 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | TOKYOPOP | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | SUNAO YOSHIDA / THORES SHIBAMOTO | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | ENGLISH / BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 190 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | NR | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 04/11/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 04/04/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
The second Trinity Blood Reborn on Mars novel sees an assassination attempt on Cardinal Catalina and a daring trip by the AX to make peace with the Methuselah Empire. However such an attempt has enemies on both sides, human and vampire, seething with hatred for each other and who will stop at nothing, even the most heart rending betrayal, to see that peace never happens.
The latest in depth adventure about vampires and human sees major changes happen. Neck deep in political intrigue and sinking fast, Esther and Abel find themselves encountering and helping the young nobleman Ion, an ambassador from the Methuselah Empire. Attempts on his life on both sides make Abel and Esther’s job harrowing. Ion’s secret trip as envoy to the Cardinal on behalf of the vampire Empress to try to secure peace may not be known to the general public, but those working from the shadows try again and again through varying sinister means to destroy all talks of peace and perhaps make both empires fall as well. Betrayal is followed by the rise of a terrible early terran weapon known as the Iblis. It is capable of destroying entire countries. Abel must do everything in his power to protect his young charges and humanity, but at what cost to himself? This time he cannot hide the monster he becomes and Esther is terrified at his transformation. Throat deep in political intrigue, racing dangers, and dramatic events all exemplify the immersing quality of the Trinity Blood novels. Like the others, this book has danger, incredible overwhelming odds, nefarious political betrayals, personal prices, and heroism in many unlikely forms. Unlike the previous novel, this one also offers a deeper look in the Methuselah Empire through Ion. As a noble yet sheltered vampire, Ion thinks the worst of humans. But his interactions with Esther change his outlook and end up coming at a terrible cost. By the reader getting to know Ion better, we begin to understand the Methuselah a little more and the story helps humanize them. Considering so far that most if not all of the vampires in the novel have been murdering fiends, this kinder, gentler and more relatable Methuselah changes the tone of the book. It is not only the Terrans that need to be saved, but the high minded Methuselah as well. The dramatic moment that everyone has been waiting for happens in this novel when Esther discovers Abel’s Crusnik form. Her fear and struggle with it is a turning point in their relationship. It shows her to be flawed yet human and at the same time reveals the rare fragility to Abel who can transform into a nearly invincible killing machine yet his heart trembles at the sight of her horror. The psychic wound it creates in him is palpable. His interesting mix of incredible power and yet timid loneliness makes for a compelling character. For fans of the anime and manga this will be a special treat as it entails the original arc involving the trip to the Methuselah Empire and the encounter with Ion that helped inspire the anime and manga series. The novel gives you not only the original story but since it is a novel, it offers a far more in depth look at the characters and their relationships. The emotional impact is done with layers of meaning. When Esther first sees Abel in his Crusnik form, the reader can’t help but feel her horror and Abel’s pain at her rejection and terror. Later when Esther touches him in his monstrous form, there is such a tender gentility to it, a fragile yet determined effort on both their parts to accept how things are that is deeply moving. There are more of the lovely Gothic illustrations of Thores Shibamoto to be found peppered within the volume. My personal favorite has to be the one where Abel is in Crusnik form and Esther places her hand knowingly over his. Other extras include a map and some gorgeous art at the back of the book. IN SUMMARY:
Tense, dramatic, beguiling. |
