Red River, Vol. 10, 10

It's so refreshing to read a shoujo series that isn't all "I love you" and "I love you, too". Rather than being a helpless, idiotic Mary Sue, the heroine, Yuri, is one that can actually defend herself most of the time. This manga is based on real people, events, and places from ancient history, making it a fascinating read. Shinohara evidently did a great job with her research! Equally touching is the main relationship between Yuri and Prince Kail of the Hittites. They acknowledge their love for one another, but the series is not centered around their relationship. Yuri's relationships with the other characters in the story are equally appealing. This is a manga filled with action, history, fantasy, romance, and even a bit of humor. It's sure to satisfy any fan of shoujo manga or of Chie Shinohara's other works.