This volume just falls flat for me as it revisits the group of proctors from the boarding school story arc. They didn't make an impression on me during their first appearance, and I recall nothing about their personalities. This volume does little to jog my memory and certainly doesn't make me care about their current situation. The series seems to have reached a status quo of solving a mystery, having an interlude and solving another mystery, with the central mythology not being advanced in any meaningful way. I'm afraid I'm losing interest in the increasingly dull adventures of the little rich boy and his demonic butler. ( )

This is the beginning of a new arc. The four disgraced prefects from the Weston College arc invite Lizzie's older brother to a music hall. Lizzie gets her brother to take her, and she has her fortune told, resulting in her being mysteriously ensnared by the music hall - no matter how much Lizzie's brother tries to get her to come home with him and stay, she keeps going back to the music hall. Ciel investigates, on the order of the queen and in an effort to figure out Lizzie's strange behavior. The fortune teller, Blavat, seems to immediately know what Sebastian is and has him escorted out of the music hall. Meanwhile, Ciel has his fortune told and is told he's favored by the divine protection of Sirius. He's told to come back on a special day to take part in secret activities: a pop music concert (starring the prefects, who remind me strongly of the Uta no Prince-sama anime) and drugged sleep, during which the participants maybe have their blood drawn. Sebastian learns that some participants are turning up dead.

Meh. This arc isn't starting off on a very interesting note, although I did enjoy seeing the prefects and Sebastian act like chirpy pop stars. Also, it was nice to see Sullivan reappear in order to diagnose Ciel's puncture wound - it looks like she might turn into a series regular, the person Ciel can turn to whenever he needs a little scientific help.

Part of the reason why I was disappointed with this volume was that I was hoping this arc would bring the story back to the Undertaker and Ciel's father. It looks like that isn't going to be the case, unless this stuff with Blavat is somehow connected.

That said, I'll probably enjoy this more after being given time to get used to it. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series during my next vacation. Seeing the shock on Sebastian's face when Blavat instantly realized he wasn't human was a lot of fun - it'll be nice to see where this arc ends up going.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) ( )

This was a wonderful installment of the Black Butler series. I am so sad I am caught up on this series because now I have to wait so long for a new book! I enjoyed this book a ton and it was so much fun to read.

The Queen contacts Ciel because a strange gathering has been taking place at a music hall. The gathering allows people from all classes and lavishly offer free food and drink. The Queen thinks it is suspicious. When Lizzie’s brother brings her to the gathering she refuses to leave. Now Lizzie’s brother is seeking Ciel’s help getting her to come home.

On top of all that Scotland Yard has had a rash of mysterious corpses appearing and they are also asking for Ciel’s help. Lizzie’s situation (along with the Queen’s request and Scotland Yard’s pleas) give Ciel even more incentive to solve this mystery as quick as possible. This book is just the first part of the mystery and sets things up beautifully.

I continue to enjoy the beautiful and easy-to-follow illustration in this series. I love these characters; they are just so unique and creative. I also really enjoyed the addition of Blavat, the fortuneteller who enters the story (Toboso where do you come up with these wonderfully crazy characters?!).

Overall an outstanding continuation of this series. I loved it to pieces and can’t wait for the next volume to come out. I would recommend the whole series to those who enjoy historical paranormal manga. ( )