Summary:

Himari and Mio are twins, but other than their looks, they couldn't be more different! For example, Mio is extremely open and extroverted. Meanwhile, Himari has always been a bit more on the shy side.

So when a horrible incident happens to Himari, she stays home from school. It used to be the thing she loved most in the world. But now she's afraid to step foot there. That is until her twin begs her to take her place, just for a day or two. She swears.

Review:

Sunbeams in the Sky, Vol. 1, is a cute introduction to a new series. Himari and Mio may look like twins (because they are), but they don't act like stereotypical twins. I found that to be pretty refreshing.

I should warn readers to go into Sunbeams in the Sky, Vol. 1, with an ounce of caution. The story does begin with something awful happening to Himari – the description doesn't shy away from that fact. But it also doesn't portray the depth of what happened. Readers uncomfortable with assault should steer clear or ask a friend to help them skip this section.

Okay, there is one part of this series that is a bit stereotypical when it comes to portraying twins -twin swapping. The two girls switch places and create lots of shenanigans because of it. That's the whole premise of the story, and that's where things get funny and cute.

Highlights:
Twins
Romance
Shoujo

Trigger Warnings
Assault

This was a fun story to read. Felt very nostalgic of a 90's movie about twins separated at birth and they trade places and no one seems to notice. I'm not sure how true that scenario will play out as the series continues, but I had a good time reading the first one. The characters are really likable, I look forward to seeing all the relationships grow.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #yenpress for an E-ARC of #SunbeamsintheSkyVol1 by Monika Kaname to read and review.

A Shojo with a twist! This story follows twin sisters Mio and Himwari. When one twin is attacked and subsequently afraid to leave the house her sister jumps in with a great idea, switch places to build her confidence again. The premise of this series is already starting off so well. You instantly get attached to the characters, and I'm rooting so much for them. I'm loving how the interpersonal relationships are evolving, especially that the sisters often have deeper conversations and act like real sisters. I cannot wait for volume two, which that teaser has me dying for. So sweet.


Read through NetGalley

2 out of 5 stars

This manga was just really boring to me and I didn't like the premise at all once I started reading it. It took me months to finish this because of how much I wasn't enjoying it (and finals but I probably would've taken the same time to finish this anyways). I think any sort of highschool based story just has to be really good for me to like it anymore because I have not been liking them at all. I guess if you like the whole sort of switched twin troupe this would be for you but it's just been done a lot better so many other times.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early NetGalley! This is still my honest review despite receiving the copy for free.

Twin sisters Himari and Mio are identical in appearance, but their personalities, interests, and skills differ. They go to two different schools, and when Himari becomes a homebody after being assaulted, her twin gets her back into the world by having Himari pretend to be Mio at her school on a few occasions. Adorable but unsurprising troubles ensue due the twin swap, including the sisters having crushes on two different dreamy boys!

However, I will say that this story has deeper and darker layers, particularly due to the assault Himari suffers and the post-traumatic stress it causes. The assault itself is not portrayed in much detail, which is good and understandable, BUT I did end up stopping and starting over because I completely misunderstood what happens to Himari in my initial read-through of the first chapter.

This first volume sets up what promises to be a cute, interesting series. The characters are all sweet and likable, making me want what’s best for everyone. It does end on a cliffhanger, and I am curious to see how it all plays out!

Full review posted to Goodreads on 3/25/23: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5363812597

Thank you to Yen Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sunbeams in the Sky, Vol. 1 by Monika Kaname is a lovely school story and shojo manga. The story revolves around Himari, a first-year high school student who experiences something traumatic. It causes her to become a shut-in, barely leaving her room. The solution comes when her identical twin sister Mio convinces Himari to pretend to be her and take her place, including going to Mio's school. Will anyone notice that Himari isn't Mio?

Overall, Sunbeams in the Sky is an adorable shojo manga that will appeal to fans of Natsumi Ando's Arisa or The Parent Trap. One highlight of this book is the story, which balances the dark, traumatic moments with moments of cuteness or humor. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that the art seemed a bit basic at times. There's only so many identical smiling faces that a reader can take. If you're intrigued by the description, or if you're a fan of shojo manga in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in April!

I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I thought this was a super cute manga. Identical twins who personality wise are different essentially get up to twin mischief and switch places for a few days. Obviously this gets complicated and there are some mishaps that happen along the way.

I think the one thing to note about this manga is the main character, Himari, has a traumatizing experience in the very beginning and can't be around boys. I think that is worth noting in case anyone needs that trigger warning. However, it does not go into much detail as to what exactly happens other than she was attacked and then saved.

Cute start to a manga. I would be interested to see where it goes from here.

Such a cute manga! Himari and Mio are twins but the only thing really alike about them are their looks. Mio is outgoing and energetic while Himari is more reserved. Mio suggests Himari take her place at school-it seems like it’s only a matter of time before someone finds out what’s going on. Himari is incredibly relatable in the way she tries to overcome her fears so she can enjoy life again. Tsukiyono lives up to his nickname and is an absolute prince. I need the next volume so I can find out what happens with all of them! Thank you NetGalley and Yen Press for the arc.

4/5

Sunbeams in the Sky is about a set of twins, Himari and Mio, who for the first are finally going to a different in high school. Himari is excited to go to her new prestigious school after working hard and passing the entrance exam. But after a horrid event happens, Himari stops going to school altogether. In her attempt to help her sister, Mio asks Himari to go to her school pretending to be her. Himari reluctantly agrees, but there she finds that maybe high school isn’t so bad.

A very sweet manga! I really liked the relationship of Himari and Mio. The plot is straightforward and this story is be try easy to get into. I’m interested to see how the story will progress and all the drama that is sure to ensue.

The art is beautiful and the main character designs are cute. This first volume was a little slow paced but I think everything and everyone was introduced well. Also, where’s their parents??

I’m looking forward to continue reading this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for an early copy of this series.

The plot summary for this series does not entirely convey how wholesome the twin’s relationship is. Mio decides to help Himari after she experiences trauma that prevents her from returning to school. How does she help her? She convinces her to swap places. I think this series has a solid start and I’m curious to see where the plot goes. If you like the body-swapping trope, I think you would be interested in this series' premise.

4.5 stars!

This manga is super adorable and I think it will appeal to a lot of readers!

After an attack Himari is unable to attend high school due to trauma. However, her caring sister Mio devises a plan to have her sister take her place from time to time at her own school to slowly help bring her sister back in to the world. Mio has a strong support system of friends that prove to be valuable to Himari and allow her to feel comfortable as she acts as her sister from time to time.

The twin switcharoo plot has been done before but I think this one if a fresh take as there is no apparent sibling rivalry or unnecessary drama. They seem to really care about one another and get along well which I enjoyed seeing. The art is very pleasing and cute as well which makes it nice to look at!

I will be anxiously awaiting the future volumes to see how the romances develop and how Himari continues to progress in the world.

My reviews are done in video format. I recommend following the link below to view the content as I've intended it.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRWuK8fe/

Hello everyone, I'm here today to review Sunbeams in the Sky by Monkia Kaname. For full disclosure the publisher gave me a copy for this review.

This manga is about literal twin heroines, Mio and Himari. These genetically identical sisters have always been inseparable, that is, until Himari decides to strike out on her own to attend the high school of her dreams. Mio is devastated by the loss but wants her sister to be happy even if they can't be together all the time.

Everything is going swimmingly until Himari reveals that some boy at her school has confessed to her. Himari would rather stay focused on her studies and turns the guy down gently. He...does not take the rejection well. Some extremely traumatic events later and Himari cannot bring herself to go back to school and barely leaves her room.

Himari's wonderful high school life appears to be completely destroyed, but luckily for her, Mio has a wild idea: Himari should pretend to be her and go to high school in her place. As she impersonates Mio, Himari slowly re-acclimates to being around other people and even gets some bizarre pseudo-friendships out of the situation and maybe something more with mild-mannered hottie, Tsukiyono. It's a lot like the Parent Trap, but for your anime high school friends. It's adorable, go check it out.

Sunbeams in the Sky follows twins Himari and Mio, who are attending different high schools when Himari is involved in an incident that results in trauma, and her no longer attending school. In an effort to help her twin feel comfortable returning to school., Mio asks Himari to go to school in her place while she is sick.

From the summary, I was worried this manga would have a bit too much slice of life for me, but I was happy to be proven wrong. I really like the way trauma is handled in this volume, as well as the healing process and support Mio shows Himari. This first volume was so cute, LOVE the art style, and I am enjoying the characters so far. I'm really looking forward to the next volume. Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

This is a very cute, easy to read story.
I’m already semi attached to the characters and can’t wait for volume 2 to read more about Himari and Moi, their relationship is so sweet.

It was a very cute manga, I loved the story which, even if it remains simple and quite predictable, is very entertaining.
The drawings are beautiful, I liked the styles of the different characters. A great discovery!

The beginning of Sunbeams in the Sky opens with an assault on one of the main female leads Himari. Very quickly, the tone of the novel shifts from what in actuality would be a serious event that causes Himari to continuously skip school, to the happy-go-lucky idea to switch places with her twin sister Mio so that she can acclimate herself to attending school and having fun once again. I wasn't thrilled with the way the beginning of this manga unfolded, however I think it quickly found its lane as a lighthearted high school romance story. It's nice to have some short read series available, and it can be appreciated for what it is.

Sunbeams in the Sky is actually a shounen romance, which is great in itself and it's only three books long. We surely need shorter series in English too. Himari and Mio are twins, but they go to different schools, because Himari wanted so. Himari gets assaulted at her school and can't attend school anymore, so she's a shut-in basically. Mio then wants to help her and makes Himari pretend to be her in order to get her sister to grow accustomed to everything again and make friends. In a sense this felt all too easy considering the trauma, which makes this unreal and even annoys at times. No one seems to notice the girls' differences and everything is so easy that it bugged me. Since the series is only three books long, I somehow think this won't evolve enough. This is only slightly more realistic than if the series had been shoujo.

The art is OK, works well with the atmosphere and at least the guys look different compared to similar series. The manga isn't too mushy at least yet and the romance is quite cute and slow enough to work. So an OK manga altogether.

Reading this first volume was a lot like getting on a rollercoaster, having it take off quickly, and shake you around a bit before slowing down to something more pleasant and familiar. I was not expecting. "I want to go to a different school from my twin!" to lead to violence against said twin and, her becoming a shut-in and then we start the "pretend to be me at school/work!" and maybe start a fluffy romance plotline. I got tonal whiplash, but I'm going to hold my judgement for now. Maybe the darker parts will come back a bit. This has the potential to go a lot of different ways as a series, and I want to see what path it takes.

There is twin sisters who swap places, one has had traumatic experience so it makes it hard to go to school and reluctantly goes in place for her sister. What was supposed to only happen once ends up occuring again.

Although they are twins, there are definitely differences between and I am curious on how long it takes others to realize the swap. Will swapping places really help or make it harder? What will happen with the guys close to them? The end of volume one hints something is about to happen.

The art is on the more simple side and the background is not too detailed but it works for this series.

I will be picking this series up when it releases.

Do note that it is already mentioned in the description about a traumatic incident happening to one of the twins.

4/5

- Huge thanks to the author and publisher for approving me a copy of this manga through NetGalley -

A very good first volume!
I definitely liked the setting, the plot and especially how the argument was treated.

In V2 there's definitely going to be more of it and I'm very looking forward to see how the author decides to develop the story.

A thing that I really appreciated was how easy it was to recognize the twins despite being ya know, twins lol
There was always a detail, a way of speaking, of dressing that made them alike but completely different.

I'm very interested in knowing more of both of them and, as I said, especially diving deeper into Himari's story.
There's definitely a huge potential here and the ending boost my curiosity to the moon.

PS. The 4 stars instead of 5 rating goes to the drawings, I found them simple, maybe too much sometimes especially in the backgrounds, I found the twins super spot on and something missing from the rest.