A review by ashlightgrayson
Under the Oak Tree: Season 1, Vol. 4 by Suji Kim

emotional
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really love how Maxi is getting to explore her independence more. She spends the first few chapters traveling with Riftan and the knights on a campaign (which he fights her tooth and nail on). However, Maxi proves to be a capable healer. Riftan and Maxi still disagree in terms of what her role should be as a mage and his wife. It is less about whether Riftan respects Maxi in her own right or not and more about how Riftan wants to care for her and ensure her safety. They are separated for a time and are eventually reunited again. Despite all his qualms about Maxi disobeying his wishes, it's clear that Riftan cares very much about her well-being and dreads being separated from her. During the events of the story, he puts his foot down when he has to in order to make sure that Maxi is respected. Both of them hope that this war is over soon. Riftan is looking forward to taking Maxi home and back to safety, and Maxi wishes to be reunited permanently with Riftan and having him return home with her safe and sound. It seems that they will soon be separated once again, but I'm hoping it will only serve to make their relationship stronger. They've grown a lot as a couple over the course of the relationship, but there is obviously still space for them to continue to know each other better.
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