I'm reading this only in the US book format because I want to keep the books to look at again some day. The reasons for that are multiple:

1. Lovable, brave main female character (the "bride") makes you root for her from the outset.

2. For male readers, the bride also grabs and holds your attention early just because she's so beautiful! Hers is a style of beauty that conveys a feeling of richness and consummate femininity. The way she's drawn is not just a case of big tits provided for ecchi purposes. It's more like the mangaka in drawing her is hearkening back to a style of female beauty that was popular before skinny became the norm in visual media. Think Marilyn Monroe, or Nana in "Nana to Kaora". I would bet anything that even today this is the look that most men love.

3. Life in a time and place unknown to most of us described and presented in well-researched detail, and through ancillary characters whom it's possible to like because, as different as the way they live is, their hearts and feelings are the familiar human ones.

4. Unbelievably good and detailed art that is far beyond manga-standard. I found myself lingering on page after page just to see the details.

5. An unconventional love affair that, for some reason, seems perfectly normal from the outset of the story. Perhaps that's because the excellent art makes you feel immersed in that amazing foreign culture from the outset, and the marriage at the heart of the tale is perfectly normal in that culture. How will this odd relationship play out over time? The question is inescapable, and it makes this reader, at least, look forward to many future volumes.

6. Conflict / war looming in the future. I also long for more volumes to discover how this comes out, and above all in hopes of seeing the bride and groom, and the warm, hard-working extended family that she's joined, survive.

... Last updated on June 30th, 2013, 9:30am

Usually, I am NEVER one for an older woman/younger man relationship in a book/manga, but this one has made the small list of exceptions. It has a very intricate story, nothing about this SCREAMS romance, yet it is there. This is more of a cultural/art experience, as it is very rich and not for a light read.
This one I will recommend!

genius , it feels like this guy really made something an humanly (for a mangaka since they work is really like fulltime...) , is not the best manga i've read but well but its one of the best , thats clear if anyone who can rate this manga less than 10 is not worth putting attention, no one can draw and put so much dedication on everything its like millions of hours of research and i am glad that i read this,if you are looking for something good, this will get you amazed in the whole sence of the word ,the plot is great, really a masterpiece, I know my english is really bad but that doesn't make me stupid ok, btw this will teach alot about something most people dont seem to understand which is understanding each other, and another thing is that i would love if somebody could tell me where i can research this kind of tribe.

... Last updated on April 22nd, 2011, 10:40pm

Only 3 chapters out, but wow, the art is just beautiful and detailed. The story has barely been unfolded, but i'm already captivated by the characters and settings. I cannot wait to read more of it.

The art in this manga is simply beautiful... This isn't just a story, it is a piece of art --and an amazing one at that.

Such beauty deserves to be seen, and i would recommend this to anyone, guys and girls alike. The story is grounded in reality, with art that surpasses any that i've previously seen.

This is simply a masterpiece.

I've been holding out reading this manga almost for a year already and today I decided to take it up. If you already knew about middle eastern cultures then you can already acknowledge the unknown beauty and deepness of the story laid out in this manga. I fell in love with this story since chapter 1 and while reading through out the chapters I realized that I've been reading too much crap lately.

When I came to chapter 13 I, a constant traveler as I've been for the past 8 years, felt an immediate connection of those "fated" encounters you have while travelling (and sometimes we sadly disregard as random). This chapter made me stand up and write this comment for other people to read and recommend this manga as a very rare jewel. I have no doubts that, even if the pace is quite slow from the start for some and no "mission to accomplish" can be ascertained while reading, a sense of "reading pleasure" will get to you.

A middle east historical setting that isn't some magic carpet fantasy is really rare. The detailed art, the intricacies of daily life and culture of the chosen setting is just so beautiful that you want to keep reading.

I never thought a story about the day to day lives and struggles of women in a harsh environment and nomadic life would be as compelling to read as those epic battle mangas.

A little note to the Karen's rant from Aquarian whatever: Do not judge this setting with western values. The problem with virtue signalling Karens like this is that they preach tolerance, yet they try to impose their cultural and moral values onto others. The only one who hasn't considered cultural and historical content is that Karen reviewer. Ignore her, and read this manga.

... Last updated on December 20th, 2021, 7:39pm

I wish there were more chapters out! It has the simpleness of the Emma series but in a totally different setting. I love it so far

edit: I am in love with the twins' story with the 2 brothers. They're so adorable together and I love their relationships with each other. And the art details of their wedding were just ridiculously amazing!

... Last updated on December 11th, 2012, 12:23pm

Okay, I admitted. I have not seen a manga that has this much attention to detail. The art is just absolutely stunning and incredibly well drawn. Mori Kaoru is truly an artist, bringing colors to a slice of life story.

I got curious to why everyone was praising this work, so I gave it a try today. And just like everyone else, I must really say the one and only word to describe this manga is "beautiful".
The art, the story, the humor...
It's like a precious little gem that you wish it'd never lose its... purity.