Genre: Dark Fantasy Seinen
Year Release in English: 2020 – 2021
Source: BOOK☆WALKER
Reminder: The star rating reflects overall opinion of the series.
Content warnings: Gore, violence, public execution, internment camps, mass destruction
Witches and humans lived alongside each other until an industrial revolution ushered in an era of distrust, and the witch hunts begin. Adonis was only a boy when his mentor, Chloe, was publicly humiliated and executed. As a human who uses witch powers, he captured and hidden away for ten years. Until he wakes up as does a ferocious thirst for revenge.
This series is intense. It’s very grimdark and the precise art does not pull any punches. Some pages are just hard to look with the hyper violent content on them, but if that’s your thing, you’re in for some delights.
The set-up of a very capable anti-hero protagonist and the oppressive government he’s up against are evenly matched. This kingdom defeated the witches despite their magic somehow, and it’s internally consistent as far as the world-building goes. Plus, the magic system with Adonis using a pen to summon spells really works and renders beautifully from panel to panel.
I am definitely going to keep reading because I just have to know how these battles between magic and science play out and the twists that lay ahead.
Content warnings: Gore, violence, public execution, internment camps, mass destruction
In Volume 2, it seems all is lost for Adonis, until he’s rescued by other witches planning a resistance…from their base on the moon. It is here he discovers a way to review Chloe using magic and his memories.
This series in two just volumes achieved big Code Geass energy in that you know the unexpected is going to happen, but in which direction, you have no idea!
The world-building continues to be great, the art gorgeous. I really loved the design and concepts upon the lunar base. Adonis is consistently angry and bitter, but he’s not impulsive and I think that’s what makes him so interesting. It’ll be good to see him interact with other characters in future volumes.
