Yukako Kabei

On the one hand, KIELI ended far better then I thought it would. Better for the characters I mean. On the other, I was crying every 20pgs and that just ain't cool. Kabei wraps up Jude's story, Kieli's, Bea's, Kieli's father's, Harvey, the Corporal and the choices made so long ago.

How do you atone for sins so unsurmountable that even in death its your driving force? How do you forgive someone who betrayed you for his ambitions? At what point does it become selfish to need someone? What makes a person an angel and another a demon?… (altro)

This book, the penultimate book in the series, tackles questions that had been sort of brewing in Kieli's mind for the last few books. They're addressed by a couple of the characters, in their own manner at various points in fact.

Why does Kieli cling to the people she does? Harvey, and the Corporal (as well as Beatrice, later) --was it just happenstance and fate that brought them to Kieli? Would anyone have done, so long as they were there when she wanted to escape her boarding school? Would she feel as loyal and protective of anyone who happened by? When did 'anyone' become 'someone' she cared for deeply?

Kieli examines these questions throughout the book, at one point voicing her troubles to a ghost she meets who is pondering why the cats cling to him despite his not being able to feed them. Joachim, who's more of a nuisance now and less of an active problem like in the earlier books, finds himself asking these questions as well, albeit in a more selfish manner. Later Julius silently wonders why Kieli is so attached to these people when it has brought her nothing but pain.

In a more bittersweet undercurrent everyone is, to some extent or other, trying to avoid thinking about the 'after'. After Kieli meets her father, after things finally 'settle' and they rescue Beatrice, what then? Harvey mentions an idealistic, too good to be true plan he has to Kieli, but she is so much more pessimistic then in the beginning of the series. She imagines if that plan comes true, even building on it in her head, but recognizes that unless a miracle occurs that plan is naught but an irritating fantasy.

I have to admit the Church is not quite what I expected, given the goons that populate the better part of the books. Whether this is because zealots with power beget the abuse there of, or Kieli is seeing the Church in a different light given the revelations about her past, it made me mildly uncomfortable.

Either way this book began what can only be described as the bittersweet journey towards a conclusion that will be anything but happy. The last book, part 2 of this story arc, arrives at the end of September. I'm not sure I can bare it.… (altro)

At the beginning of the book, in the coloured pages, a brief recounting of the events of the first book are told, as well as a sort of 'get you up to speed' period. Kieli writes a letter to her deceased friend Becca, with snappy comments from Harvey, talking about their adventures and her feelings. After she falls asleep though the Corporal (in the radio) and Harvey have a short conversation as he reveals more than he perhaps wants to about his feelings.

In many ways this second book fulfilled the promises of the first. Harvey is indeed taking Kieli to the Sand Ocean to travel on a boat, but their adventures become twisted and complex unexpectedly due to complications with both who he is (an Undying) and her power (to see, talk to and channel spirits). We learn a little more about Harvey's past, but more importantly we learn about Kieli's past before she came to live with her 'Grandmother'.

In an odd twist of fate explanations for why Kieli has that special power and why she so readily accepts Harvey as a companion come to light. More questions arise, but an answer seems to be hovering. I felt bad for Harvey in this book--though he's a jerk and insensitive everywhere he goes he is met by dead friends or friends who have changed so drastically since he last saw them. One time good friends have become bitter enemies, or worse, seek to use what he is for their own profit. I can't help but think that's worse then having a friend turn into your enemy. Knowing their not doing it out of hatred or revenge, but because of profit?

Like the first novel the book is split into shorter sections with chapter names narrowing the focus for that particular section. The section titled "Tori Peri" effected me the most, though "Gimmick Doll, Gimmick Heart" was awfully close. The other sections, detailing their journey on one ship or another, were more chilling then anything else.

The romance, such as it is, is subtle and less about a romantic relationship and more about two people who need each other. I don't doubt they both have affection for each other, but the knowledge that while Harvey stays eternally about 20 and Kieli ages makes them both wary. Harvey responds by unconsciously preparing "for that day" by treating Kieli dispassionately and rudely (only when she's awake however). Kieli by contrast refuses to linger on what could happen in the future, for her just being with Harvey for ten more days is enough and she'd worry about more later.

Some of the more hilarious parts are when Harvey's new piece of equipment refuses to listen to his commands. Not only does he have the Corporal lecturing him for treating Kieli so rudely, but now he has a mechanical gadget as well--he can't win!

According to the Yen Press website it seems as if they are going to release 2 books a year from now (March 2010) til 2013, with a new book in April and September. The next book, consequently, is due out in September 2010 and is called Prisoners Bound for Another Planet.… (altro)