after watching the anime, i had the strong desire to read the manga.

Akatsuki no yona was my first managa i've ever read and i'm honestly so in love with it.

The author's way of story telling is very captivating that you can't help but stay up late reading the manga hoping that the chapters wouldn't end.

The plot is not your typical damsal in distress princess who relies on those around her but she ends up growing stronger and more dependent on herself in order to achieve her right to freedom.

The romance in the story is refreshing as it occurs naturally and you can see a strong between two friends flourish into a romantic one. their love and care for each other leaves readers wanting more!

And the substories suits the main plot perfectly. They're all connected in a way and ties up all the characters and events amicably. They're just as captivating and entertaining as the main plot.

The characters in Akatsuki no Yona all diverse in personalities and it is easy to pick a favorite but due to their wonderful personalities and admirable bond, one can't help but to like all of the characters.

I think that Akatsuki no Yona had one of the best character developments i've ever read with Taejun. (spoilers) Going from a selfish man who was blindly in love with Yona to a man who cared about his kingdom and helped the poor survive and revive their crops was admirable.

And i just LOVE the female friendship in the manga? Even if they were enemies they were still civil with each other and you don't really see that that often. There are no women being pit against each other and there are no unnecessary jealousy or petty behavior.

I strongly recommend Akatsuki no Yona for new manga readers, like me, and for those who are a fan of historical drama and strong female leads.