Title: Alice in the Country of Hearts volume 5 Author: QuinRose and Soumei Hoshino
Series: Alice in the Country of Hearts #5
Published: by Tokyopop
Length:192 pages
Warnings: suggestive situations, mild violence, alcohol
Other info: If you haven’t read this series before, it’s probably best if you read the review of volume 1. I’ll keep this spoiler free though, so read on if you want!
Summary :
Review: A ball is going to be held in the Country of Hearts, and Alice does not want to go at all. especially once she knows that Blood Dupre, mafia boss/mad hatter/irritating person will be there. However Boris the Cheshire Cat, Gowland the Duchess and Julius the Clockmaker get her there, where she meets with Blood, Vivaldi (the Queen of Hearts), Peter White (the Rabbit) and others. Somehow she ends up in Blood’s territory, where she is invited to his rose garden, and learns about the relationship between him and Vivaldi. It ends on a cliffhanger that makes me think that Quinrose is trying to bring Alice in the Country of Hearts to an end.
So the plot was interesting, slightly slowed down from other volumes and a bit boring. Theres a bit more serious stuff going on here, but there’s still a good dose of comic relief that makes it a quick light read. The characters all have distinct personalities that are completely different to those of their corresponding characters in Alice in Wonderland, but still recognisably them.
The comedy probably isn’t to everyone’s liking. I enjoyed it though-this is one of my favourite comedy mangas. Theres some that the majority of people will like (ie Julius asking Ace to lead him and Alice to the ball, in the hope they will get lost enough that they miss it completely), but some jokes are slightly more mature which will be completely lost on younger readers.
The art is pretty, as always. Most of the time its simple and realistic, which really work for this manga and its storyline, theme, etc. However the use of chibis (super deformed characters used for comic effect normally) that comes up occasionally also suit the manga, and the situations and they’re not too overdone. Its interesting seeing the characters in formal wear-especially Boris, now in a suit as opposed to his normal punk wear and pink feather boa. He still has the tail piercing though *laughs*
The ending makes me want the sixth volume NOW. I’m not going to giveaway spoilers, but if you read it, you will want to read it too.
Overall: Strength 4 tea to a quick light read that WILL make you laugh. Recommended especially to those who enjoy classics re-done, Alice in Wonderland, cute things and a bit of romance.
PS: Why does Julius the Watchmaker and Elliot the March Hare look so much like Acheron and Kyrian from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series?
Ahhh!!! I just finished the 6th volume of Alice!!! I'm not sure how I feel about the ending at all. I mean I know that they just rereleased them into 3 novels that are thicker but Grrrr! Did you finish 6 yet!? I need someone to talk to about that ending!!
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't read 6 yet. I don't think it's out yet in the UK...or maybe it is. I've not got hold of it. But I really want to!
DeleteHmm, I'm not sure. Yen Press re-released them just into 3 novels now. I hope it comes out soon there though. Curious to get your thoughts on the end! :\
ReplyDeleteActually I just looked it up for you on amazon UK and it comes out on the 26th this month for you all! :)
Aww I just looked it up and i comes out on the 26th for you all according to amazon UK. I'm really curious to get your thoughts on it though! Honestly, I'm not satisfied fully with the ending but let me know once you read it! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for the heads up- I'll definitely try and get hold of them! Probably in November, with any birthday money I might get.
DeleteI have and read the 6th volume and the ending... no just no. I had a feeling it was going to end the way it did. Did you know that they have a new 'Alice in the Country of...' series out. It's 'Alice in the Country of Clovers' and by what I saw, it's separate stories between Alice and the Wonderland's guys. I also heard that there is supposed to be another series coming out soon called 'Alice in the Country of the Joker'. Just wanted to let you know.
ReplyDelete