Snow and Ink Vol. 1 introduces us to a murderer, Neneo, as he is bought before being executed by a wealthy outcast, Freya. The first few chapters takes us on the journey as the pair traverse up north and learn about each of the characters past.

This is honestly where my biggest hiccup with this volume lies. There is soooo much background information crammed in four chapters. The fifth chapter finally slows down a hair and allows the story to breathe a hair. It is honestly what saved me from 2-starring this and has me willing to pick up Vol. 2. I loved the art style so it is a shame that they didn’t let that shine a little more.


I hope Vol. 2 is better but if not then that’s where this story will end for me.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy for this review.

Although I liked the art style and concept I hadn’t realised quite how dark and violent this would be so had to DNF for my own mental health :(

An enjoyable story about a disgraced heiress and a mass murderer she buys before his execution. It combines dark themes with trauma and love to make it a more heartwarming tale.
The story has so much potential to be something great, and the artwork is beautiful. My only criticism is the pacing of the story - things progress a little faster than I would have liked.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC and amazing book!

Neneo’s haunting past and Freya’s emotional detachment create a captivating dynamic in this dark and poignant romance. The artwork beautifully captures the icy, desolate landscapes and the evolving warmth between these two outcasts. Their journey through the unforgiving snow is as chilling as it is heartwarming, even if some people think of it as a bit messy and boring and I found myself deeply invested in their story. I agree and recommend this book to anyone, the contrast of love and lingering trauma makes this a gripping read you won’t want to put down.

Thanks NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC. I definitely see the potential in this manga but I felt like it was all over the place and I kept getting lost in the storyline. Also how the character went from Freya buying the convict and then pretty much straight to romance. It was interesting and entertaining enough for me to finish it but l will most likely not continue.

Absolutely adore this one. The timing off this was quite fast in terms of the romance between the main two characters meeting however I thought it was done well.. The art style is gorgeous and the main trio are absolutely hilarious. Thank you to Kodansha comics for this Netgalley ARC.

I feel like this was mostly just laying the groundwork for the rest of the series but while I love the premise I didn't really enjoy any of the characters so probably won't be continuing

I just finished Snow & Ink 1, and I was honestly surprised by how heartwarming it was! The story follows an exiled heiress and the killer she buys from jail, and while you’d expect it to be dark, it’s actually more about dealing with trauma and finding love in the most unexpected people.

Both characters are struggling with their own issues, and watching them figure things out while stuck together in the north made for such a great story. It’s a quick read, as most manga's are, but it really packs a punch. I’m definitely picking up future volumes if they continue with this series.

Snow and Ink is a slow burn manga about a downtrodden and naïve young heiress who 'buys' a criminal's life and the two get to know each other and help with their respective problems. As preposterous as this sounds, it doesn't get any better in the telling and by the end of volume 1, I wasn't given much reason to want to continue.

Story: Naneo is brought before the town in chains, ready to be executed for murder. But he is suddenly bought by the heiress Freya Gibson. Freya is hated for bungling her inheritance and worsening the economy - she needs Naneo to protect her against angry homeless men. Now that her inheritance has been taken over by an step sister, she hopes to leave and find a quiet place to live. But her fiancé has other plans and Freya is drawn back to town with Naneo at her side.

I guess only in manga are we expected to swallow that a girl takes on a criminal, he treats her poorly but she falls madly in love with him and he turns out to be a nice guy after all? Honestly, it was all kind of silly, not much happened, the heroine is so wishy washy as to be a walking marshmallow, and the love interest is a cardboard cliché. Her fiancé is strange and I'm sure that will have some bearing on the future story but for this first volume, he just kind of flitters around like a dilettante while teasing the main characters. Don't get me started on the insta-luv by chapter two and the endless "you can't marry me because I am a criminal!" conversations.

I found little interesting here. The illustration work is typical and not very unique either. The plot is silly and nothing much happens. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

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.