Reviews

Black Butler, Vol. 14 by Yana Toboso

yokai_garden's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

theseventhl's review

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4.0

The best part of Black Butler's fourteenth volume is not the main story. Let's be real for a moment. We all know this boat is going down and everybody is dying like Yana Toboso is reenacting the Red Wedding on the water. No, for me, what makes this volume stand out from the others is our trip down memory lane through Sebastian's cinematic record, invoked thanks to a certain shinigami's scythe. It is seeing how Sebastian and Ciel became what we know them as: the Earl of Phantomhive and 'one hell of a butler'. It's an origin story that has been books and books in the making and now it is finally here and it is great.

You can read my complete review of BLACK BUTLER volume fourteen at my blog, Nagareboshi Reviews: http://nagareboshi-reviews.blogspot.com/

lizicle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

diamondperfume's review against another edition

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adventurous

4.75

coffeedragon's review

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5.0

The case of the undead on the Campania finally "comes to an end"...at least for now. We finally see Sebastian at his weakest (thus far) and it makes me curious how much power he has, can release, and how infallible he really is. We get a lighthearted Easter section right before we jump into the next case. Surprisingly, not much has happened in the long run even though we're now on volume 14. So far we've only had spotlight cases where we learn a bit about why Ciel decided it was worth contracting himself to a demon. But what exactly (or who) will make the contract complete? Not much regarding the Phantomhive tragedy has been investigated or revealed

Rated this 5/5 because of the first half of the book but the Easter section is a bit of a break after all the chaos on the Campania

heyjudy's review

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4.0

~4-4.5/5

[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]

The ship and zombie plot concludes in this volume. It’s very intense and titanic-y. The first chapter is a continuation of when Ciel and Sebastian first started their agreement, and it’s awesome. Then we get back to the present, and Sebastian is all intense, saving his master, and that’s awesome. It’s such a new side to him, since he’s usually so calm. And there’s a scene where Ciel commands something of him and he turns all dark.

Sebastian has never been my favorite character, although I’ve always liked him, but I love seeing his calm demeanor ruined. Like by getting flustered saving Ciel, or killing with vigor. Or, back during the Circus plot, when he was being seductive and suave. I want to see more of him, get inside his mind more. And it seems like Toboso is exploring his character more, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Anyway, there’s battle and blood and death, fighting all over the place, Ciel coughing. Then things calm down, somewhat, for an Easter chapter. A little reprieve for Elizabeth to throw a party. Only, we get to see that she’s worried about Ciel, and about their relationship. And concerned and curious about what happened to him while he was gone (back before he showed up with Sebastian). It’s a very funny chapter, and I love seeing Ciel working hard to do something nice, to take care of, Elizabeth. I really want to see their relationship develop, to see him be honest and open with her, and her to become a bigger, closer part of his life. I’m assuming that’ll take a while, though.

Especially since the last chapter of the volume starts off with a new plotline. Ciel is going undercover at some private school. We haven’t learned much yet, but it’s obvious something is going on with the students, and the prefects of each dorm. That will be fun. Plus, Sebastian is going undercover as a teacher, so that’s sure to be interesting.

Good things ahead, and I’m excited!

hopefullucifer's review against another edition

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5.0

Hay que apreciar la gran transición que logró Yana Toboso en el capítulo 63, cuando volvemos de los recuerdos (Cinematic Record) de Sebastian al presente, donde intenta con todas sus fuerzas llegar a Ciel. Esa transición me pareció estupenda.
Con respecto a esa misma escena, otra vez Yana nos demuestra su habilidad para expresar los “sentimientos” o estado mental de los personajes a través de su pluma. La expresión facial de Sebastian en ese último momento antes de llegar a Ciel, me recordó inmediatamente al de un depredador que se rehusa a perder a su presa. Alucinante.

En el capítulo 64: reeeeescatamos la tremenda golpiza que le da Sebastian a Ronald cuando creíamos que estaba destrozado y debilitado pero no gurl, no.
Ah! Y cuando Ciel consigue agarrar entre sus manos el collar que siempre lleva Undertaker, significando que claramente va a volver a por el. Además, no nos olvidemos de la cara de Undertaker cuando pierde el collar. Tengámoslo en cuenta.
Otra cosa que me encantó de este capítulo tiene que ver con la capacidad de Yana de tomar momentos históricos y darles otra causa. Por ejemplo, el hundimiento del crucero y su quiebre (como el Titanic). En este caso, el quiebre se debe al ataque de Undertaker con su DeathScythe, demostrando lo poderoso que es.

Capítulo 65: Aparece Will y lo amamos

yashirolevi's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

it's the last few consecutive story arcs that are like, made for me. they're so goooood, this ciel going to high school part? hello? yes? 

ladywren890's review against another edition

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challenging tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No

4.25

andreavisbal240's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0