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Return to Labyrinth #3
Return to Labyrinth, Vol. 3
Toby's coronation as the next Goblin is fast approaching, but his soon-to-be subject are less than happy about his appointment, and after an attack on his friends, Toby must keep his wits about him and his friends by his side to survive his first day as king.
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 2005
11 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
Jake T. Forbes
12 books47 followersI make digital games & comics, but my heart belongs to good old-fashioned analog books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 21, 2018
In the early 2000's, Tokyo Pop published a 4-part Return to Labyrinth manga series. I love the 1986 movie, so I was so happy when someone gave me the first 3 volumes in the series several years ago. The only downside was that I didn't have the final volume. Turns out the last book in this series is a bit hard to find, and often ridiculously expensive. This year I have challenged myself to read more books that I want to read, nostalgia reads that I enjoyed in the past and more books from my own bookshelves. As I looked over my bookshelves, I saw this unfinished series on my keeper shelf. It was time to acquire a copy of the missing 4th book so I could finally discover the ending to this revisit to The Labyrinth. I have ordered a copy of the 4th volume of this series. In preparation for its arrival, I'm re-reading the first 3 volumes. I have my fingers crossed that the final book arrives in readable condition!
This series is American style manga, rather than the Japanese style that reads from right to left. I'm ok with that. It's based on an American movie, and mixes typical manga style art characters with more muppet-style characters from the movie. I like the storyline as well. Toby (the baby from the original movie) has returned to the Labyrinth. Goblin King Jareth has named him his heir and promptly disappears. Strange things are discovered about a girl, Moppet, who lives in the Goblin City, revealing Jareth has told some whopping lies. He has also entered into an agreement with Queen Mizumi. If he doesn't fulfill his part of the bargain within 13 years, the kingdom belongs to the queen. There is only a week left.....and Jareth still hasn't' succeeded. Although the exact nature of his agreement isn't revealed, he does travel to see Sarah, who has no memory of him. It turns out that Sarah and Moppets fates are intertwined and Toby will face a hard decision to save one or the other. Volume 3 reveals secrets about the queen's daughters. Toby is betrayed and Sarah is about to walk into Jareth's trap.
Volume 3 is a great build-up to the final book in this series! I've had these books on my shelf for four years now, never knowing the ending! I had a great time re-reading these books. I am a huge fan of Labyrinth (really, anything Jim Henson ever created) and have a spot on my keeper shelf for these books and the more romantic duology written by S. Jae Jones.
The cover art for Volume 3 is again by Kouyu Shurei and features Queen Mizumi's two daughters, Drumlin and Moulin.
I can't wait for Volume 4 to arrive!! I am SO ready to find out how this story ends!
This series is American style manga, rather than the Japanese style that reads from right to left. I'm ok with that. It's based on an American movie, and mixes typical manga style art characters with more muppet-style characters from the movie. I like the storyline as well. Toby (the baby from the original movie) has returned to the Labyrinth. Goblin King Jareth has named him his heir and promptly disappears. Strange things are discovered about a girl, Moppet, who lives in the Goblin City, revealing Jareth has told some whopping lies. He has also entered into an agreement with Queen Mizumi. If he doesn't fulfill his part of the bargain within 13 years, the kingdom belongs to the queen. There is only a week left.....and Jareth still hasn't' succeeded. Although the exact nature of his agreement isn't revealed, he does travel to see Sarah, who has no memory of him. It turns out that Sarah and Moppets fates are intertwined and Toby will face a hard decision to save one or the other. Volume 3 reveals secrets about the queen's daughters. Toby is betrayed and Sarah is about to walk into Jareth's trap.
Volume 3 is a great build-up to the final book in this series! I've had these books on my shelf for four years now, never knowing the ending! I had a great time re-reading these books. I am a huge fan of Labyrinth (really, anything Jim Henson ever created) and have a spot on my keeper shelf for these books and the more romantic duology written by S. Jae Jones.
The cover art for Volume 3 is again by Kouyu Shurei and features Queen Mizumi's two daughters, Drumlin and Moulin.
I can't wait for Volume 4 to arrive!! I am SO ready to find out how this story ends!
March 31, 2021
I really wish the manga series had focused more on Sarah instead of Toby, and I'm not really happy with what the Goblin King did to Sarah in this manga. It just comes off as creepy and incel-ish.
July 29, 2017
Ok, they suckered me in. I have to finish the story.
November 24, 2014
I wouldn't get much by the way of reviews if I split all of these up, plus there's more to comment on when targeted as a whole series instead of individual books so a combined review it is.
I read the first volume of this Labyrinth sequel while I was on vacation and pretty much as soon as I was done, I had to order the rest because I needed to see where these writers took the story and the world and I have to say, as a hardcore Labyrinth fan, I wasn't disappointed.
First a comment on the artwork. The covers are gorgeous. I don't think there's much denying that. The artwork within the pages itself, the one that tells the story, isn't as beautiful (I just don't think there was the room and I think it would have rocketed the cost of the book itself) but it really portrayed the world without being too angular anime-looking. The only characters that looked even remotely close to that angular look that kind of freaks me out was Toby, Jareth and that's pretty much it. The rest of the humans had some slight angles but nothing serious and the rest of the creatures, the goblins and faeries and whatnot, looked like they did in the movie which was all sorts of awesome. I liked how the artist didn't stray from that look too far.
As far as the story goes, considering the interest Jareth took in Toby and Sarah in the movie, I felt that it was an almost natural progression to go where it ultimately went. I could have lived without the Ice Queen spurned by the Goblin King but what fantasy story would be anything without some good romantic conflict? Actually, it wasn't all that great. It was okay and it served its purpose in the plot but really, I could have lived without it. I think the Queen consigned a little too easily at the end there, relinquishing her hold that she held so steadfastly to for so long. Maybe when she realized that she'll never have him she felt why bother anymore. Hey, at least she realized it. It's more than what a lot of chicks do in that situation.
I loved the tie-in between Moppet and Sarah. I don't want to spoil it because I was pretty shocked to find out just what Jareth did (I'll give you a hint, it's along the lines of Spike's Buffy-bot, but not quite) but it suits his persona and the world as a whole. Yeah, as the Goblin King who totally doesn't like getting pwned by a 15 year old girl, I could see him holding a grudge and taking it out on her like he did. I wish Sarah was a stronger character within the series, though. I kind of get why she wasn't up until the end, but the correlation between the why there and her personality originally, they don't match up. She was such a strong character that barely even considered taking the King's offerings in the movie (she barely paused a second when he offered her his balls . . . er . . .). But in the story, she damn near concedes. I found that out of character for her even outside of her character transformation.
As I said above, I could have lived without the Queen being there, especially her two daughters, although I liked what they ended up being. And associated to that, how they were their own individuals despite the circumstances (read the books, you'll know what I'm talking about, I'm trying not to spoil). The chubby one was just obnoxious and I was kind of glad when she was taken out of the picture. The emo one, I kind of like the 180 she did but ultimately, I didn't feel her being there all that important to the story as a whole except functioning more as a guide. And there are plenty of other creatures in the Labyrinth that could have done that. I did like how the story branched out beyond the Labyrinth and created other kingdoms but I think it could have been melded together differently.
At the end of the day, Toby's story was the one I kept pushing to the side because I wanted to know more about Sarah and Moppet. All of the teasers that centered around them were just too juicy to resist. I mean, it's not that I didn't like Toby's tale, but it's a pretty standard one. A hint of Chosen One Syndrome with a bit of coming of age mixed in. His surroundings were kind of cool but other than that, I wasn't too interested. Let's face it: I wanted more Jareth and Sarah. So I kept reading for that.
While I think I would have liked to have seen actual novelizations over manga, I still liked the visuals and I was able to follow along with the story just fine. These books are a definite keeper if you're a Labyrinth fan. And you'd better hurry up. Pretty soon they'll be nothing but a dream (or a costly keepsake) soon enough. No, really. BN doesn't list them at all and Borders only has the last two in the series. So snag them while they're cheap. You'll be kicking yourself if you wait and end up paying $200 a pop like the movie novelization is.
I read the first volume of this Labyrinth sequel while I was on vacation and pretty much as soon as I was done, I had to order the rest because I needed to see where these writers took the story and the world and I have to say, as a hardcore Labyrinth fan, I wasn't disappointed.
First a comment on the artwork. The covers are gorgeous. I don't think there's much denying that. The artwork within the pages itself, the one that tells the story, isn't as beautiful (I just don't think there was the room and I think it would have rocketed the cost of the book itself) but it really portrayed the world without being too angular anime-looking. The only characters that looked even remotely close to that angular look that kind of freaks me out was Toby, Jareth and that's pretty much it. The rest of the humans had some slight angles but nothing serious and the rest of the creatures, the goblins and faeries and whatnot, looked like they did in the movie which was all sorts of awesome. I liked how the artist didn't stray from that look too far.
As far as the story goes, considering the interest Jareth took in Toby and Sarah in the movie, I felt that it was an almost natural progression to go where it ultimately went. I could have lived without the Ice Queen spurned by the Goblin King but what fantasy story would be anything without some good romantic conflict? Actually, it wasn't all that great. It was okay and it served its purpose in the plot but really, I could have lived without it. I think the Queen consigned a little too easily at the end there, relinquishing her hold that she held so steadfastly to for so long. Maybe when she realized that she'll never have him she felt why bother anymore. Hey, at least she realized it. It's more than what a lot of chicks do in that situation.
I loved the tie-in between Moppet and Sarah. I don't want to spoil it because I was pretty shocked to find out just what Jareth did (I'll give you a hint, it's along the lines of Spike's Buffy-bot, but not quite) but it suits his persona and the world as a whole. Yeah, as the Goblin King who totally doesn't like getting pwned by a 15 year old girl, I could see him holding a grudge and taking it out on her like he did. I wish Sarah was a stronger character within the series, though. I kind of get why she wasn't up until the end, but the correlation between the why there and her personality originally, they don't match up. She was such a strong character that barely even considered taking the King's offerings in the movie (she barely paused a second when he offered her his balls . . . er . . .). But in the story, she damn near concedes. I found that out of character for her even outside of her character transformation.
As I said above, I could have lived without the Queen being there, especially her two daughters, although I liked what they ended up being. And associated to that, how they were their own individuals despite the circumstances (read the books, you'll know what I'm talking about, I'm trying not to spoil). The chubby one was just obnoxious and I was kind of glad when she was taken out of the picture. The emo one, I kind of like the 180 she did but ultimately, I didn't feel her being there all that important to the story as a whole except functioning more as a guide. And there are plenty of other creatures in the Labyrinth that could have done that. I did like how the story branched out beyond the Labyrinth and created other kingdoms but I think it could have been melded together differently.
At the end of the day, Toby's story was the one I kept pushing to the side because I wanted to know more about Sarah and Moppet. All of the teasers that centered around them were just too juicy to resist. I mean, it's not that I didn't like Toby's tale, but it's a pretty standard one. A hint of Chosen One Syndrome with a bit of coming of age mixed in. His surroundings were kind of cool but other than that, I wasn't too interested. Let's face it: I wanted more Jareth and Sarah. So I kept reading for that.
While I think I would have liked to have seen actual novelizations over manga, I still liked the visuals and I was able to follow along with the story just fine. These books are a definite keeper if you're a Labyrinth fan. And you'd better hurry up. Pretty soon they'll be nothing but a dream (or a costly keepsake) soon enough. No, really. BN doesn't list them at all and Borders only has the last two in the series. So snag them while they're cheap. You'll be kicking yourself if you wait and end up paying $200 a pop like the movie novelization is.
December 1, 2009
*Note: Please see my personal disclaimer at the beginning of my review for Vol. 1*
*2nd Note: Many sentiments of Vol. 2 go for this Vol. as well.*
I'm so glad that for this next I only had to wait as long as it took me to put vol. 2 down and pick up vol. 3. Woohoo! The story started to get even more intriguing. The flow was difficult for me at times (with both volumes) because of all the flashbacks and daydreams. And because of the format, of course. But I still enjoyedg it, and I know part of that is being a Labyrinth fan and seeing one person's view on how they think it could have continued. I'm also finding myself much more caught up in what's going on and anxious to know how the fates of so many will turn out.
Unfortunately, I have to wait 10 months for the next and final installment!!!! Arg. Why do I do that to myself? Oh well.
*2nd Note: Many sentiments of Vol. 2 go for this Vol. as well.*
I'm so glad that for this next I only had to wait as long as it took me to put vol. 2 down and pick up vol. 3. Woohoo! The story started to get even more intriguing. The flow was difficult for me at times (with both volumes) because of all the flashbacks and daydreams. And because of the format, of course. But I still enjoyedg it, and I know part of that is being a Labyrinth fan and seeing one person's view on how they think it could have continued. I'm also finding myself much more caught up in what's going on and anxious to know how the fates of so many will turn out.
Unfortunately, I have to wait 10 months for the next and final installment!!!! Arg. Why do I do that to myself? Oh well.
May 7, 2016
So far this has been my least favorite in the series but that will in no way deter me from finishing the whole thing. I don't think I liked this one as much because Jareth is portrayed as such a jerk. He's just a misunderstood romantic! In this volume, Toby has his coronation and we discover the secrets behind the mystery "goblin" girl. Slower paced than the first two, it took me longer to get into. Can't wait to see how everything turns out in the final volume!
January 13, 2010
Shameless rating -- I wrote the damned thing! But I am proud of the work and I'm sure my mom would give me 5 stars if she had a goodreads account, so I'll call this rating hers.
May 17, 2009
The writing and the illustrations get better and better with each volume! No Labyrinth fan should miss this series!
March 28, 2019
Ooh that sorceress woman is a bitch. Kinda hope Karma kicks her ass.
December 29, 2020
Un tercer tomo de esta serie de cómics secuela a la famosa película Labyrinth, terminado. Mi objetivo es terminarme los 4 este año. Este tomo sigue con lo dejado en el anterior, en donde una gran revelación ha movido ciertamente las bases de lo que conocíamos en la historia.
Este tomo la historia avanza a pasos agigantados al desenlace, lo que se entiende pensando que es el penúltimo tomo. Los villanos muestran sus verdaderas caras y la acción se toma las páginas del volumen, pero aun así da tiempo de mostrarnos historia de fondo que no entorpecen al ritmo de lectura del volumen. Esta combinación es algo difícil de conseguir, pero siento que este tomo sale airosos de eso. Además, consigue conectar muchos puntos emocionales que sorprenden, especialmente inmersos en el mundo del laberinto, donde nada parece tener sentido, casi un país de las maravillas.
En esta historia varios personajes brillan: Toby, que se sobrepone un poco a sus estados de berrinche adolescente; Mizumi y Jareth, cada uno con sus propias intenciones, brillan como los antagonistas de la historia, incluso Moulin, que empieza a mostrar sus verdaderos pensamientos y emociones. El único personaje que perdió fuerza en este volumen fue Hana, ya que no apareció mucho. Y por último están los personajes que se lucieron: Skub, que cada vez se gana más mi corazón y Spittledrum, que pasó de ser un personaje insoportable a uno muy querible entre los volúmenes.
Del arte no me referiré mucho, ya que siento que esta al mismo nivel que el del anterior y que ha mejorado mucho comparado con el primero.
La trama se ha vuelto muy buena y vaticina un gran desenlace en el siguiente y último tomo. Espero leerlo pronto y darle el final que se merece a esta pequeña serie de cómics.
Este tomo la historia avanza a pasos agigantados al desenlace, lo que se entiende pensando que es el penúltimo tomo. Los villanos muestran sus verdaderas caras y la acción se toma las páginas del volumen, pero aun así da tiempo de mostrarnos historia de fondo que no entorpecen al ritmo de lectura del volumen. Esta combinación es algo difícil de conseguir, pero siento que este tomo sale airosos de eso. Además, consigue conectar muchos puntos emocionales que sorprenden, especialmente inmersos en el mundo del laberinto, donde nada parece tener sentido, casi un país de las maravillas.
En esta historia varios personajes brillan: Toby, que se sobrepone un poco a sus estados de berrinche adolescente; Mizumi y Jareth, cada uno con sus propias intenciones, brillan como los antagonistas de la historia, incluso Moulin, que empieza a mostrar sus verdaderos pensamientos y emociones. El único personaje que perdió fuerza en este volumen fue Hana, ya que no apareció mucho. Y por último están los personajes que se lucieron: Skub, que cada vez se gana más mi corazón y Spittledrum, que pasó de ser un personaje insoportable a uno muy querible entre los volúmenes.
Del arte no me referiré mucho, ya que siento que esta al mismo nivel que el del anterior y que ha mejorado mucho comparado con el primero.
La trama se ha vuelto muy buena y vaticina un gran desenlace en el siguiente y último tomo. Espero leerlo pronto y darle el final que se merece a esta pequeña serie de cómics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2017
Okay, so this series is becoming fairly terrible. There's a section in this one lasting several pages that is essentially supposed to mirror the "music video" portions of the original film. It's just lyrics and a bunch of posing and staring between Jareth and Sarah. This really does not translate to manga. Not only is there no actual music, the lyrics are terrible, and without Bowie's charisma this is really not something anyone is interested in seeing. It's really bad. Additionally, there's one page later in the book where there is a terrible Star Wars reference followed quickly by a terrible Doctor Who reference. Basically, just nothing works in this volume even a little.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2017
The book covers how much Sarah changed after her adventure in the Labyrinth. Most of her memories of what happened are gone.
Moppet (the woman in the goblin mask) and Sarah really belong together as Moppet was basically made from Sarah. If one dies, both die.
Jareth is basically stalking Sarah. She may, or may not, have some kind of relationship with a guy. The major thing is that the evil Queen stages a coup. Overall an interesting third story in the series. The thing is that this series is much more serious, quite much more serious than the movie. Much darker.
Moppet (the woman in the goblin mask) and Sarah really belong together as Moppet was basically made from Sarah. If one dies, both die.
Jareth is basically stalking Sarah. She may, or may not, have some kind of relationship with a guy. The major thing is that the evil Queen stages a coup. Overall an interesting third story in the series. The thing is that this series is much more serious, quite much more serious than the movie. Much darker.
August 19, 2017
Well that was letdown. I was lost going in to this installment because it had been so long since I had read the first and second books. Maybe after the second book, I had had enough and given up? I should have gone with that. I have begun the journey into the fourth and final book so hopefully all will not be in vain...but I'm not holding my breath. P.S. I miss Bowie :(
February 28, 2021
The first book started things slow, but no I am really invested in the series. There is surprising depth to the characters, I am finding the plot interesting and there is more backstory to the world than I would have thought.
December 14, 2022
Somehow, the art on this volume has become less appealing and more inconsistent. Fortunately, the plot and themes are beginning to more closely resemble and build upon the original film, which I’m enjoying.
May 11, 2017
Still not sure why I decided to continue reading, but this one actually was better. Still did some skimming. Interested enough to read the last book, but still don't love the storyline.
February 11, 2018
Loving this!
August 23, 2019
The best one of the four books
August 13, 2020
Story's picking up and things are getting explained. Excited to finish the story!
November 4, 2021
Had to return to the library. Gah!
May 11, 2024
I'm so hyped for the endgame.
August 29, 2024
a little better than the previous volumes, I thought
March 4, 2025
I regret reading this entire series. So glad I got them from the library and didn't pay for these.
January 6, 2010
After reading the second volume I immediately had to pick this one up and read it. The most unfortunate thing about this volume is that it ends! The fourth and final volume will be published in August 2010. It’s going to be a long wait…
There is a lot of story and plot in this volume, so be prepared. Everything starts to come together. Sarah invites Jareth in for some tea, however, Sarah doesn’t remember him or that she has a brother. Jareth leaves and goes to see Cob, apparently a goblin that he banished, to get a shard of his “heart” back (apparently it’s a shard of his power), so he has some power again.
We discover that Moppet is an ablation- a living essence that was taken from another living form. Moppet is an ablation of Sarah. Moppet is what Jareth feared most- Sarah’s dreams. So, Moppet and Sarah are both just half a person (they both lack absolute free will), only together can they make a whole. And if the host or the ablation dies, they both die. Mizumi made Moppet per Jareth’s request (which happened in Volume II, and he made it with his blood). There was a bargain made between the two- made 13 years prior to the start of Volume I. I’m not sure if we (the reader) know exactly what it is- as far as I can tell if Jareth “fails” then Mizumi gains control of the Labyrinth and the Goblin King (I don’t know exactly what “fails” means- that Jareth can bend Moppet to his will? Mabye). So, Jareth locks Moppet in a tower room with that fancy door. He says to her “love me” (repeatedly). Apparently it doesn’t work because the next thing we know Moppet is with the junk lady and Spittledrum picks her up to make her a servant girl. Jareth visits Spittledrum and finds Moppet there. He tells the Mayor that he can keep her (since she has no memories of him), but if she acts strangely or mentions anything about Jareth or a locked room Spittledrum is supposed to give Moppet a magic apple? Or is it another peach- hard to tell.
Toby wants to summon Sarah to the Labyrinth to have Mizumi re-insert Moppet into his sister so she can be complete again. Moppet is heartbroken. When everyone leaves she takes that apple/peach and is determined to leave the Labyrinth. Toby sends Drumlin to the dungeon for trying to hurt his friends (happened in Volume II). Queen Mizumi visits her daughter and “sends her home.” Drumlin absorbs into Mizumi- it looks like Drumlin and Moulin are ablations (Drumlin was hope). She removed Drumlin and Moulin from herself after she could no longer take the pain of her broken heart (which Jareth caused). Moulin tries to warn Toby of the danger he is in because of Mizumi- but he doesn’t listen, and Esker imprisons Moulin.
Toby is given a strange pendant gift from an unknown lizard. The pendant reads: “When hope seems lost to darkness, seek an ally in the light.” Skub tells Toby of his past- about his brothers- and how they all died trying to fight a dragon. With that Skub’s dad sends him into the goblin army so he can protect himself. All Skub wanted to be was a chief like his mom was before she died.
It is finally the day of Toby’s coronation. A very, very long coronation it is too. There is a trial of ascension he must complete; it is administered by the holiest of all goblins- Pontifex Mynoskyrka. Through the trial- which is private between Toby and Pontifex, Toby discovers that the Pathmaker is- and always shell be the King of the Goblins- which is now himself. His power is his own will.
Jareth leaves an invitation- with flowers for Sarah- she is invited to “Canticle of Dreams” play at “Enigma Lain Theater.”
Queen Mizumi claims her end of the bargain- after 13 years- she has come to claim the goblin kingdom, the Labyrinth, and Toby- the current Goblin King. Mizumi chains Toby around the neck and leads him about. She demands to see the Pathmaker; little does she know that he’s right in front of her. Candlewick is on the Queen’s side and stabs Spittledrum. Skub comes by later and comes to Spittledrum’s aid, and tries to nurse him back to health. The Queen puts Toby in an oubliette. And Sarah is walking closer and closer to Jareth. Esker tells the Queen about that Jareth has gained back some power. She tells him to kill the ablation (Moppet), because with it Sarah will also die. The Queen goes to re-absorb Moulin, but holds off, as it appears her “daughter” can be of use to her. So ends Volume III. It’s going to be a long wait for the conclusion…
There is a lot of story and plot in this volume, so be prepared. Everything starts to come together. Sarah invites Jareth in for some tea, however, Sarah doesn’t remember him or that she has a brother. Jareth leaves and goes to see Cob, apparently a goblin that he banished, to get a shard of his “heart” back (apparently it’s a shard of his power), so he has some power again.
We discover that Moppet is an ablation- a living essence that was taken from another living form. Moppet is an ablation of Sarah. Moppet is what Jareth feared most- Sarah’s dreams. So, Moppet and Sarah are both just half a person (they both lack absolute free will), only together can they make a whole. And if the host or the ablation dies, they both die. Mizumi made Moppet per Jareth’s request (which happened in Volume II, and he made it with his blood). There was a bargain made between the two- made 13 years prior to the start of Volume I. I’m not sure if we (the reader) know exactly what it is- as far as I can tell if Jareth “fails” then Mizumi gains control of the Labyrinth and the Goblin King (I don’t know exactly what “fails” means- that Jareth can bend Moppet to his will? Mabye). So, Jareth locks Moppet in a tower room with that fancy door. He says to her “love me” (repeatedly). Apparently it doesn’t work because the next thing we know Moppet is with the junk lady and Spittledrum picks her up to make her a servant girl. Jareth visits Spittledrum and finds Moppet there. He tells the Mayor that he can keep her (since she has no memories of him), but if she acts strangely or mentions anything about Jareth or a locked room Spittledrum is supposed to give Moppet a magic apple? Or is it another peach- hard to tell.
Toby wants to summon Sarah to the Labyrinth to have Mizumi re-insert Moppet into his sister so she can be complete again. Moppet is heartbroken. When everyone leaves she takes that apple/peach and is determined to leave the Labyrinth. Toby sends Drumlin to the dungeon for trying to hurt his friends (happened in Volume II). Queen Mizumi visits her daughter and “sends her home.” Drumlin absorbs into Mizumi- it looks like Drumlin and Moulin are ablations (Drumlin was hope). She removed Drumlin and Moulin from herself after she could no longer take the pain of her broken heart (which Jareth caused). Moulin tries to warn Toby of the danger he is in because of Mizumi- but he doesn’t listen, and Esker imprisons Moulin.
Toby is given a strange pendant gift from an unknown lizard. The pendant reads: “When hope seems lost to darkness, seek an ally in the light.” Skub tells Toby of his past- about his brothers- and how they all died trying to fight a dragon. With that Skub’s dad sends him into the goblin army so he can protect himself. All Skub wanted to be was a chief like his mom was before she died.
It is finally the day of Toby’s coronation. A very, very long coronation it is too. There is a trial of ascension he must complete; it is administered by the holiest of all goblins- Pontifex Mynoskyrka. Through the trial- which is private between Toby and Pontifex, Toby discovers that the Pathmaker is- and always shell be the King of the Goblins- which is now himself. His power is his own will.
Jareth leaves an invitation- with flowers for Sarah- she is invited to “Canticle of Dreams” play at “Enigma Lain Theater.”
Queen Mizumi claims her end of the bargain- after 13 years- she has come to claim the goblin kingdom, the Labyrinth, and Toby- the current Goblin King. Mizumi chains Toby around the neck and leads him about. She demands to see the Pathmaker; little does she know that he’s right in front of her. Candlewick is on the Queen’s side and stabs Spittledrum. Skub comes by later and comes to Spittledrum’s aid, and tries to nurse him back to health. The Queen puts Toby in an oubliette. And Sarah is walking closer and closer to Jareth. Esker tells the Queen about that Jareth has gained back some power. She tells him to kill the ablation (Moppet), because with it Sarah will also die. The Queen goes to re-absorb Moulin, but holds off, as it appears her “daughter” can be of use to her. So ends Volume III. It’s going to be a long wait for the conclusion…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2016
These books get better and better, plot wise. I am really looking forward to reading volume 4. I really wish the art looked like the cover, but alas, it doesn't. The art is alright in this one (the goblins and backgrounds look great), but only just that. The people ruin it. I mean, their proportions are ok. But the expressions look bad some times, and Toby and Jareth's hair is drawn pretty badly. I wish it was either drawn in an actual manga style, or realistic. Not a weird mix of the two. Realistic manga can be done, but this isn't it. This is just weird looking. I wouldn't have cared if Jareth, Sarah, and Toby were realistic in something called a manga, I really wouldn't have. As long as it would mean that they could look like themselves, and not weird looking.
The only other gripe I have is with the names of the new characters. For a weird fantasy world with fantasy names, normal Japanese names don't fit well. Mizumi and Hana are odd in a world where characters are named Sir Didymus, and Hoggle. They chose well for everyone else, but those two have names that just don't fit. I get it's a manga, but unless they're from our world like Sarah and Toby, regular names don't work well for Labyrinth characters.
The only other gripe I have is with the names of the new characters. For a weird fantasy world with fantasy names, normal Japanese names don't fit well. Mizumi and Hana are odd in a world where characters are named Sir Didymus, and Hoggle. They chose well for everyone else, but those two have names that just don't fit. I get it's a manga, but unless they're from our world like Sarah and Toby, regular names don't work well for Labyrinth characters.
September 11, 2012
Finally these novels have started to pick up and things seem to be happening. Sadly there still just isn't enough and the plot jumps around a little, leading to a real sense of dissociation between strands and characters sadly.
Whilst I have enjoyed it, I'm still a little saddened by the differences between the cover artwork and what's inside. That and my huge bugbear at Jareth and Sarah not really resembling themselves any more - though at least Sarah is now gradually looking more how she should.
I was glad to see some growth for some of the other characters such as Spittledrum, he suddenly became less pointless and irritating as his story progressed and I'll be intrigued to see how he impacts on the final installment. The same can be said for Skub. I'm hoping that we hear a bit more from him next time out.
In fact it makes me wonder if there could have been enough plot about the goblins and the labyrinth to justify these sequels being based on them instead of bringing in Mizumi as an antagonist. Who knows though, I'm not Jim Henson and I'm sure he had good reason to trust Jake T. Forbes with his story.
I guess we see how it plays out.
Whilst I have enjoyed it, I'm still a little saddened by the differences between the cover artwork and what's inside. That and my huge bugbear at Jareth and Sarah not really resembling themselves any more - though at least Sarah is now gradually looking more how she should.
I was glad to see some growth for some of the other characters such as Spittledrum, he suddenly became less pointless and irritating as his story progressed and I'll be intrigued to see how he impacts on the final installment. The same can be said for Skub. I'm hoping that we hear a bit more from him next time out.
In fact it makes me wonder if there could have been enough plot about the goblins and the labyrinth to justify these sequels being based on them instead of bringing in Mizumi as an antagonist. Who knows though, I'm not Jim Henson and I'm sure he had good reason to trust Jake T. Forbes with his story.
I guess we see how it plays out.
July 21, 2016
It's almost time for Toby's coronation as the new Goblin King, but Mizumi's plans have not been revealed yet. She does reveal that one of her powers is to create an "ablation", which is a being who represents one aspect of someone, magically removed from them. Moppet is an ablation of Toby's sister Sarah. She is a risk though because if the ablation dies, so does the host. Toby realizes that when Moppet was created, Sarah lost her passions for the theater. Whats more... the ablation was created for Jareth to love!
Toby gains control of the Pathfinder, and in doing so, becomes Goblin King, which also causes Mizumi to take control of him, having the deal made with Jareth come to fruition. Seeing her triumph before her, Mizumi has Toby thrown in the Oubliette.
But where is Jareth? He has gone to the human world. When Sarah doesn't recognize him, he goes to reclaim a sliver of his "true power" left in our world, and uses it to create a magical trap for Sarah.
Will Toby escape the oubliette? Will Muzumi's plans backfire? Will Sarah fall for Jareth's charms?
On to Vol. 4...
Toby gains control of the Pathfinder, and in doing so, becomes Goblin King, which also causes Mizumi to take control of him, having the deal made with Jareth come to fruition. Seeing her triumph before her, Mizumi has Toby thrown in the Oubliette.
But where is Jareth? He has gone to the human world. When Sarah doesn't recognize him, he goes to reclaim a sliver of his "true power" left in our world, and uses it to create a magical trap for Sarah.
Will Toby escape the oubliette? Will Muzumi's plans backfire? Will Sarah fall for Jareth's charms?
On to Vol. 4...
April 19, 2016
The riddle of Jareth’s obsession with Sarah comes clearer in this book. Apparently, his bet with the Lady Mizumi involved taking a piece away from Sarah, i.e., her ability to dream. Presumably, this will lessen her power over Jareth and make it possible for her to love him.
Love is something that Jareth seems to crave desperately, although his icy demeanor doesn’t show it and his actions are highly questionable. At first, the Lady Mizumi seems as glacial as he, her motives equally impenetrable. Does she want Jareth or merely control over the Labyrinth? What’s all the folderol about the Pathfinder, anyhoo?
Jareth passes freely between the real world and the Labyrinth. It makes you wonder exactly how he manages it or why he doesn’t simply kidnap Sarah instead of making his convoluted plans involving Toby. But then we wouldn’t get a sequel, would we?
Love is something that Jareth seems to crave desperately, although his icy demeanor doesn’t show it and his actions are highly questionable. At first, the Lady Mizumi seems as glacial as he, her motives equally impenetrable. Does she want Jareth or merely control over the Labyrinth? What’s all the folderol about the Pathfinder, anyhoo?
Jareth passes freely between the real world and the Labyrinth. It makes you wonder exactly how he manages it or why he doesn’t simply kidnap Sarah instead of making his convoluted plans involving Toby. But then we wouldn’t get a sequel, would we?
August 22, 2010
Last read: May 27th, 2009
OK, so how long has this been going on now with no resolution yet? Just give me an ending SOON! Jareth is up to no good in the human world messing with Sarah. Toby is now king and Mizumi is up to no good (having throuwn Toby in an Oubliette till he agrees to play ball), and one daughter is already "dead" with the other soon to go (and they were the only ones I liked!)Best part is the terrifying red demons from the episode of The Storyteller, "The Soldier and the Death" playing cards in the Labyrinth, they still scare me to this day!
OK, so how long has this been going on now with no resolution yet? Just give me an ending SOON! Jareth is up to no good in the human world messing with Sarah. Toby is now king and Mizumi is up to no good (having throuwn Toby in an Oubliette till he agrees to play ball), and one daughter is already "dead" with the other soon to go (and they were the only ones I liked!)Best part is the terrifying red demons from the episode of The Storyteller, "The Soldier and the Death" playing cards in the Labyrinth, they still scare me to this day!
Read
August 5, 2011The plot thickens and darkens; definitely the best in the series so far, as it contains the fewest weird goblin jokes and focuses on story and character.One thing that particularly stood out to me was an...interesting...insight,if you will, into Jareth's character: if the labyrinth, with all its quirks, is a reflection of Jareth's heart, than is really all that evil? Interesting. There was a twist that I was not expecting, though it explains a lot, and I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes, and if I'll get the ending I want. I am so hooked.
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