Dokebi Bride: Vol. 6

by Marley

Synopsis
Alone and abandoned, Sunbi flees Seoul for the coast in an attempt to reconnect with her past. When she accidentally leaves the train at the wrong stop, she finds herself stranded in a tiny rural village where she encounters a woman full of resentment toward her elderly and decrepit mother. Still plagued by vague, haunting memories of her own mother, Sunbi must find a way to free the woman from the past that torments her -- and, in doing so, comes face-to-face with her own demons? Meanwhile, Sunbi's dokebi "husband" Gwangsoo searches for his beloved everywhere, so desperate that he even agrees to join forces with a mysterious stranger who also claims to be Sunbi's groom! Their hunt culminates in a supernatural reunion that raises even more questions about our heroine and her fateful destiny.

Review
I still don't know where this is going. Apparently Sunbi has some sort of destiny, which might explain why she can see supernatural spirits, and has been tormented by them her whole life. But then comes this interloper. I'm sure the author doesn't see him that way, but I sure do. He was introduced in the last volume, and now has some sort of connection with Sunbi. I don't know what to make of him, as he feels like he was "deus ex machina-ed" in, since there's been no previous mention of him, especially if he's supposed to be important. I call him an interloper because I see him getting in the way of Sunbi and Gwangsoo's relationship (call me strange, but I prefer him). I don't really have enough information right now, so I guess we'll see where this goes.

The rest of the volume contains the story of the troubled woman and her mute, hunchbacked mother. It's an interesting story, and pretty sad, but I don't know what it had to do with Sunbi as she was just a bystander.

Final thought: I'll keep reading.

Dokebi Bride: Vol. 5

by Marley

Synopsis
As the fifth installment of this gritty supernatural fantasy opens, the misunderstandings between Sunbi and her family reach a breaking point, and she takes to the streets. All alone in the big city for the first time, Sunbi finds what just might be a new home among a community of fellow runaways. But evil can assume many forms, and soon the young girl is up against an all-too-human monster who's as scary as the dokebis she knows from the spirit world -- AND the terrifying ghost of his sister! A fantastic foray into a very real darkness, the latest Dokebi Bride is the most powerful chapter yet in a series unlike any other.

Review
I honestly have no idea where this series is going. I thought I knew, at the end of the third book. I assumed Sunbi was going to have her dokebi friend Gwangsoo help her become a Shaman, and she could work through many things that bothered her. But it seems not to be. Sunbi is still a bitch to everyone around her, and I'm starting to get very tired of it. She has no appreciation, no kindness, nothing, for anyone. She never even smiles. If she's going to grow out of it, I wish she would just do it already. It seems like she's had enough impetus to do so, but no, she remains immature and selfish.

The story, especially as described in the synopsis is mostly what this volume is about. It's not that exciting; honestly, it feels like filler to me. The most interesting part -- the confrontation between Gwangsoo and some houseguest who moved in after Sunbi left, is barely given a few pages, and I most certainly wanted to know more about whatever was going on there. Oh, and of course, she left without telling Gwangsoo where she was going, and she left her ring behind. I shouldn't be surprised, but really, how thoughtless. It's her typical behavior, though. I really don't like to see her hurt people. It makes me like her less as a character.

I'm holding out hope that it gets better and actually goes somewhere. It seems like it has a lot of potential.

Final thought: I'll read the next book.

Dokebi Bride: Vol. 4

by Marley

Synopsis
Trouble comes at Sunbi from the spirit world and the human world alike! The jealous Gwangsoo is driving Sunbi crazy, visiting her at all hours and calling her his "bride"-- but whenever more evil spirits begin to cling to her, there's no one else to turn to.... So-called real life, meanwhile, is just as complicated. A chance meeting may offer some unexpected help -- and then a mysterious girl tries to claim Sunbi's armory as her own. Is the newcomer friend or foe? Find out in the latest volume of this mind-boggling thriller!

Review
Personally, I think Gwangsoo makes this series. He has so much character that he's delightful to watch, and he steals the show everytime he makes an appearance. What I find really cute is he is just "pleased as punch" to have Sunbi as his "bride." Of course, in such a relationship, he wants more that Sunbi is unwilling to give. Actually her treatment of him is quite awful, and I find myself getting mad at her for constantly pushing him away and saying rude things to him. Can't she understand how genuine his feelings are for her? Sure, he's not the most attractive being ever, but compared to some of his comrades, he's really not that bad. It must be my integrity, that I think that someone who's willing to help you, for no reward, and treats you nicely and thoughtfully, is someone that deserves respect. I hope she learns this. I respected her assertiveness at first, but now I see it as a flaw, as she is assertively rude to everyone, not just people who deserve it. I'm beginning to understand why her family is worried about her.

As for the rest of the story, she unwillingly helps an old woman (but I won't spoil that), and someone has come by her house looking for her, or more specifically, her grandmother's objects. I'm suspicious already.

Final thought: I'm loving this series!

Dokebi Bride: Vol. 3

by Marley

Synopsis
Understood by no one, and still coming to terms with her ability to interact with the spirit world, Sunbi ventures deeper into darkness. In a rainy forest, she tries to lure out the impish dokebis, hoping to enlist their aid. Knowing they cannot clean themselves, she throws pain on one decidedly earthy spirit and offers to wash him in exchange for his help. The dokebi agrees to Sunbi's deal -- but will this roguish imp be able to help her defeat the powerful forces threatening her body? Meanwhile, back in so-called real life, Sunbi's classmate Taehoon continues to have feelings for her... and her human family decides she needs psychiatric care! It all comes to a head in Volume 3 of this hair-raising, mind-expanding thriller!

Review
Finally Sunbi finds someone who may be able to help her, a dokebi, a spirit who is neither good nor bad, but who can be helpful. However, while luring the dokebis out was a chore in and of itself, getting one to help her is far from easy. The one she picks wants to kill her for putting paint on him, and then ... he finds out she's a she. He flips out after that, saying how cute she is, and tries to force himself on her. Fortunately, she stops him (I don't quite know how), and he becomes more cowed towards her. Soon after that, they come to an understanding, and he gives her a ring that she can summon him with (by licking it!). I get the feeling that he is enthralled by her, and he brags to his friends how cute she is. It's actually kind of cute to watch them together, as he's quite a lech, and she's always strong and in control. I laughed out loud at his antics several times, and I think things are going to get better for Sunbi.

The only dark shadow that I didn't like was the paranormal stuff. I don't believe in anything like that, but of course, I can suspend my disbelief for a story. The people in the book talk callously about "skeptics" because they think we have closed minds. I think a lot of that is misunderstand skeptics and science, but I also do recognize that this is a story, so perhaps they're only referring to skeptics in their world.

Where's it going to go from here?

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Dokebi Bride: Vol. 2

by Marley

Synopsis
With her grandmother gone, Sunbi experiences the twin pains of loss and loneliness as she learns about the eerie world of unseen demons, gods, and spirits all alone. Subjected to frightening and unceasing attacks by wandering stray demons who find her to be an ideal host, Sunbi discovers just how much her grandmother had shielded her from this dangerous hidden world. To survive, she must confront her greatest fear and traverse its terrible depths. What is Sunbi most afraid of? Has her grandmother forsaken her? Watch as she bravely fights against the sinister dokebis in Volume 2 of her strange world!

Review
Now the meat of the story begins. Without her grandmother, Sunbi is very lost. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Not only that, her new family is not very nice: her dad secretly is afraid of her, her step-sister thinks she's stuck-up, and her mother, well ... we don't see much of her. Her classmates don't like her either, because she sees spirits in school and responds to them, to which, they think she's crazy.

Really, we see just how vulnerable she is, as one possession goes horribly wrong, and I'll admit, I was worried about her for a moment. Fortunately, a buddhist monk is passing by and helps exorcise her, and explains to her why these odd spirits are attracted to her. She decides to take her life into her own hands, and find some kind of help. She hears about a nearby mountain that is rumored to have dokebis living there....

Really, this was kind of a sad volume, as I really felt for Sunbi, and I wondered who or what could help her. All I could do was follow along though. This story is really interesting, and the main character is strong, yet vulnerable. I really can identify with her. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next!

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Dokebi Bride: Vol. 1

by Marley

Synopsis(from the back of the book)
Born into a shaman family, Sunbi has inherited the power to see and communicate with spirits just like her grandmother, a notable shaman and savior of the fishing village in the South Sea. Long shielded from the reality of her power, she finally learns the secret of her mother's death, and why grandmother was never able to leave their village. Enter Sunbi's eerie world in this mind-boggling psychological thriller.



Review
This is a refreshing series. It doesn't have to have cool art or hip, unusual layouts. It's simple but interesting.

This first book gives us insight into Sunbi's life with her grandmother, and how close they were. It shows how Sunbi has similar powers to her grandmother, and as she grows older how it continues to isolate her from other villagers. But tragedy strikes, and she must move away from the village, to live with her father, whom we get the feeling that he cares about her, but is leery of her, too.

It must be difficult to live with powers like seeing dokebi (spirits) that no one else can, seeing gods, and sensing people's hidden emotions. The people in her village are extremely critical, and constantly gossip about Sunbi. As a result, we see a curious, energetic child change into a sullen, suspicious teenager. That said, though, I rather like Sunbi, as I can identify with her. She's quiet, but not afraid to speak her mind. I can understand how she would become cynical with people whispering behind her back, and not being able to make friends.

I think the true story starts in the next book, as this book is mostly an explanation of their powers, and Sunbi's background. I'm really curious to see where this series goes.

Final thought: I have to get the next book!