This is a series in which I read the first volume of an ongoing series and give my first impressions. This isn't going to be as long as a standard review (I hope); it is meant to provide a quick snapshot of how a story starts and how I feel about it at the very beginning.
Disclosure: I did get this for free from Yen Press. I will still be completely honest and forthright with my feelings, but just note that I was given this title.
About:
Warning:
There will be spoilers for the manhwa series Tied to You.
Content Warning: There may be references to age gap, insomnia, self-deprecation, break ups (not between the main couple), manipulation, mentions of murder, mentions of assault, excessive drinking, child neglect, sexual assault, body-shaming (comments on someone's thinness), mentions of divorce (not between the main couple), possibly implied stalking, and a love triangle, as these things do appear in the first volume.
First Impression:
First, the art. It's cute. It is not the most consistent thing in the world. Our characters look best when facing forward, but those side profiles are rough. It reminds me of The Unquenchable Mr. Kim with the long, straight noses connecting to the upper lip. It's also pretty stiff, but by the end of this first volume, I'm already starting to see this artist settle into the style. I feel it will look way better later on, and I'm looking forward to it.
What I'm really loving, however, is the character development. The pacing is fantastic, hitting all the major points quickly so we know exactly where the story is going and who our characters are, which has me really excited. We are in a world where fated partners exist, manifesting when two adult-aged people come into physical contact with one another. After they do, a red ring appears on their finger, connected by the red string of fate, and if they don't stay together in some form or fashion, they could die.
Wooseo likes his high school friend Jiseok, but Jiseok is 100% straight. Jigeon, Jiseok's much older brother, watches over them and helps them get into college, and then once Wooseo is an adult, they end up touching, and as fate would have it, their rings manifest. I personally love fated partners, so I was already bought in. But then add in an age gap pair where the older of the two is hopelessly pining, and I'm so in. Wooseo is our main character, but Jigeon really shines in this volume. He has all the makings of a red flag, manipulating the situation to get Wooseo close and force him to fall in love with him.
But what excites me about future volumes is that it seems Jiseok might be jealous of how close Wooseo and his brother are getting. There's also a possible jealous ex-lover hunting down Wooseo. This first volume has set us up for what seems to be a mix of fluffy, toxic, and dangerous goodness, and I'm really looking forward to it.
Results:
I'm really looking forward to this one. It has an interesting, fantastical premise, it's a shounen-ai, which I very rarely read, and it has a red-flag-light love interest with the prospect of there being an intense gay-for-you rival (and they're siblings). What isn't there to look forward to?
Have you read Tied to You – volume 1? If so, what do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Do you not? Let me know, and comment below!