The third and (sadly) final volume of Crossing Midnight brings one story line to a close in a satisfactory if tragic way. It is clear the story could have gone on from here; too bad it didn't. Great characters, inventive ideas. Good stuff. ( )

The final installment in the Crossing Midnight Japanese drama. Toshi has been sent by the false Sword King Aratsu to kill Kai without realisig that he is her brother. She has now been upgraded to assassin and is looking for her first kill to really deserve the title. She is tracking Kai and uses Loretta's memories to find out he has been to visit former porn star Mimi Oguno who Toshi helped in volume two. It seems they are going around in circles, each trying to find the other, but for very different reasons.

Kai uses a key to track down Aratsu in his own palace, but finds the former Sword King Asiroamiro by accident instead. The truth about how Toshi and Kai got there powers is revealed and the history of their family. A traitor is made known who tries to find a way to redeem themselves before it is too late. A war begins between the two sword masters with one twin fighting on either side. Like any war, there must be sacrifice to win, but who will it be.

I am so sad this series was cut (no pun intended) short. Some of the main story arcs are tied up at the end but there is definite potential for more. Who knows, maybe some time in the future Carey (who brought us Lucifer, the spin off from The Sandman) will find another way to pick up the story. There is a quote on the cover summing up the series nicely, "like a Japanese Pan's Labyrinth". ( )