These five volumes represent the emotional crux of the series and, as such, plot spoilers will be discussed. Proceed at your own risk. I'm always sorry when I fall far behind on a series that I love, but when it results in half a dozen volumes to read at once, the pleasure of catching up makes the wait worthwhile. These five volumes are the most important and emotionally … [Read more...] about Hikaru no Go 13-17 by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata: A
Pandora Hearts 1 by Jun Mochizuki: B
From the back cover: The air of celebration surrounding fifteen-year-old Oz Vessalius's coming-of-age ceremony quickly turns to horror when he is condemned for a sin about which he knows nothing. Thrown into the Abyss—an eternal prison from which there is no escape—Oz meets a young girl named Alice, who is not what she seems. Now that the relentless cogs of fate have begun to … [Read more...] about Pandora Hearts 1 by Jun Mochizuki: B
Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell: B+
From the back cover: For young barrister Julia Larwood, it was to be a holiday of romance as well as flight from the tax man; in short, an Art Lover's Tour of Italy. Reduced to near penury by the Inland Revenue, Julia could hardly afford such luxury but she'd be in hock to the Revenue either way so why not? But poor, deluded Julia—how could she have known that the ravishing … [Read more...] about Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell: B+
Alice in the Country of Hearts 2 by QuinRose and Soumei Hoshino: B
From the back cover: As Alice grows accustomed to life in Wonderland, she begins to understand the inner workings of this mysterious world. Everyone desires to get close to her, and Alice's life lights up with little moments of happiness. But she soon discovers the truth behind all the bliss... and wasted lives. And how will Alice react when the greatest secret is revealed by … [Read more...] about Alice in the Country of Hearts 2 by QuinRose and Soumei Hoshino: B
Vampire Knight 9 by Matsuri Hino: C+
After the revelations in volume eight, the world of Vampire Knight goes—please pardon my indelicacy, but this is really the only way to put it—batshit crazy. Pureblood vampire Rido Kuran (our villain) completes his resurrection and summons his followers to him. Said followers feel no compunction about snacking on the day class students of Cross Academy, so the noble vampires … [Read more...] about Vampire Knight 9 by Matsuri Hino: C+