#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 22

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 22
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1108-6; paperback (February 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese shojo manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 22 (Chapter 124 to 129) opens, the battle against the Nation of Sei and its treacherous nobles, Lord Hotsuma and Lord Kishibi, has ended in defeat for Sei.  Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe have been rescued, and now, is the time for reunions and revelations.  For instance, Riri has a crush on a military leader … who is also a married man!  Meanwhile, is Yona ready to admit her feelings for Hak?

Later, Yona, Hak, the Four Dragon Warriors (Gija, Jaeha, Sinha, and Zeno), and Jun travel to the Nation of Xing, where trouble brews.  It seems that Princess Kouren, leader of Xing, is preparing to start a war against Kohka.  Her younger sister, the exiled Princess Tao, would prefer that Xing become a vassal state of Kohka.  Tao hopes that Yona and the Dragon Warriors, whom she believes to be beautiful and fierce monsters, can make that happen.  So what will Yona do, and can a decision come in time with all their lives in danger?

THE LOWDOWN:  It has been exactly a half-year since I last read the Yona of the Dawn manga.  I find historical shojo romance manga to be a highly enjoyable read,  The series belongs to one of my favorite shojo sub-genres, the manga that use elements of Chinese history and myth.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 22 says goodbye, for the time being, to Princess Riri and the Water Tribe.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi briefly delves into the relationship between Yona and Hak, while delivering readers a surprising development in the life of Yona.  Then, Kusanagi does what she does best – insert Yona into another conflict in which she must help a troubled young noble woman.  Of course, Yona is this series' most troubled young novel woman.  This manga may seem repetitive, at times, but it tells an absorbing story with lovable characters.

Yet, JN Productions (translation) and Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) never make it boring.  Their work makes us want to follow Yona once more into the breach and the lovely lettering by Lys Blakeslee creates the sense of a magical romantic adventure.  Once again, dear readers, I highly recommend that you also follow Yona.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 5

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 5
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8786-1; paperback (April 2017); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Princess Yona is living an ideal life as the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka.  Her father, King Il, dotes on her, and her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yon even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne by finding the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 5 (Chapter 24 to 29) opens, Yona, Hak, Yun, and Gija the White Dragon leave the Village of the Blue Dragon, after they escape from an earthquake.  Yona gives the Blue Dragon a name, but will he leave with Yona and company?  Next, Gija senses the presence of the Green Dragon, which takes the small band to Awa Port in the land of the Earth Tribe.  Although his presence is strong, the Green Dragon proves hard to find.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is part Chinese historical romance (or at least a Japanese version of it) and part quest-adventure.  Over the last ten years of reading manga, I have come to enjoy the particular shojo spin on historical fiction/romance/adventure.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 5 offers more of the elements of this series that have become familiar to readers.  This is, however, not more of the same.  In the six chapters contained in Vol. 5, creator Mizuho Kusanagi shifts the focus away from her star Yona, and delves into the personalities, goals, and trials and tribulations of the rest of her cast, especially focusing on Hak.  This volume might make the reader believe that he is the star, and Hak does have a star quality.  He could be the lead of his own manga, which is one more reason to read Yona of the Dawn.  Yona and Hak give this series two excellent leads.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the Shojo Beat title, Yona of the Dawn.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 4

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 4
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8785-1; paperback (February 2017); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka.  Her father, King Il, dotes on her, and her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yon even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne by finding the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 4 (Chapter 18 to 23) opens, Yona and Hak continue their journey to find the rest of the Four Dragon Warriors, after locating Gija, the White Dragon.  Gija can sense the other warriors, but only slightly when they are at a great distance away.  Luckily, the trio is also accompanied by Jun, pretty-boy genius.  Next up, is the location of the Blue Dragon, but this warrior's village is not a welcoming place.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is in my manga fanboy wheelhouse.  Part Chinese historical romance and part quest-adventure, so I cannot help but like it.

In Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 4, creator Mizuho Kusanagi further delves into her star quartet's personalities.  She throws a surprise at her readers, by making the place of the Blue Dragon not as friendly or as easy to navigate as the home of the White Dragon.  Her origin story of the Blue Dragon is a poignant and heartbreaking tale, but our heroine Yona is the spoonful of sugar to make it all better.  It should not be so easy to like this series, but the main characters are classic lovable shojo teens.  Yeah, they are quite sugary even in this epic adventure.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the Shojo Beat title, Yona of the Dawn.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 21

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 21
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9381-4; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 21 (Chapter 118 to 123) opens, King Su-Won continues his advance into the rival nation of Sei.  Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe were betrayed and became prisoners of Sei, working as slave labor on one of two forts being built along Sei's border with Kohka.  After their devastating siege of Lord Hotsuma's fort, Su-Won and company move on to Lord Kishibi's fort after not finding either princess at Hotsuma.

But Yona and Princess Riri have been separated, and Yona is alone and injured in a nearby forest.  Meanwhile, Lord Kishibi prepares to execute Riri!

[This volume includes a bonus chapter, “From Good Morning to Good Night.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  I find the Yona of the Dawn manga to be a hugely-enjoyable historical shojo romance manga, which is one of my favorite genres of manga.  I also like that it uses elements of Chinese history and mythology.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 21 is a typically fantastic entry in this series.  In the case of this series, I think being “typically fantastic” is just “Jim Dandy!”  Seriously, despite the action of violent battle, creator Mizuho Kusanagi takes time to delve into the relationships between her core players.  Kusanagi also takes some time to further develop the steadily growing relationship between Hak and Yona.  It's intense and hot!  Let's keep reading, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 20

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 20
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9220-6; paperback (October 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 20 (Chapter 112 to 117) opens, Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe have been betrayed!  Now, they are prisoners of the nation of Sei, working as slave labor on one of two forts being built along Sei's border with Kohka.  Yona and Riri's respective companions split into two groups, with each group heading to one of the forts.  Which team will find the two:  Team Jaeha with Zeno and Ayura or Team Hak with Yun, Gija, and Sinha find Yona and Riri?

Meanwhile, Riri's father, General Jung-Gi, receives some surprising offers of help to find his daughter.  And one of them has ties to Yona!

[This volume includes miscellaneous comics material.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is a highly-enjoyable historical shojo romance manga, which is one of my favorite genres of manga.  I also like that it uses elements of Chinese history and mythology.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 20 is a fantastic entry in this series.  I can say, without spoilers, that it begins with trouble and ends with trouble.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi always finds a way to keep readers coming back for more.  Kusanagi also delves deeper into the complicated relationships that surround Yona and Son Hak.  Even with all the action and intrigue, Yona of the Dawn always manages to get to the heart of the matter – the character melodrama.

The work of JN Productions (translation) and of Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) helps to deliver some strong scenes of personal moments – within characters and between characters.  Plus, Lys Blakeslee's lettering sets the mood, as usual, for Vol. 20, which like Vol. 19, is a bit more intimate than other volumes.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 19

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 19
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8801-8; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 19 (Chapter 106 to 111) opens, Yona, Hak, Jun, the Four Dragon Warriors: Gija, Jaeha, Sinha, and Zeno, arrive in the “Blue Forest.”  While gathering firewood, Sinha the Blue Dragon finds a stone dragon idol.  When the idol's mouth begins to close down on his animal companion, “Ao,” Sinha slices the idol's head off.  Sinha does not realize that his actions have also released an ominous spirit – one with a connection to his past!

Then, it is on to a reunion with Princess Riri of the Water Tribe and her two guardians, Ayura and Tetra.  Once again, Riri must call upon Yona and company for help.

[This volume includes the bonus chapter, “Sleep Well Tonight,” and also miscellaneous comics.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is a historical shojo romance manga, one of my favorite genres of manga.  I also like that it is somewhat based in Chinese history and mythology.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 19 offers a glimpse into the past of one of its Dragons.  Creator Mizyho Kusanagi uses this opening story not only to reveal some things about Sinha, but also about the other characters.  “The Blue Forest” mini-story arc is also a brief interlude that allows readers to enjoy the series' seven main heroes.  Kusanagi also gives us some intense moments between Yona and Hak that bring the two closer together than ever.

The work of JN Productions (translation) and of Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) helps to deliver some strong scenes of personal moments – within characters and between characters.  Plus, Lys Blakeslee's lettering sets the mood, as usual, for this more intimate Vol. 19.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



------------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 16

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8798-1; paperback (February 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 16 (Chapter 89 to 94) opens, Yona and her companions continue their fight against the drug known as “nadai,” which has spread swiftly through the coastal towns of the “Water Tribe” territories.  Their fight has earned them the ire of the nadai's kingpin, the drug dealer, Hyo, who has called on his allies in South Kai to help him defeat all those who have massed against him.

Now, a fleet of South Kai ships sails into the waters of the port town of Sensui.  Can Yona and her friends stop Hyo and his allies?  Can Yona's new friend, Lady Riri, the pampered princess of the Water Tribe's chief, General Jung-Gi, convince enough of her people to follow her?  Plus, Yona comes face to face with a dear friend turned adversary.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga concludes its adventure into the land of the Water Tribe, one of five tribes that comprise the Kingdom of Kohka (Sky, Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water).  This is my favorite story arc of the series, thus far.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 16 is a tale of two princesses, as was Vol. 15.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi seems to have initially used this story arc to contrast Yona and Riri.  While Yona seems so brave and self-assured to Riri, readers know that Yona is still discovering herself and what she can do.  Riri, however, is struggling to come into her own, but Kusanagi depicts her as being stronger and more capable than she thinks herself to be.

The fun in reading this arc is not only in seeing the “Nadai conspiracy”play out, but also in watching Riri come into her own, which plays a part in the formation of Yona of the Dawn's next arc.  JN Productions (translation) and Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) always reveals the romantic side of this shojo historical fiction and romance, but in Vol. 16, they capture the evolution of a princess and the ongoing journey of discovery of another.

Also, in hopes of avoiding spoilers, I can say that in a way, Vol. 16 throws a spotlight on Hak.  His actions here are bound to come back to haunt future story lines...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A+
10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



------------------------------------

Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 2

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8783-7; paperback (October 2016); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a shojo manga from mangaka Mizuho Kusanagi.  It is the story of pampered princess who must fight for her kingdom after a family tragedy.  By her side is her handsome bodyguard who has been blamed for murder.

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka.  Her father, King Il, dotes on her, and her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yon even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, she is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 2 (Chapter 6 to 11) opens, Yona and Hak arrive in Fuuga, the capital of the Wind Tribe.  To keep her identity secret among his people, Hak gives Yona the name “Rina.”  Meanwhile, Lord Su-won begins to consolidate power in a bid to assume the throne as the eleventh king of Kohka.

Historical.  Romance.  Adventure.  Of course, I like the Yona of the Dawn manga.  I love historical romance and historical adventure, so combine three of them, and I am in like manga-reading Flynn.

Yona of the Dawn Volume 2 is the first volume of the series that I have read – via a copy for review from my VIZ Media rep.  I like creator Mizuho Kusanagi's art which reminds me of the art of Arina Tanemura, especially in the large expressive eyes Kusanagi gives her characters.  Although this is a shojo manga, Yona of the Dawn has an epic sweep and scope, although the graphical storytelling is soft and romantic.  This is like a high school romance with sword-play and courtly intrigue, but it is also like a battle manga with the threat of war and family intrigue.  I look forward to the next volume of Yona of the Dawn.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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