This is the volume with "chess game" where Loligoth Sakura (with her leg in a metal brace and her aspect still fetchingly restrained and damaged by revelations from the previous two volumes) controls the other members of the gang as their "queen" who is connected to them by literal chains and directs them in their physical battles to win the chess game. Also there is much pining and painful accidental touches and jerking-away-from-touches as the result of recent revelations. Also there is hot vampiric blooddrinking doubling as a way to hold a secret conversation away from the eyes of spies.In case you missed some of that: CHAINS. PAINFUL JERKS AWAY FROM ACCIDENTAL TOUCHES. FORMERLY OPEN AND OPTIMISTIC CHARACTER CLOSED DOWN AND STOIC IN THE FACE OF MASSIVE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA.In terms of plot and characterization and art, there are better volumes, but my id likes this one BEST OF ALL. I don't think it likes the same things about it that attract its target audience of 13-year-old boys. I am totally okay with that. ( )

For anyone who doesn't think a manga can contain the same emotional wallop as more "traditional" literature really should try reading through this series. Although it seemed to be mostly fun and games up until around volume 16, since then things have been definitely more serious, dramatic, angsty and heart-rending. This particular volume comes on the heels of a couple dramatic transformations in our intrepid band of heroes. A newly reserved and seemingly strong Sakura takes over the position of leader as Fai, Kurogane and Syaoran are inducted as players in a life size game of chess which appears to be set in a whacked-out Alice in Wonderland type setting.

It is easy to sense the sub-textual emotions and relationships between the various characters and the artwork deftly illustrates any pain and concern left in question from the commentary. Overwhelmingly one of the best fantasy series of any type, manga or otherwise, that I’ve read and I'm waiting with baited breath to see how it all ends, not to mention hoping against hope that Clamp doesn't suddenly decide to leave the project in limbo as they have some of their others!! ( )