ReviewRaptor's manga / #BAD PACING(4)

Sadly: good plot, bad execution. 2/5 (would give it a 1.5 actually)

Okay, this is...oh boy. Where to start. The artwork is not consistent at all and at times feels like other drawings were used as reference even (better anatomy, more dynamic poses than usual, etc.), tho I can forgive this easily since this is clearly an amateur work. The art is forgivable tho with it's inconsistency, it seems to get a bit more steady as things progress (I think anyway?). The story itself is interesting but...holy shit does the pacing ruin this comic. Not only are you just thrown into this without anything being explained entirely/in the basics, the plot is basically only made of one hectic happening after another and another and another...while the before given mysteries or unexplained parts are simply discarded or forgotten by the author. Neither the viewer nor the character knows what the actual fuck is going on but the story still progresses and seems to pretend that there is sufficent basis for that? It's just confusing. And not in a forgivable way. It's just a chore to read at this point (chapter 18 for me). If the pacing was WAY slower and let some things settle and explain at least the basics properly before moving onto the next drama, this would be something I'd keep reading. Not for the female lead tho (she's not as interesting as she could be, even with her tragic back story she seems blant and boring many times), the Emperor and other minor side characters are interesting...but not interesting enough to endure the confusion. I think this might be a good learning experience if the author listens to critique, but it doesn't get a pasing grade from me. Hence I'mma drop it. I might check back when it's finished, just to see what the Emperor is up to, but it's not worth a serious read for me.

(Only spoiler part would be the general issues as well as mentioning the supposed love interest's personality...it's not really spoiling anything, so no tag) The setup for the story was really interesting but...the writing is a bit of a mess. One happening after another keeps being thrown at you. Before you can deal and settle with one, another one is thrown at you. Making the pacing feel extremely rushed and a bit lackluster at times even. Characters aren't introduced properly (if at all) either, they are thrown at you just the same. No names, personality or general sense of what you should feel for them is being portrayed and keeping on reading doesn't yield any quick solution for all these important factors either. All in all you're being bombarded with info while reading and left to figure it out yourself/piece it together. If this was about some kinda mystery plotpoint, sure: That would be fine and would work perfectly. But for character relations as is here? It's just a bit of a throw-off, rips you out of what little immersion there is and makes this just a mess of a read and not enjoyable if you're looking for detailed/intricate writing or storytelling. The story's base plot is interesting, the MC is very likable to boot, but the pacing and storytelling issues cause me to loose interest at chapter 8 already. Too much trouble that simply outweights the little that I could call a reward if I would keep on reading. (The love interest's personality is VERY off putting by the way. He's giving me psycho, rape-y AND general yandere vibes: All of which I despise, so that's a major reason to fuck off away from this if nothing else...) I can neither say this is bad nor good. Nor can I recommend it or say people absolutely shouldn't read it. It depends on your preferences and what level of writing you are used to and looking for, I suppose. Check it out, but I honestly can't say this is something I'd ever mention to anyone if they asked me for a story to read. :/