Higuri You - Cantarella, vol. 04 (Eng. trans.)

[oyceter]

Whoo! My library has purchased this series!

My relationship with the series continues its rollercoaster ride! I was underwhelmed by v. 1, liked v. 2, was freaked out by v. 3 (ok, by the MOTH MAN! But that is because he is freaky!), and adored v. 4. Who knows what the next volume will bring?

I continue to be amused by the fact that Chiaro the masked assassin is one of the purer and saner characters in the story! Possibly the most, if Lucrezia's incestful desires count against her.

I am not sure how much everyone else will love this volume; I loved it because it was all about Lucrezia! I mean, I like the Chiaro/Cesare relationship and squeed at the random kissage and Cesare's emo "What can I tell him? He is the only one who confuses me so!" but Lucrezia! I feel I shouldn't be so surprised when shoujo series actually focus on women, but I am.

It's so odd reading this after Godchild, particularly given the similarities. The pure-true love of a boy and his valet butler assassin, his protectiveness of his sister, his manipulative father, and... ok, at least there is not an eye-seeking vengeful loving half-brother. But the demon in the form of Vanozza reminded me of Cain's mother issues!

Sancia and Jofre remind me of George R. R. Martin's Sansa and Joffrey and now I am thinking he got it from the Borgias?

Anyway, much love for Cesare being a bastard and hitting on Sancia, and for his cold turning down of Lucrezia! I anticipate much angst later on for Lucrezia. I also now really want Lucrezia/Chiaro, even though I am a fan of Cesare/Chiaro, just because. The mutual displacement alone would be worth it.

Comments

[mystickeeper.livejournal.com]

OMG I am reading this right now, too!!

I think I read somewhere who Moth Man is, but in case it gets revealed in a later volume, I will be quiet.

I like Lucrezia a lot....in fact, I was so excited after reading volume 1, that I went to the library and got some source material. Hopefully, once the semester is over, I'll be able to read up, :D

Also, I love having read fiction, and then reading something about historical fact, and going, "OMG, that's from a manga! ....Wait. I guess the manga got it from that."

[oyceter]

I have discovered who Moth Man is! But am not posting it because I don't think it's in this vol. yet.

Oooooo, source material. And now, I explain that I was predisposed to like Lucrezia because when I watched GWing in high school, Lucrezia Noin was my favorite character (sadly, not so much now) and I looked up a little about Lucrezia Borgia because of it. But I should read up more!

I looove learning history from fiction. I mean, clearly it has its caveats, but historical fiction makes it come alive for me in a way that makes retention of facts much easier.

[mystickeeper.livejournal.com]

Actually, come to think of it, there's a character in Final Fantasy VII (video game) named Lucrecia, which might have had something to do with it for me.