BURN THE WITCH

[cornerofmadness]

BURN THE WITCH 1 by Tite Kubo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I didn't realize this was from Kubo when I bought it because the special cover used crosses for Ts which messed with my dyslexia. That does however explain the ridiculous twice the usual price for this. I wish I could say it was worth it but no, it really wasn't. In theory this is set in the Bleach universe but you can't tell it (nor do I see why what would be necessary).

Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole are magic users who work with a group called Wing Bind in 'Reverse London' (as opposed to the actual London I guess, in this alt verse they have magic but they can cross back and forth between the two). It opens with Baldo (who borders on creepy stalkerish) flirting with Noel only to find out his dog and his best friend are technically 'dragons,' which has no infected him and making him a beacon for other dragons and paranormal mischief.

And here's where the world building starts to come off the rails almost immediately. Even though this isn't Baldo's fault and he had no knowledge of it, he's to be killed for it. Noel and Ninny do get a temporary stay of execution but only barely. The rest is a mishmash of fighting monsters, inter organizational politics and some character development.

None of it however made me want to read more (especially if the twice the price thing continues) Noel and Ninny do get some character development but it's in broad strokes (but for the guys there is plenty of fan service with their outfits and Noel's Orihime big boobs of doom). I don't really see me following this one. I didn't even think the art was up to Kubo's usual standards. That said, he remarked he was getting to work at his OWN pace (the manga industry is pretty brutal from what I've researched in that department) so maybe he'll have time to develop some of the world building and characters but I get the feeling this one isn't for me.

View all my reviews