Manga Review: Pandora Hearts, Volume 1, by Jun Mochizuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: 2009

Volumes: 22+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The air of celebration surrounding fifteen-year-old Oz Vessalius' 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 turn, will they lead only to crushing despair for Oz, or will Alice provide him with some shred of hope?

Review:

I kind of can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get to this series. It seems like everyone online is already in love with it, and I’ve heard so many good things. I almost picked it up years ago, but then never did, and then the higher price put me off. But now, I’m finally starting it.

I was expecting this to start at least somewhat slowly, so I don’t mind that. I’m not fully drawn in yet. Mostly, I’m curious. I’m still not quite sure what is going on with Oz, and while I have an idea, I’m intrigued by Alice. We met quite a few other characters, and I want to get to know them, but haven’t really got a sense for who they are yet.

The art work is very pretty, for sure. The humor is there, though not brought to the forefront yet, and I’m sure that’ll get better with time.

Overall, a pretty good beginning. I’m intrigued, and already looking forward to the next one. I know I’m going to fall in love with this series, so I can’t wait for that to happen.