Aventura

(Volume 2)

by
Shin Midorikawa

Del Rey, April 2008, 188 pp.
ISBN: 978-0-345-50201-8

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Manga / Fantasy
Reviewed:6/22/2008

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Manga Page

Aventura manga page

 

 Synopsis

Lewin Randit, Soela Evenport, and Darwell Turkfan are still fighting the skeletons that rose from the Undead Seeds (see Aventura: Volume 1). Soela calls for the Salamander's Blaze, magic spell which really doesn't seem to affect the skeletons. As the skeletons continue to attack Lewin, he tries to call forth the magic his grandmother taught him about. It doesn't work until he remembers that he has to call it forth when it can help someone else, not himself. Lewin calls forth Flare, a fiery wolfhound that not only destroys the skeletons, but also creates a crater around him. Flare comes back to him and Soela tells Lewin that he needs to pet it. Once he gets up the courage to do so, Lewin finds that he doesn't get burned. Flare calls Lewin his master and is glad that he finally found him.

After the battle ends, Lewin has to face the consequences of him sneaking into the School of Wizardry and then calling forth Flare, a Guardian Beast that belongs to a Flare Witch. Lewin is taken to Heart of Wing and told that he has been expelled from the school. Lewin is hit hard with this news and hangs his head ready to leave. But the Queen of the Thirteen Honorary Mages, Professor Angela Crownberry, has some other new for Lewin, news that will make him very happy . . . very happy indeed.

Aventura: Volume 2 is a manga book written and drawn by Shin Midorikawa. This collection was Translated and Adapted by Elina Ishikawa and Lettered by North Market Street Graphics. This book contains the following bells (chapters):

7th Bell: Show Yourself!

8th Bell: Recognized

9th Bell: Ramification

10th Bell: Common Phrase

11th Bell: Fantasy and Illusion, Part One

12th Bell: Fantasy and Illusion, Part Two

There are also some special extras in the following sections: A) Aventura Character Profiles, B) Bonus Tracks, and C) Translation Notes. The book reads from right to left and back to front, just like a book from Japan. This manga book is intended for readers ages 13 and up.

 

 Review

Aventura: Volume 2 is another exciting fantasy manga book dealing with a boy who finally calls forth the magic from within himself. Of course, he gets in trouble for doing so. Since he hasn't been properly trained in how to do this, the school is a little shocked that he was able to perform such a strong spell. Not following the rules is what gets Lewin kicked out of school.

The story is great, but I did get a little lost when the adults of the school are talking. I'm not quite sure what they were all talking about. I just wanted to get back to the three kids and their adventures.

The artwork is fantastic, but I still don't understand all the little white bubbles that appear to be randomly splattered all over everything.

The Translation and Adaptation could use a little smoothing out as awkward phrasing is occasionally used.

Still, the book is quite wonderful and I highly recommend it. I see on the Del Rey Manga website that there is only one more book listed. I hope that there is more planned beyond just the third volume in the series because there is so much more that can be done with these characters.

Overall, Aventura: Volume 2 is another great book that has the potential to be excellent. Now that things have changed for Lewin, I cannot wait to see how he does in Aventura: Volume 3.

I rated this book an 8½ out of 10.

This site was created and is maintained by Conan Tigard
2008