Spoilers: For Volume 1
"God has sent me back from hell to make you pay for your sins"
There is only a few manga series that really hit it out of the park like this Chinese period drama called Ayeshah's Secret, a manga about a twisted family and the turmoil of past events. Today we will be looking into those said themes and explore them, be warned this review will cover dark topics and themes, if your queasy please leave. Well I think we are done waiting. Let's begin with the review
Story
One day a husband and a wife is sitting in front of a tree in winter. The wife always wanted a child in the season of winter, but she hasn't gotten one yet. However the following winter she gets her desire, but she dies from child birth. That girls name is Ayeshah. A beautiful snow princess born in the season. Years past and Ayeshah has grown up, but her brothers: Sean, Nemo and Carlos are all bullying her constantly. Throwing basketballs at her face and calling her names. Master Sean being the one who tells her to be quiet or they won't bully anymore. But on one fateful day, Gwen falls and dies. Everyone blames someone, at the funeral Ayeshah isn't crying which makes Sean angry. The boys bully her some more when she escapes into the woods. Sean grabs a knife and carved a scar in her hand, telling her this is for her. Not knowing why Ayeshah cries on the ground from the torment.
At dinner that day, Ayeshah comments that the lawyer has gone missing and Lady Syvle hasn't seen him despite her talking to her. Lady Syvle being Ayeshah's new step mother. She comments on how he hasn't come back yet and so on. After dinner, Syvle asks Ayeshah to follow her to pick some mushrooms in the forest, willing to do so, she and Sylve walk into the cold and dry snowy winter. Syvle talks about how she doesn't love her and how she is seducing Carlos which she is angry at. Then out of nowhere she kills Ayeshah. Burying her inside the ground to rest for the end of time. Later that evening during dinner again....Carlos is asking where she went. But long and behold, Ayeshah walks into the door. Everyone petrified but not even as close to Lady Syvle.
The next day, they are throwing a tea party, but Carlos and Ayeshah hit it off in the bedroom which causes Nemo the painter to finally see something he didn't wanna see. After the sexy fun time, the tea party is beginning. Master Sean purposely sat next to Carlos which is where Ayeshah normally sits. But he knows something more is up. Then the grand opening begins and a beautiful Lady Ayeshah walks from the doorway. Something is about to happen but what? Then the soup was served, however Carlos didn't feel so good. He puked up blood and died next to Ayeshah. Lady Syvle was horrified as she ran to her dead son. She screams....that is where we will stop. I don't wanna spoil the entire thing now do I?
Final Thoughts
Ayeshah's Secret was a very very awesome manga recommendation and quickly became one of my favorites. Although a short two volume series became a instant classic for me. The art really drew me into the dark and depressing Victorian atmosphere that the manga is going for it. Everyone of the main characters has a darker motive than what they make it out to be, everyone has secrets in the house. Which is a story I actually enjoy. The dark nature of the themes and context is also a breath of fresh air for being too safe. I hated everyone of the brothers until I they change in the later half of the Manga. Sean is always the eldest meanie of the bunch but can't deny he is pretty hot and cute. Nemo is the independent painter of the family, which he is like me in every way. Carlos really grew on me because he had a change of heart to Ayeshah but sadly died. Lady Syvle is a character I hated from the beginning and her fate is something awesome.
I felt for Ayeshah and her struggles because I've been bullied a couple times and it's not pretty. This manga is a must read for people who are looking for something new to read and something that's not really the normal. I thought it would be a spooky horror manga but found out it's a dark and sinister psychological thriller with horror elements which is something I really like. This manga is a must read for a quick read, it's short and the artwork is beyond amazing. Hoping this author does more work and if he does I will be reading. Thanks for reading this and I hope I found a new manga for you