Black Bird, Volume 5 by Kanoko Sakurakouji continues the intriguing and mysterious story of the tengus.

I really hope more information comes out soon about the Senka Maiden. It is getting a little annoying hearing the 'don't do this or else...' line. Just tell us what's gonna happen or find something else in the plot to focus on.

I am glad that Kyo's brother is beginning introduced. That will bring in more drama and interesting plot lines for the books. Misao and Kyo's relationship needs to develop a little bit more. I'm hoping this book speeds it up a bit! Luckily, I feel like this volume is a step up from the first couple that weren't grabbing my interest. Add in the incredible manga illustrations and you've got a story headed in the right direction.

Three out of five stars. ( )

With the issue regarding Tadanobu resolved (at least for now), Misao and Kyou have two new challenges to overcome: telling Misao's parents she has a serious boyfriend, and accompanying Kyou to his home village to meet his family.

While Misao's mom seems thrilled that Misao was dating a childhood friend she is still incapable of remembering, getting Kyou's family to accept her might be a more difficult challenge.

Kyou's brother Sohou might remain imprisoned inside of the compound, but he's still devising a plan to regain leadership of his clan at all costs. Meanwhile, Misao not only gets to briefly meet Kyou's grandfather, she also meets Sagami's infirm (and extremely bubbly wife) Ayame.

Things seem to complicate further when we gain more hints what might happen if Kyou consumates his marriage with Misao...

Perhaps this volume lowers the tension in comparison with the prior volume, it still continues to be a strong and steady series that continues to be very fun to read. ( )

Meeting the family! Yup, that's what Kyo intended for him and Misao, but his grandfather threatens him that he will lose the leadership and Misao if he doesn't consummate their relationship and have a baby.

Kyo is hesitant because he isn't sure what will happen if he let his desire for Misao take over. ( )

Meeting the family! Yup, that's what Kyo intended for him and Misao, but his grandfather threatens him that he will lose the leadership and Misao if he doesn't consummate their relationship and have a baby.

Kyo is hesitant because he isn't sure what will happen if he let his desire for Misao take over. ( )

The dramatic tension was really racheted-up a notch with this volume, along with the pressure placed on Kyo to wed and bed (emphasis on the later) Misao. Kyo agrees to take Misao back home to his village with him, even though they both understand that if they do not fulfill the prophetic "joining" than Kyo could be removed from his position as Lord of the Tengu and replaced with his traitorous (and probably insane) older brother Sho. In an attempt to thwart this, the Eight Daitengu (sort of a bodyguard for Kyo) and Kyo devise a plan to reveal Sho as the insane (and thus completely unsuitable candidate for clan leadership). However, it doesn't go as planned, leaving both Misao and the entire Tengu Clan in mortal peril!

*** I greatly enjoyed this volume, the cliff-hanger ending forced me to immediately move on to Volume 6! The tension, both personal and professional (the rivalry for the position as a sort of CEO of the Tengu Clan is similar) for Kyo and Misao was very well-written. I really liked that though their relationship was a focal point of the story, it really wasn't in the forefront of the volume. The political machinations of Kyo and the Eight Daitengu against Sho was awesome! Also, Sagami's wife, is hilarious in her response to Sagami's return to the village (along with everyone's response to the scene, "Look up!")

*** The humor was another strong point to this volume. ( )