I am going to recommend something a little different this week: Vol. 1 of The Earl and the Fairy, a new series from Viz that's sort of a manga take on English children's literature—which means it's not for kids at all. It's about Lydia Carlton, who is a "fairy doctor," a girl who can see and communicate with fairies (there doesn't seem to be anything medical involved). The story is set in late-19th-century England, where most people don't believe in fairies any more; the handful who do, however, are dead serious about it because they are after a legendary sapphire that was owned by the fairies. The book kicks off with plenty of action—a kidnapping and a daring rescue, all aboard ship—and Lydia ends up in the company of a handsome earl who may or may not be descended from fairies himself. It's all good fun, mixing a very sweet art style with plenty of action—it's a Shojo Beat manga, but there is quite a bit of violence, and the Earl is handsome and menacing in the way that manga guys tend to be. Despite the title, this really isn't a fairy story—mostly, the fairies just make cameo appearances, but Lydia has a smart-alecky fairy cat that wears a four-in-hand tie and cuffs and is not catlike at all. Aside from that, this is your standard shoujo manga with good art and an unusually interesting setting. Read More...
