2.5
This was interesting. I like the premise, and the setting of Victorian London is very appealing to me. I also like the human-demon relationship between Ciel and Sebastian and am curious to see how that develops. Also, I love the antics of the rest of the manor staff- very fun to read!

However, it just overall felt MEH. I wasn't surprised, I don't feel anything for any characters, and the art was nothing extraordinary. The pacing felt slow, and I think there was quite a bit of wasted space (especially with that whole Elizabeth/learning to dance bit). I'm going read the next couple volumes on the recommendation of a friend- here's hoping the next one is more developed all around. ( )

The head of the Phantomhive family – owners of a massively successful British toy company – is just a boy, but no worries because he has a rather skilled butler…

Ooof, I’m hooked. Sebastian the very special butler has a new seat on the Literary Boyfriends Couch, and I will most certainly be continuing with the series. ( )

A mixture of modern-day and victorian-era, this is a wonderful book that brings in comedy, fantasy, horror, romance and more. It is an entertaining read, and keeps you hooked. The next book in the series coming out is always a wonderful event. ( )

Huge honking caveat: I love Black Butler with all of my heart and soul – and I love Sebastian and Ciel, the butler and his master, with the heat of a thousand suns. That said, I will try my damndest to provide a fair and critical review of Black Butler’s first volume, released in English by the always quality and timely Yen Press. As someone who has actually read ahead of this volume – enough to know that this series is not a pure comedy manga – I find this volume rather misleading for new and prospective fans.

Despite some hints that Ciel and Sebastian’s relationship isn’t what it seems at first blush, this collection of chapters is a mix of madcap humor and action that makes it seems like said things are the primary focus of the story. Which they are not; this book doesn’t even give any inkling of a plot beyond “Sebastian does awesome things and Ciel is a frowny rich boy”. Still, for an entire volume of “Sebastian does awesome things and Ciel is a frowny rich boy”, it is very entertaining.

You can read the rest of the review at Nagareboshi Reviews! ( )