16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most original stories, about vampires, that I've seen in ages., August 28, 2009
This review is from: Dance in the Vampire Bund, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
These days you can't seem to throw a proverbial stick into the air without it coming down on another book, movie, or game concerning vampires. What's funny about all of that is that I actually used to love vampire movies and stories...now...not so much. The marketplace is so saturated with vampires that I've just gotten sick of them. Not to mention that much of the current content is generally nothing more than on-screen/page brooding and teen angst.
This doesn't apply to Dance in the Vampire Bund. Finally, there is another story about vampires worth reading. The main characters know what and who they are and don't get all bent out of shape about it. No one wishes they could cry about various life (or un-life if you prefer) issues.
So far (and I'm only on book three), it seems like there is a distinct sense of honor, and values amongst the characters. There is also loads of political intrigue (both on the human and vampire sides), and some very smart plot devices.
While the characters are able to act outside the stigma of `what they are', they never forget `who they are'. As an example, the Queen of the vampires is perfectly capable of carrying on a completely civil conversation with anyone...but when it becomes necessary to make ruthless and difficult decisions, she is totally at ease doing so. It's very entertaining and much more lifelike to me.
The artwork is...different. It's not bad by any means, but also not what I'd call beautiful either. And while I wouldn't call it beautiful, I think it does a fabulous job of telling the story. It's different enough that it almost lends the reader its different view of the world it details.
The character development has, thus far, been coming fast and often. I am already interested in both of the main characters in the book, and even one or two of the secondary/background characters.
The story is what really has a hook in me though. The first two books not only introduced characters and spent a little time building them, it actually bothered to introduce the foundation of the manga's story and move it forward a little. All the while it was also able to put a real stopping place at the end of both books. Not that there weren't unresolved issues, but both books resolved some things before the last page turned.
All in all, Dance in the Vampire Bund is a great read and something I hope I can stay excited about for a very long time.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging manga, April 11, 2010
This review is from: Dance in the Vampire Bund, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
Well, I will have to say that while I love manga, I have never gotten into the vampire stories. Dances has sure got me hooked. This series reads well, the art work is crisp and well done, and the story sucks you in, so to speak. Tamaki develops strong main characters that drives the story well and that seem to grow during the series. I would have to go along with some of the other reviews that there is a bit of a strong lolicon theme running through this series and a bit more fan service than I would like to see (not my cup of tea). Like most fan service, it takes away from good stories and I would call this a good story that is rich with intrigue and the has a very fresh take on vampires.
This is a manga made for a seinen demographic. In other words, if it was not made clear by the other reviews, this is a manga not for kids IMO. They give it a rating of "older teen 16+". I would go as far as as saying that it may not be right for kids in high school, but maybe I am too much a prude.
As an aside, the manga is much better than the anime version in my opinion.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original and enthralling vampire tale, February 27, 2011
This review is from: Dance in the Vampire Bund, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
Dance in the Vampire Bund is not one of the most original vampire tale out in the market (hell we've gotten a heck lot of vampire novel glut lately with Twilight and all that) however, Dance in the Vampire Bund rises above all with likeable and memorable characters as well as interesting storylines. It does not glorify vampirism but instead seeks to show the darkest gory aspects of it. Intrigue, politics (human and vampire), sex, violence, mayhem whatever you wish to see in a vampire tale it is here. Many of the stories and characters have tragic past and tragic ending even if their motives and ambition are not exactly black and white but present itself in shades of grey. Intwined within the tale is a budding romance between a "young" vampire queen and her royal bodyguard a werewolf boy which is a huge taboo as vampires and werewolves were thought to be natural enemies (not to mention the social class difference). Mina is the last "true blood" female of her kind since the death of her mother. A "true blood" vampire is a naturally born vampire in that they are not merely "turned" but is born a vampire and controls the whole of the vampire aristocracy (apparently their type of government didn't change much for the past couple hundred years). But vampires have adopted to modern technology and is capable of using modern tools such as computers and weapons (such as guns, rocket bombs and chemical warefare). Of course, not everyone will be happy with their cute lovable lolita vampire queen. There are insurgents and rebels that seek to ursurp her control and throne at every turn. There are also human sympathizers and vampire haters. Then there are the three vampire noble lords who want nothing more than to take control of the young queen thru marriage. This pretty much keeps Mina's protectors busy thwarting one scheme after another and the stakes are often high. Then there are of course the tender moments that might bring a tear into your eyes as Mina seeks to create a paradise in order to protect those who needed it and to keep some of her rampaging subjects under control. It's tough job being a queen.
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