Ojousama wa Oyomesama

Manga, ongoing
I might get this whenever it's licensed in English. Have to be extremely selective now as realised my collection is really piling up and I'm lacking space for all of the books!

The main draw for this is the art. Very beautiful characters, well, just the two of them really so far, with the rest not featured much. But the premise is rather unbelieveable and weird. Not sure where this is headed in terms of plot/storyline and you definintely have to suspend disbelief. Hopefully the girl keeps her head screwed on tight (she's rather unbelievable as it is) and deals with the bad guy attitude of the male protagonist.

My Rating:
Story: C
Art: B+
Recommended? Think it'll be a rather ditzy read. I hope the girl remains spunky. Of course you wanna see them together, but think there will be difficult days ahead. :)

Bride of the Water God

Manga: Ongoing

My first Korean manga, or rather manhwa. I kept reading it wrong and it should be read from left to right. Only figured that something was wrong after nearly one volume! Hahhaha…

The drawings are nice, as has been consistently reviewed on other sites. I’m constantly wondering how the artist does all those intricate costumes. However, I do find the bodies so long that it becomes too unreal.

The story reminded me so much of Meripuri it’s quite incredible. Take for example, the guy who turns young/old during the day/night, and the forbidding mother, the (initially) reluctant bride, the close rival love interest, magic, etc. etc. etc…But still, perhaps as it’s Korean, there is a different feel to it. A bit draggy and slow so hopefully the future volumes will get going (realized this was the sentiment of Amazon commenters as well). Hopefully it won’t go in the region of 20 volumes either.

My Rating:
Story: B-
Art: B+
Recommended? Let’s see where this goes…

Goong (translated as “Palace”)

Manga: Ongoing
Drama (Princess Hours)

At 18 volumes and still ongoing, I’m not sure if this is going to go on and on forever. I haven’t seen the drama although I’m sure it was probably very popular (and long).

This manhwa has the usual shoujo storyline, involving royalty, but this is where it gets a lot more complex as there is politics involved. Also, the couple is already married though till now it’s pretty much a farce. There are a lot of court rules/etiquette/material and whilst this gives the artist good ideas for the costumes, it also provides a lot of stuff to digest as the dynamics of the couple unfold. This is pretty angsty sometimes and the girl is crying a lot cos she misses home, etc. and the guy is at his meanest and confused best.

The rival plays a significant part and unfortunately (fortunately?) tends to complicate the issue just nicely cos he tends to appear at the most timely (untimely?) situations when the girl and the guy are just about to have a tiff, etc. so he becomes her main confidante and tries to develop her feelings for him that way (like Spiderman my husband would probably say though I don’t know why).

For someone who doesn’t like more than 6-10 volumes, it is a bit long to plough through, esp as the end is not in sight.