English Title: The Apothecary Diaries
Japanese Title: 薬屋のひとりごと — “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto”
Author: Natsu Hyuuga — 日向 夏
Illustrator: Touko Shino — しの とうこ 
Translator: Kevin Steinbach
Genre: Mystery, Historical Setting, Drama
Original Run: August 2014 – ongoing
English Run: February 2021 – ongoing
Japanese Publisher: Hero Bunko (SHUFUNOTOMO)
English Publisher: J-Novel Club
Volumes in Japanese: 10 (In Progress)
Volumes in English: 3 (In Progress)

Note: Also available to read online through a J-Novel Club subscription. This series is currently digital-only.

• English Website — Japanese Website
• MAL Entry — Forum — Anime-Planet
• Baka Updates — LNDB — Novel Updates

Synopsis: In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her--until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort… so she can taste the lady's food for poison! At her lady's side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace--not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?

Volume 1 
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 14, 2021 -- ASIN: B08P4ZFMCD

Volume 2
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play — Bookwalker
Released  June 3, 2021 — ASIN: B08XC3GWDK

Volume 3
Amazon -- Apple Books -- Kobo -- Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 14, 2021 — ASIN: B095HKZNW3

Reviews of The Apothecary Diaries

• Justus R. Stone & Ciel: Vol 1

Illustrations Sampler

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

MAL Entry — (Japan) Published May 2017 – ongoing
(English Release) Square Enix Manga December 2020 – ongoing
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf

If you liked The Apothecary Diaries, you might also want to try…

• I Shall Survive Using Potions — female MC, royal politics
• The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent — female MC, royal politics
  

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