Crimson Spell, Vol. 4

クリムゾン・スペル [Crimson Spell] #4

by Ayano Yamane

The key to discovering the secret behind Vald’s cursed sword is somewhere in the empire of Zenedoura. With information obtained from Limris—new companion and former Consul of the Empire—Prince Vald decides to head there to see what he can find. Along the way, in order to save a gravely wounded Rulca, he deliberately chooses to turn into his demon self! Vald’s uncharacteristic recklessness provokes a tirade from Halvir, who then leaves the group without a word...

Genres: Manga, Yaoi, Fantasy, Romance, M M Romance, Boys Love, LGBT

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2010

About the author

Ayano Yamane (native name: やまねあやの) is one of Japan's most popular Boys' Love genre manga artist.
She debuted as a professional manga artist in 1996 and since then has published several BL series and illustrated many light novels. She is one of the top selling BL manga artists in Japan. Her most successful work is the Finder series.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whereas I described the first volume as generic high fantasy with sex scenes shoved in, the vibe here is totally romance novel with fantasy backdrop. There's the traditional romance trope of a falling-out caused by unwillingness of both parties to discuss their feelings in a mature way. There's even a ball, basically for no reason other than as an excuse to dress the characters up pretty. Vald is the overwrought heroine -- although to be fair that whole demonic possession thing seems to cause mood swings and irrationality. We're also reminded in passing that he's actually quite young (18 or 20, I think) and has spent his life dutifully learning to be a good ruler, so everything that's happening both on a personal and plot level is new to him.


Vald snuck into the ball in a dress.

Also Rulca the bunny/dragon/whatever is cuter than ever.



The new character that was introduced at the end of last volume is quite ambiguous so far and seems connected to the larger plot arc with the origin of the cursed sword. Am looking forward to finding out what he's up to.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is basically all about Havi and Vald having thoroughly consensual sex.

Vald struggling with his gayness because he had sex with Havi and really enjoyed it so he breaks up with Havi.

Havi being hurt by the break up and tons of other non important events that just provided a back drop for Havi and Vald's relationship troubles.

I just read it for the pretty art and the detailed sex.

Yes, I have no shame.

[Kynthos-the-Archer (Kyn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is interesting that the usual standard yaoi fare and the artwork is worth drooling over. All is well but they are sudden changes of scene from time to time that I find to be rather confusing and disruptive to the story flow.

* 12 Sept 2015

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come at the end of the series.

[Kanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cross-dressing super sensitive prince. I'm not feeling it.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sentí muy revuelto este volumen y no sé si es por el acomodo del scan. Pensé que el asunto entre Val y Havi ya había sido resuelto en el tomo anterior, pero no y eso crea todas las situaciones que vemos en este volumen. Como tal, ahora se aseguraron de que no están juntos solo por la misión de quitarle la maldición, sino porque realmente quieren estar juntos.

En otros asuntos, qué bueno que salvaron a Ruruka gracias a la ayuda de Rimrim, el hechicero que estaba atrapado. Ahora, ese vato me intriga porque conoce a quién pudo ser el responsable de la maldición en la espada de Val, pero advierte que es alguien que vive básicamente en las sombras y solo unos pocos topan.

[river · Rating 4 out of 5]

i definitely judged the beginning of the series about. but it's getting better.

i love any kind of fantasy book! it's my fave
this vol was more focused on their relationship/communication and vald finally expressing what he wants and tells havi this.

rulca's fine btw !! (ofc they had to add the cliffhanger in the previous volume)

[Jess ✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

forgot to mention that I had finished this, but i am trash for this manga.

[Alex Jiménez · Rating 4 out of 5]

as a fan that desperately awaited updates of this manga, I love how she apologizes over and over again in the afterwords for being so slow LOL

[Ekene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't too sure about this series since the first book fell flat for me but slowly gets better. I am enjoying the relationship between the main 2

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the few yaoi I like. I’m not a fan of the falling in love with your rapist themes in many of them and there is dub-con in this one. At least it’s done a bit more realistically. Now that Prince Vald has realized that Halvir has been using sex to control the demon inside of Vald – while Vald’s own personality is submerged and not conscious of what’s happening – he’s pretty furious. It’s compounded by his hurt feelings because he had truly become close to Halvir. But he’s having trouble accepting that Halvi has been basically raping him.

The front half of this volume is both of them still nursing these hurts. And Vald begins to act more and more reckless in his attempts to save a friend that Halvir becomes equally furious. Before long they’re not speaking and Halvir takes a job for a wealthy man in need of a mage to do some boring bureaucratic stuff. Panicked he might be losing Halvir, Vald has to get into the castle to talk to Halvir but the wealthy fellow is a total poon-hound so only women are let in. (I was pretty annoyed by this because really he’s letting Halvi off too easily. Like I said one thing I dislike about the whole BL genre is the prevalence of the loving your rapist crap. It’s disrespectful really)

Naturally Vald is great and practiced at pretending to be a woman (eye roll so hard I might have hurt myself. This is so not my trope). I will say this particular manga doesn’t shy away from showing sex on the page.

It is well drawn and at least has a plot. I do like it but the mangaka does tend to get distracted from her plot to show sex scenes. I’m probably the only one reading this who gets annoyed by this.

[For The Novel Lovers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review
Title: Crimson Spell Vol. 4 by Ayano Yamane
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, LGBT
Rating: 4.75 Stars
After making up the group are going to travel to the Imperial Fortress to see what information they can get on the sorcerer that created Vald’s curse but upon arriving they notice something is strange with the entire place. Havi knows that Vald is emotionally vulnerable right now after he entered the world of Vald’s heart and saw the divide between him and the demon and took steps to repair the damage done but it is far from complete.
Working together properly for the first time Havi and Vald realise they actually make a great team and decide together to pursue a relationship. However, someone turns up to interrupt them and manages to separate them and capture Vald. Ruruka tries to step in and save Vald but ends up breaking the vessel meaning Vald and Rimris are currently lost in space time. Vald and Rimris are close the demon realm so Vald has even less control over the demon than he did before but both are searching for a way out.
They end up coming face to face with Astador, who took Rimris’ appearance and locked him away and Astador wants Vald’s power. He tries to assault Vald but a spell placed on him by Havi lets him know that something is wrong with Vald but he can’t get a location on him which means he is somewhere that Havi can’t access. The other have also learnt about Astador from Ruruka but inside the space time, Rimris can only free them if he has full access to his powers which he doesn’t right now but Vald could help him by sharing energy the same way he does with Havi but to Vald it feels like a betrayal.

[Leila Anani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vald distances himself from Havi not wanting complications and still uncomfortable with submitting to the beautiful sorcerer. The party arrive at a town and Havi goes off to masquerade as their newly appointed sorcerer. Vald is terrified Havi will leave him for good and stay on as the town wizard - so he dresses up as a princess to get Havi's attention....

Highlight of this one is clearly Vald in a dress and the seduction that follows but I also love his interaction with rabbit spirit Rulca and his determination to heal him.

The artwork on this series is stunning and for those of you who like their yaoi with a fantasy setting this really is at the top of its game. I can't believe there's only one volume left! Noooooooooooooo!

[Ray Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I do like the art (considering it was drawn 15-20 years ago), not everything revolves around sex. Havi and Val are interesting characters but instead of talking their problems out, the author relies on the miscommunication trope, which I’m not really a fan of.

After a loooong volume, they kinda talk and agree that they do care about each other, and are not using the other for their own benefit. Sometimes I forget they both are like 18-22, so we can’t expect a lot from them by being mature enough.

Still, I do like that we have fantasy elements, dragons and fights but they’re not enough. I’m still gonna continue with the series but it’s not a fav story by all means.

PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3

[Heather’s Reading Bubble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not as good as the last volume I did find this volume to be enjoyable for the most part. I am also very interested in Limris as it is clear he is hiding many things. I also found myself snickering because of Rulca, his disdain for Halvir is hilarious. I was extremely annoyed by the miscommunication and immaturity displayed by both Vald and Halvir in this volume. Halvir at one point literally storms off like a child and then Valds response to him storming off is to whine like a toddler. At least by the end they stopped acting this way but it was still obnoxious.

[Jordan MacKinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, this volume has so much happening ! We have Vald... diving head first into problems not caring at all about the cost ! A glorious fight and perhaps miscommunication because talking about your feelings... what concept is this! Not that I mind because the balcony scene.... THE BALCONY SCENE WAS WORTH IT !!! All yummy things should happen on a balcony!! And then to put the cherry on top.... we have got the found family cutting the post cuddles short!!!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come ipotizzato, il nuovo arrivato Limris finisce per destabilizzare l'armonia appena ritrovata tra Vald e Havi. Dopo il brutto litigio, lo stregone sembra scegliere una strada che lo dividerà dal principe, ma sarà proprio così? Vald non ascolta le rassicurazioni dei compagni e si infiltra nel nuovo posto di lavoro di Havi, ma la sua copertura salterà presto… che dire, questo sono i crossdressing che ci piacciono! Havi comunque è un sogno proibito e Vald mi fa un'invidia ogni volta.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rulca collapses after his battle with Vald. Vald goes off in search of magic berries to heal him. Fights a demon, saves a dragon, returns triumphant with the berries. Havi gets a job stamping hands. A steamy sex scene on the balcony at the ball. One more book to go and we're no closer to breaking the curse than when we started. At least AY keeps things sexy.

[Daniela Tavares · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/6.
🌶️🌶️/5.

I very much appreciated the communication they had towards the end and I hopefully they will continue practicing it.
Vald and white wings? Is his love for Habi purifying the demon/ curse hence the wings? I’m curious!
I wonder what Habi plans to do.

[Chiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

[Jana Denardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still relatively disturbed by the dub-con in this. At least there's a decent story line and fantastic art.

[Flor Márquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 estrellas.
Este volumen me gusto mucho, no tanto como el anterior pero mucho más que los primeros dos tomos. Ame la parte del baile y estoy enamorada del arte del manga.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this volume as well!

[Rosalinda Cicio · Rating 5 out of 5]

In questo volume dopo l'aggiunta del nuovo personaggio ne lasciamo uno, dato che la coppietta felice ha litigato di brutto, sono molto curiosa di sapere cosa accadrà ancora

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful drawings. The story is also full of mystery. I am curious to see how the journey of the protagonists will continue.

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Para ayudar a Rulca, Vald necesita unas bayas que nacen en las bestias mágicas. Sin escuchar a Havi, Vald se lanza al ataque, saliendo herido y provocando que el mago se distancie de él. Los sentimientos de ambos están más revueltos que nunca y Vald deberá dar un paso adelante si quiere comprender a su compañero y que las cosas entre ellos vuelvan a ser como antes.

Leer la reseña completa sin espóileres en mi blog:

https://unabibliotecaentremundos.blog...

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

More great art and story. Loved the twist that happens at the end.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prince Vald’s discovery that the sorcerer Havi has been raping him while his human self was dormant has led to a wild see-sawing of his emotions and increasingly reckless behavior. The fact that Havi is utterly without remorse over his actions doesn’t help.

Rape is hard to accept as a story element; the author manages to dodge the issue by never using the word. Vald himself doesn’t quite recall the times when he had sex as a demon. His main objections to it stem from the fact that he enjoyed it and was the seme during the acts.

The context of Havi’s actions and his motivations must be taken into account—Vald’s demonic side needed taming and had to be bound lest he fly out of control and murder anyone who came near him. Sexual binding to a powerful sorcerer was the most expedient way to manage this. (The fact that Vald is young, handsome and sexually uninhibited while a demon were strong incentives.)

The previous volume had Havi being taken to task for his oblivious treatment of Vald. This one has Vald putting himself needlessly in danger. This is partially because he now fears hurting his friends and companions. But there is a deeper underlying motive—he is skittish about his further emotional involvement with Havi. His ambivalence, uncertainty about what his changed feelings mean and sexual shyness lead to contradictory, dangerous behavior and others have no problems taking him to task over it.

Combining as it does social interaction, emotional turmoil, friendship, emotional suppression, jealousy and suspicion, et al., Crimson Spell continues to surprise, delight and titillate. As always, the sexual scene is really great, naughty and slightly kinky. In short, all the elements that have made this a highly successful series are here in one glorious volume, keeping this reader wonderfully primed for volume five.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

In volume 4, we get hints that Vald may be far more than a demon possessed prince as a coupling causes a startling transformation. Meanwhile, Rulca desperately needs a rare dragon berry and Vald will do whatever it takes to save his friend.

Story: Rulca lays dying with the only cure coming directly from a dragon. Vald agrees to battle a dragon but instead finds himself and Limris captured by a dragon hunter and his giant pet lizard. In order to free the dragon, Vald will need to use his demon powers to their fullest – nearly losing his life in the balance. Meanwhile, Havi assumes the roule of a missing sorcerer in order to gain access to a City where there is more information on Vald’s curse. But Vald worries that Havi is leaving them permanently. He will enact a daring ruse in order to gain access to the sorcerer: dressing as a lost princess. But Vald may be far more attractive than he bargained and attracts the wrong attention. Limris’ secret, meanwhile, will be revealed.

There was a surprising amount of humor in Volume 4: giant smirking lizards and cross-dressing princes notwithstanding. But a lot of conflict is introduced in Vald and Havi’s relationship as Vald really starts to realize what it means to be the beast demon and protect his friends. In trying to protect them, he may end up destroying them. Should he let Havi push him away?

In all, definitely the guilty pleasure of Crimson Spell continues. Reviewed from an ARC.