Manga Review: The Earl and the Fairy, Volume 4, by Ayuko and Mizue Tani

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5 (maybe up to four)

Publisher: VIZ Media (Shojo Beat)

Volumes: 4

Goodreads Synopsis:

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.

Available on Amazon.

Review:

This was a pretty nice ending to the series. It got a bit (only a bit, not overly so) intense there for a while.

So, the last book ended with Lydia being locked up in some abandoned warehouse, and… Um, she finds that she’s not the only one there, and then Nico shows up, and then Edgar and Raven show up. They find out something much darker is going on, and Edgar has a big confrontation with Rosalie (which was great), and… some other stuff happens until the case is solved. I don’t want to ruin everything, since this is the last volume, so I’m not going to go into any more details on that.

The final fight, or whatever, scene was a little anticlimactic, which was a bit disappointing. It’s just… so much was worked up to it, and then it just kind of happened, there wasn’t some big move to do it, Edgar and Lydia barely even had any part in bringing that plot to a close. It seemed a little like not a lot of effort or thought was put into it, like maybe the author only had a certain amount of pages to work with, and she’d already used up so much. But maybe that’s just me.

The romance actually had a rather satisfying end, in my opinion. There were some sweet scenes between Lydia and Edgar, and while there wasn’t any kissing or real confessions or anything, they’re friendly with each other and are going to continue working with each other, and it’s at least hinting that something is probably going to happen in the future. Of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing any of that, but it’s a pretty good end for the two, considering; this didn’t seem like the type of manga that would have had some big confession or over-the-top romantic scene, anyway, so what happened was good for me.

Given my mediocre feelings toward most of the series prior to this book, I would say that this was a rather good ending, especially since I even upped the rating about half a star. This was a very nice ending to the series; I’m happy with it.

Manga Review: The Earl and the Fairy, Volume 3, by Ayuko and Mizue Tani

Rating (Out of 5): ~3-3.5

Publisher: VIZ Media (Shojo Beat)

Volumes: 4

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!

Lydia and Edgar have returned to London after their adventure on the Isle of Manan. But life in the capital is no respite for the weary travelers. A being called the Fogman stalks the night streets, snatching children all around town. And it may have something to do with Edgar’s dark past…

Available on Amazon.

Review:

I like this series enough, it’s not one of my favorites, but I am looking forward to seeing how it ends. I think what my problem with this series is, and I’ve just now kind of put a word to it, is that it has a displaced, distant feeling to it. Which isn’t always particularly a bad thing, it’s just making it hard for me to really get connected with any of the characters or the storylines, which is a bit upsetting considering how intense and exciting it could really be.

Anyway, this volume started a new story arch, in which all these children are going missing, and Edgar suspects that there could be some kind of fairy involved, so he calls up Lidia. Lydia meets with the sister of one of the missing girls, starts wondering about it, while also having a bit of a hard time being around Edgar. Her being uncomfortable doesn’t help when she’s maybe-almost attacked and Raven steps in and (I think) kills both the man and the dog right in front of her, without hesitating. That, understandably, freaks her out a bit. Throughout all of this, also, Nico is being very wary and untrustworthy.

The case is moving forward slowly, but the maybe/light romance is moving forward a bit slowly as well. Edgar keeps saying things that make Lydia blush, but then she goes home to her father and finds him chatting with a Mr. Langley, a man who obviously has an interest in Lydia. And Edgar looks a bit perturbed when he stops by and sees her reactions to him, especially when he gives her flowers and she’s delighted. Mr. Langley is cute, and a bit adorable, and kind of shy and whatnot, but I think I’m a bit partial to Edgar, if only because I’ve been prepped for that since the beginning.

And then Edgar takes Lydia to check out this place, where a party is happening, and she sees a fairy trying to cause trouble, who we find out is doing it for a Ms. Rosalie, who has a big thing for Edgar, and is up to something to get him all to herself. But actually, the creature is working for some darker, more powerful demon, while pretending to work for Rosalie but is actually using her.

Edgar doesn’t protest when Lydia leaves their outing early, and he stays a bit longer with Rosalie, which upsets Lydia a bit. And then the volume ends with Rosalie tricking Lydia and locking her into some abandoned building.

Rosalie is obviously up to no good, and the missing children case is moving forward, with several suspicions that include Rosalie and this fairy-type stone, and maybe even Edgar.

The next volume is the last, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this story wraps up. (I’m suspecting the romance is going to be open-ended, but I can deal with that.)

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.

Manga Review: The Earl and The Fairy, Volume 1, by Ayuko

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Media (Shojo Beat)

Volumes: 4

Goodreads Synopsis:

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 Ashenbert claims to be descended from the human ruler of the fairy kingdom, and he urgently needs Lydia’s help to find and claim his birthright, the legendary sword of the Blue Knight Earl. Things will never be the same for Lydia as she is pulled into a dangerous quest against dark forces!

Review:

I always get so excited when Shojo Beat releases new manga. I've read a majority of their titles, and usually try, and like, their new ones. There are probably only a handful that I haven't read, honestly. This one wasn't any different.

I only read the top description on the back of this before I got it (intentionally this time, though), and so again I kind of took it at face value. The art looks very sketch-y, and so I was worried that I wouldn't like it, but I did. It looked like it would be an elegant, light read, so I was surprised when I started it and found that it was a bit more heavy, dark, than I'd thought. In a good way, though. It's also set in an earlier, European time, which seems to be happening a lot lately. I don't mind it, though, even really like it, which is very different to when it comes to novels. Maybe because I get to see the elegance, and because of the clothes?

(Anyway:) It starts by showing us a guy (who we later find outs' name is Edgar Ashenbert, Earl of Ibrazel) threatening some guy with a gun for information about some jewel, and he's told about a fairy doctor that can help him. Then it goes to the fairy doctor, Lydia Carlton, who can see and talk to fairies and creatures that most people don't believe in. She gets a letter from her father and goes to see him, but on her way, she gets unknowingly kidnapped, and then saved by Edgar.

Edgar is apparently a descendant of a Blue Knight from a fairy tale, and he needs Lydia's help to find the sword, encrusted with the jewel, that the Blue Knight left behind somewhere. There are some clues, but he needs Lydia's fairy knowledge to find out what they mean.

Lydia, and her fairy-cat Nico, don't trust him. They don't know what to make of him, and there are rumors going around of a guy who killed a hundred people in America and possibly the same guy who harmed (killed?) a man named Gotham, with a description very like Edgar's. Nico is suspicious, and while Lydia is as well, she still kind of trusts him. She's very kindhearted, and when he protects her, and explains some things to her, in a sob-story kind of way, it makes her stay.

I'm liking... all of the characters, I think. Lydia maybe needs to smarten, toughen, up some, but I do like her. Edgar seems a bit devious, dark, and sad, and I want to know more about him. And Edgar has two servants, Ermine and Raven, who have a dark past that's hinted at (like Edgar's is) and are, particularly Raven, are prone to fighting. I'm looking forward to finding out more about them. All of them.

The story line is good, too. There's still some mystery as to who, exactly, Edgar is, which Lydia seems to be finding out. His servants, as well. And they're trying to find out where the sword is, while also running from, and fighting, Gotham's family, who are also trying to find the sword. The Gotham gang has been trying to convince Lydia that they are the good guys, but I'm pretty sure that Edgar is. By the end of the volume, though, Lydia has decided not to run from him; they are going to stick it out together, which is good.

Oh, also, another Gotham (I'm a bit confused about all of these Gothams that are showing up, because I don't think the one they're fighting and this one are the same?) goes to Lydia's father, who is already pretty sure that Lydia is the one that was kidnapped from the ship at the beginning of the volume, and convinces him they need to work together to find her. Things are just getting set in motion, it seems.

The mystery and darkness of the story I wasn't expecting, but I'm rather enjoying it. I'm enjoying all of it, really, and am a bit excited for the next one.