Another lovely romp with Sebastian the demon butler. This volume wrapped up the Jack the Ripper storyline. ( )

The art and writing are still pretty bad, though the fight scenes are quite well drawn, and the art is improving. I find it hard to sympathize with Madame Red being an anti-choicer, and the way sex workers seeking abortions as part of their job is framed so horribly. The narrative overall does continue to point out the sex workers as victims, and that Madame Red is insane for doing this, but it's just kind of... dismissive towards them in a way I dislike. It is an interesting way to perhaps accidentally point out that even medical professionals who can provide abortion at times can be anti-choice in some manner. Overall it's just a mess of a plot, and not very enjoyable. It is fun to see more of the shinigami, though.

I also didn't like Ciel's aunt, and I continue to dislike Elizabeth. The Undertaker as a character is entertaining and his design is almost comically farcical for the story, but it is very strange when he appears and it's like "who let this guy out of an anime convention?"

That being said, we are starting to delve more into Ciel's trauma, and that's an enjoyable plot. So I'm looking forward to seeing more of it. ( )

love Grelle Sutcliff! ( )

This volume wraps up the Jack The Ripper story arc and concludes with a sweet, character-driven chapter concerning Ciel and Lizzie. I've always considered the JTR arc as the point by which if readers don't like the series yet, they won't like the series at all beyond this point. Ergo, if you didn't like this volume, you'd probably be better off dropping Black Butler all together. The very end of this volume teases the next story arc, featuring two of my favorite characters - Agni and Soma - and the start of a really great plot involving butlers and curry. ( )

Ah, a bit weird, a bit creepy, at times a little perverse, but I'm reading it anyway. I'm reading it because I LOVE the Black Butler.

Why 3 instead of 4 stars? It's the story line. At times confusing, at times silly, at times flowing like a frozen stream, I feel the urge to keep reading because I like the main character.

This third volume did give us some good background on Ciel's aunt - the lady in red. There's a visit from Ciel's fiance and her mother at the end - at least the fiance wasn't nearly as obnoxious as she usually is because she just had a bit part to play. And I always want to go run out and buy some good Assam tea after reading these volumes. ( )