I have read a ton of shoujo historical manga in the past. Interestingly enough, I have found a good amount to be quite enjoyable. "Akatsuki no Yona" is one of them.

Story:

The story starts with our heroine, Princess Yona. Everything seems to be at peace until certain events happen and Yona ends up going on a journey away from what she is used to in the palace. It's quite typical, but it takes its form as one reads further. There are various challenges and conflicts that arise and it is all very interesting.

Art:

I like the character designs as well as the clothes of the characters. Mizuho Kusanagi does a good job in drawing expressions and its intensity. Though there are styles that I believe are better, I think her art in this work suits this series the most.

Characters

The characters in this series are such a joy. Although they are not the most original, they do have their own depth and charm to them. The pasts and construction leading to the reveal of the past is very good. I personally think this is especially true with a certain character. (He practically shatters my heart into a billion pieces and when I try to collect them, the pieces break again.) The heroine also experiences a lot of character development. The experiences, her encounters, and the things she learns through her journey make her into someone stronger and wiser. It's rare to see this kind of character growth in shoujo harems, so it's really nice to see Yona grow.

Enjoyment

I very much enjoy reading this manga and will continue reading it until its conclusion. There is darkness and light, a beginning and end, and seriousness and laughter.

Overall:

Overall, I really love reading Akatsuki no Yona. It's a great series to read and it is definitely worth a read.