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Majo No Biyaku #1
L'incanto della strega vol. 1
Kaoruko, detta Koko, è un’orfana cresciuta dalla nonna materna, la quale le ha insegnato tutte le proprietà curative delle erbe. La storia inizia due mesi dopo la morte dell’anziana donna: Koko ha aperto e dirige un’erboristeria nel piano terra della sua casa adagiata affianco a un florido giardino, sulla cima di una collina, ed è rinomata nel vicinato. Un giorno, appare un misterioso avventore in abito scuro: Kaname Hibiki rivela alla incredula negoziante che sua madre è viva ed è una strega nera, mentre la sua defunta nonna era una strega bianca, e per questo la nonna aveva sottratto la nipote alla genitrice. Per un motivo ancora misterioso, gli oscuri poteri della madre vengono trasferiti alla figlia e lei avrà bisogno di protezione…
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
January 9, 2020
This wasn't bad or anything, but it just wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought this was a ~smutty~ manga, but this volume definitely is not and I don't care enough to carry on further into the series to find out if it ever gets there. Meh
September 29, 2015
3.5 to 5 stars!
Typical magical romance but with Interesting beginning and beautiful artwork!
Typical magical romance but with Interesting beginning and beautiful artwork!
April 15, 2015
The book cover is excellent. The story plot stands out for me because of the romance and magic spells that seems to charm the characters and the story itself. I give this book 5 stars.
March 11, 2017
Read #1
Started on March 8, 2017
Finished on March 11, 2017
2.5 stars
OMG, this manga... lmao. I actually think I enjoyed the concept in this one more because it is very witch aesthetic-based -- the female protagonist actually runs an herb/tea shop!!!! aka I want to retire and be her -- and it was a cute story in general because of that. But like... the male protag basically kisses her every on every. other. page. It wasn't even a subplot. The plot was let's make the main characters make out as much as possible to assuage the conflict in the story. The art was very pretty, though. And I liked Kaname a little bit more than the assface vampire dude from her other manga. Also, we had really cute animals that transform into bigger versions of themselves, so that was cool, too. There was just no real story, or plot development, outside the two main characters shacking up together.
Started on March 8, 2017
Finished on March 11, 2017
2.5 stars
OMG, this manga... lmao. I actually think I enjoyed the concept in this one more because it is very witch aesthetic-based -- the female protagonist actually runs an herb/tea shop!!!! aka I want to retire and be her -- and it was a cute story in general because of that. But like... the male protag basically kisses her every on every. other. page. It wasn't even a subplot. The plot was let's make the main characters make out as much as possible to assuage the conflict in the story. The art was very pretty, though. And I liked Kaname a little bit more than the assface vampire dude from her other manga. Also, we had really cute animals that transform into bigger versions of themselves, so that was cool, too. There was just no real story, or plot development, outside the two main characters shacking up together.
April 28, 2021
Not a fav from this mangaka for sure.
The whole thing with the magic that makes her desirable was just 'eh' deal for me. I get where the Ohmi Tomu is going for here since this manga was a bit different than her usual ones. And I didn't get the hero's deal. He's not as possessive or suave as OT's other hero.
Maybe it's just me and this funky mood I'm in because I didn't enjoy this first volume much.
Maybe the next volume would be better?
The whole thing with the magic that makes her desirable was just 'eh' deal for me. I get where the Ohmi Tomu is going for here since this manga was a bit different than her usual ones. And I didn't get the hero's deal. He's not as possessive or suave as OT's other hero.
Maybe it's just me and this funky mood I'm in because I didn't enjoy this first volume much.
Maybe the next volume would be better?
January 16, 2015
Bhahaha I always love it when the two protagonists start off hating each other. Makes for a pretty funny manga.
RTC
RTC
July 22, 2022
It was very... okay.
Though I'm not intrigued enough to continue the series 🤷🏻♀️
Though I'm not intrigued enough to continue the series 🤷🏻♀️
August 18, 2025
another corny shojo series, but perfect for my summerween itch with witches, spells, and cutie familiars!!
March 20, 2022
Meh. Not great, not horrible. Middle of the road romance where the MC H has to kiss the MC h to keep her powers under control. Romantic moments ensue. Kinda far fetched, but the artwork is pretty. I won’t be continuing this series. 3 ok stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2022
While it definitely shows it's age, I'm still intrigued enough to pick up another volume.
April 21, 2018
RS’ye girmek yetmemiş telefonuma sonra okumak üzere kaydettiğim manga/graphic novellasını otuzdan fazlasını temizlemişken bâri önceden okuduğum manga-kaların diğer serilerine bakayım, dedim. İyi ki de öyle yapmışım.
Manga-ka’nın okuduğum ilk serisi vampir içerikli ve yine josei idi. Bu seride de witch teması var.
Başlangıç için güzel bir cilt olmuştu, zaten çok uzun bir seri değil o yüzden işlerin uzamasını beklemiyorum.
Manga-ka’nın çizimleri için söyleyeceklerimi zaten kendisiyle ilk tanışmamda söylemiştim. Normalde okuduğumdan, okumayı sevdiğimden daha basit çizimleri ama artık onun tarzı olarak görüyorum bunu, çok takılmıyorum.
Buna rağmen Kaname’nin çizimlerine birazcık takılmadım değil. Görür görmez aklıma Midnight Secretary, Vol. 01’deki adını unuttuğum erkek karakter geldi. Çizimleri birbirine çok benziyor ve iki adamın anatomik yapısı aynı derecede komiğime gidiyor çünkü boydan çizilmiş halleri ciddi manada abartılı. Aşırı gelişmiş beden, uzun boy ama küçücük kafa?
Diğer yandan o jöleli saçları dağıtıp gömleği çıkardıklarında muhteşem erkeklere dönüşüyorlar.
niye fesatlık yapıyorsunuz?
Ben burada giydikleri takım elbiselerin onların bedenine uymayışlarına dikkat çekmek istiyorum, lütfen yani! Yoksa adamlar o darmaduman saçları, yarı çıplak müthiş bedenleriyle her zaman dolansın dediğim yok.
Aaa, çok ayıp vallahi.
Manga-ka’nın okuduğum ilk serisi vampir içerikli ve yine josei idi. Bu seride de witch teması var.
Başlangıç için güzel bir cilt olmuştu, zaten çok uzun bir seri değil o yüzden işlerin uzamasını beklemiyorum.
Manga-ka’nın çizimleri için söyleyeceklerimi zaten kendisiyle ilk tanışmamda söylemiştim. Normalde okuduğumdan, okumayı sevdiğimden daha basit çizimleri ama artık onun tarzı olarak görüyorum bunu, çok takılmıyorum.
Buna rağmen Kaname’nin çizimlerine birazcık takılmadım değil. Görür görmez aklıma Midnight Secretary, Vol. 01’deki adını unuttuğum erkek karakter geldi. Çizimleri birbirine çok benziyor ve iki adamın anatomik yapısı aynı derecede komiğime gidiyor çünkü boydan çizilmiş halleri ciddi manada abartılı. Aşırı gelişmiş beden, uzun boy ama küçücük kafa?
Diğer yandan o jöleli saçları dağıtıp gömleği çıkardıklarında muhteşem erkeklere dönüşüyorlar.
niye fesatlık yapıyorsunuz?
Ben burada giydikleri takım elbiselerin onların bedenine uymayışlarına dikkat çekmek istiyorum, lütfen yani! Yoksa adamlar o darmaduman saçları, yarı çıplak müthiş bedenleriyle her zaman dolansın dediğim yok.
Aaa, çok ayıp vallahi.
July 1, 2014
3.5 to 4 stars
Cute but predictable read. Koko lives the life of a quiet herbalist until Kaname storms into her life. The Witch Queen's powerful magic has been dumped into Koko, who can't control her new powers - until a kiss from Kaname tames her restless power. Koko is sweet, the familiars are huggably cute, and Kaname is hawt (though occasionally awkwardly rendered). Great summer read!
Full review soon.
Cute but predictable read. Koko lives the life of a quiet herbalist until Kaname storms into her life. The Witch Queen's powerful magic has been dumped into Koko, who can't control her new powers - until a kiss from Kaname tames her restless power. Koko is sweet, the familiars are huggably cute, and Kaname is hawt (though occasionally awkwardly rendered). Great summer read!
Full review soon.
January 16, 2015
3.5 stars, really, but I'm willing to round up. The plot is building up to a really interesting, dark, paranormal fantasy, but I'm not pleased with how naive the main character is, or how easily she's led into certain situations. Perils of Pauline, I could do without.
April 6, 2022
Revisited my first ever manga. My rating stands, but also, this was a much smoother experience lol. Weird little love triangle angle with the mom lol.
To be perfectly honest I’m not super confident in my rating. I was a little disoriented because it was my first manga. I did enjoy it.
To be perfectly honest I’m not super confident in my rating. I was a little disoriented because it was my first manga. I did enjoy it.
January 23, 2020
I really liked the artwork in this volume but the story was very boring. I was hoping it would be more smutty. It's only a five volume series so I will read all the volumes.
January 1, 2021
This is a paranormal romance manga with witches. The Great Black Witch Queen has gone missing and has stored her magic in her daughter, Kaoruko. Kaoruko runs an herbal shop where she sells teas and remedies to the locals. Kaoruko is having trouble controlling her power when the Knight, Kaname comes in dressed all in black. Knamae was sent by the Witch Queen to protect Kaoruko and help her control her power. Kaname steals a kiss from Kaoruko to help her control her power.
This was a pretty fun manga. I like the witch angle in this and the mystery behind the disappearance of the Witch Queen. I think this is a bit typical in the overconfident guy wants virginal girl department but overall it's a quick and fun read. I so far don't always find Kaname super likeable because he does have a bit of that arrogant air around him, but the manga did make him super attractive of course.
It is also kindof a buzz kill that her magic is tied to her sexually and her being powerful makes men come on to her and desperately want her and the only way to rein that in is if she is kissed by Kaname, who is also sexualizing her.
This was a pretty fun manga. I like the witch angle in this and the mystery behind the disappearance of the Witch Queen. I think this is a bit typical in the overconfident guy wants virginal girl department but overall it's a quick and fun read. I so far don't always find Kaname super likeable because he does have a bit of that arrogant air around him, but the manga did make him super attractive of course.
It is also kindof a buzz kill that her magic is tied to her sexually and her being powerful makes men come on to her and desperately want her and the only way to rein that in is if she is kissed by Kaname, who is also sexualizing her.
May 25, 2021
Ordinary girl finds out she's not so ordinary, she's a witch! And a sexy knight has to watch over her as she possesses her estranged mother's powers. The only way to keep the powers at bay?! Hot make out sessions, of course!
That's about all the plot points we've gotten so far. This series is only five volumes, so I'm curious as to what will happen plot wise.
The art work and panel designs are GORGEOUS! Will check out the rest of this mangaka's works.
I will say this is marked as Mature (18+) There is just a lot of kissing and the hero asks once if she'd like for him to show her the ways of the bedroom... so not mature in my opinion. Maybe it's rated for the series and it becomes more explicit later on?
That's about all the plot points we've gotten so far. This series is only five volumes, so I'm curious as to what will happen plot wise.
The art work and panel designs are GORGEOUS! Will check out the rest of this mangaka's works.
I will say this is marked as Mature (18+) There is just a lot of kissing and the hero asks once if she'd like for him to show her the ways of the bedroom... so not mature in my opinion. Maybe it's rated for the series and it becomes more explicit later on?
August 5, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
After the end of Midnight Secretary, I was interested to see where mangaka Tomu Ohmi would go with her next title. With her newest series, Spell of Desire, a lot of her hallmarks are present: gentle main character, supernatural elements, brusk love interest, and a lot of reasons why they have to kiss. But there are differences as well: this time the female has the supernatural power, the setting is rural, and there are familiars. As well, the old fashioned 'serve your man' role is gone. It's safe to say that if you liked Midnight Secretary, you'll like Spell of Desire.
Plot: Koko is an herbalist and runs a small rural shop. Raised by and taught the craft by her mother, she lives a quiet and simple life. Until the day Hibiki Kaname shows up and tells her she's the daughter of a very powerful witch - a witch who sealed her powers inside her daughter. Now those powers are awakening and Koko doesn't have the training to contain them. But Kaname, a witch's knight, has been raised to protect and teach her. To keep her powers in check, he can control them with a kiss - much to virginal Koko's dismay. But as she learns control, Koko is becoming more powerful. So much so, that she will soon attract the attention of those who would use her or see her destroyed.
Ohmi's illustrations have greatly improved since the somewhat shakey work early in Midnight Secretary. Her panels are assured and she flows the story well. This is a bit of a slow burn type of manga, though. Not much happens except excuses to force Kaname to kiss Koko. I'm worried that this is going into more of a 'monster of the week' until a final confrontation with her mother. Midnight Secretary didn't have a lot of depth to the story and Spell of Desire looks to be a stock Josei romance as well.
The familiars are cute (a 'dragon' and a 'unicorn') and Ohmi has given the male love interest a soft side as well. The story does start out fairly slow and didn't immediately grip me - I'll see where it goes in the second volume to see if I will continue with the series.
Reviewed from an ARC.
June 27, 2014
I would love to do a voice-over for this book. It has amazing features of being a
Charming. Breath-taking. Enchanting. Book. The cutest PUPPY (aka DRAGONS) AND UNICORNS (Aka KITTIES)!!!!!!!!!!!
THE KITTIES. The animals (familiars) really do make this book that much more enjoyable. And there is also---
the kissing.....let the smexy-ness commence...
Usually, most shoujo manga----the love interest is *OH no, what’ll I do when he kisses me?!*
Even though as a reader, you may be internally screaming-----
Thank God, that's not the case. There's NADA of that. They get right down to it. Not *it*it* but---the kissing bit----so you should be satisfied....
Unless you want her to kiss the male lead #2 (or the usually 'best friend')....
Currently, that’s not an option. Who knows? Maybe in another story arc there will be a lapse in judgement. Anyway, this is a great first book, and I will definitely be coming back for more. Ohmi's art style (and her wonderful assistants) blend perfectly with her storytelling. This is your typical josei-style manga with the added supernatural element. A very white/black magic, witches, and a lot of mother-daughter internal comparison monologue.
The animals and main lead make it worthwhile though. Josei (like any japanese genre) can fall over the scale of ‘sexual maturity.’ This one falls right in the middle of zero eechi and nothing hentai. Whether, it will visit more adult scenes later, who knows?! More importantly, I have yet to care---I just care that Kaoruko and Kaname are adorbs.
Thanks for the ARC Edelweiss
Charming. Breath-taking. Enchanting. Book. The cutest PUPPY (aka DRAGONS) AND UNICORNS (Aka KITTIES)!!!!!!!!!!!
THE KITTIES. The animals (familiars) really do make this book that much more enjoyable. And there is also---
the kissing.....let the smexy-ness commence...
Usually, most shoujo manga----the love interest is *OH no, what’ll I do when he kisses me?!*
Even though as a reader, you may be internally screaming-----
Thank God, that's not the case. There's NADA of that. They get right down to it. Not *it*it* but---the kissing bit----so you should be satisfied....
Unless you want her to kiss the male lead #2 (or the usually 'best friend')....
Currently, that’s not an option. Who knows? Maybe in another story arc there will be a lapse in judgement. Anyway, this is a great first book, and I will definitely be coming back for more. Ohmi's art style (and her wonderful assistants) blend perfectly with her storytelling. This is your typical josei-style manga with the added supernatural element. A very white/black magic, witches, and a lot of mother-daughter internal comparison monologue.
The animals and main lead make it worthwhile though. Josei (like any japanese genre) can fall over the scale of ‘sexual maturity.’ This one falls right in the middle of zero eechi and nothing hentai. Whether, it will visit more adult scenes later, who knows?! More importantly, I have yet to care---I just care that Kaoruko and Kaname are adorbs.
Thanks for the ARC Edelweiss
December 30, 2014
~3.5/5
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I think I was expecting something different with this book, but I still enjoyed it.
Kaoruko runs an herb shop, her grandmother has passed away and she hasn’t seen or heard of her mother since she was little. But then Kaname shows up, claiming to be a knight from her mother’s witch clan, here to protect her. Turns out her mother is a Witch Queen, of dark magic, and she’s pushed her powers onto her daughter while she hides away.
Kaoruko handles this with surprising ease, even if she doesn’t know how to handle the magic now inside her, or how it drags creatures and people to her, or how Kaname has to kiss her in order for it to go back under control.
I don’t feel too close to either of the characters yet, but I like what I’ve seen so far. Their attraction is obviously there, even if Kaname is feeling it more than her at the moment. I like how Kaoruko is slowly starting to depend on him, too.
Also, there are three pet companions, a dog (or dragon) and cat (or unicorn). I like the dog more, but they’re both adorable, and I like how they transform to protect Kaoruko. Then there’s a kitten that Kaoruko takes in, who’s even cuter. (I honestly think that alone would have made me want to pick up this book.)
This series has a lot of potential, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next. I want to see more steamy stuff, but I also just want the two to develop more closely.
The similarities to Midnight Secretary aren’t too bad, which is good. I’ve been enjoying that series for the most part, although I do think I was looking for something completely different in this. Kaname is similarly brooding to Kyohei, but he also tends to hide his real looks behind a professional layer. These aren’t complaints, mind you, just things I noticed.
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I think I was expecting something different with this book, but I still enjoyed it.
Kaoruko runs an herb shop, her grandmother has passed away and she hasn’t seen or heard of her mother since she was little. But then Kaname shows up, claiming to be a knight from her mother’s witch clan, here to protect her. Turns out her mother is a Witch Queen, of dark magic, and she’s pushed her powers onto her daughter while she hides away.
Kaoruko handles this with surprising ease, even if she doesn’t know how to handle the magic now inside her, or how it drags creatures and people to her, or how Kaname has to kiss her in order for it to go back under control.
I don’t feel too close to either of the characters yet, but I like what I’ve seen so far. Their attraction is obviously there, even if Kaname is feeling it more than her at the moment. I like how Kaoruko is slowly starting to depend on him, too.
Also, there are three pet companions, a dog (or dragon) and cat (or unicorn). I like the dog more, but they’re both adorable, and I like how they transform to protect Kaoruko. Then there’s a kitten that Kaoruko takes in, who’s even cuter. (I honestly think that alone would have made me want to pick up this book.)
This series has a lot of potential, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next. I want to see more steamy stuff, but I also just want the two to develop more closely.
The similarities to Midnight Secretary aren’t too bad, which is good. I’ve been enjoying that series for the most part, although I do think I was looking for something completely different in this. Kaname is similarly brooding to Kyohei, but he also tends to hide his real looks behind a professional layer. These aren’t complaints, mind you, just things I noticed.
January 23, 2015
I've been eyeballing this manga since it first arrived on my bookstore's shelf, but finally bought it recently. This is one of those books that I judged by its cover: looked intriguing, story sounded interesting and contained magic, which, as a fantasy reader, I loved, and it had gorgeous cover art!
In a lot of ways, this first volume delivered: it sets up a plotline involving witches, familiars, magic that the protagonist doesn't quite understand, etc. I'm happy to say that the artwork remains beautiful throughout!
BUT...
I think this might be the first time I've ever had this complaint, but this is what made a 5-star book into a 2.5-star book for me. This is an EXTREMELY text-heavy manga. The vast majority of the story is delivered via dialogue and inner monologue rather than showing any action. The physical parts of the story are so drowned out in thought and word bubbles that you never really SEE anything that's going on, you just read it. This is perfectly fine for a regular novel, but it really detracts from this manga. For example, there is a problem that keeps happening with the protagonist that the male lead keeps saving her from. But there is only one scene where I was able to actually see it happening, and it was about the third time it occurred. Every other time, it's barely brushed over in the artwork, and instead talked about or thought about. I am hoping that subsequent volumes allow the artwork to breathe a little and tell the story instead of writing it all out!
In a lot of ways, this first volume delivered: it sets up a plotline involving witches, familiars, magic that the protagonist doesn't quite understand, etc. I'm happy to say that the artwork remains beautiful throughout!
BUT...
I think this might be the first time I've ever had this complaint, but this is what made a 5-star book into a 2.5-star book for me. This is an EXTREMELY text-heavy manga. The vast majority of the story is delivered via dialogue and inner monologue rather than showing any action. The physical parts of the story are so drowned out in thought and word bubbles that you never really SEE anything that's going on, you just read it. This is perfectly fine for a regular novel, but it really detracts from this manga. For example, there is a problem that keeps happening with the protagonist that the male lead keeps saving her from. But there is only one scene where I was able to actually see it happening, and it was about the third time it occurred. Every other time, it's barely brushed over in the artwork, and instead talked about or thought about. I am hoping that subsequent volumes allow the artwork to breathe a little and tell the story instead of writing it all out!
September 6, 2014
this cover is full of LIES
i mean honestly i picked this up because the illustration made me think ohmi was going to gender flip her midnight secretary dynamic and have the woman be the dommy powerful supernatural creature and i was hella curious how that'd go
the answer is: it does not
give me the manga about kaoruko's mom, it sounds like her story is more along the lines of what i was looking for
2.5 stars
i mean honestly i picked this up because the illustration made me think ohmi was going to gender flip her midnight secretary dynamic and have the woman be the dommy powerful supernatural creature and i was hella curious how that'd go
the answer is: it does not
give me the manga about kaoruko's mom, it sounds like her story is more along the lines of what i was looking for
2.5 stars
March 16, 2017
I really like this graphic novel. This is going to be my new guilty pleasure!
November 30, 2018
I disegni sono bellissimi 💙 ma chissà quanto dovremo aspettare per avere la serie conclusa... le uscite della Goen mi spaventano! 😨
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...
July 13, 2021
Interesting story
I started this because I loved Midnight Secretary. The story is interesting but not as good as her previous work. I'll still continue to read the rest of the volumes though. A good first volume to introduce our characters so I'm looking forward to some character development on both main leads.
I started this because I loved Midnight Secretary. The story is interesting but not as good as her previous work. I'll still continue to read the rest of the volumes though. A good first volume to introduce our characters so I'm looking forward to some character development on both main leads.
April 25, 2024
I’ve read this a long time ago so it’s not new to me but I love this series. I love supernatural romances. This author focuses a lot on the romance but there is an overlying plot as well! But the romance is on point!!! Always a tall brooding man and a shy woman… ugh I love it lol
March 16, 2021
This was alright, but I’m not feeling a need to continue on to the next one.
October 22, 2024
I enjoyed the start of the series. Kaoru runs a herbal shop, and we learn she's entrusted to the powers of the Witch queen. I thought the magic was a bit weird as it seems like there's dark magic vs. light magic and it's seems Kaoru is a mix of both... idk, but it's a cute beginning for a Josei, and I hope in future volumes there's more of an explanation to the magic and how it works.
So far, it seems like the fmc can curate herbal teas, grow plants, manipulate men, and manipulate vines(?). Idk 🤷🏽♀️ I think that's what they explained in vol. 1, but it was quite generic.
So far, it seems like the fmc can curate herbal teas, grow plants, manipulate men, and manipulate vines(?). Idk 🤷🏽♀️ I think that's what they explained in vol. 1, but it was quite generic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews