The odd couple hit the road.
Creative Staff
Art/Story: Renji
Translation: Taylor Engel
What They Say
The innocent Cavo has finally managed to express his true feelings for the irrepressible Liam, but mysterious figures related to Liam’s past interrupt them. In the midst of saving damsels and fleeing enemies, they hardly have a moment alone to explore their new status quo. Chance encounters, dangerous foes, and unexpected companions test the limits of the bond between Cavo and Liam. But Liam’s appetite won’t be stopped forever. And Cavo may not be as innocent as he pretends…Will the strange duo escape their pursuers? And how will their relationship survive the trials ahead?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Liam is usually the one doing the pursuing, but this time he’s the pursued. His hunters have caught up with him and Cavo, and it’s time to take a stand. Luckily Cavo is frightening and Liam arresting. They manage to give the soldiers the slip once again, but it’s a mad rush to put distance between the two pairs.
Cavo and Liam spend a great deal of this volume mending the audience’s perception of their character and relationship. Liam, who appeared to be the most selfish man alive, puts himself in mortal danger to save a village from murdering bandits. Cavo is learning more about humans, the world at large, and the man he has come to love.
There’s a change in the dynamic of Liam and Cavo. Liam backs off his advances on the demon and Cavo slowly starts to open up to the idea of getting intimate with Liam. (He even goes so far as to tuck Liam into bed and give him a kiss.) They’re more truthful with each other and relate some of their pasts to each other while relaxing. Liam has reservations about taking Cavo away from his home, but Cavo wants to see the world. They’ve become traveling companions and both were clearly lonely and wishing for something more meaningful.
Liam is still super shifty though, now it just comes across as far less malicious. He tells Cavo what we already knew, which is he has the power to entrance people. He is irresistible. Plus, he also can’t get drunk. Cavo isn’t fazed by the reveal and outright confesses to Liam that he loves him and it’s not Liam’s powers that caused that love. It was a gradual thing fueled by Liam not seeing Cavo as a hideous monster. I’m so glad that Cavo outright stated this early on that Liam’s power wasn’t the driving force in their relationship. Still, I do wonder about Cavo’s subconscious desires. Was that tonguing amorous or hungry?
While the couple appears to have settled on the idea of starting anew someplace far away, Liam appears to have reservations about traveling so far away. They don’t have much choice if they want to stay ahead of Liam’s pursuers. In the mad rush to catch the first boat out of town, the two are separated.
Closing out this volume is a short side comic, a note on the publication schedule, and Yen includes a color title page… as they do.
In Summary
This second volume of Monster and the Beast confirms Liam’s abilities and fixes the relationship dynamic between him and Cavo. Liam is more likable now and Cavo less naive about the relationship. With the squick dialed back, it’s easier to get invested in the cute. Challenges bring them closer together and also into dangerous territory. The relationship between the two outsiders is growing and changing, and the last moments of this volume threaten to pull the two apart for the foreseeable future.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: B +
Packaging Grade: B +
Text/Translation Grade: A –
Age Rating: Older Teen
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: December 17, 2019
MSRP: $15.00 US / $19.50 CAN