 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | DARK HORSE | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | RYO IKEHATA / CHIZU HASHII | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | WESTERN / B&W / COLOR | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 288 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | NR | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 07/09/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 08/07/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
In the second volume of the novelization of the hit anime TV series, Blood+ Book 2 Chevalier sees Saya travelling to Russia where she will be forced to confront who and what she is. It will come at a terrible cost and a decision that will leave devastation in its wake. The second of four books, this dense thriller pits friend and family against each other. Russia holds many secrets concerning the Chiropterans. Riddles about Rasputin and Anastasia awaken splintered memories within Saya, bloody ones. A trip to a cold castle with warm hospitality holds horrific traps for Saya. In the end though, it will be her very own allies that will throw her sanity to the wind when she at last faces the truth about her humanity, her family, and who and what Diva truly is to her. These confrontations do not come fast and furious, but with a steady pacing that builds the air of foreboding around Saya discovering the reality beneath the lies. She will come nearly full circle, learning about Hagi, the Chevalier, and who Diva is. It throws her allegiances and her heart into chaos. She no longer knows who she can trust. But when her family of Kai and Riku come looking for her with the help of Red Shield, a devastating secret will be revealed, one that will leave hearts and lives torn asunder. It’s hard hitting. There are no good choices that can be made this volume of the novel. Saya is trying to deny the answers thrown at her, the truths that are becoming increasingly self-evident. In doing so, she may be blinding herself to what she needs to know in order to defeat Diva or at least discover the truths that will help her knowingly choose which side to fight on. Solomon the Chevalier is not helping. His seductive words lure her to and fro. Although he is with Diva, his own loyalties are brought into question in these chapters. And with what has happened in this volume with Riku and Kai, they too may have to choose sides far different than they would have at first aligned with. The novelization comes with nearly 20 illustrations by the character designer of the anime TV series, Chizu Hashii. It also includes four full color pages to enjoy.
IN SUMMARY:
Dense with suspense and catastrophic revelations for Saya and her family, the second book in the novelization of Blood+ shows there are no good sides, only heart rending choices amongst a growing fight for humanity. |
