Today I am indulging in a little self-interest. I am Managing Editor for Manga Mavericks and I am the editor for the book I’m talking about today. So of course I’m going to tell you that I love it and you should get it. ^_^ Horon of the Closed Country, Volume 1 by Sen, published by Manga Mavericks, is my pride and joy.

But seriously, if you are a reader here on Okazu, you should get this book. ^_^

The story begins with a fairy tale that goes very, very wrong. The story is beautiful; haunting and human.

The eponymous character, Horon, is ungendered, another of the main cast, Kera, is non-binary and the third of our protagonists is Darshna, a woman who, in the Closed Country is uncommonly tall and strong. Their stories will weave into and through one another’s, until it becomes obvious that this journey is meant for all three. This is a fantastic book to pick up for Pride.

The translation by Trish Ledoux is fantastic. Mercedes McGarry did a brilliant job as letterer. It may look simple, but believe me, it was not. As an editor I love this book, truly. Sen-sensei’s art and characters feel so real.

Luckily, you don’t have to just trust me, Rebecca Silverman gave the book 4 stars in her review for the ANN Spring Manga Guide: “There’s a lot of intrigue here, wrapped up in a gentle pace and simple, beautiful art.”

It’s not an action series, but it does have some action. It is not a romance, but… and this is not just a quest, although these three are looking for things of importance to them. I hope Okazu readers will give this book a chance! 

My ratings this time would be hopeless skewed by being in love with this series. 10s all around. ^_^