Wow. This was not what I expected. SO much happens in just volume 1! First we meet Freya, a crybaby girl protected by her town while her mother is sick and her brothers are soldiers protecting the kingdom from invasion. War comes to neighboring towns and Freya grows concerned but her "brothers" arrive! I put "brothers" because they are actually 2 boys Freya saved from slavery when they were all children.

In a very short time we see one brother Freya loves killed, another trying to fill his shoes, and Freya become a stand in for the prince who has just died! She is his identical twin in a plot twist I'm not sure was revealed in this volume but will probably be elaborated on later.

We see Freya struggle with loss and self-doubt while also trying to force herself to be strong for her loved ones who are still alive and depending on her. It's hard but you find yourself rooting for her while reading! I'm definitely keen to read volume 2!

The art for this manga is beautiful, but the story is lacking a bit. It's enjoyable enough, but I can't help but feel like there is something missing. Also, I found Freya to be a bit annoying. She is way too much of a crybaby; she spent almost the entire book crying over something (or nothing really). The cliff hanger at the end at least has me a bit interested to see what happens next.


Thank you Netgalley for the free eARC to use for review purposes.

Prince Freya hits a bunch of things that I love: mistaken identity (sort of on purpose), obvious childhood friends to lovers, fantasy realms, a protagonist who is trying to better herself. I'm definitely going to be purchasing this title for my library; the teens who love Yona of the Dawn are especially going to love Prince Freya!

Prince Freya is like a teen version of Game of Thrones. I want her to succeed so badly at falling into the role of the Prince, but she has a lot to learn. We'll have to see in future volumes if she can keep up the premise or if she will get caught. I found this engaging and suspenseful..

For being the first book in a series, the world was well-developed as were the main characters you're initially introduced to. Enough backstory is given to flesh out events taking place prior to the series to make you feel enough for the characters that you want to know more about the stakes, their stories, and what will happen next. I was hooked in the first few chapters, and by the end of it, I wanted the next volume immediately.

I enjoy Freya as a character and the hinted political and domestic problems that may arise from her taking the place of the Prince. Even in one volume, she has evident development while retaining so much of who she was from the first chapter that it really feels like she’s trying to adjust to everything. She hasn’t just “gotten” it. I’m hoping the next volumes continue to depict her struggle and honest emotions with her new life as well as more development and fleshing out of the world, politics, and characters.

Ahh, I can't wait to read more of this series! The twists and turns we went through just in the first volume were so shocking and I can't wait to hurt more as the story goes on. You really understood the stark contrast in lifestyles the main character had to face and I can't wait to see her grow as the series goes on.

The only thing I would prefer is more time at the start really getting to know these character's lives beforehand, I feel like some of the emotional moments would've hit harder if this had happened. I also felt the start seemed a bit rushed, personally I really like a slow start where we really get to know everyone, but I understand that this isn't for everyone and some people may even find this start too slow!

Ok so this art style is gorgeous and everyone is so hot! Like damn how can a drawing make me feel this way?! Aleksi is just the epitome of gorgeousness and I cannot wait to spend more time with him as the series goes on. This volume has the set up to become one of my favourite comic & graphic novel series, cannot wait for the next volume!

Thank you.

ARC provided by VIZ Media via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Prince Freya seems to follow some of the typical cliches that you'll either really love if you're a fan of them or be super annoyed. I'm in the middle here as this was a new author for me and sometimes, stories start off like a cliche only to move on and add different twists. The twists comes in this volume toward the end so I guess I'll have to read the next volume to find out how the events will all play out. The art style seems to be a blend of old and new. The characters have a flowery look to them as so far they all seem to be in a beauty content haha. So far the main character seems to be off putting for me as she is willing to do things for others but when it comes to herself, she seems to not care as much. This may change as it is only volume one and we can't get a comprehensive look into her character just yet as the events unfold in a way that only gives you glimpses of her character rather than a good synopsis. The extra side characters and leads also seem a bit two dimensional at the moment, with their intentions all to clear to the reader. Hopefully the next volume will leave change my mind and show me the characters' depth.

I read this on a kindle and I do admit to finding this difficult. It is working out who each character is that I find hard.

The plot though seems to leave a number of questions. Aaron and Alek were clearly sent to bring Freya to the Prince but they wanted to protect her. Why is this? Who are Skaldi and Freya, what is their connection with the Prince? These questions are not answered in the series so far. Is the Chancellor Murkhani to be trusted? Are Julius and his master loyal to the Prince? These questions are raised in the fast moving plot. The characters are developing over a period of time. There is an opportunity for Freya, Alek and Julius to work together to rescue Mikal in the next book, what will befall them all? I want Freya and Alek to survive and grow as characters, to people Aaron in particular would be proud of. This first book seems to be developing the characters to grow into the next few books. So I have already learnt to care for these two in particular.

The setting of the book is alien but already I do not want Freya and Alek to let anyone down with regard to the take over of their country. Sigurd is the baddie at the moment I wonder if there will be future twists?

I have so many questions that this book has raised and as an introduction to a series I think it setting the scene well. Future books iwill contribute to a good adventure series with a few mysteries to solve.

This was very good. Not only did I enjoy the art style, but I also enjoyed the story and the characters. I can’t wait for the second installment.

My second ever manga to review and this one is amazing! I'm intrigued to see how Freya manages to overcome her insecurities in order to better imitate Prince Edvard. The Prince and Freya both look similar and she's been tricked (sort of) into playing his role when he dies unexpectedly. Freya's friends Alek and Aaron come to visit after being way. Freya is beyond excited to see them again and it even seems like Aaron has romantic feelings for her. And then everything goes unexpectedly to hell xD. Freya is attacked by soldiers of an enemy kingdom but thankfully Aaron steps in to save her. She is taken the Prince Edvard's castle hold where she runs into him, ultimately setting off the events that lead her to take over his personality. I don't want to give away too much but it was a great read!

A visually stunning manga, Prince Freya tells the story of a sheltered girl pulled from her simple life into a world of turmoil. While there are many points of the plot that are not original, it is woven into an interesting story filled entertaining characters. As per usual with manga, it is a good intro into the series and feels like a first installment with story and character introduction. It gives the reader enough to hook them on the story and coming back for next book in the series.

Keiko Ishihara's art is stunning, and she gives so many expressions to the heroine it's very nice to see. Freya is from a small village and her two child hood friends come to visit and protect her rather than take her like they had been ordered too. Freya is a crybaby but she starts to grow a little by the end of the chapter having her world tossed upside down and having to be someone that she is not. There's secrets wrapped around Freya and her mother that leaves you wanting to know what else is going on. I can't wait to get my hands on the second installment to see what else Freya is going to get into and watch her grow and her child hood friend.

This is the first work I've read from Keiko Ishihara, and it won't be the last.

Freya grows up in a small village and has two adoptive brothers, who she hasn't seen in awhile since they are both great warriors for the kingdom. When they finally come home for a visit, everything's wonderful until a treacherous plot to take over the kingdom destroys her happiness. As the prince of the kingdom is murder...an event which can only bring more chaos and harm...her uncanny similarities to him lead to the request that she take his place (unknown to but a few). But it's not simply learning to be a royal and a prince, which makes things difficult. She needs to save the kingdom.

The plot has some familiar attributes but mixes it a couple original ideas, which is why I grabbed this one up. Along with the lovely cover, it seemed to be an interesting read, and it is. Freya is laid out nicely, her relationship to her brothers presented clear and in an intriguing way. The brothers themselves are lacking a little personality, but I'm assuming this will be caught up on in the rest of the series. Right now, this comes across as a ground laying installment, and that's what it does.

The emotions and moments come across nicely in the graphics, and Freya gives off a sympathetic atmosphere. The world is presented with just the right amount of needed visual details to draw in, and the text flows in great balance.

I found the tale engaging and was excited to learn more as the moments unfolded. There is quite a bit of tension and intrigue as well as a dab of romance. There were moments which things sped along a bit too quickly, leaving a few holes. Which was too bad. But it was definitely a fun read, and I can't wait to see what adventures await Freya and how she'll handle them.

Freya is a village girl who protected by everyone around her. She is sensitive and cries easily. Prince Edvard, the leader of Tyr has been injured. He is needed to keep the nation strong. Luckily for Tyr Freya looks a lot like him. Will she be up to the challenge?

There is a rich world in the book. The story is fun and the art is beautiful. This is a more historical fiction than I usually read, but I enjoyed it and I think my students in manga club would also love it.

the artwork is really stunning, light and pretty. Freya is a normal village girl caught up in intrigue, taking over the prince's role. Looking forward to reading the rest of the mangas.

The art is lovely. Some of my favorite from the manga world. It's got an almost otherworldly feel to it. It's detailed and just light and pretty.

The story is another matter.... I don't hate the story but there's just some parts that make no sense to me and kinda threw me out of the story but as I've found, don't judge the first volume in a series like this. Why? So much set up is done so the story can actually move forward.

There's a nice little cliffhanger that really does make me want to pick up the next volume. So I can't wait to see where this goes. I just hope the story can live up to the art!


Review will go live on the blog: 3/25/2020

Absolutely stunning artwork and a great story that goes from lighthearted to SUPER dark in a blink and back again. Definitely going to be looking to see where this one goes in the future.

Prince Freya (Volume 1) by Keiko Ishihara, 188 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. VIZ Media, 2020. $10.
Language: PG (3 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Sixteen-year-old Freya just wants to take care of her loved ones in this time of war, which is hard to do when she’s always crying. When Freya tries to warn her friends of what she overheard the enemy say, she ends up central in her country’s new plan in the war. Does she have what it takes to lead?
My favorite thing about this book is Ishihara’s beautiful and emotion-filled illustrations. The premise of Freya’s story has piqued my interest, though I’m still a little confused about everyone’s roles; watching how things unfold in volume two is sure to be interesting. I can’t decide how I feel about Ishihara’s commentary throughout the story; I like the insights, but they felt a little disruptive, and I think they would be better as an author’s note at the end rather than placed intermittently in the book. The mature content is for innuendo, and the violence rating is for gore and death.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This first volume of Prince Freya really jumps right into to the plot. The characters are interesting and I liked that their introductions are brief and you need to continue reading to get to know them fully. The artwork is very well done and I'm excited to continue reading the series.

A promising start to the series with beautiful art and a spirited main character. I loved Freya and there's so much potential for her development and journey: I'm looking forward to seeing where she will go next.

What prevented me from enjoying the story as much as I would liked to was the uncomfortable and unsettling ways that some of the male characters act around Freya. As keen as I am to see more of her and her development, at this point I'm a lot more wary about some of the rest of the main cast.