Manga Review – Black Butler Vol 17 by Yana Toboso (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Teen+
Genre: Manga/Paranormal
Length: 176 pages
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: July 22, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0316376709
Stand Alone or Series: 17th volume in the Black Butler series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars

“Following the outcome of the annual cricket tourney and due in no small part to Sebastian, his uncommon butler, Earl Ciel Phantomhive has earned a seat at the Midnight Tea Party hosted by Weston’s enigmatic headmaster. As moon-pale petals bloom on the lapels of the students who have been granted a place at the Midnight Tea Party, the man who holds all authority at the school reveals himself to his guests. Will his appearance shed light on the fate of the missing students,or conceal the path to truth in yet more darkness?”

This was a good volume in the Black Butler series. This book continues the storyline started a few books ago where Ciel and Sebastian are under cover at a Boys School where students have been disappearing. While this hasn’t been my favorite storyline it has been well done and I am still enjoying it.

As with previous volumes the illustration is top notch and I am really enjoying it.

The first half of the manga deals with the cricket match. I honestly found this to be a bit boring, but some of it was funny. The rest of the book builds to the unveiling of who the Headmaster is and it is quite the unveiling.

Overall this was a decent continuation of the Black Butler series. Most of this book deals with the cricket match, which wasn’t all that entertaining to me. However, the Midnight Tea Party and the unveiling of the Headmaster was quite good. I would recommend this manga series to those who enjoy paranormal manga with a good dash of mystery.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge