Like Wind On A Dry Branch (Monday Book Prompt)

Not so long ago, I shared The Remarried Empress and gave it a lot of positive reviews. Today, I’ll be sharing another I’ve been reading for the Hive Book Club Prompt.

Like Wind On A Dry Branch is a story by DALSAEOWL and the art by HWAEUM. It is a romance fiction about Rieta, a woman who lost both her husband and child to a plague that ravished the land due to a curse, and Archduke Killian, disowned by the imperial family for slaying his brother.

The story started with Rieta being led to be buried alive with a man who was her Master as his dying wish. However, this man owed Killian a substantial amount of money, and Killian would return to collect this debt but would instead bring home a young widow, frail as a twig.

Killian’s has an infamous reputation. He is known as a tyrant, blood thirsty with a penchant for beautiful women. His decision to save a beautiful woman over collecting 20 million gold coins would speak of his eccentricity. As we move deeper into the plot, we find that there is more to the Archduke than meets the eye.

The first thing I noticed about this comic was the writing style. The dialogue was mostly in Victorian English and so was the overall setting. This endeared me as I’m drawn to words too.

The second thing was the surprises. Honestly, the twists and the overall theme of the story is just bizarre and very interesting. When you think you’ve seen it all, you get hit with something else. Each character has a role and they fill it well. I just started S4 and the plot just progresses the more I read, it’s captivating.

It is somewhat slow paced especially with the romance that blooms between Rieta and the Archduke, and the secrets that quickly unfold have layers. It’s all interlaced together so perfectly well that there is never a dull moment.

The world building is highly immersive. There is depth and originality despite traces of what could be reality. The writer did a great job and so did the artist.

Like Wind On A Dry Branch is most certainly a romance that houses much more than chirpy lovers and jealous admirers. It highlights topics apart from that. We slowly watch Rieta transform from a depressed broken woman to one with hope. The Archduke too.

I feel like more characters are to be introduced this Season and I really can’t wait. I have like four episodes left and then I have to wait weekly for updates to drop. I don’t mind.

One more thing to note are the villains as well. I don’t know how to explain it other than saying the characters are well written. I have no idea what the Empress’s goal is yet as she is the main character on the opposite side, but I’ve seen glimpses of a deeper story and I just can’t wait for the moment we get to read it. Like I said above, every character has a unique tale around them and you find yourself scrolling for more.

I recommend this comic too. It is unconventional (to me) and filled with many discoveries. While the plot is somewhat similar to what we read (dark broody male - helpless beautiful female), everything that happens in this comic is totally different.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do when/if you read. You can find it on WEBTOON.