The art looked good, I recently invested in a Colorsoft kindle in hopes that more Manga will be published in full color. The story was decent, left me wanting to continue the series.

Review of Snow & Ink 1 by Miyuki Unohana

Snow & Ink 1 by Miyuki Unohana is an exquisite start to a series that blends beauty, mystery, and emotional depth in a way that lingers long after the last page is turned. Unohana’s writing is poetic and immersive, effortlessly drawing the reader into a world of quiet elegance, where the subtle interplay between the natural world and human emotion takes center stage.

The novel introduces a protagonist whose journey is both personal and poignant. As the story unfolds, readers are taken into a world that is deeply connected to nature and art, with a delicate balance between the two. Unohana masterfully explores themes of identity, loss, and the healing power of self-expression. The protagonist’s search for meaning and understanding in a world full of beauty and sadness resonates deeply, making their journey one that feels both timeless and deeply human.

Unohana’s world-building is elegant and detailed. The setting, often described through sensory-rich imagery, feels like a character in itself. The snow, the ink, and the fleeting moments of beauty play into the emotional landscape, making every scene feel tangible and alive. The slower, more reflective pace allows for deeper exploration of the character’s thoughts and emotions, giving the reader a chance to reflect alongside them.

The pacing is gentle but steady, with moments of introspection balanced by small yet impactful plot developments. The romantic elements are subtle but meaningful, and the connections between characters evolve naturally as the story progresses.

What truly sets Snow & Ink 1 apart is Unohana’s ability to balance the quiet, intimate moments with the larger emotional arcs. There’s an almost meditative quality to the storytelling, which draws the reader in without overwhelming them.

Overall, Snow & Ink 1 is a beautifully written, evocative novel that promises much more to come. For those who enjoy stories that are rich in atmosphere, emotional depth, and subtle romance, this is a must-read. Miyuki Unohana has created a world that is as delicate as it is compelling, and readers will no doubt be eager to see where the journey leads in the next installment.

I started reading Snow & Ink because the topic fascinated me. Unfortunately, the further I got, the more I noticed that the jumps within the story were much too big for me. For my taste, I was missing too many important details within the story. In addition, the relationship between the two progressed too quickly for me during this time. Which makes it a shame, because I was really looking forward to the story. Maybe it would have done the story good to have more pages. Then it would have been possible to fill the time jumps.

Thank you to the author/artist and publisher for the ARC I received.

This was a fun one to read. It’s definitely for a unique setup/plot compared to other mangas I have read before. The art style is also gorgeous. Not only are the people drawn well, but their clothes are done very nicely, and there have been a few really gorgeous landscape drawings as well that I loved. The story and characters are really interesting and I’m curious where the story will go. Both of the main characters have a really sad backstory that I’d like to know more about. But also I just want them to live in peace away from the drama. The one downside is that the pacing feels off in the beginning. It seems like they fall for each other very fast but I read online that the authors says they actually spend a few months together, it’s just not shown. I really wish we got to see a bit of that time period, because as-is, it appears to be almost insta-love, which I am not a fan of. Otherwise, it’s a really interesting story that I would recommend checking out! I would give this a 3.25/5 stars, maybe a 3.5/5. It’s a little hard to rate because I really like some parts but I don’t like the pacing.

3 stars

I had some mixed feelings about this graphic novel.

Snow & Ink had some interesting ideas and a unique premise, but ultimately fell short of it's potential. The characters felt a little flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with them emotionally. The plot, while intriguing in the beginning, felt a bit rushed and lacked depth in my opinion.
The writing itself was decent, but nothing particularly noteworthy.

I do like the cover, it's appealing to see. The artwork is very pretty. The concept of a world without emotions was certainly a unique concept.

Snow & Ink is a decent read with some interesting ideas, but it's not a must-read if u ask me. If you're open to exploring a unique world, you might enjoy it.

The synopsis and the start of the manga made want to dive into the story. When I did, though, I felt it was full of clichés.

A woman buys a hateful criminal and wants him to be her bodyguard (which he hardly is at first). They go north to a hut where they live and start their life together as a couple? The manga went from a potential dark setting and characters to a fluffy romance in the span of two chapters.

There is more to it than it seems to the characters. I get that you can have good reasons for doing certain things but that doesn't make it okey...and all the story does is redeem their doings.

Sentenced to death for the brutal massacre of his village, Neneo faces certain execution—until he is unexpectedly purchased by Freya, a wealthy yet emotionally detached heiress with her dark past. Together, they embark on an exile to the far north, where they are forced to confront their inner demons. As they navigate the icy wilderness, an unlikely bond begins to form between the condemned killer and the wounded heiress. But their shared solace is fragile, as the shadows of their pasts threaten to destroy any chance of redemption.

Tropes
- Grumpy vs. emotionally numb dynamic
- Unlikely companions
- Redemption through love
- Healing past traumas
- Found family in unexpected places

It delivers a gripping tale of love, redemption, and survival against the harshest of landscapes—both external and internal. The story’s emotional depth is matched only by its stunning, atmospheric artwork, which brings the icy northern wilderness to life and underscores the isolation and fragility of its characters.

Neneo and Freya are masterfully crafted protagonists, each burdened by a traumatic past. Neneo’s stoic acceptance of his dark fate contrasts with Freya’s quiet numbness, creating a dynamic that is as fascinating as it is poignant. As they journey together, their relationship evolves slowly and naturally, giving weight to each moment of trust and vulnerability. Their connection is not just romantic but deeply human, reflecting the universal need for connection and understanding in the face of suffering.

The plot is intricately woven with moments of mystery, tension, and introspection. Readers are left questioning the true nature of Neneo’s crimes and the extent of Freya’s hidden pain, drawing them deeper into the story. The twists and revelations are subtle yet impactful, ensuring the narrative remains as compelling as it is thought-provoking.

With its richly drawn characters, emotionally resonant storytelling, and breathtaking visual style, Snow & Ink is a perfect choice for fans of My Happy Marriage and historical fantasies that explore the complexities of love and redemption. It is a poignant start to what promises to be an unforgettable series.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Snow & Ink, Vol. 1 by Miyuki Unohana was a swift-moving dichotomy of light and dark themes following an ex-heiress and her murderer slave. This was a strangely beautiful manga volume switching between despair and hope as the couple finds a friend and a future in unexpected places. This is so different than anything I've read, and I'm excited to continue with volumes in the future.

I enjoyed it more than I expected!

The initial impressions of the main characters changed when I learned more about their back story. It has a nice blend of romance but rather fast-paced. Art is nice though!

Reviewed for School Library Journal. This is a fast-paced romance with the two leads falling straight into their relationship, which is refreshing given how many slow-burn stories are out there. Unohana creates an emotional connection to both leads very quickly in this volume.

Original concept and great art! I enjoyed this first volume in the manga and can’t wait to continue this series!

I have been trying to branch out into new genres of manga lately and I’m really glad I have. Snow and Ink is a wonderful manga with a melancholy edge and beautiful art style and story. I was quickly engrossed by the tale and despite their oddness I really like Neneo and Freya. I will definitely be following this one. It’s the perfect mix of good story, brilliant characters and unique plot.

As always thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

Please see my full review in Booklist for a full analysis of this work. Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to review this manga professionally.

I really loved this story. It's already got me hooked and I can't wait to learn more. Thank you for the arc.

The story is good so far. I can’t wait to find out what happened to Neneo people. I also can’t wait to see them grow so much closer together. I love how they open, accept each other, and how they protect each other. Neneo will follow Freya until the end of days. The art style is amazing. I can’t wait to read next volume.

While the premise sounded very promising and the artstyle is beautiful, the pace of this story is weird at best and too fast in my opinion. The center of the story are Nanao and Freya, but their relationship developed too fast and too much time passed between chapters and none of it was shown. They are interesting characters individually, and they make sense togehter, but there was absolutely no build-up to their relationship. I did find their life situations interesting, especially the way they affect them still.
I will be continuing this series because I'm curious to see how the things turn out.

First a big thank you to NetGalley, the Author and the Publisher for giving me a change to read this lovely story.

At first I wasn't exactly sure of what was happening but I might have been reading to much at once and therefor might have mixed up my stories.

I enjoyed the narrative and the graphics of the story and I feel like it has potential.
So I am curious to where it is going and how they will further adapt to one and another.
The romance could have used a little more build-up, but all in all this was a cute and fun read.

For a first volume, this a good intro to our pair of couple. Its interesting so far and I'm intrigued how they gonna solve the mystery. Although, i think they falling in love is too abrupt just because they are living together. I want to see them yearn, learning about each other more before falling in love. The insta love is what pulled me a bit away from their story but other than this, they are quite cute together. I love her fiancee, he was so understanding and also clever. He doesnt let his feelings get in his way and was objective in achieving what he wants rather than being possessive but let the couple be.

Snow & Ink is set in a sort of pseudo Victorian-ish other world (they can make phone calls but there doesn't seem to be cars, that sort of thing) that follows a man accused of murder, on the brink of execution, bought by a young woman who's the disgrace of her town due to apparently running the economy into the ground (this is never really explained or expanded upon, at least in volume 1). It's a romance, and while the title is explained as "snow and ink are said to be two opposite things' after the first part of the story there's no real opposites here-- but they do like each other, and are traveling to perhaps? Find out the mystery of what happened to the man's village? Either way, the girl's ex-fiance is taking them there to investigate.

This was okay - the art was pretty standard and the story was a little fast (what do you mean suddenly they're in a relationship) with a lot of unanswered questions. I'm not sure if I'll continue on, but I might pick it up if I see a further volume out in the wild.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for the eARC in exchange for review!

This was very interesting. A young woman is outcast because she has ruined her family business and cost employees their jobs. She is now the black sheep of the family and she decides to leave.

On her way to the train station she comes across an execution that is about to happen, she rescues the man who is to be executed and they travel together.

He is a man who killed his family, she is a woman who killed her families business. As they travel together their story becomes a quest to find out what happened to his village.

Great story which unfolds gradually , accompanied by great artwork.