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anindistinctaccountant's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
exlibrisbitsy's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! Everything in this volume has reached new heights and I really think the series is starting to come into its own. Noriko and Izark find themselves in some pretty precarious situations after they were separated in the previous volume. What happens next was worth having in its own volume. Wow is all I can say without spoiling things, just wow.
The art was beautiful, varied and interesting. I loved the depiction of magic and the beautiful ways the layout often told the story. The story has some fascinating plot twists and reveals and new things are discovered about Noriko and Izark. What Noriko’s presence as the Awakening means for Izark and the people of this world remains unexplained but what is discovered definitely is food for thought.
The author has still not completely broken herself of telling things occasionally that she thought she couldn’t draw adequately but these explanations just took you out of the story and were often superfluous. I trust both this author and the story she has to tell implicitly, she doesn’t need to second guess herself! If I see it’s a different time of day somewhere else or two people decide to drink coffee I’m going to go with it. Quit interrupting yourself with asides explaining minutiae and tell the story!
Also the side panels talking about scenes from her childhood that she is not completely sure actually happened or not are a bit unnerving. I’m not sure why those are there either. I don’t mind if panels like that are at the beginning or end of a book but in the middle of a story is a bit distracting. Still looking forward to volume five though, I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for Noriko and Izark next!
The art was beautiful, varied and interesting. I loved the depiction of magic and the beautiful ways the layout often told the story. The story has some fascinating plot twists and reveals and new things are discovered about Noriko and Izark. What Noriko’s presence as the Awakening means for Izark and the people of this world remains unexplained but what is discovered definitely is food for thought.
The author has still not completely broken herself of telling things occasionally that she thought she couldn’t draw adequately but these explanations just took you out of the story and were often superfluous. I trust both this author and the story she has to tell implicitly, she doesn’t need to second guess herself! If I see it’s a different time of day somewhere else or two people decide to drink coffee I’m going to go with it. Quit interrupting yourself with asides explaining minutiae and tell the story!
Also the side panels talking about scenes from her childhood that she is not completely sure actually happened or not are a bit unnerving. I’m not sure why those are there either. I don’t mind if panels like that are at the beginning or end of a book but in the middle of a story is a bit distracting. Still looking forward to volume five though, I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for Noriko and Izark next!
jennykeery's review against another edition
4.0
This one was a return to form after the last volume, I think mostly because the story has a bit more momentum now; the characters aren't just waiting for the plot to happen to them, they actually have a goal. The wider world, antagonists and secondary characters are not where this series excels...which sounds quite damning, but the main characters are somehow so sweet that it doesn't matter to me. I'm absolutely here for Izark, Noriko and their star-crossed, apocalypse-causing, ridiculously adorable relationship.
delfunia's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
heart's review against another edition
3.0
the action’s not that engaging but the story itself is still appealing
prationality's review
5.0
Welcome to volume 4 of From Far Away, or as I like to call it Izark, the Blushing Sky Demon.
When last we left our fine friends Noriko had made the acquaintance of the mercenary Agol and his Seer daughter Geena Haas, Gaya had watched as Izark was imprisoned and Lord Rachef was calmly sipping tea as he pondered who Izark was.
Rachef often calmly sips tea while pondering about Izark, I'm sure that means nothing.
It seems Izark found himself the new fighting toy of the usurper ruler Lord Nada. After refusing to fight Barago, Nada had Izark drugged and kidnapped, gloating about how he would make Izark grovel.
Izark meanwhile was somewhat more worried that he had made a grave error in leaving Noriko with Gaya since it seems Gaya embroiled her in the politics of the region.
All of that gets itself resolved to the point where Izark and his Merry Men wind up on the road to a monster ridden forest of pretty trees.
Noriko continues her campaign to be the most pragmatic shoujo heroine EVER and Izark tries on the brooding hero 'why do I miss her' mask. Lord Rachef is so busy thinking about Izark he barely bothers to talk during a representative meeting...but he's so damn powerful no one nay says him the moment he does. Also no one is allowed in his crib. Keimos is also dreaming of hiswedding daynext fight with Izark, and it makes me sad since he'd be the prettiest homicidal murderer at the ball.
Honestly folk spend as much time contemplating Izark as they do Noriko.
When last we left our fine friends Noriko had made the acquaintance of the mercenary Agol and his Seer daughter Geena Haas, Gaya had watched as Izark was imprisoned and Lord Rachef was calmly sipping tea as he pondered who Izark was.
Rachef often calmly sips tea while pondering about Izark, I'm sure that means nothing.
It seems Izark found himself the new fighting toy of the usurper ruler Lord Nada. After refusing to fight Barago, Nada had Izark drugged and kidnapped, gloating about how he would make Izark grovel.
Izark meanwhile was somewhat more worried that he had made a grave error in leaving Noriko with Gaya since it seems Gaya embroiled her in the politics of the region.
All of that gets itself resolved to the point where Izark and his Merry Men wind up on the road to a monster ridden forest of pretty trees.
Noriko continues her campaign to be the most pragmatic shoujo heroine EVER and Izark tries on the brooding hero 'why do I miss her' mask. Lord Rachef is so busy thinking about Izark he barely bothers to talk during a representative meeting...but he's so damn powerful no one nay says him the moment he does. Also no one is allowed in his crib. Keimos is also dreaming of his
Honestly folk spend as much time contemplating Izark as they do Noriko.
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