Surprisingly cute, given the premise. In the first of five chapters, disgraced noble Freya purchases condemned criminal Neneo to accompany her as a guard into somewhat self-imposed exile. Neneo is resigned to his own position as social pariah, but on the journey he witnesses that same animosity expressed toward Freya, which leads to a kinship and from there a hope that they can build a life together, in spite of everything else.

Fast forward a few weeks (months?) and the unlikely duo are settling into village life - cooking, looking for work, avoiding gossipy neighbors. After the grittier introduction, I wasn’t expecting this turn toward domesticity and cutesy blooming romance, so it took a little bit to settle into the new pace of the story. I’m looking forward to seeing how future volumes will continue this lighter tone alongside Neneo’s tragic past and the burdens carried by societal outcasts.

Some sites have this manga tagged as adult/mature. So far, the only related content has been a few swears.

3.5
Snow and Ink is a story of a disgraced noble and the criminal she buys to protect her. It starts of bleak and depressing, with our MC being chased by angry citizens, and her new slave mocking her and threatening to kill her. But once the MC discovers that he’s hurt and tries desperately to get him help within a cold wasteland, the story takes a sudden turn toward more hopeful and lighthearted.
Honestly, it felt a little like the beginning and the rest of the story were somewhat disconnected, and that the romance moved a little too fast. It kind of didn’t make sense that the guy was being a total jerk and then does a complete 180 after she tries to help him and suddenly, they love each other? I don’t know, I found it very odd.
Of course, our criminal has a sad backstory, and I am intrigued to know more of just what happened that caused everything, but I kind of wish that the mangaka had added more of his kindness in the beginning to make his later flip make more sense instead of him constantly treating her like the dirt on his shoes. (And honestly, the trope of being a snarky, bad-mouthing guy who is just a total dirtbag to the FMC but will protect her nonetheless just doesn’t sell it for me. It just tells me he's someone who’s good at his job but isn’t paid enough to pretend to like his employer.)
The beginning aside, I did enjoy the later chapters of them living together in isolation and caring for one another as they try to rebuild their lives. From that point on, the story takes off and is much more enjoyable. I found it cute how they were both trying their best to support one another, and give each other what the other needs.
Overall, I think Snow & Ink has potential to be a really good story. But the beginning kind of sells it short.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a lovely beginning to a hopefully, long-running series. We are always looking for easily marketable titles to share with our teen customers.

2.5/5⭐ (rounded up)

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for providing me with an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review

In the first volume of the manga 'Snow & Ink', we are introduced to the mysterious criminal Neneo and the disgraced business heiress Freya. A daughter of the powerful Gibson business family, Freya has been exiled due to poor business decisions that lead to unknown (to us) losses. Neneo is a convicted murderer, accused of killing a multitude of people. On her way into exile, Freya takes pity on Neneo and purchases him to become her new porter and bodyguard. Before long, an unexpected relationship begins to bloom between the two.

This is an introductory volume to a romance story. Based on the premise I read, I thought there might be some intrigue and mysteries regarding the main characters' backstories to follow alongside the romance plotline. However, by the end of this volume Neneo's murders are already explained and the pair are already 'in love'. The concept is interesting, the historical setting a good fit, and the artwork very pleasant. I'm sure there will be more to the plot going forward, but unfortunately I don't think this series is for me so I won't be continuing with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing a copy for review. All opinions are my own.

2.5/5 rounded down

This unfortunately was a disappointment.

Snow and ink follows Freya, an heiress who is escaping her family after her sister becomes the family's head who buys Neneo, a murderer, to be her bodyguard to save him from execution.

The plot of this volume is confusing and a little convoluted. One minute Neneo is being cruel to her and the next minute she's kissing him. By the end of the volume several months have passed and they're saying I love you to each other.

I feel like I read the beginning and the end of a story and missed everything in the middle. There are some large leaps in logic, big time skips with no explanation and the plot feels very rushed.

The art style is what is to be expected of similar manga. I liked the nuance with Neneo's "murders" and the slight discussion of the ethics there. Wish this was explored a little more.

This was an intende first volume. Our main male character is a murderer whose past has led him to the dire state of life he has as a person who can be sold. Our main female character is from a rich family of high status and buys him. The romance throughout is interesting and the side characters make this something I will pick up!

Freya buys Neneo right before he's killed for murdering his entire village. She's been outcast by her rich family for being too gullible and endangering the business and money, and she picks Neneo to join her in exile. He's traumatized and hiding the secret of why he did what he did, so he just follows along numbly. Shunned by the world, the unlikely pair begin to see kindred souls in each other and are starting to warm up when their pasts reach out to them.

It's a very straightforward story that somehow manages to be confusing at the same time. The main plot points are joined by moments that feel disconnected and random, so you almost get emotional whiplash by going from very sweet and romantic to serious and then right back to a light joke.

The art is very typical for the genre. Neither good nor bad, it doesn't stand out in any way. You can tell characters apart from their hairstyle and Freya keeps getting different outfits to keep things interesting, but that's pretty much it.

It does feel like just an introduction and I'm intrigued by Neneo's past and why he did what he did, so even with the low rating for this volume, I'm going to try and pick up the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the read!

A quick paced, fun read! It's always nice when the world building is easy to fall into. The characters were engaging and I look forward to reading more.

It took absolutely no time at all for me to read this, the story is fast-paced and interesting. The characters are also very engaging, and I kept rooting for them. I do like the two leads, Freya and Neneo and I can't wait to see how their relationship develops with the twists and turns that are bound to come with this story. I also really liked Halvard's character and hope he stays a central character in the story. The romance does seem rushed, I felt like I blinked and suddenly the characters were utterly devoted to each other (a bit like Insta-love). The romance would benefit more if it slowed down and allowed the smaller details to shine through.

Overall, an interesting start that can benefit from slowing down.

An easy drama romance with enough obstacles to keep the plot always moving forward. The characters are relatable and the story simple to follow.

This isn't my preferred genre, but I enjoyed what was being done with the characters. I'm unlikely to keep reading the series but know many areas where this will be a surefire hit.

I enjoyed this overall, however, it was very chaotic and choppy. A lot of the time I didn’t know what was going on and that made it a lot less enjoyable. The romance was cute i think but again some of it just felt so not right.

Snow and Ink has a lot of wonderful potential.

The characters are fascinating. We have Freya, a woman shunned by society for her best attempts to lead a business (and failing). In the beginning of the novel, she purchases Neneo (a convicted murderer) to protect her and potentially exact revenge on her family. Anna is the only family member we have hints of, but she appears to be the villainous sister. We also have Halvard, Freya's ex-fiancé and a medical researcher.

Unfortunately, Freya isn't at all the person we are given at the beginning of the manga. As soon as she has Neneo and is leaving the area, she withers away into a rather meek woman. And Neneo begins as a crazed murderous type, but he also quickly withers away into a misunderstood and troubled young man.

There's no heat in this book. The fervor that seems to exist in the beginning dissipates.

The connection between Freya and Neneo happens quickly, and often between panels. We're not really there on the journey with them. We just see moments where we're clued in on what's transpiring. There was a moment where he's sick, and then next thing you know they're sharing a bed together. The assumption is that they were trying to keep warm and that there was only one bed. Sadly, there are too many assumptions and not enough experiencing these important tender moments.

And Halvard? There was no mention of him in the first part of the manga. He's just a character that pops up. He's rather eccentric. And now he's off to whisk them away to Neneo's hometown.

There's barely any actual tension from Anna, though it seems to be foreshadowed. There's barely any romantic plot, though it's obviously there. There's barely any true story arc for this manga. It's just...vibes and assumptions.

There's honestly so much potential for this manga. I would have loved it if volume one was JUST Neneo and Freya learning how to coexist, with her family trying to find her. Halvard should have been a volume 2 person and this Anna situation should have been the antagonistic force in volume 1. I feel like that would have just made more sense to this first volume.

It would have given us more space to really connect with what's transpiring between Neneo and Freya. Instead, I feel shut out, which is the real problem with this manga. The rest of the manga has all the elements that I could want, but the one element I want most of all does not exist.

I hope this is just an awkward first volume, and that it finds its footing in volume two. I would love to really explore what this manga is all about.

Great start to a new series! I'm totally invested. Not a whole lot of plot yet but great characters. Very unique and interesting set up. Already pulling some heat strings and giving some butterflies. Need the next one immediately!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for the e-arc!

Snow & Ink is about Neneo and Freya, both shunned by society linking up to go far north to start over. I started this not liking it very much as it felt like it was going to follow a dark route. However, when I got to the end it turned out to be a bit more melancholic than anything. Neneo is a killer and no one is willing to hear him out except for Freya. Freya is kicked out of her family and does not see much hope in living until meeting Neneo. The relationship is a bit codependent but I think as time goes on it will push them to be independent. Overall, I would recommend giving it a chance especially if you were skeptical like I was.

Snow and Ink is a love story about a man about to be executed who's freedom is bought by a wealthy heiress in order to employ him as her bodyguard. Honestly, this was a super cute manga! VERY fast paced and an interesting plot developing so curious to see where it goes in the next volume. I loved all the characters, could see this being a good anime!

My main criticism is I found the romance way too fast - would have much preferred a slow burn, as I think would have worked really nicely instead everything just went a little bit too fast.

Will certainly look out for the next volume!

ARC Copy...Interesting so far but where it will go. Obviously the male has serious issues and luggage that fosters his murderous rage and the girl has a introspective emotion insight to see that plus the patience of a saint to deal with him.

I can’t wait to read more from this series. Absolutely loved reading it and the characters are amazing

Meh. I found that the story line was a bit scattered. I also didn’t like how the book started, who are these characters?

Thanks Netgalley and Unohana-San for allowing me to read the first volume of this manga. I really liked it, I thought having a hot tempered criminal ml who was “purchased” by rich fl really made the story more easy to read although yes the romance was rather quick for my liking but it’s still decent. I sense this will be an anime potential very soon!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!
3 stars

This was a cute read! It hops right into the romance, and although I can't say I was completely smitten with the couple because of that, their interacts were adorable. Both of the protagonists have issues with their past trying to drag them down, and honestly, I enjoyed reading that more than the romance. I particularly liked Neneo. His angst was just *chefs kiss*. The manga also played a lot with marks of felony and how the shame is literally tattooed onto him. Don't know if I'm gonna continue it, mostly because I have a list of romance manga that have caught my attention, but I do recommend this still!