The Water Dragon’s Bride, Vol. 3

水神の生贄 [Suijin no Hanayome] #3

by Rei Tōma

A modern-day girl gets whisked away to a strange land where she is sacrificed to a water dragon god!

In the blink of an eye, a modern-day girl named Asahi is whisked away from her warm and happy home and stranded in a strange and mysterious world where she meets a water dragon god!

Unable to return home, Asahi grows into a lovely young woman. As a priestess, she must spend time with the water dragon god for a ritual every year, but because of her connection to the water dragon god’s power, someone kidnaps her! Will Asahi be able to escape unscathed?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Shojo, Dragons

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2016

About the author

Rei Tōma (Japanese: 藤間 麗,Tōma Rei) has been drawing since childhood, but she only began drawing manga because of her graduation project in design school. When she drew a short-story manga, "Help me dentist" (ヘルプ me デンティスト), it attracted a publisher's attention and she made her debut right away. Her magnificent art style became popular, and after she debuted as a manga artist, she became known as an illustrator for novels and video game character designs.

Dawn of the Arcana is her first long-running manga series, and it has been a hit in Japan, selling over a million copies.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the turning point for me! I’m officially invested in the series now which probably means I’m going to fly through it.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out more manga and graphic novel reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

Asahi was a little girl happily living with her parents in modern times until she's pulled through a pond and wakes up in feudal Japan. It's now been some years and Asahi has grown into a lovely young woman under the protection of the local water dragon god, the young man she befriended whose village she lives in, Subaru and Tsukihiko, the priest teaching her the duties of a priestess.

Umm I know I said the ART is at the top of its game... and IT IS... BUT how can it get better and better?! I LOVE the new ways she's introducing framing in this volume... The close ups and the delicate art that showcases every emotion! GAH!! My heart SANG reading this volume... from the art alone... GORGEOUS!

Balance between our three characters continues to be a plus... I loved how the water dragon god and Subaru played a role in Asahi's rescue! And she is not some victim... she makes choices and takes a part in her own life as well!! I'm amazed at how secondary characters are used... its not A LOT but it continues in a balanced way that I am finding fun and enriching.

The conflict is developed with a rather typical trope (a kidnapping) but you know what I really enjoyed how Subaru, Asahi and the water dragon turned the whole situation on its head. The secret to this manga really is in our three leads and the wonderful way they interact with each other and with feudal Japan.

A MAJOR plot moment that readers have been waiting for FINALLY happens and it was joyous! I LOVED everything that comes spilling out... she hasn't had a way to express herself for so long... We meet a new character Lord Kogahiko and I think this is NOT the last we've seen of him... He is all basic emotions but in a way that compliments our lead characters...

I'm REALLY looking forward to the next volume... I would love more water dragon god doing some crazy things and Asahi testing him! I want to see this rather crazy love triangle develop more and bring in some tension to the story... And more Lord Kogahiko and our other secondary characters!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Others
⋆⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⋆⭐⭐⭐⭐ Development


BOTTOM LINE: NOOOO GAH! CAN'T STOP, PLEASE NEXT ONE...

This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews in a special feature called Saturday Morning Cartoons...

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a series i wanna add to my physical collection

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

After two volumes of the heroine as a child, this is a transition volume as the story jumps several years and establishes a new status quo for Asahi. She is now a begrudgingly respected priestess of the water god, feared and hated by many in her own village and coveted by other villages. She has placed her human protector, Subaru, firmly in the friend zone while she overanalyzes her every interaction with the remote-yet-perhaps-reachable water dragon god. Power struggles with forces inside and outside the village and incremental cracks in the water dragon god's facade seem to be the future of this series. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than the two volumes before it. There was more action. Asahi gets her voice back. I like the art. However, it's still not really grabbing me, which is disappointing. As I have the next book checked out from the library, I'll give it a try. 4 stars.

[Alice4170 🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

[haven ⋄ f (hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was really impressive. The art, of course, is still stunning. The passage of time is depicted very well in nearly everyone. I was rooting for Asahi in this so much! She did some unexpected things but she was super brave about them.

[BeckyisBookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m freaking out because my library only carries up to volume 4 so now I’m going to have to buy them because I’m in love 😍

[Ruthsic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that Asahi is old enough (and 4 years have passed since she has been made a priestess), the village is getting ready to move ahead with the symbolic 'bride' part of her position. What they do not know is that every year, she is taken to his domain for 3 days where he just sits and watches her. Asahi is starting to grow into the idea of hoping that the Water God starts liking her enough to fulfill her wish of getting back to her life. Meanwhile, a neighboring village is out for her and kidnaps her to get the power of the god for their village. Naturally, she is rolling her eyes at these people and trying to fight back - she knows the only one who can save her is herself in this situation; that water god is absolutely useless about saving her from situations that are his fault.

He eventually gives her back her voice, and she uses it to scream all her rage when war breaks out between the two villages. The wrath of the god also deters the other village, and Asahi now knows that she can hope for him being invested in her enough to ask a boon. As for the romance, Subaru is still a strong contender, and he is obviously very devoted to her, but the Water God (ugh) also wants her now. Like, for him, she is already his bride and his possession, and well, I am mad that this is even turning into a romance. She protests this fact and lets him know, and the plot I feel is showing what is wrong with this 'romance' (she literally calls him uncle) but the cover is another matter - what is this dissonance when it comes to the underlying theme of the story? This is an unequal relationship (even if I disregard the fact that he made her his 'bride' when she was like 12-13) and she is pretty much at the mercy of his whims! I am not liking the direction this story is taking.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead for the earlier ones. . . .

Asahi is settled into her role as a priestess. It helps that she spends three days underwater every year with the god. Her lack of voice means she can't mention it's a staring contest.

But the village has prospered, and other villages envy it. Violence and intrigue follow.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh no, they've started growing up! That means things will start progressing faster. It's nice to see that the kids are still close friends, and that the water god is still a jerk - though at least he's learning.

I need volume four now!

[Unabridged Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5? Maybe will turn it into a 4. They just keep getting better, but mangas are hard for me to rate because they are so short.

[eve.lyn._.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌊💦💧The Water Dragon's Bride Vol 3💧💦🌊
3.75 Stars
Asahi and Subaru are now older, and many things have changed. Asahi is now revered by the people because of the prospering place that she inhabits. Now known as The Water Dragon's Bride, she is protected and gifted. Whenever Asahi cries, her tears will wash away those who are her enemies while bringing Subaru by her side. Yet many seek to contain and possess her power and one particular idiot captures her. Provoking The Water Dragon and Subaru's wrath as they attempt to shield Asahi from coming dangers.

I enjoy seeing Asahi and Subaru now as older individuals. Their relationship has strengthened and developed, which I enjoyed. Subaru is just one of the best characters ever. . . his dedication and fierce need to protect Asahi is amazing. I love how Subaru respects her decisions and protects her but isn't possessive or cruel.

I did find the Asahi-being-captured plotline repetitive and overused, as it is used quite frequently in the coming books. However, this shows how many are vying for possession and control of what Asahi possesses. Tsukihiko is an intriguing and unique character who I enjoyed as a mentor figure in Asahi's life.

I wanted the plotline of Subaru's relationship with his mother and sister to be explored more, as the plotline was dropped. The Water Dragon god's character is interesting. He is most of the time emotionless and indifferent to suffering. As an individual character, he is intriguing, but every time I start to like his character, something he says or does just doesn't go well with me.

From my perspective, the character Lord Kogahiko's name sounds like a mash-up of Prince Kougai and Taihaku (from the King's Beast), which I find hilarious. The conflict of the story is interesting and explored in great directions that highlight the story. I only wish that certain characters could feel more than just there-when-Asahi-needs-me.
🌊PLOT
🌊PLOT TWISTS
🌊CHARACTERS
🌊=☑️

[Tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really liking where this is going. Makes much more sense now that she's an adult. I also like that we got a bit more background on the doctor/priestess. I'm also happy to get the Water Dragon god's perspective at the end of each book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I've been binge-reading a few shojo series recently and this one stood out to me after I perused around. This is a fun but also has a quite dark undertone. I missed reading manga so much and shojo manga is definitely an easier way(for me) to ease back in the manga universe! 3.5 stars so far.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 my fam

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is sooo pretty.

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting better! The Water Dragon God is finally starting to feel 'something'! I want to see more development here! XD

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel sorry for and mad on behalf of Asahi, but otherwise don't care much about this series.

[Nikki T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh
This series just keeps getting better and better!
Loving the continuation!
And I'm so happy for her! Another big victory!

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

These ratings are skewed because I'm speed reading this lol

[Dorcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So dramatic, with touches of comedy, fantasy, a romance that gradually builds. If they ever made one, I would watch the heck out of this anime or live-action drama.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd pacing in this volume, as well as some typical cliches (kidnapping, power, lust) make my rating three stars. The final straw was Asahi’s dialogue when she finally got her voice back. We’ve watched her grow, and read her thoughts as very contemplative and mature, so why do her words not match the dialogue she’s had with her thoughts? It was very off putting to see her dialogue devolve once she could speak again.

What I liked was the accord that Asahi and the Water Dragon God have reached. It was interesting to see the three days a year, and I’m rather enjoying the slow progression of something of a relationship forming between them, though at this point Subaru is obviously a better choice personality-wise. I like the set up of a love triangle here, and I’m curious to watch it unfold.

[StrawberryShojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this series really improves after the time-skip. I continue to enjoy Asahi as a character. I personally don't think she is quite like the typical female protagonist you get in shoujo manga. She is very strong, especially in the wake of truly terrible circumstances. While other characters, mostly male do often come to her aid, she never really expects them to, and seems more than willing to figure out problems all by herself. The aloof Water Dragon God continues to be aloof but is that wall he's built around himself starting to break down, quite possibly. I still really hate the idea of this character being an acceptable love-interest, but I'll have to see where the narrative takes their relationship.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since there was basically a time-jump/growing-up montage, I didn't realize until the beginning of this book that the Water Dragon never returned Asahi's voice...That, combined with the creepy trope of super-old-supernatural-dude romance with a much younger woman who he has groomed has turned me off this series.

I realize that this is a common romance genre trope, but it's just not for me, at least not anymore. (I probably would've enjoyed it when I was younger.)

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally our main character is not a child and the series becomes way less disturbing (still a little creepy like most shojo). The storyline is basically beauty and the beast with a touch of The Little Mermaid but I love the art so I'll probably read the whole thing.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[animasoul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Band 3 ist jetzt für mich das Zünglein an der Waage und mit ihm fällt die Entscheidung, ob ich die Reihe fortsetzen werde oder nicht.

Asahi und Subaru sind mittlerweile ca. 15-17 Jahre alt. Eine genaue Altersangabe bekommt man leider nach wie vor nicht. Dem Leser wird auch kein Zeitgefühl suggeriert, wie lange Asahi sich in dieser fremden Welt befindet. Man kann es anhand der Zeichnungen nur schwach erahnen. Die Freundschaft der beiden bestehet nach wie vor ungebrochen. Asahi ist eine wunderschöne junge Frau geworden, die zwar mittlerweile von den Dorfbewohnern respektiert, aber nicht geliebt und akzeptiert wird. Nur Subaru und Tsukihiko stehen ihr zur Seite und begleiten ihren Alltag. Der Wassergott hat jedoch ein wachsames Auge aus der Ferne auf sie.

Subaru seine Mutter und Schwester sind nach wie vor noch in seiner Missgunst, denn ihre Eifersucht und Sticheleien zeigen am stärksten ihre charakterlichen Schwächen. Schwächen, die Subaru verachtet und denen er sich widersetzt. Ganz besonders dann, wenn es mal wieder um Asahi ihr Leben geht. Doch dieses Mal sind es nicht die Dörfler des eigenen Dorfes, sondern eines anderen Dorfes, deren missgünstige und machthungrige Art ihr Leben und das Bestehen des Dorfes gefährdet.

In Band 3 werden einmal wieder die schlechtesten menschlichen Eigenschaften in Szene gesetzt mit Gewalt, Machtgier und Neid. Im Zentrum steht die Protagonistin und am Rande steht der Wassergott, der anders als Subaru, nur Zuschauer ist und nicht eingreift. Oder doch?

Der Wassergott überraschte mich am Ende doch etwas. Er ist zwar nach wie vor kein Sympathieträger und ich bin nicht sein Fan, aber er entwickelt wirklich menschliche Züge (in sehr kleinen Häppchen). Asahi ist jedoch zu einer jungen Frau geworden, die knallhart kein Wort vor den Mund nimmt und die Menschen mit ihrer Götterverehrung sowie ihrem missgünstigen Verhalten nicht verstehen kann.

Wenn man es genau nimmt, ist das Werk an sich schon sehr gesellschaftskritisch. Menschen sind eigentlich Monster und nutzen jede Möglichkeit ihre charakterlichen Schwächen damit zu übermalen, dass sie diese als Taten eines Gottes verkaufen oder jemand anderem, der gerade zufällig dahergelaufen kommt.

Auch wenn die Story an sich mittlerweile schon sehr interessant geworden ist, kann ich mich über die oberflächliche Charakterisierung der Haupt- und Nebencharaktere nicht hinwegsetzen. Darin liegt einiges an ungenutztem Potential. Die Charaktere müssten tiefgründiger sein; immer noch wirken sie zu oberflächlich. Und das auch aufgrund ihres Handelns (wobei hier Subaru schon eine Ausnahme darstellt).

Zugleich kann ich mich nicht der Story hingeben, weil mich der Zeichenstil nicht überzeugt. Die Figuren wirken immer noch sehr zwei- bzw. eindimensional. Ihre Augen wirken teilweise leblos, wodurch sie nicht in der Lage sind, ihre Gefühlswelt zu transferieren. Die Zeichnungen sind teilweise auch sehr düster, was die düstere Story noch dunkler macht und einen regelrecht in einen tiefen, dunklen Abgrund schupst. In gewisser Weise möchte ich, selbst wenn eine Story düster ist, über die Zeichnungen einen gewissen atmosphärischen Ausgleich genießen können. Die vielen schwarzen Panels machen das Ganze nur noch düsterer und ich habe als Leserin keine wirkliche Ambition, mich weiter dieser Finsternis auszusetzen.

Damit endet wohl meine Reise mit dieser Reihe. Über 3 Sterne hinaus kommt auch dieser Band nicht, da mich weder die Charaktere noch das Artwork überzeugen konnten

[Kurami Rocket · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume was just okay.

This series continuing to be pretty simplistic, however, it continues to do a pretty good job in potraying Asahi's life as she adapts to her new role and position as priestess. The village now respects her, but Asahi is fully aware that the village has no love for her rather the benefit and 'protection' she provides them through the Water God. Furthermore, there are still those in the village who fear her due to her appearance.

Due to her 'protection' other villages want her for their own gain and benefit. As a result, Asahi is kidnapped with Sabaru quickening running of to save her. He is now old enough and strong enough to no longer be under the control and obedience of his mother. Meanwhile, knowing that the Water God will never truly intervene to save her, Asahi bravely defends herself when she sees Sabaru is hurt. With a sword to her throat she jumps off a cliff. Testing the Water God. He does save her, however. Due to these events, war breaks out between the villages.

With angered yelling and anguish that something so terrible would happen over her, Asahi is surprised to find that the Water God has returned her voice. With his power he causes the enemy village to flee the battle.

In the end, Asahi tells the Water God that marriage is supposed to be between two precious people who know and understand each other. As such the Water God decides to be with Asahi in the village. And with that the volume ends.

Now, this volume keeps the series entertaining enough for me to be interested to see what will happen next. Especially since I am pretty interested to see where the relationship between Asahi and the Water God will lead.

I personally am not interested in Asahi getting together with Sabaru. I still don't understand why he was so fixated with her from the start when he had barely just met her back then when they were kids. Yeah, his devotion and determination to protect her is nice and all, but meh. That is not what I came here for.

One of the main things that brought this volume down for me was the continued unresolvable conflict between Sabaru and his family. His mother continues on with the same attitude towards Asahi and ofc, Sabaru rebels against his mother know that he is older and can. Meanwhile, his sister's attitude is also the same. Thus, leading Sabaru to see them as the ones seeming like non humans due to their cruel attitudes.

And I just urgh, I cannot with this family drama especially over some girl. Now, don't get me wrong. I like Asahi. I really do, but again Sabaru's fixtation with her. Why??? Again, yes, it does show how kind and different he is from his village because he sees Asahi as the literal human being she is. But like I said that sudden fixtation on her ever since they met. Nope. Don't like. And still don't. Maybe it's partly because I wasn't expecting a love triangle (which I absolutley loathe this trope).

With the Water God's focus on Asahi it makes much more sense and I personally find more interesting because he's a literal God. His viewpoint will be vastly different than a human's obviously. It's what in part I came here for. And idk, again, I'm just interested to see what Asahi will ultimately decide and what her fate will be especially in concerns to him.

Overall, though, the volume was okay. A quick read and entertaining enough.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on The Water Dragon's Bride volume 3 by Rei Toma. It is the first in her Suijin no Hanayome series. It is 184 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has The Water Dragon God and Asahi on it looking at each other. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo and historical fantasy. There is no foul language, no sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from third person god with characters thoughts added in for character and plot development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.



From the back of the book- Unable to return home, Asahi grows into a lovely young woman. As a priestess, she must spend time with the water dragon god for a ritual every year, but because of her connection to the water dragon god’s power, someone kidnaps her! Will Asahi be able to escape unscathed?



Review- We get a time skip in this volume of some ten years, it is not very clear but all the children from the first two volumes are grown into young adults. But Asahi's reputation has grown and now people are fighting over her. Of course that makes her mad but without her voice she cannot commutate too much. The Water Dragon decides to give it back to her. So Asahi can talk again and the Water Dragon has decided to live near Asahi. Subaru still has anger towards the Water Dragon so we will see how that is going to play out. I do not know who is to be Asahi's romantic lead the Water Dragon or Subaru. But I liked the volume and I look forward to reading the next one.



I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.