The Ancient Magus' Bride, Vol. 1

I tried picking this up once before and couldn't get into it for some reason...it must have been my mood at the time, because I decided to give it a second go, mostly because it's fantasy and that's usually a genre that I love, and I'm glad I gave it a second chance. I think the biggest hurdle to get through is Chise and Elias relationship. It's....strange to say the least. And surprisingly not because it's between a girl and a monster-like creature, but more the whole mentor student thing or father daughter thing...only it's suggested to be more...which makes it awkward at times. That aside though, this is a rich fantasy world that feels somewhat Ghibli-inspired and I really enjoyed that aspect. Obviously the creatures and world are heavily based on European folklore and fairytales, but Kore Yamasaki gives it a unique flair all its own. I enjoyed the introduction of the world in this first volume and to see a positive arc in Chise's storyline, definitely making me curious for future volumes. Honestly don't let the romance aspect turn you off, there is actually a lot more to the story than meets the eye and if you're a fantasy fan, it is a worthwhile read.