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rereader33's review
5.0
The only critique I'm giving this volume is that the end to the witch case from the last volume was slightly disappointing, but not enough to dampen my enjoyment. ESPECIALLY because of the fight scene that wrapped it up! I LOVE the fact that Guideau uses fucking knuckle dusters (spiked, of course) when she can't temporarily undo the curse. I don't what I was expecting her special weapon to be, but I love how straightforward it is. Definitely matches her personality!
Phanora's introduction definitely raises some questions and I've already got some theories floating around in my head about her, but I do like her character, design, and magic specialty. The way she took down that necromancer and effectively made his life a living hell, like he did to his victims, was so cruel and brutal, but I loved it.
That's all I want to say about the story, but there are a couple of things about this series as a whole that I want to discuss because they're small touches that make a huge impact (to me, at least). When I'm starting a series to determine whether I'll continue with it or not, I'm not looking for perfection but rather if enough aspects are done right. Contrary to what a lot of my review say, I'm neither impossible to please nor easily swayed; if I like something, it's usually because it's doing enough things right that I enjoy it. If I hate it, then the opposites at play. And one of the things that I love about this series is that it does a lot of things right, even more so than other, more popular series. And two of the biggest things have to do with how Satake handles Guideau's character in personality and appearance.
After finishing the first volume, I was thinking about it nonstop but there was always something nagging at me. Something that was so obvious, but for some reason I couldn't put my finger on it. It was several days later when it finally hit me: Guideau, despite being a main female lead in a series aimed for an Older Teen demographic, IS NEVER SEXUALIZED. I, of course, had to go back and reread the volume and even wait for this one to come out before confirming it, but yeah. She's never sexualized. Never wears revealing outfits, never drawn in sexual positions or makes sexy poses, and even when her clothes are damaged readers never see ass or tits. Hell, in this volume alone there's a scene where she leaps in the air and what could have easily been a panty shot wasn't because she was wearing shorts during the fight, AND there's a scene where she wakes up and you get a full panel of her sitting upright, and she's completely covered. I understand to some this may not seem like a big deal, but anyone who's watched anime/ read manga KNOW this is rare. And the thing is, I don't have anything against fanservice MOST of the time, but it's really refreshing to have at least ONE SERIES where we have a female lead who isn't drawn sexily because the creator can and will.
The other thing I noticed that gives Satake massive props is that Guideau doesn't know a lot about the world, but her ignorance isn't infantilized or used to put her in inappropriate situations. She's not treated like a child, nor is she drawn to be either adorably naive or overly excitable about new things in an attempt to make her waifu bait. Yes, Ashaf can be a bit condescending to her, but I get the impression that's more so their dynamic rather than her circumstances. Speaking of dynamics, I fucking LOVE these two and their interactions. Guideau is so violent and aggressive, but Ashaf isn't intimidated at all and even does things that he knows will upset her, but not out of malice. And Guideau, despite her temper and terrible attitude, is perfectly aware that she can't take Ashaf down as she is, but isn't afraid to cause him trouble. Those two are the best, love them so much.
I'm going to stop myself here because if I don't this review will be 20 pages long. Suffice to say, I love this series and highly recommend it.
Phanora's introduction definitely raises some questions and I've already got some theories floating around in my head about her, but I do like her character, design, and magic specialty. The way she took down that necromancer and effectively made his life a living hell, like he did to his victims, was so cruel and brutal, but I loved it.
That's all I want to say about the story, but there are a couple of things about this series as a whole that I want to discuss because they're small touches that make a huge impact (to me, at least). When I'm starting a series to determine whether I'll continue with it or not, I'm not looking for perfection but rather if enough aspects are done right. Contrary to what a lot of my review say, I'm neither impossible to please nor easily swayed; if I like something, it's usually because it's doing enough things right that I enjoy it. If I hate it, then the opposites at play. And one of the things that I love about this series is that it does a lot of things right, even more so than other, more popular series. And two of the biggest things have to do with how Satake handles Guideau's character in personality and appearance.
After finishing the first volume, I was thinking about it nonstop but there was always something nagging at me. Something that was so obvious, but for some reason I couldn't put my finger on it. It was several days later when it finally hit me: Guideau, despite being a main female lead in a series aimed for an Older Teen demographic, IS NEVER SEXUALIZED. I, of course, had to go back and reread the volume and even wait for this one to come out before confirming it, but yeah. She's never sexualized. Never wears revealing outfits, never drawn in sexual positions or makes sexy poses, and even when her clothes are damaged readers never see ass or tits. Hell, in this volume alone there's a scene where she leaps in the air and what could have easily been a panty shot wasn't because she was wearing shorts during the fight, AND there's a scene where she wakes up and you get a full panel of her sitting upright, and she's completely covered. I understand to some this may not seem like a big deal, but anyone who's watched anime/ read manga KNOW this is rare. And the thing is, I don't have anything against fanservice MOST of the time, but it's really refreshing to have at least ONE SERIES where we have a female lead who isn't drawn sexily because the creator can and will.
The other thing I noticed that gives Satake massive props is that Guideau doesn't know a lot about the world, but her ignorance isn't infantilized or used to put her in inappropriate situations. She's not treated like a child, nor is she drawn to be either adorably naive or overly excitable about new things in an attempt to make her waifu bait. Yes, Ashaf can be a bit condescending to her, but I get the impression that's more so their dynamic rather than her circumstances. Speaking of dynamics, I fucking LOVE these two and their interactions. Guideau is so violent and aggressive, but Ashaf isn't intimidated at all and even does things that he knows will upset her, but not out of malice. And Guideau, despite her temper and terrible attitude, is perfectly aware that she can't take Ashaf down as she is, but isn't afraid to cause him trouble. Those two are the best, love them so much.
I'm going to stop myself here because if I don't this review will be 20 pages long. Suffice to say, I love this series and highly recommend it.
joanarcherknight's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zoereads1125's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lknano's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mscheer0's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sukiphoenix's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
flaygon's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
livinliterary's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ashaf and Guideau wrap up their witch hunt (that did not involve a witch) and are presented with a rash of the Undead. Ashaf knows this isn't for them and refers a specialist. We are introduced to Phanora and her partner Johan. She's a necromancer expert and he's the muscle.
This storyline is creepy. Necromancy is a major theme in this volume and it is so well done. I am looking forward to discovering more about this series.
This storyline is creepy. Necromancy is a major theme in this volume and it is so well done. I am looking forward to discovering more about this series.
taliesin_hastings's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tmjmack12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25