The bond between Noriko and Izark, the young schoolgirl transported to another world in the first installment of Kyoko Hikawa's fourteen-volume fantasy manga series, and the wandering warrior who came to her aid, and became her traveling companion, grows ever stronger in this fourth adventure, as the two find themselves able to communicate psychically over long distances. Opening as Izark, still a prisoner of the evil Lord Nada, and Noriko, just returned to Gaya's house with her new companions, mercenary Agol and his daughter Geena, find themselves miles apart, this volume chronicles the process whereby they are reunited. Izark, with a little help from reformed (and resentful) fighter Barago, as well as from Agol, wins free of the gladitorial games in which Lord Nada thinks to kill him, liberating the imprisoned Grand Duke Jeida and his sons in the process. Rejoining the women, the companions - Noriko, Izark, Gaya, Agol and Geena, Barago, Jeida and Banadam, as well as Jeida's other (unnamed) sons - all flee into the White Mist Forest. But will they survive the madness that a malignant spirit seems to be leading them into, and can they defeat the terrible monster that attacks them...?

It's another cliffhanger-ending (surprise, surprise) in this fourth volume of From Far Away, which is the most appealing yet, of the stories I've read in this series. Although I enjoyed the previous three installments, somehow they didn't quite grab hold of me as this one did. I'm not sure, truth be told, whether there was an improvement in the story and art in this one, or whether I just needed a little time to become involved with the characters. Whatever the case may be, I finished this one with an immediate desire to pick up the next! I now know who Izark is - there is another hint here, in the scales that he has on his forearms, but I also made the mistake of looking at the wiki page, while clarifying who various characters are - but that's OK, since I suspected it from the beginning. So: exciting fantasy adventure? Check! Sentimental star-crossed-lover romance? Check! What's not to love, asks the schoolgirl in me? Highly recommended to any manga readers who enjoy romantic fantasy! ( )

Wow! Everything in this volume has reached new heights and I really think the series is starting to come into its own. Noriko and Izark find themselves in some pretty precarious situations after they were separated in the previous volume. What happens next was worth having in its own volume. Wow is all I can say without spoiling things, just wow.

The art was beautiful, varied and interesting. I loved the depiction of magic and the beautiful ways the layout often told the story. The story has some fascinating plot twists and reveals and new things are discovered about Noriko and Izark. What Noriko’s presence as the Awakening means for Izark and the people of this world remains unexplained but what is discovered definitely is food for thought.

The author has still not completely broken herself of telling things occasionally that she thought she couldn’t draw adequately but these explanations just took you out of the story and were often superfluous. I trust both this author and the story she has to tell implicitly, she doesn’t need to second guess herself! If I see it’s a different time of day somewhere else or two people decide to drink coffee I’m going to go with it. Quit interrupting yourself with asides explaining minutiae and tell the story!

Also the side panels talking about scenes from her childhood that she is not completely sure actually happened or not are a bit unnerving. I’m not sure why those are there either. I don’t mind if panels like that are at the beginning or end of a book but in the middle of a story is a bit distracting. Still looking forward to volume five though, I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for Noriko and Izark next! ( )

Volume 4 of this enchanting manga series reveals an unexpected connection between Izark and Noriko despite their distance from each other and also Izark's increasing dismay at his growing feelings for the young girl.

I'm certainly enjoying this fantasy tale of a roaming warrior and a girl who is more than she appears. This is certainly a manga series I am looking forward to reading in full and, eventually, owning the entire set. ( )