The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth, Vol. 4

千年迷宮の七王子 [Sennen Meikyuu no Nana Ouji] #4

by Haruno Atori

The dramatic conclusion to this gothic fantasy for fans of Devils and Realist and Black Butler! Deep within the Castle of the Thousand-Year Labyrinth, Othello presses Ewan to make a fateful decision. As blood flows, Ewan must choose between giving up his own life–or everyone else’s. Escape is almost within reach, but what must they sacrifice to make it a reality? The group’s hard-won trust is put to the test in the final volume of this labyrinthine fantasy tale!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Mystery, Josei, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Comics

180 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2016

About the author

花鶏ハルノ

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like August Morgan, it's a trap! This is not the end of this series. (There's a sequel.) Kind of makes me want to rate it lower knowing that, since she crammed so much into four very short volumes. Not too many short series get sequels though, that's more of an anime thing to do, so it's strange. Maybe they didn't think it'd do well and then it did? I have no idea. But yeah, subtracting points. 👎

This series literally takes place in a handful of hours on the same day and the characters are crying over each other and claiming they have some sort of connection to the point that they'll die for one another ... and just ... no. Sorry. The main idea of the story is so interesting but you can't make me believe all of these random people feel loyalty or love or deep sadness towards any of the others. And I'm just going to forget about the 🐁 that helped them solve some problems. Nope, I don't remember that at all.

I also love how everyone can magically see underwater. Water is slowly rising in this castle, submerging floors so they have to continue finding ways to go up. Sometimes they have to go underwater to find an exit: inside a castle, that's filling with water, that has no windows or outside light coming in. And the whole idea of waterproofing a castle to preserve it in case the dam floodgates are opened and it's submerged ... just, what? This is so needlessly over-the-top and convoluted.

After they get out of the labyrinth, the plot somehow moves even faster. I swear there was more revealed and sorted out than in the previous volumes combined. Suddenly, everyone knows who Ewan and Lawrence really are without any explanation. Everyone outside of the labyrinth somehow got the cliffs notes and they don't need to be brought up to speed. This is especially useful to tie up every loose end and explaining what happened off-page with long-winded exposition between both new and old characters. Not the best way to end a book or series.

Man, what a letdown. I was drawn in by the pretty boys on the covers! Perhaps the sequel is better. I'll most likely give it a glance whenever the first volume gets released.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

Ewan Juno wakes up imprisoned, his life in danger of rising waters with 6 princes whose motives are unclear. This is the Thousand-Year Labyrinth and these 7 princes will determine who will be the country’s next emperor or the puzzles, trials, and traps within will do the whittling for them. One must be left the winner... or all will die trying to beat the deadly labyrinth!

This is a review of volumes 3-4 which I read together back to back. See the plot section for my thoughts on the individual volumes.

The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 continues the labyrinth that is the castle of a thousand years. I love the maze like action that gets really dangerous, up to now they have been fighting a mechanized building but at this point its human drizen. There are other "people" locked in with them and we learn that these conspirators are pretty crazy! I am pretty sad that this manga stopped after vol 4. It does tie up the series with a pretty neat if hurried end. Still this is a really neat labyrinth premise that I adored!!

Just look at those covers... Don't they just scream fun?! I don't disagree with them at all... The story in The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 is all about character interaction. That's what is most exciting about the series... The seven princes! I will admit that I wanted a 8 volume series so we could get a cover portrait of each of them with a final "all the boys" to top things off. Still we get to know this cast really well! And the final vol 4 really gives us an idea of how these guys will interact for the betterment of the people in their kingdom... I can't help but back them in their desire to support Ewan.

The way the cast was all boys made it even more diabolically fun. There are so many feels along the way... the first two volumes no one knew who they could trust and Ewan held them together. Now we see that Ewan can't do that any longer. One of these princes is going to have to take the first step and trust or the villain is going to win. And we get some light boy's love time!! Eiiiii! It's not graphic at all like some erotic boy's love but is all in the emotional details... in the actions and the trust. It's like a taste of fine wine... can your palette take it?!

The visuals were stellar! I admit that when the visuals are lacking its hard to keep reading...so the ones in The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 must be good right?! Well, not only are they good, they totally WOWED me. I kid you not... we get some setting views that really made the whole labyrinth thing hit home mega time. And all the group pages were super fun. I ended up loving the villain and his motives for taking on his role. I really felt for the one he left behind... But Ewan and Lawrence's moments together... visually so fun!

At the end of volume 4 there was the potential to develop a new setting into another labyrinth like puzzle... I would have loved to see that next part developed into 3 or 4 more volumes. In the end I guess the desire for closure on this labyrinth was too much to sustain the wait. That's fine. This is a strong story and a fun read without any more volumes.

The Seven Princes of the Thousand Year Labyrinth vol 3-4 is the finale to a fun thriller mystery set in a Castle full of traps and puzzles and the princes don't disappoint as we learn someone is hiding the biggest motive, so inscrutable we twist in the wind all the way to the end of the maddeningly twisty manga! I highly recommend this as a beginner manga to get a sense of what makes manga fun and to enlighten the mind as to why the art is so powerful...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art


This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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You can find this manga review and many others on my book blog every Monday @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews at the bottom of the page.

Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ★

A great conclusion to a great series! I honestly ended up enjoying this much more than I thought I would. Of course it’s not perfect, it has plot holes and pacing issues, etc, but it kept me hooked the entire time and I grew attached to all of the characters, despite only knowing them for four short volumes. I really hope Seven Seas licenses the sequel as I’d love to see more of these boys!

If you like mystery and drama and pretty art/boys, then I’d definitely recommend this series!

[fxtiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jednak fajne

[Salomée Sérol · Rating 5 out of 5]

C'est la troisième fois que je commence cette série de manga et enfin, je suis arrivée au bout! Il s'agit plus de conditions extérieures de lecture que d'un problème avec l'histoire.

On peut dire que la trame ne manque pas de rebondissement et de mystère. J'avoue que les histoires de complots en huis-clos sont mes favorites dans le format manga.

Jusqu'à quel point on peut faire confiance et à qui? Est-ce qu'on peut s'en sortir en restant fidèle à soi-même et dans le cas contraire, vaut-il le coup de mourir pour ses idéaux?

Je me vais rien spoiler, mais l'équilibre de l'histoire fonctionne, on s'attache à certains personnages, on doute d'eux et puis on est surpris, bref, on vit une lecture riche en émotions.

[Vanessa]

Review for the series as a whole.

I am relentlessly picky with manga, but sometimes a series sneaks under my defenses for apparently no damn good reason.

I read this in French, so some things might have slipped through the cracks...maybe one day I'll reread it and this review will actually be an essay on my poor reading comprehension

- the main cast was a lot of fun. There were tons of circumstances that paired them up in different ways, whether it was for a small errand or an extended section. Each grouping had great chemistry. I really just wish there was more of that. Titas & Messiah, Gideon & Zan, and August & Zan were lovely standouts
- titas my king
- I wish there were more puzzles and challenges :((((
- loved the bonds between the guys, especially how everyone was drawn to Zan and his goodness. On the flipside, it was sooooo dramatic about everyone's fealty to Yuan--out of nowhere, so convenient. Yuan could pick up someone's dropped gum wrapper for them and they'd be like "oh...my king...I will lay down my life for you and your pure heart!!!!"
- this art!!!!! Wow this art!!!!!!!!! Beautiful environments, clothing, and characters!!!
- the premise seemed kinda...confused...? Lots of false tension regarding "ohhhh the other guys might try to kill me because they want to be emperor!" when 1) the few puzzles present required all eight people to be alive, and 2) this has been going on for ages apparently and there are always 7, like, princes who rule alongside and aid the emperor who won the labyrinth? No murder to be seen?
- god this art though. Messiah is so pretty
- nice miniboss twist & motive & backstory but I am begging manga to stop with the perverted, blushy, "I'm just so CRAZY!" kind of villain
- I'll follow these dumb boys anywhere!!! lucky me there's a bonus manga side story and everyone has new OUTFITS

[Ready To Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good manga with characters that are difficult not to love! I wish there were more volumes of this miracle :) Amazing story! <3

[December Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing finish! Thrilling and wrapped up perfectly. This was such a well crafted story. I would love to watch the anime!!! The art and writing were just beautiful. I will definitely be looking forward to more from the artist and illustrator.

This kept me reading until I reached the end around 1 in the morning. Very good and fulfilling. I was a super happy reader and never once did I feel ripped off.

The bit at the very end was so funny, I couldn't help laughing. It was a great finish to an intense story.

Of course you always wish there was more, but I am super pleased with what was provided in so few volumes. A lot of others haven't been able to achieve the same effect with three times the amount.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was nice, compact series of political intrigue, mystery, survival, bluff and double bluff and pretty pretty boys. Seriously, the art is so beautiful and detailed. The story was fine, the end was handled quite quickly but I wasn't bothered by it. Ewan is a bit bland compared to everybody else around him but since those others are so charming, you can let it slip. Even if he's in the center of things, it's still an ensemble piece. So, all in all I enjoyed this a lot.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was legitimately wonderful. I loved all of the characters so much and plot was clever, unexpected, and twisty. It's a short series and I'm impressed by how much development the author was able to fit in just four volumes.

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was so thrilling from the start to finish. I wished it was a little more stretched out because I thought there's no breather. It's just countinuous action. Even tho it can get predictible at times, it did not take any fun out of it. I'm super satisfied with the ending as well. The art style and the covers alone are so pretty too. A solid 4✰ series for me.

Also, at the end of volume 4 it says there's a sequel. So, where is it exactly? I need more.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm satisfied with the ending. Ah! Such a fun and exciting story!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed the entire series at Lady Business! Death traps, politics, and queerbaiting: yes! The mostly explicitly queer-coded character being the villain, no!

https://ladybusiness.dreamwidth.org/2...

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot give this series anything but 5 starts every time! I'm always fully entertained when reading this and never want to put it down, and before I know it I'm finished!

[Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need the sequel!!!

[queen0f_hearts · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO UNEXPECTEDLY GOOD, I’M STILL AMAZED BY ALL THE THRILL THIS FINAL HAD IN STORE!!

Seriously, no spoilers, but when they got out of the castle (and I was highly worried that they all hopefully would make it!), I thought, yay they’re safe and sound and most of all free and everything is fine! And then it suddenly just got downhill. Deeper and deeper like a bottomless black whole. I’d been thinking the danger of the castle could be the worst happening to them but stupid me forgot about the greed and deceit of humanity. I was reminded in all those bad character traits a human can bear.

The end was stunning, then. Especially, how my two favorite, always fighting characters showed up to enlighten the darkness and finally, everything, the whole scenery, the characters and the future for the kingdom bloomed like a long growing and now ready to shine flower. I feel so poetic right now. Haha.

I’ve been overly satisfied by this final volume! And I’ll miss all the characters! It’s rare for me to love all the main protagonists equally but here I am and among the seven princes I sincerely can’t choose. This was perfect! I don’t have other words for it!

Last thing left to say: Hopefully, Seven Seas Entertainment also will license the sequel in english and while they’re at it, pls additionally license the art book~

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there was just ONE MORE volume... I want to see how they all do after the main story wraps up.

Did I expect this series to truly grapple with the meaning of hereditary royalty versus... whatever the hell system they kind of have going here? No. I'm still a little disappointed though, because I was really taken with how unexpectedly sharp the criticisms of royal bloodlines and hereditary succession were in the previous volumes. In Volume 2 Messiah says "Blood is nothing but a liquid. It carries no miracles. This country will not change." And wow! I truly think that would've been an amazing thematic line to carry the plot towards.

Alas the thematic throughlines in the series are more about faith even against impossible odds and faith in your comrades. Again in Volume 2, Zan says "The reason I have made it safely through life so far is because I have stopped doubting others, despite my blindness." It's clear that this message is at the heart of the series, which isn't bad at all, even if I wished for an extra volume to expand on the themes that there wasnt enough room for.

It was great fun and took me right back to being 13 (not in a childish way, just in the sense of being carried along for a purely fun adventure with a cast of quirky characters). I will probably re-read this anytime I need a palate cleanse in the form of familiar and comfortably loved books.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, this is probably my all-time favorite manga series. I read there's a sequel in Japan, so I hope they license it in English!

In the final volume, the gang escapes the Labyrinth but they find themselves under house arrest while Ewan is imprisoned to prevent him from staking his claim to the throne. A new villain is introduced and old friends are reunited for a satisfying conclusion to a great manga.

I said in my review for volume 1 that this series is slashy, which is why I was drawn to it initially anyway. From the beginning Laurence had pretty much pledged himself to Ewan, but at this point he's just openly confessing how dear Ewan is to him and says he wants to spend the rest of his life with him, and even his brother comments that that sounds like something more than mere friendship!

Anyway, the characters are amazing, the plot was exciting and unpredictable, and the whole thing was very mysterious and tragic. At the same time it was heartwarming and inspiring as you watch lasting friendships (romances? lol) forge. Highly recommended! I'm completely obsessed at this point.

[Assayah · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐

Wszystkie tomy były chaotyczne i nie było wiadomo, co się dzieje, ale to było zakończenie, a ja zrozumiałam NIC.

Gdy w poprzednich tomach rozwiązywali zagadki w zamku i pojawiały się losowe przeskoki czasowe, sceny były nagle urywane, rozwiązywali zagadki nie pokazując jak to zrobili itd. to nie było tak źle, w miarę ogarniam fabułę, a że nie wiedziałam jak rozwiązali zagadki - trudno. Tu również tak było, z tym wyjątkiem, że w połowie uciekli z zamku i od tego momentu już nic nie ogarniałam, pojawili się jacyś ludzie z innego zamku (?), wydawało mi się, że są źli, ale chyba jednak nie, ale może jednak tak (?), rozwiązali jakąś tajemnicę, ale nie mam pojęcia jaką, bo nic nie zrozumiałam i na koniec cesarzem został ten, którego każdy czytelnik podejrzewałby od samego początku o zostanie cesarzem.

[amber ☾⁺⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It definitely sped through the story in this last volume but I expected as much since this is only 4 volumes long so I still enjoyed it. Mostly because the art is so pretty and I'm such a sucker for knights that pledge their loyalty yes Ewan/Lawrence are my fave—all their moments throughout were just too cute and adorable. And Messiah completely won me over even though I was suspicious of him for like half of the story. Still wish it got fleshed out more by at least 2-3 volumes but what can you do.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Othello is insane. Messiah is still a genius. Lawrence is a cutie. Titus is the best friend. Gideon is precious. August is fashionable as always. Zan is a romantic. Of course, Ewan was protected (should still be protected at all cost) Overall, a wonderful and satisfying ending to a wonderful manga! ✨

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good wrap up of the plot of a short manga series, and I'm sure there's plenty of short chapter books that could make note of this author/artist's ability to weave an engaging story and wrap it all up nicely at the end. The characters were all fun; their personalities were so unique and distinct it's easy to distinguish them from each other. I enjoyed each character.

[DONKEY KONG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this In basically a day, very fun short read when you have nothing else to do!!! The characters were very pretty and enjoyable and there was a bit of plot twists in there, so the mystery parts of it were good!!! This is very clearly on the verge of BL if its not already in that territory.. The main character and Lawrence very clearly have something going on between themselves.

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

these were fun, and I actually really liked all the characters, except for orthello, all my homies hate orthello,, I wish these were longer tho, I feel like they could have been slowed down and fully fleshed out better, but hey it was still a wild ride, and apparently there's a sequel??

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ending I could have hoped for. I might have read them out of order though by accident. OOPs. I'll be rereading soon though.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. The plot and how everything unfolded throughout kept me engaged and anticipating each volume's release. Both happy and sad that it has already ended, but it was a fun ride.

[Emily Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and artwork.

[Sol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a climactic finish to an overall engaging and thrilling manga series! I love the platonic devotion and bromance between these characters!