Description (from Goodreads): When one curtain falls upon the big top stage, another rises behind the scenes, as young Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his virtuoso butler, Sebastian, face off against the villain behind the missing children. But as Sebastian, under orders from his master, single-handedly draws the gruesome tale to its sad conclusion on one front, battle lines are drawn on another! With the masterless Phantomhive Manor under attack from the Noah's Ark Circus and Sebastian nowhere nearby to protect its inhabitants, is Ciel's home once again headed for the same tragedy that took the lives of the young earl's parents?Review: Black Butler is a genre bending manga that combines historical fiction humor, supernatural, and horror. The plot arcs can begin on a bleak note but at its halfway mark turn to a slapstick comedy or in the case of the eighth episode an out and out battle.
As you may recall, the seventh volume of Black Butler gives us important background information regarding the circus that Ciel and Sebastian have been ordered to investigate by Queen Victoria after many children have been kidnapped. The circus master is completely deranged and has used the children, almost always orphaned and deformed, for various body parts for his own 'plastic surgery' in order to achieve bodily perfection. Volume eight rounds out the circus arc in nonstop action until the very dark and disturbing ending. The Joker and his crew have arrived to Phantomhive to avenge the death of their master. You can't help pity them when it is revealed what they were fighting for and the lies they were told.
I was surprised quite a few times while reading this volume. Unlike the previous volumes where Sebastian routinely steals the show, it is the servants of the Phantomhive that surprises and delights the readers in unveiling hidden talents. I knew they had to be worthy of something besides being there in the manga for slapstick humor. Another thing that really shocked me is how Ciel handled the problem of the missing children locked in cages. It is very easy to forget that Ciel is merely a boy but Toboso reminds us vividly when Ciel acts upon his emotions, particularly fear and rage, instead of a cool mind when he does the impossible.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong violence throughout this volume. There is also some language. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.
If you like this book try: Blue Exorcist series by Kazue Kato, Soul Eater series by Atsushi Ohkubo
"It is very easy to forget that Ciel is merely a boy but Toboso reminds us vividly when Ciel acts upon his emotions, particularly fear and rage, instead of a cool mind when he does the impossible."
ReplyDeleteWell that's a heck of a way to end the review Rummanah! You sure know how to make a girl want to pick up the 8th volume of a manga she hasn't read the 7 prior volumes of just so she can see what happens with Ciel! I want to know what he does:)
Hm... curious. I'm with Jenny... I wanna know!
ReplyDeleteI do watch manga from time to time... I still need to pick some of it up to read! You always make me want to do that with these posts.
I've forgotten about this series. I wonder if my library has it. The Victorian setting makes me think of the Emma series. You've read that right?
ReplyDeleteThis series really sounds like it has some meat to it. I can't imagine all those things combined, especially slapstick and horror, but if you say so, I believe you. Again, one I'll have to look for.
ReplyDeleteHeather