Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #curse(6)

Magic, wizards and love all tidily wrapped up in a story with lots of lovely looking color pages.

Beautifully drawn art gave this story such a boost, especially the moments we got to see Eunwoo as a merman. Despite that however, I struggled a lot with loving the story. Eunwoo was the first merman bound under a family curse that usually fell to the first female in the generation. If he fell in love and that feeling was reciprocated he was cursed to turn to pearls and return to sea foam or rip the heart out of the one he loves to survive. Sadly for this guy, his whole life has pretty much been dedicated to longing for his childhood best friend, Taeho. I say sadly because despite being tied to the merman as a descendant of the shaman of the past, and fully being aware of the curse and his friends feelings; despite promising to be by Eunwoo‘s side forever, Taeho lived a selfish, self centred existence and consistently hurt Eunwoo deeply. Nearly all of Eunwoo‘s memories of their time together (especially past early childhood) were sad ones. Taeho would sleep with anyone, male or female, and hurt them too. He would have these relationships in clear sight of Eunwoo knowing his friends feelings. At first, I thought it was because he loved Eunwoo and wanted to keep him safe, but he only realised his feelings at the end. Sure, there may have been an element of looking after Eunwoo because he drove away any feelings of love, but it mostly seemed to be from self preservation. He was told that his fate was tied to Eunwo’s so he was happy to keep Eunwoo and therefore himself alive. I don’t like selfish lovers, irrespective of any grand gestures at the end. I fail to understand loving a selfish man who makes you cry and deliberately keeps you from love. It was simply not my thing. I would rather Eunwoo end up with the vice principal (who got treated shabbily btw) who was a kind man. Still, the epilogue was all fluffy feelings and love and HEA. But it was like a rose on a pile of manure for me, simply because Taeho was not a likeable lover I could respect. Sorry to those who enjoyed the story, I really tried and read every page hoping for Taeho to be redeemed. Alas, not for me :(

Orphan Azami Orikasa (17yo) is starting his special training at the Kuzunoha Magic Academy. His goal is to become a great National Magician and earn enough to support the orphanage where he grew up. There is one tiny problem; he is a forbidden Dark Mage in a school of Light Mages. Being found out would have dire consequences. Oh, and another little problem rose up. At the entrance ceremony he was revealed to Sagiri Tachitskasa, fellow freshman, powerful son of a royal magic family, light mage. Oh, and a werewolf on the cusp of fully turning only to be saved by dark magic. This is a great way to start a story, and while it delivers on magical background and chemistry between Azami and Sagiri, it sadly fails to do justice to the underlying plot of why Sagiri was cursed, where his brother is, what secrets are his family holding and what deeds did the brother participate in to become so twisted? Instead it’s left as a convenient curse that binds the two boys together. Lots of potential for more chapters, or even a sequel. Still interesting though.

Completed story A really enjoyable story based upon a light novel. I liked the MCs, and the girl power friendship,plus the yandere side to the ML. The ending was definitely rushed and didn’t cover quite a lot that was in the novel. It would have probably benefited from another 30 chapters including sides.

Completed story Opinion: I adored this beautiful story with all its genuine characters and good humour. Main couple: 10/10 FL: 10/10 - Ginger Torte. 17yo romance lover who was truly adorkable. She acted her age, full of immature moments that delivered secondhand cringe but also laughter. Very likeable and quirky. ML: 10/10 - King Izana. Young king who had been locked up in the tower most of his life due to his curse was serious but blossomed under the influence of Ginger, finding joy and laughter in life. Story/Concept: Ditsy yet kind hearted romance lover x Cursed prince who doesn’t trust. There was so much sweetness in this story and it was really wonderful to see characters who acted their age. Ginger is young and a romantic, and fell for Izana at first sight. Her mind was full of idealistic love and perverted thoughts. She was the same inside and out and seeing the smiles she brought to others kept me turning the pages for more of her unique brand of charm Tropes: Stock shoujo heroine. Maid outfit. Luminescent blush. Bishie sparkles. Berserk button. I want my lover to be happy. Ending: Loved it. Art: Pretty and full colour. Smut: Implied. TW's: Suicide references.

Completed Opinion: Cute, sweet, and fluffy (pun intended) Main couple: 8/10 FL: 8/10 - Lady Zernoa de Rhanterra/Larissa. Raised poor, was sold to the Duke de Rhanterra to replace his daughter and capture the crown prince. Protective of her family, she starts to find joy when she rescues a cute rabbit. ML: 8/10 -Grand Duke Hadelrune de Strelitz/Rune. “Cursed” by a fairy to be a rabbit and find love. A renowned soldier and avoider of women and rabbits he can’t dodge his fate to be a cute cottontail with a thumping heck of a protective kick. Genuinely supportive and kind to Larissa. Story/Concept: A sweet idea that enabled the pair to cross social boundaries in an unique manner. Rabbit rune was endearing and by the time the FL met his human version they had already become very close. Tropes: Shoujo. Historical. Curse. Beast form. Royalty. Nobility. Identity charade. Ending: Happy. A few loose ends, a little rushed. Art: Pretty and colourful. Adult male characters had very large eyes and youthful features, they all looked like kids playing dress up though they did improve a little as story progressed. Smut: None. TW's: Suicide. Child abuse. Drugs.