Lenni Reviews: Kiss of the Rose Princes vol 2 by Aya Shouoto

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If you recall my last review, I mentioned this manga is pretty standard shojo fare unless there's a curve ball thrown in later volumes. Boy, were my words ever prophetic...

This volume begins with Anise still searching for her lost choker. She orders her knights to locate it but can only let them look for so long as their magic is powered by her blood. But things get interesting when a new transfer student, Haruto Kisugi, is added to the mix, Anise's father sends her a message that he's coming home, and a seal holding in a demon is cracking, which will require a sacrifice to repair.

By the end of this volume, I was shocked and had a new respect for Anise. Most shojo heroines are plucky by design and want to change the sad fate presented in the plot. But (as a mild spoiler) when Anise says "Bring on my punishment" (referencing the punishment for losing the choker) I found that pretty ballsy. Things went so bad so quickly and Anise really showed her bravery. She went right on without hesitation. And she's brave and strong without being overbearing or too cliche. And I have read a LOT of shojo manga. Of course that could change but we shall see in volume three!

I can't give much more detail without spoiling all of the plot twists in this volume but to sum up, things get real and it was awesome.

Lenni Reviews: Kiss of the Rose Princess Vol. 1 by Aya Shouoto

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High school girl Anise Yamamoto gets chased through the school gates every morning. But not by rabid suitors or aliens, but by the dress code enforcer who takes issue with a rose choker Anise wears every day without fail. She is willing to endure this daily nonsense because her father told her when she was little if Anise were to ever remove the choker, a terrifying punishment will befall her. In true magical girl fashion, a small magical creature manages to knock it off and suddenly, Anise is the new owner of four magical cards she can use to summon attractive knights with a kiss.

This volume is a good start to what I can see being a very cute series. I was left wondering if the terrible fate that befalls Anise is to have the hottest bodyguards around (can we all share that "horrible fate," please?) but by the end of this volume it does seem like something is brewing behind the scenes.

However, if you've read any other magical girl, high school manga, you get the rhythm of everything. Hot guys, magical charms and kisses, wacky high school hi-jinks, and a cute, mischievous talking animal. Just another normal day in manga-land. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but unless some sort of curve ball comes in later volumes, shojo fans will know exactly what to expect here. The art is lovely and all the characters are interesting so far. I look forward to seeing what happens next.