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Reviewed by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane Captive Hearts' plot gets more streamlined with every volume, as the characters get more and more determined to figure out a way to break the curse that makes Megumi literally live to serve Suzuka. The curse is interfering with their relationship more and more as time goes on, and Suzuka is unable to keep herself from feeling jealous over Megumi's relationship with Rui, his childhood friend who's filling in as a maid while his (Megumi's) father is away doing research on how to break the curse. It's not just the uncertainty of knowing where the curse ends and Megumi's real feelings begin that's causing difficulties, either (especially since one refreshing note in the series is that neither of them has any doubt that Megumi really does love Suzuka, curse or no curse). For one thing, his inborn drive to protect her tries to protect her from him regardless of whether either of them sees any need for it--awkward, to say the least. Volume 4 takes several steps in the direction of understanding and/or breaking the curse, and it's nice to see it advancing so quickly. (We're just over halfway through the series at this point.) I don't feel that the story is strong enough to sustain a long run, but if things continue happening at this speed it's entirely likely that it'll wrap up without meandering too much, which was one of the things I disliked when I first started reading the series (with volume 2). This volume includes three bonus stories, a short feature about the creator's research trip to China, and a one-page glossary of terms and cultural notes at the end of the book. Review copy provided by VIZ Media. Interested in writing for MangaLife? We're always looking for talented reviewers and columnists, so drop us a line! Charles Webb Editor-in-Chief, MangaLife.com |
1 September 2010
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