Reviews

This omnibus has done the best at marrying the drama of Oscar's private/love life and the people rising up in protest against the aristocracy, poverty, Marie Antoinette and her lavish spending. Alongside that, you can really see how Oscar is wrestling with her own loyalties to the crown and her countrymen, as well as the powers she exerts as a leader in the military. In fact a big theme in this collection is control- the people fighting for votes in Parlement, Oscar trying to get her regiment to take her seriously, Marie Antoinette and Co. figuring how best to raise taxes in order to fund their spending, etc. As we end the last volume, we are on the precipice of war, Oscar and Andre have declared their love, the people are set to riot...and sure, like Oscar said, we're just marching...we won't be called to turn our swords on our own people.

akookieforyou's review

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5.0

My heart honestly can't take it, this volume has seriously stressed me out! I know how this story has to end, and I'm just not ready for it. Everything is progressively getting worse and worse in Paris and the revolution is fully starting. Despite all of that, I'm still completely hooked on this story, and can't stop thinking about it.

My favorite storyline in this volume (barring spoilers of course) is the development of Oscar and Andre's relationship. It's absolutely beautiful and I really love them together. If anything is going to make me cry in the finale, it'll be them.

gardenofbooks's review

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emotional informative tense 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? No

3.75

susyhendrix's review

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adventurous dark emotional sad slow-paced

mootastic's review

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4.0

This volume focuses on the build-up right before the French Revolution really kicks off. Tempers are rising, lines have been drawn, and all other options to resolve the class disparity have failed. The tension in this series is real and the story only gets better as it continues. I'm very excited to read the next volume.

There's a lot to like about this series, but I think Ikeda handling Oscar's dueling identities is where it shines. Oscar is split between the noble/commoner divide in the same way she's split between the masculine/feminine divide. Oscar was born on one side, understands the other side better, but can sympathize with both. It's always interested in seeing how older works deal with highly contentions modern social issues in a way that's unburdened by our current political climate.

genrejourneys's review

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4.0

Rating: 4/5
(Trigger Warning: Attempted Assault)

Volume 3 of “The Rose of Versailles” begins to fully emerge as a Romantic Historical Drama. Andre and Oscar’s relationship reaches a tipping point when the question of marriage comes up and the French Revolution finally starts, with it dawning on the royal family too late how bad it’s gotten. As always it's beautifully drawn and excellently written, but while the stakes get higher and higher, it is the small moments that display Riyoko Ikeda’s talent.

Oscar struggles to gain control over her new army and, in an early moment of rebellion, they tie her up and threaten to assault her. Oscar remains unruffled and the danger passes quickly enough. It’s a moment of high drama and tension, a tipping point in her ability to control her own men. Later, with only Andre present, Oscar stands still in a dark room and her control breaks. She calls for her mother over and over, her head bowed in a small but heartbreaking indication of how frightened she was and still is. It’s a rare quiet moment but necessary. It is a perfect reflection of how Oscar handles her rapidly changing world, steel control in public and a desperate panic in private. It’s a masterclass of a character.

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