Title: Yona of the Dawn Vol. 2Author: Mizuho Kusanagi
Series: Yona of the Dawn #2
First Published: May 19, 2010
Publisher: VIZ Media
Pages: 192
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Romance, Shojo
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Rating:
Synopsis:
While on the run, Yona and Hak head to Hak’s hometown, where she attempts to heal her broken heart. However, she can’t rest there for long once she discovers that Su-won may soon become king! What will Yona choose to do in the wake of this news?
Buy the Book: AmazonReview
Volume two of Yona of the Dawn picks up as Yona and Hak arrive at the wind village to recuperate after the events of volume one. This volume focuses largely on world-building, detailing more of the structure of the kingdom of Kohka and its internal politics. The first half of the volume reveals the four main tribes and introduces the people of the wind tribe. The pacing in the first half of the volume feels a little off and moves just a little too fast, jumping from one event to the next which makes each one a little less impactful.
It’s hard to care about characters that are present for just a few pages. The second half of the volume improves, as Yona comes out of her shell a little more and becomes more determined. I enjoyed the turbulence of the court politics and I hope that this is developed more as the story goes along.
Where volume one contained some of the better aspects of storytelling in the shojo genre, volume two felt like it picked up on some of the less-than-ideal aspects, primarily in the way that Yona and Hak’s relationship is developed. Where Hak was a very dreamy, rough around the edges male lead in volume one, in this volume he keeps referencing how Yona should act sexier and is more physical. I know when I was younger I would’ve been all aflutter about it, but as an adult, I just find it icky.
Volume two feels largely like an “in-between” volume to set up the rest of the story. I can forgive it for that aspect, but I felt like I wanted to finish the volume as quickly as possible not out of enjoyment, but to get it over with and move on with the story. It would have been nicer if earlier events involving the wind tribe didn’t feel so rushed.
Quote
“Her highness is supposed to be young and malleable… But her crimson tresses… Looked like they were flames about to consume her.”
Content Warnings
View Spoiler »About the Author
About Mizuho Kusanagi
Mizuho Kusanagi is a Japanese manga artist from Kumamoto, Japan. She is mainly known for her work, Yona of the Dawn.
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