Nina the Starry Bride 5

星降る王国のニナ [Hoshi Furu Ōkoku no Nina] #5

by Rikachi

Nina was plucked off the streets because she resembled a dead priestess--but is this a lucky break, or a new kind of curse? Winner of the Kodansha Manga Award, this fantasy shojo manga features intertwining constellations of palace intrigue and perilous romance, for fans of The Ancient Magus' Bride , The Apothecary Diaries , and Snow White With the Red Hair .

Nina had a rough start to life, orphaned and stealing to survive, only to be abducted for her unusual lapis lazuli eyes. But to her surprise, her captor, Prince Azure, ordained that she would live the life of a princess...specifically, that of the recently deceased princess-priestess, Alisha, who had her same eyes. Despite her changing fortune, Nina won't give up her old life without a fight. Azure might just be the one to finally match her wits, but how much can she trust him? And can she stop the feelings budding in her heart, knowing she must eventually marry another...?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Josei, Comics, Shojo, Young Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2021

Reviews

[Maude · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this is one of the only love triangles i actually can't make up my mind on

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina is surprised to hear that Azure has taken the throne back home, but even more surprised when one of the envoys looks an awful lot like Az to boot. Then it’s… festival time? But this one promises more karateka than yukata, as a tournament promises to dole Nina out like a prize… though she might have something to say about that…

This. This is what this series should be doing. What it had been doing, in fact, and now roars back to life doing. It was managing fine without the appearance of Az, but it unquestionably does better with him in the mix. And by mix, the book means ‘emotional turmoil’.

And he’s barely here - instead skulking about in secret by posing as one of his own entourage, which means that he has to be very cautious in the face of Nina, who is about as careful as Inspector Clouseau at a glassware convention. He exists as this big question mark for a lot of this volume and it works beautifully.

Which adds on to all this other simmering conflict; despite my better nature, Sett has become so much more likeable than he was previously (a little too much so, honestly) which helps boost his status as a rival. Honestly, Sett and Nina have great chemistry this volume. It is a cut above these types of digressions, though not a patch on what Az turns out to have agreed to, which makes him feel like an honest-to-goodness alternative (okay, yes, with murderous tendencies).

With the much vaunted festival turning into a tournament arc of sorts - the author’s notes at the back are a wonderful insight into the difficulties presented by such a simple concept and add to this volume for me considerably - things really start to cook by the end of the volume and it was already doing smashing before.

The tournament offers the victor their choice of boon, which prompts Nina to think of entering, naturally, but realistically means that she is going to be the prize amongst the three other brothers vying for Galgada’s throne. This really goes to some interesting places, as a clever plan to use a proxy goes horribly wrong and ups the stakes even further with some shocking brutality and a necessary about-face where one prince has to root against himself.

Which is all window dressing to Nina, who decides to finally eschew some spunk (Ed Asner would approve) in favour of kicking ass. She’s probably the best here she’s been in a while, if ever. After having a real low moment, she decides that nobody’s going to fix her problems but her.

Now, whether this goes anywhere is questionable, but at least for this volume we get her trying to learn sword fighting, which she naturally can’t grasp as quickly as you’d expect in a manga, but still shows that she is very light on her feet. It’s a spot-on balance showing that she can’t just turn into Zorro overnight, but she is not without her skills.

She also has several violations of decorum, both major and minor, one involving a massive dressing down of Galgada’s king, which was way overdue and cements her as a fantastic female character. Basically, she’s had enough and she won’t just let herself be used by this patriarchy and I am here for it. It’s a great contrast to all the intrigue, having this pint-sized wrecking ball flying through everything.

This all leverages into one heck of a cliffhanger (it could easily be resolved, but I hope it won’t be) that makes use of a threat uttered earlier in the book which comes back to haunt a character and also possibly hinges on a lie that was caught out afterward. It’s a delicious tension to end things on.

I would go as far as to say that this title’s rarely been this good, even. Because of Az being forced to act surreptitiously, Nina is very unsure of how he feels, which lets her be drawn to Sett even more. And even if she doesn’t love him, well, he’s really being influenced by their time together and that makes things complicated in a way that rarely comes off in rival storylines.

4.5 stars - lets see if the momentum is maintained and Nina keeps kicking butt within her role before we start handing out anything crazy. But this volume is lots of fun and a juicy story that was a real step back in the right direction for the series.

[BlaireReadsTheThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just some "touch her and die" energy. And a love triangle? Is this dark romance? So good!!!

[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 3 out of 5]

you can't expect me to love sett when you keep bringing azure into the picture. you just can't. i'm so invested in the court politics of it all but (say it with me) love triangles! ruin! everything!!!!!

[marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 4 ★★★☆☆

I need to gush about the cover. It's definitely my favorite of all the volumes so far. In addition to the beautiful color scheme, the way Nina is making eye contact with Sett while almost clasping hands with Azure is just great.

To be honest, I'm not torn about the love triangle: I'm on Sett's side. Despite making horrible first impressions, he has quickly solidified his place in my heart. One of my favorite scenes revolves around his super awkward kiss with Nina. The way he pretends to be nonchalant afterwards has me cackling. I'm very fond of him.

[Rocío García]

Están todos fatal (Nina no está fatal, simplemente es un poco corta la chavala, pero se la quiere).

[Carl's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top como siempre aunque Nina amore eres un poco pava. Poco a poco voy teniendo más claro que no tengo ni idea de que bando escoger. Seguiremos informando

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 5 out of 5]

These boys really out here playing her heart like a fiddle by romancing her one second and blatantly ignoring her the next. 🙄

[Doc · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the love of people

With Azure showing up in Galgada in the guise of a member of a messenger entourage from the new king of Fortna we find Nina's resolve tested and forged as she seeks out answers asked by her heart and defies what she sees as wrong. Within this volume we see how Azure rose to become king in a short period of time, how Sett is trying to open up to Nina, and some action as a tournament begins with the victor being granted one wish of their choice. Honestly it is a good thing the king seems a little of their rocker or Nina's strong sense of justice may just get her killed some day.

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright, so I have to admit that I wasn't invested in the first volume -- in fact I wasn't planning on continuing this series, but I gave it another try, just to see and I'm so glad I did. I'm H O O K E D. Like, I'm itching to get my hands on the next volume!!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina is crazy lol why would she jump right in front of a crazy mass murderer then proceed to do absolutely nothing. I like her drive but so far she isn't really contributing, she's just causing more issues 😭

I fear I may be Team Sett. I do like Azure a lot though.

[Lissa Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it is fun to binge read. I need more.

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG I am so looking forward to seeing Sett feel some kind of emotion 😍😍😍😆

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

[Mélissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cette série est un coup de cœur 🥰

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love jealously of OM drama. I am the problem. Her lady maid is so interesting I want to learn all the things. Az I love him and the baby tiger

[Abeey Morsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Les petits livres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encore un très bon tome, mon préféré jusqu'ici, le triangle amoureux qui s'annonce assez explosif (surtout du côté de la guerre entre les garçons pour le coeur de Nina), l'intrigue, les secrets, les combats, les conflits, les révélations... Le tome six s'annonce génial.

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cada tomo de esta serie es mejor que el anterior y lo que más me gusta es que la trama avanza, no se estanca, no hay paja, siempre pasan cosas, nada es lo que parece y no hay arcos ni cosas repetitivas. Es que la joya de la corona de este 2024 es haber comenzado esta obra.

Leer la reseña completa sin espóileres en mi blog:

https://unabibliotecaentremundos.blog...

[scarlettraces · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so Team Sett

[Sunread26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronique complète :
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2025/...

Extrait :
C’est ma sœur qui a pris ce tome et le suivant, elle avait envie de savoir la suite, en plus d’avoir le stand acrylique. Du coup, j’en profite pour lire la suite également, mais après elle bien sûr. Il faut dire que j’avais arrêté ma lecture sur un moment croustillant ! Les choses pourraient bien s’accélérer pour Nina, car la tension monte ! Le danger est également proche, puisque le changement de roi de Fortuna créé une certaine suspicion côté Galgada.

Le choc est assez fort pour Nina, puisqu’elle ne s’attendait pas à revoir Azur. Pour elle, son sacrifice avait pour but de sauver son royaume et sa nouvelle famille. Petit à petit, ce nouveau royaume est également devenu une part d’elle-même. Ici aussi, elle a désormais des personnages auxquels elle tient. Elle ne souhaite donc pas de malheur pour tous ses proches et c’est normal. Toutefois, elle ignore quoi faire pour parvenir à un tel résultat. Vient s’ajouter à cela la venue d’Azur qui l’a chamboule énormément au point de retomber dans certains de ses travers. Surtout que le roi de Fortuna vient tout juste de changer, ce qui a de quoi éveiller des soupçons côté Galgada. La compétition pour savoir qui sera le prochain roi continue également entre les différents princes. C’est alors qu’une autre compétition a lieu, celle-ci est plus traditionnelle et elle voit s’opposer différents combattants dans une arène. Chaque prince peut alors choisir un combattant pour représenter son palais, évidemment, certains vont essayer de gagner pour ridiculiser les autres et tenter d’obtenir Nina. Etant donné qu’ils n’arriveront pas à la séduire, il faut évidemment passer par la force pour obtenir ce que l’on veut. Typique des enfants pourris gâtés qui ne savent pas se remettre en question… J’ai vraiment l’impression que tous les personnages masculins sont problématiques dans cette série. Ça ne m’empêche pas de beaucoup l’apprécier bien sûr, mais aucun d’eux ne semble bien se comporter…

Nina souhaite également participer à cette compétition, afin de demander Fortuna au roi (révélation dans ce tome le concernant). Mais au final, j’ai l’impression qu’elle n’a pas vraiment de guerrier, donc je n’ai pas trop saisie pourquoi elle a ouvert la bouche et fait une telle demande… À moins que le participant de Fortuna est considéré comme son représentant, mais ça n’a pas été spécifié. Une chose est sure, les garçons n’ont pas compris que Nina n’aimait pas spécialement la violence, surtout quand elle est gratuite et met en danger la vie des autres. Mais encore une fois, ils s’en fichent puisqu’ils peuvent l’avoir par la force. Enfin, le coureur de jupon quittera rapidement la compétition, préférant la survie de sa combattante. Dans un sens, ça le rend presque un peu plus humain que ses frères, même si je ne l’aime pas. Quant à celui qui n’aime pas les femmes, il est tellement idiot et obnubilé par le trône, qu’il en devient très facilement influençable (et je vous laisse deviner l’identité du personnage qui se joue aisément de lui). Très franchement, aucun des deux n’a ce qu’il faut pour être roi, l’un est trop peu sérieux et l’autre beaucoup trop impulsif. D’ailleurs, Nina le fait remarquer devant le roi, qui semble acquiescer positivement. J’imagine qu’il souhaitait changer leur comportement en tentant de conquérir Nina, mais c’est un échec. Comme ils font partis de la catégorie de personne n’ayant jamais connus de « non », ils ne savent pas se remettre en question…

[...]

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series so much. The author notes keep talking about how the elements aren't traditionally "shoujo" - like the whole coliseum tournament - and maybe that's why it really appeals to me.

Nina continues to be brave and quick-thinking and and astonishing to everyone around her - but in an understandable, well-crafted way, rather than simply being an overpowered protagonist. She's going through struggles and definitely makes mistakes, but she's able to adapt really well to anything the world throws at her - the benefits of having spent years surviving on the streets, I suppose.

In this volume, she's actively torn between Az and Sett, and it's honestly so hard to figure out what the conclusion is meant to be. Usually you can pretty much map it out...and usually it's the first guy who shows up, but Sett is just...something special. Someone very different from Azure, but whom even his guards see changing because of the time he's spending with Nina.

It's weird to say this because she's literally carrying a scar on her body from him, but he's becoming really gentle with her. He listens to her when she tells him what he's allowed to physically; he teaches her how to fight and teases her, which is a new thing for him; he goes into fully terrifying god of war mode when he sees her in mortal danger in the coliseum.

That kiss, too, was one of the best ones I've seen in shoujo. What an amazing line delivery and really effective confession. From the least likely source.

Azure is still very much in the running, because Nina's incredibly torn between her budding feelings for Sett and the love for Azure that spurred her entire sacrifice. She only went to Galgada to save Azure's life, but she didn't expect to feel so...protective of this new prince's happiness. Yeah, yeah, maybe he's the toxic love interest, but we'll see.

Nina pinpoints what it is about him: he's almost like a beast she's been taming. And there is something quite appealing about that in fiction.

Loved the exchanges between Nina and the King of Galgada, who turns out to be a woman. Love that she's a woman and that women can become soldiers, as well, in this kingdom. It's a brutal empire but weirdly might have more women's rights than Fortna...?

I'd be interested in learning more about what the lands outside of the castle areas are like, because Fortna keeps being promoted as this land of wealth and plenty, but Nina was starving on the streets. Her parents died from a plague. Her friend died from malnutrition and illnesses. Even Azure talked about how the kingdom's wealth wasn't being spread evenly. I wonder if he'll change that, for Nina?

But right now, he has to figure out how to deal with Sett's wrath, because he's made the mistake of touching the princess in front of him again.

[Mathou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un choix impossible

Alors que Nina pensait pouvoir gérer la situation, tout bascule lorsque le royaume est mis au courant qu’Azur a pris le pouvoir. Mais ce qui perturbe le plus Nina, c’est le messager qui lui délivre la nouvelle : Azur lui-même, déguisé!

Nina se retrouve donc tiraillée entre les deux hommes, ne sachant plus où va sa totale loyauté.
Ses sentiments pour Azur sont intacts et sa présence ravive son envie de rentrer à la maison…mais elle refuse de sacrifier Sett, lui qui s’est ouvert à elle.

Mais le roi du royaume a d’autres plans…qui pourraient bien remettre leurs trois vies en péril!

On n’a pas le temps de souffler dans cette série et c’est tant mieux! La tension monte de plus en plus et avoir les trois personnages principaux dans la même pièce ne peut que nous faire battre des pieds!

Je crois que je tombe amoureuse de cette série et j’en suis très heureuse!

[Alessandra Ceravolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devo dire mi piace molto il modo in cui sono curate le tavole, utile il riassunto e l’inserimento dei vari personaggi incontrati. Questo volume mi lascia spiazzata per parecchie cose come la freddezza, il modo di Azure di far finta di non conoscere Nina, il primo bacio tra Nina e Sett e il fatto che le abbia detto che la ama mi ha scaldato il cuore, inoltre il fatto che Azure alla fine vuole veramente Nina e vuole a tutti i costi riportarla a casa. La determinazione di Nina nell’imparare a usare la spada è strabiliante. Sbalordita dal fatto che il re di Galgada sia una donna ma ancora di più dal fatto che Sett abbia espresso ancora una volta la sua possessività nei confronti di Nina minacciando Azure. Molto utile la lezione di geografia alla fine del volume.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg I like both men. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ROOT FOR ONLY ONE.

RECAP: Nina confronts the messengers, and Az plays it cool. Sett is smitten. Like legit. Nina goes again to try and met the messengers, Az picks up a shard of glass near her foot and Sett threatens him about touching Alisha then volunteers him for the tournament. Sett kisses her again and agrees to train her in sword fighting. Az tells her he'll get her back to Fortna by Spring. The tournament starts and it's brutal. Black prince accidentally brings in a murderer for his champion. Nina steps in to stop him but he's set to killing her. Azure jumps in to save her. Then Sett realizes she doesn't have a childhood name and then steps in to save her. Right when Azure is about to touch her hand, Sett threatens him again.

[ℂ ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vaaaale, anem bé, la cosa s'anima i no decau!!! Amb l'arribada de l'Az camuflat a palau els sentiments de la Nina són un caos perquè tothom ha d'actuar amb peus de ploms. S'organitza un torneig que decidirà qui serà el nou príncep successor de Galgada i l'Az es veu obligat a participar-hi també. Alerta, però, que la Nina no s'arronsa i també s'hi apunta perquè al guanyador se li concedirà el desig que vulgui. El volum s'acaba amb un cliffhanger dels criminals en què descobrim qui és realment el rei de Galgada Ö Dels millors fins al moment perquè tenim un poti-poti ben interessant: intriga, acció, estratagemes, sentiments creuats... ♥

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is very pretty and expressive, and the covers are gorgeous. The drama is nicely done. But this is basically a romantasy with very little magic, and would have a tough time with me regardless of any strengths it has. Don't take my middlin' rating as a comment on its quality, because I think it's a good example of what it is. "What it is" isn't something I'm likely to fully enjoy, or keep on my shelves, though. Maybe I'll catch up with it when I've moved to a place that's closer to a public library.

[Kaitlynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read it a second time
Ummmm, I am very much obsessed with this series. I don't even know if I have the proper words to describe how I feel. I am going to be obsessively checking on GoodReads and on Kodansha's website until I get a release date for book 6. ESPECIALLY WITH THE WAY BOOK FIVE ENDED IN A CLIFFHANGER. I am literally shooketh, and that's all I can think about....

Anyway, to see the full rambling review hop on over to Randomly Kait


Intial Review:

But it was just getting Good! Bleeping cliffhangers now I have to wait who knows how long for the next one. My sleep deprived brain can't handle this.

[BeckyisBookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm obsessed with this series, I want it in print so bad. Choosing between the two love interests really feels high stakes rather than in most stories you clearly can tell who the main character will choose and why...man I'm on the edge my seat (please be why choose please please even though I know it would make no sense)

5 manga boyfriends out of 5 choices choices

[Lepicentrecult · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bon tome, on apprend un peu plus sur Fortuna et sur le Roi de Galgada. Nina s'élance dans des enjeux politiques de haut niveau, avec un risque de mourir.
Ce petit jeu de triangle amoureux commence un peu à me fatiguer. Sett à pris une place importante dans mon coeur. Sous son air froid et distant ce cache un personnage que j'aimerai découvrir un peu plus.
A voir le tome 6