Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Having watched the anime some months back and loved it, I decided to try the manga out. I don't love Maomao's commentary on gender dynamics in chapter four, and the early stages of Maomao and Jinshi's relationship was pretty strange and kind of cringy if I'm being honest. But I still love Maomao as a heroine, knowing what a little freak of an unreliable narrator she is keeps me going, and I do enjoy the premise very much. Now I just have to wait for Jinshi to grow on me again like he did in the anime lol
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have had this recommended to me for so long, and I am glad to have picked it up (I have not read the light novels or watched the anime). So far, this has lived up to the hype. It is funny, especially Maomao's reactions to Jinshi. It's clever; Maomao is fun to follow. There is good world building, and I like all of the characters that have been introduced. I liked the mystery aspect, though it is not too intense (yet?). However, I wasn't as big on the sleep-walking mystery as it felt more rushed than the others. I also didn't enjoy Jinshi's sexual harassment (biting) of Maomao . This is a great start, and I will definitely be continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Medical content, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Trafficking, Pregnancy
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While it's not doing anything particularly groundbreaking, this kicks off a series that's a lot of fun: if you're a fan of historical mysteries, there's a lot to enjoy here. Maomao's a great protagonist with a nose for herbalism, medicine, and evidence... not to mention a mania for researching poisons. She tests them on herself constantly, much to the dismay of those around her. You can get a feel for the goofy realism the series is aiming for with that alone. She has a fearsome intellect, but she's also capable of being comic relief. Far from being a perfect detective, her foibles make her interesting and allow room for her to learn, grow, and be challenged.
The first book (and series) also treat the setting realistically without getting too bogged down in the details. I enjoyed how it just shows humans dealing with living in this particular era of the Japanese Imperial court, and how the era isn't looked at with rose-colored glasses, either. People are at the whims of Emperor and those whose rank is above them, but they do have agency in their own way.
The manga does sometimes gloss some important details, making it a little challenging at times to figure out how Maomao deduced what she did from a crime scene or another's behavior, but it's generally easy to follow (and if you want more, the light novel the mangs is based on fills in these gaps better). And it's hardly like mysteries sometimes don't make leaps like this anyway!
Much to enjoy here and not much to complain about.
The first book (and series) also treat the setting realistically without getting too bogged down in the details. I enjoyed how it just shows humans dealing with living in this particular era of the Japanese Imperial court, and how the era isn't looked at with rose-colored glasses, either. People are at the whims of Emperor and those whose rank is above them, but they do have agency in their own way.
The manga does sometimes gloss some important details, making it a little challenging at times to figure out how Maomao deduced what she did from a crime scene or another's behavior, but it's generally easy to follow (and if you want more, the light novel the mangs is based on fills in these gaps better). And it's hardly like mysteries sometimes don't make leaps like this anyway!
Much to enjoy here and not much to complain about.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.95 stars ⭐️
I enjoyed this first volume. I loved seeing the anime trailer so I was interested to read the manga. Every single character seems intriguing and i want all the secrets to be revealed soon ✨I love Maomao a lot and I’m curious to know what her backstory is and also read more about her apothecary adventures!!
I enjoyed this first volume. I loved seeing the anime trailer so I was interested to read the manga. Every single character seems intriguing and i want all the secrets to be revealed soon ✨I love Maomao a lot and I’m curious to know what her backstory is and also read more about her apothecary adventures!!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced