Finally the mastermind behind Sakura’s memory loss and the group’s quest is revealed, along with his motivations - Fei-Wang Reed, a magician whose goal is to gain the power to travel through time and space and can only do so once Sakura travels to all the realms and collects memories of them. It’s a bit weird how Sakura is a central part of his plan, but it explains why he scattered her memories throughout the various worlds. Sakura could have easily chosen at this point of revelation to live without her memories and completely halt his plans, but her caring nature won’t allow Syaoran to remain broken or for the rest of the team to not complete their goals.

As they continue on their quest, though, it seems like things are getting even more dangerous as they have entered a realm where teams of combatants (themselves included) compete for prize money put up by the world’s mafia. The game they play may be referred to as “chess,” but the consequences for the players (and the team’s master, played by Sakura who has few fighting skills) can be quite deadly as the hosts of the game allow for rules of fair play to be broken. At the finale of this collection it seems that Sakura and company are doing quite well in the competition, but I won’t be surprised if they turn their attentions to defeating the mafia-hosts rather than simply beating their official chess opponents. ( )

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.com by express permission of this reviewer Synopsis Volume 17 concludes the adventure on the Acid Rain world, where Sakura comes into her own, Fai becomes a semi-vampire dependent on Kuragane, the Clone Lee rampages across the multi-verse in search of feathers and the original Lee must come to grips that Sakura doesn't view him as "Lee" at all. Volume 18 and 19 deal with the crew on yet another world, where they are playing human fight chess and Sakura must be the Master. They think they are playing ot repay a village that the clone Lee destroyed, but Sakura is playing for deeper, darker and more important stakes. My Thoughts Where I've been complaining about Sakura being a non-character, in these volumes she almost becomes another person. She goes on adventures, becomes a wiser, but sadder, young woman. Things get complex at the end as Sakura plays things so that she can travel on her own to prevent 2 futures, both of which are repugnant to her. Thus a 3rd universe is born and Wei-Fang's plans to control everything is put in jeopardy. I added a 1/2 star because Sakura really takes charge and becomes a lot more like the Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura. This series needed this, because Lee was quickly becoming the main character and Sakura just a side-character. Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars Artist & Author: CLAMP " ( )

With the events and consequences of the previous arc weighing down on our travelers, what used to be a fun 'world of the week' journey, now turns into something more darker, as all are now aware of the true purpose of the event that started this all. Not helping them is the fact that, they have to witness the consequences of 'clone' Syaoran's mindless rampage in constant search of the feathers, leaving our group to deal with the pain and anger caused by his wake.

Overall, Tsubasa has now taken a turn for the grim as now what used to be a journey, has now turned into a campaign. This in turn make the story all the more focused as there is now an antagonist to face and a goal to accomplish. Added to this mix is the new dynamics that was formed at the departure of Syaoran: Sakura and 'Syaoran", Fai and Kurogane, etc. All of which makes for a more interesting read. ( )

For anyone who doesn't think a manga can contain the same emotional wallop as more "traditional" literature really should try reading through this series. Although it seemed to be mostly fun and games up until around volume 16, since then things have been definitely more serious, dramatic, angsty and heart-rending. This particular volume comes on the heels of a couple dramatic transformations in our intrepid band of heroes. A newly reserved and seemingly strong Sakura takes over the position of leader as Fai, Kurogane and Syaoran are inducted as players in a life size game of chess which appears to be set in a whacked-out Alice in Wonderland type setting.

It is easy to sense the sub-textual emotions and relationships between the various characters and the artwork deftly illustrates any pain and concern left in question from the commentary. Overwhelmingly one of the best fantasy series of any type, manga or otherwise, that I’ve read and I'm waiting with baited breath to see how it all ends, not to mention hoping against hope that Clamp doesn't suddenly decide to leave the project in limbo as they have some of their others!! ( )