The Novel, but Better
Sections:
About
Tags
Warnings
Synopsis
Review
Results
About:
Author(s)
Artist(s)
Platform(s)/Publisher(s)
Media Type(s) Available:
Length:
Color(s) of Comic:
Work Type:
Tags:
Tropes
Genres
Relationships
Jobs/Professions
Settings
Unique Character Types
Specific Acts
Explicitness
Warning:
There will be spoilers for the manhwa series The Search for Alosha.
Content Warning: There may be references to noncon, forced pregnancy, mpreg, murder, violence, blood, death, war, confinement, drugging, blackmail, excessive drinking, implied alcoholism, missing persons, breakups (not between the main couple), being orphaned, suicide, mentions of torture, mentions of execution/capital punishment, mentions of child abuse, zombie-like creatures, animal death, gore, possible rage disorder, ghosts and hauntings, classism, attempted arranged marriage, mentions of addiction, mentions of self-harm, slut-shaming, sacrificial ritual, abortion, birth, sex work, and BDSM (forced), as they do appear in the manhwa.
Synopsis:
Kay was doing his best to stay under the radar. Sure, he was in the upper ranks as a soldier, but it was at a fort out in the countryside where the only thing they had to defend against was the snow. Kay was perfectly content with how things were (minus some of the girl drama between him and his captain) until none other than the Grand Duke, Zigril, decided to show up out in the sticks. Shocked and bewildered, Kay wants nothing more than to avoid this man at all costs, but when his captain has drowned his woman troubles with alcohol, it leaves Kay as the only person available to meet with the duke.
Still, Kay tries to keep everything quiet and low profile. When he meets the duke, he does his best to acquiesce to him while also avoiding getting too close, but for whatever reason, Zigril seems intent on getting as close to Kay as possible. Much to Kay’s chagrin, this leads to him being selected as Zigril’s and his mage’s lone guide into the nearby Forest of Death. There, they seek a flower called Alosha, which can guarantee pregnancy in whoever consumes it, regardless of age or gender. The hope is to get the flower so the ailing emperor can secure an heir before his death. However, what starts as a mission for a flower uncovers a horrible revenge plot and creates an unwanted intimate relationship between Zigril and Kay.
Can Kay make it out of this with his life, dignity be damned? Or will Zigril find a way to ensnare him forever?
Review:
I feel like I have a love-hate relationship with this artist. Their hands and some of the coloring choices are rough, and their previous work, A Hunter’s Stamina, was super tough to look at. This, though inconsistent at times and still sporting those weird knobby hands, has some of the most gorgeous panels I’ve ever seen. When they take their time and shade properly, there are panels in here that will take your breath away. I love so much in this art-wise, but there are also so many things I dislike. I am picky, though, so keep that in mind. Either way, I’m so glad it is so much better than A Hunter’s Stamina.
One of the biggest complaints I had in the novel version is the random, heavily detailed rape scene that had no follow-through. Thankfully, that was removed entirely, and it improved the overall plot immensely. The main problem with the novel is that it added a bunch of elements that it never resolved or followed through on, so it was needlessly dark(er) and left me confused about what the purpose was for all of it. Some that still linger with the zombies and such, but not nearly as bad as in the novel, which is a win.
I was also super surprised by how comedic the story is. Much of the humor was lost or overshadowed in the novel. This, though, is actually pretty funny. It has some hilarious reactions, even amid the darker segments. Of course, I loved Schuman in the novel because he was the funny man in the novel, and while he was still that in the manhwa, he was joined by a much funnier cast overall. It makes the story feel much lighter and makes all of the characters much more likable, which is a huge win.
Before I close out this review, I have to mention the absolute star of the show: the baby. Mpreg that actually leads to a baby is everything, and it’s unfortunately rarer than I care to admit. I especially like this baby because, unlike other mpreg titles where we actually get to see the babies, this baby is not at all cute. It’s more on the realistic side and looks just like Zigril, much to Kay’s chagrin. Seeing the little demon screeching while Kay is horrified that he’s surrounded by Zigril’s is just great. I only wish there were more, but who’s surprised by that? I love it.
Results:
I always do my best to read things in the order of their creation, when possible. So, if a piece of media started as a novel before being adapted into a manhwa, I try to read the novel first. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty rare possibility since Korean novels are rarer to be licensed and translated than their manhwa counterparts, but that was not the case here. I also have this bias that the novel is going to be superior to any visual medium. To my surprise, though, that was also not at all the case here. The manhwa is much more comedic, cuts out a lot of the unnecessary cruelty and horror, and, in turn, leads to a much more consistent pace. I loved it, and while the novel was far from a favorite, it was much closer in this version. The pace is at a breakneck speed, and it’s not the best, but I enjoyed it much more, and that’s a win.
Have you read The Search for Alosha? If so, what do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Do you not? Let me know, and comment below!
