Black Bird, Vol. 13

Black Bird #13

by Kanoko Sakurakouji

He loves her blood, but does he love her?!

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T+.

There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. But she is the bride of demon prophecy, and her blood grants incredible powers, her flesh immortality. Now the demon realm is fighting over the right to her hand...or her life!

Sho’s plans to plunge the world into chaos continue as he targets the Eight Daitengu, hoping to strip his brother Kyo of all his protectors. And now Sho has Hoki, whose secret past makes him easy prey.

Can Hoki stand up to Sho, or will his efforts to aid Kyo backfire?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Shojo, Demons, Young Adult

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2011

About the author

Kanoko Sakurakouji (桜小路かのこ) is a Japanese mangaka.

Reviews

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did it really need to end on a cliffhanger like that???

[Erica Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did that really just happen? Why would she go and do that? Misao is not very bright.

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 2 out of 5]

20 February 2013

I think it's time for this series to wrap up and call it quits. Black Bird, Vol. 13 is a frustrating hot mess of pathetic characters whom I so badly want to konk their heads against the wall. I have hit my limit with Misao and cannot tolerate this dimwit any longer. If not for the Daitengu, I would probably stop reading this series.

The betrayal of the last volume is resolved in the most anti-climatic, convenient way. It was ludicrous that Kyo magically appeared to save Hoki at just the right time, but was clueless in finding Misao's location when she disappeared. I also found Sho's groveling to Misao most unbecoming and pitiful. I get the whole bad-boy-deprived-of-love appeal, but it was so uncharacteristic of Sho and, well, it was embarrassing.

The cliffhanger ending doesn't even leave me curious to find out whose appendage is lying on the ground. I'm sure everything will all conveniently tidy up in the next volume and it will be much of the same hullabaloo. Unless Misao bites the dust, I'm not really looking forward to reading the next volume.

[Hannah (Sakurahan or ForeverBooks18) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was really strong!

Popsugar 2020 Reading Challenge - A book by an author with flora or fauna in their name...in Japanese Sakura means cherry blossom, and part of the authors surname is Sakura so I'm counting this!

“Sho knows how the Senka Rocku ends.” This is the conspiracy that volume 11 surrounds. How and why does Sho know how the Senka Roku ends?

I enjoyed the last 2 chapters in this volume the most because we got to see a soft and perhaps even loving side to Sho. Is it real though? Does he really feel as he says he does? Does Misao betray those she loves? You’ll need to read to find out!

[Cleopatra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t piss me off misao…

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reseña completa---http://bit.ly/2CaAW0g

El tomo anterior fue bastante revelador en cuanto a los 8 Grandes, especialmente con Hoki y Zenki, pero en este tomo veremos las razones de porque Hoki le tiene tantísimo cariño a Kyo, y una vez que nos alejamos de los 8 grandes vamos a ver un encuentro entre Misao y Sho que será cardíaco, este tomo tiene muchísimas emociones y fangirleo. Vamos por partes, que me emociono y luego ni yo me entiendo, en el tomo anterior nos quedamos con la aldea Tengu en constante asedio por parte de Sho, quién además ha ideado un plan usando la sangre de Misao para enloquecer a los Tengu, con Zenki preso nos enteramos que tiene un poder increíble que mantiene sellado gracias a sus tatuajes para salvaguardarse a si mismo y a los demás y nos sorprendimos con la traición de Hoki a Kyo. Sho aprovechó la debilidad de Zenki y liberó los tatuajes para lanzar una bestia poderosa y destructiva contra la aldea y Hoki, aparentemente, ayudó con este plan. Finalmente se reveló que Hoki jamás traicionó a nadie y que deseaba enfrentarse a Sho el solo, mientras tanto Kyo logra controlar a Zenki y todo parece volver a la calma previa al enfrentamiento entre Sho y Kyo y que solo terminará con la muerte de alguno de los dos. Iniciamos el tomo número 13 con esta tensión que consume a todos, un previo al esperado enfrentamiento entre ambos hermanos y que mantiene a la aldea dividida, además vemos a Hoki enfrentarse y perder estrepitosamente contra Sho y... mejor ya no les cuento más para que corran a leerlo ;)

Honestamente este es un manga que disfruto mucho y que espero mes con mes con muchísimas ganas, pero conforme la historia va avanzando la protagonista más me va desesperando, y yo intento entenderla pero hace cada cosa estúpida que no, no puedo. En este tomo hace la cosa más tonta que pudo haber hecho en el mundo mundial y que se me hizo darme una palmada en la frente y decir: ¿Misao tu naciste tonta o de chiquita te tirarón? ¬¬
Creáme que no exagero, el problema de Misao es que es la típica chica en apuros que se la pasa llorando por todo y que de alguna forma a pesar de su sosa personalidad, todos termina amándola y queriendo estar con ella mientras que ella llora, al inicio del manga yo pensé que maduraría conforme la historia avanzará y poco a poco se volvería más fuerte y podría, incluso, ayudar a Kyo. Pero nope, Misao sigue siendo una niña llorona que toma pésimas desiciones y que pone en peligro a todos gracias a su “buen corazón”. Yo solo espero que Misao ya no tome desiciones estúpidas y madure un poquito...nada más un poquito D:

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misao, you are such an idiot!!! Why would you go and do that!?!?! That cliffhanger 😭😭😭 I can't breathe or function right now. I have so many questions with no answers. I don't understand why Misao would be so stupid. She brought more pain in this one. Compassion shouldn't be wrong, but Sho has done so much harm. I don't understand. God, I need this series to be done so the Rollercoaster can stop.

[Alicia Aringdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof this volume was filled with angst and tension. I kind of can't believe Misao's choice at the end but maybe I am just too cold blooded. It was a cliffhanger ending so I'll have to get my hands on the next volume.

[GuisBell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vaya!!!!! se soluciona un problema y luego aparece otro.

[Corn Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY HEART this is gonna be a very sad arc

[Bry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm...not to sure about this installment. The climax from volume 12 was EASILY solved and tied up in a pretty bow on the first page. And then the rest of the installment was mostly just Misao's angst and the same worries she always has. Why can no one understand that Kyo wants them around he likes and trusts them?? Why does everyone think they must be of use to Kyo otherwise they should be dead??? I mean seriously that's pretty effed up.

Also the cliffhanger to the end of this installment was kinda expected. Hmmm we all knew the brothers would have to duke it out eventually and I'm sure the climax to this book will be easily solved and tidied up at the beginning of the next installment. Maybe it's time this series starts wrapping up?

Although I am loving that Hoki is the on the cover. It looks great and its refreshing to see a cover that isn't Misao and Kyo.

[DonutKnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waaaah Sho is cool again, Kyo got cooler and I’ve got so many ships that I want to set sail- but it can only be one 😭😭😭

[L. J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

TBA

[Lynn Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows Misao, a high schooler who can see the magical creatures and spirits that are invisible to everyone else. This gift is merely an annoyance until her sixteenth birthday, when she gets attacked by a demon and discovers that she is the Senka Maiden, or bride of prophecy – a human whose blood gives unlimited power to the demon who claims her. Her childhood friend Kyo appears in time to save her, though it turns out he is a demon as well! Kyo is the leader of the Tengu (crow demon) clan, thus the name of the story. His intentions to protect her, however, seem to be pure – and Misao allows him to lick her wounds long enough to fall in love with him herself. Together they must face the challenges that come from courting the Senka Maiden, as well as the curse that befalls her once she bears the child of a demon.

This was a fantastic story! The characters were well done with bold personality traits: we can clearly see Kyo’s determination, his brother Soh’s treachery and underhandedness, the Daitengu’s loyalty, even Misao’s simultaneous naivety and bravery. And I absolutely loved the plot. Unlike Demon Spell (another manga featuring demons of Japanese culture), the story was very complete, with no detail left unexplained or unaccounted for.

*SPOILER ALERT* But my favorite part of all has to be the ending. Misao’s pregnancy is meant to lead to her death, but just when all seems to be lost, hope appears. Even if their ending isn’t perfect, it is happy, and you find yourself happy and grateful for the imperfection because it shows you how much worse things could have been.

I have more to say on this book (and others!) in my blog! Check it out here:
https://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blo...

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both Koji and Sho are put into situations where they're reassured that they're valued even when they aren't the pure picture of invincible power, each by a different person. Sho's injuries cause anomalies in the magical shield that surrounds his lands, causing Misao to be teleported right to him. Misao's decision after Sho makes a, uh, request of her soon leads to a dramatic, and bloody, confrontation and cliffhanger at the end of the volume.

I continue to appreciate the lightly-presented themes about strength--and how "strength" expresses itself--that have been a persistent thread throughout this manga. It's a little more thoughtful than your typical "trash melodrama" story. That's to its benefit, because the basic story scaffolding of forever wars between supernatural clans, with the blood and body of the Senka Maiden as the Macguffin prize, doesn't do a lot for me. I've consistently given Black Bird three stars, and don't anticipate that needle moving one way or the other in its remaining handful of volumes.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este manga cada vez me va a destruir poco a poco. Primero Misao no tiene una pizca de maldad en su corazón, ella incluso salva a su peor enemigo para no verlo morir, porque ella aunque parezca que quiere ayudar o incluso ser fuerte por Kyo, la realidad es que ella no lo desea, lo cual es una debilidad y una fuerza lo que tiene. Es que ese final es por su culpa, yo no sé porque hace estas cosas ella. Por un lado la respeto y por el otro lado, habrá consecuencias porque ahora Sho es más fuerte por su sangre.

Quiero leer el siguiente para saber que pasa, no puedo con el dolor de mi corazón.
Al final seguro hojeo el siguiente para ver que ha pasado aaaa.

[Sol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things are picking up a bit again, I think I really wanted to see Misao being more of an active player in this arc and I finally got what I wanted in this volume. She's acting with her heart, and because of that, we get to see more of Sho's heart. His impassioned declaration of "Can't I have even one?" struck me.
I'm still ready for this arc to be over -- I dont think it's well written at all, too much stuff is happening 'off screen' -- but the moments where the characters share an emotional connection like that are definitely the series' biggest strengths.
Also, the cover of this one is really nice!

[Sarah Gries · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO THIS MANGA!

Why Kyo? Why Sho? WHY MISAO?

I just have so many questions as to why are these characters so stupid and so chaotic. Misao why did you give blood to Sho? And Sho why did you battle Kyo? And Kyo why did you battle Sho?

WHOS ARM IS IT!?

Also why would Hoki do all of those horrible things and then just come back? I understand Kyo came and forgave him, but still that’s just awful. I don’t understand it! I’m at a loss over here, and I’m very emotional. I don’t know what to do right now.

I’m freaking out.

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This was intense. It was a wild ride and I couldn't put this volume down. I generally read these within 30-45 minutes, but I am pretty sure I read this one within 20 because I just had to know what was going to happen and I didn't even put it down to process what I was reading. I just read and ate the story up. This was the first cliffhanger of the series that had me shocked. I was not expecting it to go this route, but I was so invested in the arc choices and how the story was unfolding.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably my biggest gripe with this series is how useless the female main character is. Hoki has seen some of the Senka Roku, remember that very important book. Sho is suffering after being reanimated and Misao meets him. “when your heart is bound by so much hatred, it’s much like love” lord this book... Misao saves Sho, The man who has tried to repetitively kill her, rape her, and kidnap her. I swear her only character trait is that she is “nice”.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nooo, a cliffhanger ending and I have to wait a day or two to finish the series.
This volume was filled with plot twists and yet at the same time they may not actually be plot twists but rather tricks to accomplish some other goal, I don't know.
This is a good series though. I quite enjoy the artwork and the story and characters are great. I also quite like the bonus material at the end.

[Talamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these characters. I'm not sure why. I came upon the first volume on a display table in a bookstore. I picked it up because I liked the cover. I ended up reading the entire book in the store. Just standing at the display table. I'm a very slow reader. So, that took me by surprise. Still not sure what pulls me into this story so.

[Demonico Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 3.5

Bro this pissed me off a little. Misao girl , I don’t care how much Sho is in pain , that man suppressed your memories of the man who actively loved you , and now you want to take pity on him and give him your blood? I thought she’d be more hesitant and think about Kyo but nope. Bro I can’t wait till Sho gets put in the ground where he belongs by Kyo

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shou just... he's the kikyou of this manga. Decaying, shouldn't have been revived in the first place, nobody likes him, shows up just to be an annoyance (especially to the main couple)...

Most of the chapters were kinda meh, but what made me raise the rating was that ending. SAVAGE!!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What! I’m glad that the Zenki and Hoki storylines have been resolved, but this new storyline with Kyo and Sho is nuts. I’m not sure I like where this is going and I’m not sure that I can handle the intensity.

[Lauren Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a series it's not bad. I enjoyed most parts of the story, some things were just not needed. I love all the characters. The love story is crazy but it's a book so do not take it seriously! Also, not a book for young readers.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this series when I was younger. It was alright. Some of it was a bit dramatic with zero real context. The female lead was annoyingly too much of a damsel in distress. I wish she would have fought her own battles more. I guess you could say this was my dip towards darker romance.

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really emotional story throughout this entire volume. And when I thought that cliffhanger couldn't get any worse - I was wrong.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, talk about a cliffhanger. WTF? Now I just have to read the next part...

BTW, this series is BRILLIANT.

[Khrystyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book was slower than the others. I was kinda like... ugh.. the whole time.