It’s written to be so compelling,,, everything from the magic system, to the verbiage, to the integration of magic into a day to day make the world building that much stronger. It’s a really immersive series, and you can tell how well all the kinks have been ironed out.
Fantasy genre troupes aside, the characters are so unique and likable. I love the little things brought up in footnotes and afterwords that just add that much more to the world. Qifrey and Ollie have swapped tassels. Riche and her brother have twin ribbons. Whatever Galga was cooking with his lover. It’s all really good,,,
Custas really hits me in the feelings too, I’m an absolute sucker for the grasping-at-straws type characters.
The art is also INCREDIBLE. It really nails the flowy, pen and ink look you’d expect from a fantasy manga. I especially love the way expressions are captured too.
On a side note, because it matters to some people, diversity is handled really well too. You see multiple skin tones, hair types, and face shapes in the series, and it really feels like the world is a cohesive blend of races. No claymore type action here.
10/10, I’d rate higher if I could.