This was a quick read for me and I enjoyed it. The author laid the groundwork for this series, introducing and building up the characters.

I'm excited to see how the story progresses and looking forward to seeing Freya grow into a stronger character.

Thanks NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC.

The premise of this manga seemed up my alley so I was looking forward to reading it. A murderer and a disgraced heiress find each other when they are both in need of something: can they find it together or is their past too large an obstacle?

At this point I am only semi hooked on the story and characters. This volume is mostly back story and character introduction so it is hard to say if it is going to live up to the potential I see or just be a more basic story with nothing that stands out. I look forward to reading the next volumes though to find out.

The art was beautifully done, there were some fuzzy moments but as I was reviewing the proof for ARCs that is probably the reason why so I won’t hold it against it.

I can’t say this is a must read because there just wasn’t enough to have me entirely hooked. I will say though if the story premise and art style appeal to you then you should give it a go because the potential is there for an amazing story.

This was an interesting story following two people with very different backgrounds getting to know each other. There were some sweet moments and while I am curious to see where the story goes, manga ARCs tend to have long release breaks so I don't expect to be able to get to volume 2 any time soon.

This was definitely an interesting premise! Freya, disgraced from her affluent family, is looking to be anywhere away from where she is. She buys Neneo, a criminal, to work for her and be her bodyguard. Each character has its own flaws. This felt a little disjointed in its character development, leaving lots of questions as to what happened and why it was unfolding as it did, which I hope is answered in future volumes. I enjoyed the artwork and storytelling, though the relationship between Freya and Neneo seemed very rushed. I look forward to reading more to see how this storyline unfolds for both characters!

3.5 Stars

An intriguing start about a disgraced heiress who saves a convicted murderer and how they find in each other acceptance, peace, and possibly redemption.

I really liked the theme of this where there’s always two sides to a story and of course, this applies the most to main characters Freya and Neneo.

Toss in an ex-fiance and other family members with possibly dubious intentions, and I look forward to the next installment to find out more!

Thank you to the author and Kodansha Comics via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review posted to GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6853923459

I initially picked up this book because the typography caught my attention, and the fact that it was published by Kodansha Comics. They've never failed me, and all of their localization choices are solid.

I love the cover design, and how the characters are placed against the stark white background. It feels like they're in a snowstorm, in a way. The slanted text and the diagonal lines remind me of spider webs and fate.

Freya is a young heiress who was in charge of two business deals that went awry, and she took full responsibilitiy for it. Earning the ire of the general public as well as her family, she's sent out to exile in the north. She buys out a criminal to be her bodyguard, and the two outcasts become closer as they rely on eachother. It's really sweet how they show affection, and how attentive they are to each of their needs. It's heartwarming to see these two find happiness even though they're rejected by most people around them. The romance is fast paced, and the two never confirm their feelings for eachother on-screen, but they get along well and they have good chemistry

Volume 1 focuses on establishing the characters and their past, and it seems like there's more plot to come, with Freya's perfect sister Anna looking for her whereabouts. We're never told the full story about Freya's relationship with her family, but it seems like Anna's her foster sister who is worshipped by everyone she meets and hasn't met. I'm curious to learn more about why Anna would send her maid out all alone to search for her. I'm excited to read more!

Kodansha Comics provided an early galley for review.

The figures against the stark white background immediately jumped out at me when parusing upcoming releases. That design and the description of the series really caught my interest.

The story engages the reader's curiosity right from the start. Who are these two? What forces have drawn them together? How long before they share the secrets and feelings behind the facades they wear in public? I was very intrigued.

Of course, the story gets complicated by the romantic elements (which happen a lot quicker than I've seen in other manga - I liked this change of pace) as well as the revelation of a secret that Freya keeps from Neneo until a letter arrives. This raises the tension in the tale quite quickly. What exactly is Halvard's true intentions and what secrets does he have? The whole story moves very fast, setting up situations for future volumes.

I very much enjoyed Unohana's clean art style. It flows very well with faces that are expressive and clothing that is quite fashionable. These are things I often look to manga to provide.

My son and daughter taught me to love anime. And now, I adore Manga.

The intricate ink drawings in this book are exquisite. And it's truly the artwork and design that make this book come alive.

Even if you haven't seen the show, you will be drawn into the story. Definitely a must-read.

Snow & Ink tells the story of a woman who used to have everything, but now everyone seems to hate her. Her life has completely fallen apart, and she’s left feeling alone and judged for mistakes from her past. Then, she meets Neneo, a man accused of murder, and in a twist, she decides to buy him. It’s a strange start to a connection, but their story takes you on this emotional ride where trust, survival, and redemption are at the heart of everything.

The artwork does a great job showing the difference between their worlds—her once-glamorous life now in ruins, and his dark, dangerous reality. Both characters are flawed, but that’s what makes their bond feel real. You can feel the tension between them, shaped by their shared brokenness and the harsh judgments they face. What starts off as a desperate situation turns into a love story that grows in the most unexpected way.

I’ve really enjoyed reading Snow & Ink so far. The chemistry between the leads and the unfolding mystery keep me hooked, and I’m excited to see where their journey takes them. I can’t wait for the next chapters!

Give me beautiful arts and an intriguing dynamic between the leads and I'm sold. This was a promising first volume to a series and I can't wait to see the kind of mystery and twists that these two will dig themselves into next.

Rating: 4.96 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 5/5
-Story: 4.75/5
-Writing: 5/5
Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Romance
-Comedy: 5/5
-Mystery: 5/5
-Romance: 5/5
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yes

Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.

What a refreshing story and by that I mean something I haven't read a million times. It had romance, mystery, and comedy. The pacing was a bit... fast. I won't lie. It did catch me off guard but it wasn't anything to bring down the story.

And for the people rating it low are the same people who either don't really read manga or like to read the same basic crap that is regurgitated. I don't usually make comments on the people who rate low, but this? This just boils my blood a bit.

I was so excited to read this manga but could barely complete it. The title and description was interesting and that's it. The first chapter developed my internet in the story. An abandoned elite who bought a murder to protect herself. But all that was forgotten in the very next chapter. He was nowhere near a murder his character was not even broody or rude. They both fell for eachother in the second chapter. And just became love birds? Story took a total twist and was nothing like it was mentioned in the description.

Freya is a very lame gurl who lets other bully and insult her. I don't know why I picked it

3.5 overall, the only issue I had was we were introduced to the characters but then the relationship status so quickly to devoted and love. But the premise is so interesting. Our MFC is ostracized by her family and people and pays for the freedom of our MMC so he will protector her as he is a famous murderer of 50 people. This begins their journey of accepting one another and showing each our compassion. I will totally look for the next volume to come out.

Very quick read for me, I am loving Manga & Graphic Novels at the moment and I enjoyed seeing how this one has been playing out and am hoping to see the story develop further.

The withdrawn (and banished) Freya buys the convicted murderer Neneo and the two of them head elsewhere to make a new life for themselves. But their pasts seem to follow them around, even as they grow very close in the present.

Bit of a mixed bag this one, succumbing to some wobbly storytelling while also being as manga as all get out at places, which is a feature for some and a bug for others. It ends stronger than it starts, but it’s reasonably good.

Our characters are both broken souls who end up together and I’m glad they don’t drag that out too long, nor do they gloss over the desperation of two people who both genuinely enjoy one another’s company, but are also partly together from sheer desperation.

Freya’s interesting for her failures; she is from an affluent family, but her kind nature lead to her being taken advantage of and that slowly caused her to harden as her bad decisions had wide consequences for more than just herself.

Neneo has reasons for his murders, no big shock there, but he’s also living with the knowledge that he left home with a dream and never really looked back until it was far, far too late. They make a good pairing, especially when Freya comes into her own towards the end.

The storyline feels entirely too choppy for my liking, however, especially at the start. When they are collapsed outside of a cottage and then shortly teleport inside and are warming up, it might have been nice to have at least something transitional there.

And whatever this is leading to won’t be nearly as interesting as our leads themselves, I fear. They fall in with Freya’s fiancé, Halverd, who is more grating than he is gentlemanly. His motivations and such don’t work for me either.

It’s a great romantic coupling, basically, let down by a subpar story that doesn’t appreciate the fine details. As much as I liked the way the relationship hit the ground running, it wouldn’t have hurt to let it breathe a bit more. It feels like a response to all those multi-volume arcs that take forever, just too much the opposite way.

3.5 stars - that extra half is entirely because of how interesting Freya gets by the end and some residual appreciation for her and Neneo. I might give it a second volume, but it didn’t wow me quite as much as I’d hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of this!

Snow & Ink was an interesting read, as I was going through it, I dnfed it for a bit but was too nosy to stop myself from picking it back up. The plot was already dark but when I realized it was going towards the way of potentially traumatizing more characters and a potential scientific discovery of the mistreatment for a whole town, it was enough for me to finish the story instead of complaining about character interactions.
Still not sure what I think of it though

I really loved the art in this book and was intrigued by the concept, but I couldn’t find my footing here. The flow is really disjointed and confusing. I liked the idea and the two MCs though and would probably give the second volume a try.

The artwork was beautiful I really enjoyed it! I’m trying to get into mangas so I don’t really know how they typically go but I was confused with this one. The premise of it sounded really good but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. The romance came out of nowhere and I’m still confused on what the storyline is. Maybe it’s just me since I’m just starting out with the genre.

And interesting concept taken in a decidedly uninteresting direction, I felt like the pacing was off and much too fast, with the characters not given enough time to develop the relations they end up having by the end of the volume. The art was good and it had its moments, but overall this was not a series I feel the need to continue.

This has potential to be good! I was drawn in to the story quickly! Romance was very quick but you know trama and all that sometimes bonds are fromed quicly. I was expecting more action but it turned out to be mostly was very insta love, not a bad thing but not often for me!i

Arc provided by NETGALLEY/ the publisher Kodansha Comics