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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
A lot of potential, will be interested to see how the next volume goes
reread: bumping up a star!
reread: bumping up a star!
This was really good I’ve heard of the anime and watched a few episodes but I haven’t finished so this story is going to have its surprises
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review is for all 9 volumes.
I had very little idea of what this was about, other than it was recommended for fans of shoujo fantasy, and the cover hinted at adventure in a vaguely historical setting. While this is set in a fictional East Asian country, it is more like historical fiction than fantasy. The story follows Shurei Hong, a teenager of noble birth whose dream is to become a civil servant, but as this path is forbidden to women, she instead works as a teacher as well as an assortment of odd jobs to keep her dilapidated house from collapsing. When she is offered a significant amount of money to join the inner court and whip the emperor into shape, she agrees, and enters a world of powerful beautiful men.
I got a bit of whiplash from reading this. At the beginning, the setting points towards a romance story, but thankfully, Shurei is not particularly interested in marrying and while the possible love interests keep appearing, that is not the focus. Not much happens for a few volumes - we get plenty of comedy with the characters interacting with each other peppered with some palace intrigue, until the stakes finally amp up, and then it all ends, without a real resolution. It feels like this is the prologue of a much grander story.
While the ending was not particularly satisfying, I really enjoyed Shurei's personal growth and her struggle to cement her place in a man's world. Volume 8 was beautiful. Some of the other characters were quite interesting, although the art made it hard to tell some of them apart. And the comedy does shine with several laugh out loud moments.
I had very little idea of what this was about, other than it was recommended for fans of shoujo fantasy, and the cover hinted at adventure in a vaguely historical setting. While this is set in a fictional East Asian country, it is more like historical fiction than fantasy. The story follows Shurei Hong, a teenager of noble birth whose dream is to become a civil servant, but as this path is forbidden to women, she instead works as a teacher as well as an assortment of odd jobs to keep her dilapidated house from collapsing. When she is offered a significant amount of money to join the inner court and whip the emperor into shape, she agrees, and enters a world of powerful beautiful men.
I got a bit of whiplash from reading this. At the beginning, the setting points towards a romance story, but thankfully, Shurei is not particularly interested in marrying and while the possible love interests keep appearing, that is not the focus. Not much happens for a few volumes - we get plenty of comedy with the characters interacting with each other peppered with some palace intrigue, until the stakes finally amp up, and then it all ends, without a real resolution. It feels like this is the prologue of a much grander story.
While the ending was not particularly satisfying, I really enjoyed Shurei's personal growth and her struggle to cement her place in a man's world. Volume 8 was beautiful. Some of the other characters were quite interesting, although the art made it hard to tell some of them apart. And the comedy does shine with several laugh out loud moments.
You know what Saiunkoku reminds me of right now? Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small. Specifically in its portrayal of a woman entering a male dominated field and gritting her teeth to push through all the unfair behaviour and outright attempts to get her to fail. I find Shurei (and Keladry of Mindelan) amazingly admirable this volume, I want to cheer her on and take her as a role model. Ryuki appears to good effect too (showed leadership ability in his resolution of the city gang storyline and he's handling his inability to help Shurei as much as he'd like relatively maturely) but Shurei was definitely the shining star of this volume. 4 stars
Yay Kocho! \o/ I love this woman, she will end you if you challenge her. What an excellent mom to Shurei. This manga is chock full of amazing parental figures, it's no wonder the main cast are all so excellent. 4 stars
Yeah, okay, that was an extraordinarily goofy way to resolve the Ministry of Rites conflict. xD None can stand up to Minister Ko's devastating beauty! All shall love him and despair! (I found myself head tilting at this point, like beauty is subjective, it's not possible for someone to exist who could have the kind of devastating effect Ko has on literally everyone. And then I slapped myself upside the head because this is shoujo okay, suspension of disbelief is necessary! Just think of it as magic if you have to!)
Looking forward to watching Shurei handle her first job next volume! 3 stars
Looking forward to watching Shurei handle her first job next volume! 3 stars
I'm a bit disappointed to see Yukino elected to not actually have a conclusion. :/ I was looking forward to seeing how Shuurei performed at her first job! It felt like Volume 8 left us at the beginning of her journey, not the end.
Ah well. I suppose I can always watch the anime.
Anyways this volume ended up being a collection of side stories. They were alright although I did find myself struggling to remember all the family relationships again. Like is Minister Ko not related to Shuurei? I thought he was some kind of uncle but that makes the marriage joke make no sense. Too many dudes with flowing black hair in this series, who even knows who's who.
Also I don't remember Ryuren in the slightest and I feel like I would recall a flamboyant dude with a love for peacock feathers. :/ I repeat: too many dudes with flowing black hair.
I liked Yushin at the end though. :D Mostly for his ability to calmly handle ridiculousness but also a little bit for being blond. Good lad, I can actually tell you apart this way.
3 stars
Ah well. I suppose I can always watch the anime.
Anyways this volume ended up being a collection of side stories. They were alright although I did find myself struggling to remember all the family relationships again. Like is Minister Ko not related to Shuurei? I thought he was some kind of uncle but that makes the marriage joke make no sense. Too many dudes with flowing black hair in this series, who even knows who's who.
Also I don't remember Ryuren in the slightest and I feel like I would recall a flamboyant dude with a love for peacock feathers. :/ I repeat: too many dudes with flowing black hair.
I liked Yushin at the end though. :D Mostly for his ability to calmly handle ridiculousness but also a little bit for being blond. Good lad, I can actually tell you apart this way.
3 stars
Not bad. I'm interested in where this manga is going.
It's obvious that the artist is a huge Chinese history nerd. The mc had more costume changes than necessary, but I'm not complaining about it (in fact, the art is the best part of the manga).
I think there were certain parts that jumped around too much. Like non-specific time passing on one page. Or how the emperor's motivation/personality changed drastically over 4 pages or so.
Some pages had too much text. I'm 0% surprised to learn that this is based off a book.
It's obvious that the artist is a huge Chinese history nerd. The mc had more costume changes than necessary, but I'm not complaining about it (in fact, the art is the best part of the manga).
I think there were certain parts that jumped around too much. Like non-specific time passing on one page. Or how the emperor's motivation/personality changed drastically over 4 pages or so.
Spoiler
He's a playboy layabout who doesn't even want to reveal his identity to his new mistress/wife then suddenly he loves her and wants to spend his time with only her? Why?Some pages had too much text. I'm 0% surprised to learn that this is based off a book.
Interesting story. The beginning has some rocky moments, and there is a tendencey to get prosaic in parts, but the characterization makes getting through the rough parts worth it.