ホタルの嫁入り 2 [Hotaru no Yomeiri 2]

ホタルの嫁入り [Hotaru no Yomeiri] #2

by Oreco Tachibana, 橘オレコ

愛が重い殺し屋×華族令嬢…距離が、近づく

時は明治。余命わずかな令嬢・紗都子は、誘拐され“遊女島”に囚われる。
殺し屋・進平を味方につけるため、嘘の婚約をするも
進平から異常に愛され、さらに逃げられない状況に…

遊女に扮して脱出する計画を立てる二人だが、
他の男が紗都子に触れるのを、進平は許せず！？
「紗都子を守るのは、俺だから」

進平にほだされるほど、嘘の婚約に罪悪感が膨らむ紗都子。
そんな紗都子の様子に、進平が気付き――？

交わらないはずの二人が、近づく。

Genres: Manga, Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Josei, Historical, Graphic Novels

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm actually digging this series. I know it's not for everyone, but Shinpei actually intrigues me as a character. He definitely has red flags, but there is a maturity to him that I think will help him work through those problem areas in his character development. I'm excited to move on to volume 3.

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

shinpei may be a literal psycho but damn does he have emotional maturity… i feel like that’s an oxymoron… i’m really enjoying this series!! need vol 3 stat

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just getting better and better. The MC H is still scary crazy, but we get to know his background and thought process a bit better. We have the introduction of the "Mean Girl Queen Bee" who wants the MC H and decides to harass the MC h...that's going to be a BIG mistake I think. (rubbing my hands together in glee. I don't like bullies! Though I suspect her downfall might be...really bad for her. I hope it is done well.)

I am INVESTED in how this will play out. The MC h is still thinking about how to get away from the MC H. I hope she legitimately and not Stockholm Syndrome, falls in love with him. This can go SO many different ways and many of those ways can be...problematic, but I am going to trust in the Process and the Storyteller and hope for the best!

4, looking forward to the next volume, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review.

[Matthew Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firefly Wedding, Volume 2 by Oreco Tachibana
Amazon · Kobo Books · thenile.co.nz · MightyApe
Genre/s: Fantasy, Romance, Manga, and Historical Fiction.
Year published: 2023. Read time: 1 day, if that.
Why?: I ate this up so fast, you won't believe. I think this was done and dusted within two hours because I'd been so excited to get it from my local library app and I had to put a hold on it, and there had been 5 people before me, too. So, hence, why I devoured it.

Five out of five stars (5/5 stars). A

This manga is the second installment of this series about a dying noblewoman (Satoko) who gets kidnapped by a hired killer (Shinpei) only to offer him marriage in exchange for her life.

Short (& to the point) review: I am so in love with this series. It's a shame it's straight, male x male would have made me so much happier, even though I feel like I couldn't be more happier anyway, which is my entire point. It didn't matter that it wasn't queer, which is great because some books, straight and queer, just don't have it and could be better switched. I'm getting away from the point. If you haven't already, read this series. This isn't as good as the first one, but I have no doubt that the next will be even better than them both!

What other books, if any, it reminds me of: This doesn't remind me of anything, I've never read anything like it, honestly. Though, similar themed manga or graphic novels, might be something like Legion, anything Hannibal related or even maybe Dexter? They still don't meet the level of crazy that this series does, though.

Pre-read review: It's finally here. I have things that I'm supposed to be reading but this is way more important, right now, plus it's due back in 5 days- not that it'll take that long to read at all. Weeeee! I am so into this series already, I cant even begin to explain.

Immediate reaction/review: Although this wasn't as good as the first volume, I found myself just as, if not, more pulled in by the insane plot, humourous characters and fast paced drama and action throughout. These two crack me up and I am definitely buying this whole series when I have the extra cash in my wallet.

There's a firefly loose tonight
Better catch it before it burns this place down
And I lie if I don't feel so right
But the world looks better through your eyes

Full Review:

TRIGGER/BASE WARNINGS: Torture, abuse (verbal, emotional and physical), mentions of rape, sexual abuse, misogyny, cruelty, death, sexism and all round narcissm and bullying.
General warning: Even though we have all these themes, above, I would like to also point out that because it's a manga there's no colour and a lot of said content doesn't seem as real, but with different or differing trauma or triggers I can imagine that it would be different.

I rated it at an A or a five out of five (5/5) because even though I adore this series this one just wasn't as good to me. It wasn't even half a point that I removed, that's how little I care about it or this would have been an A+ like the first volume.

"Satoko is kidnapped and imprisoned on an isle of prostitutes." — blurb from the official GoodReads book page for 'Firefly, volume 2'.

A woman who wants to be free, to be looked after during her illness, plucked from the world and then tossed right into the fire and expected to suddenly entertain men. Why the heck?

Tropes covered in the manga: enemies to lovers, protector/white knight, obsessive and controlling male, and noble to prostitute.

"To escape, she and Shinpei come up with a plan for her to pose as a prostitute, but there’s one problem. Shinpei forbids her from letting another man touch her, vowing that he will be the only one to protect her. " — blurb from the official GoodReads book page for ‘Firefly Wedding, volume 2'.

So let me get this straight... I hope she kicks Shinpei's ass for this, before she dies. Shinpei and Satoko are kind of a thing, I love that, even though she's in denial it's hard to say no to someone that would do anything for you. Grim as that is, He kidnaps her, asks to prove that she loves him and then takes her to this island where she has to let people use her body until she jas earned enough to leave—what was he thinking when he took her there?!

This ended too quickly for me. I was left wanting more; all my questions were left unanswered, but I still wasn't mad about it because I enjoyed reading it and looking over the illustrations on my second read through. If I could, I'd have another issue, right this moment to read.

I am nothing without you here,
and even though only yesterday I hadnt you
you are etched into the fire in my veins
like dry grass crackling in the early morning mist.
— by Matthew Elliot, 2025

"How can Satoko pull off a convincing performance with such a contradictory restriction in place?" — blurb from the official GoodReads book page for 'Firefly Wedding, volume 2‘.

She can't and that's the point, Shinpei doesn't want her to escape but he sure as heck doesn't want her with other men even though this entire thing was his doing. I'm looking forward to seeing his reaction to just how sick she is, will he be sad, angry, depressed?

They're kind of perfect together even though I don't really like Satoko, but I do like how determined she is to fulfill her 'goals'. They just kind of compliment each other in a strange way. I've always liked stories that push the barriers of what's accepted and what isn't. I guess that's why I like horrors and thrillers so much. Breaking boundaries is so much fun, in a book, not so much irl.

In conclusion I'd just like to say that with this series you will either love it or hate it, I don't think there'll be much of a middle ground. But I say give it a go anyway, you might like it. Go read the first volume if you haven't already!

[alix flora 🌙 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need him I need him I need him I need him I need him

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/10

Is the MMC a completely unhinged psycho? Yes

Is the FMC becoming a ruthless survivor? Also yes

we love to see it

[Katie❄️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup. Still loving the yandere bipolar crazies.

“But I will marry you. Like I said, I’ll kill every man who wants to marry you! I’ll kill and kill until I’m the only man left in the world. Then you’ll have no choice, but to marry me, right?”

[**Sognatrice di libri** · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 stelle e 1/2

La storia la sto trovando molto avvincente e divertente ma manca quel non so che per darle un 5 pieno.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Psicologico. Sindrome di Stoccolma.

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

when he threatens to kill every other man until he’s the only one left that you can marry .. how chivalrous

[☽｡⋆ Naidah ₊˚ෆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ - Thank you NetGalley and Viz Media for the arc, can’t wait to see more from the author!

Not only is the art gorgeous, but the story is beautiful. Shinpei is funny when he doesn’t have the I-will-kill-you look in his eyes. He’s drawn very well. I can’t wait for when the romance eventually grows, their tension is killing me.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

mmc being psychotic but still being one of the best communicators in a romance ive ever read im so obsessed

[melyna ＼(٥⁀▽⁀ )／ · Rating 4 out of 5]

c’est vraiment une histoire à la wattpad avec le fou du bus en ML but i eat it up anyway 🫣

[Yunebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los dos están fatal de la cabeza PERO LOS ADORO Y COMPRO EL SHIP. A muerte con los más zumbados de la city🤠

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I continue to love this. It's unhinged in many ways, but also grounded in others, just like the male lead Shinpei. He may not understand emotions very well, but that just means he works extra hard to understand Satoko. And their relationship, while chaotic, is also very sweet and affirming.

[Kelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

girls hating other girls cause they’re fighting over some edgelord loser man’s attention just isn’t a vibe anymore

[siren ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

so invested in this crazy ass manga

[Luana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

Continuo ad essere perplessa - i dubbi maggiori sono sul male lead e su certe dinamiche che coinvolgono i due protagonisti -, però devo ammettere che la storia si sta rivelando più interessante del previsto. Soprattutto ora che si gioca a carte scoperte: Satoko ha ammesso che la sua proposta di matrimonio è stata dettata un po' dallo shock del rapimento e un po' dal suo spirito di sopravvivenza. Il suo obiettivo è quello di rendersi utile, sposando l'uomo scelto per lei dal padre e proteggendo il buon nome della sua famiglia: le sue condizioni di salute rischiano di compromettere il tutto, però la ragazza è intenzionata a fare quello che lei considera il suo "dovere". Non aveva alcuna intenzione di ferire Shinpei o di sfruttarlo, voleva solo sopravvivere e tornare a casa.
Shipei, dal canto suo, continua ad essere inquietante e fuori di testa, però dimostra anche una certa profondità di carattere. Rimasto orfano fin da piccolo, figlio di una prostituta uccisa da un cliente violento, è diventato non solo un sicario di professione, ma anche il protettore di altre donne destinate a fare la stessa vita (e fine) della madre. La sua ossessione per Satoko non mi sembra molto sana, ma al contempo sembra essere sinceramente intenzionato a proteggerla e a capirla. È affascinato da lei, dalla signorina aristocratica che sa mostrare un coraggio e uno spirito di sopravvivenza notevoli. Visto il suo passato e il tipo di vita che conduce, non sa bene come relazionarsi con gli altri o come comprendere i loro sentimenti, ma Satoko potrebbe rappresentare un'eccezione (peraltro la ragazza potrebbe non essere così indifferente, viste certe sue reazioni). Continuo ad aspettare con interesse qualche informazione in più sul suo passato, perché sono certa che potrebbe spiegare diversi lati del suo carattere.
E così, i due continuano a pianificare la fuga dall'isola: Satoko cerca di rimanere fedele ai suoi propositi (sposare l'uomo scelto dal padre) e Shinpei ai suoi (sposare lei, a costo di far fuori tutti i pretendenti della ragazza). Tuttavia sento puzza di guai per via di certe gelosie all'interno del bordello 🤔
Comunque sia, a dispetto di certe perplessità, adesso sono curiosa di vedere dove andrà a parare questa storia e di capire come evolveranno le cose tra i due protagonisti. Ripeto quanto scritto nella recensione del primo volume: il personaggio di Satoko non mi dispiace, così come la storia in generale. Su Shinpei, voglio aspettare ancora a dare un giudizio definitivo, però ho notato qualche miglioramento 🧐 vedremo nel volume tre...

[Hemm · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai davantage aimé la lecture de ce deuxième tome que le premier. La relation entre les deux protagonistes s’installe et se concrétise en quelque chose d’unique, adorable et de drôle à la fois. Chacun explorent des sentiments et émotion face aux situations et face à l’un et l’autre. Un début de quelques se crée et qui commence à se developper malgré certaines attentes qui se dressent et d’autres qui tombent.

Les personnages sont attachants! Shunpei est complètement tordu et c’est comme ça qu’on l’aimmmmmmmmme! Il change de personnalité au moindre désagrément. Satoko a plus de caractère de ce qu’elle peut dégager. Elle reste fidèle à ses convictions… qui changeront? 👀

J’adore vers quelle direction l’histoire se dirige! Vivement la suite!

[Reha · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story is lowkey amazing I love how Satoko is getting everyone on her side. she really does love shinpie nsjssjssjjjs I ALSO LOVE THE PLOT TWISTS SOO MUCH. IT WAS CRAZY I HAD TO PUT MY PHONE DOWN FOR A SOLID FIVE MINUTES.

[warda · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure how im feeling about this tbh

[Hoppipolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanta este manga

[m.・゜゜・・゜゜・． · Rating 5 out of 5]

hes so romantic in a way

[Amy Dear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Switching between red and green flags so often that I'm going color blind.

[Schirrigio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi piace sempre di più.
Lei ha fatto una faccia da pazza simile a quella di lui che mi ha fatto volare altissimo e lui sempre più innamorato si vede.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shinpei, ti sposo io 🖤

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

La competición de cicatrices ha sido LA ESCENA que necesitaba para reengancharme y enamorarme de estos dos 🐝💡

[Hannah Gearhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

love

read time: 41 minutes

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Shinpei talked about the fireflies having a short life span, is that foreshadowing? Is Satoko a firefly? :-/

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh...oh my soul