Captive Hearts, Vol. 2
Matsuri Hino, already well-known in America for her gothic romance manga Vampire Knight, tells a different sort of love story in Captive Hearts. Long ago, 20-year-old Megumi Kuroishi’s ancestor stole a sacred scroll from the Kogami family, and the Kuroishi family has been cursed ever since to work as servants to the Kogamis. Now, in modern times, Megumi falls in love with the latest Kogami, Suzuka, and will do anything, absolutely anything, to serve her. His slavish devotion makes one wonder if it is the curse or his real feelings. This amusing setup is obviously directed at a female readership who would love to have a boy so devoted to them. And while the premise strives to be silly and out of this world, Captive Hearts does have its share of serious moments, especially toward the end of the volume, as Suzuka recalls being kidnapped as a young girl. While it may not feature the undead, the presence of interesting curses should help this manga appeal to Vampire Knight fans. Grades 8-11. --Danica Davidson