this came in at work, title made me laugh and after checking the tags I figured this would be exactly my kind of mediocre lesbian story and I was right
[Thanks to Kodansha and NetGalley for an ARC of this manga in exchange for an unbiased review.]
I swore I was done with these fantasy stories that are both very generic and have incredibly on the nose titles. Yet, if you make it yuri, well, I will be here to at least check it out and I’m happy I did.
Oh, the fantasy is super generic. The titular dark knight, Frost, is basically a super sentai hero who transforms into her battle mode when the incredibly generic monsters show up to cause trouble.
Having used the word ‘generic’ three times in two paragraphs, with descriptors no less, you might be surprised that I am quite positive on this title and look forward to more. Yet, here we are.
Basically, this quickly morphs from its apparent roots to be a rather daft domestic comedy that is quietly about to get very gay. It doesn’t hurt that our two leads happen to have pretty fantastic ‘enemies to lovers’ chemistry.
It helps that neither of our main characters start off being all that great. Clarice is our entry point and she’s only agreed to this marriage because she desperately wants the dark knight’s money. Yes, it’s for her sister’s health, but she’s all politics and scheming.
For her part, Frost, said dark knight, hides behind her armour because women can’t be knights. Plus, she’s as cold as her name due to some obvious heartbreak in her past. And she’s willing to kill Clarice to keep her secret.
Which seems heavy, and is, but quickly devolves into some very goofy stuff. I absolutely adored the page where Clarice is desperately running multiple scenarios to save her head and they all end with her getting it lopped off.
Frost may be the chilly brawn, but Clarice quickly shows that she’s incredibly clever. From her handling of life-or-death situations to wrangling a domestic crisis with some eggs, I really liked how she tackles the obstacles before her.
Frost is essentially a final boss and Clarice’s grand scheme to win this money hinges on getting Frost to fall for her. While her work is cut out for her, she still manages to crack that facade in some fun ways. She also seems genuinely unaware that actual affection could be in the works, so that’s a cute detail.
The story wisely develops both of them, even if Clarice gets the bulk of the characterization. Even with her impure motives, and you know that’ll come back, she is surprisingly thoughtful. Frost, meanwhile, is surprisingly naive about some things and a deliciously sore loser.
It’s really their pairing that makes this work. Clarice comes through at the end during a big fight, but doesn’t crowd Frost out of her hero moment. Interspersed is some light comedy from Clarice’s family and Frost’s staff.
And amidst all that is the quietly growing relationship, which is moving quite slowly but has enough nearly tender moments to indicate that the payoff should definitely be worth it.
3.5 stars - despite a real basic setting, the story quickly uses that as an excuse to bring two very different people together and makes that worth watching. A fun fantasy yuri.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this ARC.
Why did I request this ARC? Honestly, because of the title. Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) is fun, intriguing, and straight to the point. It hooked me immediately.
Clarice and Frost deliver that classic grumpy x sunshine dynamic, and it’s as endearing as it is wholesome. Clarice brings a warmth that softens the edges of Frost’s cold, intimidating presence and watching that contrast play out is genuinely entertaining. The supporting cast adds an extra layer of charm and quirkiness, while also reinforcing just how feared and unapproachable the Dark Knight really is.
There are subtle whispers of Frost’s past woven throughout this volume, and they do exactly what they need to...pull you in. Because really, who doesn’t want to know what shaped someone like that?
The artwork leans into the tone beautifully. It knows when to be soft and gentle in Clarice’s moments, and when to shift into something sharper and more unsettling for Frost. The action panels are clear and easy to follow, which makes a huge difference. You’re never lost in the chaos.
As an introductory volume, this does a great job of setting the stage. It sparks curiosity, builds immediate attachment to the characters and lays a solid foundation for what’s to come. It’s fun, it’s adorable and there’s already a sense that something deeper is simmering beneath the surface.
I’m definitely keen to see where this series goes next.
I received this manga from Kodansha Comics on Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.
How can I resist a F/F romance? You’re right, I can’t! When I spotted this one and saw the cover (and the hilarious title) I just had to request it! So happy I got the chance to read it~
💖 Clarice was such a sweet character. She really loves her family and will do anything for them and if that means getting married? Sure. She will do that. Because she knows if everything works out her sister can have the doctors and cures she needs to have. And sure, throughout the story you see that she cares a lot for the money she will receive and now can send to her family, but I also saw that she was genuinely into Frost. Genuinely wanted to give it a chance. From making bigger meals (the kitchen staff has fled) to playing chess (Frost is a terrible loser) to baking cookies to trying to help out when a scary situation happens. I also love how sweet Clarice was with the staff (or well the 4 maids). She tries to help them out and make things better for them as well, which includes making a stew with medicinal herbs because one of the maids has stomach aches due to stress. With each more thing that Clarice did I liked her more and more. She was so sweet and I am hoping that her mission to Lovey Dovey Frost-sama will work out. I am rooting for her. 💖 I love how Clarice was all prepared for a husband, had a fancy bath, and while a bit eh about the nuptials thing was ready for it. And then when she finds out Frost is a woman she just casually accepts it. Then again Frost is hot. It made me laugh and made me happy that she was so accepting. We don’t often see bi/pan characters in historical romance/fantasy manga, so I am in a very happy mood. 💖 The four maids! I loved each one of them and I love their personalities. 💖 That Frost’s armour is akin to Tokusatsu/Sentai stuff. She has a belt around her and she can press that and an armour comes around her. I was already wondering how the heck she constantly got in and out of that huge thing (which BTW gave me all the Overlord vibes, haha). Plus, the thing even has some cool features! 💖 The art style is so fun! The style is sweet and I love how the characters are drawn, and not just the two leads, but also the maids each had so much personality. 💖 I love a height difference between love interests! My hubby is 1.98/1.99m and I am 1.66m and I love it. 💖 While the monsters were scary and dangerous I did like the addition to the story, it just gave it a bit more oomph!
😶 I am still on the fence about Frost. I mean, on the one hand I can understand that she doesn’t want people to know she is a woman, but on the other hand, lay off with the threats and the fucking attitude. I was happy that we did see some moments of her happy/at peace/not grumpy, but it was so little. Other than she was constantly threatening our MC who was just doing her best. She scared the heck out of her staff to the point that only 4 maids worked there (with one constantly in stress, an other able to faint on the spot). I want to like Frost, I really do. Again she has potential, but she really needs to step up. If she is like this again in the whole of the next volume… I may not be continuing the series.
All in all, despite the love interest being a bit of a bother/not fun, I still had fun with this one and I love how our MC is dedicated to woo the love interest.
I really liked this one! It’s funny, has some great action scenes, and the art is beautiful. So far, all the characters are likeable—even the secondary ones—which made the story even more enjoyable.
One of the main female characters, Clarice, really stood out to me. She’s incredibly persistent, especially when it comes to making sure her family and younger sister are taken care of. I love her positivity and determination, particularly in how she’s trying to get the Dark Knight to fall for her. She’s brave, a go-getter, a good cook, and a loving sister. I’m definitely rooting for her!
The other MFC, the Dark Knight—also known as Frost—is the complete opposite in many ways. She’s intimidating, mysterious, and very guarded. Clarice can tell there’s more to Frost beneath that cold exterior, and she’s determined to uncover it.
Their dynamic actually reminds me a bit of Iske and Ruby from How to Win My Husband Over.
This yuri has action, comedy, and a persistent love story—which is a combination I’m really enjoying. Sign me up for the next volume!
Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money), Vol. 1 is pretty much exactly what the title suggests: a girl from a struggling family agrees to marry a “dark knight” in exchange for money to pay off her family’s debts—only to discover that the knight isn’t a he, but a she.
The FMC (the one we follow) comes off as either a bit naive or just plain ignorant in her interactions with others. That said, since this is only the first volume and mostly focused on world-building and setting things up, I won’t judge her character too harshly yet.
I was expecting more political intrigue or at least some noticeable relationship development, but so far their dynamic feels very platonic.
Overall, it wasn’t bad enough for me to drop the series completely, but it also wasn’t engaging enough to make me eager to continue right away.
Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) is the start of a yuri (girl's love) manga series, full of comedy and fantasy tropes. A destitute noblewoman seeks to marry rich to save her family and help her sick sister, while the king orders his monster-slaying "dark knight" to marry but everyone is scared of this person... that's how our two leads meet.
One reason why I'm usually not into girl's love genre is that usually at least one of them is some shy, blushing, spineless doormat who needs to be saved from the world. Not here! Clarice might be the "femme" of this pairing, but she loves to take matters into her hands and it's more rash and hotheaded type than the shy wallflower type. The dynamics between the leads follows a grumpy x sunshine situation where Frost is the classic archetype of an ice queen stoic warrior (really? you named her "frost" and gave her white hair too?), and Clarice is desperately trying to break the ice.
This is a very short read (around 180 pages) and the relationship is fairly slow to start, so don't expect much progress until later volumes, but the episodes are full of slapstick humour and vivid personality.
I liked the art, character design was pretty and various side characters stood out, and the panels were detailed enough but not too overloaded. In a typical Japanese manner, the fantasy world is a pseudo-Western-European world where full-armor-knights exist next to victorian fashion styles.
I found it really funny, and the characters' poses and facial expressions accentuated comedic elements. I especially enjoyed the addition of Clarice's letters to her family that add extra humorous contrast between what she writes and what's really happening...
I liked Clarice as a character, she was plucky, a bit ditzy, but determined, used to hardships and courageous. I really can't express how much I'm relieved she wasn't a crying mess or a martyr for a cause, but very spirited yet kindhearted.
As for Frost, I always love stoic emotionally closed off warrior women, so I'm instantly sold.
This was a great palate cleanser between longer reads!
No spice so far, and the violence (fighting monsters, a side character being injured) is brief and not gory, therefore it's safe to recommend for teenage audience.
Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC.
P.S. This seems to be my 200th review on this site. Made me reflect back on my adventure as a reviewer, what kinds of books I want to support. I definitely want to see more sapphic fantasy where neither of the leads is a princess or a witch, because they're usually one of these...
[Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for the ARC.]
I’m really glad I picked up Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money), Vol. 1. In recent years I’ve been getting more into yuri stories, and this one ended up being such a fun and engaging read.
The story follows Clarice, a determined young woman who is struggling to support her family and care for her sick younger sister. With their financial situation becoming more and more desperate, she decides to take a bold step: marrying the kingdom’s most feared warrior, the Dark Knight, in order to secure a better future. Clarice immediately stood out to me as a protagonist. She’s persistent, optimistic, and incredibly driven when it comes to protecting the people she loves. I really liked how proactive she is: she’s not just waiting for things to happen, she actively tries to win over her new spouse and make her plan work. She’s brave, a bit chaotic in the best way, and genuinely endearing.
On the other side, we have the Dark Knight (also known as Frost) who is her complete opposite. She’s intimidating, quiet, and emotionally guarded, with a strong and almost cold presence. But it’s clear from early on that there’s more to her than meets the eye, and that contrast makes their dynamic really compelling.
What I enjoyed most is the balance between comedy, action, and character moments. The story has some genuinely funny scenes - especially when Clarice throws herself wholeheartedly into trying to make the marriage work - but it also includes action sequences and hints at deeper emotional layers. Watching Clarice try to “melt” Frost’s icy exterior is both entertaining and surprisingly sweet.
The chemistry between them is already promising, and I loved seeing those small moments where their relationship starts to shift, even just a little. It makes me really curious to see how their bond will evolve in future volumes.
The art is also a highlight: clean, expressive, and especially striking during the action scenes. Even the side characters feel likable and add to the overall charm of the story.
Overall, this was a strong and enjoyable first volume: funny, heartfelt, and full of potential. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how Clarice and Frost’s relationship develops from here.
Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) (Volume 1) follows the story of Clarice, the eldest daughter of a noble family, who is on the brink of financial ruin. Her younger sister, Charlotte, is sick, and her treatment would cost more than the family can afford. One day, Clarice overhears that the king is seeking a wife for the Dark Knight. She sees this as an opportunity to save her family from financial trouble.
As if being the wife of the Dark Knight isn’t difficult enough, Clarice finds herself in a dire situation when she accidentally uncovers the Dark Knight’s secret: the Dark Knight is actually a gorgeous woman hiding behind the armor! With the threat of death for discovering this secret, blood spilled left and right, and servants quitting faster than a blink of an eye, will Clarice survive this marriage of convenience that has only brought her inconvenience?
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Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) (Volume 1) is such a delightful treat to read. When I received an ARC for this, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I absolutely loved it.
This volume grabbed my attention with its interesting premise and the intriguing character dynamics. Clarice is a relatable character. Her determination to help her family, even if it means going to great lengths, makes her someone you can’t help but root for. On the other hand, Frost, despite how stoic she is, is a very strong character, and you can tell that her heart is in the right place, even though she doesn't know how to show it. The ensemble of servants was also a perfect addition to the story, and I can’t wait to learn more about them.
The artwork is absolutely stunning and complements the story beautifully. Sometimes, I’d find myself staring at a panel for way too long just to appreciate the finer details of the scenes.
With an intriguing premise, engaging characters, and gorgeous illustrations, this is an instant buy for me. If you enjoy reading manga with lovable characters, undeniable chemistry, and an interesting story, Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) is a perfect read for you!
Thank you to Sometime Suoh, Kodansha Comics, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Clarice may be from a noble family but they are broke, and with her sister Charlotte sick Clarice is desperate to find some way to get her family some money. One evening she overhears her parent's discussing the prospect of a marriage to a Knight! Clarice bursts in the door and tells them immediately that she absolutely will marry this knight whomever he is as he is clearly their ticket out of their financial woes, only for her parents to immediately decline. This isn't any Knight it is the bloodthirsty Dark Knight, but Clarice persists no matter how bad this Dark Knight is she must marry him to save her family but especially her precious sister. So marry him she does but on the evening of their wedding she discovers a huge secret: The Dark Knight is a woman!
I am aware that this is only Vol 1 but I'm already calling it for yuri of the year because, yup it's too stinking cute! Clarice is a great MC she clearly cares for her family quite a bit and as a broke noble she isn't used to just sitting around and doing nothing, so she is able to very quickly ingratiate herself to her new household. Well, everyone but her wife, more on that in a bit. She's also clearly very clever and if volume one is any sort of indication I think she'll be saving her wife from a bit of pain in the future since her wife is clearly the "charge in headfirst" type of Knight. Frost, the Dark Knight has been concealing her sex for ages as only men can become Knights so when Clarice finds out she's obviously a little concerned that she will spill the beans. Which makes sense, although how she thought that her new wife would never figure out her sex is completely beyond me. Because she's had to hide so much of herself from literally everyone, she's very standoffish which fits Clarice's very open personality perfectly at least for these first few volumes. It will be fun to watch Clarice get her to open up more.
I will definitely be continuing this series, Clarice is such a great MC and while I feel like the progression of her relationship with Frost will be full of tropes I am okay with it. They are just too cute together!
As always thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the eArc!
Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) 1 made me laugh, in the best way. Clarice volunteers to marry a big scary knight, Frost, so that her family doesn’t go broke. What she doesn’t expect is for her “husband” to be a woman who turns into a Hulk-sized Ironman-thing. Suoh (the author) and Sometime (the illustrator) created a fun comedic romantasy with expressive illustrations. The periodical cartoony drawings cut the tension while showing how lighthearted Clarice is, and how deadpan Frost is.
Clarice and Frost are a funny duo. Upon meeting her, Frost ices Clarice out. Clarice doesn’t care. She is determined to send money back home. So commences a montage of Clarice goading the grumpy superhero knight into playing chess, and introducing her to delicious home cooked food. I like that while Clarice is an optimist, she doesn’t let Frost dismiss her. Instead of burrowing away in fear, she hunkers down and wins both the staff’s and her wife’s (begrudging) respect. When vicious monsters are narrowing in on civilians, and Frost is out of moves, Clarice quickly creates a distraction and gets the rest of the household moving.
Frost doesn’t know what to do about the cheery and brave woman who’s slowly melting her heart. Not much is known about Frost, other than that she’s playing a man’s part. I expect to learn more about the frosty but secretly soft (the iceberg has layers, who knew?) love interest in future installments.
Manga isn’t really my style. I liked this one, and hope that sequels are coming. I want to see Frost and Clarice share their vulnerabilities. I want to see them face difficulties and balance each other out. Clarice is showing Frost that sunshine (personified) is good for the soul, and Frost is maybe starting to be a stable presence in Clarice’s corner. If you’re interested in a fairytale-y yuri with a grumpy x sunshine duo, this one’s great fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
First I would like to thank NetGalley, the Author, the Artist and the Publisher for this ARC.
The art was on point and I did like the story line. ☺️ The cover is gorgeous and the story promises to be good.
But: I felt like Clarice's reactions were a bit over the top but The Dark Knight balanced that out quite nicely by being a little bland. I just think that if Clarice would have been honest with the Dark Knight that there could have been made a deal of some sorts. Instead Clarice is lying to her loved ones, the Dark Knight is terrifying everyone into an early grave and the rest of the world stays oblivious. I do believe that there is more here and that it's worth exploring, all of the characters show promise. And: I would like to read on, and felt like this one volume was just to short. I do hope that there wil be more page time for all of the maids and that their will be character growth for bot FMC's.
*Dear Goodreads.... Will you please ADD a box or button we can tic when writing a review for an ARC. Because being send back to the "Verification" page that NOT always loads and makes everything just a lot more troublesome than it has to be, isn't FUN. Nearly every reader starts their review with THANKING the SOURCE from where they got their ARC. So just ad a button under the "My rating" part of the review page where WE, THE READER, can add where and how we received the ARC and CONFIRM THAT, YES WE KNOW THIS ISN'T PUBLISHED JET AND YES WE GOT THE ARC AND YES WE ARE SURE WE WANT TO WRITE A REVIEW.
Thanks to sometime, Netgalley, and Kodansha for a complimentary e-arc of this manga in exchange for an honest review.
This was a such a fun and self-aware fantasy yuri manga and I had a really good time with it. We follow Clarice, a penniless noblewoman with no such grand plans of romance in her life - no, she wants to marry for money to take care of her sick sister. When she finds out the mysterious and terrifying Dark Knight has asked for an offer of marriage she accepts despite knowing this is not going to be the most convenient of arranged marriages. But after the wedding, she's in for a shock - the terrifying dark knight is actually... a woman! It's up to Clarice to make this unconventional marriage work and could it be that the Lady Knight Frost has a heart after all?
I laughed so much at the first volume of this manga - the nice girl being married off to a villainous character has been done before but I really appreciated how this twisted the tropes and how Clarice didn't even bat a hair at finding out her new husband was in fact, a wife! Instead, she decides to take over the running of the palace and wear her new wife down by any way possible. We haven't seen much personality from Frost yet, but there are definitely hints at more going on there, and the supporting cast of the castle's maid servants were entertaining also. Clarice was definitely the star of the show though and i loved her no-nonsense attitude and determination to make the best out of his situation. I'll definitely be carrying on this series as I can't wait to find out where it goes next!
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting going into Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money), but unfortunately, whatever it was, this didn’t quite meet those expectations. Marketed as a dark fantasy rom-com with an enemies-to-lovers twist, the story had all the right ingredients on paper—but the execution felt surprisingly slow, and not in a satisfying way.
The premise itself is intriguing: Clarice, a noblewoman whose family has fallen into debt, is willing to do anything to save her sick younger sister—even agree to marry the infamous Dark Knight, a fearsome, armor-clad warrior. However, things quickly take an unexpected turn when it’s revealed that the Dark Knight is actually a woman, hiding her identity in a world where female knights are forbidden. What follows is a mix of awkward domestic moments, misunderstandings, and the gradual unraveling of their unusual relationship.
While I genuinely liked the concept and found the setup promising, certain aspects left me confused. For instance, it was hard to fully understand why the Dark Knight chose Clarice as her bride in the first place, especially considering the inevitable complications of sharing a household—and expectations that come with marriage. The reveal of her identity felt less like a carefully planned twist and more like something that even the characters themselves weren’t fully prepared for. It made me wonder whether this was intentional or simply not fully thought through.
The pacing was another issue for me. A significant amount of time is spent on smaller, less engaging details—like replacing household staff after the previous maids mysteriously quit—which slowed the story down considerably. While there are some charming moments, such as Clarice trying to win over her “husband” through cooking (because love does go through the stomach, apparently!), they weren’t quite enough to keep the narrative engaging throughout.
The story builds up to a final battle where Clarice risks her life to protect the Dark Knight—a bold and admirable moment that briefly raises the stakes. However, the aftermath felt somewhat underwhelming, as the Dark Knight’s reaction came across as confused and emotionally distant, leaving me with mixed feelings rather than a satisfying conclusion.
That said, I did really enjoy the artwork—the illustrations are beautiful and help bring the world and characters to life. And while the storyline had a lot of potential, the overall execution just didn’t fully deliver for me.
Sadly, this one wasn’t for me, but I can still see how it might appeal to readers who enjoy slower-paced, character-driven fantasy with a unique romantic twist.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha Comics, for this reading experience!
Sick little sister, family debts, seized property - those are a few of the things that push Clarice into an arranged political marriage to the feared Dark Knight. The Dark Knight is known for being able to slay fearsome monsters with a single blow, however that doesn’t deter Clarice in wanting to help her family so she agrees to the marriage wholeheartedly.
After spending her entire personal savings on a seductive oil with the aim to win the Dark Knight’s heart and trust and most importantly wealth, Clarice heads to the Knight’s room after a tumultuous wedding, hoping their nuptial night could still be saved, only to discover that things were not how they seemed… and that the Knight is a woman!
This was such a cute volume! It was endearing to see Clarice doing everything she can with the hopes of saving her sister and the rest of her family - she was cute and determined and even someone with the name Frost couldn’t resist her charm. Her friendship with Lila was also quite cute.
Clarice and Frost’s budding relationship was a delight to watch unfold, especially as we unravel the many misconceptions about Front and we actually see the woman underneath the scary armour - not as “dark” as everyone assumed! Opposites attract is a perfect way to describe these two and I loved it.
The art is also impeccable!
Will definitely be getting to Volume 2 soon :)
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC 🫶
Actual rating: 4.5 stars . Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) has done what is one of my favourite things in fantasy manga - and that is to go full throttle with the stupid. This manga is hilarious and knows exactly what it wants to do. Both the story and art are crisp and know exactly what they want to get across and it is just such an enjoyable ride. . It’s a well written trope - the downtrodden Lady with a sick sister being married off to a cold and heartless knight to save her family… but what if yuri? . I mean, of course, sign me up!?? . The face that this story is so aware of itself is what really sold it to me. It’s able to lean into those tired tropes so far it becomes refreshingly comedic. Not to mention, Lady Clarice has really hit the jackpot with the Dark Knight Frost cause she is gorgeousssss. . This first volume has me immediately invested in their relationship and I am rooting for Frost to thaw just a little for our Lady Clarice and for Lady Clarice to realize how deep her feelings might go for the goddess that is Frost. Not to mention this first taste of the humour in the writing will have me coming back for any number of volumes that we are lucky enough to get. . I’m so ready for more already! . *I received an eARC from Kodansha Comics & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) follows Clarice, whose family has fallen into debt while her younger sister is seriously ill. Desperate to save her, she agrees to marry the infamous Dark Knight (For Her Money). But after the wedding she discovers that the feared knight is secretly a woman.
I really liked the art style. The character designs are great and the expressions are very fun to look at. The premise sounded very promising. The monster fights and action moments were my favorite parts of the manga.
Unfortunately, the plot itself was kind of disappointing. There was way less romance than I expected—which is not a huge problem, especially for the first volume. But there wasn't much happening besides a lot of cooking.
I would probably consider this a rom-com, however I found it neither romantic nor funny. I expect manga to be stupidly over-the-top to, but humor didn’t really land for me personally.
Overall, I found most parts of it rather boring and I was hoping for more relationship development between the characters. In the end I just didn’t really connect with the story and it felt flat to me, which was a shame because the premise sounded so cool.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hahaha, das war super witzig 😄 Da Clarice’s kleine Schwester sehr krank ist und ihre Familie kaum Geld hat, überlegt sie fieberhaft, wie sie an Geld kommen könnte. Da bekommt sie das Gespräch ihrer Eltern mit, dass eine Braut für einen Ritter gesucht wird - jede Frau wird akzeptiert! Da wird sie natürlich gleich hellhörig, doch ihr Vater möchte dem Wunsch des Königs nicht nachkommen.. denn es geht dabei um den »Dark Knight«, der als sehr grausam und brutal gilt! Clarice überlegt hin und her, doch ihre Entscheidung steht fest: sie will ihrer geliebten Schwester helfen und dafür braucht sie eben Geld. Fängt doch schon ganz interessant an, oder? Der Clou: unter der Rüstung des Ritters verbirgt sich eine Frau! Und da fängt der Spaß dann so richtig an, denn die hat überhaupt keine Lust auf eine Frau oder ähnliches. Und das verspürt sie auch sehr stark 😂 das Artwork ist recht detailliert und schön anzusehen, die Charaktere sind sehr unterschiedlich und haben viel Charme - manche mehr, andere auf ihre eigene Weise 😂 neben Witz gibt's auch etwas Romance Vibes - zumindest gibt Claire ihr bestes, um die unnahbare »Frost« für sich zu gewinnen 🤭 Ich find's sehr unterhaltsam, da es auch mal ein etwas anderer Yuri ist. Macht Spaß zu lesen, man fliegt über die Seiten und hab definitiv Lust auf mehr 🫶
In this cute new yuri manga we are introduced to Clarice, who is the eldest daughter of a family who is unfortunately financially struggling. She has a sickly sister to whom she wants to give her all... and now that meant marrying the Dark Knight in hopes of getting enough money to save her family and, more so, her sister. But once she marries the Dark Knight things aren't as smooth as she would hope so... the knight even shows up in full body armor to the wedding! However, everything changes once Clarice finds out the Dark Knight's secret... How will everything unfold from here on out?
These first chapters were not only adorable but also much nicer than what I thought I would end up reading. It isn't a show-stopping manga that would change your life, but it has a nice pacing and it is quite fit for people that are looking for a quick silly read with silly characters and a kind of silly plot. I am looking forward to the next chapters and to learn more about Frost's past and also see how Clarice will be the positive change needed!
Thank you so much to Kodansha and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this volume!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the Advanced Reader's Copy. This review is voluntary and my honest opinion! ♡
Usually it is a bit difficult for me to review based off just the first volume of a manga because it takes me awhile to really get into the story due to how quick manga are. This volume did move quickly but I honestly feel like it contains a lot of personality that makes it easy to tell that I'll enjoy it.
The plot is similar to other mangas-- the girl marries a scary knight out of necessity--but it's sapphic which makes it so much better in my opinion. I love this gender bending as our love interest still contains that brute force and standoffish manner where we slowly grow to see her vulnerabilities and softer side to her. And our main character is steadfast and ready to make her fall in love.
The art style is not necessarily my favorite but I do think the artist has a great way of showing a lot of dramatic emotions on the characters.
It's an interesting story so far and I am definitely intrigued to read more. I would be likely to recommend this one.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for the ARC of this book!
This was a very funny, light-hearted read! I enjoy romantic historical romance when it comes to manga and manhwa, and the twist of it being WLW is actually pretty fun if you know those two communities (they frequently say they wish the author had made their story WLW because the main character has amazing chemistry with her female best friend, or maid, or confidant).
I really enjoyed the art, which I found vibrant and expressive. More than once, I found myself stopping to admire a page.
There's nothing outstanding about the story, characters, or setting, but at the same time, they simply work well together. They hit the common beats of the subgenre, but the twist from the title brings something fresh and dynamic to the ensemble that I genuinely enjoyed. I don't need manga and manhwa to constantly do something new. I need them to do what they set off to, and to do it well.
All in all, I will absolutely continue with this series. I would recommend this one both to veterans and newcomers to the genre without any hesitation.
The story revolves around a young woman who takes on the responsibility of a political marriage to help save her family from the hard times they've fallen upon. Her betrothed however is not what she (or I) was expecting! From the very start her new marriage is a challenge, however she has an incredibly strong determination and love for her family that fuels her drive. She's the kind of person y0u can't help but root for! I'll be keeping a close eye on this series as it's such a joyful read, and I truly hope that she gets everything she wants.
While the author is new to me, they won't be for long as they have created two excellent characters that I can't wait to see more of! While it appears to be your typical political marriage plot, you can tell there is a lot of depth to be explored on expectations and biases that people hold. I couldn't put the book down and powered through until the end which left me wanting more. I can't wait to read the next volume and see what challenges away the heroine next!
A gorgeous and gripping introduction to a new Manga serial.
In this first installment we find the terrifying Dark Knight needing to wed to keep the King happy and struggling Nobel woman, Clarice, volunteering in order to save her financially ruined family and ill sister. Lo and behold on their wedding night Clarice discovers that Frost is actually a woman in disguise who is not at all happy about being forced to wed.
This has stunning and powerful art, charming characters and a tension that burned up the page. I was hooked immediately. I find Clarice adorable and endearing while Frost is complicated yet intriguing. I’m invested in both their stories and the passion I can I already see simmering underneath. Add in a group of quirky, but loyal, maids as well as monsters and peril lurking behind every turn and you have one amazing manga. I cannot WAIT for part 2!
What you’ll get: •Sapphic (Yuri) Romance •Manga Serial (Vol 1) •Marriage of Convenience ���Secrets •Woman disguised as a man (and Knight) •Hate to Eventually Love •Grumpy/Sunshine •Trying to Win Her Over
What a fun first volume! When I spotted a yuri manga with an arranged marriage and a fantasy setting, I knew I had to pick it up. “Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money)” has a very humorous tone. I enjoyed seeing the new bride Clarice tiptoeing around the Dark Knight Frost. Frost is so oblivious to social niceties, and just a bit scary in general, but Clarice is going to stick it out to help out her penniless family and sick sister! There’s a softness hiding under all that emotional and physical armor. I look forward to seeing Clarice crack Frost’s cold exterior in future volumes. The battle scenes were exciting, the dark knight is so extremely powerful, it makes sense why everyone is terrified of them, haha! This first volume nicely sets up the premise, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends and library patrons looking for a new yuri fantasy series to try.
Thank you Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
In all honesty, its exactly what I expected from a Manga at this point. Fun, funny, a bit serious, and kind of dumb in a few ways. A convoluted premise that the story dives into immediately without question, and a cast of unusual and colorful characters (with a quick justification for why everyone is strange). Its just volume one, so basically just the intro to the story. I want to keep reading though, so that means it did its job!
I have high expectations for what is to come, but we will see.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Edit:
I read the rest of the series.
This manga has a lot of fun moments, although they mostly revolve around the same few jokes repackaged in different ways. It's an easy and quick read, with the whole series being relatively short. I think it's worth the time to read as its something fun, but at the same time it didn't really blow me away and was somewhat underwhelming.
When I got to the end of the series I thought there must be a mistake, because it felt like it just got going! The story ends at a place that makes sense, and all of the major elements got resolved though, so I suppose some stories are simply shorter than you would like them to be. The plotline and the romance were both far too underdeveloped for me to walk away from the story and give it a higher rating though.
Okay, so I picked this up for 2 reasons. First: that is a really funny title, I suddenly have a yearning for lesbian sugar mommy fiction. Second: why tf are her boobs like that.
I haven’t read manga in years, if I remember correctly the last manga I read before this was Fairy Tail #25, all the way back in 2013. So, needless to say, my tastes have changed considerably since then. I hadn’t even realised I was gay yet, so I’d also never read any yuri before. And I think this was a pretty good introduction probably. Because I really liked it.
Of course the illustrations are gorgeous, I kinda forgot how beautiful many mangas are and this absolutely blew me away. But the story was also actually funny, which not many books manage to actually pull off - though a number of the jokes still fell flat for me. The story is fun, the characters are fun and the dark knight’s boobs keep changing size from panel to panel. What else could you want. ---- Many thanks to Kodansha Comics for the ARC!
Marrying the Dark Knight for her money is officially one of my new favorite Yuri mangas! First of all, I absolutely love this art style! It’s so pretty and the characters looked amazing! I love so many of the character designs expecially for Clarice, Charlotte, and the Dark Knight! The combat scenes for the dark knight also look really good, I love seeing her in combat. She has this nice effortless grace about her that both funny and really intriguing. It is an enemies to lovers kind of thing but it oddly comes off as more of a “soft” enemies to lovers at least to me. I love all of their interactions together, they have plenty of funny and kind of soft moments together. I think they going to form a really good dynamic and I absolutely love the both of them, I can’t wait to see how their relationship blooms in the next volumes! Thank you to the publisher for my complimentary review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an arc. All opinions are my own.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ .5 Genre: Fantasy Romance Manga Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅
UGH I am OBSESSED! This is like drugs to me. It's got a super strong and also very autistic lady knight, a marriage of convenience, and super sick looking monster designs. Admittedly, the cover did make me a little worried that this would be really fanservicey, but I don't think there was anything egregious.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance