This manga is strange. Billed as a thriller but more of a slow burn romance, a man finds out his neighbour is a murderer. Through a mixture of fear and poverty, the writer Shavonne continues to go on dates with Lewellyn. Pretty much exactly what the title suggests.
I have a real problem writing this review because it’s such an oddball concept. On the one hand, I didn’t hate it. I read it with a kind of morbid curiosity and I have a lot of questions. Our murderer seems omniscient which would usually irk me but I’m not convinced he’s human, so instead I’m wondering what powers he might have. If he is human, I’ll be very disappointed. I am invested in how this develops despite my better judgement.
The protagonist was, of course, an orphan. He’s now a penniless author, surrounded by people who are unsympathetic and mostly unpleasant. Things are so over-the-top bleak and tragic that it lacks credibility. It’s not dreadful but it’s hard to believe an entire city lacks empathy and in turn, the reader struggles to empathise with him. For example, he has a job but can’t afford to move. That’s plausible. However, he has a rich friend who is conveniently away when he needs a place to stay. One who, when asked for support, simply dismisses his concerns and offers the shadiest advice. That’s not a friend. There are no other friends. Who doesn’t know more than one person?
The artwork is okay. It’s very typical and doesn’t ‘wow’ me but I don’t have any complaints either. It’s perfectly appropriate and gets the point across. I wouldn’t buy this on artistic merit.
I can’t say it’s bad. I can’t say it’s good either. My interest is piqued. The best phrase I can come up with to describe Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinner is ‘eccentrically mediocre’ and that puzzles me most of all.
| Criteria | Scores | Our Score |
|---|---|---|
| Art | 1-5 | 3 |
| Pacing | 1-5 | 4 |
| Characters | 1-5 | 3 |
| Writing Style | 1-5 | 3 |
| Originality | 1-5 | 5 |
Final Grade
B
Written By: ivetafox
Favourite Game – Long Live the Queen || Favourite Film – Sweeney Todd || Favourite Book – Wuthering Heights
About: Ivy is a disabled, autistic writer from the UK, passionate about inclusive gaming. When not reviewing, she can be found writing short stories and micro fiction or reading the latest gothic novel.
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