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Reviewed by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane The third volume of Sand Chronicles in split into only two chapters, which take place during the summer and autumn when Ann is 16. As she heads home to Shimane for the summer vacation, Ann is looking forward to seeing her boyfriend, Daigo, for the first time in a few months; on the other hand, she also feels irrationally guilty because their friend Fuji unexpectedly kissed her right after the last time she and Daigo saw each other. The combination of trying to maintain her places in both Shimane and Tokyo and keep a long-distance relationship alive would be wearing enough, but Ann wouldn't be able to stay away from Fuji even if she wanted to: Shimane is still a small town where everyone knows everybody else's business, and she and Daigo are friends with both Fuji and his younger sister, Shika. Ann and Daigo get drafted to help Fuji and Shika's wealthy family prepare for the Obon festival, and Ann is drawn into the family's secrets when a maid tells her about the rumors surrounding Fuji's parentage. This volume is all about figuring out relationships, whether biological or romantic, and Ashihara handles both very deftly. Fuji and Shika get more attention than usual here, but their lives are so intertwined with Ann and Daigo's--especially with Ann and Fuji studying in Tokyo while Daigo and Shika are back in Shimane--that it doesn't shift the focus too far from the main characters. Sand Chronicles continues to be a very strong story, showing off both the simplicity and complexity of ordinary teenagers trying to find their places in the world. It's still one of the best titles I've read this year. This volume includes a two-page glossary of terms and cultural notes at the end of the book. Comment on this review of Sand Chronicles v3 on the Manga Life Forums. |
6 October 2009
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