Vampire Hunter D Vol. 6

Avid readers of the novel series, "Vampire Hunter D," will notice a great change of pace in Vol. 6 Pilgrimage of the Sacred and the Profane. Hideyuki Kikuchi spends the expanse of the book with character development. This does not come without sacrifice. The overall read of the book seems extremely slow and it lacked the suspense and drive I felt in all the past volumes. Lies, deception, and secrecy are all great themes for stories, but this volume takes it to an extreme. The "end" took forever to get here and when it arrived, it felt short and abrupt and unsatisfying.

As always, Kikuchi writes beautifully. He especially has a keen sense of specifics and individuality and knows how to deliver suspense. This volume does not portray the true genius of Kikuchi. For Vol. 1 through 5, I found myself ecstatic to turn each page and the time between each volume's release seemed like an eternity.

On a higher note, The preview of the next volume, Demon Journey to the North Sea, Part One seems very promising. Due this May, I have a feeling that it will deliver. This is the first 2-part volume of "Vampire Hunter D," and it should prove to represent the true caliber of Kikuchi, as did Volumes 1 through 5.