 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | ARINA TANEMURA | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 192 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T+ | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 03/04/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 05/28/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
No longer the Platinum and having been so cruelly rejected by Shizu, Haine falls into a deep despair. Shortly on the footsteps of that trauma, she is quickly dealt another blow. Having fallen ill, in her weakened state she is brought to the Kamiya estate and must face the very man who sold her off – her birth father! It’s more angst and more drama in the latest volume. Feeling that she has nowhere to go and being forced to return to her father’s puts Haine into even deeper turmoil. When she finds out why, her heartbreak is trebled. Kidnapped by her own father, her mother falling into madness, a troubled Haine is rescued by her student council friends. But where will she go? Others too are in states of unrest and one female friend close to Haine finally confesses her love for the woebegone girl. There is a lot of trauma for the characters this volume, a lot of heartrending emotional explorations and revelations. However, from the depths of such trials, Haine truly shines. Her determination to become stronger and face her father, help her mother and carry on is inspiring. However, as strong as this girl is, with her combination of courage and fragility, will she be able to handle the truth when she discovers at long last the secret about the two Shizusamas? Because it is in this pivotal volume that she at last finds out! Gentleman’s Alliance is a tremendously involving shojo drama. It’s overflowing with angst, romance, and all the heartbreak and hope that fall in between. This volume ends on a more uplifting note with some comedy in a bonus story that reveals the essence and evolution of the romance between Kusame and Komaki
IN SUMMARY:
It’s all the hope, heartbreak and romance a manga can hold and with riveting effect. This is a pivotal volume as Haine at last learns the truth about the two Shizusamas. |
