meals. 

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I went into this book knowing there was a big twist, but not what it was.  In finding out that the children were all food for demons, I had an actual, physical reaction of shock and adrenaline.  This story starts out very sweet, and I honestly didn't expect the turn to come so soon.  After finding this out, the story became a cat-and-mouse chase between Mom and the three main characters to outsmart one another and stay ahead of each other.  The incessant questions from the three, both internal monologue and to each other, is a little overwhelming, but that seems to be the format of this storyline and the way to show how the kids are figuring out everything the adults are doing.  Posuka Demizu has perfectly captured a child-like innocence in his characters, despite the dark things that are happening around them.  Each child is extremely expressive. 

VIZ rates this series for Teen Plus, and I imagine it is owed to the nature of their fate.  There is some gore when the demons are involved, but it is a few scenes within the book, and the rest is very mild.  

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12

Publisher: VIZ Media
Publication Date: December 5, 2017​
ISBN: 9781421597126 (Paperback)

Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: High School, Manga, Dystopian, Horror, Demons, VIZ Media ​