Lapis Lazuli Crown 2
Posted: April 11, 2010 Filed under: Lapis Lazuli Crown 1 Comment »Natsuna Kawase – CMX – 2009 – 2 volumes
Because I said I liked this better than Tale of an Unknown Country, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and finish up the series. Well, that and I’m also trying to read all my backlogged CMX volumes, because every single one of them is great. I’m nearly caught up, and have about seven or so left to read.
Anyway. I don’t really have that much to say about this book, for a change. It’s good, but it’s good because it’s a simple shoujo story that’s upbeat, adorable, and has strong characters that work well together. I liked that the main conflict at the end of the second volume was Radi feeling conflicted over whether he should accept help. Usually problems in series like this are simplified to a ridiculous degree, but in this case, you can see what Radi is trying to do, and you can see what Miel is trying to do too, and it’s understandable that he would be torn. There’s no real right or wrong in his situation, it’s just a problem with a few different solutions he’s working through.
I also liked that it was plot-driven rather than romance-driven. The main couple is there doing their thing, but their relationship is not the source of conflict. Ever. The politics in their magical world wind up making the climax of the story, and I loved that all of Miel’s development and hard work really paid off in the end in far more than just a romantic way.
Basically, if you’re looking for a cute, short, simple shoujo series with a little romance and a little fantasy, then this is it. For sure. I’m really surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It’s no classic or anything, but in the world of series that last for two volumes, it’s certainly near the top of the list.
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