This is the eleventh volume in the Ancient Magus Brid series. While I enjoyed this, it definitely wasn't one of the stronger books in this series. The story jumps around a ton and I spent the first part of the book mostly confused. There are just way too many new characters introduced at once and way too much jumping between past and present and different storylines.

I really really hope that Yamazaki starts doing either a quick synopsis of previous books in the front or at least having a list of characters and their pictures at the beginning. Suddenly the number of characters is overwhelming to the point of obnoxiousness.

I still really enjoyed the illustration style. I also really loved learning more about Elias's past and loved seeing Chise interact with her new classmates.

Overall this is one of my favorite manga series and I hope that the next volume is put together in a bit more of a cohesive way! ( )

Last volume doubled the cast size as a new college setting was introduced. This volume tries to touch on all the side characters, old and new, to the detriment of moving the story along very much. I preferred the second half of the book, at the college, as the storytelling seemed more focused. The new characters could be pretty interesting if they weren't competing for screen time with EVERYONE WHO HAS APPEARED IN THE STORY EVER. ( )