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The Extraordinary, the Ordinary, and SOAP! Light Novel #1
The Extraordinary, the Ordinary, and SOAP! Volume 1
Lucia Arca was an ordinary, unremarkable laundrymaid in the royal palace. Even her unique magical power, Soap, was boring: it simply created soap bubbles that removed stains. But when she learned one day that Soap could also calm and stop rampaging monsters, the king decreed that Lucia must join the Sacred Maiden and her companions on their quest to cleanse the land and save the world.
On a mission to save the world alongside the Sacred Maiden, the famed Dragonslayer, a prodigy magician, and other great heroes, what is an ordinary laundrymaid like Lucia to do?
But she learns that even extraordinary heroes are ordinary people, in their own way. A heart-warming romantic comedy featuring an ordinary but earnest heroine!
On a mission to save the world alongside the Sacred Maiden, the famed Dragonslayer, a prodigy magician, and other great heroes, what is an ordinary laundrymaid like Lucia to do?
But she learns that even extraordinary heroes are ordinary people, in their own way. A heart-warming romantic comedy featuring an ordinary but earnest heroine!
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2016
29 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 5, 2020
Know that there is a major, kind of icky, cliffhanger at the end of this volume, so you may want to wait until the second one is out before picking it up. That said, absolutely pick this up - not only is it a fun take on the isekai genre with a protagonist who just lives in the "other" world, but it also considers how a sacred maiden not looking to be isekai'd away might react when she's plopped down in a dangerous fantasy realm. Add in a couple of charming leads and this is a real winner.
Just watch out for that cliffhanger.
Just watch out for that cliffhanger.
May 16, 2020
This is a fun little read. I’d say it’s a 3.5 with me, rounded up because it is really solid once it gets going. This book is mostly coasting on its considerable charm (our protagonist is quite excellent) for the first parts, but once things get going they really get going.
It has a bevy of good characters and an actual interesting take on the isekai genre in the form of the Sacred Maiden (who initially seems like she’s from anime central casting but ends up having a lot of earned depth).
The book really starts to cook at the end, which of course is when we slam into one heck of a cliffhanger. I mean, I’ve watched enough original Doctor Who that I think I can see how our heroine will escape, but it’s a hell of a wait to see if I’m right...
It has a bevy of good characters and an actual interesting take on the isekai genre in the form of the Sacred Maiden (who initially seems like she’s from anime central casting but ends up having a lot of earned depth).
The book really starts to cook at the end, which of course is when we slam into one heck of a cliffhanger. I mean, I’ve watched enough original Doctor Who that I think I can see how our heroine will escape, but it’s a hell of a wait to see if I’m right...
December 11, 2020
I swayed from thinking I will really like this series (and this book) before reading it to thinking I won't like it because of the romance (don't get me wrong, I read romance all the time but somehow when I read about it without prior notice of such theme, I just feel meh about it) to actually realizing I like it.
After a few pages, I had to take a break from this for a day or two because I failed to understand "romance comedy" in the summary and just jumped into reading this. When I got presented some of the romance, I had to double take and somehow condition myself that I'm reading romance and that my mind should be accepting of such theme lol sounds like an overreaction but that's really what happened to me 😅 of course, the first few pages would need some more patience and mostly, that's the reason why the sudden break. But when I got back to it, I couldn't stop.
It was a good read. It was interesting and the story has depth as the book presents two point of views. It was somehow frustrating reading about but it was somehow fun. I've had my fair share of squeals and giggles, that's for sure!
The world-building doesn't present much, probably because the point of views were from the world's locals but it wasn't too lacking that you'd be at total loss too. It's interesting to see that the transfered person wasn't the MC but it's nice seeing them fumbling and ultimately understanding them despite the rest of the characters in the book doesn't.
The characters are interesting too. Though the book heavily focuses on Celes and Lucia, it does a fair job on making you vouch and like all the other characters. I especially like Gaius and Eric and I can't wait to read more from them!!
The story gets interesting! The last part of the plot-proper was alarming (in this book's sense). It truly is a cliff hanger that has you gripping and asking for more. But still, the fact that it had left off there just leaves such an uneasy feeling. It's a sensitive topic but also strongly thought- and emotion-provoking. I can't wait to read more (and wish for the best for Lucia).
It's a laid-back story - one you could read easily but it also has parts that elicit strong reactions and emotions. It is good and I will be reading more of this series, that's for sure.
After a few pages, I had to take a break from this for a day or two because I failed to understand "romance comedy" in the summary and just jumped into reading this. When I got presented some of the romance, I had to double take and somehow condition myself that I'm reading romance and that my mind should be accepting of such theme lol sounds like an overreaction but that's really what happened to me 😅 of course, the first few pages would need some more patience and mostly, that's the reason why the sudden break. But when I got back to it, I couldn't stop.
It was a good read. It was interesting and the story has depth as the book presents two point of views. It was somehow frustrating reading about but it was somehow fun. I've had my fair share of squeals and giggles, that's for sure!
The world-building doesn't present much, probably because the point of views were from the world's locals but it wasn't too lacking that you'd be at total loss too. It's interesting to see that the transfered person wasn't the MC but it's nice seeing them fumbling and ultimately understanding them despite the rest of the characters in the book doesn't.
The characters are interesting too. Though the book heavily focuses on Celes and Lucia, it does a fair job on making you vouch and like all the other characters. I especially like Gaius and Eric and I can't wait to read more from them!!
The story gets interesting! The last part of the plot-proper was alarming (in this book's sense). It truly is a cliff hanger that has you gripping and asking for more. But still, the fact that it had left off there just leaves such an uneasy feeling. It's a sensitive topic but also strongly thought- and emotion-provoking. I can't wait to read more (and wish for the best for Lucia).
It's a laid-back story - one you could read easily but it also has parts that elicit strong reactions and emotions. It is good and I will be reading more of this series, that's for sure.
July 16, 2020
I enjoyed it, but hated the ending
Honestly I liked the book it was newish with a focus on someone other than who would normally be the main character. Lucia is sweet if a little dim and lovable and I enjoyed her interactions with the Sacred Maiden Maria the most. I’d actually ship Lucia/Maria more than Lucia/Celes. I hated the cliffhanger ending however. It’s a cheap ploy to get you to buy the next book. I refuse to buy the book and am just going to wait until it comes out at the library.
Honestly I liked the book it was newish with a focus on someone other than who would normally be the main character. Lucia is sweet if a little dim and lovable and I enjoyed her interactions with the Sacred Maiden Maria the most. I’d actually ship Lucia/Maria more than Lucia/Celes. I hated the cliffhanger ending however. It’s a cheap ploy to get you to buy the next book. I refuse to buy the book and am just going to wait until it comes out at the library.
June 21, 2020
A wonderfully cute fantasy romance story. Make sure you also get volume 2.
This is a great series. Relatable characters. The protagonist is an adorable everygirl character with simple tastes and a boy on the brain. One of the side characters has suffered an isekai kidnapping, which is sad and hilarious at the same time, but she doesn't really become a real person until volume 2 so it's OK to hate her in volume 1. There's an interesting selection of medieval castle characters to follow. The magic system is kind of interesting and shows promise for future development. Just a really good enjoyable light fantasy story.
The translation on this volume is literally the best I've ever seen of a light novel. All of the quoted lines were correctly attributed to speaking characters up front the way they are in English and almost never are in Japanese. Facial expressions were correctly described; there was only one “wry” smile, and it was actually a correct description of the intended mood. There were English idioms that I know couldn't have been in the original text. I don't know why C. Steussy is translating a light novel that very few people have heard of, but I need to find their other work and start enjoying it now.
I would have happily given this book 5 five stars had it included the entire Amarith arc which makes up the final third of the book, but unfortunately it ends on a poorly-timed cliffhanger that's more frustrating than suspenseful.
Oddly enough, in volume 2 the Amarith arc is completely wrapped up in just a few pages. (I've read a pre-press of the second volume.) The end of the arc is roughly the same length as the final side story they did include, so there was definitely room in volume 1 to finish the arc if they wanted to. An unfortunate mistake on somebody's part.
December 4, 2020
If I could the rating would be 3.5, but I'm rounding up because of general feel for this first volume. As expected of a light novel it's a short fun read as long as you don't think too deeply on the characters (as they don't have enough pages to be more fleshed out). As noted be warned that while 95% of this book is basically pure fluff, the last handful of pages takes a darker tone and ends on a cliffhanger (although with the next volume is available).
The main downsides are that the characterization still relies fairly heavily on some well worn tropes which, especially if you think about them too much become a bit grating.
As far as the plot - it's a Isekai where the main character is not the one Isekai'd which is a somewhat interesting twist. While there is some consideration for what this means, it's not done in depth (would ruin the fluffiness obviously).
The main downsides are that the characterization still relies fairly heavily on some well worn tropes which, especially if you think about them too much become a bit grating.
As far as the plot - it's a Isekai where the main character is not the one Isekai'd which is a somewhat interesting twist. While there is some consideration for what this means, it's not done in depth (would ruin the fluffiness obviously).
February 24, 2021
Okay, first off, I loved this book all the way up until the end. And it wasn't it's fault at all. Without my sensitivities to triggers, this would easily be a 4 star book.
The writing style feels rushed and plain, but the plot and characters are genuinely interesting. Despite my averge 3-star rating, I highly recommend you give this book a try.
Massive spoilers plus trigger warning:
The writing style feels rushed and plain, but the plot and characters are genuinely interesting. Despite my averge 3-star rating, I highly recommend you give this book a try.
Massive spoilers plus trigger warning:
December 19, 2020
Lucia is happy with her life as a laundrymaid in the palace. The odd magical gift she has that can remove stains seems tailor-made for her job, and the general problems in the kingdom are far removed. Until she finds another use for her magic---and suddenly a laundrymaid is being asked to join the Sacred Maiden, the crown prince, and other notable people on a journey to save everyone.
Although parts of this play out more like a regular fantasy, the otome game roots eventually become obvious. This is unfortunate, because I think there was a better story hiding behind the whole "laundry powers are not actually for laundry" that I think got obscured by the focus on the more traditional game tropes.
The worst of these is the Sacred Maiden---who is, of course, a Japanese high schooler summoned to another world. And Maria is a pain. The story simultaneously tries to paint her as an heroine trying to build herself a harem out of the highest-ranked men--most of whom are not keen to be treated as objects of conquest--and as a kidnapped otherworlder trying to carve out a position for herself. The problem with the more generous explanation is that Maria's flirting is directly at odds with the supposed reason she's doing it. The men can't STAND her. If anything, her flirting with other men while engaged to the crown prince makes her position WORSE.
The other big negative is the way this volume ends. After a mostly clean and light story, we suddenly get a serial rapist? And then the story cuts off in a way that insinuates some R-rated things might have happened?
Overall I liked this better before all the game-like elements, and most specifically Maria, intruded. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
Although parts of this play out more like a regular fantasy, the otome game roots eventually become obvious. This is unfortunate, because I think there was a better story hiding behind the whole "laundry powers are not actually for laundry" that I think got obscured by the focus on the more traditional game tropes.
The worst of these is the Sacred Maiden---who is, of course, a Japanese high schooler summoned to another world. And Maria is a pain. The story simultaneously tries to paint her as an heroine trying to build herself a harem out of the highest-ranked men--most of whom are not keen to be treated as objects of conquest--and as a kidnapped otherworlder trying to carve out a position for herself. The problem with the more generous explanation is that Maria's flirting is directly at odds with the supposed reason she's doing it. The men can't STAND her. If anything, her flirting with other men while engaged to the crown prince makes her position WORSE.
The other big negative is the way this volume ends. After a mostly clean and light story, we suddenly get a serial rapist? And then the story cuts off in a way that insinuates some R-rated things might have happened?
Overall I liked this better before all the game-like elements, and most specifically Maria, intruded. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
February 2, 2021
It’s cute! Until the cliffhanger.
Yeah the protagonist is cute, I adore her bubbly outlook on life! Some of the stuff in this is weird but otherwise I like this take on the fantasy setting. It’s cute. Nothing I am instantly totally in love with, but cute. It ends on a cliffhanger though that feels more like something an episode would end on so. It just ended abruptly. The last flashback scene felt out of place as well. But ah well. Thanks for this cute story!
Yeah the protagonist is cute, I adore her bubbly outlook on life! Some of the stuff in this is weird but otherwise I like this take on the fantasy setting. It’s cute. Nothing I am instantly totally in love with, but cute. It ends on a cliffhanger though that feels more like something an episode would end on so. It just ended abruptly. The last flashback scene felt out of place as well. But ah well. Thanks for this cute story!
September 29, 2021
This fantasy novel was a feast to read. The main character is a laundry maid with a bizarre magical ability who suddenly discovers she is far more powerful with that power than she thought. Nao Wakasa wrote a story with lots of humour, romance, action and intrigue and even if the book is more fitted for a female audience, I thoroughly enjoyed it and urge male readers to have a whack at reading it too.
August 31, 2020
This is a story with incredibly endearing characters that are likable even if they're horrible at times. The only thing I can think can even be considered bad about the story is THAT cliffhanger. It's just so abrupt and thankfully the second Volume is out now, but when I initially read this the wait was frustrating!
April 7, 2020
This is actually such a fun read! Great light novel. I really liked Lucia, Celes, Maria, Gaius, and the rest of the gang. The story is interesting, with cute romance and a good twist. Ends on a cliffhanger, sadly, but I'm excited for volume 2! 4 stars. Very pleasant read.
January 1, 2021
I was expecting a light and fluffy rom-com with some magic thrown in. Boy was I wrong, and I'm glad about it. Much more serious plot than what I was expecting, and what you might think based on the title. Totally not prepared for sh*t to get real in the second half.
October 15, 2022
This was a quick read, easy to get into and didn't take long to get going. Lovable main character, even if she's the typical dense MC.
A nice change of pace compared to other light novels I read in the same category, at least the other female characters in this story isn't hateful.
That cliffhanger ending is seriously cheating though...
A nice change of pace compared to other light novels I read in the same category, at least the other female characters in this story isn't hateful.
That cliffhanger ending is seriously cheating though...
February 8, 2022
When will they kiss??!?!
Rocky ending but cute fluffy romace that was fun to read. Always wanted to read one with a iskai protag that wasnt the actual protag
Rocky ending but cute fluffy romace that was fun to read. Always wanted to read one with a iskai protag that wasnt the actual protag
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews