It had been a while since I read the first volume of Ocean of Secrets but the story came back to me rather quickly once I started the second volume. The art is quite nice, but some of the characters really look alike which makes it difficult to tell them apart.

The story however, goes so fast that many details are lost. Characters don't get the time to develop because they have to jump from event to event. The premise is very interesting, but the story would benefit from slowing down and taking the time to be told. I understand this might be difficult in the scope of a manga volume, but this should be taken in consideration when developing a story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Book – Ocean of Secrets, Vol 1
Author – Sophie-Chan
Star rating - ★★☆☆☆
No. of Pages – 160
Cover – Gorgeous!
Genre – Comic, Manga, Teen, Graphic Novel, Fantasy


** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **


To be honest, this one had so much promise but it just didn't work for me.

The story is full of gorgeous illustrations, but sadly they're completely ruined by the huge watermark stamp plastered across the page. If it was a little more faded or discrete, it would have let me see the images better, but it felt really intrusive.

As for the story, I found myself unable to get into it, with the incredulous and obvious plot, along with the additional small graphics at the top of certain pages that had nothing to do with the story and didn't make sense (such as page 62/63). Pages 50-51 also didn't make sense, since the characters were in two different places, but having a conversation; an ability that wasn't apparently allowed within the plot arc.

The illustrations also varied a bit too much between scenes, sometimes being shown in great detail and at others appearing more Chibi/cartoonish.

Overall, the story had hints of steampunk/fantasy, with magic, mentioned and links to the Bermuda Triangle, was just a little too contrived and obvious. The whole framed for murder and long lost princess concept was simple and didn't feel well explored for the amount of pages.

Manga Workshop Characters: How to Draw a... What a great guide to get you started!

This is a well thought out book. Sophie Chan has lined things up and laid them out so that anyone interested in learning the basics of drawing Manga characters can get started by following her simple step-by-step instructions and drawings. She shows you what her work looked like when she first started, before she matured and refined her style. That takes courage and confidence. She confined her instructions to faces and figures for characters. She didn't go into any scenery. I think this allowed her to stay focused on the characters, which is a big early step in preparing a Manga book. You have to develop a character and draw it out in many positions and with many expressions. If you're looking to develop your own Manga book, this just might be the book for you.

I purchased this ebook from Amazon for nothing and am providing an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley