If you're a fan of East Asian palace dramas, you might warm up to Kyuutei no Majinaishi (The Emperor's Shaman). Written by the same author who wrote Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon (My Happy Marriage), it is relatively short read that mostly takes place in the Ryou Empire's inner court where the consorts live. The main protagonist, Li Shuka, is an apprentice shaman to her master, Enun, who owns and runs a shop called En-En Dou in the capital city of Buyou. She has a childhood friend, Chou Shiki, who always hangs around her, and she has conjured two spirit familiars: Rou (a mischievous male cat)and San (a dependable female bird). Shuka, having white hair and red eyes, has been called a "monster" who can "summon demons", making her daily life hard and miserable, though her friend, Shiki, has always been there to stand up for her.

One day, Shuka meets the Emperor, Ryu Hakuen, in the shop where he asks her to pretend to be her newest consort in a marriage of convenience to investigate and hopefully cure the illness placed upon Hakuen as well as other spiritual horrors and disturbances that occur in the inner court. Shuka accepts the Emperor's request and is given a place to live in the Kagetsu Palace, where seven other consorts live. Two consorts stand out in this drama: Virtuous consort Ka Tourin (one of the four Madames) and Ro Meishou (one of the nine imperial concubines, bearing the title Lady of Bright Deportment). During her investigation she is aided by the court eunuch, Bunsei, and Hakuen's brother figure and right-hand man, Sou Bokutoku. And thus, the palace drama begins where intrigue, fear and jealousy, abounds.

I think this is an easy read for someone who wants to read a manga for the first time and enjoys palace dramas. The art is quite beautiful and sufficiently detailed, but not to the point where you are overwhelmed. There is some action, but the main focus has been on the plot.

Speaking of plot, there is pretty much only one arc, and that is the investigation into Hakuen's illness and other strange sightings in the inner court. The two consorts will play a big role, as is typical of palace dramas. Meanwhile, Enun and Shiki play minor roles only at the beginning of the plot and towards the end, so if you're hoping something more of them, you'll be sorely disappointed.

As with palace dramas, there is romance involved, and from the manga book cover, you pretty much know who are involved, yet romance isn't really the point of the story, and once you finish reading the entire series, keep those romance expectations to a minimum. The meatiest part of the plot is the palace drama intrigue occuring between Shuka, Hakuen, and the two consorts. Shuka's tremendous hardship in the inner court is the defining feature of the story, facing threats wherever she goes.

I reviewed this not knowing that the same author also penned My Happy Marriage, so if you're expecting something like that out of My Emperor's Shaman, you'll end up disappointing yourself. With only 5 volumes and a singular arc and minor romantic elements, it's not meant to be a complete saga of a story between Shuka and Hakuen. Once this observation sinks in, I think you'll find this manga an enjoyable read.