The art is gorgeous!

Blissful Land vol. 1 is a really cute start to what I'm sure will be a really lovely series.

The story follows Khang Zhipa, a doctor-in-training in 18th century Tibet. One day he comes home from picking medicinal herbs and finds a group of strangers staying in his home. Before he knows what is happening, Khang Zhipa finds himself engaged! Fortunately, the bride-to-be is cute, and awkward, but with a passion for dyeing material, a passion that links nicely with Khang Zhipa's passion for plants.

The art in this book is really sweet, and on occasion absolutely hilarious. Khang Zhipa has a tendency to get a deer-in-the-headlights look about him, and his face just cracks me up. The story is really adorable too and I'd definitely be interested in reading the rest.

3.75 Stars

I really enjoyed the art in this one, in particular the landscapes and the clothing. So many wonderful textures. But I wasn't super taken with the story. I liked the younger sister, but not terribly interested in

Spoiler

arranged marriage

. Still, the art was worth it in it of itself!

i'm just a sucker for slice-of-life stories especially accurate historical ones
also, there is a huge doggo

Blissful Land, Vol. 1 (My Kindle Review)

We’re taken back to 1800s Tibet and we follow the life of future doctor in training Khang Zhipa. He’s also a medical herb gatherer who puts his knowledge into action when helping a traveler and his daughter. After helping him, the traveler surprises him when he offers his daughter Rati as his bride. For now, Rati stays with Khang and his family at his home and both get to see what each other is like and slowly Khang will get comfortable with her.

I haven’t read a simple humble manga like “Blissful Land” in ages. It’s a very honest story about a young man who wants to be a doctor that later turns into something romantic. There’s something definitely budding between Khang and his bride, and for now it’s looks very promising. A (100%/Outstanding)

Set in 19th century Tibet, Khang Zhipa is a 13 year old doctor's apprentice who loves collecting herbs and helping people who are suffering and in need of medical help. When A peddler and his family stay for a one night visit, the peddler leaves his daughter Rati, who is Khang Zhipa's betrothed, to live with Khang Zhipa's family until the wedding. Rati and Khang Zhipa start to learn about one another as the two continue to do different task together.

Izumi does a great job making sure that the characters emotions are depicted extremely well. The story all seemed to flow nicely, especially paired with the artwork.

W sumie to przez większość czasu próbowałam się połapać jak to czytać. Ogółem było ok, bez szału.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

So, keeping in mind that this is geared toward middle school kids....well, I just didn't care for it. It was extremely slow. Nothing really happens. It is a historical romance, but very PG rated. Rati comes to live with Zhipa and they start to awkwardly adjust to each other. We learn a bit about 18th century Tibetan medicine and way of life.

Aquesta sèrie em va cridar molt l'atenció a la biblioteca per les il·lustracions tan precioses i perquè no tenia cap referència sobre l'ambientació (Tibet, segle XVIII). El punt fort és justament aquest: la descoberta d'una cultura poc coneguda aquí a través d'uns dibuixos de paisatges espectaculars, del dia a dia d'un poble, de l'artesania, els oficis i costums de l'època. El punt de partida és un matrimoni forçat (premissa que detesto, però que no critico en aquest cas perquè té rigor històric i no es tracta amb cap malícia) i per ara és un slice of life sense gaire acció... Veurem com avança, molt cuqui! :3