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ellelainey's review against another edition
5.0
Lesson learned? Maybe.
A whole lot of people are learning lessons in Vol. 7. And we got another piece of Katsuragi's parentage puzzle, though it's far from complete. I absolutely loved the smart, almost underhanded way Akihito went about getting the information out of the eldest Katsuragi, and that both (legitimate) Katsuragi sons helped him.
There's a real conflict of loyalty in this series, and I love how it's frequently ebbing and flowing. One minute, the eldest Katsuragi son can't abide Akihito because he's a child, and the next he's grudgingly impressed by him, and willing to help his machinations see fruition. I think the change of loyalties reflect how mature Akihito has become. Even Amamiya has changed his perception of Akihito. He's no longer a little boy being guided, manoeuvred and controlled by Katsuragi, but he's become his own man, an independent piece, moving independently of Katsuragi, and sometimes counter to his wishes. I really believe that all these adults who bow so easily to Katsuragi - his brothers, Amamiya, the Marquise and even Soichiro's father - see Akihito besting Katsuragi and realise the real power he has and that they lack.
I loved that some more of Akihito's plotting fell into place, here. All along, I've loved Akihito and Soichiro's friendship, because it's pure and they fight but they always end up best friends again. They don't care about status or using each other. But I'm honestly not sure what the heck Soichiro's father is thinking or plotting. There's been a few hints about Soichiro taking over the Kuze house - or at least being capable of it, with the right temperament and ideals - which would be a super interesting twist, but I don't quite follow the "how" or "why" Soichiro's father would allow it, except to advance the family somehow. I'll have to wait and see how that part pans out in the final volume.
The UST and the angst got a little holiday, in this volume. Katsuragi and Akihito came to a kind of stalemate, here, both realising they're always at odds and arguing, so they wisely took some time apart, got some space from each other, and it seems to have worked. Katsuragi found something he LOVES to do - for himself, and not for anyone else. And when Akihito discovered that...I melted. He so desperately wants Katsuragi to find out who he is, without the shadow of the Kuze house, or any other, hanging over his head. More than anything, I think Katsuragi will become his own man, find his place in the world, all because Akihito gave him the freedom, the confidence, and changed his thinking to make it possible. I'm not sure he would ever have taken the initiative himself, or would have realised just how unhappy and lonely he was, until Akihito showed him.
And...miracle of all miracles...they're talking! For once! Without shouting or jumping out of their clothes. (Though I'm certainly not complaining about either of those!)
And, now the time comes for Volume 8. The only one I haven't read yet. The one I've been waiting for, since it was released in November. I even pre-ordered the paperback, so I'd have it the minute it was released and...I've been a chicken. I couldn't bring myself to read it. I wanted to binge 1-8, complete, without a break, and I didn't want to do it because it would mean the series was over.
Blue Morning has become one of those rare series where I've rated EVERY book in the series 5*. There are only a handful of series - whether yaoi, manga or novels - that have gotten that praise from me, and I sincerely hope Volume 8 doesn't break that streak. And the only way to know is to read it...
---
Ah, time for my favourite panel!
I chose this panel, despite its simplicity, because it's everything I've been waiting for! For Katsuragi and Akihito to sit down like two adults and actually talk!
Now, I admit I removed a corner panel from this one, because it wouldn't have made any sense in this context. But, for me, this is one of THE most pivotal moments of the series, so far. It's the moment when Katsuragi actually tells Akihito just how important he is. And NOTHING is more important than that.
A whole lot of people are learning lessons in Vol. 7. And we got another piece of Katsuragi's parentage puzzle, though it's far from complete. I absolutely loved the smart, almost underhanded way Akihito went about getting the information out of the eldest Katsuragi, and that both (legitimate) Katsuragi sons helped him.
There's a real conflict of loyalty in this series, and I love how it's frequently ebbing and flowing. One minute, the eldest Katsuragi son can't abide Akihito because he's a child, and the next he's grudgingly impressed by him, and willing to help his machinations see fruition. I think the change of loyalties reflect how mature Akihito has become. Even Amamiya has changed his perception of Akihito. He's no longer a little boy being guided, manoeuvred and controlled by Katsuragi, but he's become his own man, an independent piece, moving independently of Katsuragi, and sometimes counter to his wishes. I really believe that all these adults who bow so easily to Katsuragi - his brothers, Amamiya, the Marquise and even Soichiro's father - see Akihito besting Katsuragi and realise the real power he has and that they lack.
I loved that some more of Akihito's plotting fell into place, here. All along, I've loved Akihito and Soichiro's friendship, because it's pure and they fight but they always end up best friends again. They don't care about status or using each other. But I'm honestly not sure what the heck Soichiro's father is thinking or plotting. There's been a few hints about Soichiro taking over the Kuze house - or at least being capable of it, with the right temperament and ideals - which would be a super interesting twist, but I don't quite follow the "how" or "why" Soichiro's father would allow it, except to advance the family somehow. I'll have to wait and see how that part pans out in the final volume.
The UST and the angst got a little holiday, in this volume. Katsuragi and Akihito came to a kind of stalemate, here, both realising they're always at odds and arguing, so they wisely took some time apart, got some space from each other, and it seems to have worked. Katsuragi found something he LOVES to do - for himself, and not for anyone else. And when Akihito discovered that...I melted. He so desperately wants Katsuragi to find out who he is, without the shadow of the Kuze house, or any other, hanging over his head. More than anything, I think Katsuragi will become his own man, find his place in the world, all because Akihito gave him the freedom, the confidence, and changed his thinking to make it possible. I'm not sure he would ever have taken the initiative himself, or would have realised just how unhappy and lonely he was, until Akihito showed him.
And...miracle of all miracles...they're talking! For once! Without shouting or jumping out of their clothes. (Though I'm certainly not complaining about either of those!)
And, now the time comes for Volume 8. The only one I haven't read yet. The one I've been waiting for, since it was released in November. I even pre-ordered the paperback, so I'd have it the minute it was released and...I've been a chicken. I couldn't bring myself to read it. I wanted to binge 1-8, complete, without a break, and I didn't want to do it because it would mean the series was over.
Blue Morning has become one of those rare series where I've rated EVERY book in the series 5*. There are only a handful of series - whether yaoi, manga or novels - that have gotten that praise from me, and I sincerely hope Volume 8 doesn't break that streak. And the only way to know is to read it...
---
Ah, time for my favourite panel!
I chose this panel, despite its simplicity, because it's everything I've been waiting for! For Katsuragi and Akihito to sit down like two adults and actually talk!
Now, I admit I removed a corner panel from this one, because it wouldn't have made any sense in this context. But, for me, this is one of THE most pivotal moments of the series, so far. It's the moment when Katsuragi actually tells Akihito just how important he is. And NOTHING is more important than that.
niovski's review
hopeful
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jay_mack9712's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Oh I think we are finally wrapping up all the political drama. It certainly feels like the dust is now settling! So I am excited ! Both characters are getting amazing character growth which is something that is so nice to read about! I am looking forward to seeing how this wraps up!
ladydewinter's review against another edition
5.0
*flails* I need an extra star for Katsuragi's *face* in the last chapter omg. That was fantastic. I'm still not sure how it is all supposed to play out in the end, but there is a lot of good things happening in this volume. Definitely one of the best BL manga out there. And just gorgeous, too.
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