Doors of Chaos, Volume 1: Volume 1

Fun fact: In most cases, I don't read reviews before I read a book. Weird I know but I don't want my reading to be ruined because I've got someone else's opinion of a book in mind. I do look at the star ratings though and if they are low I'll skim the reviews to see if there is a valid reason for them being low. This manga is a pretty good case in point. It's sitting at a 3.6 or so starting rating and the first review is from someone that didn't like it. I on the other hand loved it; The art is beautiful, it has a complex storyline with some great characters, and heads are removed from shoulders within the first ten pages or so making it my very favorite cup of tea. Mizeria has lived in a locked garden with her younger twin sister Clarissa and their teacher Richter her whole life, she dreams of the day that she masters Harmonizing, and she and her sister can emerge from the Garden. That day has finally come and as the sisters prepare to be presented to the King even though this day is the culmination of her hopes and dreams coming true she is anxious. She has a bad feeling about what will happen next and she cannot figure out why. Unfortunately, her bad feelings become reality almost immediately when a group of Nocturnals attacks the Court led by Richter! As Richter attempts to kidnap both sisters Mizeria is saved by a mysterious but rude man in white telling Mizeria that she is the only one who can save not just the kingdom but the world now. With her world shattered Mizeria agrees to help Zelfa and the organization known as Jishoun if only to get the two people who mean the world to her back. The art in this is absolutely gorgeous the only complaint I have here is the character's eyes have a tendency to look incredibly creepy because of the way they are drawn. In some cases it works in others it's a little over the top for the scene. This is the author's first work though so I'll let that slide. There are also some action scenes where everything becomes a bit confusing and I had to spend a longer period of time trying to figure out what I was looking at. The character design is where Mitsuki really hits their stride. The villains especially are really well done they are terrifying beyond all belief! In terms of the story, there is a lot of background that I have a feeling will be revealed as the story progresses. (I'm really hoping the story DOES progress as currently there are only three mangas and I believe only two are translated to English). We find out what the Twins' role in the world is but there's a lot of missing information that is alluded to throughout this first volume that the side Characters address as things we'll learn about later as right now there are more pressing matters. I enjoy that. I think for some foreshadowing is difficult to do and I'd rather have an author just blatantly say we'll talk about this later than end up with gaps in the story. Overall, I'd say this was a solid first start, I'm kinda kicking myself for not buying the second one yesterday as the bookstore had both of them, but ya know hindsight and all that jazz.