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agayprince's review
dark
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pineconek's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a review for the first three volumes of this extremely charming manga.
Firstly: the plot is very, very simple. A little girl from the "light" (human, medieval setting) side is abandoned in the woods and taken in by a creature of the "dark" (humanoid, shadow figure) side. The dark is contagious, and any physical contact with a dark one turns a human into a dark one in a matter of hours.
But the little girl is innocent, and kind, and loves her dark caregiver. She calls him teacher and they bake apple pies and tell each other stories. The art ads to the incredible charm of this series, and result in a pseudo-dark cozycore vibe. The dark one is a tender hearted scholar who wants to take the best care of the little girl that he possibly can. But knights from the light side don't see it that way.
I'm not sure whether I'll continue with the series - while I love the vibes, I'm barely invested in the plot. The stakes seem like they should be high but they're just...not. I'm wholly confident that everything will be ok, but maybe I'm wrong. 😅
Recommended if you're looking for a found family cozy fairytale rendered in beautiful black-ink art. 4.5 stars on SG rounded down to 4 for GR.
Firstly: the plot is very, very simple. A little girl from the "light" (human, medieval setting) side is abandoned in the woods and taken in by a creature of the "dark" (humanoid, shadow figure) side. The dark is contagious, and any physical contact with a dark one turns a human into a dark one in a matter of hours.
But the little girl is innocent, and kind, and loves her dark caregiver. She calls him teacher and they bake apple pies and tell each other stories. The art ads to the incredible charm of this series, and result in a pseudo-dark cozycore vibe. The dark one is a tender hearted scholar who wants to take the best care of the little girl that he possibly can. But knights from the light side don't see it that way.
I'm not sure whether I'll continue with the series - while I love the vibes, I'm barely invested in the plot. The stakes seem like they should be high but they're just...not. I'm wholly confident that everything will be ok, but maybe I'm wrong. 😅
Recommended if you're looking for a found family cozy fairytale rendered in beautiful black-ink art. 4.5 stars on SG rounded down to 4 for GR.
n011ya's review
5.0
Everything about this book was amazing. First off the art style is straight up spectacular, reminiscent of Ronald dahls style for James and the giant peach. The artstyle both are cutesy yet eerie, I love it! Secondly this is by far the prettiest book ever, cover is amazing and the detailing is so pretty! Also the inside of the hardcover is so pretty and the drawings all correspond to the story and mini comics in it. Certainly pricey but definitely amazing. Also the story is gold, the author keeps things shrouded in mystery but it leaves you wanting more and more. It seriously is so good! There are so many questions that appear and the story is so investing. Also I love the teacher, his characterization as a guardian is perfect, how protective he is is amazing. I love the morally greyness of him and auntie. This book is amazing and I’d kill to read this again for the first time.
frankenshai's review
5.0
4.7 ~ Very cute and engaging story! I was able to finish in one sitting because of how much I loved it and wanted to continue learning about Shiva and the Teacher. Would recommend to friends who love a dark fairytale and anyone that appreciate how beautiful the artwork was.
Looking forward to reading more!
Looking forward to reading more!
rnbhargava's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is an excellent spin on essentially beauty and the beast. The kid is the beauty, the beast is teacher and the curse is upon many individuals and potentially animals. The child is so innocent and caring but there’s a sinister prophecy afoot. It’s compelling hearing about the circumstances for the world and how it relates to the child and her caretaker only known as Teacher. I’m excited to read further.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Body horror, Racism, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Terminal illness, Genocide, Animal death, Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Xenophobia
julbruun's review
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
oldmotherwinter's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
annaoallen's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I am rating and reviewing this series as a whole.
Dark, mysterious, endearing, enchanting.
I see it this way: if the demon made itself into Shiva from Albert's soul, it makes sense that it would take the form of his daughter, a part of him and all he would have been thinking of at that crucial time when he was dying in the woods.
I think I understand the ending, while admittedly it was a bit confusing. There's a part that says,
"The inner and the outer. Two things that ought to be one. Two things that are each complete, yet cannot exist without each other. Things which cannot be separated, yet can never be together... but if you meet and can accept that suffering, the two may finally become one. In the end... That may be the curse."
The way I see it, this is the answer to all of our questions. When Shiva runs through the house as they come home the last time, we can't see her, but Albert knows she's there. They say they'll take a nap together, and Albert felt the cold of the snow, when he couldn't do those things before. At the end, he is becoming himself again. He is healing. Shiva will continue to dissolve into him and as his soul recovers, he will become human again, as she was. He'll break the curse, for himself, at least. I think he's aware now of Shiva as a part of himself, a part of his grief, a part of his daughter, a part of his wife, a part of the demon who cursed him. Even his being a doctor influenced her creation; she is a symbol of his willingness to survive and to heal. She is all of these things to him. The symbol of his carrying the baggage into the home at the end verifies this idea for me. He will carry all of it. He will remember it all. He will be Albert again.
This is all just my speculation but it's the way I interpreted it. I love this ending! And I love that it will keep me thinking for a long time.
I like the series' underlying tones. What it is to make a home. Grief. Survival. There are themes of discrimination and persecution. Accepting and loving someone for who they are and not the way they look. Finding joy in simplicity and abundance. There are so many. Ultimately it was a beautiful story that I'll be contemplating for a long time.
Dark, mysterious, endearing, enchanting.
I see it this way: if the demon made itself into Shiva from Albert's soul, it makes sense that it would take the form of his daughter, a part of him and all he would have been thinking of at that crucial time when he was dying in the woods.
I think I understand the ending, while admittedly it was a bit confusing. There's a part that says,
"The inner and the outer. Two things that ought to be one. Two things that are each complete, yet cannot exist without each other. Things which cannot be separated, yet can never be together... but if you meet and can accept that suffering, the two may finally become one. In the end... That may be the curse."
The way I see it, this is the answer to all of our questions. When Shiva runs through the house as they come home the last time, we can't see her, but Albert knows she's there. They say they'll take a nap together, and Albert felt the cold of the snow, when he couldn't do those things before. At the end, he is becoming himself again. He is healing. Shiva will continue to dissolve into him and as his soul recovers, he will become human again, as she was. He'll break the curse, for himself, at least. I think he's aware now of Shiva as a part of himself, a part of his grief, a part of his daughter, a part of his wife, a part of the demon who cursed him. Even his being a doctor influenced her creation; she is a symbol of his willingness to survive and to heal. She is all of these things to him. The symbol of his carrying the baggage into the home at the end verifies this idea for me. He will carry all of it. He will remember it all. He will be Albert again.
This is all just my speculation but it's the way I interpreted it. I love this ending! And I love that it will keep me thinking for a long time.
I like the series' underlying tones. What it is to make a home. Grief. Survival. There are themes of discrimination and persecution. Accepting and loving someone for who they are and not the way they look. Finding joy in simplicity and abundance. There are so many. Ultimately it was a beautiful story that I'll be contemplating for a long time.