“Gloomy, introverted, and the daughter of a shaman—Naerim is an easy target for the bullies in her class. With no friends and an aloof mother, she faces this daily nightmare all alone. But just as she hits rock bottom, her knight in shining armor swoops in! Except he's dressed in sinister black…and he's an ancient vampire?! Fetechou makes it no secret that he desires her blood, but he'll work for every drop by giving her back what she most desperately needs—her smile. Can his manic energy help Naerim come out of her shell?” (Yen Press)
“Bloody Sweet” is a rather peculiar title to be included in the Yen Press library, notably when their imprint, Ize Press, exists to highlight some of the best manhwa making their way to print. Regardless of the decision, one can speculate that the book fills a different niche, which will only appeal to a particular readership.
Bluntly put, “Bloody Sweet” will only appeal to the ‘young-adult' demographic. Particularly those whose swoon over characters whom they can insert themselves. In various ways, the main character feels like a self-insert in itself for Narae Lee, a way to inject charm into a past defined by flights of fancy and a desire for romance as well as freedom from bullying. Whether this is the inspiration behind Lee's work, the sensation of a creator crafting a story to soothe past transgressions is unshakable.
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This approach to storytelling is not inherently faulty, but its appeal will be limited for that reason. Moreover, its limitations are frustrating within a medium that has proven to be able to transcend targeted audiences and craft universal stories anyone can enjoy. Yet, looking outside of its niche appeal in its teenage wanderlust tones, there are certain elements in “Blood Sweet” that Lee undeniably excels in.
Notably, she has impressive comedic timing that shakes up the otherwise predictable plot. This is best encapsulated in the relationship between Naerim and her ‘slave' vampire; seeing the two play off each other in a teasing and humorous manner is a defining highlight. Additionally, there is an admirable degree of sincerity in dealing with the issues of bullying and how it can affect those victimized. Those looking for a cathartic read for dealing with similar experiences will undoubtedly find a kinship in the lead character Naerim while indulging in some well-timed humor.
Visually, “Bloody Sweet” feels rather lifeless and cold and is an example of how digital art can create such a strong disconnect from the material. However, its simplicity and focus on romance are apt for a YA audience who will be more invested in the story over the desire for stunning visuals. Moreover, Lee's abilities as an artist are adequate when capturing the emotions of her characters or landing a moment of levity with well-timed humor. It is not a complete loss, but it is far from impressive.
“Bloody Sweet” was a bloody slog for me, but the book is, arguably, not aimed at mature comic fans and better suited for casual readers and younger demographics. Still, young adults, both in age and heart, could fall for the manhwa's charms, and I would not fault anyone for digging this adolescent vampire romantic fantasy. Ultimately, “Bloody Sweet' is best left to the niche it puts itself in, thanks to the limited and simplistic teenage fantasy elements. Anyone looking for the best rom-com manhwa is best suited to look elsewhere.
