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Sword Princess Amaltea #1
Sword Princess Amaltea 1
Muinaisista ajoista alkaen ovat prinsessat kaikkialta kuningatarkunnista uhmanneet suuria vaaroja pelastaessaan viehkeitä prinssejä pulasta. Tätä samaa tehtävää suorittaa Prinsessa Amaltea, mutta kun hän kukistaa lohikäärmeen ja herättää uinuvan prinssi Ossianin suudelmalla, saa hänen seikkailunsa yllättävän uuden käänteen...
Sword Princess Amaltea sijoittuu satumaailmaan, joka on totutun vastakohta! Natalia Batistan uusi fantasiaseikkailu on huima matka täynnä huumoria, toimintaa ja rakkautta.
Sword Princess Amaltea sijoittuu satumaailmaan, joka on totutun vastakohta! Natalia Batistan uusi fantasiaseikkailu on huima matka täynnä huumoria, toimintaa ja rakkautta.
176 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Natalia Batista
57 books16 followersNatalia Batista, född 1986, är mangaillustratör och författare. Hon är utbildad vid Serieskolan i Malmö och har även läst japanska. Batista undervisar också om manga på bibliotek, skolor och museum. 2010 debuterade hon som författare med mangaserien Mjau!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 6, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I was quite interested in this manga-style comic, especially because of the blurb. Welcome to the world where the roles are flipped. Princesses save princes and then marry them. Princesses kill the dragons. You can imagine that this sounds really fun, but what if you are the kind of princess like Amaltea, and just don’t want all this.
Yes, Amaltea is spoiled, at times annoying, at times frustrating, and way too trusting, but I did like her at the end. In the end she really showed some progress, though she has a long long way to go for me to fully like her.
She is on a quest to find a prince, and she does find one. But it is kind of like finding herself. The prince is not a happy camper that she kissed him awake and is now taking him with her (and letting him walk while she is on her horse). But as the story continues we see them connect, we see them get closer, though again, like with Amaltea’s kindness, they have a long road ahead of them. Hopefully the journey to Ossian’s home country isn’t going to be a short one.
Though given the trouble they get into, mostly thanks to Amaltea and her being an out and proud princess, I think the journey will take a while. Especially when we see that twist near the end, plus the flashbacks on why Ossian isn’t so happy with woman all going hot and bothered because of him.
The art, well, where to begin. At times I quite liked it, but at other times not so much. The style was a bit rough on the edges, and I really had trouble with seeing if a person was he or she. For instance our prince is super feminine so I thought for quite a bit that there would be a twist that he was a she. Then there are other characters, like Tibius, who is apparently a dude but I thought he was a girl until it was mentioned. :P
Also sometimes the body proportions were out of whack. People would shrink or grow or stretch at random times.
Will I be reading the next book? I am not sure yet. On the one hand yes, because I want to know who that person is that is dedicated to our prince, I want to see Amaltea get a bit nicer and kinder, and of course I want to see our prince home country. And then there is Amaltea’s family who is kind of looking for her as she ditched her guards.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was quite interested in this manga-style comic, especially because of the blurb. Welcome to the world where the roles are flipped. Princesses save princes and then marry them. Princesses kill the dragons. You can imagine that this sounds really fun, but what if you are the kind of princess like Amaltea, and just don’t want all this.
Yes, Amaltea is spoiled, at times annoying, at times frustrating, and way too trusting, but I did like her at the end. In the end she really showed some progress, though she has a long long way to go for me to fully like her.
She is on a quest to find a prince, and she does find one. But it is kind of like finding herself. The prince is not a happy camper that she kissed him awake and is now taking him with her (and letting him walk while she is on her horse). But as the story continues we see them connect, we see them get closer, though again, like with Amaltea’s kindness, they have a long road ahead of them. Hopefully the journey to Ossian’s home country isn’t going to be a short one.
Though given the trouble they get into, mostly thanks to Amaltea and her being an out and proud princess, I think the journey will take a while. Especially when we see that twist near the end, plus the flashbacks on why Ossian isn’t so happy with woman all going hot and bothered because of him.
The art, well, where to begin. At times I quite liked it, but at other times not so much. The style was a bit rough on the edges, and I really had trouble with seeing if a person was he or she. For instance our prince is super feminine so I thought for quite a bit that there would be a twist that he was a she. Then there are other characters, like Tibius, who is apparently a dude but I thought he was a girl until it was mentioned. :P
Also sometimes the body proportions were out of whack. People would shrink or grow or stretch at random times.
Will I be reading the next book? I am not sure yet. On the one hand yes, because I want to know who that person is that is dedicated to our prince, I want to see Amaltea get a bit nicer and kinder, and of course I want to see our prince home country. And then there is Amaltea’s family who is kind of looking for her as she ditched her guards.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
May 15, 2019
Nejsem cílovka. Nejsem cílovka. Nejsem cílovka. Nejsem cílovka. Nejsem cílovka. A očividně nejsem ani Vojta.
Troufám si tvrdit, že chápu, co se autorka snažila celým tímhle říct. To, co nechápu je její rozhodnutí celý příběh vystavět jenom z nejprovařenějších klišé, dějových nesmyslů a ve formě, která podle mě bude utrpením pro kohokoliv, kdo si nemyslí, že proti patriarchátu a celkové nadvládě mužů je potřeba bojovat totálně over-the-top příběhem, který musí přijít naivní i dětem, co už v životě přečetly aspoň jednu pohádku.
Kresba jako taková problém asi není, ale těžko to posoudím, protože si nepřijdu jako správné publikum pro co nejženštěji kreslené muže a jejich křivky.
Na druhou stranu, už jsem viděl hodně neevropské mangy, která byla v hodně stejném duchu, takže asi je potřeba autorku pochválit, jak dobře se inspirovala. Ale to bohužel neposoudím, protože tyhle věci jdou mimo mě.
Mohlo by se vám líbit, pokud:
- denně naříkáte na bezpráví páchané na ženách a myslíte si, že nejlépe se s ním vypořádáte skrz naivní příběh v manga stylu
- jste vždycky chtěli vidět, jak by to vypadalo, když by se ženy chovali jako muži a nejlépe, kdyby toto chování bylo vyhnáno do nejklišovitějších extrémů
Spíš vás totálně naštve, pokud:
- nestojíte o muže, co vypadají jako ženy
- potřebujete k dobrému zážitku něco víc než klišé navršené na klišé, obalené v klišé a zalité omáčkou z další dávky klišé
- pokud máte kopřivku ze slova manga a pokud si představíte, že existuje její evropská verze, tak vás rovnou musí křísit
Troufám si tvrdit, že chápu, co se autorka snažila celým tímhle říct. To, co nechápu je její rozhodnutí celý příběh vystavět jenom z nejprovařenějších klišé, dějových nesmyslů a ve formě, která podle mě bude utrpením pro kohokoliv, kdo si nemyslí, že proti patriarchátu a celkové nadvládě mužů je potřeba bojovat totálně over-the-top příběhem, který musí přijít naivní i dětem, co už v životě přečetly aspoň jednu pohádku.
Kresba jako taková problém asi není, ale těžko to posoudím, protože si nepřijdu jako správné publikum pro co nejženštěji kreslené muže a jejich křivky.
Na druhou stranu, už jsem viděl hodně neevropské mangy, která byla v hodně stejném duchu, takže asi je potřeba autorku pochválit, jak dobře se inspirovala. Ale to bohužel neposoudím, protože tyhle věci jdou mimo mě.
Mohlo by se vám líbit, pokud:
- denně naříkáte na bezpráví páchané na ženách a myslíte si, že nejlépe se s ním vypořádáte skrz naivní příběh v manga stylu
- jste vždycky chtěli vidět, jak by to vypadalo, když by se ženy chovali jako muži a nejlépe, kdyby toto chování bylo vyhnáno do nejklišovitějších extrémů
Spíš vás totálně naštve, pokud:
- nestojíte o muže, co vypadají jako ženy
- potřebujete k dobrému zážitku něco víc než klišé navršené na klišé, obalené v klišé a zalité omáčkou z další dávky klišé
- pokud máte kopřivku ze slova manga a pokud si představíte, že existuje její evropská verze, tak vás rovnou musí křísit
Read
January 11, 2019So.. Hm.. I'm not gonna rate this book because I think I shouldn't. But:
1. Not funny as I expected (no, that horse is not funny.)
2. Amaltea is super-idiot and annoying.
3. I stopped counting how many times that group of bandits appeared in the middle of the book. Repetitive.
4. It was so CUTE I think I'm going to spend at least 5 hours looking at videos how people are getting smashed by train or something similar to recover from this sugary trauma.
5. CZ translation gave me instant cancer.
I was really looking forward to this, because I don't like manga in general (exceptions exist) and I somehow hoped this will be something else and good, but meh. I'm not saying it's bad - just my opinion for my future self so I can see what kind of book never touch again.
1. Not funny as I expected (no, that horse is not funny.)
2. Amaltea is super-idiot and annoying.
3. I stopped counting how many times that group of bandits appeared in the middle of the book. Repetitive.
4. It was so CUTE I think I'm going to spend at least 5 hours looking at videos how people are getting smashed by train or something similar to recover from this sugary trauma.
5. CZ translation gave me instant cancer.
I was really looking forward to this, because I don't like manga in general (exceptions exist) and I somehow hoped this will be something else and good, but meh. I'm not saying it's bad - just my opinion for my future self so I can see what kind of book never touch again.
May 25, 2018
Absolutně pozitivní překvapení. Fantasy manga ze světa kde muži a ženy mají ve společnosti prohozené role a tomu odpovídají i stereotypy a chování. Premisa příběhu je, že mladá princezna Amaltea musí zachránit z věže kterou hlídá drak prince aby se za ní mohl provdat a ona tak zdědila královenství jeho matky. Nejen že příběh je chytlavý a zatraceně vtipný, ale Natalia Batista perfektně chápe mangu nejen kresbou! Kdybych to nevěděl, tak bych nikdy nehádal, že Amaltea je Evropská manga. Nenechte se odradit nepovedenou obálkou a rozhodně dejte Amaltee šanci.
May 12, 2022
Joo ei. Tässä on ollut ihan hyvä idea taustalla, mutta toteutus ei sitten niinkään. Koko homma on jotenkin... yksinkertainen.
Hahmoista kukaan ei ole oikein kiinnostava, paitsi Tibus, joka liittoutuu vuorotellen eri puolten kanssa, jotta saisi rahaa. Muut hahmot vaan huutaa ja mesoaa. Komedia ei ole erityisen hauskaa, ei varsinkaan se hevonen.
Hahmoista kukaan ei ole oikein kiinnostava, paitsi Tibus, joka liittoutuu vuorotellen eri puolten kanssa, jotta saisi rahaa. Muut hahmot vaan huutaa ja mesoaa. Komedia ei ole erityisen hauskaa, ei varsinkaan se hevonen.
May 26, 2018
4.5 stars
Well, I would say this book very much delivered with this gorgeous looking cover! It was the first thing that drew me in, followed by the very intriguing premise of a princess being the one to rescue the prince.
I very much enjoyed this story. Sometimes I couldn't stand Amalthea because she really was so self-centered, but for being a short read, she had a wonderful arc of growth. By the end I was really cheering for her and would love to read book two.
The horse was definitely one of my favorite "characters," though I won't go into detail as to why. However, if I had to choose a "bigger" character, I would say the prince. He really pulled my heart strings. <3
One of the most interesting things about this book is the backstory as to why the women rule. I thought that to be super fascinating! It was slightly strange seeing ALL the women have roles that typically men would have and then on the reverse side aching for justice concerning some of the treatment men receive.
Overall, this was very well written! A minor bit of language with a few places of slight cleavage, but a fascinating gender-bending tale that leaves you cheering and wanting more.
*(I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)*
Well, I would say this book very much delivered with this gorgeous looking cover! It was the first thing that drew me in, followed by the very intriguing premise of a princess being the one to rescue the prince.
I very much enjoyed this story. Sometimes I couldn't stand Amalthea because she really was so self-centered, but for being a short read, she had a wonderful arc of growth. By the end I was really cheering for her and would love to read book two.
The horse was definitely one of my favorite "characters," though I won't go into detail as to why. However, if I had to choose a "bigger" character, I would say the prince. He really pulled my heart strings. <3
One of the most interesting things about this book is the backstory as to why the women rule. I thought that to be super fascinating! It was slightly strange seeing ALL the women have roles that typically men would have and then on the reverse side aching for justice concerning some of the treatment men receive.
Overall, this was very well written! A minor bit of language with a few places of slight cleavage, but a fascinating gender-bending tale that leaves you cheering and wanting more.
*(I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)*
December 30, 2018
Sono rimasta colpita dalla fantasia di Natalia Batista, un mondo in cui le donne sono al comando e, quindi, tutto il resto si srotola partendo da questo gomitolo: l’eredità al trono, il matrimonio, il dover andare a salvare un principe in pericolo per dimostrare il proprio valore e diventare così l’erede del suo trono… Dai, è fantastico!
April 28, 2021
Tohle bavilo moc. Mělo to vibe Princezny Fantaghiro, což žeru. Líbilo se mi celé postavení společnosti na matriarchátu a jeho temné stránky - zneužívání mužů apod. Nečekala jsem, že to bude místy až tak temné (trigger warning - pokus o znásilnění), ale jo... Rozhodně jsem mile překvapená a je vidět, že evropští autoři mangu taky umí.
4.5/5*
4.5/5*
Read
April 22, 202021/04/20 - Free atm at https://www.tokyopop.com/together
Love the art.
This is an upside-down world where gender roles are reversed: the princess fights the dragon and saves the prince; the women are the warriors, the brutes, the ones doing the sexual harassment.
Love the art.
This is an upside-down world where gender roles are reversed: the princess fights the dragon and saves the prince; the women are the warriors, the brutes, the ones doing the sexual harassment.
February 3, 2021
A very interesting perspective, with a manga switching the standardised gender roles, making men the "inferior" gender and women the one who rules society. I kinda felt that the storyline was forced, there was no real red line in the story. I wanted to like it, but I really didn't. The manga art is really good though, but as a story this for me was a disappointment, unfortunately.
September 24, 2020
Sjukt bra, och kul!
December 2, 2025
Well I liked that instead of a prince saving a princess it was a princess saving the prince, just couldn’t tell when some of the characters were women or men lol
December 16, 2015
(OBS recensionen är under arbete! Ej klar!)
Sword Princess Amaltea är den typen av saga som avsiktligt letar upp genrens klichéer för att vrida dem ett varv eller två . Här är twisten att könsrollerna är omkastade. Kvinnliga karaktärer som svingar svärd och dödar drakar hittar man i många andra serier. Det är männen som får mig att göra en double take. Se bara på Amalteas pappas kroppsspråk här när han tröstar sin dotter:
Och här är barpojken Tibus i färd med att utnyttja sin manliga fägring och list (P.S. jag älskar den konstiga djurtapeten som dyker upp i bakgrunden):
Ibland känns det som att berättelsen blir lidande av att hela tiden kretsa kring de mest könsrollskodade delarna av sagor - som ju strängt taget inte brukar vara de intressantaste. För att få in den undersköne Prins Ossian i handlingen (och utöka möjligheterna till könsrollsriffande) måste Amaltea besegra sin första drake väldigt tidigt i handlingen. Batista lyckas skickligt förmedla hur enorm och snabb draken är. Hon visar aldrig hela draken i bild - ofta bara huvudet. Detta trots att bildrutorna verkligen maximerats - det finns inga kanaler mellan rutorna och de går ända ut tills kanten på sidan klipper av dem. Rytmen i striden är nästan utmattande. Tyvärr saknar draken minnesvärd personlighet och den lösning Amaltea hittar för att döda den är rent bedrövande konventionell. Det är som om att se en väldigt skicklig regissör ge sig på ett dötrist manus. Att vi så tidigt får se Amaltea döda draken gör också konfrontationerna med rövare senare i boken mindre laddade.
Sword Princess Amaltea är den typen av saga som avsiktligt letar upp genrens klichéer för att vrida dem ett varv eller två . Här är twisten att könsrollerna är omkastade. Kvinnliga karaktärer som svingar svärd och dödar drakar hittar man i många andra serier. Det är männen som får mig att göra en double take. Se bara på Amalteas pappas kroppsspråk här när han tröstar sin dotter:
Och här är barpojken Tibus i färd med att utnyttja sin manliga fägring och list (P.S. jag älskar den konstiga djurtapeten som dyker upp i bakgrunden):
Ibland känns det som att berättelsen blir lidande av att hela tiden kretsa kring de mest könsrollskodade delarna av sagor - som ju strängt taget inte brukar vara de intressantaste. För att få in den undersköne Prins Ossian i handlingen (och utöka möjligheterna till könsrollsriffande) måste Amaltea besegra sin första drake väldigt tidigt i handlingen. Batista lyckas skickligt förmedla hur enorm och snabb draken är. Hon visar aldrig hela draken i bild - ofta bara huvudet. Detta trots att bildrutorna verkligen maximerats - det finns inga kanaler mellan rutorna och de går ända ut tills kanten på sidan klipper av dem. Rytmen i striden är nästan utmattande. Tyvärr saknar draken minnesvärd personlighet och den lösning Amaltea hittar för att döda den är rent bedrövande konventionell. Det är som om att se en väldigt skicklig regissör ge sig på ett dötrist manus. Att vi så tidigt får se Amaltea döda draken gör också konfrontationerna med rövare senare i boken mindre laddade.
June 12, 2022
Annoin nyt geneerisen 3 tähteä, koska öö haluan nähdä, mitä Nordic Manga julkaisee seuraavaksi. Olisin kiinnostunut enemmän suomalaisesta mangasta.
1. Alkuperäinen on ilmestynyt 2013, ja tarina tuntuu ehkä siltä, että olisin odottanut sen olevan tehty 2008. Herran vuonna 2022 en pitäisi todennäköistä että tätä a) julkaistaisiin b) olisi kirjoitettu. Feministisenä teoksena tätä on vaikea pitää tämän päivän aktivismin valossa, vaikka naissankareista naisille julkaistuja sarjakuvia suomeksi on edelleenkin ehkä hieman haastavaa löytää.
2. Kuitenkaan pelkät viihdearvot ei myöskään itselle täyty siitä, että maailman tylsimmät tropeihin vaihdetaan sukupuolet sen kummempia pohdintoja tekemättä. Mikään tässä maailmassa ei ole millään tavalla kiinnostavaa. Tylsistä tylsintä!! Tuntuu kuin tämä olisi tehty jollain generaattorilla johon olisi syötetty jotain valmishahmoja.
3. Haluaisin sanoa, että tämä sopii esiteini-ikäisille tytöille kivaksi höpöilyksi. Mutta oikeastaan sanoisin että pari kohtausta tässä voi olla siihenkin vähän epäilyttäviä, mutta menköön. Nuoremmille nämä tropet eivät ole niin ylikulutettuja, että tämmöinen voi tuntua vielä kovinkin freesiltä.
4. Heppatyttönä en käsitä, miten sarjakuvissa usein saadaan hevosista mitä mielenkiinnottomimpia, tyhmimpiä ja rumimpia hahmoja???
No, urputtaminen sikseen. Piirtotyyli on mielestäni sopiva ja melko laadukasta ja luettavaa, vaikka toisinaan anatomia hieman hajoaakin. Mutta ei mielestäni mitenkään erityisen arvoa laskevasti.
Suosittelisin tätä ehkä 12 v paikkeilla oleville tytöille ja ihmisille, joita kiinnostaa pohjoismainen manga noin yleisesti.
1. Alkuperäinen on ilmestynyt 2013, ja tarina tuntuu ehkä siltä, että olisin odottanut sen olevan tehty 2008. Herran vuonna 2022 en pitäisi todennäköistä että tätä a) julkaistaisiin b) olisi kirjoitettu. Feministisenä teoksena tätä on vaikea pitää tämän päivän aktivismin valossa, vaikka naissankareista naisille julkaistuja sarjakuvia suomeksi on edelleenkin ehkä hieman haastavaa löytää.
2. Kuitenkaan pelkät viihdearvot ei myöskään itselle täyty siitä, että maailman tylsimmät tropeihin vaihdetaan sukupuolet sen kummempia pohdintoja tekemättä. Mikään tässä maailmassa ei ole millään tavalla kiinnostavaa. Tylsistä tylsintä!! Tuntuu kuin tämä olisi tehty jollain generaattorilla johon olisi syötetty jotain valmishahmoja.
3. Haluaisin sanoa, että tämä sopii esiteini-ikäisille tytöille kivaksi höpöilyksi. Mutta oikeastaan sanoisin että pari kohtausta tässä voi olla siihenkin vähän epäilyttäviä, mutta menköön. Nuoremmille nämä tropet eivät ole niin ylikulutettuja, että tämmöinen voi tuntua vielä kovinkin freesiltä.
4. Heppatyttönä en käsitä, miten sarjakuvissa usein saadaan hevosista mitä mielenkiinnottomimpia, tyhmimpiä ja rumimpia hahmoja???
No, urputtaminen sikseen. Piirtotyyli on mielestäni sopiva ja melko laadukasta ja luettavaa, vaikka toisinaan anatomia hieman hajoaakin. Mutta ei mielestäni mitenkään erityisen arvoa laskevasti.
Suosittelisin tätä ehkä 12 v paikkeilla oleville tytöille ja ihmisille, joita kiinnostaa pohjoismainen manga noin yleisesti.
July 25, 2016
Hade mangan varit skriven med konventionella könsroller kunde jag sträcka mig till att kalla den, möjligen, smått underhållande. Handlingen är en konventionell "rädda prinsessan från draken", med andra stereotyper för sagor och fantasy.
Men twisten som gör att man kanske ska kolla lite närmare på Amaltea är de ombytta könsrollerna.
Det är ingen större världsomvändelse, eftersom könen rätt och slätt byts ut och det manliga språket byts ut motkvinnligt dvs. "vad man gör" blir "vad kvin gör". Samma sak kan man se i "Egalias döttrar", men där mer märkbart eftersom det finns mer text att märka det på. Twisten sätter fokus på uppfattningen av kön snarare än köns inverkan på samhället, eftersom ett snabbt byte av karaktärernas kön inte medför någon större förändringar.
Jag klyvs lite mellan att tycka det är en ganska tråkig historia och tydliga stereotyper med att fundera på mina uppfattningar om könsroller och hur jag upplever karaktärer och handlingen.
Men twisten som gör att man kanske ska kolla lite närmare på Amaltea är de ombytta könsrollerna.
Det är ingen större världsomvändelse, eftersom könen rätt och slätt byts ut och det manliga språket byts ut motkvinnligt dvs. "vad man gör" blir "vad kvin gör". Samma sak kan man se i "Egalias döttrar", men där mer märkbart eftersom det finns mer text att märka det på. Twisten sätter fokus på uppfattningen av kön snarare än köns inverkan på samhället, eftersom ett snabbt byte av karaktärernas kön inte medför någon större förändringar.
Jag klyvs lite mellan att tycka det är en ganska tråkig historia och tydliga stereotyper med att fundera på mina uppfattningar om könsroller och hur jag upplever karaktärer och handlingen.
September 2, 2020
Nothing But Jerks
This manga tries to be original by having a society that flips gender roles, with princesses rescuing princes, but it's just a copy paste of a sexist fantasy society, so it isn't all that interesting. Also, pretty much all the characters are jerks, which I hate. I don't like reading about nothing but jerks.
Will not be continuing. Not Very interesting and nothing but jerks.
This manga tries to be original by having a society that flips gender roles, with princesses rescuing princes, but it's just a copy paste of a sexist fantasy society, so it isn't all that interesting. Also, pretty much all the characters are jerks, which I hate. I don't like reading about nothing but jerks.
Will not be continuing. Not Very interesting and nothing but jerks.
January 14, 2016
råkade radera allt jag skrivit kring denna ... men: bra, ej megabra, himla intressant och så.
July 23, 2016
Väldigt intressant med de ombytta könsrollerna. Plus att den var fantastiskt tecknad.
October 22, 2020
Princess Amaltea of the Queendom of the Green Highlands has always been overshadowed by her elder sister, Princess Dorotea. Since their society practices primogeniture through the female line, Dorotea is the heir to Queen Galatea. If Amaltea wants a queendom, she must find a prince to rescue and marry so she can inherit his mother’s lands. Amaltea thinks the whole process is bogus, but hey, a chance to get out and see the world on her own!
Amaltea ditches her royal escort, but still somehow manages to be guided to a prince in distress within a chapter. One dragon fight and awakening kiss later, we’re introduced to Prince Ossian of the Grey Mountains. He’s handsome enough, but no more thrilled with the courtship customs of their culture than Amaltea is, and let’s face it, she’s kind of a jerk.
Now they must begin the long journey to the Queendom of the Grey Mountains, facing perils both mundane (bandits) and magical. Will they ever learn to get along, let alone agree to marriage?
This fantasy comic was a part of Tokyopop’s “International Women of Manga” line, featuring mangaesque art from creators around the world and packaged in volumes similar to their manga adaptations. I understand that the license has been rescued and you can now get the series independently.
The setting is “generic European fantasy” except that certain gender roles have been reversed. Women are rulers, witches, warriors and criminals, while men are caregivers, servants, political tokens and seducers. This is said to have come about because only women can use magic, but it’s notable that the only woman who uses magic during this first volume is a “witch” who does not appear to be a part of any of the royal families. Certainly there are points at which Amaltea’s job would be easier if she knew any spells!
To be honest, it appears that Princess Amaltea’s education has been somewhat spotty. She has little to no knowledge of how society outside the court works, and it’s revealed that there’s a particular quirk of the succession laws Amaltea was deliberately never told about. Amaltea’s rather bratty, and it’s obvious that part of her character arc will be learning to be a better person.
The world building in this first volume is kind of enh. A deeper dive into what the reversal of gender roles actually means to their society would enhance the story greatly.
The art’s decent; I appreciate that there’s multiple body types, and some ethnic diversity in the cast without making it a plot point. Our heroine has a hairstyle that must be a pain to draw, so I appreciate the effort the artist has put in.
Overall, very average. Recommended to junior high readers on up who are interested in gender role inversion stories.
Amaltea ditches her royal escort, but still somehow manages to be guided to a prince in distress within a chapter. One dragon fight and awakening kiss later, we’re introduced to Prince Ossian of the Grey Mountains. He’s handsome enough, but no more thrilled with the courtship customs of their culture than Amaltea is, and let’s face it, she’s kind of a jerk.
Now they must begin the long journey to the Queendom of the Grey Mountains, facing perils both mundane (bandits) and magical. Will they ever learn to get along, let alone agree to marriage?
This fantasy comic was a part of Tokyopop’s “International Women of Manga” line, featuring mangaesque art from creators around the world and packaged in volumes similar to their manga adaptations. I understand that the license has been rescued and you can now get the series independently.
The setting is “generic European fantasy” except that certain gender roles have been reversed. Women are rulers, witches, warriors and criminals, while men are caregivers, servants, political tokens and seducers. This is said to have come about because only women can use magic, but it’s notable that the only woman who uses magic during this first volume is a “witch” who does not appear to be a part of any of the royal families. Certainly there are points at which Amaltea’s job would be easier if she knew any spells!
To be honest, it appears that Princess Amaltea’s education has been somewhat spotty. She has little to no knowledge of how society outside the court works, and it’s revealed that there’s a particular quirk of the succession laws Amaltea was deliberately never told about. Amaltea’s rather bratty, and it’s obvious that part of her character arc will be learning to be a better person.
The world building in this first volume is kind of enh. A deeper dive into what the reversal of gender roles actually means to their society would enhance the story greatly.
The art’s decent; I appreciate that there’s multiple body types, and some ethnic diversity in the cast without making it a plot point. Our heroine has a hairstyle that must be a pain to draw, so I appreciate the effort the artist has put in.
Overall, very average. Recommended to junior high readers on up who are interested in gender role inversion stories.
April 8, 2018
Natalia Batista l'ho conosciuta in Svezia nel 2013. Stavo gironzolando per Stoccolma e avevo visto sulla guida Lonely che c'era un negozio di fumetti nelle vicinanze. Lei era lì per firmare le copie del primo volume di Amaltea. L'ho comprato e ci ho messo tre mesi a leggerlo. L'ho letto davvero, con il dizionario in parte!
Così sono stata contentissima che fosse tradotto anche in italiano.
Metterci le mani sopra è stato difficile. In fumetteria non sono riuscita ad ordinarlo perché nessun distributore ce l'aveva. Ho dovuto passare dal sito ufficiale di Kasaobake.
Ormai non mi ricordavo più il contenuto del fumetto. Mi ricordavo però dei regiregni (ma suona meglio in inglese come queendom) e del fatto che le tre bandite parlassero una lingua diversa da quella di Amaltea. Difatti, se Amaltea - con il dizionario - si capiva, con le tre bandite il discorso era diverso: ci voleva un po' di Google Translate e un altro dizionario online e una buona dose di approssimazione. Nella traduzione italiana entrambi questi dettagli sono spariti. Anche se, ad esempio, il regiregno era presente nella versione pubblicata su Doraetos.
Inoltre il formato italiano è un po' più piccolo rispetto all'originale. Questione di costi, presumo. Ma credo che purtroppo si perdano alcuni dettagli dei disegni. Che son favolosi. Perfino il drago mi piace, nonostante alla sottoscritta non piacciano i draghi. Mancano anche la bellissime tavole a colori. Ma forse sono ancora visibili nei vecchi numeri della rivista Doraetos.
La storia è molto svedese, secondo me. Non so, ho l'impressione che difficilmente in Italia si sarebbe arrivati a questo. I ruoli sono invertiti completamente: è la principessa che salva un principe un po' deboluccio e pauroso. Le bandite son donne, mentre la sguattera della locanda è un uomo... E via di questo passo.
Beh, spero che Kasaobake pubblicherà presto gli altri due volumi della serie. Intanto, però, potrei farmi coraggio e leggerli in svedese.
Così sono stata contentissima che fosse tradotto anche in italiano.
Metterci le mani sopra è stato difficile. In fumetteria non sono riuscita ad ordinarlo perché nessun distributore ce l'aveva. Ho dovuto passare dal sito ufficiale di Kasaobake.
Ormai non mi ricordavo più il contenuto del fumetto. Mi ricordavo però dei regiregni (ma suona meglio in inglese come queendom) e del fatto che le tre bandite parlassero una lingua diversa da quella di Amaltea. Difatti, se Amaltea - con il dizionario - si capiva, con le tre bandite il discorso era diverso: ci voleva un po' di Google Translate e un altro dizionario online e una buona dose di approssimazione. Nella traduzione italiana entrambi questi dettagli sono spariti. Anche se, ad esempio, il regiregno era presente nella versione pubblicata su Doraetos.
Inoltre il formato italiano è un po' più piccolo rispetto all'originale. Questione di costi, presumo. Ma credo che purtroppo si perdano alcuni dettagli dei disegni. Che son favolosi. Perfino il drago mi piace, nonostante alla sottoscritta non piacciano i draghi. Mancano anche la bellissime tavole a colori. Ma forse sono ancora visibili nei vecchi numeri della rivista Doraetos.
La storia è molto svedese, secondo me. Non so, ho l'impressione che difficilmente in Italia si sarebbe arrivati a questo. I ruoli sono invertiti completamente: è la principessa che salva un principe un po' deboluccio e pauroso. Le bandite son donne, mentre la sguattera della locanda è un uomo... E via di questo passo.
Beh, spero che Kasaobake pubblicherà presto gli altri due volumi della serie. Intanto, però, potrei farmi coraggio e leggerli in svedese.
November 24, 2018
Dimenticate le favole come le conoscete. Dimenticate il coraggioso principe dall'armatura lucente che va a salvare la bella principessa indifesa. Qui la Batista scombina i soliti schemi per dar valore alle donne reputandole il sesso forte in un mondo che può sembrare "strambo" agli occhi di noi lettori abituati ad una società per la maggior parte maschilista.
Tutto ha inizio in un mondo dove solo le donne possono usare la magia. Sono loro a governare e a combattere mentre i maschi, considerati il sesso debole, sono considerati cose graziose di cui le donne possono fare quello che vogliono. I principi sono donzelle da salvare o da usare per avere eredi. La nostra protagonista, Amaltea, essendo la secondogenita, dovrà andare in missione per salvare un principe e di conseguenza appropriarsi del regno della futura suocera. Seppur riluttante ai doveri che le vengono imposte dalla società, piena di spavalderia e coraggio va ad uccidere un drago e salva il bellissimo principe Ossian. Da lì inizierà l'avventura dei due giovani alla scoperta di loro stessi e del rispetto per l'un l'altro. Metteranno in discussione molte tradizioni e l'affetto crescerà fino a sbocciare in amore. Gli uomini devono per forza essere sempre a disposizione dei capricci delle donne? Quest'ultime non possono vivere alla pari con gli uomini rispettandoli?
Amaltea è una principessa molto snob e arrogante che grazie ad Ossian imparerà ad essere più umile e rispettosa verso gli altri. E' molto orgogliosa e non si arrende di fronte a niente sopratutto quando c'è da dimostrare il suo valore. Ha un complesso di inferiorità nei confronti di sua sorella maggiore Dorotea che riesce in tutto quello che fa ed ha il suo regno senza dover salvare un "inutile" principe. All'inizio non mi è piaciuta molto come personaggio ma poi durante la sua missione raggiunge una certa maturità e ho finito per apprezzarla. Ossian invece l'ho trovato adorabile. Il capro espiatorio per cercare di cambiare le regole della società femminista in cui vivono.
I sessi si sono invertiti in questa bizzarra storia. Ammetto che, non essendoci abituata, mi ha fatto uno strano effetto vedere uomini vestiti da donne con atteggiamenti delicati e trattati alla stregua di un bel ornamento. I disegni della Batista non rientrano di certo tra i migliori che abbia visto nè tra i miei preferiti (odio i capelli troppo riccioluti e con i fiocchi, mi ricordano Candy Candy) ma hanno tratti molto carini e apprezzabili. E' una storia innovativa che lascia di sicuro il lettore a bocca aperta. Fa molto pensare ai ruoli che svolge una persona a seconda del sesso e l'ho trovato interessante.
Lo consiglio a chiunque voglia provare una favola fuori dal comune con personaggi divertenti compreso un cavallo piuttosto sofferente (per capire di cosa parlo, leggete questa serie SUBITO!).
Tutto ha inizio in un mondo dove solo le donne possono usare la magia. Sono loro a governare e a combattere mentre i maschi, considerati il sesso debole, sono considerati cose graziose di cui le donne possono fare quello che vogliono. I principi sono donzelle da salvare o da usare per avere eredi. La nostra protagonista, Amaltea, essendo la secondogenita, dovrà andare in missione per salvare un principe e di conseguenza appropriarsi del regno della futura suocera. Seppur riluttante ai doveri che le vengono imposte dalla società, piena di spavalderia e coraggio va ad uccidere un drago e salva il bellissimo principe Ossian. Da lì inizierà l'avventura dei due giovani alla scoperta di loro stessi e del rispetto per l'un l'altro. Metteranno in discussione molte tradizioni e l'affetto crescerà fino a sbocciare in amore. Gli uomini devono per forza essere sempre a disposizione dei capricci delle donne? Quest'ultime non possono vivere alla pari con gli uomini rispettandoli?
Amaltea è una principessa molto snob e arrogante che grazie ad Ossian imparerà ad essere più umile e rispettosa verso gli altri. E' molto orgogliosa e non si arrende di fronte a niente sopratutto quando c'è da dimostrare il suo valore. Ha un complesso di inferiorità nei confronti di sua sorella maggiore Dorotea che riesce in tutto quello che fa ed ha il suo regno senza dover salvare un "inutile" principe. All'inizio non mi è piaciuta molto come personaggio ma poi durante la sua missione raggiunge una certa maturità e ho finito per apprezzarla. Ossian invece l'ho trovato adorabile. Il capro espiatorio per cercare di cambiare le regole della società femminista in cui vivono.
I sessi si sono invertiti in questa bizzarra storia. Ammetto che, non essendoci abituata, mi ha fatto uno strano effetto vedere uomini vestiti da donne con atteggiamenti delicati e trattati alla stregua di un bel ornamento. I disegni della Batista non rientrano di certo tra i migliori che abbia visto nè tra i miei preferiti (odio i capelli troppo riccioluti e con i fiocchi, mi ricordano Candy Candy) ma hanno tratti molto carini e apprezzabili. E' una storia innovativa che lascia di sicuro il lettore a bocca aperta. Fa molto pensare ai ruoli che svolge una persona a seconda del sesso e l'ho trovato interessante.
Lo consiglio a chiunque voglia provare una favola fuori dal comune con personaggi divertenti compreso un cavallo piuttosto sofferente (per capire di cosa parlo, leggete questa serie SUBITO!).
June 5, 2018
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Everyone in this world has had their roles reversed. What a nice switch up for the old knight in shining armor tale. Princess Amaltea, the youngest daughter, is sent out by her mother to go rescue a prince and marry him. Once she returns him to his homeland, she will become queen and receive half their lands. Besides the prince being rescued, the bandits in the book are women and the barmaid is a man.
Amaltea is a hard-headed, princess who is always try to prove herself due to always being in her sister's shadow. Everyone else around her tends to be folly for jokes, but are really fun characters. The prince is weak and has a pretty face, the three bandits are kind of dumb and never seem to get it right, and the barmaid is a super pretty boy who is looking for an easy out. Also the inner dialogue from the horse is probably my favorite moments.
All of this works well because the book manages to find its humor in the reversal. It likes to poke fun at tropes from in which this type of story originated. The artwork is well done, the characters are fun, and it never takes itself too seriously. I had a lot of fun in this first volume, and I look forward to checking out volume 2.
Everyone in this world has had their roles reversed. What a nice switch up for the old knight in shining armor tale. Princess Amaltea, the youngest daughter, is sent out by her mother to go rescue a prince and marry him. Once she returns him to his homeland, she will become queen and receive half their lands. Besides the prince being rescued, the bandits in the book are women and the barmaid is a man.
Amaltea is a hard-headed, princess who is always try to prove herself due to always being in her sister's shadow. Everyone else around her tends to be folly for jokes, but are really fun characters. The prince is weak and has a pretty face, the three bandits are kind of dumb and never seem to get it right, and the barmaid is a super pretty boy who is looking for an easy out. Also the inner dialogue from the horse is probably my favorite moments.
All of this works well because the book manages to find its humor in the reversal. It likes to poke fun at tropes from in which this type of story originated. The artwork is well done, the characters are fun, and it never takes itself too seriously. I had a lot of fun in this first volume, and I look forward to checking out volume 2.
April 13, 2019
I was kind of hoping for a fantasy romp, but this just made me angry. I respect the author for what she's trying to do, challenge accepted gender norms and stereotypes. But the way she doesn't is was burns me up. The sexes of the roles are reversed, and that's it. Yes it is a matriarchy where the princess has to rescue the prince, but the prince is weak, essentially defenseless, and emotional. The princess is strong, a braggart, and generally the hero despite the situation. Basically the female character assumes the masculine role and has all of the typical masculine traits, while the male character assumes the feminine role with all the typical feminine traits. Which basically reinforces the idea that the feminine is 'weak' or 'less than' the masculine, while the masculine is depicted as 'strong' and 'preferred', especially where the main character is concerned. Not so much a role reversal as a straight forward sex reversal, which still retains all of our culture's preconceived notions about gender.
June 24, 2018
'Sword Princess Amaltea, Book 1' by Natalia Batista has a fun premise, but falls into that weird area of manga for me.
Amaltea lives in a kingdom where, if she wants any kind of title, she needs to go rescue a prince. She sets out with lots of royal protection, which she loses as soon as she can. Soon she has found a dragon, a prince, a group of bandits and a very effeminate innkeeper.
I liked the premise, but the execution just didn't work for me. The over effeminate male characters underplayed the story because they seemed like they were helpless and needed rescuing. Perhaps this was really the point, but I would have found it to be funnier with big, hunky dudes.
I received a review copy of this manga from Tokyopop, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
Amaltea lives in a kingdom where, if she wants any kind of title, she needs to go rescue a prince. She sets out with lots of royal protection, which she loses as soon as she can. Soon she has found a dragon, a prince, a group of bandits and a very effeminate innkeeper.
I liked the premise, but the execution just didn't work for me. The over effeminate male characters underplayed the story because they seemed like they were helpless and needed rescuing. Perhaps this was really the point, but I would have found it to be funnier with big, hunky dudes.
I received a review copy of this manga from Tokyopop, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
April 22, 2022
Perplexing
The author's stated goal was to write a female chauvinist matriarchal society similar to Daughters of Egalia by Gerd Brantenberg. She certainly flips things, down to damseling (manseling?) the prince and even female on male sexual assault/rape, but it ultimately feels shallow. While Monstress was convincing in it's matriarchal setting, this felt more gimmicky. I think it would have made more sense if the women were at least larger than the men or there was some cultural world building justifying it. (I'm not arguing biological determinism or evolutionary psychology, but pregnancy mortality rates and anatomy, as is, would presumably relegate men to manual labor/levies rather than just domestic. But then I guess it wouldn't be a 1:1 flip of gender norms.)
Stranger yet is the formatting choice of reading panels left-to-right but pages right-to-left.
The author's stated goal was to write a female chauvinist matriarchal society similar to Daughters of Egalia by Gerd Brantenberg. She certainly flips things, down to damseling (manseling?) the prince and even female on male sexual assault/rape, but it ultimately feels shallow. While Monstress was convincing in it's matriarchal setting, this felt more gimmicky. I think it would have made more sense if the women were at least larger than the men or there was some cultural world building justifying it. (I'm not arguing biological determinism or evolutionary psychology, but pregnancy mortality rates and anatomy, as is, would presumably relegate men to manual labor/levies rather than just domestic. But then I guess it wouldn't be a 1:1 flip of gender norms.)
Stranger yet is the formatting choice of reading panels left-to-right but pages right-to-left.
August 6, 2022
I picked up Sword Princess Amaltea because of the draw of a female-dominated society. A Queendom instead of a Kingdom. While the premise of this story is appealing, it was executed poorly.
Maybe the intent was to poke fun at typical fairytales but all the author did was copy and paste those same stories, switching the gender roles as it goes.
I couldn't stand Amaltea through most of this book. She's arrogant, self-centered, whiney, and just a jerk. Her prince was a little better, though still not a character I enjoyed much.
The horse commentary was great! I wish there had been more of it because I found it very entertaining.
Same with the art style. It's what kept this book from being a lower rating. Very well done drawing.
Maybe the intent was to poke fun at typical fairytales but all the author did was copy and paste those same stories, switching the gender roles as it goes.
I couldn't stand Amaltea through most of this book. She's arrogant, self-centered, whiney, and just a jerk. Her prince was a little better, though still not a character I enjoyed much.
The horse commentary was great! I wish there had been more of it because I found it very entertaining.
Same with the art style. It's what kept this book from being a lower rating. Very well done drawing.
May 3, 2018
I received this book as another advanced reader's copy for our graphic novel section because of the demand of more female heroines in our graphic novel from our young adult patrons. This book had it all; drama, suspense, conflict, life lessons and action packed scenes that will leave our readers on the edge of their seats. I also was a fan of the artwork and how well it flowed with the plotline making ti easier to follow along and understand what was happening in the story and that is very important to our reader's. We are proud to give this 5 stars!
May 2, 2018
Omg this manga had me laughing so hard. This is actually my first manga and I *loved* it. The characters' personalities reminded me of Ouran Highschool Host Club and well, that thrilled me to no end.
The world in Sword Princess Amaltea has fantasy tropes flipped. Women rule, and princesses must save "lads in distress". It brought on a lot of female power into play and I'm super interested to keep on reading the next volumes!
*Full review coming soon!*
The world in Sword Princess Amaltea has fantasy tropes flipped. Women rule, and princesses must save "lads in distress". It brought on a lot of female power into play and I'm super interested to keep on reading the next volumes!
*Full review coming soon!*
October 5, 2018
Sword Princess Amaltea is meant to be a satire and not a feminist story. Even so, I couldn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I love the idea about a matriarchal society and girls becoming knights who rescue helpless princes, but I wish the characters didn't play into those tired tropes despite the gender norm swap. Aside from that, Amaltea is beautifully drawn and I'm happy to read a manga from a non-Japanese author!
November 11, 2018
The cover caught my eye at London Comic Con and I’m so pleased I picked it up. Natalia’s drawing style is gorgeous and I love the gender-flipped world she’s created. I also enjoy Amaltea’s character. She’s stubborn, arrogant and generally a bit of a knobhead, but that’s what I like about her, strangely enough - she’s laughably entitled, but being out of her queendom is changing her. Looking forward to getting to read the next volume!
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