Title: JYU-OH-SEI Vol 2
Author: Natsumi Itsuki
Publisher: Tokyopop
ISBN: 9781427810168
May Contain Spoilers
This is a fantastic series. I was looking forward to reading it, but even I am surprised by how much I am enjoying it. The deadly world of Kimaera grabs hold and doesn’t let go, not for an instant. Even at almost 400 pages, this book is hard to put down. I’m trying hard to not feel resentful that the last volume won’t be released until June, but that’s really, really hard.
Thor is not happy that he’s been goaded into fighting the Ochre ring’s Top. He’s furious with Third for setting him up, and he isn’t ready to die just yet. Third convinces him to trust him and that he has a plan for Thor’s victory. When Thor does manage to survive the battle, he sets into motion events that will change everything Thor has come to believe is the truth and change the future of the Vulcan star system itself.
Thor is so young to have suffered the nightmare that he’s woken up in. He is consumed with guilt for leaving his brother to die in Kimaera’s harsh wilderness, and he’s been forced to kill again and again to stay alive. Away from the pampered cocoon of the colony, he has become a fierce some beast. Having to rely on his keen intelligence and his extraordinary luck, he’s made some key allies who are willing to help him in his quest to become the Beast King.
Third is still an enigma, and something about him just doesn’t ring true. He’s always there when Thor needs backup, but he is also the cause of a lot of his troubles. In the harsh environment of Kimaera, Third seems to be one of the most ruthless beings around. He is cold and emotionless, but he claims he’s trying to get off of Kimaera to be reunited with the person he loves. Sounds pretty hollow to me, but I’m curious to see who could possibly capture his affections and keep him cold bloodedly planning the Ochre ring’s next moves.
Thor is surprised to meet a face from his past, as Zagi shows up again, older and deadlier. Zagi has big goals for Thor, and he’s sacrificed countless lives as he plants the seeds of his plan. Zagi is a scary guy – he kills indiscriminately, having no regard for life. Not any life. He wants to bring big changes to the planet, including the destruction of the ring system. He has no time for the code of conduct that rules the population, and fair play is a myth to him. I think Thor is being very naive and blind to Zagi’s faults by trusting him at all.
One of the aspects of the story that I enjoy is the change in the characters with the passage of time. Thor has aged from a confused young boy to a confident young man who is tall and strong and beautiful. Tiz has grown into a loyal woman who will do anything for Thor. She loves him with her entire being, unaware that he doesn’t feel quite the same. With the captivating Karim there to overshadow her, Tiz is going to have to face some painful facts not far down the road.
The political maneuvering is fascinating, both on Kimaera and beyond, as powerful figures rule with an iron fist even as the downtrodden attempt to overthrow them. There is a secret to Kimaera, a hidden agenda for the planet known only by the upper level of the Vulcan star system. Like Thor, I need an answer to this mystery, a reason for all of this bloodshed. Why is there a need for the illusion of this planet? What are they hiding?
Grade: A
Rated for Teen
July 24, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Is Tiz realy die?
If yes, thor had to become love her until his rest of life.
I feel so bad when Tiz dies! Her dreams are just coming to true.
December 27, 2009 at 4:14 am
Yes,
it’s very sad T_T don’t know why she had to dies for to save zagi damn give me a break. she always loved him with her heart. They could make a better ending making Thor and Tiz had a child at the end and name him or her (Tizor or Thoriz) that will make me happy but now it just sad say so much i want i want and in the end u just get nothing.