Emma Vol 4 by Kaoru Mori

Secrets are revealed when Emma makes a return visit to London

Behind William's upstanding exterior, he is still despondent over losing Emma. His sister's friend Eleanor is doing everything she can to insinuate herself into his life - perhaps on a permanent basis! As for Emma, she is on her way back to London to accompany the mysterious Mrs. Trollop to an important social event - an event that holds some shocking surprises!

Emma and William are separated by their different social positions, by circumstance, and by distance, as they were for most of the last book. William is still in London, and is still seen as a very eligible young gentleman. He is also the target of one young woman's desire. Eleanor is a friend of William's sister, and she is determined to catch William's eye but he is relatively oblivious to her intentions.

I loved the glimpses we get of various aspects of Victorian life in these books. For example, in this book William and Eleanor go to the opera, and she declares her feelings. The next day, her firebrand sister takes matters into her own hands, and challenges William regarding his intentions for Eleanor and being above all honourable, William does what is expected of him.

Meanwhile, Emma is still working at a house in the country, that is until she is chosen to accompany her mistress to London. When in London, she finds herself attending a party in the capacity of companion to a friend of her mistress, not realising just what event the party is a celebration for. Of course, she cannot attend a high society party in her uniform, so she is given a makeover.

The scene is set for Emma and William to meet again. I have to say the anguish in the last few pages of this bookwas jumping off the page! I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

One thing I was a little surprised by in this book was that there was an introduction of a little nudity into the story. Because this is the fourth book in the series that I have read, and there has been no sign of that before, it was a bit of a shock when I turned the page and saw it. It is not overwhelming or even all that out of place. Just surprising!

Another really good entry into this series. Despite the fact that I the last two books I have read have been graphic novels, I wouldn't particularly say I read a lot of them. When this series finishes, I will have to try and find another accessible manga series to read.


Rating 4/5

You can read my mini-reviews of the first three books in this series here.