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Title:  Bound Beauty Vol 1

Author:  Mick Takeuchi

Publisher: go! comi

ISBN:  9781605100081

May Contain Spoilers

High school student Chiyako wants only one thing – to be independent and out on her own, so she no longer has to rely on her father.  Since her school forbids part time jobs, she earns money on the sly by fortune-telling.  She can see the red threads that bind a person to their fated lover, and she’s turned her ability into a cash cow.  That is, until the imposing Hirotsuna confronts her, and tells her to immediately stop using her power before she gets hurt.  Chiyako ignores him, and finds herself caught up in a web of danger, surrounded by three mysterious guys.  Oh, and they’re all hot!

Three sexy onmyoji crammed into one book!  What more could you ask for?  And check out that drool worthy cover as the impish Chiyako plays peek a boo around the shirtless, tattooed Tsuna.  He’s wearing his usual expression of displeasure, but I don’t know if it’s directed at Chiyako, or toward readers for daring to gaze upon his physique. It must be hard to be that annoyed all the time!

Chiyako doesn’t get along with her father, and she desperately wants to move out of her parents’ house, so she can make her own decisions and won’t be obligated to anyone.  She’s working very hard toward this goal, making money telling fortunes at school.  Since she can see the red strings of fate that tie lovers together, matchmaking is easy for her, and she takes advantage of this skill. 

When she’s approached by Tsuna, he warns her about using her talent, telling her that if she doesn’t stop, she’ll only discover disaster.  Her desire to be free of her father overrides her fear of what he has to tell her, so ignoring his words, she tricks him and runs away.  Imagine her surprise when she discovers that her beloved calligraphy teacher is in cahoots with Tsuna, and they want to get rid of that pesky ‘matchmaker!’  A scary encounter with yet another guy leads to her being chosen by Shirogane, one of the five colored threads of fate.  The threads can defeat evil, but each one requires that the chosen one, the Tyer, give up their most important wish.  Since Chiyako’s most ardent desire is to be an independent adult, she’s been transformed into a little girl.  Oh, the horror of having to endure grade school again!

The facts surrounding the threads may have left my head reeling, but there is a lot to like about this book.  Chiyako is a take charge kind of girl, who doesn’t shrink away from doing what she feels is right.  She gets irritated with her new partners when they would rather eat than help troubled people.  Her handicap of being reduced to a child gives her an interesting challenge to overcome, though it often leaves her with ill-fitting clothes.  I really like her determination and desire to help others.

I am partial to Akeo and Tsuna – I still haven’t forgiven Aya for trying to strangle Chiyako in the beginning of the book.  I’m not sure what any of their intentions are toward her, but they don’t always seem pure. There are lots of dark, brooding looks and whispered conversations about her, which have me wondering what else is going on.  Oh, and who has the fifth thread?  How will that person change the current dynamics of their relationships?

With plenty of supernatural action to keep tensions high, not to mention a trio of hotties to keep Chiyako confused, Bound Beauty gets the series off to a solid start.

Grade: B

Rated for Teen

Review copy provided by go! comi