I've read a couple of the Godchild books, which come later in the series than the "Cain" books, but I was curious about the earlier works. So when I found this slightly-battered manga at the local Savers store I pounced on it!

Turns out I actually like this part of the series better than the later books - and a LOT better than the author's Angel Sanctuary series, which I found far too confusing. This series does have Lots of Pretty People, and a good deal of angst, but (in this volume, anyway) the stories move along very quickly and I found it much easier to follow what was going on. The structure here is more or less a series of short stories, which may have something to do with that.

Here, we see Cain's back-story, which includes a horribly abusive childhood, leaving him with a badly-scarred back and a tendency to keep people at arm's length. We also see how his faithful manservant Riff first came into his life (the relationship between the two is the heart of the series), and how Cain learned the truth of his parentage and used his family skill at poisoning to seek revenge.

Other stories in this volume include a tragic murder with a nursery-rhyme theme (a common theme in this series); a bloody massacre at a gentlemen's club that eventually reveals a conspiracy of abuse and cruelty; and "The Twisted Fairytale", based on one of the bloodiest fairytale of them all, "The Juniper Tree".

[There's a TV Tropes page for the entire saga; just beware of spoilers.]

I'm sending this to BCer HI77 in Florida. Enjoy!

*** Released for the 2014 Oh the Places We Can Go challenge, for "Hatch", the name of a town in New Mexico. ***

We aren't going to be here forever,

but the mind still sucks its thumb
in regression.

This lucky little book is part of Spacedog's Manga/Graphic novels bookbox! :D

This is another of those I someone wound up with 2 copies of... So I'm going to send this one on its way to new readers! ;)

Taken from the Manga Bookbox

I agree with Gory that this seems like one of Yuki's stronger plots. The short-story structure is nicely done, with enough interconnecting threads to make sure we can keep track of characters and events as they interact. This felt like it was still setting up a story and offering background, which isn't shocking for a second volume, but I wonder if it is more intended as a supplement to Godchild than a stand-alone tale.

I like Yuki's art; even though it is a fairly typical 90's style, it is always executed with style and a willingness to use a few unusual techniques.

Added to the Manga/GN box

taking from manga bookbox