This is Volume 11 in the Vampire Hunter D series. This is also the first two parts of this four part epic story called "Pale Fallen Angel"; parts three and four are in Volume 12. This was a very good Vampire Hunter D book!

In this book D is hired by Baron Byron Balarge to serve as his guard. D doesn't usually work for Nobles but given that the Baron is on his way to kill his Noble father; D consents to join him. As with most of D's adventures; they are beset on by natural disasters and assassins at every turn.

This book was right up there as one of my favorite Vampire Hunter D stories. The action is non-stop; in fact the characters rarely get to catch their breath between things attacking them and "natural" disasters running into them. The assassins are all very interesting and have interesting powers. The characters that end up accompanying D and the Baron are also fascinating. D's interactions, especially with the acrobatic brother and sister, give additional incite into his character.

This book was exceptional in that you get to learn a lot more about how the Nobility were wiped out, more about D's history, and more about the history of the world in general. The Baron himself has a complicated history and character and harbors many secrets that I am eager to find out. Kikuchi really excels at coming up with creative dangers in his world and with creative characters.

This book could be read as a stand alone (assuming you read the next volume, parts 3 and 4 after this one) you don't need to read all of the books before this one to enjoy the story. This book does end with a lot of things unresolved; but it doesn't leave you totally hanging like his last 2-book story did. You could read this book and then read parts 3 and 4 later; but I would recommend getting both volumes 11 and 12 so that you can finish up the story.

Kikuchi's writing style comes across as a bit choppy at times. Occasionally I also have trouble telling who is saying what; and the constant descriptions of D's beauty get to be a little much sometimes. But, those who like this series are used to all those drawbacks.

Overall, this was one of the best Vampire Hunter D books yet and I look forward to finishing the story in Volume 12. ( )

Just finished reading this and I must say I enjoyed it quite alot. The reason I picked it up was because I was a fan of the anime movies and I often wondered how an anime would be written as a novel. Needless to say the transition is seemless as the action is plenty and swift much like the movies and the descriptions are spot on.

The basic plot is simple. Baron Byron Balazs is a member of the vampire Nobility and has hired a bodyguard to protect him while on his journey to Krauhausen to slay his own father. That bodyguard is none other than D who as a hunter is strangely accepting the task to protect the very being he has sworn to kill- and also being a reknowned dhampir - (half vampire half human) himself. Along the journey they meet a couple characters who accompany them- the first being a vampire noblewoman by the name of Miska who happens to detest everything human. The acrobatic siblings May and Hugh and a runaway assistant by the name of Taki. These characters add some life to the quest as they have varying conflicts, personalities and backgrounds but theres nothing here on the level of say Harry Potter. Not to mention D himself isnt very talkative though I couldn't say the same for his left hand... (you'll know when you read it)

As mentioned earlier they're plenty of battles throughout the book and they're are all awesome and thoroughly explained. Each time I assume the enemy is unbeatable and yet somehow the characters manage to win with relative ease- especially D. Thus it makes the reader and other characters wonder just who this Dhampir is and perhaps who the Baron or Miska are also- theyre backgrounds are fairly hazy but there is a past which must be delved into.

The unfortnate thing is- that since they are two more parts to this story nothing is settled in this book:( Everything is just beginning with a nasty cliffhanger waiting for you once you reach the end. That being said it was a great read- the writing style was to the point and easily understandable even through the translation. Plus the world itself is very intriguing having interesting technologies, creatures and history which the author takes sufficient time to explain before moving on to the next plot point.

I'm glad to read it- was a great change from Potter and It iterates my previous opinion of Vampire Hunter D being one of the best vampire stories ever made ( )