TITLE: Serment and Flame
artist: SHEL
SIZE: 8" x 11.5"
FORMAT: A4, Hardcover
Publication date: 2006-07
PAGE: 72
PRICE: $39 (increases each year)
weight: about 2 pound
Web: Shel@DA[, Official site


RATING: 4/5

I was a bit skeptical about getting this artbook because I thought this book was going to be very plain with the high price I am paying. But boy, was I wrong. I never expected to be hardcover, not to mention the HIGH quality paper. First of all, the beautiful cover had certain areas laminated, so it creates a very cool effect for the beholder. When you flip through the book, you instantly notice the thickness of the paper. This is definitely the most HQ paper I have ever seen, it's even more HQ than Japanese artbooks (maybe twice or triple the thickness). Now, let's move on to the heart of this book.

The content was where I felt a bit disappointed, hence, the 4/5 rating. The chapters were categorized by character, pairs, groups, etc. There were a good amount of two spread page. Since the artbook was bind like a book, you can clearly see the 2 page images. But content wise, I was expecting something more from Shel. However most of the images in the book can be found around the web. Actually, most of you probably have seen them all, just smaller in size. At the same time, some of the images can also be found in her other two artbooks (Wind & Clover and Far Beyond the Sky). The images were nice and that's all there is.

On the side note, the publisher rated the content NC-17, which is totally off the mark because there were hardly any nudity or kiss (the lips never touched).

Overall, if you like Shel's work or Naruto, then this artbook/fanbook makes a great collectible item. But if you're new to both of them, this book still takes your breath away when you open the package.


Previews (sorry about the quality. Last two were found online)