Manga Review – Pandora Hearts Vol 2 by Jun Mochizuki (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Manga
Length: 192 pages
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: May 18, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0316076081
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd volume in the Pandora Hearts series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

“Oz Vessalius may have survived his stint in the Abyss, but he is no closer to discovering the truth behind the “sin” for which he was condemned. On the advice of a mysterious man who appeared to him when Alice regained the first of her memories, Oz, along with Alice and Pandora’s Raven, embarks on a mission to investigate the site of his disastrous coming-of-age ceremony in search of answers. However, what begins as a simple investigation becomes the revelation of a harsher reality, which comes swooping down on Oz as the hands of the clock continue ticking away mercilessly…”

Oz has accepted his new place in the Pandora organization with a surprisingly cheery attitude. Him and Alice and Raven are given a job to investigate some occurrences in the city which end up being caused by a Chain that has escaped the Abyss. Most of this is fairly light-hearted until you get to the high action scenes with the Chain.

The second half of the book is more serious. Alice recovers another memory, which was awesome. I love how we are having to piece together all of these complex bits of story; this is a series you have to read carefully as it is becoming fairly complex.

I also really enjoyed finding out what really happened that day at Oz’s coming of age ceremony and loved finding out the fate of Oz’s faithful valet Gilbert.

The illustration throughout this manga is really well done. This series is set in Victorian times and has a very Victorian flare to it but also has a lot of supernatural elements. It does remind a bit of Black Butler. Although I don’t enjoy Pandora Hearts quite as much as Black Butler yet; I am really loving it.

Overall an excellent continuation to this series. I enjoyed the characters, the world, and the complex plot. This is a very creative and intriguing series which I am excited to continue reading. I would recommend to fans of supernatural themed manga; especially to those who enjoy Victorian settings in their manga.

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