▪	RELEASED BY:		DEL REY
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		MIYUKI KOBAYASHI / NATUSMI ANDO
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		208
		▪	RATING:		T
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		10/30/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		10/23/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Akane has stirred up a hornet’s next of trouble when she lied to Daichi about the watch he gave Najika. Thinking she rejected the gift, Daichi acts coldly towards Najika, shutting her out. Forlorn, confused, Najika is comforted by the words and gifts from Sora whom she cares for. But when Daichi sees a new watch on her wrist and finds out that its from his brother, he goes ballistic. Can Najika figure out Akane’s terrible scheme in time to save her friendship? And just what of the Flan Prince that she’s looking for? You’ll find out in this latest volume of the delightful series Kitchen Princess.
    
There’s a quite a bit of melodrama in these latest chapters as Najika’s life is again thrown into turmoil over Daichi’s behavior due to Akane’s scheming. Interestingly though, the writer doesn’t make Akane out to be a sheer villainous character. She’s been given sympathetic depth and this volume continues with that, showing Akane’s own turmoil over what she’s done. The fallout will be tremendous. In the end it will possibly see Akane’s downfall from her school celebrity status, Daichi and Sora’s relationship pulled further apart, and Najika at last discovers who her Flan Prince is.

Or does she?

In readying for the Western Confectionary Competition, Najika gets ample support from Sora. She even manages to mend fences with Akane a little after their blow out, proving again the depth of her compassion and the sheer goodness of her heart. However, Daichi is incensed with Sora. He even warns Najika to be wary of Sora, that he is not at all the gentleman he professes to be. Just what is the truth? Is Sora not the prince of her childhood dreams? What possible ulterior motive could he have? It all builds to a startling confession and a stolen kiss! There’s a lot more heating up than what’s in the oven in the latest volume of this stellar shoujo series.

Manga extras include standard translation notes, cultural references, and a preview in the original Japanese of the next volume, a word from the writer, and more delicious recipes for readers to try. I tried the apple cake which was by far one of the easiest recipes this volume. Holly’s alternatives: to spice the cake up a notch, try adding in some cinnamon to the cake batter to taste and a pinch of nutmeg or allspice.

IN SUMMARY:
Kitchen Princess is a manga series as delicious as it is delightful.