Les Bijoux, Vol. 3 [Paperback]

Eun-Ha Jo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2004

Kicking the habit... After Lapis is rescued by Silica, he finds himself recuperating in Sable Mine, where a tyrannical ruler name Pyrope suppresses the people with a heavy water tax and threatens brutality and oppression if they don't pay up. To help the citizens who hunger for change, Lapis comes up with an ingenious plan to quench their thirst for justice.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Comics fans will have to exert themselves extra-hard to enjoy this Korean manga by two young women. It has manga's familiar but disconcerting tendency for characters to turn into cute little bobblehead dolls under stress; it plays to the sub-genre's fascination with the romantic woes of beautiful, androgynous young men; and it features a hero who literally transforms from male to female without warning, as well as other characters who are sometimes birds or panthers. The characters' unpredictable identities contribute to a seriously confusing jumble of events. The story takes place in a fantastic world divided into little nations. The ruling class, Habits, treats the Spar commoners very badly, but even Spars discriminate against others. One outcast couple is a dwarf mine worker married to a female hunchback, whose doubly cursed child, called Lapis as a boy but Lazuli when a girl, is extremely brave and pretty; in fact, he/she is The Chosen One who will remake the world. Of course, Lord Daimon, cruelest but loveliest of the Habits, loves Lazuli but hates Lapisâ€"he doesn't realize they're the same personâ€"so when Daimon murders Lapis's parents, the lad pokes one of his eyes out to teach him a lesson. Park's art relies on manga cliches, with the supposedly heroic dwarf looking for all the world like a cement lawn ornament, while the tone of Jo's script, even allowing for sloppy translation, veers from awestruck to cutesy. None of the discordant parts is impressive enough to draw readers past the incoherent plot so they could get more pleasure than perplexity out of this odd tale.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A Darker Ranma 1/2

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (June 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591826926
• ISBN-13: 978-1591826927
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,147,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art and Depth a Perfect Gem, August 1, 2004

By 

Pool Shark (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Bijoux (Les Bijoux), Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I've read a lot of mixed reviews on this series and I'm surprised. I collect a lot of gothic and bishonen mangas and this one is at the top of my list. The art is truly breathtaking, and once you "get" the story the depth of characterization and plot is fascinating. The true test of a good manga is if you want to re-read the stories again, and if you can't wait for the next book. This one passes the test in spades. It is not a light read, though. You discover that even the worst-seeming villains, like real life, have a depth of humanity and even redemption. The quest for power, battle techniques and sad history truly allows you to feel for every character, even the minor ones. Instead of finding it confusing, I enjoyed the detailed plot set-up in the first and second book. Book four throws a few more sub-plots into the mix and I'm not sure how every detail will wrap up in the final book but I'm certainly looking forward to it. Get the first two books, and get caught up in the world of Les Bijoux...you won't regret it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous gem!!!, March 22, 2004

By 

"katschmiddy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Bijoux (Les Bijoux), Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I don't understand what's not to like here. The artwork is AMAZINGLY spectacular-but it's not just "eye candy". And I don't think the plot is very confusing at all, in any case it is explained in the author's note-and volume 2 will tie up loose ends. Personally, I found it very enjoyable and a delight to read because of the beautiful art and unique world, as well as the fabulous characters! If you like "Pet Shop of Horrors" (and why WOULDN'T you?) or "Under the Glass Moon" then you'll definitely love Les Bijoux. Even if you don't, still buy it...if nothing else, for the quality of the artwork which is unparalleled!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not to bad!, February 18, 2004

By 

RikuNghts (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Bijoux (Les Bijoux), Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I bought this manga on a whim. I was visiting my boyfriend and he brought Gravitation 4 over to me, which I had been looking for. When I asked where he got it he showed me, and I saw Les Bijoux sitting there. I picked it up, intrigued by the artwork on the cover, and read the back. It sounded interesting, so I bought it just to check it out. I can't say I'm disappointed! At first the story is confusing. I had no idea what was going on, and had to re-read somethings twice, but the author's notes at the end really did help. I couldn't tell the difference between then men and women in the story half the time, but it was still enjoyable (those are some BEAUTIFUL boys!) The artwork is AMAZING I think, and I can't wait to see what the next volume brings.
While there were times that I was confused and had to slow down to read it, it was well worth what I paid and the time it took. The characters are interesting and you learn more about them as it continues. It's hard to judge a series by the first book alone, so give it a try. You won't be disappointed.