▪	RELEASED BY:		DEL REY
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		MIYUKI KOBAYASHI / NATSUMI ANDO
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		208
		▪	RATING:		T
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		02/19/2008
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		02/17/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Najika enters the pastry competition in the hopes of pleasing Sora, but does Sora have ulterior motives to cheering her on? Daichi has kissed her, which has thrown Najika for a loop. However, it’ what she learns when she hits the finals that really shakes her. It seems Sora is up to something and his father is behind it. The fallout is massive, and it could throw far more than just Najika’s dreams into jeopardy. Someone’s life ends up on the chopping block in this dramatic and pivotal volume of Kitchen Princess.

Things were dramatic at times in the manga series, but overall sweet in this confectionary of love. But in this volume things take a grave turn. The difficulties Najika has at the competition with being the youngest member is hard enough, the upsetting truth she learns about Sora is far more harsh. Nevertheless it is the horrific event that the volume ends on that makes it the most shattering cliff hanger of all time for manga readers.

To level things off a little, the manga has a fun bonus story about Spring Break and how Najika ended up working during that time with Fujita’s father. His bakery isn’t doing too well because the crusty old man keeps scaring his customer’s away. When Sora and Daichi learn about this, they try to help out. Naturally a certain jealous classmate has to try to interfere, but overall this is a fun and light story with a heartwarming atmosphere. Other extras include more precious and fun recipes to try. Sadly I have no pancake mix as I’d love to find out how the quick cupcakes would turn out.

IN SUMMARY:
The big pastry competition sees some unsettling secrets revealed but even worse, a main character may lose their life! It’s a dramatic and pivotal volume in Kitchen Princess that fans cannot afford to miss!