The Seven Princes of the Thousand-Year Labyrinth Vol. 3

千年迷宮の七王子 [Sennen Meikyuu no Nana Ouji] #3

by Haruno Atori, Yu Aikawa (Artist)

Ewan Juno remains among those cast into the Thousand-Year Labyrinth as part of a ritual intended to choose the next Emperor. Although the group has begun to deduce some of the maze's mysteries, their ongoing search for an exit is threatened by an ominous message scrawled in blood -- "Amadeus is most fit for Emperor." Who could have written this message, and even more worrisome a isn't Amadeus already dead?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Mystery, Josei, Young Adult, Comics, Adventure

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2015

About the author

花鶏ハルノ

Reviews

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

Ewan Juno wakes up imprisoned, his life in danger of rising waters with 6 princes whose motives are unclear. This is the Thousand-Year Labyrinth and these 7 princes will determine who will be the country’s next emperor or the puzzles, trials, and traps within will do the whittling for them. One must be left the winner... or all will die trying to beat the deadly labyrinth!

This is a review of volumes 3-4 which I read together back to back. See the plot section for my thoughts on the individual volumes.

The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 continues the labyrinth that is the castle of a thousand years. I love the maze like action that gets really dangerous, up to now they have been fighting a mechanized building but at this point its human drizen. There are other "people" locked in with them and we learn that these conspirators are pretty crazy! I am pretty sad that this manga stopped after vol 4. It does tie up the series with a pretty neat if hurried end. Still this is a really neat labyrinth premise that I adored!!

Just look at those covers... Don't they just scream fun?! I don't disagree with them at all... The story in The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 is all about character interaction. That's what is most exciting about the series... The seven princes! I will admit that I wanted a 8 volume series so we could get a cover portrait of each of them with a final "all the boys" to top things off. Still we get to know this cast really well! And the final vol 4 really gives us an idea of how these guys will interact for the betterment of the people in their kingdom... I can't help but back them in their desire to support Ewan.

The way the cast was all boys made it even more diabolically fun. There are so many feels along the way... the first two volumes no one knew who they could trust and Ewan held them together. Now we see that Ewan can't do that any longer. One of these princes is going to have to take the first step and trust or the villain is going to win. And we get some light boy's love time!! Eiiiii! It's not graphic at all like some erotic boy's love but is all in the emotional details... in the actions and the trust. It's like a taste of fine wine... can your palette take it?!

The visuals were stellar! I admit that when the visuals are lacking its hard to keep reading...so the ones in The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 must be good right?! Well, not only are they good, they totally WOWED me. I kid you not... we get some setting views that really made the whole labyrinth thing hit home mega time. And all the group pages were super fun. I ended up loving the villain and his motives for taking on his role. I really felt for the one he left behind... But Ewan and Lawrence's moments together... visually so fun!

At the end of volume 4 there was the potential to develop a new setting into another labyrinth like puzzle... I would have loved to see that next part developed into 3 or 4 more volumes. In the end I guess the desire for closure on this labyrinth was too much to sustain the wait. That's fine. This is a strong story and a fun read without any more volumes.

The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 is the finale to a fun thriller mystery set in a Castle full of traps and puzzles and the princes don't disappoint as we learn someone is hiding the biggest motive, so inscrutable we twist in the wind all the way to the end of the maddeningly twisty manga! I highly recommend this as a beginner manga to get a sense of what makes manga fun and to enlighten the mind as to why the art is so powerful...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art


This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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You can find this manga review and many others on my book blog every Monday @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews at the bottom of the page.

Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is incredibly fast-paced to the point of feeling like they're trying to just cram things in while it rushes to its end. I do like that it's gotten a bit darker (I mean, yeah, we had a decapitated body within the first few pages of the first volume but as a whole this has been pretty light-hearted.) It also seems that as soon as one question is answered we get another one in its place. Just *what* exactly is going on here? Definitely curious to see how the whole thing ends.

I will say one thing though, the covers for this series are absolutely gorgeous.

[fxtiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proszę nie czytajcie tego

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ★

I think I loved this volume even more than the other two! So much more tension and danger lurking at every corner. It’s difficult knowing which characters to trust with all the lies and stolen identities, but it’s also surprising how attached I’ve become to them all in only three volumes (Ewan and Laurence are still my favourite boys!). And since this volume left on a cliffhanger, I’m going to have to read the next one right away...

[Kayleigh Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery and world building are both very interesting. Characters follow typical tropes, but it’s still a fun read. Wish the series was longer, more character development, backstories and history of the world would make it feel like a more complete story.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely left on a huge cliffhanger. And of course I don't have volume 4.

[Miłosz Malarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

bardzo fajna rzecz

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every volume has me loving this story and the characters even more, this volume is no exception!

[queen0f_hearts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two things to be said:

How cab they end this volume like this????!!!! They are all going to die, it seems ;;;;;

This volume for now was the best of this series! There was so much tension on every single page! So much blood! And danger! I love how their search for an exit only results to lead them to the worst... But the best is how the author plays with the reader's view on the characters! I've loved and doubted each single one various times. Just when you think there's proof to trust, next there is not. Surely, this is teaching a lesson not to live on prejudices and wrong accusations and assumptions. Each character has a different story and background, different motivation and goals but then there's also that strong wish for a better future for the empire which unites them.

As their search goes on, I'm glad that in this volume the story has developed from searching to a direct threat when the true attacker shows up and even explains himself! It might be no surprise but though it was kind of predictable, Ewan is his target, this was not what I expected! Never! But learning more about the empire's citizens and how they live, I understand the motives.

Many things in the empire need to be changed to a better and it would be great if Ewan indeed managed to get out alive and became the emperor, and all the other guys at his side~ Unfortunately, the last few pages blew me away and I fear my hope might be pointless......

The characters are all so lovable and I truly wish for them to get out alive. I want to hug them all! I want to tell Zan, his voice is beautiful and he's no monster! I want to give Titus a ton of gold and have him stay with Messiah //ship ship// I want Laurence to save his father which might be too late (......) and I want him to remain on Ewan's side. Oh, it's really so cute how he always protects him~~ I want Gideon to become a politician or something the like, so he can change the human rights and improve the lives of the commoners! I want him to have a family and children who love him! And August.... I'd like him to stop to cross-dress, to be honest. I'm sure he's quite handsome :3 I need to point out, they all are so amazing because they question their own reasonings and are willing to see their failures and are capable to change. They are such strong persons, it's remarkable, I love them!

Volume 4 cannot come soon enough! I need to know, will they survive?! Now!!!! //inserts heavy sigh

[Brigitte Alouqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce troisième tome est ... explosif !

Oh put*** je veux la suiiiiiiiiite, Delphine au secouuuuuuurs !!! Delphine est ma chef à la bibliothèque ;-)

Les deux premiers étaient déjà pas mal mouvementé, mais là !?! Je vais devenir dingue à ne pas avoir la suite directement sous la main !

On commence à voir le bout du tunnel, encore faut-il savoir à qui on peut se fier, à qui peut-on réellement donner notre confiance. Les apparences sont toujours tellement trompeuses ! Nous en avons encore une belle preuve ici, bien que je commençais à avoir quelques doutes, j'espérais sincèrement me tromper, que ce que j'entrevoyais n'étais que le fruit de mon imagination. Cependant, j'ai envie de croire jusqu'à ce que l'on me prouve le contraire que l'on ne peut pas avoir une confiance totale en ce personnage !

Diviser pour mieux régner... voilà une expression qui prend tout son sens ici, mais qui a dit que tout les prétendants possibles au trône devaient absolument mourir pour qu'il ne reste que le futur monarque ? Personne n'a mentionner ce genre de détail, pourtant, c’est bien ce qui est en train de se dérouler sous nos yeux !

Les langues se délient, les mystères se dissipent, les révélations nous ébranles, les émotions en prennent pour leurs grades, le suspense devient insoutenable !

Vivement que je puisse connaître le fin mot de cette histoire !

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I'm officially obsessed now.

I love all the characters and their relationships. In this volume, we learn more about Zan's past - including how he was blinded...and worse. So tragic! I adore him.

We also learn about Messiah's past and his secret is revealed.

A new character is also introduced. I don't care for him but maybe the next volume will make me change my mind...

The rooms of the labyrinth have all been so unique, but two of the most beautiful ones yet have been depicted: the garden, complete with gothic fountain, and a sort of chapel (I assume, from the stained-glass window).

The characters are paired off and forced to choose amongst each pair who will stay and who will escape. The choices are shocking but a pattern has begun to emerge. I have high hopes the series will still end well for all!

[kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

although I don't think this series is the most original or groundbreaking thing I've ever read, it definitely gets props for not being predictable! There were a couple of pretty sizeable twists in this one, and neither were ones I saw coming. In fact, throughout the whole thing, there's been one character in particular that I thought would be the eventual traitor & based on what happened in this volume, I don't think they are, so that's a pleasant surprise for sure. Now, if only that would get turned on its head AGAIN in volume 4... that would actually be kinda cool.

side note-- love this cover the most.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy was there twist if I ever saw one. The plot's unraveling quickly, but I suppose that's on the account of it being a short series; only 4 volumes i believe? With manga most times you'll never know if a main character will get knocked off or not and I was in suspense for the entire climax and it's final build up. Great pacing for short graphic novel series. Will be waiting in suspense for when I get the final volume from my library. Art's beautiful, as always.

[December Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super creepy new character. This was such an interesting part of the book. I was so happy they found the head. This was also an extremely difficult to put down third. Again the writing and art are amazing. The storyline is robust for only being a four part series. The ending of this volume leaves the reading with no other choice but to continue. Bravo!

[Nerys Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One volume to go for the end of this story.
Plots, cloak and dagger, new identities, leaps of faith all around. This volume was one roller coaster after the other.

I admit that it has some things that could be done better, but I can't deny that there were parts that kept me hooked page by page.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice to read volume but there were some parts that I felt were not placed correctly and that made parts confusing to it all.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most exciting series I've ever read. Nothing is what it seems.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good story. Lots of twists and turns.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens! Even more than before (which is saying something)!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMONG US

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is wearing on me a bit. Glad there’s only one more volume left.

[Elise Belleville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nette amélioration dans le plot et les personnages !
J'ai hâte de savoir la suite, hihihi ~

[em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea who to trust

[Assayah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Nie do końca rozumiem, ale buja

[Niangelix Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really good and interesting I couldn't stop reading it...

[beya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw that reveal coming since the last volume. Doubt they're evil though.

[Karine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't stop reading!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I reviewed the entire series at Lady Business! Death traps, politics, and queerbaiting: yes! The mostly explicitly queer-coded character being the villain: no!

https://ladybusiness.dreamwidth.org/2...

[Khadija · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars