I like this series, but the pacing could definitely improve. The plot is moving too fast here for me. There are dramatic plot developments that need time to soak, so the transition to a new character or new fight scene feels very rough or premature.

The fighting itself is great and the moves/poses are dynamic and creative, but I feel there could be more buildup. Instead, it’s just on sight for these characters. Like, are we already getting the tournament arc?

We also have a large cast of characters to get to know, and the story would benefit from introducing them all slowly. They all have stellar designs, and I’d love to learn more. Cezar, in particular, seems like a really cool foil to Sano; they’re complete opposites in ideology. The artwork is great as usual, so no issues there.

I'm interested in seeing how volume 4/the new arc goes as the content is more recent. 

This story was a grower/pleasant surprise for me. At first, I was like Saoirse and the prince don't have any chemistry, and you keep constantly telling me how much she adores her sister. Like, pleaseee.

It took a while for me to get invested, BUT once all the parts came into play, I couldn’t put it down. The plot developments made sense to me, and I liked Saoirse's constant struggle to not revel in the thrill of the kill. She is a constant liar, but we learn to read her true feelings as the story goes on. I eventually understood why she was so overprotective of Rain.

Also, Hayes and Saiorse’s banter gets better. When we learn more about him (spoiler:

hello, daddy issues

), and the inevitable pull they feel towards each other, it’s hard not to root for them. For Saoirse, the appeal is

he's the one person she doesn't have to enchant because he's already so desperately down bad for her.

The ending has me interested in book two, and I think it was the perfect setup. I would read more from this author.

Also, the prince wears a dashiki!

Despite it being the centerpiece of the story, the DnD bits couldn’t keep my interest, so I started skipping through most of them. 

Instead, where this story shined for me was the visual representation of OCD/intrusive thoughts, and the acknowledgment of how parents are trying but don’t have all the answers. It also touched on how some siblings get overlooked when another sibling has a disorder.

I think the artwork fits well!

I think the message got a little muddied, but it still focuses on trying to be a friend when you can. Also, that most bullies have been bullied themselves.

But helping a bully isn't the cure-all for being bullied. I don't think the story was saying that either, but kids could interpret it that way. some people will just never like you, whether you extend help to them in a time of need or not. But Jay could discern deep down Pumpkin was actually cruel.