It is a very exciting manga book. It is all about a girl in fourth grade who stummbled across a magical book in her fathers library. This book was not just an ordinary book it was a book that once contained magical cards that can not be easily defeated. The only problem is that when she opened the book the cards were not there so now it is her job to go out and find all the cards. If these magical cards are out of the book they turn into magical creatures that destroy the world. So read this book you will not be dissapointed. ( )

I know this is supposed to be the authentic version that CLAMP intended, but something about the translation doesn't come off right to me. Especially for the character Keroberos, or rather, Cerebus. This version has him speaking so ghetto, it does not fit right for his character. Plus when you read it through Master of the Clow, he doesn't speak like that at all. This is the one rare case that the Americanized Chix comic version is more perferable to the authentic manga. ( )

Summary (stolen from back cover):

Sakura Kinomoto was just your average 4th grader--loved P.E., hated math. Until... One day, while looking through her father's library, Sakura found The Clow, an enchanted book designed to hold a set of magical Clow Cards. But when Sakura opened the book, it was empty. Talk about disasters!! kerberos, the Creature of the Seal, emerged from the cover of the book and told Sakura the cards must be returned to the book. "If the cards aren't in the book, they come to life and do evil!" Kero formed a contract with Sakura making hr a Cardcaptor. And together with Kero and her best friend Tomoyo, Sakura embarked on a mystical journey to capture all the Clow Cards before they wreak chaos and destruction.

Plot:

The story is not that unique, but it works somehow. While the story pivots around Sakura capturing the Clow Cards, which can get repetitive after the first few, the plot has so many other things going on. Sakura's relationship to her father and brother, her crush on her brother's friend Yukito, her friendship with Tomoyo, and her rivalry/friendship with Syaoran all combine to make the story more interesting. It may not be the best constructed plot, but as you read you watch Sakura grow and learn and sometimes teach those around her a thing or two.

Characters:

First of all, Sakura is just downright adorable. She's kind and lovable, but also has her faults. A perfect heroine for a young girl, and older boys and girls as well. ^__~ The rest of the characters each have their own stories and lives so no one is left out. I know I was surprised when CLAMP devoted a good portion of one volume to telling the story of one of Sakura's classmates. It was insignificant to the plot of the story, but wove a beautiful tale for the readers.

Art:

It's a slightly older shoujo style, so if you don't approve of random flowery panels and elaborate costumes I would not recommend this. I know I was put off when I started reading by the hair, which is more detailed than in other manga with more tick lines to show individual hairs. I thought it made the hair look less smooth and more fuzzy. But I got used to it, and now I cannot imagine Cardcaptor Sakura without it. Overall, the art is very pretty, you just have to get used to the style.

Overall:

A cute, beautiful series that is heartwarming. I give it a 4.5 simply because the plot is kind of like Sailor Moon in a Clow-Card-of-the-week sort of way. ( )