I’m happy that this series got picked up again since I’ve been a fan of this series for years. However as the story progress, I’m a little disappointed with the lack of romance between the heroine and the two male leads. The 1st ML is probably the lamest ML I’ve ever read. After his relationship with the heroine turned cold, he kept muttering he couldn’t allow ‘that’ to happen. Whether it’s about her child as a successor or her gaining more influence.
I’m still hoping that there will be some romance developing with the 2nd ML. But so far, he showed more affection toward the 1st ML than the heroine. And the 1st ML is so dedicated toward the 2nd ML that he couldn’t care less about any woman in his life. So yeah, rather than aiming for shoujo or josei, this should have been made yaoi. The story would progress better that way. Love the arts, love the historical bit of pieces, although it would be preferable too focus more on the heroine’s story than wasting many pages on conquests that don’t really contribute to the heroine’s story (only to listen to 1st ML’s rants).
don’t love the repetitive explanations in a form of background characters’ talking.

... Last updated on May 5th, 2021, 10:59am

I read it cause I LOVED Kanata Kara and I’m sorry this is just so boring

In this day and age where webtoons are growing increasingly popular, I love coming across these mangas from the OGs. Shinohara Chie's illustrations and stories are something you can never get tired of; it's definitely a classic!

As to the storyline...only up to chapter 19, so I'm waiting for it to develop more before I can give it an actual rating. I think the MC is doing the best she can with what she has...there was a moment of "Maury" though--really frustrating that we won't know who the actual father is (hopefully we find out later?).

I think we do need to keep in mind that the storyline takes place in the 1500s and the sultan is a huge important figure trying to concur the world. I understand that it was a very different time from now, but I can't help but get pissed with his comment in chapter 19. He's basically like, "this is their fight, they can figure it out". (UHH YOUR FAV WIFE ALMOST GOT MURDERED WITH YOUR UNBORN CHILD?? He's so nonchalant about it). I do enjoy the schemes and trickeries that take up most of the story, and it's so satisfying to see the MC one up her oppressor, however, I feel so tired for Hurrem who constantly needs to watch her back. I get it - it's a dog eat dog world out there.

Anywho, definitely give it a try!

Edit - I finally got around to catching up (chp 56) and I must say, the heavy politics subplot is getting tiresome to follow 🙁. Slowly losing my interest. Indeed, it does have a tight story, but I'm more interested in the romance than the actual history and war aspect of this manga. And now that we're farther into the story, it seems like Hurrem is only favored because she's connected to Ibrahim. This is some complicated web! I bet the Sultan knew about the two star crossed lovers, and it's hinted that he was probably tormenting them on purpose.

... Last updated on February 7th, 2021, 2:47pm

ohhhhhhh my god, the comment below me... by rozzak? just go back to 4chan, the main character is LITERALLY A SLAVE WHO GETS RAPED DAILY AND HAS NO POWER and you somehow feel sorry for the sultan? the man who has an entire harem full of slaves he can rape whenever he feels like it, and extravagant wealth at his disposal? the man who rules an absolute monarchy where whatever whim takes him is law and he can kill as he pleases? the all-powerful sultan, who you somehow think is a victim because one of his slaves who fights for her life in every single chapter had sex with someone else ??

like, potential readers, please don't... listen to that review. the story is full of a nuanced plot and interesting, likable characters (even the sultan, though the fact that someone would think of him as a victim instead of the main character is just... incomprehensible to me, seriously, HOW). i would actually agree that the character the heroine "loves" is.... the least likable out of all the characters so far, and their romance seems more desperate than True Love. i'm kind of wondering if that was intentional, and if the heroine is going to fall in love with the sultan after all.

regardless, the story is... kind of hard to read sometimes, because it's intense, and stressful -- the court machinations are just distressing, because bad things happen regularly and will continue to happen regularly due to the nature of the beast. but seeing the main character's development from scared girl to someone to fear in her own respect is wonderful. it's a story about agency -- having none, and taking some where you can find it. which is why the previous comment is so, so, so unbelievably obtuse. the sultan, a victim? i can't get over it.

this story is great, if a bit intense. don't listen to that other review.

... Last updated on May 25th, 2017, 2:41am

Seriously screw this female self-insert crap. You have your powerful king that gives great sex and buys you things, then you have your pure true love cuckboy on the side. It's like a trashy dime-store romance novel.

The author's portrayal of the mmf love triangle is preposterous, seeing as there's no reason to love one of the guys in the first place, other than the "first guy" factor. As the sultan is better in every respect, even his treatment of her.

I hate the sultan. It's as simple as that.
While his harem is living in a corrupted system where there are backstabbers, murderers and his children being killed and Hurrem targeted 24/7, Suleiman is too busy dallying off doing whatever the hell he wants. The idiot even said in the latest chapter 19 that it's their war too fight.

He doesn't deserve his concubines and he most definitely does not deserve Hurrem. I support Ibrahim/Hurrem.

So far, it has the epic story-telling that we all love from Red River. The mangaka has improved characterization a lot in this series. Character reactions and development feels way smoother and makes this series very entertaining to read.

... Last updated on August 24th, 2015, 6:44am

Hello fangirls and fanboys of Alexandra and Suleyman, I'd like to recommend you all the turkish TV series Magnificent Century (Muhteşem Yüzyıl). It's different from the manga, and it sometimes doesn't follow history to the letter, but it's a very very interesting show, and I know for certain that it has a huge fanbase across Europe.
The manga is also great even though Suleyman is blond and beardless xD

As I started reading this I thought it was so out of league with Red River, but as the story progressed (it's only been 6 chapters) it may turn out to be something in the league of Red River.

For those who fell in love with Red River, try flirting with (reading) this one. Who knows, you might fall in love with it too.