This issue of Saga left me with more questions than answers, but that’s always a good thing when it comes to this series. What’s the deal with The Brand? Are Upsher and Doff done for? Is The Will going to survive? And what’s to become of the family? We’ve got a great set-up, just waiting for the follow-through.
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
We start off with Upsher and Doff in bed together. I didn’t realize they were romantic partners along with being work partners. But for all their devotion and dedication to the job, their commitment to one another and keeping each other alive is more pressing. That’s what The Brand is counting on. We finally meet the mysterious freelancer, though I hesitate to put a gender to the name since I’m not quite sure if The Brand fits in any one category. The freelancer is good at the job at hand, which is all that matters. Doff and Upsher have been scared off the trail of Alana’s story, at least temporarily, and now we’re back to focusing on the more immediate surroundings of the family, Prince Robot IV, and The Will’s crew.
Speaking of the family, Prince Robot IV is still interrogating Heist, while everyone else listens in upstairs. Klara is all gung-ho, wanting to rush down and save the day, but both Alana and Marko talk her out of it temporarily. They have to think about Hazel and her safety above all else. This becomes increasingly harder for Klara to abide by as Heist suffers from the wound inflicted upon him by the prince. Is there really a secret message inside the author’s latest book, The Opposite of War? It’s not about pacifism, as everyone seems to think. No, the opposite of war is sex, orgies, carnal pleasure, as the prince soon realizes. Well, I guess it’s hard to have a war when you’re getting involved in other, more pleasurable activities.
Meanwhile, The Will is still bleeding out and Gwendolyn wants to go find Marko, even though they would be rushing straight into the whole Prince versus Heist situation. Lying Cat is not too keen on this idea, but he seems to be coming around to it. The Will is unaware any of this is going on, since he’s been sequestered with Slave Girl. As he lies dying, he forgives the child for what she’s done and attempts to impart a few last words, though his advice makes little sense. I do hope he manages to survive all this, though. I’m growing attached to the guy, for all his mental instability.
Back at Heist’s place, just when you think everything’s going to be okay, pandemonium breaks out. Klara cannot stand to listen to the prince torturing her newly-beloved any longer, so she rushes into the room. This causes the prince to shoot her, which in turn causes Heist to shoot the prince. Neither of them seems to be dead, as Klara only complains of a broken hip and the prince looks to be resetting according to his face monitor. Again, we’re almost out of the woods and nearing safety when it takes another wrong turn. Gwendolyn’s patience is at an end and she comes busting into the room, immediately stabbing Heist in the head! And Klara, in a rage, shoots at Gwendolyn, which brings on an attack by Lying Cat. And then we’re left to ponder what will happen, with no resolution in sight.
So much death and destruction in this series. All along, I’ve been fearing for Alana and Marko’s lives, since Hazel’s narration has implied that she was essentially an orphan at a young age, but now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t be fearful of all the characters’ outcomes. Is anyone going to survive, save for Hazel? I’m beginning to think the answer is no, and that’s a sad fate to look forward to.
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
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