Black Butler is a fun, strange manga that blends Victorian, gothic, horror, and comedy characteristics. It's this fitting combination that keeps me reading. The mysterious relationship between Ciel Phantonville and his too good to be true butler, Sebastian, is very intriguing and with each volume becomes more complex as we learn more backstory. I just finished reading volume 3 of this manga.
Description (from Amazon): Terrorizing its populace, Jack the Ripper has shaken London to its very core. But when Sebastian Michaelis, singular butler of the Phantomhive house, lays bare the madman's true identity, all that is left for him to do is eliminate the perpetrator in the name of the Queen and Phantomhive. But inhumanly efficient skills don't guarantee victory when the opponent is just as supernaturally gifted! And though Sebastian may be able to save Ciel from physical harm in the battle that ensues, will the young earl ever recover from the emotional scars it will leave on his heart?
Review: Volume three picks up right where the second volume ends. The the mystery surrounding the identity of “Jack the Ripper,” comes to an inevitable climax. The mystery of the infamous serial killer is also closely linked to Ciel's family history. In this volume we also learn what happened in the 12 year old's past and how he came to be earl and run one of the most powerful toy companies in Great Britain. His past is tragic and what he learns in this volume will have create additional emotional scars on him.
As avid mystery readers know, the culprit of the crime has been introduced earlier in the story. It just left for the reader to identity the "who" and the "why". There is a supernatural twist to the mystery and a showdown between Sebastian and Jack the Ripper is an added bonus for those who love action. Like its previous installments, the manga is prevented from being steeped into darkness with a touch of light humor. The conclusing panels of this volume introduces a pair of handsome men who seem to jump out of the Arabian Nights and I'm sure will play an imporant role in the next volumes.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong violence and language. Rated OT for Older Teens.
If you like this book try: Black Butler Vol 4 by Yana Toboso, Godchild series by Kaori Yuki, Vampire Knight series by Matsuri Hino
Description (from Amazon): Terrorizing its populace, Jack the Ripper has shaken London to its very core. But when Sebastian Michaelis, singular butler of the Phantomhive house, lays bare the madman's true identity, all that is left for him to do is eliminate the perpetrator in the name of the Queen and Phantomhive. But inhumanly efficient skills don't guarantee victory when the opponent is just as supernaturally gifted! And though Sebastian may be able to save Ciel from physical harm in the battle that ensues, will the young earl ever recover from the emotional scars it will leave on his heart? Review: Volume three picks up right where the second volume ends. The the mystery surrounding the identity of “Jack the Ripper,” comes to an inevitable climax. The mystery of the infamous serial killer is also closely linked to Ciel's family history. In this volume we also learn what happened in the 12 year old's past and how he came to be earl and run one of the most powerful toy companies in Great Britain. His past is tragic and what he learns in this volume will have create additional emotional scars on him.
As avid mystery readers know, the culprit of the crime has been introduced earlier in the story. It just left for the reader to identity the "who" and the "why". There is a supernatural twist to the mystery and a showdown between Sebastian and Jack the Ripper is an added bonus for those who love action. Like its previous installments, the manga is prevented from being steeped into darkness with a touch of light humor. The conclusing panels of this volume introduces a pair of handsome men who seem to jump out of the Arabian Nights and I'm sure will play an imporant role in the next volumes.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong violence and language. Rated OT for Older Teens.
If you like this book try: Black Butler Vol 4 by Yana Toboso, Godchild series by Kaori Yuki, Vampire Knight series by Matsuri Hino
Labels:
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Black Butler,
Death,
England,
Friendship,
Horror,
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Mystery,
Supernatural,
Victorian
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Are there usually multiple mysteries taking place manga volumes? I thought it would be the continuation of a single story or group of characters, but it sounds like this one wrapped up the Jack the Ripper storyline and is going to launch into something new in the next volume. Super interesting:)
Most of the ones I've read, Jenny, usually focuses on one mystery for the plot arc of a manga. I don't know if the next volume will wrap up that storyline before jumping into another one. I ordered the other volumes from the library so I'll have to wait and see!
This definitely sounds interesting. I'm going to look out for it. I like stories that have a dark edge but include some humor as well. I think any book should be a mixture - funny books should have serious moments in them and vice versa. Adds depth.