Manga Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 7, by Aya Kanno

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: November 2017

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The intrigue and royal conspiracy in the Bard’s Richard III is given a dark manga twist that will appeal to aficionados of both comics and the classics.

Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, believes he is cursed, damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Based on an early draft of Shakespeare’s Richard III, Aya Kanno’s dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.

Review:

We see the realization at the beginning of this volume, and the subsequent downfall after. It's honestly heartbreaking.

Richard is reeling from this new knowledge, and he doesn't quite know how to cope. Cecily has no issues continuing with her plan, though. The two queens continue with their determinations for battle, and it ensues. There's manipulation and secret-identities; lots of blood and potential deaths.

It appears that York has won, but not happily. It's rough. And then, when Richard goes to see Henry, it's apparent that Cecily has gotten to him first.

This is honestly heartbreaking, and the worst moment I've read so far. It's awful, and I don't want to imagine what happens next. It can't be good.

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

Manga Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 6, by Aya Kanno

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: May 2017

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The intrigue and royal conspiracy in Shakepeare’s Richard III is given a dark manga twist that will appeal to aficionados of both comics and the classics.

Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, believes he is cursed, damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Based on an early draft of Shakespeare’s Richard III, Aya Kanno’s dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.

Review:

So the volume opens with Henry and Richard separating. They have to go their own ways again, but Henry wants them to be together again, without realizing Richard doesn't think that will be able to happen. It's sweet and sad.

Richard goes off to fight, with full intent of getting revenge on Henry for killing his father. Not realizing that both Henry's are the same. And Henry not realizing who Richard actually is.

A lot of this is building up to the cliffhanger in this volume. We've all been waiting for the big reveal, really. There have been hints all over the place, even some characters keeping quiet or trying to point it out. And it's not going to be good.

I feel bad for Henry, most of all. He really doesn't want any of this, he hates fighting and he doesn't want to rule. But he's been forced into this position, and he can't seem to get out of it. I just want him to be able to live out in the middle of nowhere with some farm animals. That would be so great.

Manga Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 1, by Aya Kanno

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: March 10, 2015

Volumes: 3+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, believes he is cursed, damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Based on an early draft of Shakespeare’s Richard III, Aya Kanno’s dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.

Richard’s father, the patriarch of the House of York, is poised to become king of medieval England during the bloody Wars of the Roses. But just as success is imminent, he is abruptly cut down. Plunged into despair, Richard acts out in revenge and must face a powerful and beautiful new enemy.

Review:

I’m a little unsure what to say about this book, honestly. Mostly because I’m a little confused.

I guess for disclaimers sake, I should say that I’ve always had a hard time with Shakespeare. His plays have always been confusing and hard to understand for me. Plus, I haven’t even read or seen the play this book is based off of. And this book seems to play in the same realm of writing, at least some of the time, with those books.

Now, this book is by the author of Otomen, so of course I was going to pick it up, either way. No doubt about that. And I intend to read more, hope it grows on me. And the artwork is so very pretty, too. When drawing anything, really, I love it; but for example, Richards expressions and his one eye showing is very impressionable.

The story line has me a little confused, but also a little curious. I think it’s the Shakespeare influence that I’m having a hard time with, but I kind of want to compare it to Kaori Yuki. Yuki’s series are always gorgeous and addicting, but also somewhat confusing at times. I got enough though to want to see what happens next.

Despite my hardship with this volume, I did somewhat enjoy it, and fully intend to pick up the next one. I’m interested to see what happens next. And more Aya Kanno is never a bad thing.

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