How? How can every page be so... so... wonderful?! It's a definite must-read for everyone, regardless of age or genre preferences.
** My Synopsis **
Akatsuki no Yona tells the story of young Princess ** Yona ** of Kouka Kingdom, the worldbuilding being inspired by a nice blend of Korean, Japanese and Chinese culture, who suddenly finds herself expelled out of the palace after her father, King Il, is murdered by her most beloved and trusted cousin -- ** Soo Won.** Instilling himself as King and framing Yona and her bodyguard Son Hak as the ones who assassinated the King, Soo Won decided to rebuild Kouka and gather all 5 Tribes of the kingdom together once again, as it was under the previous monarch's rule.
Meanwhile, Hak and Yona are now leaving outside the palace grounds, and decides to visit the Wind Tribe, one of the 5 Tribes, whereby Hak has close ties with. Mun Dok of the Wind Tribe and Hak's adoptive grandfather urges them to visit the High Priest, Ik Soo, who tells them the story of the Four Dragons of Kouka.
Yona, Hak and Yoon, the young guardian of Ik Soo, thus set off on a journey to find the Four Dragons and borrow their power.
** My thoughts **
What an INCREDIBLE journey! Yona changes from a naive, innocent and easily persuaded princess to a fierce, loyal and compassionate ** warrior.** She doesn't need to bring change -- she ** is the change **
Also, the characters and the plot! Both are solid and splendid, and I only have praises. Even the antagonist Soo Won isn't your typical "bad guy", with his complexity and own struggles. I hate him, but I don't. I love him, but I don't. shrugs
Hak is so cool and supportive of Yona. I understand why he disagrees with Yona's decision to learn how to wield weapons at first, since that's going against the wishes of King Il, but he thus gives way to her. Watching them bicker and grow is adorable. Also, our Four Dragons! Each brings their own special traits to create our beloved Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch 🙂 Yoon as the "mother" of the group is a running gag despite him being the youngest, but he ** is ** adorable... as Zeno will say it =D
If you haven't read this yet... WHY HAVEN'T YOU? HEAR THAT? THAT'S ME KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR DEMANDING AN ANSWER.
Ahem
I'll be sad when the series ends </3