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adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
This new manga-style fantasy series by an up-and-coming French-Laotian cartoonist is off to a great start. With his beautiful drawing style that evokes the best of Japanese and European artists, Sourya has created a compelling high-fantasy comic featuring a fun band of adventurers on a high stakes mission to protect a princess with a mysterious magical ability. A must-read for fans of Dragon Quest and other Japanese roleplaying games.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for giving me an eGalley to review.
This is a really cool story so far. I was quite engaged! I really, really love the art style (though some of the character designs for the villains/antagonists are a little.... dubious). The story feels familiar, given the various inspirations that went into making it (LOVE that little behind-the-scenes bit we got at the end of the volume), but it has a rather nice spin on the tropes that make it up. I appreciate especially that menstruation is brought up as a matter of fact and isn't regarded as something disgusting or taboo to speak about, just something that's painful and can be chaotic (as it is). It's also regarded as something that is going to help Talli get a handle on dealing with her literal blood magic.
I can definitely see myself reading the entire story--this is a definite recommendation!
This is a really cool story so far. I was quite engaged! I really, really love the art style (though some of the character designs for the villains/antagonists are a little.... dubious). The story feels familiar, given the various inspirations that went into making it (LOVE that little behind-the-scenes bit we got at the end of the volume), but it has a rather nice spin on the tropes that make it up. I appreciate especially that menstruation is brought up as a matter of fact and isn't regarded as something disgusting or taboo to speak about, just something that's painful and can be chaotic (as it is). It's also regarded as something that is going to help Talli get a handle on dealing with her literal blood magic.
I can definitely see myself reading the entire story--this is a definite recommendation!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Death of parent
*Special thanks to Oni Press and NetGallery for the eARC of this manga*
TW: Blood, lynched body, decapitations (lots!)
Sourya stated in the (really insightful) end note that he was aiming to capture the spirit of a JRPG, with the unique characters, classic quests and medieval themes. Specifically he referenced Dragon Quest VIII, which is one of my favourite games. Honestly I was comparing this manga to that game while reading - feeling the same epic grandeur, yet cozy characters of a great JRPG/fantasy manga.
My only complaint would be our main character, Talli, falls a bit flat. She is more of a blank space for the reader to project themself, and while this works in a video game setting, it doesn't so much in a book setting. She drifts along where the story takes her, and doesn't have any traits that really put her apart from the other party members aside from her summoning ability. I felt far more attached and intrigued by Lélo. His temperament and abilities and character design just made him stand out more to me. In fact, all the other characters had such great designs and personalities that I often entirely forgot it was Talli's story at all.
While that may sound quite negative, in all honesty the rest of the manga, the art, the action, the mystery and concept and all other characters were so good it honestly makes up for our more bland 'main' character. But even then I almost hesitate to call her the protagonist because it does seem the story is more about the group than Talli, and it's really refreshing.
One of the most impressive moments was the chase towards the end. The way the art was framed and storyboarded was SO good it felt interactive, which my brain easily filling in music and sound effects. The tension and speed were conveyed so well. Truely a masterpiece of a moment.
TW: Blood, lynched body, decapitations (lots!)
Sourya stated in the (really insightful) end note that he was aiming to capture the spirit of a JRPG, with the unique characters, classic quests and medieval themes. Specifically he referenced Dragon Quest VIII, which is one of my favourite games. Honestly I was comparing this manga to that game while reading - feeling the same epic grandeur, yet cozy characters of a great JRPG/fantasy manga.
My only complaint would be our main character, Talli, falls a bit flat. She is more of a blank space for the reader to project themself, and while this works in a video game setting, it doesn't so much in a book setting. She drifts along where the story takes her, and doesn't have any traits that really put her apart from the other party members aside from her summoning ability. I felt far more attached and intrigued by Lélo. His temperament and abilities and character design just made him stand out more to me. In fact, all the other characters had such great designs and personalities that I often entirely forgot it was Talli's story at all.
While that may sound quite negative, in all honesty the rest of the manga, the art, the action, the mystery and concept and all other characters were so good it honestly makes up for our more bland 'main' character. But even then I almost hesitate to call her the protagonist because it does seem the story is more about the group than Talli, and it's really refreshing.
One of the most impressive moments was the chase towards the end. The way the art was framed and storyboarded was SO good it felt interactive, which my brain easily filling in music and sound effects. The tension and speed were conveyed so well. Truely a masterpiece of a moment.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Hmm, I’m a bit intrigued though not much happened here, but it’s to be expected for an introductory volume. It’s rare to see menstruation be used as a plot point, but Talli’s blood is the catalyst for everything. I like Leelo. The artwork and action scenes were nice. I’d read a volume two just to get an idea where the story is headed.
fast-paced