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kthompson9's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rcpope's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Slavery, and Trafficking
mackle13's review
4.0
3.5
The back of this volume says it's the last, and it looks like the anime it's based on only lasted one season... and I'm sad to see it go.
While not without its flaws (i.e. a sort of typical romance with the shy, awkward girl with the ugly duckling complex, and the dark, possibly dangerous, bad boy whose heart she changes) - it was a quick, fun and frothy sort of read complete with derring-do, danger and faeries, set in 1800s London.
Ah, yes... the perfect sort of brain candy.
Well, Lydia and Edgar, et al - I hardly knew ye, and I'm sad to see you go, especially since the story feels incomplete. I mean, the plot-arc is tied up, but there's a lot of unresolved stuff from the characters, and I think there's definitely room to grow the story.
I sort of hope that they decide, at some point, to expand beyond the anime and maybe continue the series.
The back of this volume says it's the last, and it looks like the anime it's based on only lasted one season... and I'm sad to see it go.
While not without its flaws (i.e. a sort of typical romance with the shy, awkward girl with the ugly duckling complex, and the dark, possibly dangerous, bad boy whose heart she changes) - it was a quick, fun and frothy sort of read complete with derring-do, danger and faeries, set in 1800s London.
Ah, yes... the perfect sort of brain candy.
Well, Lydia and Edgar, et al - I hardly knew ye, and I'm sad to see you go, especially since the story feels incomplete. I mean, the plot-arc is tied up, but there's a lot of unresolved stuff from the characters, and I think there's definitely room to grow the story.
I sort of hope that they decide, at some point, to expand beyond the anime and maybe continue the series.
absentminded_reader's review
4.0
The series concludes with this volume. I don't know if the novel went on to explore more, but this is all that was ever illustrated as a manga. I found it to be a satisfying series, though I wish I could have found out who the mastermind was. I wasn't sure if he and Edgar's slaver (revealed in this volume) were the same man.
However, I was pleased nonetheless. I enjoyed being in this world for all four volumes. My favorite moment in this volume was when Lydia tried to trap the hobgoblin's soul into a bottle, but ended up being trapped inside it instead. That was a surprise, and I'm not often surprised by manga. Her empty shell of a body was given to slavers, and Edgar became quite fierce with desperation to rescue her. Yet watching Edgar cradle the bottle protectively went a long way towards convincing the reader that he had feelings for her. Even Lydia's stubbornness had to acknowledge that in the end.
The story ended with the slaver and Fogman mysteries being solved and Lydia & Edgar's relationship in a state of warm friction. I had the feeling that their adventures continued on, but in a very positive direction. Good read.
However, I was pleased nonetheless. I enjoyed being in this world for all four volumes. My favorite moment in this volume was when Lydia tried to trap the hobgoblin's soul into a bottle, but ended up being trapped inside it instead. That was a surprise, and I'm not often surprised by manga. Her empty shell of a body was given to slavers, and Edgar became quite fierce with desperation to rescue her. Yet watching Edgar cradle the bottle protectively went a long way towards convincing the reader that he had feelings for her. Even Lydia's stubbornness had to acknowledge that in the end.
The story ended with the slaver and Fogman mysteries being solved and Lydia & Edgar's relationship in a state of warm friction. I had the feeling that their adventures continued on, but in a very positive direction. Good read.
nevertheless_zero's review
4.0
The anime was really good, but it was too short and it's really different from the manga. The manga was also short. We didn't even get a chance to see Prince and Kelpie. Whenever Edgar and Kelpie meets, it always makes me laugh when they fight. When I finished watching the anime, I thought the manga would have more to add on, but it didn't. It only talked about part of his past(the third and fourth volume anyway), and though that was interesting to read and we get learn more about Edgar, I was hoping that he and the Prince would have some kind of battle against each other or something. I was even more disappointed that Edgar and Lydia's relationship didn't change much. Even so, I was engulfed into this world of fairies and magical creatures. Thank you Ayuko for drawing and writing this story.
noveladdiction's review
3.0
Still good.
Edited to add: WHAT?! This is the end?! I wasn't prepared! I feel cheated! I might have to read this again just to come to terms with it.
Edited to add: WHAT?! This is the end?! I wasn't prepared! I feel cheated! I might have to read this again just to come to terms with it.
destdest's review against another edition
1.0
Story:
I don't understand the purpose of this manga. It seems like the mangaka tried to make the most unlikeable bunch of characters possible in sixteen chapters. The main characters are hard to connect with excluding Nico, and the story is more violent than I expected with a lot of blood and knives and guns.
Characters:
Edgar had no redeeming value; he was manipulative and abusive. He also choked a chick out with his bare hands and barely blinked, which is dark for a shoujo manga. I don't know if he loved his friends/servants or not,as one of his closest friends jumped off a cliff , and the guy got over it within two pages.
Lydia is a basic girl, who, at times, shows her independence only for Edgar to swoon her out of it. She's reminiscent of the classic horror movie chick because she doesn't know when to leave a creepy situation. Edgar has endangered her life enough, and the chick still doesn't know how to leave.When she was finally able to return home , I thought she had grown beyond Edgar, but apparently, his manipulation knew no bounds. Lydia should be thankful for her magical animal sidekick, Nico. I like that she wasn't “completely” spineless, but that is all.
Ermine is okay but like Raven, her undying loyalty to Edgar confuses me.Her ties to that prince were never explained well . Ermine and Raven are the only non-English characters, who I guess are Japanese or some other race. I wish she could have more personality than fawning over some guy.
Raven, a kid housing a murderous spirit, is an emotionless shell that would give his sanity and life to Edgar at a moment's notice. I wish this guy actually had a personality. He's like a living gun only existing for someone to pull the trigger.
Nico is my absolute favorite. He had common sense, leadership skills, and a cute fluffy tail.
Art:
The artwork is good. It meets the standard of crisp lines, fashionable clothes, and pretty scenery. The eyes are a bit blurry, though.
Overall:
In conclusion, I don't think this was a good story. I have read many cliche stories before that I have loved for one reason: the characters. In Hakushaku to Yousei, there is not one human character that I liked, and that is why I found this story a struggle to finish. Not to mention it had a lackluster ending. This manga may have worked better as a psychological story.
I don't understand the purpose of this manga. It seems like the mangaka tried to make the most unlikeable bunch of characters possible in sixteen chapters. The main characters are hard to connect with excluding Nico, and the story is more violent than I expected with a lot of blood and knives and guns.
Characters:
Edgar had no redeeming value; he was manipulative and abusive. He also choked a chick out with his bare hands and barely blinked, which is dark for a shoujo manga. I don't know if he loved his friends/servants or not,
Lydia is a basic girl, who, at times, shows her independence only for Edgar to swoon her out of it. She's reminiscent of the classic horror movie chick because she doesn't know when to leave a creepy situation. Edgar has endangered her life enough, and the chick still doesn't know how to leave.
Ermine is okay but like Raven, her undying loyalty to Edgar confuses me.
Raven, a kid housing a murderous spirit, is an emotionless shell that would give his sanity and life to Edgar at a moment's notice. I wish this guy actually had a personality. He's like a living gun only existing for someone to pull the trigger.
Nico is my absolute favorite. He had common sense, leadership skills, and a cute fluffy tail.
Art:
The artwork is good. It meets the standard of crisp lines, fashionable clothes, and pretty scenery. The eyes are a bit blurry, though.
Overall:
In conclusion, I don't think this was a good story. I have read many cliche stories before that I have loved for one reason: the characters. In Hakushaku to Yousei, there is not one human character that I liked, and that is why I found this story a struggle to finish. Not to mention it had a lackluster ending. This manga may have worked better as a psychological story.