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Title: Captive Hearts Vol 2

Author: Matsuri Hino

Publisher: Viz

ISBN: 9781421519333

May Contain Spoilers

I want to like this series, but it’s giving me a few problems.  This is like a girl’s dream come true, with a handsome guy fawning over Suzuka’s every word and gesture.  Then you stop and realize that the only reason he’s behaving that way and treating Suzuka like a princess is because Megumi’s family has been cursed to instantly obey each and every command she issues.  That’s like a major slap in the face, because Suzuka can never be sure whether Megumi likes her for herself, or for the curse.  Worse, she’s fallen in love with him, but does she love the real Megumi, or the cursed servant Megumi?  That makes for an interesting twist, because young love is confusing enough as it is.  Imagine having to deal with a curse, too!

I was enjoying this volume much better than the last, up until Megumi’s mom comes to visit.  The introduction of Megumi’s rival, Hiryu, put the older boy in a hot seat, and brought into focus just how far out of his social status Suzuka really is.  Hiryu is the heir to a wealthy family, and it it expected that he will marry a girl from a family with equal social standing.  Add in the fact that the Kogami family has a powerful guardian deity, and the eligible bachelors from all of the Japan’s old money are knocking down her door.  Regardless of how Suzuka feels about Megumi, it just isn’t proper for her to hook up with the son of a servant.  I found this story wrinkle fun and entertaining.  Mix in Suzuka’s guilt about the curse, and the lengths she will go to break it, and you have the perfect formula for melodramatic shoujo fun.

Now, things go way out in left field when Megumi’s mom drops by.  She’s known as the Lioness of Interpol, and she hasn’t been home in two years.  She’s in charge of investigating slave trade offenses, and she wants Suzuka to be her prize witness for  her current case.  When Suzuka was a child, she was kidnapped and almost sold into slavery in China, but she has forgotten everything about the entire incident.  Most of the story arc revolves around Suzuka trying to remember her frightening ordeal so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.  Arjuna was held captive with her, and he eventually helped her to escape.  Arjuna soon has Megumi seeing green with envy.

I found this story arc illogical and not very compelling.  Worse, I didn’t like the possessive way Megumi started treating Suzuka because he is so jealous of Arjuna.  In the bathroom and at the hotel, he wasn’t sexy or protective, he was creepy and scary.  If that is how he shows his feelings, Suzuka is better off keeping him cursed, so he instantly stops when she says no.

Though I was disappointed with the end of this volume of Captive Hearts, I am holding out hope for the next one.  I do like Matsuri Hino’s artwork, and that is the biggest factor that keeps me coming back for more.

Grade:  C+

Review copy provided by Viz