Vampire Knight: Ice Blue no Tsumi

Vampire Knight is one of the very popular shoujo manga/anime in this time, so it is no surprise that the series will get a healthy amount of spin-offs. This one, Ice Blue no Tsumi, is a prequel in light-novel form. For people who have read the manga or watched the Vampire Knight anime, don't expect a lot of Yuuki in this light novel, because the novel takes place some time before the main story started.

The light novel itself contains two stories, "Ice Blue no Tsumi" and "Setsuna no Toki". The first one deals with a new character, Fuuka, and her interactions with the night class, particularly Aido Hanabusa. The second one focuses on Zero's training as a younger boy under Yagari. The stories are really well-told in novel form. The first story, being told from Fuuka's point of view, starts off as seemingly written by a fangirl of Kaname and the night class, who pretty much every girl in the main series is going crazy for. It switches mood as the story progresses, and ends with a tearjerker ending. I won't be spoiling much about it, though. The second story, is about Zero's training with another aspiring vampire hunter named Kaito. The second story basically develops Zero and Kaito's personalities as contrasts to each other, and climaxes in an unpredictable ending.

The artwork is still done by Matsuri Hino, so readers of the main series will be familiar with the artwork. They are well-drawn, although being a light novel, there are only around 5 to 6 pages with actual drawings in it. Still, the artwork is really good and deserves a 9 out of 10.

The light novel introduces two new characters, Fuuka and Kaito, one for each story. Besides the two of them, readers will be reading about familiar characters in the story such as the night class, Chairman Cross, and Yuuki, although the latter two only make minor appearances in the story. One thing this light novel does well is to develop the pivotal characters, which are Aido and Zero, in their respective stories. By reading this light novel, the readers are treated to a glimpse of their past personalities and how major events have shaped them into the Aido and Zero we know from the main Vampire Knight series. Not only that, the novel also gives more insight about the night class, particularly in Ichijo's power as assistant dorm leader, which is practically unelaborated in the main series.

The novel is a really good read for anyone who enjoyed the Vampire Knight series. Fans of the series will be pleased about the backstory and development given by the novel to the characters, especially Aido and Zero. The stories are well-written for the most part and can really capture the reader's attention. Both stories, despite ending on a sad mood (well, the main series itself carries the "emo" atmosphere), provide enjoyment throughout it's course. I highly recommend this light novel to fans of Vampire Knight, and for people who have not read or watched the main series and don't mind the "angsty" atmosphere parts of the series carry, I suggest you try this, as it might make you like the series. Overall, a good and worthwhile read.