Can we first take a moment to appreciate how awesome Lante looks on the cover?
Yep, he looks awesome! LOL!
So unlike I think all of the previous volumes, this opens up right where the previous volume ended. I'm truly thankful for how events unfolded in this opening chapter because I loved Tetra! Yes, she may have acted like a spoiled princess, but I also found her story really pulled at my heartstrings and wanted the best for her. Her ending of this "arc" made me very happy, but goodness about the next chapter!
Blush mode activated! LOL! Granted, we did see some of Leo's backstory and that was absolutely heartbreaking. So much pain I felt for him, but all the more thankful I am that Sari and his paths connected. They have been such a comfort to one another and admired their bold conversation they had. I confess it leaves me hoping that at some point we will see another Night of Revelation here soon because I need to see how they will interact and if will get that kiss I am so desperately wanting to see! LOL!
I LOVE Lante's character!!! Despite that Anubis is growing on me once again and not being quite so grumpy, Lante's entrance was chef's kiss! LOL! I'm very excited to see more of him in future volumes even though I have a feeling there was a setup near the end of this one. I'm with Sari in that I definitely trust him so I hope good things are in store.
Also, let's talk about Sari! She's an amazing and phenomenal character! Honestly she has been since the first volume, but her personal growth and how Anubis is unknowingly giving her this chance to shine on her own has been so deeply satisfying as a reader. She is growing in wisdom and independence and have loved seeing her come into her role as acting queen consort. The way she has stood her ground against personal prejudice and hatred time and time again has been a humbling experience and also very courage-inducing.
As always, another great volume that makes me wish I had finished it earlier in the day so I could read more tonight! LOL!
Oh. My. Goodness. It's finally happened. It's finally FUCKING happened. Leonhart and Sariphi officially confessed their love for each other and their desire to start a family together. *runs a victory lap, squeeing the entire time*
Also, Lanteveldt was introduced and I already love him. You keep being your bad-ass self, sweet pea, you're doin' great.
One final note, I love how the head chef was not hostile towards Sariphi and was willing to help her cook. It was a pleasant surprise and welcome change from the "head chef who won't let any peon trek upon their blessed kitchen" trope.
That's all I really have to say. I really loved this volume, and for good reason. It was wonderful and I loved it.
I'm glad I held steady while this author worked this story out and I had the time to adjust to its pacing and themes. I am absolutely loving the wholesome loveliness of this story and the new characters being introduced.
We get a glimpse of Leo’s childhood but, disappointingly, no revelation on his human roots. Rather, Tomofuji-sensei gives yet another portrayal of a rejected child before continuing with Sari’s next challenge. Although the test ostensibly is to execute royal duties without Leo’s supportive presence, ultimately it boils down to the same formula of her conquering beastpeople’s prejudices about her.
The Review
The Sarbul arc looked pretty much wrapped up with Sari and Leo rescuing the brash Princess Tetra. However, it extends two more chapters. As it turns out, the neglect suffered by Tetra not only allows Sari a path to reach out to the lonely princess, it dredges up painful childhood memories for Leo.
The mystery of Leo’s human form has been a mystery from the start. When I read on the back flap teaser that Leo “tells Sariphi of his tumultuous past,” I eagerly expected to learn the secret behind his parentage.
Unfortunately, that secret remains one. Turns out Leo has no siblings and no memory of his mother. He’s completely ignorant of his human origins, but his father was fully aware of and took pains to hide that aspect of Leo. Thus, we merely get more cold-hearted parenting and awful childhood memories, which is turning into a repeated theme for this series.
We then get a single-chapter interlude of Sari expressing her love and concern for Leo through the timeless medium of food before the story moves on to her next assignment as acting queen. This challenge is twofold. One, she must ratify the new lord of the city of Maasya without Leo’s company. Two, she must select a captain to lead her personal bodyguard.
I thought Anubis had softened somewhat towards Sari, but the manner in which he foists this task onto her indicates otherwise. Despite the supposed importance of the captain selection, Anubis gives Sari virtually no time to make her choice before rushing her out the door to Maasya. At any rate, we get new character Lante added to the cast.
Lante is a hyenafolk, whose tongue perpetually hangs out in a really distracting way. That aside, he draws nearly as much suspicion as Sari. Once more we get a chunk of hitherto unknown history and prejudices within Ozmargo. While it’s fine that Lante is a bit of a double edged sword, Sari’s personality feels inconsistent in her interactions with him. With Tetra, she was a trusting fluff-head who couldn’t interpret Tetra’s vindictive actions as anything but play. With Lante, she’s aware of his sketchy motivations from the get go and makes the conscious decision to trust him in spite of everyone else’s doubts. At any rate, she’s well on her way continuing the pattern of winning beastfolk hearts despite their universal hatred of humans.
Extras include embedded author’s notes about the characters, bonus sketches, and the bonus manga, “The Beast Princess and the Regular Servant.”
Finaliza la historia con la princesa Tetra y Sali puede realizar su tarea de darle una bendición al pequeño principe. Además, el rey y Sali hablan sobre eventualmente tener herederos y que a pesar que el rey no tuvo el afecto de su padre, él está comprometido a amar a su heredero.
También vemos cómo Sali pasa todo el día en la cocina aprendiendo del chef morsa para poder cocinarle un plato al rey. Cuando este prueba la comida de Sali, sonríe y eso deja sorprendidos a muchos ya que suele tener la imagen de un rey duro.
Sali tiene una nueva tarea y es levantar la moral del ejército. Irá sola sin la compañía del rey así que hacen un llamado para buscar un guardia para ella y solo aparece un candidato: Lanteveld, una hiena. Este es aceptado por Sali y vemos como solamente quiere subir su estatus, así que hará lo que sea para lograrlo.
Al final, Sali logra dar su discurso de apoyo a las tropas y vemos cómo una de las bestias a cargo fue atacada y hay una fuerte sospecha de que fue Lant debido a la situación actual de las hienas, ya que nadie confía en ellas.
More of Leonhart's past is exposed as we leave Sarbul and discover new challenges.
I love this story. Sariphi has had a hard lot in life but because of that she is able to enjoy life and see people in ways others cannot at first. Through her personal attentions she brings a sort of salvation to those she meets while remaining modest through hard trials. Now with Leonhart and her return to Ozmargo we have a little downtime before it is revealed that urgent matters require Leonhart's attention in two different places. As the Acting Queen Consort Saphiri chooses to take his place so he can handle the other matter in a timely manner. Of course with a new place to visit we get even more fantastic Beastkinds as Sariphi finds herself on a journey to offer morale support and to help stabilize an area. Only time will tell if old prejudices work against her and her new guardian.
So we finish the arc with Princess Tetra and the blessing ceremony and we move on to Sariphi getting her own body guard and at first I really did not like Landbert as I felt I already knew how the story will play out but we do learn more about beastmen society and even some history. This was pretty cool to learn about and it did help flesh out Landbert. Also it is nice that she is finally doing stuff on her own without needing the King around to solve everything as it gives her chance to interact more with common people.
Sariphi goes out solo to raise the morale of troops with her new bodyguard, hyena Lanteveldt
These stories are all about being strong, being kind, and opening yourself to trusting others and I'm all in for it. I loved the part where Sari invades the royal kitchen and must get the approval of the head chef seal to be able to cook there. My favorite part was Cy and Clops' sleepover with Sari and the royal cat princess. Adorableness!
More of a 3.5 star rating; I really liked Lante’s introduction and despite some being suspicious of him, I think he’ll be a lovely ally and bodyguard to Sariphi. It is very interesting seeing Sariphi and the King being separated though, and I’m curious to see how this distance could potentially test their bond.
I kinda wish that the entirety of a new scenario would be in one volume. Like the issue with blessing the child was broken up into the last half of volume 6 and the beginning of volume 7…. Just let me read it in one book cause now I need to start volume 8 to finish the issue that happened at the end of volume 7. Honestly, this will probably be an endless cycle, and I have no will power.
Lante is one of my favorite characters (I read ahead a few chapters)! This arc is one of my favorites, well they all are since they are so cute. Plus, Leo and Sariphi HAVING BABIES? THE MERE TALK OF IT IS ADORABLE.
(3.75) J'ai beaucoup trop aimé la clôture de l'arc sur le Royaume de Sable. J'apprécie également que Salifie et Leonheart puisse enfin mener des aventures individuelles mais disons que c'est pas la partie de l'histoire qui m'a le plus plu ici !
My favorite scene is when Cy and Clops want to join the sleepover with Sari and Princess Tetra says they can't because they're boys. I love Cy and Clops.