Every time I start one of the books in this series, I am completely lost. I cannot remember a single thing about what happened in the previous volume. There are just too many characters doing too many things that make almost no sense to me.

Even in my clueless state though, I get drawn into the art and the emotion of the story.

The next volume promises a new direction for the series that may make it easier for me to recall what's going on. It also helps that I have it on hand and will read it immediately. ( )

This is a very complicated part of the story. I actually read this three times before I fully comprehended what was going on. Chise and Josef (or Cartaphilus) continue their confrontation, exchanging eyes and seeing each other's past, which allows us to see them as well. Chise is able to put her own sufferings into perspective, but I am glad when she declares firmly that suffering does not entitle us to make others suffer. An enormous number of the characters appear in this book -- the confrontation gets a bit crowded. After it settles down, Chise is able to learn more about friendship and she and Elias advance their relationship a bit more. Elias being the somewhat clueless person that he is when it comes to interpersonal relationships, I sometimes wonder what he supposes marriage is. Did Lindel ever explain about the birds and the reindeer? Most of the stories are tied up, and Chise is ready to begin a new story arc. ( )

This is the ninth book in the Ancient Magus Bride series and it ties up the first story arc. I continue to really enjoy the characters, illustration, and the story in these.

Chise has been kidnapped by Josef/Cartaphilus. Josef wants to use her for her parts and is struggling with a curse of his own. This whole first part is a bit gorey as Josef steal Chise eyes. However, quickly after that Chise is rescued and her and Elias have to come to terms again with his over-protectiveness. Chise meanwhile may have inadvertently found a solution to her dragon curse.

This volume was very well illustrated as with previous volumes. I enjoyed how the story arc wrapped up and am eager to see what the new “college” arc holds.

Overall I loved this latest volume in the Ancient Magus Bride series and am looking forward to future books in this series. I would recommend to those who enjoy fantasy manga. ( )