To be honest Im not a fan of revenge stories. Revenge can conveniently quickstart any story it provides both a way for the readers to connect to the main character and a clear path for the narrative so that we can just sit back relax and watch the bad guys get what they deserve. Too neat for my liking. The Snake And The Flower starts off with meaningless cruelty that sets the tone for the whole series: a talented musician called Kang HaRang our main character has been blinded by a tyrannical emperor so that he can play music for the emperors flower a woman so beautiful that no other man has the right to lay eyes on her. The emperor also kills someone very dear to him. Now Kang HaRang has lost his sight the person he loved and along with them what seemed to be the point of his existence: scarred and traumatized he falls into darkness literal and metaphorical and the only thing he finds in the darkness is revenge the only thing that keeps him going. But we cant really cheer on Kang HaRang and leisurely watch him get stronger and defeat his enemies because its clear from the very beginning that he is broken beyond repair and fueled by hatred. And its deeply unsettling. Because its anything but a story about justice. Kang HaRang decides that he will hurt the emperor back and crush his soul by killing the only person thats dear to him: Aewa the woman Kang HaRang was blinded for the emperors flower. But the irony is that the emperor doesnt actually love herhe keeps her in the palace against her will and the one thing she desires is to escape. Kang HaRang promises to help her with her escape to get close enough to kill her but another irony is that Aewas best chance of escaping the palace is actually getting close to the emperor and past his defenses figuring out what the hell that sadistic bastard actually desires. And then theres the emperor himself Wangeun desperate to do whatever it takes to get what he wants whatever that may be. So what we have is a game of strategy played by three very complex characters each trying to outsmart the others and get what they want spiraling further and further into darkness with every move they make. And we are left wondering whether they will ever see the light again or if they even deserve to. This manga has an excellent plot that you cant quite make predictions about but its also a cautionary tale about trauma and all the twisted and unhealthy ways people cope with it. It perfectly depicts that compulsive desire to act to do something to make it all go away so that we can stop feeling helpless and finally feel in control of our fate. It is unsettling how relatable these characters are and how cruel they are to each other. And its almost like their suffering and hatred have no beginning but threaten to spiral on and on as they continue to conspire against each other in a desperate attempt to find peace. And its very cruel and unfair making us relate to horrible characters trauma. Like can you please not do that? Its a lot more comfortable to think that sick bastards were born sick and dont deserve an ounce of our compassion.