Manga Review: Kiss of the Rose Princess, Volume 9, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4
Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Volumes: 9.
Spoilers?: Light.
Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble.
Volume: 1. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anise Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being falls from the sky and hits her. Anise is granted four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?!


The identity of the Silver Rose is revealed, and Anise learns that her father has been captured by the Society. In order to rescue him, Anise must confront her true enemy...and choose her fate!

Review:

The final volume! We finally get to see what led up to Anise’s fathers plans, why he’s done what he did, how he fell in love with her mother. It’s a sweet, sad story. And then Mitsuru’s family’s evil plans are exposed and brought to a head.
But I must say that the ending was a little anti-climactic. There isn’t much of a big fight scene. While Kaede becomes open about his feelings for Anise, she doesn’t openly return them. I’m a bit disappointed with all of that, honestly, though I’m not too surprised. I expected some of it.
I’m not surprised by the non-fight ending. The whole series has been doing that so far. But I did want more of a romantic wrap-up. I do like the way that the friendships wrapped up, though, particularly Mitsuru and Mutsuki’s.
I did enjoy this series, and it had an okay ending, even though I wanted more for it.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kiss of the Rose Princess, Volume 8, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2016

Volumes: 9.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anise Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being falls from the sky and hits her. Anise is granted four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?!

Review:

Some feelings between Kaede and Anise is broached, but since it’s in the middle of a battle, nothing is resolved there. I do like the way that Kaede doesn’t shy from his feelings here, though. He just likes her, all their serious jobs aside, and it’s sweet.

Lots of showdowns in this volume, though. Mutsuki fights with his brother once and for all, facing his feelings about that. We also see how close Mutsuki and Mitsuru really are, even if they fight it. Seiran fights for Anise, showing how much he really cares for them all. The fake princess stands off with Anise, and the Lime rose is there to help Anise later.

And then we end with Anise facing the last fake rose, in a final stand-off. The next volume is the last, and we’ll see how it all ends.

I’m excited, as I’ve really enjoyed this series so far.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kiss of the Rose Princess, Volume 7, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2015

Volumes: 9.

Spoilers?: Some.

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

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anise Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being falls from the sky and hits her. Anise is granted four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?!

Review:

Things are starting to heat up in this series.

Mutsuki is tempted by his brother, because of his feelings for Anise. This leads to a surprising betrayal, and a messy one. And I will say I’m not a huge fan of Mutsuki’s actions toward Anise here, he's more forceful than I would like. Although it does push Anise and Kaede to consider their feelings for each other more seriously, but that part is just starting to develop.

The fake princess is terrible, as are most of her knights. Unlike Lime and Orange, who are super sweet together in their brother-like relationship, and their friendship with Anise. I like the insight we get into Orange and Lime, an idea of who they are and where they come from.

Then there’s the cliffhanger, which makes me excited for the next one. I can’t wait to read it.

Manga Review: Kiss of the Rose Princess, Volume 6, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Volumes: 9

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anise Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being falls from the sky and hits her. Anise is granted four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?! 

Review:

We get to find out what Mutsuki’s dark past entails in this volume. What happened so long ago with his brother. It’s sad, for both of them.

Mostly, I’m really liking the dynamic between Anise and the knights. They’re all very devoted to her, caring and protective in their own ways, strong in their positions as her knights even if they’re fighting to be more. They all care about each other, in their ways. Although I’m hoping more attention focuses on Seiran soon, as clearly he’s been falling in the background for her affections.

Although, of course, I’m the biggest fan of Kaede, and there’s some jealousy brewing from Anise in this volume. I do like how they’re both slowly but surely being pushed to realize their feelings for each other.

I’m just plain enjoying this series. I think the art is gorgeous (god, the color pages!), and I’m in love with the characters. The humor works for me, the main plot is interesting, even if the growing list of enemies and fakes are becoming a bit much. I’m looking forward to the next volume.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, and Erik Jansen from MediaLab PR. Thank you so, so much!