Kate's Reviews > Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1

This manga was far from what I expected. It was advertised as a josei romance, but the romance is not really in the forefront of the story at all. I think this is partly why I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected. I wasn’t immediately hooked because I had certain expectations going into it. But once I understood the book's direction, I learned to appreciate it.

Sheltering Eaves is a raw and profoundly gut-wrenching story about trauma, abandonment, and found family. This manga offers an insightful exploration of the Japanese foster care system as well as relevant issues like child abuse and neglect. I really respect the author for handling these sensitive topics with so much care. The portrayal of trauma felt realistic and genuine, making it easy to empathize with the characters and their struggles. It is evident that a nuanced understanding of the complexities of mental health.

While I respect the manga's exploration of important topics, I believe the character development could be stronger. Yoru, the female lead, feels somewhat flat and lacking depth. The author tells rather than shows her personality. Her dependence on Tenjaku, the male lead, also undermines her individuality. I understand that this might be intentional for the sake of the story but I still would appreciate it if we get to know more about her. It was so hard to connect with her and understand her experiences. I found myself more invested in Tenjaku's story than Yoru's.

Anyways, despite these shortcomings, I still value the book's message and I am glad I read it. It opened my eyes to social issues in Japan and encouraged me to learn more about these topics. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an eARC of this manga in exchance for an honest review!!