Manga Review: The Earl and the Fairy, Volume 2, by Ayuko and Mizue Tani

Rating (Out of 5): ~3-3.5

Publisher: VIZ Media (Shojo Beat)

Volumes: 4

Spoilers?: Somewhat; vague

Goodreads Synopsis:

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences rated teen. Lydia Carlton is a fairy doctor,one of the few people with the ability to see the magical creatures who share our world. During one of her rare trips to London to visit her father, Lydia’s quiet life is suddenly transformed when she is rescued from kidnappers by a mysterious young man!

Edgar and his small band must travel to the Isle of Manan, once home to the Blue Knight Earl. But the island is surrounded by merfolk, whose tragic songs cause rough seas and shipwrecks. And even if Edgar and his companions reach the island, they face death if it turns out he isn’t a true heir to the Earl...

Review:

The artwork in this series is really pretty. That and the fact it’s from VIZ is what made me first pick it. It has a really gorgeous look, and a maybe wistful, airy feel to it, even if the plot isn’t so. I am enjoying this series so far, but I would like to be more excited for it. It’s not even all that slow, it just… doesn’t have me anticipating the next book. Yet, hopefully.

In this volume, the group is still looking for that sword, and they’re staying at some guys’ place (or maybe it’s a hotel? Something like that). Lydia glimpses upon an intimate moment between Edgar and Ermine, and speculates on their relationship, a bit upset even though she’s unsure why. She also doesn’t really have any reason to be, but I’m okay with overlooking that. They then go to some island, where what they’re looking for is supposed to be residing. Edgar and Lydia start searching the place, despite the fact that the current owner of the place told them that a lot of people have looked and haven’t returned.

While searching, they run into Huxley’s gang again, who now has Lydia’s father. There’re some threats thrown around, her father doesn’t really know what’s going on but is worried about her over all else, and when Ermine and Lydia run off, they are taken captive. After getting free, the group now together again, they come upon a balcony, where something happens with one of them. We’re told, at one point, that Edgar saved the two from someone who has a particular interest in Ermine, and she’s been having a hard time dealing with it. Some of them are upset, but continue on.

They’re kind of racing with Huxley’s gang to find whatever it is they’re looking for first, going through a bit of a maze, or puzzle, to get there, which is where Lydia’s fairy knowledge comes in handy. When they finally get to the hidden place, they find a merrow in human form, which is essentially a mermaid. Upon finding the sword, they argue about it a bit, and Lydia already ‘knows’ that Edgar planned on using her as the sacrifice. There’s an altercation about that, then with the Huxley gang, then with the merrow people.

I don’t want to give everything away, and talking about the end of the volume would be, so I’m not going to do it. You want to find out what my vague synopsis means, go read the book.

I found the ending to be rather interesting and well done, and am looking forward to the next volume. It should be moving into a new story arc, so I'm interested to see what's next. I hope I like the next couple volumes more, and already know I’m going to stick with it, especially since there are only two more volumes.