Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 13+
Price: $10.99

The war of the guilds continues. And the volume starts with a bang as a fairy law -- one of the legendary great magics -- is invoked.

The guild leaders finish their battle and to the victor goes the spoils. But there's wounds on both sides, and Natsu learns that his wounds are similar to his enemy's.

As the Fairy Tail guild looks upon the destruction and devastation, they begin to understand that they can help each other through sorrow and sadness. After all, that's what a guild is for.

Later, after the rebuilding following the Fairy Tail-Phantom guild war, the focus shifts to Lucy's story. And some of her background is brought to the forefront, especially after other guild members learn of a recent decision she has made. With that knowledge out, the guild shifts its focus onto Lucy.

But Lucy's feelings have a way of complicating the situations, and it doesn't help that a reunion of sorts doesn't go as planned. Instead, Lucy is yet again left alone to fend for herself. This time, however, she displays some inner courage and is able to muster out emotions that had long been hidden away.

And it's an interesting note to her character as she displays these emotions and, really, shows a side of her that has as of yet been unseen in the series.

The second half of the volume centers around a second-tier character in the Fairy Tail guild, Loke. However, despite being limited in the story, his story is a sad and bitter one. Yet that won't stop the Fairy Tail guild -- Lucy, Erza, Gray, Natsu and Happy -- from trying their best to help out a friend in need.

But just as she shone in the first half, Lucy takes the spotlight in the second half, again showing signs of maturation of her character. And it's her -- and her alone -- who might be able to help solve Loke's problem for good. The question remains about whether she will be able to pull off that assistance, or whether her key magic is simply not strong enough for her to pull her weight in the guild.

But when Fairy Tail looks like it's at its weakest, it's often at its strongest.

Review copy provided by publisher.

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