黒薔薇アリス 4

黒薔薇アリス [Kuro Bara Alice] #4

by Setona Mizushiro

Après la disparition de Léo, Kaï et Reiji redoublent d'attention pour emporter le cœur d'Alice. Mais Dimitri, qui s'était effacé devant Léo, ne compte pas laisser le champ libre aux jumeaux. C'est alors qu'Alice découvre le journal intime d'une mystérieuse jeune fille qui va lui dévoiler le passé du ténébreux Dimitri. Lentement, les liens passés et présents s'entremêlent pour dessiner la fragile toile de l'Amour.

Genres: Manga, Vampires, Fantasy, Shojo, Romance, Gothic, Paranormal

Comic

First published September 16, 2010

About the author

Mizushiro Setona (水城せとな in Japanese, or 水城雪可奈 in Chinese language) is a popular mangaka who started out in the dōjinshi circles.

Her first real dabble in the world of creating manga was in 1985 when she participated in the publication of a dōjinshi. She remained active in the dōjinshi world until her debut in 1993 with the short single "Fuyu ga Owarou Toshiteita" (Winter Was Ending) that ran in Shōgakukan's Puchi Comic magazine.
Though her current drawing style is high on the aesthetic value, her earlier works had less finesse. Regardless of the lesser emphasis on the visual elements in her earlier works, her popularity grew largely due to her unparalleled grasp for storytelling. Her works are noted for their slightly askew plots and deep exploration of the human psyche. Even her lighthearted Shōjo works usually have darker underlying elements. With an incomparable ability to craft stories that puzzle, sadden, assure, pervert, and move the depths of one's heart, she has gained a cult-like following. Her works include shojo, josei, and yaoi, and have been translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, French and German.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

These just get weirder the more i read, however i am enjoying the story more.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

By this fourth book in the series, I had hoped for more character development. Instead, with the focus on Dimitri's past here, we get even more reasons why Alice should avoid the vampires. Admittedly, I had a hard time liking any of the characters - Dimitri is still a lifeless board, Maximilian sullen, and Alice petulant. The promise of the earlier volumes has failed to materialize.

Story: Alice finds a diary from the 1920s; it is written by the daughter of the first Japanese patron of Dimitri. It tells of Dimitri's arrival, the girl, Akiko, falling in love with the inscrutable vampire, and how the vampire nest was created. There is also quite a bit more about vampire propagation as Leo's request to Toko comes to fruition.

Most of the volume is about Akiko's observations on the vampires and Alice becoming more and more jealous. Sadly, it turns Alice into a silly child and I couldn't help thinking that if she is their idea of a perfect queen, the race is doomed. Dimitri also fails to interest - he says 1-2 sentences, gives bored looks, and we get absolutely nothing from him. It makes all the girl worship over the century uninteresting and unbelievable. At this point, I'm not sure if I'm going to continue to follow the series. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Sylwia · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a fine line between discussing a unique point of view and inflicting a unique point of view onto others. I felt that the author put more of her own values into this volume than the others, but I could be wrong. I found myself disappointed in this volume and struggled to get back into the story between chapters 18 and 19. I am still going to finish this, because it is very unique and entertaining, and because this mangaka continues to be one of my favorites.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars... I waited impatiently for this volume. Alice finds an intriguing journal and shows her jealous side. Will start vol 5 just as soon as I can get it in my hot little hands.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One loose end is tied up, and Alice finally gets a backbone against Dimitri! Still a page-turner, and I'm still wanting to see where the author takes me.

[Myra · Rating 2 out of 5]

The series started interesting and then like nothing happens. I'm quickly getting bored.

[Coeurnoble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ça devient de plus en plus glauque et malaisant mais c’est typique de l’auteur, voyons ce que réserve la fin de l’histoire

[Judyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3.5/5

Firstly, I have to say that, after it being a while between volumes for me, seeing all the swallowing of insects again creeps me out. It makes me all squeamish, and gross. Ugh. Plus, it’s so detailed!

Aside from that, this was a great volume.

Alice finds a diary and learns about a person in a similar position to her from Dimitri’s past. It makes her thinks differently about him. And then we find out what Leo was really doing with Toko before he died, and it makes sense. It even makes me a little happy? Because he deserved that, and she was sick already, so I find it fitting.

While Alice gets to know Toko better, we also get to see more of the twins. And I like them. It’s clear who Alice has more of an attraction to, though.

This series is dark and disturbing at times. The morbid scenes are terribly well done, including Toko’s ending. It’s just surprisingly impressive, every time, honestly.

[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest i find the whole ‘propagation’ plot creepy but meh theres only two left and they take a night to read so… i guess ill finish the manga.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, that was... both beautiful and absolutely terrifying.

Just as vampires should be.