Flower of a Deep Sleep (rank 3.5)

Publisher: Tokyopop (books- OOP but not hard to find), Viz (digital- available)
Volumes: 2/2 (Complete)
Shoujo
Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance

Summary: Yuuki doesn’t have it easy. She has the special ability to see premonitions of the future in her dreams, but no matter how hard she’s tried, she’s never been able to stop her bad visions from happening. And for some reason she needs to pick her future husband from the arranged marriage choice of two boys before she’s 20. These two boys also have special abilities- Ryuune, who has the power to see inside people’s hearts, and Ryuunosuke who can take away people’s pain.

Together all three of them need to solve the mystery of why those who Yuuki dreams of getting led away by a little girl, soon fall into a deep coma- including Yuuki’s sister, who was the first victim! Can she finally change the future she saw? And which boy will she choose to be her future husband?

Review: This series and other works by this mangaka used to be moderately popular for the art style and their sort of fantasy, dream-like atmosphere. But as time has gone by they have gotten more and more obscure, as the competition in Shoujo manga has gotten much more intense.

All in all this story is decently good. If you’re willing to accept the conceits of the story and not ask too many questions, then it’s a short bittersweet story about the hidden pain in people’s hearts. The sort of sadness that nearly everyone carries with them, but most people learn how to deal with it, and accept it as part of life. The best part of this story is the ending, which also has a theme of sisterly love.

But if you can’t accept the story as it is, then it feels very melodramatic and exaggerated as nothing really all that terrible happens in this story, but the main characters act like their worlds are falling apart. 

Recommended: If you enjoy the artwork and want to read a slightly mysterious story about the hidden pain in people’s hearts, then you might enjoy this. If that sounds cheesy to you, then don’t bother with it.

Age Rating: PG for some bullying and very mild violence.

Other works in English from this Mangaka (from most to least popular): Haru Hana, Million Tears, Mermaid Prince