This was probably my favorite so far of the VHD novels, as the plot actually seemed to go somewhere, and D was marginally less buttoned up than usual, actually expressing a hint of emotion now and then. I'd love to have seen his relationship with the dhampir baby explored a little more fully... maybe in a future volume?

As usual, the translation was flat and pedestrian. I'd really love to see a good writer take on these novels; I read them because they're Vampire Hunter D, not because they're well-written books. I always find myself copy-editing them in my head, tightening the prose and punching up the action scenes. Half the time you don't even know what's happening and there's way too much passive voice. I wish my Japanese were good enough to read them in the original language. But I'll keep buying the translations, anyway, because -- it's Vampire Hunter D! ( )