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dorinlazar's review against another edition
2.0
The verdict of „it was ok” seems to say it all. The novelization of a manga thread that didn't make it in the series itself, or at least that's what it feels like. While visiting Izumi Curtis, the boys discover a book that might help them get their bodies back. They see it in a picture of a bookshop, a picture taken many years prior, before the book was forbidden and recalled, and they assume that that bookshop might still have that book. So they go there and discover an Ishbalan child, a (neglected?) housewife that takes care of the book store and a travelling salesman I guess .
This story relies on the cinematic, it tries to transpose action in writing, and it doesn't leave a good impression. At least it didn't leave to me, and also a turnoff was the amount of coincidence needed for this sort of thing to happen (the instigation, Ed and Al seeing the picture of the bookshop, is in no way linked with the culmination of the alchemists' plan). But yeah, it was an ok story in the FMA universe, so it gets a passing grade :)
Spoiler
that turns out to be an ex-state-alchemistThis story relies on the cinematic, it tries to transpose action in writing, and it doesn't leave a good impression. At least it didn't leave to me, and also a turnoff was the amount of coincidence needed for this sort of thing to happen (the instigation, Ed and Al seeing the picture of the bookshop, is in no way linked with the culmination of the alchemists' plan). But yeah, it was an ok story in the FMA universe, so it gets a passing grade :)
casey_zi's review against another edition
3.0
It's funny, the copy of this book that I have in my hands has the exact same cover illustration, but the title reads "The Ties That Bind." Same difference, I guess?
Anyway, this is a fascinating little story about three blood-sucking chimeras, a banned book, an old friend of Roy's, and how they all tie together. It dips into the backstory regarding the Ishvallan/Ishballan war, and does well to expand on the series' themes of regret and guilt, circulating around the state alchemist veterans of the Ishvallan rebellion. It also explores a further aspect of biological alchemy.
I had fun putting together the pieces of the puzzle during the book's initial mystery-like setup (it all culminates, of course, into a nice big battle at the end), although I might have done it more quickly than I should have. Overall, I got what I came for: another fun adventure with Ed, Al, and Roy. I recommend this for FMA fans 12 years and up.
Anyway, this is a fascinating little story about three blood-sucking chimeras, a banned book, an old friend of Roy's, and how they all tie together. It dips into the backstory regarding the Ishvallan/Ishballan war, and does well to expand on the series' themes of regret and guilt, circulating around the state alchemist veterans of the Ishvallan rebellion. It also explores a further aspect of biological alchemy.
I had fun putting together the pieces of the puzzle during the book's initial mystery-like setup (it all culminates, of course, into a nice big battle at the end), although I might have done it more quickly than I should have. Overall, I got what I came for: another fun adventure with Ed, Al, and Roy. I recommend this for FMA fans 12 years and up.
weebitofreak's review against another edition
5.0
This one as more interesting than the last one. I feel like this book had more character development in it compared to the other books.
roxanamalinachirila's review
3.0
Back in 2016, when I bought the Fullmetal Alchemist box set, I got this book as a bonus. It isn't a manga volume, like the original series, but a light novel - more precisely, it's a text-only novella with a couple of illustrations, which is about the shape and size of a manga volume.
Somehow, I managed to put it on my "to read soon" shelf and leave it there for two years. Yesterday, after reading Eoin Colfer's "Iron Man: The Gauntlet" and feeling sorely disappointed by that comic book tie-in story, I decided to read "The Ties That Bind", either to wash the disappointment away or to get more disappointment over with, whichever.
In short, it's not bad. It isn't mind-blowing, either, but it's cute and it's entertaining, and the book is a pleasure to hold in your hands.
"The Ties That Bind" wasn't written by the author of the original series, Hiromu Arakawa, but by Makoto Inoue, about whom I know nothing - and Google isn't helping. From the afterword, though, it's pretty clear that Arakawa had some editorial input.
The story takes place right before Roy Mustang is transferred to Central. Ed and Al found discover a new possible trail towards getting their bodies back, in the shape of a forbidden book which they spot in the background of a photo. Unwilling to leave any stone unturned, the two go visit the town where the bookstore holding the book used to be.
The bookstore is still there, but the original owner has died, and now it's run by his daughter-in-law, while her husband is perpetually running across the country to find new books, leaving her and her adopted Ishballan young son to take care of things alone. Ed and Al get invited to stay until they find the book they're looking for and get to know their two hosts.
Of course, things are never as simple as they seem - the original author of the forbidden book is still alive and running his highly illegal and completely mad experiments on blood and bodily regeneration, sending his creepy chimeras to attack people for spare ingredients. And naturally, Ed, Al and even Mustang get involved for an adventure that's more about family ties than about illegal experiments.
Somehow, I managed to put it on my "to read soon" shelf and leave it there for two years. Yesterday, after reading Eoin Colfer's "Iron Man: The Gauntlet" and feeling sorely disappointed by that comic book tie-in story, I decided to read "The Ties That Bind", either to wash the disappointment away or to get more disappointment over with, whichever.
In short, it's not bad. It isn't mind-blowing, either, but it's cute and it's entertaining, and the book is a pleasure to hold in your hands.
"The Ties That Bind" wasn't written by the author of the original series, Hiromu Arakawa, but by Makoto Inoue, about whom I know nothing - and Google isn't helping. From the afterword, though, it's pretty clear that Arakawa had some editorial input.
The story takes place right before Roy Mustang is transferred to Central. Ed and Al found discover a new possible trail towards getting their bodies back, in the shape of a forbidden book which they spot in the background of a photo. Unwilling to leave any stone unturned, the two go visit the town where the bookstore holding the book used to be.
The bookstore is still there, but the original owner has died, and now it's run by his daughter-in-law, while her husband is perpetually running across the country to find new books, leaving her and her adopted Ishballan young son to take care of things alone. Ed and Al get invited to stay until they find the book they're looking for and get to know their two hosts.
Of course, things are never as simple as they seem - the original author of the forbidden book is still alive and running his highly illegal and completely mad experiments on blood and bodily regeneration, sending his creepy chimeras to attack people for spare ingredients. And naturally, Ed, Al and even Mustang get involved for an adventure that's more about family ties than about illegal experiments.
eatreadgamerepeat's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think its hovering somewhere between a 2.5-3 for me but I'm so sad about it. I wanted to love this, I was so excited starting this I didn't know too much about what the plot was supposed to be or what the characters were up to (I also wasn't sure exactly where in the timeline this was set) but either way I was just looking for a fun time.
Unfortunately the words that comes to my mind when describing this book is "let down" - I don't think there is anything awful or bad about it per se, but in the same breath there also isn't anything that is great about it either?
I will say that there is one thing that im not sure if its because of the translation from manga storytelling to novel storytelling (which are two completely different skills which is why I think its great they asked a different author to write it) or if its just a translation issue as in from Japanese to English but there were just some things that read oddly to me. Its fine tho, like if you want a fun story featuring Ed & Al before the FMA manga storyline.
Unfortunately the words that comes to my mind when describing this book is "let down" - I don't think there is anything awful or bad about it per se, but in the same breath there also isn't anything that is great about it either?
I will say that there is one thing that im not sure if its because of the translation from manga storytelling to novel storytelling (which are two completely different skills which is why I think its great they asked a different author to write it) or if its just a translation issue as in from Japanese to English but there were just some things that read oddly to me. Its fine tho, like if you want a fun story featuring Ed & Al before the FMA manga storyline.
gap_py's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
tjille1104's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0