explorebooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ravenwolf_waf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.5
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
Oh my God, this ridiculous melodramatic manga. I kept vacillating between insulting the characters -- these melodramatic fools! -- and loving on them helplessly because I am an emotional sucker. ;_; My feeling are complicated okay! Sometimes girls simultaneously want to hug a character and kick their shin and run away. Sometimes those girls are me.
Let's break this down by character then. I kind of want to shake Yuki because what do you even do with all this pure hearted naivety? What do you even do?! Oh my God Yuki, when a dude cold tries to murder you that's when you stop making excuses for him! Betrayal hurts but being killed hurts more I guarantee it. That is where you are headed if you keep this up.
Shusei I want to yell at for a minute and then possibly collapse into tears. You don't even understand, his plotline is ridiculous and melodramatic and also hits me right in the heart. I was more invested in the anime's take on it but considering I was riding the Overidentification Train through his whole arc in the anime and I'm more objective now, that's still pretty strongly invested. Fool! Have some friendship candy.
Hotsuma makes me laugh helplessly because this guy has so many feelings and I can't. I might have more in common with him than anyone else in this series because as you may have noticed I ran the emotional gamut reading this volume. Control thyself child! I will work on doing the same.
Touko and Tsukomo are adorable and my feelings on them are thankfully nothing more complex than that. I just love them, that's all. It's restful.
Lolololololol Luka. Character feelings? No. Deep amusement at how he is the fanserviciest dude to exist in a manga primarily consisting of gorgeously drawn guys? Oh yes.
Shirts are meant to cover your chest? I'm sorry ma'am, I don't think I quite follow your logic.
Basically are you into extreme melodrama bolstered by pretty art and a cast designed to pander to the female gaze hard? Than pick up Uraboku! You can join me here when you start yelling at the characters while riding the bus. Shh, it's okay honey. I understand. 3.5 stars
Let's break this down by character then. I kind of want to shake Yuki because what do you even do with all this pure hearted naivety? What do you even do?! Oh my God Yuki, when a dude cold tries to murder you that's when you stop making excuses for him! Betrayal hurts but being killed hurts more I guarantee it. That is where you are headed if you keep this up.
Shusei I want to yell at for a minute and then possibly collapse into tears. You don't even understand, his plotline is ridiculous and melodramatic and also hits me right in the heart. I was more invested in the anime's take on it but considering I was riding the Overidentification Train through his whole arc in the anime and I'm more objective now, that's still pretty strongly invested. Fool! Have some friendship candy.
Hotsuma makes me laugh helplessly because this guy has so many feelings and I can't. I might have more in common with him than anyone else in this series because as you may have noticed I ran the emotional gamut reading this volume. Control thyself child! I will work on doing the same.
Touko and Tsukomo are adorable and my feelings on them are thankfully nothing more complex than that. I just love them, that's all. It's restful.
Lolololololol Luka. Character feelings? No. Deep amusement at how he is the fanserviciest dude to exist in a manga primarily consisting of gorgeously drawn guys? Oh yes.
Shirts are meant to cover your chest? I'm sorry ma'am, I don't think I quite follow your logic.
Basically are you into extreme melodrama bolstered by pretty art and a cast designed to pander to the female gaze hard? Than pick up Uraboku! You can join me here when you start yelling at the characters while riding the bus. Shh, it's okay honey. I understand. 3.5 stars
opalamber's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kthompson9's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
sarahc_98's review against another edition
4.0
So. Much. Angst. But hey, sometimes that's what you crave in a story.
schomj's review against another edition
4.0
The first half of this volume focuses heavily on Hotsuma and Shuusei's relationship. We get some back-story on their pairing, and then Shuusei is kidnapped by the (hysterically over the top) villain Ashley. Hotsuma searches frantically for him, but Shuusei is convinced that Hotsuma is in love with Yuki and therefore doesn't need Shuusei anymore, so he doesn't fight for his freedom.
Then Yuki suffers a betrayal he has a hard time coping with, but in true Yuki fashion we get statements like this:
Finally, we learn more about why Luka won't tell Yuki about their relationship in Yuki's previous incarnation. ::swoon::
As in the first volume, the romantic elements of the various relationships are hinted at more than actually depicted... a longing glance here, the stroking of hair there... so this might not satisfy if you're looking for yaoi.
The battle against the Duras continues, and new characters are introduced who will probably be featured more in the next volume.
The translation is clear and I really appreciate the cultural notes at the end.
Very much looking forward to volume 3!
Then Yuki suffers a betrayal he has a hard time coping with, but in true Yuki fashion we get statements like this:
Maybe it's impossible for people to live their lives without hurting anyone, but there are things like warmth and kindness and the depth of feeling. The courage to take a single step. People are also the ones giving me precious things like that.
Finally, we learn more about why Luka won't tell Yuki about their relationship in Yuki's previous incarnation. ::swoon::
As in the first volume, the romantic elements of the various relationships are hinted at more than actually depicted... a longing glance here, the stroking of hair there... so this might not satisfy if you're looking for yaoi.
The battle against the Duras continues, and new characters are introduced who will probably be featured more in the next volume.
The translation is clear and I really appreciate the cultural notes at the end.
Very much looking forward to volume 3!
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