Enjoyable fluff - the first chapter read like a one shot "back door pilot", then a true first chapter however. It moved very quickly from Shirayuki being ordered to the palace, running off, joining up with Zen, meeting the Prince and avoiding being a concubine. The next few chapters took their time in getting to the various plot points and giving us a better feel for the other characters.

I liked the art, pretty and detailed as shoujo manga tends to be. Shirayuki is practical, but determined so she makes a good foil to Zen who is well meaning and impulsive.

Overall I'm not sure I would make this a keeper series, but I will happily borrow it from the library to see how forging her own destiny goes. ( )

I remember reading this when I was younger and liking it. So I picked first volume for nostalgia's sake. And... Well.
In short - I have no clue what it was that I liked about this. ( )

Chapters 01 - 04: This was a really good volume and I am enjoying this story so far and getting to meet all the characters. I especially like Zen and Shirayuki and look forward to reading more about them and seeing how their characters and relationship will grow.

I also really enjoyed the Bonus Story "Colorful Seasons of August" at the end of this volume. It was really cute and I was so happy with how it ended. ( )

The classic fairy tale of Snow White is reimagined in, sans dwarves or jealous queens, in this manga series about an aspiring young herbalist whose beautiful red hair brings attention from all who she meets. Unfortunately for Shirayuki, at the beginning of the first volume, she has gathered the interest of the prince of her kingdom, whose fascination with her red hair has led his demands that she become his concubine. Unwilling to surrender her independence, Shirayuki escapes into a neighboring kingdom, where she stumbles into an alliance and budding friendship with a group of three young people she meets in the woods. To her amazement, one of those new friends turns out to be a prince as well, and Prince Zen is determined that Shirayuki be able to determine her own destiny.
Throughout these first two volumes, Shirayuki continues her education in herbalism and healing, navigating royal politics and threats from both inside and outside the palace as she works to ascend the ranks toward becoming a court herbalist. Meanwhile, her friendship with the prince grows and deepens, both Shirayuki and Zen resolutely focused on easing each other’s burdens and tendencies toward self-sacrifice. A widening cast of characters, including a child prodigy herbalist, a mysterious man lurking in the trees, and the prince’s older brother, creates a rich background for the story to develop.
The illustrations in both volumes are adorable, as are the sidebar notes provided by the author that address the reader directly in a friendly manner. Shirayuki is a strong heroine, resolved to need no rescue from anyone else, and her confidence is tempered with a kindness that makes her a sympathetic character for readers. The action and fighting scenes will attract both male and female readers. Though not graphic in violence, the story feels mature in a way that will appeal to teens. ( )

Oh. So. Dull.

And. Dumb.

This fantasy series riffs off Snow White, but only to the extent that one character says "Mirror, mirror," and there are some poisoned apples and a prince.

The heroine attracts everyone's attention because she has beautiful and rare red hair, as we are reminded over and over and over again. She's supposed to be plucky and independent, except she applies all her skill and energy only to the goal of being close to the guy on whom she has a crush. Real empowered female there...

I have two more volumes on hand from the library, and normally I feel obliged to read every single thing I check out, but I'm going to make an exception here. I am done with this super-blah series. ( )