Emma: Vol. 3

by Kaoru Mori

Synopsis
On the train back to her hometown, Emma meets Tasha, a maid working at a wealthy family's mansion in the country. This fateful encounter leads to Emma finding employment with the family as well. But despite her years of experience as a maid for Mrs. Stownar, living in a mansion filled with servants is something for which she is not prepared.

Review
It's an intriguing series. It's nice to follow the deliberate pacing and orderly panels. The story is slow, but keeps your interest. In this volume, Emma happens to find new work with a recently transplanted German family. It's a new and confusing experience for her. One really odd thing was they mentioned that she didn't have a reference. If you don't know, not having a reference at that time was like a death sentence; you'd never find work. Sure, it's glossed over with the family really needs the help, but it's completely unrealistic. Plus, it shows that Mrs. Stownar didn't care about what happened to Emma after she died. Would it really have been that hard for her to write one? I don't even know why this is here, it would have been easier and made more sense, and worked out the way the author wanted, if Emma just had a reference.

Meanwhile, William is acting strangely, taking an interest in work, going to parties, and seeing Eleanor more often. He reveals that this is because Emma is gone, so he's just going to live how his father thinks he should. If that's what he thinks he should do, that's fine, but he should be ready to accept the consequences. Also, it strikes me as "cutting off your nose to spite your face." You only hurt yourself.

I'd vaguely hoped that since she'd moved away, perhaps Emma and William wouldn't get together and that she'd move on, but the fact that he's still shown, and she misses him (sniff, sniff) leads me to think that won't happen. Too bad, it might have been interesting.

Also, the astute reader will notice that William's mother is shown in this volume. I wonder what her story is.

Final thought: I'll keep reading.

Emma: Vol. 2

by Kaoru Mori

Synopsis
London's elite society places great importance on class differences, unlike William Jones. He regards Emma as a beautiful, charming young woman, and not merely a servant. After their first real date, things seem to be going in a positive direction for them. But the leisurely pace of the growing relationship between them ends suddenly when disaster strikes at home.

Review
There's nothing really wrong with this series, and yet, I don't quite believe in it. I think that it's because the author never really goes to the length to "show" the audience exactly how and why the characters care about each other. Sure, the two go on a date to the Crystal Palace (and even kiss), but very little of their conversations are shown, which could have been used as an opportunity to show the characters connecting with each other. As it is, it's just like a relationship of an acquaintance, where I never know the details. However, a romance is not supposed to be like that. I shouldn't have to say this, but a romance is supposed to be about the two characters, showing little intimate details that you don't normally see, showing the relationship's ups and downs, and showing the characters grow and change and become close to one another. But there isn't really any of this so far. We're just told Emma and William love each other, and maybe want to get married. I have no idea why, or what they see in each other. It feels really empty, for a romance.

Emma gets developed more in this book, and though her past was really harsh and awful, it doesn't really feel like the two are the same person. What I mean is, the adult Emma doesn't seem like the kind of person who came from that kind of background. She's too happy and naive.

What's also shown is William interacting with Eleanor. In fact, I think their relationship is more developed than William and Emma's! I have a bad feeling, as Eleanor is actually quite likable, and I would hate to see her cast aside later on just because she gets in the way. I know that's how it's going to be, though.

Final thought: It's tolerable, so I'll keep reading.

Emma: Vol. 1

by Kaoru Mori

Synopsis(from the back of the book)
An upstairs gentleman and a downstairs servant share a secret love.

The saga begins. In Victorian England, a young girl named Emma is rescued from a life of destitution and raised to become a proper British maid. When she meets William, the eldest son of a wealthy family, their love seems destined. But in this world, even matters of the heart are ruled by class distinctions.

Review
I'm not sure there's much to say about this volume. Everything flows about how you would expect that it would. A chance enounter between William and Emma gives rise to a secret affection. I hesitate to say love, because they don't know each other well enough yet. All I would predict is that they're attracted to each other and would like to get to know each other. Anyway, there is clearly trouble ahead, even without the class distinctions. William's father is clearly set in his ways (the old fuddy-duddy ways), and already has plans for whom William will marry. William, on the other hand, while he seems to have his own mind, is not really the type to stand up for himself. He just lets people do and say things about him. Perhaps that's how a "proper gentleman" acts.

Emma is less developed. We learn that she was taken in, and turned into a maid, but that's about it. She silently observes things around her, so it's really hard to know exactly what she's thinking. That's rather unfortunate, seeing as she's the main character. I hope this trend doesn't continue.

The artwork is pretty nice. I was put off by the character designs at first. It's the faces. But I'm not complaining; it did grow on me. Supposedly Emma is supposed to be beautiful and gets a lot of marriage proposals. I just don't believe it. I think she's rather plain, myself. Of course, I don't care for maids or glasses, either.

Regardless, this could be interesting to see where it goes. It's too early to judge right now.

Final thought: I'll pick up the next book.