The art is always good and the storyline is also entertaining. I would recommend this book and series.

Yona and the Happy Hungry Bunch are hiding out in Suika Palace, which gives rise to some of the most ridiculous and delightful character actions and expressions of the series thus far. Kusanagi's art has improved so much from even the beginning of this series, let alone from previous series. It's just a delight to read Yona of the Dawn.

Yona’s notoriety is having noticeable consequences in Yona of the Dawn Volume 28. The fantasy adventure is a popular series in VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat imprint. The story follows Princess Yona, who flees the palace with bodyguard Hak when her father is murdered by their childhood friend. While Su-won ascends to the throne, Yona and Hak travel the country in secret to find the four dragon warriors and aid people from the shadows. The manga features story and art by Mizuho Kusanagi. Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane adapts it into English, with translation by JN Productions. This volume has touch-up art and lettering by Lys Blakeslee, design by Philana Chen, and edited by Amy Yu.

After stepping in to help the Fire Tribe fend off an invasion from the Kai Empire, Tae-jun shelters the group in Saika Palace. His attempts to hide them from his brother and the Fire Tribe chief, Kyo-ga go comically awry. Kusanagi does an excellent job of maintaining a back and forth between the comedic and the dramatic this volume. This is done through both multi-panel bits and exaggerated faces, using scratchy, simple lines instead of Kusanagi’s usual intricate detail. Once again, character development is fantastic. Tae-jun has gone from most detestable to displaying great moments of maturity, to the point where even Hak is growing fond of him.

The most unsettling moments are when Yona and the dragons encounter those who don’t actually mean them harm. The Fire Tribe is deeply religious when it comes to the legend of the Crimson Dragon. With word traveling fast on Yona, citizens become obsessively enamored with the group. It makes it all the more powerful later on when Yona is confronted about her feelings towards Su-won. Everyone assumes that Yona wants the throne, but readers have seen first hand how she may be treated if that happens. Yona of the Dawn Volume 28 makes a powerful statement about the difference between revenge and forgiveness. Yona corrects the assumption that she forgives Su-won just because she may not want him dead. She has other things of greater value in her life, a stark difference from where she was at in Volume 1.

Once again, the women steal the show in Yona of the Dawn Volume 28. Riri has a brief appearance and once again, in a short amount of time proves she is a force to be reckoned with at the palace. She has political sway and is very quickly learning how to use it. In contrast to the younger generation, Tae-jun and Kyo-ga’s mother Lady Igni has been forced by society to hold her tongue. This doesn’t make her weak-willed, however. It instead makes her appearances in this volume that much more striking, for what pushes her to move. Her perception of womanhood may be different from Yona’s, but that doesn’t make it lesser.

Yona of the Dawn Volume 28 layers the political intrigue with comedy as another conflict with Kai brews in the distance. Great character moments from all the women, as well as once awful Tae-jun, illustrate just how much of an ensemble series this manga has become.

I first picked up this series at he recommendation of some of my students, and to be honest I really struggled to get into it until several volumes in. However, the series picked up after a few chapters, and now I can't get enough of this series. Yona has become one of my favorite protagonists, and the cast of characters are just as interesting. Can't wait to see what comes next!

THIS SERIES TRULY GETS BETTER WITH EACH VOLUME!!

Yona and the gang are currently in the Fire Tribe area, and politically things are heating up a lot. We have betrayals afoot as well, so this new arc of the story is going to be a hard one I think.

It doesn't change the fact that the story is lush, and engaging, and I can't help but hurry and finish the volumes as soon as they are in my possession.

I love Yona of the Dawn!! I really can't wait to see what becomes of everything!!! Waiting for each volume to be released in English is pure torture!

So what happens this time?

Yona and crew are still in the fire nation, resting comfortably in Lord Tae-Jun’s mother’s mansion (or someone of that family’s mansion) where they meet many of the fire nation people and even Tae-Jun’s mother! A mishap in the baths has the dragon’s on edge as they accidentally injure the Tae-Jun’s brother, general Kyo-Ga. These lighthearted pieces play off the more stressful pieces like advisor Keishuk arriving, suspecting that maybe princess Yona is in the area.

Elsewhere, sinister plots are brewing….

What did I think?

The art is gorgeous, as always. The plot is a near perfect mix of light heartedness and seriousness. Hak and Yona continue to be delightful to watch! And why do we have to wait for the next one????

4.5 stars

This was a build-up novel filled with comedy and yet just the right amount of foreshadowing. At this point, I have no true idea where the story is going, but there are some plot points in this that signal a continuation of the Xing plotline from earlier.

There were some mentions to Yona's backstory and about a family member of hers that was nice, as this person has been barely mentioned prior, and I wonder if we may not see/hear more of them in the future volumes considering what was revealed in this.

POSSIBLE SPOILER BELOW (more just random thoughts from me)

I really get the feeling that the Dragon Warriors will die by the end of this series. Or Yona will. There's so much going on that's hinting at different factions wanting her dead or the dragons controlled or them dead, and it's so many I don't see them coming out of it unscathed.

Well that one ended on a huge cliffhanger! I have followed the Yona of the Dawn series since the beginning, waiting every two months for a new release. I love the characters, the humor, and the complexity of the storyline.

Yona and the Dragons have been provided refuge in the Fire Tribe by Tae-Jun - without his brother's knowledge. When Keishuk (Soo-Won's advisor) shows up to assist protecting the Fire Tribe's border from North Kai Empire, tensions arise because Keishuk discovers Yona and the Dragons are in the Palace.

Overall, another exciting continuation to this series! I enjoy the new arc and as always, love the bits of humor throughout the story!

Thanks you VIZ Media and Netgalley for the ARC. I look forward to adding it to my library collection upon its release.