Red flower vol 1 by Loui

In a peaceful village on an island, the Bao’ré people have a long tradition of martial arts that prioritize nonviolence and peace over killing and shows of strength. Kelí, the younger son of the king, is anxiously awaiting the spring festival and his next opportunity to participate in the village’s ceremony to prove he is ready to become a man. This will allow him to begin in earnest his study and practice of Katafali, the sacred martial art, and get him that much closer to his lifelong dream of becoming a member of the King’s guard. But his emotions and impatience lead to serious problems and grave punishments.

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There are many things to love about this story so far. the art is beautiful — I loved all of the detail and development of the village lore, especially the inserts after each chapter that made this tribe feel real and bits that connected their history to customs rooted in the real world. Kelí, however, was a little annoying as a main character and couldn’t learn his lesson regardless of how many times he was presented with it. Anansi, the sorcerer of the village, is also a bit ominous unless he's fully living up to his namesake. At times, he seems to be working with Kelí, but at other times, he seems to be doing things to undermine Kelí's standing in the village. I do wish there was more to this series, and I hope to see this publisher and mangaka continue the series into the next volume.

Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 6-12

Publisher: FairSquare Graphics
Publication Date: February 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781960171184 (Paperback)

​Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Elementary School, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Action Adventure, Mythology, Family