Emma, Vol. 2

Emma (5 books edition) #2

by Kaoru Mori

Not wishing to cause a scandal within the Joneses' household, Emma chooses to make a clean break from her old life and takes a train to the sea. As chance would have it, Emma finds herself sharing a car with another maid, who serves at a large manor in the country. A big house bustling with servants seems an ideal place at which to move forward after losing her mistress and leaving her love back in London. Learning the precise dance of domestic service in her new environment is a welcome challenge, but how long can hard work divert Emma's mind from the longing of her heart?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Historical, Seinen

380 pages, Hardcover

Published August 18, 2015

About the author

Kaoru Mori (森 薫) is a Japanese manga author. Her stories tend to be intricately drawn female lead historical dramas set in exotic locations like Britain and along the silk road. Her series include Emma (2002-2008), Shirley (2003-present) and the best known A Bride's Tale (2008-present).

Reviews

[DJL · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this volume had a LOT going on in it, which is understandable. It's also where Eleanor's insufferable older sister, Monica, enters the picture, much to my chagrin and annoyance. Slight spoiler alert, but her loving adoration of her younger sister will prove to be the cause of the greatest pain, so I hope she's able to live with herself after that pain. Also, that's the main reason she's the most annoying character rather than William's youngest sister, Vivi (who is also insufferable and likely needs either a finger-thump to the forehead or a pop on the rump).

Also, we finally get to meet William's mother, who I actually thought was dead when watching the anime (at least they made it seem like she was) until Mrs. Moelders and Emma visit "Mrs. Trollope." I do appreciate getting to see Emma start off with the Moelders family rather than in the anime where it was glossed over at the beginning of the second season. And the new character introductions were a nice transition as well. I have to say I was smitten with Hans in the anime, but that's just my own preference.

Having seen the anime, I know the ultimate end result, but it's nice to see the various differences in detail that the manga depicts. The ending of this omnibus certainly left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Mori continues the manga.

[Mahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading it and omg, I need a glass of water and VOLUME 3!!!

Emma and William, omg lets home mama William will do something .


AND STUPID WILLIAM WHY OH WHY !

So far I love the turning of the events, I can never wish or imagine any way it could have been.

AND DID U SEE HANS? (Of the Nothern islands) lol just kidding. HANS. God I love his name.

Anyway moving on:
Plot 10/10
Characters 10/10
Drawing 10/10

Did I mention that i need tea and Volume 3?

Also I love the author's comics and useful information and the heavy research done in the bg (I will say this in every review get used to it)

I need volume 3

[Loumovingcastle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je voulais commencer l’année en relisant cette pépite. Que j’aime cette histoire !

[Noémie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je suis fan de cette série!

[Freya Abbas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This left on such a cliff hanger but I am not sure if I will continue reading this series because it just doesn’t seem as good as A Brides Story, which is also by Kaoru Mori. Also the character of Hakim is so flat, and it seems like he’s only there for comic relief. He is kind of annoying and I’m kind of disappointed that Mori chose to portray an Indian character this way. I did like that he was encouraging Emma and William to be together though, and he seems like a loyal friend to William. If I do continue reading this series I hope he has a more serious role than just being a flirtatious character who brings dancing girls and elephants with him everywhere.

[Cecille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mori continues to be a master of conveying strong emotions through subtle means, whether it be from letting scenes play out silent and wordless, or highlighting a character's inner turmoil by contrasting it with the dissonant buzz of the lively world around them. And then everything crescendos to a powerful end with this omnibus' parting scene, the simmering emotions finally boiling over beautifully.
I really, really love this comic.

[Greta K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kinda afraid to say this in previous reviews but I think Kaoru mori is secretly really gay. Also I have a massive crush on her and not even in like a normal way like I was swooning thinking about her while reading this I’m so into her brain.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adolescenziale.

[VoyagedeFumiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

KAORU MORI COMMENT TU PEUX FAIRE CA AVEC MON PETIT CŒUR 🥲🥲🥲

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE!!! Full thoughts here: https://youtu.be/G4V4cCG6aUE?si=ae_G0...

[Louisik]

offert Ninon qui a exploré tout vinted pour le trouver la meilleure personne

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE OMNIBUS SERIES

Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Content Rating: Adult (some unnecessary nudity, kidnapping)
Format Read: Hardcover

Series/Purchase Note: This physical US edition consists of 5 omnibus volumes. The original Japanese release consisted of 10 volumes. The digital US version appears to be for sale as 10 individual volumes as well.

Author Kaoru Mori's current ongoing series, A Bride's Story, about a traveling Englishman and the local families he meets in 19th-century Central Asia, is one of my favorites. Because of it I consider the author's signature style to be elaborately drawn details and backgrounds, an abundance of interesting historical minutiae, and occasional unnecessary female nudity. Emma was Mori's debut series, and when I was recently able to borrow the complete omnibus set from the library I decided it was time to finally give it a read.

At its heart, Emma is a lord-and-maid forbidden romance set in the late Victorian era. But as is custom with Mori, it's really about so many more people than that. The first 3.5 omnibus volumes mainly center on maid Emma and wealthy William's sweet but fraught romance. Despite a few dramatic turns, the couple was rather plain for me and their relationship a relatively simple one. Because of this, there was a lot of room to introduce and expand a host of colorful side characters who quickly and easily outshone the quiet couple. As the focus on Emma and William's romance faded halfway through volume 4, the lesser cast, with a few new faces, were given time to shine in a collection of short stories exploring everyday life in England. While not as interesting as the exotic culture in Bride's Story, these side narratives proved even more entertaining than the main one, and I learned a few new things about English history and social structure. The last few chapters do return to culminate the quiet couple's romance though, and with most of the characters receiving hopeful resolutions in their lives and loves, the series ends with a sweet and boisterous conclusion.

Conclusion: While not as good as Mori's current series, Emma was an interesting saga of maid love. Entertaining enough to hold my attention through five extremely thick and heavy hardcovers, the detailed artwork and historical tidbits were intriguing, and the side characters and their stories were fun. If you enjoy Mori's A Bride's Story then I do recommend trying this series as well, especially if you have a penchant for English period dramas as I do.

For Fans Of: English period dramas

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than volume 1. Emma is a maid with a new family. William has resigned himself to his fate of being the "best" gentleman there is. Going to all the parties, ect.

Yet, they both continue to think of each other.

Fate will intervene to bring these two together in an unusual way.

Looking forward to the third volume!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manga is set in the late nineteenth century and follows a maid named Emma who falls in love with an aristocrat. Yet the binds of society and family might keep them apart.
I really loved this volume. It was perfectly balanced with heart-warming moments and sad moments. I loved the fact that Kaoru equally balanced William and Emma's story so perfectly. I love the introduction of new major characters in this as they all seem really interesting and distinct.
Along with that, Kaoru Mori has to have the most gorgeous art style that I have ever seen. She draws super complicated scenes with so much detail. It's absolutely gorgeous and she catches the essence of this story so well. She also manages to capture the feeling of England and this century so well through her art and writing. I adore her art style.
The ending of this volume had me screaming. I absolutely need the third volume of this because that ending had me shook. I want to know what's going to happen with this story because I am so invested in it. I can't wait to see where Kaoru Mori is going to take this story.

[The Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma has left London and has found employment as a maid in the household of a German immigrant. William has thrown himself into being the "proper English nobleman" that his father wants him to be. And they're both still in love with each other. And everything comes crashing back together in the last chapter of this book.

But, we get introduced to a bunch of new characters. Wilhelm and Dorothea Mölders, Emma's new employers, and their household. They're fair to their employees and still very much in love (it's a fuzzy kind of cute). There's Mrs. Trollop, Dorothea's eccentric friend who has mysterious ties to London. There's Countess Monica Mildrake, Eleanor's older sister, who's more manly than half of these English gentlemen; the word 'brash' comes to mind. All fantastic characters.

Then there's the children. William's nephew Colin, Dorothea's son Erich and daughter Ilse. They're all so stinkin' cute!! I've yet to read a Kaoru Mori story with awful children.

This omnibus contains volumes 3-4.
This series has 10 volumes.

[Yoda Bor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cette intégrale est bien plus intéressante que la première. Les personnages sympathiques sont nombreux mais bien développés et j’ai beaucoup aimé la demeure des Mölders qui me rappelle parfois Downton Abbey. La galerie de domestiques est très pittoresque. Il y a notamment Hans, qui me semble tout à fait charmant et intéressé par Emma.
Hakim passe un peu en retrait et se voit reléguer dans sa chambre à l’écart ce qui est bien dommage tant chacune de ses rares interventions sont pertinentes.

C’est en tout cas un meilleur tome que le premier. L’histoire avance, les personnages se développent et s’apitoient moins sur leur sort.
C’est également plus vivant, plus joyeux, moins poussif. Un peu d’action et un décor toujours aussi joli.

[Kaci Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second collection of Emma, featuring volumes 3 and 4 of the series, follows our protagonist through a difficult change in her life. There are several additions - new characters and scenery fresh out of the oven - that thicken the plot and really keep things interesting. I am thrilled to say I enjoyed it even more than the first collection. The simplistic, refreshing moments that I found so captivating in the first two volumes are still an integral part of the story, but there exists a deeper emotional intensity that keeps you turning the pages. With the relationships intertwining and becoming more complicated, I can’t wait to continue to the next volume. If you enjoy forbidden relationships, historical England, or manga that differ from the status quo, I recommend giving Emma a shot.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those last pages were enough for me to give this volume 5 stars. I just love the DRAMA of Emma and the social hierarchy lines being crossed and treaded on. William and Emma are just the couple you imagine when you think of overdramatic, romantic, forbidden love and I live for every moment of it.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly cannot put my love for this series into coherent words. Almost all of my status updates were literally just heartfelt keyboard smashing.
Even very slight historical inaccuracies included (WHERE was the chaperone?!), I just melt for this story.

[Rrlgrrl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great cliffhanger ending for this volume! As with Kaoru Mori's other manga, this illustrations in this volume are beautiful. At least the misunderstandings among the characters get cleared up quickly and don't linger much.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only gripe is with the "they're speaking german" text not being visually more distinct

Also bonus points for using the old "foot to their back to tighten the laces" corset joke

[Salimbol · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3 and 1/2 stars]

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

My truest, most hopeless romantic self is in love with this series. I need a strong cup of tea, a good piece of chocolate and the next book in the series.

Too good to put down!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to read the rest of this series!

[Lisa B Buesing · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book. This one seemed a little meandering and not well thought out.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Didn’t like that William got engaged 😡

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful period drama done deftly.

[Cristina Huelsz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice story! Like a mix between Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell.

[Rebecca Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Space Cadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT LAST SCENEEEEE