One Thousand and One Nights is unlike any other manga (or manhwa) you'll ever read. Not only is it set in the ancient Near East (a highly unusual location for a manga), but it also has stories within stories. A friend unfamiliar with the Sheherazade storytelling plot format asked me why they couldn't just skip the stories and get on with the main plot. I told them, "well then it wouldn't be 1001 Nights!" The stories ARE the plot, and I can't stress this enough. Both plot progression and character development take place through the stories. And what beautiful stories they are, ranging from folktales from around the world, to revisionist history, to one that the author made up himself. I know it sounds corny, but to me, it's like stepping into a beautiful dream!

The relationship between Shahryar and Sehara flowers in a very gradual, natural progression. It's very satisfying to watch it grow from homicidal distrust to real devotion. They are stark contrasts to each other - with Shahryar being passionate and impulsive, while Sehara is serene and wise - and so complement the other perfectly. It might be a bit formulaic, but it's a formula that works, and is done well. On top of that, the art in this series is absolutely gorgeous - some of the most beautiful I've seen! - so there's plenty of eye candy to stare at.

This is a very addicting series that flies by really fast. I so wish there was more of it, but I guess I'll just have to get my 1001 Nights fix by re-reading it over and over, lol. The re-reading value is pretty high, too. While the plot is straightforward enough, the symbolism in the stories gives it many layers, and it's fun drawing more and more connections between the characters/themes in the stories and the characters/situations in the overall plot. It celebrates the power of storytelling to transform ourselves and the world.