It felt like ages waiting to read this after the cliff hanger from volume 2 , but it was well worth it! I really enjoyed seeing the character development in Freya who finally seems to have grown some resolve. The story overall feels a little slow to me, but I'm hoping it picks up in future volumes. I believe this series has a lot of potential and I'm definitely interested in reading more in the future.

There's less feels to hurt my heart in this volume, though there's still some feels going on. Here we have an angry Freya, looking for revenge on those who have taken what she loves away from her. She and Julius enter Fort Legen, a small fort filled with inexperienced soldiers, to give them hope so they can hold on until reinforcements can get there. This works for a while; unfortunately, there is a spy in the fort, feeding information to Sigurd's troops outside. Things come to a head when the enemy finds a back way in, and begins to storm the front gate. Will Freya and Julius be able to cut off the enemy and rally the Legen soldiers? Will reinforcements arrive in time? Will we get a cliffhanger ending again? You know the last one's a given....
Freya's character continues to grow, and is starting to come into her own in the role of Prince Edvard. We get a little more insight into Julius' character, and a bonus chapter that shows a scene from the past with Aaron and Aleksi, as well as Julius and Prince Edvard. I like the Edvard flashbacks; they give us a chance to see the differences between his rule, and how Freya is handling princedom. The art, as always, is beautiful, with a dreamy vibe that adds to the fairy tale feel of the story. Now I gotta find Volume 4.....

#PrinceFreyaVol3 #NetGalley

Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.

Freya’s anger is overwhelming, and she needs a productive outlet. She decides to help the men protecting the fort on the edge of Tyr, currently under siege from Sigurd. She hopes to keep their spirits up until the reinforcements can arrive, which might be days away. With their superior numbers, well trained archers, and deadly trebuchets, it will take a miracle, or a thoughtful plan, to save the fifty remaining soldiers from the Sigurdian forces and keep the fort from breach. But, working against them is a spy who is feeding the Sigurdians information on their weaknesses. Which of these brave souls could be betraying their prince?

This series is really growing on me. I’m only thrown off ever so slightly by Freya’s tactical knowledge and planning, given her farming background and lack of substantive training as a prince. Though, every once in a while, her country-bumpkin knowledge serves her well, and she goes back to being that endearing young girl from a tiny village. Her growth into a confident, brave person is interesting to watch, although I fear that she is losing her softer, feminine edges. It is often easy to forget that she is not a boy character.

VIZ rates this as Teen plus for violence and death. This series is not shy about showing the violence on the page.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
?Suitability Level: Grades 10-12

When it comes to fantasy series, I’ve fallen in love with Prince Freya with every subsequent volume released from VIZ Media’s imprint Shojo Beat. This European fantasy from mangaka Keiko Ishihara focuses on a young girl, Freya, who is thrust into the aftermath of a treacherous plot against her king. Prince Freya Volume 3 is translated to English by Emi Louie-Nishikawa, with touch-up and letter design by Sabrina Heep, and picks up directly where the last volume left off with Freya grieving and thrust into battle.

The last volume saw Freya lose the last of her connection to her childhood as Aleksi is shot with an arrow and disappears. Having escaped one threat and walked into another, Prince Frey Volume 3 puts Freya through the wringer and pushes her further into the character of Prince Edvard while also trying to grieve through her anger. With her best friends gone, her well-being is put into the hands of her new guardian Sir Julius. That said, while Julius worries for her, Freya pushes past his expectations and right into battle as Fort Leren is under siege. While Freya is determined to help the soldiers trapped in the besieged Fort Leren, the reinforcements are days away and the only thing she has to offer them is her presence and everything it represents.

Prince Freya Volume 3 is the most powerful of the series so far. As Prince Edvard, Freya has to embody the Prince of Hope. Though small in frame, her every word and movement must reassure the men in the fort to not lose hope. But, with Aleksi dead along with the woman she attempted to rescue, Freya is consumed by anger. This is a narrative choice that Ishihara makes that stands opposite what we often expect from young women in media. Instead of anger, we’re given stories of sadness — the kind that breaks the spirit and leaves you in the most stereotypical state of vulnerability. That said, Freya’s grief has become a fire in her, and one she must learn to harness into strength. She is allowed to be angry, unlike so many female protagonists.

While Julius pushes Freya to process her grief in a constructive way, he doesn’t push her away from her anger when she voices her need for it. There is pain and fear throughout this volume but through it all Freya doesn’t stop moving, even when outmatched and injured. Her strength is on full display, even through her physical weakness.

Additionally, Ishihara’s artwork is fierce. It’s beautifully striking in moments, drenched in romance the next, and also features some fairly brutal action moments — something she opened the series up with when Aaron was beheaded in the first volume. Truly, Prince Freya showcases the depth of shojo manga, a demographic often overlooked when it comes to action. Ishihara’s story showcases how romance, grief, royal power struggles, and brutal action sequences and all converge for a powerful story.

Overall, Prince Freya Volume 3 is yet another strong addition to the story. It’s narratives like this one that make me wish that Shojo Beat offered a service akin the Shonen Jump App with simulpublication of individual chapters. If you’re looking for European fantasy to sweep you away, this is a title to pick up.

4.5 Stars!!

After the stellar second volume of Prince Freya getting a copy of volume three wasn't something that was ever in doubt, but after reading something that makes me immediately want to re-read it I always feel hesitation that the next volume one won't up to the previous one. I'm so happy to say that Prince Freya Vol. 3 lives up to that massive shadow that the second one cast.

After that last ending we hit the ground running in this one and boy it is a freaking marathon of action and feels. I'm so in love with how much time this story spends developing the world, focusing on the turmoil that the war is causing, AND giving us characters that make an impact.

I don't want to say too much about the plotline in this, but we do see some more clashing between Tyr and Siguard and how Freya rises to the occasion. I'm so impressed with her. She feels fear, despair, anger, and grief but she also knows she can't wilt anymore and I think the balance between of her being Freya and her being the prince is so well done. I'm also happy we get to learn more about our White Knight, and I have to say I'm enjoying him a lot more now that I can see a little of what makes him tick. And I'm living for those little rare instances of genuine emotion he has.

This has another amazing ending and I'm already dying to get the next volume which I think comes out towards the beginning of next year sometime

Volume Three brings momentum, heart, and stakes the work needed. Freya is now in a turbulent situation, fighting for a fort lacking in manpower, numbers, and motivation. With hatred, spite, and trauma still embedded in her, can she lead a force with the confidence and stride that the late prince exuded? If Volume One was the setup and Volume Two was the build-up, Volume Three is the climax. Seeing Freya grow more with ease in her authoritative role is admirable and enthralling. She takes a kinder approach - recognizing each of the soldiers by name as they duke it out in a siege. While violence is prevalent, the introspective and, somewhat, ambient moments are a respite for the inner turmoil of everyone involved. There is a duel between Freya and an enemy, the latter tormenting her about the fort's doom and the meaningless deaths of her men. This prompts Freya in a mental panic - caving into her identity as a "fake." Yet in a span of four pages, Keiko Ishihara uses empty space, ambiance, and nostalgic/spiritual imagery evokes comfort from the chaos; an emotional pillow for an otherwise damning set of circumstances. These scenes let me bear witness to the metamorphosis of a pauper becoming a prince leading a nation. And near the end, to see Freya on a two-paged spread atop a steeple reassuring confidence and morale in her men is nothing short of triumphant. I had reservations for the first volume being another typical fantasy shoujo title, yet Keiko Ishihara's writing and storyboarding has made me hooked. I look forward to another exceptional installment

After such a cliff-hanger at the end of volume 2, volume 3 of Prince Freya has twists and turns that I was not expecting! Such a fun series for any fan of fantasy and adventure!

I am obsessed.

That's the short version, now here is the long version:

Prince Freya surprised me. I wasn't sure what to expect but I certainly didn't expect to this consume me as much as it has. I'm not even mad about it.

The end of volume 2 had me distraught (but like in a good way), and the feeling continued into volume 3. This volume centers around a battle at the fort. Freya grows as a person and into her role as the Prince. Freya's courage and loyalty to her soldiers is moving.

This manga is intense. The pace is quick and the subject matter is not for the faint of heart. There is war, death, and betrayal in this fantasy shoujo manga. I felt like there wasn't a moments rest, but I don't see that as a bad thing. The pace of the story emulates the pace of the battle; lots of "hurry up and wait." I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, impatient to turn the next page.

The thing this manga does best is it makes you fall completely in love with characters and then rips your heart out. It's tragic and I can't get enough. There are so many twists and turns in the story that I never know what is coming next.

This particular volume kept me on my toes. With the events of volume 2 on my mind, I was anxious to see what would happen with that, but the desperation of Freya to give hope to her army kept me going.

I'm obsessed.

This review appears on Goodreads also: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3525978754

3.5 stars.

This volume wasnt as good as the others, Freya did have some really good development but everything else was ok. My main issue was the villains being very cliche. One of the plot points is there is a spy in the mist and I already knew who it was. I wish there was more build up.

For me there seemed to be a disconnect between this volume and the others, I couldn't seem to remember who was who or if any of the characters where ones we already knew. This falls in line with what I was saying with they spy reveal, I would like to see more build up in future volumes.

The biggest thing I did not like is the weird relationship Freya and Julius seem to be forming. It seems very sexual and there are hints that Julius loved the prince, both the prince and Freya are very young so its kinda....well for a lack of a better term....eew

I do know what happens next, but if future volumes dont development better plot points, villains and drop the weird Freya and Julius relationship I'm not sure I will continue reading it.

The first volume was amazing and really set the bar.

Many thanks to netgalley for my review copy

Prince Freya vol 3 sees Freya struggling in the role of Prince Edvard, the Prince of Hope. She has already lost a lot in taking on the role of the prince and her losses see her embracing anger, an understandable but not good look on her. Struggling to rally the soldiers at the besieged Fort Leren and facing impossible odds Freya does her best to uplift the spirits of her countrymen and fight off the Sigurd army all while keeping the secret that she is not the prince.
***
The third volume is maybe my favorite volume so far, we get to see more of Freya’s spiral and get a little more into the white knight, Julius, and his thoughts. I have a feeling this is going to be a long series but if it keeps up this pacing I’ll happily stick along for the ride.
**
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5
I found the story in this to be gripping, since the entire plot of volume 3 was intense tension and action sequences. Freya continues to grow as a character, and you continue to learn more about Julius, so his character is finally getting fleshed out.

I'm definitely not comfortable with this romantic/sexual tension that's continuing between Freya and Julius, mainly because it feels super out of place and borderline icky. Isn't she underage? Also their power dynamics make it not super great, as he is so domineering and controlling and she's really submissive.

The plot itself isn't unique, and it's very obvious where the story's going from the first chapter. I would have liked it to be a bit more nuanced, but as the entire volume seemed less plot-focused and more character development-focused, it at least had a point.

I find the Sigurdians to be very cliche villains in this, and never once do I find myself fearing for Freya of Julius. No matter what happens, they always find their way out of every situation, so what will these three or four new villain characters really accomplish?

I do really enjoy this story. I just wish there was more nuance as a whole to it. It feels very cliche at the biggest scenes, like I've seen all of this stuff before and Freya isn't giving me anything new. But I do love Freya's character, and I really want to know more about what the crap is going on, and I want to know what happened to the other characters while Julius and Freya were at this fort, so I'll keep reading.

I always love a good gender swap. I would love a strong female character the is not sexualized for the prince’s counterpart.

THE AMOUNT OF SCREAMING AND CRYING I DID WITH THIS VOLUME!!!

If you were devastated by the end of Vol 2, Vol 3 will perk you right up! This volume was intense, like the previous 2, but we also see Freya starting to lead in her own way, and to bring the White Knight to his knees. There is now officially a love triangle that has surfaced within the series, and I am really curious how things are going to go from here.

The political climate of this particular volume was amazing as well. We learn more about those threatening the kingdom that Freya leads, and we learn that they have more moles than we originally anticipated.

This series is creeping it's way into all time favorite territory, and I can't even be mad about it! PLEASE READ IT!

fter enjoying the second book more than the first, it solidified my need to continue with this series. The character development and plot is a bit on the slower side but I'm okay with it because I am invested in these characters.

Each one comes from a different background and have secrets they are holding onto. They are all courageous and will do anything to keep their kingdom safe.

Freya has a lot to lose since she is pretending to be a prince who is dead. There is so much weight she carries on her soldiers but she is not afraid. She keeps on going because she wants everyone who lives in Tyr to be safe. It's very admirable.

Julius definitely has a lot of baggage that hasn't been discussed. I would like to know more about him and I think I will get my answers over time. I really like his character though. He is strong and has Freya's back even if he doesn't always agree with her.

The plot for this volume starts where the last ended which is war. You meet new characters and some are not who you think they are. Definitely some good plot twists in this one!

Overall, it wasn't as good as Vol. 2 but I am still intrigued by this series.