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"A Kingdom of Quartz" is a manga that immediately attracted me with its cover and the premise also sounded exciting, so the first volume found its way to me. What I found out while writing this review makes the series even more exciting. Bomhat is a Canadian mangaka whose series is published in Japan by Kodansha in a well-known Seinen magazine.
Since December 2022, "Quartz no Oukoku", as the series is called in Japan, has been published in Afternoon. A magazine that includes titles such as Vinland Saga, Skip and Loafer, Mushishi and Parasyte. The series currently comprises two volumes (as of May 2024).
How was it?
The orphan girl Blue dreams of joining the ranks of the noble angels who, as servants of the floating palace, protect the Quartz Kingdom from demons. But Blue is different from the other children in the orphanage. While her young angel wings are fluffy white, Blue's are pitch black, leading to rumors that she is cursed. When the orphanage is attacked by a host of demons, the angels swoop down from the palace to drive the demons away, but Blue watches in horror as they are struck down one by one. Just when all seems lost, Blue feels a dark power rising within her.
"A Kingdom of Quartz" is a successful new release that is as appealing for its story as it is for its artistic realization. Bomhat's self-confidence for a debut work and dedication to the drawings can be felt on every page. Bomhat's detailed and aesthetically pleasing artwork is particularly impressive, bringing the celestial realm of the Quartz Kingdom to life. Bomhat's clean, detailed drawings are simply stunning, with beautiful, statuesque characters inhabiting a celestial fantasy realm full of mystery and bizarre angelic creatures straight out of the biblical apocrypha. The character designs are imaginative, and the panel design is mostly successful, although occasionally lacking in dynamism.
The plot, which is quite ambitious for the first major release, is skillfully presented and draws the reader in with interesting ideas and rich world-building. Despite some moments of information overload, Bomhat manages to move the plot along smoothly. The Quartz Kingdom is a fascinating place, populated by angelic, winged Celes who inhabit a shining city separated from the darkness of the surrounding lands populated by demons. However, it is by no means a place where everyone is treated equally.
Blue is discriminated against and mistreated because of her black wings, as is another one-winged person. She is also an orphan with a mysterious past, raised in an orphanage by the caring nuns of a religious order. She dreams of ascending to archangel to become one of the elite holy protectors of her king. When we first meet her in the colorful introduction to this volume, she is carrying a small wooden sword, her only prized possession, with her name engraved on the shaft. Blue is good-natured and despite all these struggles, she keeps her smile. As cute and innocent as the opening chapter is, things get darker in the following chapters. Because the mangaka is by no means afraid to deliver bloody scenes.
When a demon attacks her orphanage, Blue uses a strange power she didn't know she had and kills the demon. This power seems to come from a completely different being that controls her body. While this only confirms to those around her that she is a demon, Prince Cassian - a handsome angel boy and heir to the throne, is not fazed by it. He is immediately fascinated by the girl with the black wings and the demon-exploding powers. He takes her under his wing in the hope that her power will help him in the future. His offer for her to fight alongside him in the future gives Blue a goal that she will undoubtedly work towards in the following volumes. While Blue lives in darkness yet shines brightly, Cassian is hinted at harboring some darkness in his overpoweringly bright existence.
It seems as though Blue is only at the beginning of her journey of self-improvement and discovery as this unfortunately short volume draws to a close. She is a likeable protagonist with just the right mix of innocence and mystery to draw me into her story.
Kodansha publishes the series in large format. To kick off the volume, you can look forward to some color pages.
Is "A Kingdom of Quartz" worth reading?
Overall, "A Kingdom of Quartz" is a promising first volume that presents a dark yet fascinating world. Despite some minor weaknesses, the series is definitely worth a look and gives hope for an exciting sequel.
A Kingdom Of Quartz 1
€10,49
€13,99
In a world where angels protect the people against demons, a young orphan with pitch-black wings may hold the key to the kingdom's fate. An exquisitely drawn, dark fantasy manga for fans of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Made in Abyss,… read more
