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revolution666's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ladypalutena's review
5.0
0/5 stars, because the cat dies. (Not killed, just due to old age I assume, but I didn't want it to happen.)
5/5 because the Char/Sayla backstory is incredible and I'm sad I only own the first five books.
5/5 because the Char/Sayla backstory is incredible and I'm sad I only own the first five books.
bookosaurusrawr's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
oliviak07's review
4.0
I want to start of this review by acknowledging that it had been a while since I read volume 4 in the series, and needed a few reminders of the sides in this confrontation between Zabi, Zeon, and the Federation and those loyal to each side. If I misinterpreted something in volume 5 because of the break length between this and the previous volume I apologize.
Artesia Som Deikun, aka Sayla Mass, has fascinated me in the recent volumes, due to her ties to each side of this conflict. Her goal of tending to and taking care of others (while being a badass in her own way) has been what causes me to be drawn to her character. Thanks to the backstory that consumes volume 5, of both her and her family, I feel a new level of admiration for her and understanding for why she does what she does. There is still a level of mystery about her, but I am ready to see what will be revealed in the volumes to come.
I think what most can take away from this volume is that the antagonist has experienced a childhood, and often times the trauma of that childhood spark the reason for their role as the antagonist. War makes both sides unfortunate, and it is no exception to the characters in Yasuhiko's series. Hopefully peace will prevail, even if it takes time and hard work to accomplish it.
Artesia Som Deikun, aka Sayla Mass, has fascinated me in the recent volumes, due to her ties to each side of this conflict. Her goal of tending to and taking care of others (while being a badass in her own way) has been what causes me to be drawn to her character. Thanks to the backstory that consumes volume 5, of both her and her family, I feel a new level of admiration for her and understanding for why she does what she does. There is still a level of mystery about her, but I am ready to see what will be revealed in the volumes to come.
I think what most can take away from this volume is that the antagonist has experienced a childhood, and often times the trauma of that childhood spark the reason for their role as the antagonist. War makes both sides unfortunate, and it is no exception to the characters in Yasuhiko's series. Hopefully peace will prevail, even if it takes time and hard work to accomplish it.
eely225's review
5.0
(review of the whole series)
In the original Gundam, it was hard to dispute that Zeon, and Char specifically, were cooler than Amuro and the Earth Federation. While this revisitation of the original series doesn't try to make Char the her per se, it does give his story equal weight to that of Amuro and the White Base. Some of the silliness is drawn out, and the extreme story feels much more human in this telling.
It's probably still best to watch the original first, as this works best as a companion piece. But I will admit I feel more inclined to reread this one than to rewatch the 1979 series.
In the original Gundam, it was hard to dispute that Zeon, and Char specifically, were cooler than Amuro and the Earth Federation. While this revisitation of the original series doesn't try to make Char the her per se, it does give his story equal weight to that of Amuro and the White Base. Some of the silliness is drawn out, and the extreme story feels much more human in this telling.
It's probably still best to watch the original first, as this works best as a companion piece. But I will admit I feel more inclined to reread this one than to rewatch the 1979 series.
sarahc_98's review
5.0
This volume's flashback theme was absolutely brilliant in explaining the betrayals and intrigue that set up the events of our current story. So many non-verbals scenes that speak volumes. Brilliant!
count_zero's review
5.0
This is a chunk of the Gundam universe we've never really gotten a good look at - how Char and Sayla were separated and why, how the Zabi family came to power, and what Zeon Dekium was like.
Zeon's depiction is probably the biggest weakness in the volume. I was hoping he'd be more of a two-dimensional character, that he wouldn't be espousing the sort of spacenoid-supremicist fascist ideology that the Zabis were promoting. Instead, the two couldn't be more ideologically identical, with the sole difference being that the Zabis want to be in power, and find Zeon to be an obstacle.
Other than that, even if you haven't been following the manga thus far and you're a fan of the Universal Century portion of the Gundam multiverse, I'd recommend reading this volume.
Zeon's depiction is probably the biggest weakness in the volume. I was hoping he'd be more of a two-dimensional character, that he wouldn't be espousing the sort of spacenoid-supremicist fascist ideology that the Zabis were promoting. Instead, the two couldn't be more ideologically identical, with the sole difference being that the Zabis want to be in power, and find Zeon to be an obstacle.
Other than that, even if you haven't been following the manga thus far and you're a fan of the Universal Century portion of the Gundam multiverse, I'd recommend reading this volume.
peyjturner's review
5.0
With the ending of the fourth book taking place after huge battle in South America, the reader is taken into the past, answering a boatload of questions and asking a whole lot more with Char and Sayala's backstory. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's safe to say that Yasuhiko adds a wealth of details and characterization not only to the volume's title characters, but to the entire history of the war and the politics and power plays that started it. Also, the series briefly becomes a Western for reasons I can't reveal without major spoilers, but it totally makes sense I promise.
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