Graphic Novel Review – Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 7-9 (Fullmetal Alchemist 3-in-1, Vol 3) by Hiromu Arakawa (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Manga/Fantasy/Steampunk
Length: 576 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Release Date: October 4, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1421540207
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd volume in the
Fullmetal Alchemist 3-in-1 series
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

“Where did Alphonse Elric go during the few short minutes he was wiped from existence, body and soul? From a secret lair in the city of Dublith, a group of outcasts kidnaps Alphonse to find the alchemical secrets of his creation! It’s up to Ed (and a certain housewife) to go into the Devil’s Nest and rescue his brother. But the criminals of the Devil’s Nest aren’t exactly human either. Now, Al must fight a homunculus–an artificial human being–and the streets of Dublith will run red with blood…”

This is the third 3-in-1 volume in the Fullmetal Alchemist series and cover the original volume 7,8,9 for the series. I enjoyed this a lot, although a lot of characters were introduced and I felt like it jumped around a lot more than previous volumes.

Al is kidnapped by a rebel group located in Devil’s Nest and it’s up to Ed and his former teacher to rescue him. Although, suddenly Al is getting his memory back and beginning to figure out more Alchemy than he previously knew. When they find out that Greed is running the Devil’s Nest group and that Greed is inhabiting a homunculus, things really get crazy. Then a strange prince shows up from a far off land to yet more politics and mysteries into the mix.

There are a lot of new characters introduced in this volume. There was also a lot more focus on politics and intrigue and less on Al and Ed’s quest to find the Philospher’s Stone. I am not a huge fan of politics/intrigue or tons of new characters. However, it all worked pretty well for this series. It really helps that the author includes pictures of the characters and a synopsis of the story at the beginning of each volume.

The illustration in this manga series is amazing. I love the complex world-building, amazing characters, and story. I do hope the author holds off on adding too many more new characters for a bit.

Overall this is an amazing manga series that both me and my son are really loving. It’s an amazing world, with a lot of action, and both a great story and characters. I would highly recommend!!!