Wealthy heiress Freya has done many things to disappoint both her family and the kingdom at large. But she’s just made her strangest choice yet: buying the murderer Neneo before he can be executed. Initially, it’s because she needs a fierce bodyguard. But before long, the two outcasts find comfort in each other’s company. And slowly, the new manga Snow and Ink turns into a surprisingly charming romance.

The art and the story are both beautiful, with the unlikely romance kicking off early and moving into complex subplots of intrigue and deception. Neneo’s story is, as one might expect, much more complex than simply being a murderer. The worldbuilding is spun out alongside the story of Freya and Neneo’s budding romance, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the new setting without becoming overwhelmed. This one is definitely worth sticking with if you’re a fan of stories like My Happy Marriage and Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts.

I think the premise of the story is intriguing, but the execution of it is poorly done. The pacing is not consistent, and the romance felt rushed. They start being intimate before having real conversations and I did not like that. I also think the plot is not really fleshed out in this first novel. It’s just Freya being picked on by outsiders because of her identity and Neneo being picked on by outsiders for being a murderer. Those things make sense, but I didn’t understand what else was going on in the story. What is Halvard studying? Where even are these characters? I feel like a lot of important details were left out, and I think these are the kinds of details you should talk about in your first novel.

This has so much potential. The art is fantastic and the story overall is cute. I love the love plot, but I feel like they went from strangers to in love too quickly, I would love more back story too, but I assume we are getting set up to learn more in book 2. There were some details I really could have used though to make the story move more fluidly. Can’t wait for book 2!

Thank you so much for the eARC and giving me the opportunity to review this manga. Whilst I found it hard to get into at first, this manga has lots of potential! I read this all in one sitting and am intrigued where the story goes. It’s a unique manga and I am looking forward to reading more in the next volume.

Two misfits finding each other in the oddest situation, only to be each other’s safe place.

This was a fast paced manga and I mean this quite literally. Neneo is sentenced to death for killing his entire village; however is saved by Freya, a wealthy heiress. Freya hires Neneo as a guard as she treks up to the far, cold north for her exile. As they travel and stay together they find warmth in each other but the past starts trickling back.

I enjoyed this volume because it was straight to the point and fast. Freya and Neneo met under awkward circumstances and it shows in their first few interactions. I liked how realistic this was because Neneo was still suffering and coming to terms with what he did when he was given freedom by Freya. At first, Freya is only looking for someone to accompany her to the north, but slowly her feelings begin to change and she falls for Neneo. The romance was sudden and although Neneo doesn’t show it, I don’t think I can see these two apart.

The underlying plot captures Freya and Neneo’s past. Although both are revealed in volume one it’s surprising that there is a mystery to solve. I liked how simple yet complex there stories were. I could relate with Freya’s past because people can be kind yet devious. And it only hurts more when they betray you so it was understandable that Freya became numb and cold to pain. That said, Neneo suffers from trauma and although it’s not prominently depicted, the few scenes we witness are heartbreaking.

So far, there are only a handful of characters introduced and they have been kind to our two misfits. I’m hoping it stays like that without any unnecessary drama or love triangle.

The artwork is surprisingly good. I liked the simplicity in the backgrounds coupled with the detailed character design and expressions. I liked how this volume plays with the angles by sometimes showing the scene from a top angle and then switching from a side or bottom angle.

Overall, I enjoyed this volume but I can also see how some may not like it. Its fast pacing may be offsetting because the story moves fast. Personally, I recommend giving it a read.

I'm sad this wasn't for me. I couldn't get into the story, and it felt so wordy, like there was too much text and speech bubbles. I did like the premise and the characters, especially towards the second half of the manga. I like how they present characters and they set them to be antagonists, but then they end up being supportive of the protagonists. It is an interesting read, just not my cup of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I understand what everyone means by this manga moving too fast and their relationship progressing so quickly because they were kissing in the first chapter and they barely knew each other. I had hoped it was a one off just because both of their emotions were really high when it happened. I thought we'd be able to see them get to know one another and see how they interact together but that wasn't the case. This felt pretty unfinished though so my hope is that the final product has more pages than what I read. I did enjoy it otherwise. The characters were interesting (if a little flat since we didn't get much development) and the situation they were in was interesting but we really don't get to see much interaction between the two of them or the world.

Could not get into this manga but I had hope for it. I will definitely try more of this authors books. But this one was not for me.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this ARC. I was drawn to this title because its premise sounded incredibly intriguing. The artwork throughout the book is absolutely stunning, showcasing a level of creativity that truly captivates. However, I found that the story progressed at an excessively fast pace, which made it challenging to fully engage with the narrative. There was significant potential within the plot, but it felt underdeveloped, lacking the necessary depth and background to truly resonate. Additionally, the character development seemed inconsistent, leaving me wanting more connection to the characters. Despite these issues, the beautiful artwork remains a highlight, making this book a visual delight.

Freya is trying to get away. She has made some mistakes and wants out of the spotlight. So she purchases a criminal to serve as her bodyguard. She didn't expect to fall in love.

This is a lot of fun. I don't see this being a long series, but I am definitely wanting more from this. The story is interesting and the characters are great. The artwork is stunning as well.

While I enjoyed the fluffiness of the volume, the pacing went by way too quickly for my liking and would have enjoyed it slowing down

Freya is a disgraced elder daughter whose poor decisions cost many people their jobs and livelihoods. After being disowned her younger sister is installed in her place at the head of the family business to right her wrongs, but Freya is determined to ruin her sister and her families name because of her percieved betrayal. Her many schemes have led her to buying the life of a man sentenced to death in the hopes this will tarnish her families name, but it doesn’t have the desired affect she was looking for. In the end she brings the murderer along with her to live.

This plot was very choppy and confusing. I can’t tell if I should pity Freya because she is naive or because she is just stupid. I’m not sure why she would ever think her schemes make any sense, so it must be because she is an idiot. She is also infantilized as the story progresses which made her that much more irritating. The relationship developing between her and the prisoner is also.. odd. Almost insta love but he assaulted her physically and verbally so why would I root for this? Yes, complicated past on his end.. but no. Instantly took me out of the story and couldn’t get back on the track they wanted me to follow. Plus the former fiancé? Pointless.

I can’t see myself continuing this series, but I can see how others would enjoy it.

3.75/5

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Please do check trigger/content warnings before reading! This manga is very engaging, but also feels like something's missing. I got pulled in from the very beginning, but once they became a couple it felt a bit forced. I think it really could've had more of them falling for each other instead of being instantaneous. Other than that, I would say it was a good story and I will continue reading future volumes.

This manga left me feeling warm and fluffy but at the same time I wished for the tension between them to actually evolve and not just being thrown immediately into their romance without them actually having chemistry. When they were together it was cute and I enjoyed it very much when in the second half of this volume an actual story started and I am interested in their research trip and that is the main reason I want to read the 2nd volume, the romance part left me hoping for more though, so it's a 3.5/5 for me.

Thanks to @netgalley and @kodansha_jp for this copy

Como lectora poco habitual de manga, siempre me da la sensación de que la historia avanza demasiado rápido. Y aquí he sentido exactamente eso.

Aun así, y partiendo de una premisa que puede parecer un poco manida, rica heredera desgraciada, salva y se enamora de un criminal condenado a muerte, el inicio de esta saga promete ciertas dosis de romance y oscuridad bastante bien equilibradas.

Las interacciones de la pareja protagonista también dejan hueco a un pequeño toque de humor.

Me ha gustado mucho el estilo creativo, de fuertes contrastes, con muchas sombras.

Espero con ganas la continuación de la saga

ENG: As an unusual manga reader, I always get the feeling that the story moves too fast. And here I felt exactly that.

Still, and starting from a premise that may seem a bit hackneyed - a rich, unfortunate heiress saves and falls in love with a criminal condemned to death - the beginning of this saga promises certain doses of romance and darkness that are quite well balanced.

The interactions of the main couple also leave room for a little touch of humor.

I really liked the creative style, with strong contrasts, with many shadows.

I look forward to the continuation of the saga

ohhhhh yikes this really said who's pacing? what's natural character progression? where's tension? I got whiplash so many times in this like each chapter needed to be its own volume AT LEAST

I absolutely love this story. I feel like you’re quickly shoved in but with some flashbacks, you understand more of the story quite quickly as well. I’d love to see this not only published but on something like Webtoon - where you get snippets each week. It’s a beautiful story so far & I’m now eagerly awaiting what is going to happen.

I read through this rather quickly. I found the story line very engaging and fast paced. I loved the romance aspect of it very much. I’m excited to see more character growth through future volumes.

Snow and Ink Vol. 1 introduces us to a murderer, Neneo, as he is bought before being executed by a wealthy outcast, Freya. The first few chapters takes us on the journey as the pair traverse up north and learn about each of the characters past.

This is honestly where my biggest hiccup with this volume lies. There is soooo much background information crammed in four chapters. The fifth chapter finally slows down a hair and allows the story to breathe a hair. It is honestly what saved me from 2-starring this and has me willing to pick up Vol. 2. I loved the art style so it is a shame that they didn’t let that shine a little more.


I hope Vol. 2 is better but if not then that’s where this story will end for me.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy for this review.

Although I liked the art style and concept I hadn’t realised quite how dark and violent this would be so had to DNF for my own mental health :(