The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, A Rún by Nagabe

SYNOPSIS:

The description on the back of the omnibus (I cheated and got a version that had volumes 1-3 because I am impatient) states:

An ethereal fantasy from the editorial team behind the New York Times bestselling series The Ancient Magus’ BrideThe Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún is an all-new manga series that pulls readers into a magical and enchanting tale about a young girl and her demonic guardian. A haunting story of love and fantastical creatures, The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún is a gorgeously-illustrated manga series. Each volume in the series will be released with a beautifully-textured matte finish cover and will include at least one full-color insert.In a world split between the Inside and the Outside, those living in both realms are told never to cross over to the other side, lest they be cursed. A young girl named Shiva lives on the other side, in a vacant village with a demonic guardian known only as “Teacher.” Although the two are forbidden to touch, they seem to share a bond that transcends their disparate appearances. But when Shiva leaves Teacher’s care to seek out her grandmother, the secret behind her mysterious living arrangement comes to light.

REVIEW:

Nagabe balances the elements of a traditional dystopian novel with observations about daily life, fantastical elements, and historical reflections. This story is so beautifully written I cannot believe I put it off for so long. The main characters play the role of caretaker and child and are trying to live during a pandemic of devastating proportions. Poverty is the normality of this period, and the disease does not seem to touch those in a higher power. The dialogue is believable, the relationships are raw and vulnerable, and the story pulls you in.