Read Requiem of the Rose King Aya Kanno 9788822604729 Books

Product details Paperback Publisher Star Comics (February 10, 2017) Language Italian ISBN-10 8822604725

Requiem of the Rose King Aya Kanno 9788822604729 Books Reviews

• I enjoyed Vols 1 and 2 very much. This one is enjoyable too what an imagination Aya Kanno has! She is certainly playing the intersex Richard for all it is worth.
  
  The intriguing thing is how slowly she is moving. The current impression given is that there is only Vol 4 to come after this, but there will be a howl of outrage from the world of Richard's fans if she stops at Vol 4. You can't ride with Richard III without riding all the way, to the final charge on Bosworth field. So, I assume she won't; and at the rate she's going through Richard's life, she will have to go at least as far as Vol 8, if not beyond. Not that I'm complaining ... I look forward to it.
• A BEAUTIFUL and enigmatic set of characters rewriting history! I am in LOVE
• This tale of an intersex Richard III becomes more and more interesting with each volume. Kanno is definitely having a lot of fun with the whole medieval milieu following the end of the War of the Roses. While the first two volumes were a bit confusing owing to a huge array of characters, by this title the list is narrowing nicely. It may still be a huge shock to see an actual Gallery of London portrait compared to the lovely stylized manga character. But the appeal of this title is definitely reminiscent of seminal 1970s shoujo classics such as Rose of Versailles The pertinent historical facts are there but a whole lot of drama is woven around them.
  
  Former King Henry VI has regained lucidity through Richard; but if Henry's insanity was a tragedy, his recovery is a national disaster. Abandoning wife Margaret of Anjou and disinherited son Edward, Henry seeks out the solace that Richard provides. Unfortunately, at this moment, Richard has to provide unwilling alibi to his licentious brother Henry V - who has decided to marry beneath status to widow Elizabeth of York. Her scheming, along with Margaret of Anjou's, threaten to destroy all the happiness any of the York or Lancastrian men can achieve. Caught between the scheming are the Kingmaker - Earl of Warwick and a young but fierce Duke of Buckingham.
  
  Anyone knowledgeable about this period of the War of the Roses can enjoy the liberties taken by Kanno to create her story. Sure, it is high drama through a modern sensibility. But Kanno has laid her groundwork correctly and the known facts are there for a somewhat supernatural mystery taking more emphasis from Shakespeare (with all the historical faults therein) rather than Wikipedia. Little details - such as the two young men (Richard and Edward) who would marry the same woman, Anne Neville, share a 'kiss' in a river rescue. Kanno enjoys her foreshadowing that the men would share much more in the future.
  
  Those without knowledge of the period can sit back and enjoy the plot of schemes and the rise and fall of kings. Although we know for sure that Richard III was slightly hunched but not a cripple (or intersex, here) this is still a greatly enjoyable fictionalization of history. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
• ~3.5-4/5
  
  I don’t know if it’s just me or if Kanno has finally reached a flow with this series, but this volume was really good for me.
  
  Elizabeth has brought her plans of revenge on King Edward to fruition, and is made Queen. Richard is the only one who has real doubts about it, though Warwick feels betrayed. In the other house, Margaret has gone insane, and is using her son Edward to enact revenge on Henry.
  
  The best point in this series for me, though, is Richard and Henry’s relationship. I really feel for them, and think they could have a real friendship or romance, if their lives were different. They get to spend some real time together in this volume, and it’s a sweet reprieve for both of them. I want more of that, honestly.
  
  Aside from that, things are getting dark fast. Not a surprise, but still. And Kanno has a beautiful art style for this series; the expressions, dark and hopeful, are done extremely well. They’re gorgeous.
  
  This volume has me hooked, and I’m excited for the next one.
  
  A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!
  
  [More of my reviews are available on my blog, Geeky Reading, to which there's a link on my profile.]