With the Sheikh in His Harem‘s second volume is the kind of release where for every flaw, there’s a certain charm. While for most readers the draw will be the titular sheikh and his purehearted feelings, Sanagi does a darn good job of not ceding her position as main character or just being a glorified audience insert character.
Volume 1’s ending showed Sanagi meeting Adil, Lui’s older brother and the heir to the throne. But despite Adil being the crown prince, Lui has many supporters, which seems to likely have drawn the ire of Adil and definitely Adil’s mother.
While Adil is a villain here — taunting the two leads, tying Sanagi up and trying to “teach” her her role in a harem — it is possible that he’s just playing the antagonistic role for some deeper purpose. After Sanagi and Lui escapes, the queen questions why Adil didn’t kill them, and he pulls the “it’s not fun if the game ends so soon” card. Whether it’s the truth or a lie, I’m sure we’ll find out. Gotta say, for a series that seems so light and fluffy with the art and the handsome smitten prince, there are some dark aspects.
Adil is then placed on hold as the leads go on a world tour, with most of the time spent in New York interacting with a pair of siblings. The main point of these two connected chapters is to show some mutual jealousy, but the execution fell flat. Lui is so devoted first of all. Sanagi finds herself a bit frustrated at how she doesn’t know a whole lot about her so-called fiancé; Jack’s little sister showing up and declaring she’s going to be Lui’s legal wife just irritates Sanagi all the more.
The whole part felt more like a side story rather moreso than the volume’s actual side story even though it leads to Sanagi realizing her feelings. Meanwhile, there’s real intrigue in Armadia. But at least Sanagi, who was a damsel in distress in the volume’s opening chapter, turns into the damsel dealing out distress to those who would hurt Lui. Probably not the smartest move, but hey, it was cool to see — and also her managing to dodge the trap the queen and/or Adil set for her. Again, fun.
So while the plot may be a bit predictable — and less believable than the usual school life romance — it’s hard to dislike a series with a heroine who is doing more than just be the object of the male lead’s affections, which is also just cute to see. For those who want something for their shoujo sweet tooth, With the Sheikh in His Harem is making a darn good case to be that manga.