I enjoyed - and was rather startled by - Volume 1 of this series, which is based (VERY loosely) on Shakespeare's Henry VI and Richard III. Here, Richard is actual an intersexed individual who's been rejected by his own mother, but who has the loyalty of his older brother Edward, now King Edward IV. But Richard has also met the deposed king Henry VI, shown here as a handsome, melancholy man who looks much younger than he should (historically, he was more than 30 years older than Richard), and who's intrigued by Richard and wants nothing more than peace and quiet with his dear friend beside him. (What Richard wants is a bit more... intimate, yet he's not confident in himself.) But the political situation renders all this impossible - so what will they do?

This volume advances the historical parts of the plot, while showing poor Richard's descent into darkness as his forbidden love must die. (There's an intriguing plot-twist in which Anne Neville, betrothed to the son of the deposed king, takes his place at the head of the army in an attempt to prevent his death. Anne Neville, Action Girl! Alas for her, her betrothed is in love with Richard (without knowing who he is) and meets his own fate after breaking out of his safe haven and heading to the field of battle.)

Lush, moody artwork, lots of anguish and star-crossed love, and of course the historical complications of politics and war - an interesting spin on the historical and Shakespearian versions of the story, with its own viewpoint.

[There's a short TV Tropes page on the series, and another on the historical Richard III. And for a more direct manga adaptation of Shakespeare's play, check out Manga Shakespeare: Richard III.]

I left this book in the Little Free Library on this warm, sunny day; hope someone enjoys it!

*** Released for the 2018 Royalty release challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2018 Mothers Day release challenge. ***