Colette Decides to Die, Vol. 1

Colette Decides to Die コレットは死ぬことにした [Colette wa Shinu Koto ni Shita] #1-2

by Alto Yukimura

When exhausted workaholic apothecary Colette jumps into a well, instead of dying she finds herself caring for a new patient: Hades, Lord of the Dead. As Colette goes back and forth between her world and the underworld, new patients of every kind arrive daily!

Colette meets Hades, a fellow workaholic, while he is ill in bed with a rash and fever. After treating his condition, she learns about the work he does and what drives him, in turn renewing her sense of purpose as an apothecary. Colette is sent back to her own world, but is this the last she will see of Hades?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Comics, Shojo, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga

408 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

Native: 幸村アルト

Alto YUKIMURA is best known for being the artist of Ginzatoushi to Kuro no Yousei: Sugar Apple Fairytale. for being the author & artist of Colette Decides to Die: Konin-hen, Colette wa Shinu Koto ni Shita, Roppyaku Peiji no Mystery, and Honey & Butterfly.

Reviews

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIRST IMPRESSION VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/NSm6fw3FjZY

"No matter how strong your regrets are…they aren't all there is to you."

This is one of those reads where while I liked the characters and the story itself, it was the themes that really spoke to my heart and made me want to keep reading.

I feel that's an odd thing to say because you can't have the themes without the characters, but I confess after reading what would have been considered volume one, I was not OVERLY hooked. Did I like what I read and thought it was cute? I did, but I wasn't sure if I would have actively picked up volume two if it hadn't been in an omnibus form.

It was with volume two that I felt myself leaning in, ignoring my surroundings because I was invested in the themes AND the characters. There was something very heartfelt and relatable about seeing these two workaholics be there for one another and reminding each other to live life to the fullest. It's a funny thing to say considering that one of the said main characters is the god of the underworld. LOL!

Concerning the female lead, Colette was a wonderful heroine who I thought was very grounding and again, was very relatable, even though it was shocking that this series opens up with her seeming like she is going/wanting to take her life. I think it was times like that though where you can see and feel the questioning of "why do I keep doing this?" and her bouts of loneliness and pain that made her feel more than just a character in a fictional story. There were many quotes by her that I wrote down because they encouraged me to live my life to the fullest, be proud of my job/what I do, and not let my regrets from the past dictate my life in the present.

In short, this was an unexpected thought-provoking story that, while very cute and fun, really touched my heart and made me tear up more than once.

I'm eagerly looking forward to the next omnibus because I definitely see myself coming back to this when I need a pic-me-up as well as a fun story!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler alert: There is no suicidal ideation in this, despite the misleading title. The MC h ends up falling down a well into the Underworld and thinks that she is dead initially, but does eventually realize that she is not really dead, nor does she want to be. She's just overworked and very tired. I can relate.

This was cute and sweet, with some soft surprises. Nothing to offend, or to really grab me. A calm read for me, maybe cozy/cottage core vibes?

3, definitely worth a look-see and I want to read the next volume, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for volume 1 only

I have a wee bit of a history with this series and I feel bad for only giving it three stars. But I should add that I don't think it's a bad series, it just didn't really hold my attention. I first came across it when it was published in German - the premise and pretty art immediately drew me in, but then I learned that it's a 20 volume [10 in English] series and reviewers said it feels very slice of life. Now I love myself a good slide of life but it's not usually something I enjoy in a long series. So, ultimately, I decided that, cute it may be, it would probably feel a bit too mellow for me.

Having now given it a chance after all - largely due to friends loving it - I am very sorry to say that my gut feeling has been proven correct. I think the art is super pretty and I can see the appeal generally speaking, but I just did not find this exciting enough to see myself reading a whole 20 volumes of this. It's also possible that this series could hold my interest more later down the line, but the beginning was just too mellow for me to want to commit.

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally started reading Colette Decides to Die, and I absolutely LOVED it!!! ♡♡ The art, the story, the dialogue, and the characters - everything is so good in this manga. I am obsessed and want to continue right away ngl.

Colette is such an amazing main lead and I love her. I wish happiness and everything nice in the world for her. A very lonely girl who basically has no family of her own after her own dies, she falls inside a well and ends up in the Underworld. Hades is sick and so she decides to take care of him and cure him, with her being an apothecary.

You know me - I love any type of story with Hades in it and this was super cute, wholesome, deep, emotional, and so very human. I'm definitely going to keep reading! The good thing is that I already own the second volume so going to start that as soon as I can and then I have to get the rest of the volumes that are out right now. I love this 2-in-1 volumes SB released ♡

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was a beautiful series start. The beginning was a little slow for me at first, but that pace became exactly what I love about this. Collette is such a strong character, and I love the slow burn of her connection with Hades. The story thematically focuses a lot on mortality, leading to some bittersweet, but powerful moments. Seeing other Greek gods show up throughout was also a lot of fun.

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This filled so many voids that I never realized I had❤️❤️😭😭

[Cassiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

this was so gooooood! the skeletons were cute 🥹 cant wait to continue the story

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

For somebody who frequently says (to themself and to others) "I've always been bored by mythology," I've been enjoying more mythology remixes and retellings than I'd expect. Well, okay. I expected zero, and in the last couple of years there have been two. Forgive me, Marquise! After those successes, I'll feel more confident about trying others as time goes along, and not just dismiss them out of hand.

This one is set in one of those places that Japanese creators dust off when it's time to set a story in fantasyland, don't want to set it in a past version of Japan, but also don't want to put a whole lot of research in. This isn't set in ancient Greece, as far as I can tell, but the human characters revere the Greek gods--having an annual harvest festival in honor of Demeter, for example.

The story setup is that overworked apothecary Colette impulsively decides to jump down a well rumored to lead to another world. Whether she dies or is transported is of little importance to her, because she's been driven beyond the point of exhaustion from being the only healer in town. Turns out that other world is the netherworld, with Hades its ruler. Coincidentally, he has a rash and fever from an allergy, and Colette is well-situated to treat him and make him well. As things go along, we see various places in the underworld, and meet its strangely cute denizens, as well as other familiar characters from the ancient Greek pantheon. Colette finally recognizes it isn't a great idea to go about the healer's craft alone, and takes in a couple of apprentices.

As often happens, this story started off as a one-shot, then was approved as a single-volume miniseries, then got the green light for a regular serialization. You can easily see the the cut-off points as the scope lengthens, then lengthens once more. But once we get into the second full volume (of two in this collection), things get deeper and wider as more characters are introduced and the author feels more confident in introducing resonant themes. There were a couple of places where I was genuinely moved as the story explores what happens to human souls after they die. While I'm usually wary of YA fantasy, perhaps a mythology mix-up will be more to my taste. Collette and Hades are a fun pair, and I'm looking forward to seeing more mythological figures arrive on the scene.

[Michelle Graf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media for the ARC.

It isn't clear from the description, but this is both volumes 1 and 2 of the manga, with a separate short story by the same author in between. The short story was cute but didn't interest me too much, its unrelated to Colette and I wasnt even expecting it. The main story is a lot of fun, it takes place in this alternate version of ancient Greece or Rome? Colette is a real piece of work, lol. Despite her doubts about her job, she really cares about healing people, and she won't take no for an answer, even if it's the ruler of Hell. Their relationship hits all the right points for me, I really enjoyed it.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by the dark/nihilistic title it's a light manga....which if you stick through this first Omnibus Volume..has some nice insights.

[Cress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colette Decides to Die is definitely not for everyone, but if you love a slow burn, slice of life fantasy? This is for you. The plot is light because this is most definitely a character driven narrative. If you need to slow down and read something that feels like a comforting hug? Colette is here for you.

I can't wait for the next installment!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

have you ever thought: man, i really want a story where lord hades, fearsome god of the underworld and judge of the dead,.. is a bishounen? then look no further! cuz he’s pretty as hell

[Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this - I have a soft spot for apothecaries as main characters, and Colette was a joy, headstrong but not bullish, and soft when she needed to be. I loved the story with her master, and the tailor. Highly recommended!

[Niina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olen lukenut Alto Yukimuralta mangaa aikaisemminkin. Hopeasokerimestari ja musta keiju on 2016 suomeksi ilmestynyt kaksiosainen mangasarja, josta pidin paljon (vaikka en muista enää paljoa yksityiskohtia), mutta tästä pidin vielä enemmän.

Colette on orpo, joka päätyy parantajan oppilaaksi. Nykyhetkessä hän pyörittää omaa hoitolaansa, jossa on niin kiireistä, että hän päättää hypätä kaivoon. Kaivon pohjalta löytyy kuitenkin portti Manalaan ja sen herran Hadeksen koti. Hades on kehittänyt allergian auringon valolle ja Colette hoitaa häntä. Samalla kaksikon välille rakentuu vahva suhde.

Nimestään huolimatta tämä on tosi söpö ja Colette todella päättäväinen nuori nainen. Suosittelen lukemaan!

[Pyrrha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a og shojo vibe that I really enjoyed and miss. The art is very pretty and I like the characters a lot, especially Colette as I will always root for women in STEM. Hades is a beautiful bishonen boi and I’m here for it, I’ll be honest, and I absolutely love the skeletons! A nice light manga that I really recommend!

[Isabel Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I really liked the concepts and i like how every chapter makes u think and reflect and change your perspective on life. I also really love the romance between Lord Hades and colette

[Jazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story 😭😭😭

[Jan ₊˚⊹♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 2025: There’s a reason why this series is one of my favorite of all time— it’s absolutely magical and revived the reader in me 🥹

—————————————
I love this series and am so happy it’s finally being licensed in English :’)

[DEE · Rating 5 out of 5]

*this is a spoiler-free review for volumes 1-14*

an overworked doctor called colette one day makes the impulsive decision to jump down a well to get away from everything. in most cases this would be a pretty heavy decision, but in this case colette finds herself still alive, transported to the underworld where the god of the dead is currently laying in bed sick. colette acts on reflex and immediately starts treating hades, thus marking the start of their journey to slowly fall in love as the story goes.

one thing to know about this manga series is that it's incredibly charming! the atmosphere gives off this lovely feeling, the art gorgeously supporting the setting of the godly pantheon, while the writing itself is very wholesome. it's one of those romance series that brings more than just a love story to the table - the world is rich with detail, the side-cast are made of characters who are all incredibly engaging so you love to see them returning from time to time. we get to meet characters from colette's adopted family and her work as a doctor, while also seeing the underworld brigade and godly faces from hades' side.

the godly pantheon is based on greek mythology, so as the story progresses colette finds herself encountering all the familiar names we know as well. this is all done while we get to see into not just the underworld but also heaven, and more interestingly we get stories about the relationships between the gods. at the same time there's just an incredible amount of charm and humor in the underworld cast - the skeletons are especially hilarious in their devotion to lord hades. lord hades himself has a cold face but a very soft heart. he's very just and puts himself last compared to his work and his surroundings. in that way they're very similar with colette and it's fun to see how they end up supporting each other to find a healthy balance between work and their own self-care and happiness.

what i loved the most about this series is that the writing remains wholesome and heartfelt throughout it. both familial and romantic relationships are handled with an abundance of warmth. it's a long-running series so there's plenty space for the romance to bloom without rush, so the progression feels very natural and earned. the art is top-notch! my most favorite detail is about the clothes which are very diverse and lush. i also found myself loving the found-family vibes the underworld is giving off after certain amount of chapters. my review might make it sound like this is just a lighthearted series but it also has heavy topics about the worth of a life, memories, family and responsibility.

overall this is one of the strongest shoujo series i read in a long while with how rich the cast and their relationships gets explored. the setting reads simple but i love how much the author explores it while relatively keeping things low stakes. regardless, you find yourself invested and emotionally attached quite quick. i hope one day i'll be able to read the rest of the volumes published and maybe even watch a well-deserved anime adaptation. fingers crossed! 5 stars.

[Mariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was soooo good, and I am beyond thrilled that I took a chance on it, even without knowing much beforehand. The reason I picked it up? My love for Greek mythology and retellings. Not only do these stories evoke a bittersweet nostalgia for me—reminding me of my grandmother reading them to me (she would skip or tweak some parts, of course, to make them more child-appropriate, haha!)—but they also resonate deeply because of how raw and human the gods are. They are flawed and imperfect, a stark reminder that immense power doesn’t equate to great virtue.
This theme is beautifully emphasized in the last chapter, where we meet none other than the mightiest of the Olympians, the great Zeus.

In this manga, the Greek gods aren’t exact replicas of their mythological counterparts. Relationships, like that of Hades and Demeter, are reimagined. Stories, such as Hercules’, are reshaped. Even the gods’ domains and purposes, like Hades’ underworld, have been altered. But none of these changes diminish the story or its characters. On the contrary, they enrich the narrative, offering a fresh perspective that feels both familiar and inventive. The writing and artwork are so stunning that I couldn’t put the book down.

Now, let’s talk about Colette, our wonderful protagonist. She’s fantastic! Cheeky, as Hades’ hilarious skeleton servants point out at least once. She’s also caring, stubborn, and very relatable. For anyone working in healthcare, her journey will hit especially close to home. The opening chapters find Colette at her breaking point, standing at the top of a well, considering escape to another world by throwing herself down—as the myths in her town suggest—even though she knows it risks finding that none of it is true and ending up dead. Her despair, though tied to her role as a healer, captures a universal feeling: being surrounded by people yet feeling deeply lonely, underappreciated, drained, and exhausted—even when you show up with a smile.

Yet, Colette also embodies resilience. She chooses joy and kindness, channeling her deep capacity for care into the world around her. Her complexity makes her very relatable.

And then there’s Hades. As with many retellings, he is the misunderstood god of the underworld. But Yukimura gives him even greater depth. He’s not just kind and humorous beneath his mask of sternness and seriousness—he’s also wise, in a way that is deeply moving. Watching Colette and Hades interact is a delight. They have so much to learn from one another, and their dynamic feels natural and heartwarming.

Lucky Colette. Lucky Hades. And lucky us, the readers, who get to experience their story. I’m eagerly awaiting the next volume! If you’re a fan of mythology, retellings, or beautifully crafted stories with a perfect mix of humor, heart, and introspection, you won’t want to miss this.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun read. In this first 2-in-1 volume, Colette meets Hades after deciding to die. Instead of dying, her love for her calling as a healer is reignited and she chooses to be healer to both mortals and gods. The two workaholics bond as they learn to loosen up and take breaks.

Later in the volume, we learn about Colette's upbringing as the adopted daughter and apprentice of a renowned apothecary, Anno. It is revealed that he is plagued with guilt over having not been able to save a patient to the point that it still effects him in the afterlife. Colette takes it upon herself to help his spirit accept the transition to the afterlife by allowing him to make amends with that patient. I feel like the series is moving in a direction where Colette will take a more active role in the underworld and helping more spirits find peace.

My favourite chapter was the festival chapter, wherein Hades attends a harvest festival in the celestial realm while Colette observes the harvest festival in the living realm. Neither one really participates in their respective festivals, Colette ruminates about her feelings of not really feeling at home in this village. The chapter resolves with Hades meeting up with Colette and her feelings of loneliness disappearing. It was so cute at the end with her hanging out with the Underworld crew, I definitely think it's hinting at my prediction above with how happy and familiar she acts with them.

The last arc of the volume introduces Tama/Zeus, who is curious about Hades' rumored "special someone". He is the most likeable representation of Zeus in spite of the way he wronged Hades in the past to stick Hades with the Underworld. They work it out in the end! I liked the section where Zeus taught Colette a little about reciprocity with the egg vender. It subtly shows that maybe Colette's feeling of not belonging in this village are a little bit on her as well- friendship is a two way street and she should also make an effort to get to know the villagers. Considering the only villagers we regularly see in the manga are the apprentices (I'm not sure if they are named), it's a fair criticism of Colette. Sure, they work her hard and only seem to see her as a healer, but does she see them as anything but patients? Would like to see that as a plot point later on.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greek mythology-inspired, but not exactly Greek myth retelling: an overworked and burnt-out young apothecary can't take the nonstop work anymore and throws herself down a well said to be a doorway to another world. And it turns out that it is: she lands in the underworld, where skeletal spirits - upon finding out she's an apothecary - immediately bring her to Hades. The Lord of the Underworld is suffering from a mysterious affliction, and she dutifully starts treating the symptoms, despite his stand-offishness. As their doctor-patient relationship progresses, each comes to learn about themselves, the people around them, taking time for self-care, and being open to new connections.
Despite the worrying beginning, this is a cozy read. The protagonist's desperate suicidal leap is understandable, not sensationalized, relatable to anyone who has suffered burnout before, and is not trivialized. An important theme underrunning the whole story is the danger of overworking yourself, and measures the duty-driven characters take (or are encouraged by others to take) to pace themselves, find room for reasonable compromises between duty and rest, and take time for enjoyment and connection, since they can't very well fulfill their important duties if they work themselves into the ground. At one point, there is also a very touching story of guilt and life regrets involving one of the dead souls, which was well-done and warmhearted. There is the possibility that they may be moving towards a romance between the apothecary and Hades (there is no Persephone in the story, at least not yet), but if so, it is taking a slow-burn route.

Side-note: I didn't like the 'extra' modern-day short-story sandwiched between the two halves of the volume; it was okay in itself, but felt out of place and distracting.

Content concerns: mention of deaths (the protagonist was plague-orphaned), but none shown on-screen; the protagonist's desperate suicidal plunge in the first few pages is understandable and not trivialized, and she does not suffer from chronic suicidal thoughts; no nudity/makeout/sex scenes so far, no swearing, no gore; occasional alcohol (background characters get drunk at a festival)

[Valérie Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'édition en anglais est publiée en tomes doubles, du même format que Red River. Le premier tome original (la moitié de ce livre) ne m'avait pas convaincue, je suis heureuse d'avoir pu poursuivre avec le tome 2 original (l'autre moitié du livre!). Car la mangaka explique bien qu'il n'était pas prévu que cela devienne une série. Au début, on sent cette obligation de "clore" l'histoire, sans développer davantage l'entourage. Toutefois, dès le tome 2, la mangaka ayant reçu l'autorisation de faire une série, le monde de Colette s'ouvre: de nouveaux personnages au village, un passé, des êtres légendaires supplémentaires (Demeter, Charon, le tailleur)... Et ça devient beaucoup plus intéressant!

C'est un récit beaucoup plus adorable que je le pensais! Ce n'est pas une histoire médicale, au contraire de Momo Medical Story ou Les carnets de l'apothicaire, où on nous décrit les médicaments avec détails. On axe plutôt le récit sur le quotidien occupé de Colette, et le refuge que devient les Enfers et cet Hadès un peu tsundere. À travers des tranches de vie, on montre comment la présence de l'un et de l'autre change leur vision sur la mort, les regrets, le travail, le dévouement.

Le mélange entre la mythologie grecque et ces touches japonaises reliées à Enma donne un mélange fantastique qui m'a beaucoup plu. Et le temple de Kyoto évoqué par la mangaka est sans doute le Senbon Emma-do, où j'ai eu la chance de voir un type de théâtre kyôgen parlé très particulier, le Dainenbutsu Kyôgen, reconnu historiquement par la ville de Kyoto. Des femmes et des enfants faisaient partie des artistes, ce qui est très rare (habituellement, comme dans le nô, les acteurs sont tous masculins). Une petite touche moderne, tout comme cette Colette apothicaire au village.

Bref, je poursuivrai la lecture de cette série prometteuse qui, malgré le titre, montre bien, avec ces courtes histoires, toute la valeur de la vie.

[Off Service Book Recs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard-working apothecary Colette is past burn-out and into fully crashing out - she works day and night to help the needs of her village, but has no assistants, no breaks, and no real sense of appreciation from her patients. After a careless mistake she finds herself in the realm of Hades, Lord of the Dead, bedridden with illness and a prime candidate for Colette's services. Treating him and learning about his motivations gives Colette a new sense of purpose with her job, and her adventure in the Underworld is surely not her last as she sets off with renewed fervor to treat the mortals and immortals who come to her door.

I'm definitely at a point in my life where I am willing and able to read just about anything with an apothecary in it, and "Colette Decides to Die" was a fun take on what I feel is becoming a trope, along with a fresh approach to mortal meddling in the Greek Pantheon. I thought the story was a good mix of examining one's beliefs/motivations, the importance of balance in life, lighthearted shenanigans, generous reimagining of Greek figures moving about a mortal world, and, of course, a little slow burn between the Lord of Hell and his favorite apothecary (which leads me to wonder where Persephone in all of this). My version of this book also had a one-shot from the author in the middle, which was a surprising but cute break, and I loved that the margins of some of the chapters had notes from the author about the development of this story and some notes about the characters. I will definitely grab the next novel in this series and enjoyed its fluffy slice-of-life-ness and the beautiful and delicate art style!

[Ashley Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been seeing so many people talk about this book and how wonderful of a story it was, that I could no longer deny myself the opportunity to read this so called "masterpiece." And so, with one press of the button I quickly ordered the first volume from Amazon and anticipated its arrival to my address.... and oh my goodness - I fell in love.
At first glance it doesn't seem to be anything too spectacular. The book holds many themes similar to "The Apothecary Diaries" simply because our main girl Colette is an apothecary herself. But that's really all it had in common with it. I found myself comparing it more to other things the further I read into it.
Colette reminds me so much of many of my favorite heroines. From the bravery of Yona from Yona of the Dawn. To the gentle and kind nature of Tohru from Fruits Basket. And even her silliness and expressions reminded me so much of Nina from Nina the Starry Bride. I couldn't help smiling and laughing all the way through this book and I hated every minute that I had to put it down.
The story is so well written and the themes it explored touched my heart and dare I say it - even my soul. It addressed issues that I myself have found myself in many a time and the author done such an extremely good job in answering all of them. It truly is a masterpiece and I would highly recommend anyone to read it.
I am saddened only by the thought of having to wait for the next volumes release. The day cannot come soon enough. I might even add that an anime be made one day in the future. I can only hope.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Collette is an apothecary healer tired of the constant demands of people requiring her services. She decides to end it all, only to find herself alive in the underworld and the Lord of said Underworld needing her services. By helping him and talking to him Collette remembers why she took up this career in the first place, and eventually earns herself the title of Apothecary to the Underworld (or something similar).

While the title may imply there is some sort of suicidal ideation in this series, it's not the case. I think the title was just an attempt to grab a reader's attention and have them open the book out of curiosity. What this series seems to be more about is the dangers of overworking yourself and the ramifications of experiencing burn out. There is a lot of emphasis on remembering the thing that got you into your career path in the first place, the rewards of helping people, and allowing other to help you when it's needed.

My only gripe with this was the fact that there was a random, modern story slapped in the
middle' of the book because books 1 & 2 were short enough that they could be condensed into one volume. I think that should have been moved to the end of book 2 to avoid confusion. I literally stopped reading to pull up the page count when it appeared (because I felt it was a short volume), and when read it, hoping it wasn't going to take up the last half of the book page count. Good news, it did not, but it's placement was confusing and it threw me off.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’ll, isn’t this absolutely lovely~

In these first two collected volumes, readers are introduced to Colette—a workaholic apothecary. She’s exhausted and fed up with everything so she decides to die by jumping down a well! Much to her surprise though, Colette didn’t die—rather, she ends up in the in-between space known as the underworld. There, Colette meets a new patient in need of assistance—Hades, Lord of the Dead. He’s in rough condition but Colette believes she can heal him! Thus, with a renewed sense of purpose, Colette begins regularly traversing between her world and the underworld, tending to Hades and any patients that pop up along the way.

This is such a sweet, wholesome story. I really appreciate our core characters—as well as many of the side characters who provide so much more levity to the series. Much consideration is put into developing a relationship between Colette and Hades that is built upon mutual care and respect.

Plus, the folksy art style is just so endearing here. Both the storytelling and the art style have so much charm.

Definitely recommend for readers who enjoy cozy fantasy, slow-burn romance series~

[TheReadingAngel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4/5

The version I read had 2 full volumes in it, so double the content! There was also a bonus story in the middle, which was interesting and unrelated to the main story.

Colette is your typical FMC. Always doing her best and seeing the light in every situation, except in the very beginning where she tries to kill herself from being overworked. Honestly? Hilarious premise. But after she meets Hades, it’s a pretty typical shoujo manga.

I was kind of confused about the amount of Greek mythology. All the gods are named after Greek gods and for the most part there is a decent amount of correlation of the actual myths. But then all the regular world seems very disconnected as no one else has typical Greek names (that I know of) and it’s not like they mention that they live in Greece. I wonder if the next volume will be more explicit in its explanations.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I’d be very happy if there was a bit more romance in the next volume. Here’s to hoping ~

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and VIZ Media for the digital ARC of the manga "Colette Decides to Die"!

"Colette Decides to Die" by Alto Yukimura is a sweet manga about Colette the apothecary and her friendship with the lord of the underworld, Hades! After falling down a well and into the underworld she finds Lord Hades sick and insists on helping him. She becomes the underworld's apothecary, spending time on the surface helping her village and making house calls to Hades' palace. I'm a sucker for a ball of sunshine girl thawing out a cold exterior boy story. Hades and Colette have a sweet friendship, and they both support each other in their busy and stressful jobs, and by the end of this volume there seems to be hints that love might be blossoming! I'll be recommending this series to teen and adult library patrons looking for a light mythology/fantasy romance manga, and I look forward to picking up future volumes myself.

[Niche · Rating 1 out of 5]

Colette is fed up with overwork as the town physician, she jumps down a well to end it all and ends up in the Hades's realm, the underworld. There's not really anything there for me to say it has anything to do with Persephone myth other than it involves a romance with Hades. Hercules also has an appearance as the traumatized antagonist shoujo trope.

The guys aren't drawn with nipples, which means it probably won't be smutty/rapey (it's usually a good warning sign), but the trauma/moodiness/pathos of the male characters means there will likely still be scheming, rakish, and predatory/sadistic antagonists in the future. Seems to imply that Zeus is going to be an antagonist/rival in the future, not looking forward to it.

I didn't find the interactions with the lead funny or warm/fuzzy enough for me to keep going. I'd probably just reread Snow White with Red Hair instead.