Kiss of the Rose Princess Vol. 1 TP
Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Price: $9.99
Creator: Aya Shouoto
Format: 180 pgs., Black & White, Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7366-3
Age Rating: Teen
ICv2 Rating: 3 stars out of 5
This blend of romance, adventure, and odd creepiness has gorgeous shojo artwork blended with a story which rarely makes sense. Each chapter of the story is referred to as a "punishment," and the main character’s magical defenders are each summoned by kissing a special playing card. This overlay of punishment and reward, both deferred, is a continuing theme. Since the main character is only a high school freshman, and her servants all manifest as older teen boys, this gets odd very quickly. With each servant, there are various forms of social interaction and romantic tension, and the stylized "pretty boy" artwork heightens this.
The main character’s father gave his daughter a distinctive choker, and drilled into her the idea that something terrible would happen if she ever took it off. Then, he apparently disappeared. So, of course, the story begins as something totally unstoppable and unpreventable removes the choker, leading to her finding out some of the many things that her father failed to tell her, including the fact that she has magical servants at her command.
As an introduction to a longer story with a complex mystery, it's not a total failure. Even readers who don't care for the style will be intrigued in what comes next, but may drop away if the payoff doesn't manifest within the next couple of volumes. The intended audience of teen girls may enjoy the gorgeous boy servants.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
ICv2 Stars: 3 (out of 5)
Posted by ICv2 on December 4, 2014 @ 4:29 am CT
MORE MANGA
In 2024
April 19, 2024
Bushiroad will release new [Oshi No Ko] and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure sets for its Weiss Schwarz TCG in 2024.
With Upgraded Box Toppers, and First Autograph Card
April 18, 2024
Bandai will release a new Digimon Card Game booster that includes cards from one and half sets, with upgraded box toppers and the brand’s first ever autograph card
MORE COMICS
Restored, as Archaia Archive Edition
April 19, 2024
BOOM! Studios will release a restored version of the original 2003 Marvel adaptation of the Dark Crystal movie as an Archive Edition under its Archaia imprint.
Two Minis Plus Tie-ins Added
April 18, 2024
DC has added news of two accompanying miniseries and three tie-in issues, in addition to the FCBD comic, one-shot, and core miniseries.