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Majo No Biyaku #4
Spell of Desire, Vol. 4
A fraught romance between a witch and her knight, from the creator of Midnight Secretary !
Kaoruko Mochizuki runs an herb shop in a small seaside town. One day, a mysterious man dressed in black named Kaname Hibiki enters her shop and reveals that Kaoruko is actually a witch . And what’s more, Kaoruko needs Kaname to help control her awakening power!
In order to become a Black Witch, Kaoruko makes a pledge with Kaname. However, that means that Kaname will be breaking his pledge as a knight and betraying the Witch Queen! If the Witch Queen awakens, Kaname will suffer a terrible punishment… Meanwhile, Kaoruko is being stalked by someone who is after her powers!
Kaoruko Mochizuki runs an herb shop in a small seaside town. One day, a mysterious man dressed in black named Kaname Hibiki enters her shop and reveals that Kaoruko is actually a witch . And what’s more, Kaoruko needs Kaname to help control her awakening power!
In order to become a Black Witch, Kaoruko makes a pledge with Kaname. However, that means that Kaname will be breaking his pledge as a knight and betraying the Witch Queen! If the Witch Queen awakens, Kaname will suffer a terrible punishment… Meanwhile, Kaoruko is being stalked by someone who is after her powers!
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 21, 2025
the buildup to the conclusion was a little lackluster, but let’s see how it all plays out!
January 13, 2020
Dedicated Series review coming soon! In the mean time, check out this vlog where I read the entire series!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNSMl...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNSMl...
September 4, 2015
**Review in Progress**
Oh, these black witches are not nice! Power hungry crazies the lot of them! It appears our couples time together will soon be coming to an end. Training is near complete and the Witch Queen will need her power back. Lots of romance and some angst fill this volume.
While the first half is interesting with traps and training, the second half is a bit dull comparatively as Kaoruko goes through a lot of internal monologue angst. I did like the show of Kaoruko's true inner power that is her own. There is more to her than meets the eye!
I still cannot get enough of the artwork! So beautiful!
Oh, these black witches are not nice! Power hungry crazies the lot of them! It appears our couples time together will soon be coming to an end. Training is near complete and the Witch Queen will need her power back. Lots of romance and some angst fill this volume.
While the first half is interesting with traps and training, the second half is a bit dull comparatively as Kaoruko goes through a lot of internal monologue angst. I did like the show of Kaoruko's true inner power that is her own. There is more to her than meets the eye!
I still cannot get enough of the artwork! So beautiful!
May 9, 2025
Overall: 3.75 stars
My experience reading this manga was a literal horseshoe parabola. We started off good, then it got REAL BAD, then we climb back up and end on a high.
The REAL BAD is an amazingly cheesy scene in which there’s a ~sex ritual~ as part of the heroine’s black magic training, with the justification that black magic is *sensual.* This scene and the chapter it was in were both so so cringey that I dreaded finishing the book (there is an author’s note apologizing for rushing and needing to do better with deadlines so maybe that contributed).
However! The plot crawls its way out of that hole and we have a couple chapters of very cute bonding between the main couple, and some very swoony love confessions. They were adorable and really redeemed the book from its earlier trash.
As usual for this author, the art is gorgeous.
This volume is rated M and served shrink-wrapped, and there are some sex scenes. Nothing explicit though, just silhouettes, making out, and a single titty per nude scene. There’s also shower boobies and the like, but it’s not especially racy.
One more book to go to finish this series, and hopefully we finish on a high note instead of back in the dumpster.
My experience reading this manga was a literal horseshoe parabola. We started off good, then it got REAL BAD, then we climb back up and end on a high.
The REAL BAD is an amazingly cheesy scene in which there’s a ~sex ritual~ as part of the heroine’s black magic training, with the justification that black magic is *sensual.* This scene and the chapter it was in were both so so cringey that I dreaded finishing the book (there is an author’s note apologizing for rushing and needing to do better with deadlines so maybe that contributed).
However! The plot crawls its way out of that hole and we have a couple chapters of very cute bonding between the main couple, and some very swoony love confessions. They were adorable and really redeemed the book from its earlier trash.
As usual for this author, the art is gorgeous.
This volume is rated M and served shrink-wrapped, and there are some sex scenes. Nothing explicit though, just silhouettes, making out, and a single titty per nude scene. There’s also shower boobies and the like, but it’s not especially racy.
One more book to go to finish this series, and hopefully we finish on a high note instead of back in the dumpster.
Read
September 20, 20232,5/5 🌟
May 20, 2025
The saga continues as Koko becomes more involved in the coven, she gets embroiled in their politics, and tries to stay neutral as she learns more about magic and her abilities. The romance continues to cook, but the pressure of knowing it may be coming to an end as the Witch Queen reawakens takes its toll. The depth of her power is becoming apparent to everyone. The spice level is cranked up in this book as the witches help in a ritual that involves background characters having sex.
The persistent retelling is still a bit painful, but the pace of this book is better than the beginning of the story. The illustrations continue to be beautiful with lace, gems, beasts, and more, highlighting the subtle details of the story. I personally wish that the male lead would get a little more emphasis in the illustration.
The persistent retelling is still a bit painful, but the pace of this book is better than the beginning of the story. The illustrations continue to be beautiful with lace, gems, beasts, and more, highlighting the subtle details of the story. I personally wish that the male lead would get a little more emphasis in the illustration.
February 3, 2021
Spell of Desire, Vol. 4 by Tomu Ohmi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was my favorite volume so far. Kaoruko and Kaname's love deepened (so good!), the plot kept me engaged, and it overall felt steamier than the books leading up to it. The final chapter does a great job of creating tension because they both know they're on borrowed time with the witch queen eventual return looming over their heads. In the next, and final, volume she finally returns and the big question is - will Kaname choose Kaoruko? And if he does, what will the fallout be?
This was my favorite volume so far. Kaoruko and Kaname's love deepened (so good!), the plot kept me engaged, and it overall felt steamier than the books leading up to it. The final chapter does a great job of creating tension because they both know they're on borrowed time with the witch queen eventual return looming over their heads. In the next, and final, volume she finally returns and the big question is - will Kaname choose Kaoruko? And if he does, what will the fallout be?
January 14, 2026
A Dangerous Pact
Kaoruko’s pledge with Kaname to become a Black Witch puts them both at odds with powerful forces, forcing impossible choices that blur loyalty and love.
Betrayal and Consequences
By breaking his knightly vow, Kaname risks severe punishment from the Witch Queen, raising the stakes for both their lives and their relationship.
A Shadow on Her Power
Kaoruko is hunted by a mysterious figure seeking her abilities, adding suspense, danger, and relentless tension to her already perilous journey.
Kaoruko’s pledge with Kaname to become a Black Witch puts them both at odds with powerful forces, forcing impossible choices that blur loyalty and love.
Betrayal and Consequences
By breaking his knightly vow, Kaname risks severe punishment from the Witch Queen, raising the stakes for both their lives and their relationship.
A Shadow on Her Power
Kaoruko is hunted by a mysterious figure seeking her abilities, adding suspense, danger, and relentless tension to her already perilous journey.
May 23, 2017
This is a pretty interesting manga series. It's very much so a romance, with Koko discoverering her sexuality and that she likes sex in this volume. It's great because Koko is in charge of her sexuality, but Hibiki isn't an alpha male douchebag, which you don't often find in manga. I also like that Koko and Hibiki in a relationship now compared to the first couple of volumes.
December 27, 2019
I know the manga is almost pure smut with some shavings of a supernatural plot, but I did find this volume pretty resonant in the way that the heroine is maturing and developing along with her growing powers. It’s also refreshing to see an adult relationship that is built on trust and respect. Cannot wait to see how volume 5 wraps everything up!
May 23, 2022
Again, 5 stars, the main characters Koko and Kaname are absolutely adorable. The way they develop their relationship throughout the series is so cute. I am fan-creaturing through this whole volume. What can I say, it is insanely enjoyable!
March 2, 2026
Our final volume is next. This one we learned more about her power but not a ton happened that moved along the story. They spent time together but we haven't seen her training her magic really. I'm still interested but the story's pacing doesn't seem the best.
May 7, 2017
Haha- this one was very Pretty Woman. Just fluff- in a fine way :)
November 24, 2017
the series would have been 5-star if the author hadn't rehash and repeat so much.
March 17, 2018
Love it!
December 4, 2018
4.75 stars
November 29, 2020
4,5 von 5 Sternen
January 1, 2021
This was really enjoyable. Just FYI there are female nudity scenes in the manga scattered throughout. This is a smuttier manga romance but everything was kept pretty tame in spite of that.
October 9, 2021
I am really enjoying this series, it is interest, sensual, and beautifully drawn.
November 12, 2021
Such a good book!
December 11, 2021
*3.5 stars
October 8, 2022
If this series doesn’t end how I want it to I will be extremely upset.
April 26, 2024
The love these two have for each other is too sweet. The ending of this volume is so ominous though.
September 27, 2024
SHEEEEEESH! Kaname is a smooth talker! This volume had me blushing the whole time. So romantic, so cheesy, so amazing.
April 17, 2025
this are heating up! so much to learn!
August 9, 2021
Zum Inhalt:
Die Schlinge um Kaorukos Hals zieht sich immer fester. Kaname versucht so gut er kann, sie vor dem Zirkel der Schwarzen Hexen zu beschützen, aber auch seine Macht hat Grenzen. Wie lange wird Kaorukos strahlender Ritter noch durchhalten? Und was wird aus ihnen, wenn seine wahre Herrin, die Hexenkönigin, zurückkehren sollte?
Cover:
Auch auf dem vierten Cover kann man die beiden Protagonisten Kaname und Koko sehen. Hier sind sie auch wieder sehr innig beieinander, sodass man gleich weiß, dass es sich hier um eine Liebesgeschichte handelt. Außerdem wiederholt sich das Motto der Cover immer wieder, auch wenn auf einem anderen farblichen Untergrund. Das hat einen absoluten Wiedererkennungsfaktor.
Eigener Eindruck:
Koko muss sich weiterhin gegen die Intrigen der Hexen aus dem schwarzen Zirkel beweisen und tappt doch wegen ihrer Gutgläubigkeit in die Falle der Hexe Isandra. Kaname wurde zwar aus dem Zirkel verbannt, schafft es aber trotzdem ihr zu Hilfe zu kommen. Doch das zehrt an seinen Kräften. Es gelingt den beiden die Macht der schwarzen Hexenkönigin mit der Macht von Koko einzuschließen und schließlich in ihr altes Leben zurück zu kehren, auch wenn hier neue Aufgaben auf sie warten. Doch dann scheint sich die schwarze Hexenkönigin wieder zu erheben und Kaname muss sich entscheiden, wie es weiter gehen soll, denn er müsste Koko nun zu ihr bringen und ihr auch fortan wieder dienen….
Band 4 war für mich auch wieder ein richtiges Highlight, denn die Geschichte wird nun dramatischer und scheint auch bald ihrem Ende zuzugehen, denn mit dem Auftauchen der schwarzen Hexenkönigin müsste Koko nun ja eigentlich deren Macht wieder abgeben und könnte meiner Meinung nach in ihr altes Leben zurück kehren. Fraglich ist dabei nur, ob Kaname dann weiterhin an ihrer Seite bleiben kann oder ob er bei der schwarzen Königin bleiben muss und wie es wohl für Koko enden wird, wenn ihre Mutter ihre Macht wieder haben will. Die Geschichte wird von der Mangaka geschickt zugespitzt und ich ahne, dass der letzte Band – angeblich gibt es ja nur 5 Bände – noch einmal ein richtiges Feuerwerk an Intrigen und Drama wird. Natürlich hoffe ich für die beiden Turteltauben nur das Beste, aber ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass die Mangaka hier kein Happy End geben wird. Zumindest sieht es immer mehr danach aus. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, dass es weiter geht und bin doch etwas wehmütig, denn so einen qualitativ guten Manga hätte man meiner Meinung nach gern noch ein bisschen in die Länge ziehen können.
Fazit:
Auch Band 4 kann komplett überzeugen und wird deshalb von mir wärmstens empfohlen! Die Reihe ist einzigartig in ihrer Story und die Zeichnungen sind und bleiben einfach der absolute Hammer!
Idee: 5/5
Charaktere: 5/5
Logik: 5/5
Spannung: 4/5
Emotionen: 4/5
Gesamt: 5/5
Daten:
ISBN: 9782889217762
Sprache: Deutsch
Ausgabe: Flexibler Einband
Umfang: 192 Seiten
Verlag: KAZÉ Manga
Erscheinungsdatum: 03.11.2016
Die Schlinge um Kaorukos Hals zieht sich immer fester. Kaname versucht so gut er kann, sie vor dem Zirkel der Schwarzen Hexen zu beschützen, aber auch seine Macht hat Grenzen. Wie lange wird Kaorukos strahlender Ritter noch durchhalten? Und was wird aus ihnen, wenn seine wahre Herrin, die Hexenkönigin, zurückkehren sollte?
Cover:
Auch auf dem vierten Cover kann man die beiden Protagonisten Kaname und Koko sehen. Hier sind sie auch wieder sehr innig beieinander, sodass man gleich weiß, dass es sich hier um eine Liebesgeschichte handelt. Außerdem wiederholt sich das Motto der Cover immer wieder, auch wenn auf einem anderen farblichen Untergrund. Das hat einen absoluten Wiedererkennungsfaktor.
Eigener Eindruck:
Koko muss sich weiterhin gegen die Intrigen der Hexen aus dem schwarzen Zirkel beweisen und tappt doch wegen ihrer Gutgläubigkeit in die Falle der Hexe Isandra. Kaname wurde zwar aus dem Zirkel verbannt, schafft es aber trotzdem ihr zu Hilfe zu kommen. Doch das zehrt an seinen Kräften. Es gelingt den beiden die Macht der schwarzen Hexenkönigin mit der Macht von Koko einzuschließen und schließlich in ihr altes Leben zurück zu kehren, auch wenn hier neue Aufgaben auf sie warten. Doch dann scheint sich die schwarze Hexenkönigin wieder zu erheben und Kaname muss sich entscheiden, wie es weiter gehen soll, denn er müsste Koko nun zu ihr bringen und ihr auch fortan wieder dienen….
Band 4 war für mich auch wieder ein richtiges Highlight, denn die Geschichte wird nun dramatischer und scheint auch bald ihrem Ende zuzugehen, denn mit dem Auftauchen der schwarzen Hexenkönigin müsste Koko nun ja eigentlich deren Macht wieder abgeben und könnte meiner Meinung nach in ihr altes Leben zurück kehren. Fraglich ist dabei nur, ob Kaname dann weiterhin an ihrer Seite bleiben kann oder ob er bei der schwarzen Königin bleiben muss und wie es wohl für Koko enden wird, wenn ihre Mutter ihre Macht wieder haben will. Die Geschichte wird von der Mangaka geschickt zugespitzt und ich ahne, dass der letzte Band – angeblich gibt es ja nur 5 Bände – noch einmal ein richtiges Feuerwerk an Intrigen und Drama wird. Natürlich hoffe ich für die beiden Turteltauben nur das Beste, aber ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass die Mangaka hier kein Happy End geben wird. Zumindest sieht es immer mehr danach aus. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, dass es weiter geht und bin doch etwas wehmütig, denn so einen qualitativ guten Manga hätte man meiner Meinung nach gern noch ein bisschen in die Länge ziehen können.
Fazit:
Auch Band 4 kann komplett überzeugen und wird deshalb von mir wärmstens empfohlen! Die Reihe ist einzigartig in ihrer Story und die Zeichnungen sind und bleiben einfach der absolute Hammer!
Idee: 5/5
Charaktere: 5/5
Logik: 5/5
Spannung: 4/5
Emotionen: 4/5
Gesamt: 5/5
Daten:
ISBN: 9782889217762
Sprache: Deutsch
Ausgabe: Flexibler Einband
Umfang: 192 Seiten
Verlag: KAZÉ Manga
Erscheinungsdatum: 03.11.2016
December 4, 2023
girl lol
May 30, 2015
When I went to my local anime con last month, I ended up going to a late-night panel about josei manga, and afterwards, I was chatting with the panelist while I was waiting for the next panel to start. We got around to talking about Ohmi Tomu (because Midnight Secretary was one of the series featured), and I mentioned that I really loved Spell of Desire. “Oh? I don’t know if I wanna read that one?” “IT’S SO GOOD. Koko’s in control of her sexuality, Hibiki isn’t an alpha male douchebag, and it’s hoooooot.”
One of the things that I do keep stressing about this series overall is that it’s not just Koko discovering that she likes sex and discovering her sexuality, but really about her maturing overall and doing it on her terms. There is a strong tie between black witchcraft and sexuality, but what I like about Koko’s discovery of her powers and getting stronger is that she doesn’t negate that side of her. She is very aware of what her powers require, but unlike the black witches of her mother’s coven, she doesn’t want or even see the reason to use her powers ruthlessly. And I really like that angle—it’s not about Koko changing Hibiki’s mind or the other black witches , but rather, about her using her own strength to forge her own path in life.
I do like that we did get to see the power struggle in the coven and how Koko does pose a threat to the current structure. Although they don’t know when the Witch Queen plans on returning, the idea that Koko may be playing dumb to get a foothold in the coven and eventually take over is a valid one. I liked that she does somewhat rescue herself (well, technically Hibiki does, but Koko blows out the protection wards preventing him from reaching her), and that she does point out that there are aspects of black magic that are wrong and are being misused. I do wish that we had seen more of the coven and the politics and power plays following that, but I think Ohmi has established the idea that Koko is a threat despite her disinterest in claiming power over the coven. (Also, I don’t think the “Uh, well, we’re going to send you home in Japan because we’ll say you’re too much of a threat” doesn’t entirely work for me.)
I think you could successfully argue that this is a sort of coming-of-age story, but you know, with sexy witches. Ohmi has been doing fantastic work so far, and although she doesn’t delve quite as deep in witches politics here (unlike vampire politics in the previous series), I liked that we get just enough to establish what we need to get for the next volume. Still loving this series, and hoping that this will go out on a high note.
One of the things that I do keep stressing about this series overall is that it’s not just Koko discovering that she likes sex and discovering her sexuality, but really about her maturing overall and doing it on her terms. There is a strong tie between black witchcraft and sexuality, but what I like about Koko’s discovery of her powers and getting stronger is that she doesn’t negate that side of her. She is very aware of what her powers require, but unlike the black witches of her mother’s coven, she doesn’t want or even see the reason to use her powers ruthlessly. And I really like that angle—it’s not about Koko changing Hibiki’s mind or the other black witches , but rather, about her using her own strength to forge her own path in life.
I do like that we did get to see the power struggle in the coven and how Koko does pose a threat to the current structure. Although they don’t know when the Witch Queen plans on returning, the idea that Koko may be playing dumb to get a foothold in the coven and eventually take over is a valid one. I liked that she does somewhat rescue herself (well, technically Hibiki does, but Koko blows out the protection wards preventing him from reaching her), and that she does point out that there are aspects of black magic that are wrong and are being misused. I do wish that we had seen more of the coven and the politics and power plays following that, but I think Ohmi has established the idea that Koko is a threat despite her disinterest in claiming power over the coven. (Also, I don’t think the “Uh, well, we’re going to send you home in Japan because we’ll say you’re too much of a threat” doesn’t entirely work for me.)
I think you could successfully argue that this is a sort of coming-of-age story, but you know, with sexy witches. Ohmi has been doing fantastic work so far, and although she doesn’t delve quite as deep in witches politics here (unlike vampire politics in the previous series), I liked that we get just enough to establish what we need to get for the next volume. Still loving this series, and hoping that this will go out on a high note.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews