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juushikaTitle: A Cruel God Reigns (Zankokuna Kami ga Shihai Suru)
Author: Moto Hagio
Published: 1992-2001
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Page Count: 3260 (202+194+184+191+192+188+190+190+190+190+190+189+192+192+191+190+202)
Total Page Count: 562,155
Text Number: 2121
Read Because: saw this mentioned when browsing a random Tumblr
Review: I didn't realize until the last page that this is by the author of The Heart of Thomas, and then suddenly it was so surprise that this is so good. Because it is so good. In two halves: a teen boy is pressured into a sexual relationship by his new stepfather; and the abuse has a long tail, explored through the protagonist's relationship with his step brother. I feel like most takes on this narrative would be either half, and therefore neater; intentionally, this denies neat: character arcs circle, regress, and stagnate; people try to help in bad ways and for the wrong reasons; the supporting cast is awash in traumas related or not; there is more context, but rarely satisfactory closure. And some of this is touched by the over-the-topness of manga, but for once I'm not frustrated: it's the same shojo styling as The Heart of Thomas, exploring suffering through a stylized, romantic lens without sacrificing depth. A mess, certainly, but with intention, care, and deep sympathy.
Author: Moto Hagio
Published: 1992-2001
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Page Count: 3260 (202+194+184+191+192+188+190+190+190+190+190+189+192+192+191+190+202)
Total Page Count: 562,155
Text Number: 2121
Read Because: saw this mentioned when browsing a random Tumblr
Review: I didn't realize until the last page that this is by the author of The Heart of Thomas, and then suddenly it was so surprise that this is so good. Because it is so good. In two halves: a teen boy is pressured into a sexual relationship by his new stepfather; and the abuse has a long tail, explored through the protagonist's relationship with his step brother. I feel like most takes on this narrative would be either half, and therefore neater; intentionally, this denies neat: character arcs circle, regress, and stagnate; people try to help in bad ways and for the wrong reasons; the supporting cast is awash in traumas related or not; there is more context, but rarely satisfactory closure. And some of this is touched by the over-the-topness of manga, but for once I'm not frustrated: it's the same shojo styling as The Heart of Thomas, exploring suffering through a stylized, romantic lens without sacrificing depth. A mess, certainly, but with intention, care, and deep sympathy.
