In a world that resembles the Victorian era, Camellia lives in poverty with her mother in the capital. However, when she is 12 years old, she is kidnapped by her father’s family and taken to their house. Camellia is the illegitimate child of Marquis Bale, and her mother used to work for him. Her mother was accused of harming the Marquis’s son, Kieran, and was thrown out, leaving Camellia born on the streets without ever meeting her father.
The Marquess forces Camellia to dress up and act like a boy in order to maintain appearances for the noble houses. Camellia, now known as Camellius, must obey if she wants to see her mother again, enduring the abuse from the Marquess. The Marquis is aware of the situation but allows his wife to handle it as she pleases.
Four years later, Camellius attends the academy that nobles go to, where he reunites with the young duke and crown prince, who are friends with his brother. Camellius is still the same, not showing any growth or strength as a character, despite the passing of time. The story lacks the development of a strong heroine that was expected.
When Camellius meets his brother’s friends, Claude, the future duke, senses that something is amiss. An accident during a shooting event brings attention to Camellius from the Marquess and the other noble young girls. The crown prince also plays a significant role, although the interactions between him and Camellius could have been further explained for better clarity.
The artwork in “Finding Camellia” is visually appealing, with beautiful character designs and a color palette that fits the shojo theme of the story. The cover of the manga, featuring Camellia and Claude, is eye-catching and hints at a potential love story.
The series is written by Jin Soye and was originally a web novel before being adapted into a manhwa on Manta Comics. Ize Press publishes the series in both print and digital formats, with Volume 2 expected to be released in December. The review copy was provided by Ize Press through Diamond Book Distributors UK.
Overall, “Finding Camellia” sets the stage for an intriguing story but falls short in character development and pacing. The potential for a complex and engaging narrative is there, but the execution leaves something to be desired.
