Godchild, Vol. 6: Judas Kiss

ゴッド チャイルド [God Child] #6

by Kaori Yuki

International hit by the creator of Angel Sanctuary

Deep in the heart of 19th century London, a young nobleman named Cain walks the shadowy cobblestone streets of the aristocratic society into which he was born. Forced to become an earl upon the untimely death of his father, Cain assumes the role of head of the Hargreaves, a noble family with a dark past. With Riff, his faithful manservant, and Mary Weather, his 10-year-old half sister, Cain investigates the mysterious crimes that seem to follow him wherever he goes.

Cain stumbles on a secret that will change his life forever. It's not only the Hargreaves who harbor skeletons in their closet. To whom can you turn when the only person you ever trusted betrays you beyond your worst nightmares?

Genres: Manga, Horror, Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Comics

200 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2003

About the author

Kaori Yuki (由貴香織里) is a Japanese manga artist.

She debuted in 1987 with Natsufuku no Erii (Jap: 夏服のエリー) on the manga anthology Bessatsu Hana to Yume published by Hakusensha.
She is best known for her gothic manga works, such as the Earl Cain series (Jap: 伯爵カイン, Hakushaku Cain) and Angel Sanctuary (Jap: 天使禁猟区, Tenshi Kinryōku)

Her work is typically serialized in one of Hakusensha's two shōjo manga anthologies, Bessatsu Hana to Yume and Hana to Yume. In 2010, Kaori Yuki was one of many manga artists whose work would appear in the new shōjo manga anthology Aria by the publisher Kodansha on July 28, 2010.
Her doujinshi-ka name is MoonClock.

Reviews

[Liawèn · Rating 3 out of 5]

How? How could she do this 😭 that’s not fair. That’s the biggest injustice ever. He doesn’t deserve this 😭

[Strangerealms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think The Cain Saga, and its sequel Godchild, have the most messed up and tragic characters I've seen so far. It's dark, it's gloomy. Don't expect happy endings in these two mangas, dead bodies keep pilling up. All the characters are so complex.

The Cain Saga art is not as good as Godchild, one can guess the artist art was not mature yet unlike when she made Godchild much later. Still it's a must to read to fully understand what happens in Godchild. There are a lot of good contents to find there too (like about how Oscar and Cain met). In the other hand, Godchild's art is so beautiful it's mesmerizing. The characters are so beautifully drawn and each have their unique look.

The hero Cain gets involved in different events so the mangas are a bit like short stories put together, all of them involving some supernatural of some sort. He has on his side the ever faithful Riff, his butler and friend. But in the background lies his father's shadow and his secret organization, who become Cain's ennemy throughout the series. Among the ennemies is the fascinating half-brother of Cain, Jizabel, who is also part of said organisation. Jizabel is helped by Cassian.

It's interesting to see the mirror relationship between Cain and the protective Riff and Jizabel and the protective Cassian.

I really love these two mangas. I love rereading them, going back into the story, and seeing again those fascinating characters living briefly up until the ending.

P.S. My review is about both series. I got The Cain Saga in French since the Englih version was not out.

[Holly Interlandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I said I wouldn't add subsequent volumes, but this book deserves a separate entry. It's the one that makes me cry, the one that yanked my heart so hard it stretched it out. Kaori spends such a long time building you a comfortable seat, and in this volume she snatches it away like a barstool, making you feel just as heartbroken as the main character. It's utterly devastating. I start to feel sick just thinking about it.
I've tried to come up with a literary comparison, but there is none. I have to look to Shakespeare, to his timeless tragedies, because that's what this is.

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of the entire series.

Synopsis: Deep in the heart of 19th century London, a young nobleman named Cain walks the shadowy cobblestone streets of the aristocratic society into which he was born. Forced to become an earl upon the untimely death of his father, Cain assumes the role of head of the Hargreaves, a noble family with a dark past. With Riff, his faithful manservant, and Mary Weather, his 10-year-old half sister, Cain investigates the mysterious crimes that seem to follow him wherever he goes.

Review: A detective manga series that draws a lot of inspiration from classic gothic horror fiction and tropes. It's a love letter to writers such as Agatha Christie, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, the Bronte sisters, the Grimm brothers and even Shakespeare. Family curses, a brutal father and son rivalry, religious allegory, destined betrayal, violent supernatural murders, dark fairy tale undertones, a gloomy atmosphere and melancholy characters. The art is flowery and gorgeous to look at, the classic tropes are pleasant for fans of classic horror elements and there's a few scenes that pack quite an emotional punch. It's a bit melodramatic and over-the-top at times, but it actually gives it more of that authentic, pulpy feel of popular penny dreadfuls from the Victorian era.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non so davvero da dove cominciare.
Ho amato questa saga dal primo all'ultimo volume eppure questo finale mi ha lasciato l'amaro in bocca e un po' di delusione.
Lasciando stare il finale aperto del "forse Cain è vivo ma chissà" CHE ODIO, non ho ben compreso la sua decisione sciocca di morire con Riff. La cosa che però più di tutte mi ha deluso è stato scendere nel classico cliché dove il cattivo è cattivo perché una donna che ha amato lo ha deluso/manovrato.
E che palle: ma uno cattivo solo perché è una merda, no? Vabbè.
A parte ciò, lo consiglio assolutamente.

[Kayla Lodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am devastated that Riff is no longer on the same side as Cain, to find out that all this time he was under the influence of Delilah is so upsetting. Makes me wonder if everything between Riff and Cain is a lie or if maybe they somehow got control on Riff only now and are making him think he was with them this whole time.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the one hand...wow, that twist was really unexpected.

On the other hand: OH MY GOSH, THAT IS THE MOST NEEDLESSLY CONVOLUTED, OVERLY CRUEL PILE OF BULLCRAP I HAVE EVER READ IN MY LIFE AND I FREAKING LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!! <3

[Kaory Ciel · Rating 5 out of 5]

No estaba preparada para el plottwist de que el Rift real era el dark!!! Que todo fue un maquiavelico plan del padre de Cain desde el inicio!!!
Espero que Cain logre sacar al Rift UE amamos o que nazca una mezcla de ambos.
Estuvo muy buena la narración, supe ágil, no hubo descanso ni un segundo.

[Em Mirra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pending.

[Rici · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cain musss Verrat von einer Seite ertragen, die er nie erwartet hätte. Für mich war sie leider absehbar. Zudem aber läuft es sicher auf das Ende zu, nur noch 2 Bände.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a plot twist....but ouch my heart! 😭😭

[Liselotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

How did this not get an anime series honestly i'd watch it

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book of this series so far. I really liked the twist.

[Kiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

...well fuck. -gif of Sheldon Cooper throwing papers-

[Kurtis Burkhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this series, great gothic Shoujo manga! Love the story, characters and art style 😻😁👌❤️

[Reila BL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un golpe dolía menos que todo lo que sucedió en este volumen.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things are getting crazy in this one to be honest. I can't believe everything that happened with Riff and Cain especially.

[Jami Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have realized what would happen with a title of Judas Kiss, but dang! Gut me😭

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my god, I am super pissed after reading this. I thought this series was picking up and I was actually happy and excited to read the remaining volumes. It seemed like everything was going to hell and I wanted to see how and if things would work out. And then towards the end, a huge ass bomb was dropped about Riff. I'm not sure if I didn't like this plot-twist because I liked Riff as a character or because the whole scenario itself confused me. I think it was more both. I was primarily upset because Riff and Cain, as gay as I sometimes thought they acted towards one another, had a good relationship. Riff was a nice guy and while a bit boring, he was overall an interesting character. Then, secondly, I was pissed because on the whole, the reasoning behind what happened was complicated and lame. It felt like it was supposed to be an 'aha!' moment, but it just seemed ridiculous to me. I liked how the series was turning into a Delilah Corp vs Cain and Company. So then, I was just thinking to myself, 'really? that's how it's going to be??'. I don't know, I'm not sad, I'm just kinda angry with the turn of events. Maybe later I'll feel different, but as of now, I'm hating things. I decided to give it two stars because, to be honest, I was loving the volume up until the bomb dropping. Part of me might be basing this emotionally, but I truly don't like how/why certain things happened.

I feel like I should continue to read this manga. After all, there are only two volumes left, so it would be kinda pointless not to see how things end up. Unfortunately, my library doesn't have the next volume, which makes me mad. It's ridiculous how they have volume 5 and 6, NOT 7, but then have 8 the final volume. Gahhh, frustrating!!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this volume. I loved reading more about Crehador and his past, although I'm sad Sheila died. Cain is kind of a dick in this volume, but then finding out that Riff is a card COMPLETELY SHOCKED me, and it really turned the story on its head. Having dabbled in Tarot, I found it perfectly fitting that Riff is the Tower card (which represents chaos and destruction). I know the following volumes will be even more intense and shocking.

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riff's history was a bit of a stretch, in my opinion, especially since Yuki admitted in her interview that she makes the story up as she goes along. However, Cain's reaction to this history was interesting. I was surprised he didn't remain more upset. Either it's uncharacteristic, or Cain really has changed.

Neat play with the idea of Judas's kiss.

[Oyceter · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. Much. Love!

"Like Mely said, the most amazing thing is that Yuki Kaori totally foreshadowed this, but it was just so completely insane that no one could have guessed it."

Full review: http://oyceter.livejournal.com/621696...

[Olivia Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the MOST beautiful ending to a manga series ever. You expected it, yet it was so shocking. I cried so much and I was so glad to have read it. This is a story I will always remember. The ending goes perfectly with the song "Famous Last Words"- by My Chemical Romance

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now we're really cutting down to the bones. Sweet!

[Emily G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't give it five stars because Riff!!!!! What have you done?!

[John Kamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is an amazing manga series. The characters are interesting and the plot is tremendous. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Sedna Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not see that plot twist coming! This volume made me feel sorry even more for Cain and hate his father even more.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

See review of vol. 1

[Conina · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was some ugly plot twist!!!