[Manga Review] The Cain Saga, Vol. 1: Forgotten Juliet

[chroniclesofabookworm]

BY: Kaori Yuki
SERIES: 伯爵カイン [Hakushaku Cain] (#1)
RATING: 3 out 5
RELEASES: January 7, 2006 by VIZ Media LLC
GENRE: Gothic Horror
AGE RANGE: Teen
SYNOPSIS: Earl Cain Hargreaves investigates the macabre mysteries that haunt eighteenth-century London in this chilling prequel to Godchild !

Delve into the tortured past of Earl Cain C. Hargreaves, charismatic heir to a wealthy family full of secrets, lies and unthinkable crimes. The prequel to the Godchild series, The Cain Saga follows the young Cain as he attempts to unravel the secrets of his birth, all the while solving each new mystery that comes his way.

Five gripping stories of love, friendship and betrayal--"Forgotten Juliet," "Branded Bibi," "The Youths Who Stopped Time," "Double," and "The Death of Cleo"--comprise this poignant first installment of Kaori Yuki's atmospheric epic.



REVIEW: The story takes place in Victorian England, where poison collector Earl Cain Hargreaves is investigating or involved in a series of killings. Cain's cousin plots a Romeo & Juliet-style fake death, but her lover isn't so true, so she must climb out of her grave and get revenge. Here's the following story, which involves an identical twin swap gone wrong. Another story tells of an all-boys school club finding a potion that gives them immortality. The Fourth story, He is searching for his blood brother, who has gone off to the big city to become an actor. At the end of 'The Death of Cleo Dreyfuss', Cain takes revenge on the brother of his good friend who murdered him.

The plot of the book is established through several short stories/mysteries. My problem is that I can't relate to the characters. There is a hint at our hero's backstory, but the stories are short and lack character development and depth. The best way is to give Cain flashbacks, which provide an insight into his motivations and personality through events from his past. Or incorporating internal monologues or diary entries can help readers understand his thoughts and emotions. Finally, introducing secondary characters with whom Cain can interact and form relationships may further enhance his complexity and relatability.

Secondly, she does not have a consistent drawing style or plot continuity. Often, the artwork panels jump from scene to scene abruptly, which makes it difficult to follow the action, especially in key scenes where characters interact. A few key panels were omitted in the middle. Despite her gorgeous illustrations and fine details, I do not like the way she jumps around in her story. I find her abrupt transitions very distracting. This book's intriguing premise and beautiful artwork have me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

However, despite these flaws, the book's unique premise and stunning illustrations make it a worthwhile read. With some refinement in storytelling and character depth, future installments could elevate the narrative and provide a more cohesive and engaging experience for readers.

In conclusion, while the book has some flaws in storytelling and character development, its unique premise and stunning artwork make it a promising start, with potential for improvement in future installments.

Still, the premise and artwork are compelling enough that I'll be checking out the next volume to see what happens next.