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Title:  Moon Child Vol 10

Author:  Reiko Shimizu

Publisher: CMX

ISBN: 9781401217310

May Contain Spoilers

Art and Benjamin are in Russia, playing right into Gil Owen’s hands.  Possessed by Benjamin’s sibling, Teruto, he only wants to bring about her downfall so Seth can mature and bear eggs.  Gil is willing to do anything to destroy Benjamin, and he figures the easiest way to get rid of her is to target the simpleminded  Art.  Sending him visions of impending disasters, Art is soon suspicious of Benjamin and her mysterious powers.  He starts to believe that she’s behind the terrible events that are happening, driving a wedge between them. Will Teruto’s plot to tear them apart succeed?

I always seem to be picking on Art, but I just can’t help it.  The guy’s head doesn’t seem to be screwed on quite right.  He’s got the most beautiful girl on the entire planet totally and helplessly  in love with him, and he can’t accept her feelings for him.  So what if she was a cute, delightfully clueless little boy just a few weeks ago?  Those mer-people seem to mature faster than humans.  And worse yet, she’s willing to sacrifice everything and invite utter disaster by falling in love with a human.  I just can’t blame Benjamin for falling for a human and bringing devastation to the planet.  It seems to run in her genes.  After all, her mother did the same thing.  It’s the fact that she picked Art, out of all humans, to fall for that has me shaking my head.  He can be so mean!

Back in New York, Shonach is having troubles of his own.  Everyone looks like an alien to him all of a sudden.  Poor guy.  No wonder he can’t move on and forget about Benjamin.  Seth still looks normal, though,  and now Shonach is beginning to wonder when he became so beautiful.  Compared to how everyone else appears to him, it’s no surprise that Seth is suddenly so attractive.  He’s the only one who doesn’t have a snout, fuzzy ears, or scales.  Their relationship is the most convincing, and I hate to admit, but I like them the best. 

This series has it all – fantastic art, an involving storyline, and engaging characters.  True, they aren’t always likeable, but the fact that all behave to further their personal goals makes them more believable.  I just wish Art wasn’t so stupid.  Oops, there I go, picking on him again….

Grade: A-

Rated for Teen

Review copy provided by CMX