Hollow Fields Volume 1

When young Lucy Snow accidentally gets enrolled in a school for mad scientists, she discovers that a failing grade has a whole new meaning (and consequences) at Hollow Fields.

Already recognized as an outstanding original English language manga creation by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hollow Fields is a skillfully written tale full of suspense, adventure and yes, cuteness too. It's drawn in an intricate, appealing style that builds upon, rather than just imitates manga's artistic roots.

Lucy Snow arrives in Nullsville to attend St. Galbat's Academy for Young Ladies. But a storm and her impatience brings her to the doorstep of Hollow Fields, an elite private boarding school instead.

The students seem normal, the accommodations are plush, and the tuition? It's all free. But the teachers, the principal and classes at Hollow Fields all give Lucy good reasons to think that she just might have made a very, very big mistake. Hollow Fields isn't a school for magic – it's a school for mad scientists.

At first glance, Hollow Fields will remind you of Harry Potter (what doesn't nowadays?): The magical school, the mysterious teachers and the unusual subjects that are taught instead of English and Social Studies will all seem like familiar themes. But Rosca gives her boarding school fantasy a darker, steampunk twist. The Gothic spires and winding staircases of the school are accented with gears, levers and conveyer belts, like a very elaborate factory. The faculty a.k.a. "The Engineers" are robot / zombie / demon-like beings, and the ominous fate that awaits students who fail the rigorous curriculum all serve to set a dark, yet whimsical mood.

Rosca's artwork is delightfully detailed – you can tell that she's put a lot of thought into creating a world for her equally unique characters to play in. The influence of manga style artwork and storytelling is obvious, but what sets Hollow Fields apart from most OEL manga is that Rosca has taken the ball and ran with it. She's created a skillfully-crafted story that builds upon, rather than merely imitates Japanese comics.

My only hang-up with Rosca's character designs is that no one has noses. But that's me quibbling. Hollow Fields offers readers a mix of humor, fantasy and suspense and cuteness that tweens, teens, well, almost everyone can enjoy.