A review by mikasana
Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 (The Novel) by Suji Kim

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Ok before I say anything else, keep in mind this is a comic-turned-novel so it’s going to read exactly as a comic-turned-novel. Central plot? What’s that? For those who want strong world-building, characters, and main plot, you probably won’t find that here. You will have to wade past the filler and follow along through Maxi’s eyes because her experience IS the main plot.

I’d compare it best to a slice of life story but much darker, rampant sex every few pages, while set in a medieval world full of monsters, magic, kingdoms and rampant sexism. Think like, the Witcher, as a world setting and it’s pretty close.

Everything is pretty much fed to the readers in crumbs — especially the world-building. But you’re seeing everything through Maxi’s eyes and as a maiden who has been sheltered all her life, you’re learning things at the same time she is learning things—slowly.

HOWEVER, Maxi herself as a character is so fascinating. She has a noticeable speech impediment and possibly the worst self-esteem I have seen in a character to the point she will self-sabotage herself to save the face of others. I thoroughly enjoyed her journey and self-discovery seeing how she just started coming into her own sense of self.

And… the romance is… very… eh. Prepare for smut scenes every 10 pages or so. The first one starts VERY off-putting and had some veeery questionable moments in terms of consent, so do with that what you will. It’s also VERY patriarchal so latent misogyny is pretty rampant (fair warning).
But there are a few hints that the surface level love they currently have may run deeper than they let on, especially from Riftan (iykyk), so I am sure more of that will be explored in volume 2.


Also I think as I read more the MORE I got interested in Riftan’s background based on some of the things he has brought up. And honestly if some of the things I suspect are true, he is going to win me over entirely. We will see…

That being said, I did enjoy this! I understand why the comic was so vastly popular and why it is written the way it is. Looking forward to volume 2 next year! 
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