Aileen has fought tooth and nail to keep avoid her bad ending, and it all comes to a head when the newly awakened maiden of the sacred sword, Lady Lilia, and Prince Cedric come to confront the Demon King. With so many changed to the narrative, there’s no telling how their stories will end!
Absolutely loved every single moment of this!!! Just so well done and it's already in my favorites of series-that-deserve-nothing-less-then-five-stars!
How everything played out and the sweetness of certain scenes was so so so good! Definitely was on the edge of my seat the whole time and was surprised to learned that there are more light novel volumes but that we only got three manga volumes! I would LOVE to read more and see what happens next even though I was so very happy at the end! (Our King here is truly a cinnamon roll character and those bonus stories only confirmed how much he is!)
I think one of my favorite parts about the conclusion is that turn of events for villainess and protagonist. SO. STINKIN'. GOOD!!!!!! Like *chef's kiss* I could not even! The internal dialogue, the paneling, the art. It all came together to deliver such epicness!
And not just then! But time and time again we see that being delivered in every single page of this manga! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!
This is definitely going among some of my all time favorites! I absolutely love these characters and the originality of this story that I'm going to have come back and read this again! SO wonderfully well-written (and well-drawn!) and highly recommend!
I SO LOVE how she got the upper hand. That second “Prince”!! OOOHHHHH!!! I want him SQUISHED like a BUG!
TRIGGER WARNING:
Attempted rape in this volume. It’s not graphic and only attempted, but it’s an ugly action and the perpetrator wasn’t punished NEARLY enough for my taste.
I want to see the Demon King play with Aileen more. It’s so cute to watch her being on the receiving end of it.
Though what she did and is having done to her could be considered sexual harassment…I’m taking it as the OTT of both of the characters that is more the characters being shy and young, not actually being bothered by it. But YMMV, be aware.
5, I’m glad it worked out but THOSE BAD GUYS need to go DOWN, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The first volume was packed full of tropes and had a hard time escaping or subverting them, and the execution of the tropes themselves was mediocre. Since the characters themselves were tropes (which is integral to trope-subverting stories like these otome isekais), they ended up feeling one-dimensional. There was a lot of promise, but not much payoff. The pacing was well done and the art was good, and the story had enough potential that I picked up the second volume. I'm glad I did.
In the second volume, the story came into its own. The tropes that had been established in the first volume were neatly subverted or wielded for the story's own ends; the characters developed and grew more dimensional; several extremely likable minor characters got a lot more screen time (and their presence gave more context and nuance to the main characters); the antagonist revealed an actual motive (rather than just being excessively and pointlessly evil, as is often the case); and the plot was taut and page-turning.
The third volume was even better, with some twists I didn't anticipate (and given my knowledge of story structure as a writer and editor, in addition to my vast reading experience with manga and its tropes, I don't get caught off guard very often). The final conflict, rather than being gaudily violent in an attempt to be epic, fit the tone and motivations of the characters and concluded in a very satisfying way. The plot threads came together, and I don't think it's truly spoilers to say that we got a happy ending. The extra chapters at the end were pure fluffy goodness and added a pleasant resolution.
All in all, this series is a worthy contribution to the otome isekai genre.
Volume 1: 2.5 stars rounded up Volume 2: 3.5 stars rounded up Volume 3: 4 stars
I'm sad this series is over. I would love for more to be written even if it was more cute dude stories. I love how their relationship has developed and how obvious it is that the demon king cares for her. It was a twist on how this all played out. It got a bit dark near the end but I think it was all for the full development of the characters and to bring about a true end to the plot. I just love them all so much I don't want to let them go.
Worth it. I thought this series went on longer but maybe that was just the light novel. Tempted but not yet. Defo one of my faves. The nasty trio got what was coming to them. I'm curious about the seemingly possessive brothers that popped up in the ending there. Where were they when all this was happening? The side stories ended me. Just gone. Cute, slightly sadistic and adorable. Loved it and now I own them. Whoop! My poor bank balance lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This manga offered a ton of stereotypes that I enjoyed and uniquely ended the manga in a way I completely did not expect! Overall, I would express that I wish we got a marriage scene >_> But kinda relieved we didn't have a "look at our children" scene. It's nice having the short stories consist of cut-scenes and childhood memories.
This was a short, fun manga adaptation of the LN. It was very stereotypical for the otome/villainess isekai genre. If you had a checklist of known tropes/plot points for the genre it would have ticked off most of them. Though it was very very predictable, it was enjoyable enough to read and the demon lord was hot.
My reviews sound a little harsh after writing them out, but I still enjoyed the series well enough. It was short and entertaining enough to have me keep reading, fulfilling my interest to see a new story through to the end.
I might have liked if something more was done with the isekai-like premise. It was basically just a way to set up the primary conflict and have some wacky character framing. And I guess our protagonist is just going to live her best life as Aileen now. What about the other girl, is she just living her worst life as Lilia now? Did none of the characters really have to grapple with anyone's identities?
One part I'm realizing has me unsure is if the series is based or unbased when to comes to gender expectations. Aileen seems kind of like a girlboss, and the male lead is pretty soft and described as pretty. Aileen being into fashion and appearances could be a stereotype, but I think it was mostly intended as a way in which she asserts her influence. And like, being into fashion is only bad if it's like "well of course I'm into fashion, I'm a girl".
I do think it wasn't great that Aileen seemed to end up being dedicated towards being super competent and skilled, but only for the sake of her male partner. Again, I'm sure that was meant to show how she is asserting herself and that her first partner was a jerk for not liking that. But then in the end, everyone's still just like "yeah isn't it so awesome that you get to be the king's wife and assistant", when she's clearly the more competent one and was the one doing everything in the plot. Maybe that's more of a "celebrating monarchy" issue than just a feminist issue though, and I could be reading into things the wrong way.
(I still think we could have had at least a BL side story...)
Це безумовно наймиліший та водночас найбільш гарячий томик з трьох 🥵🧯
В цій частині чи не найбільше палкої хімії між Клодом та Елін, що повністю виправдовує надзвичайно милу обкладинку. Але, як то кажуть, не любощами єдиними 😄 Сюжет тут теж досить напружений і попереду чекає ще багато випробувань.
Поки Ейлін намагається виправити колишні гріхи Кіта - "лівої" руки короля демонів, Седрік та Лілія снують свої хитрі плани.
До того ж, неочікувано з'являється священний меч, здатний вбивати демонів і в лихих руках він може наробити багато горя 🗡
Розчарування, викрадення, політичні інтриги і навіть сekсуальне домaгaння 😱 все тут точно піде не за планом і навіть не за сценарієм гри, та Ейлін - кмітлива дівчинка і вона точно щось придумає 😁
В цій частині добре розкриваються другорядні персонажі (щемка розмова з Вельзевут 🥺), а король демонів покаже свою справжню личину в усіх сенсах. І скажу вам, він не така цукерочка, як я собі уявляла. Наш сер Клод, виявляється, з перчинкою 🌶😁
Лізе цілуватись ще до весілля, а тоді: "Втечи, якщо так не подобається..." 😄
Манґа містить три бонусних розділи додаткового задоволення, де наша булочка з корицею - сер Клод - сховається 🤭 ой, тобто відкриється ще більше 😁
Back up!! Final volume, yet it feels like there’s more to the story. They haven’t explained the Lilia’s story cause she’s apparently from our world too?
This volume felt a bit too fast paced and like the story just wanted to be over. It had a good direction of where the story was leading to with that whole role switch up, but it felt incomplete, due to the rush.
Том із контрастами. Антагоністи взялися за брудні справи, їхня нестерпність досягла піку. А відносини нашої парочки вийшли на новий рівень. Ейлін не втрачає запалу зарішати все. Клод теж неймовірний у своїх поривах поглибити відносини. А додаткові розділи одна гиготня, побільше би їхньої буденності побачити.
Last volume and I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed this series mainly for the characters, but I’d say the series as a whole is a 3/5. I liked the ideas but idk just kinda lost steam after the first volume. The second volume had a pretty boring and uninteresting plot about setting up a buisness. The third volume is more interesting as it’s the finale with battles and high stakes but… idk I only enjoyed it really cuz I love the cast. It’s too fast I think, I wanted another volume. There wasn’t enough time to develop the romance and the political plots. It just felt underwhelming. Especially Lilia’s character. Idk she was such an interesting antagonist! But the way the conflict with her wraps up just feels like it was a side plot rather than the big event. Again, underwhelming. The big battle was kinda cool but just kinda lacked the impact it was trying to make. Just kinda generic I’m the hero and I’m gonna win cuz I’ve had character development idk… I’m disappointed cuz I loved Aileen! But really i didn't get the sense of "look how far she's come!". And really the romance while there was some chemistry, and I do think they're cute... idk. It took 3 volumes to develop but it just feels kinda sudden when they do get together. Didn't feel earned. If you're gonan do a will they wont they you gotta make it feel earned whey they do get together. Maybe they should have added another chapter idk. I mean come on 3 chapters for the last volume and the rest are bonus comics. Which were better than the actual volume. Also there was a random scene involved SA, it felt out of place in a series that was pretty light hearted. Also because in the first volume Aileen tries to use an aphrodisiac on Claude and it’s played for laughs… it’s just really odd and felt out of place. I could see a scene happening in a YA dark fantasy story, it was so jarring here. Though I’m glad I read this series, it was fun! But I’m a more critical reader now, and I can see that this was a pretty half baked story but with a lot of charm. I wish I got to see more of Claude and Aileen in manga form but alas. The series feels like cotton candy, I don't consider it pure junk food there is some actual substance in this, but in the end it does kinda feel like a comic that will entertain you but it won't really stick with you. Oh well! There’s an anime adaptation of this, I don’t watch anime anymore but I might check it out to see if it’s better idk. There’s also a light novel which was the source material but LN never interest me.
⭐3.5 rounded up but it's for the series as a whole
This volume became a bit dark. 9 out of 10 time a sexual assault feels totally unnecessary. Especially in fantasy stories. But this was one of the times it actually felt like it made sense. Not just for the one who attempted it but it also had another reason behind that.
Still it's not something I will ever enjoy reading about. And the used goods line- not a fan.
I did missed seeing more of the demons!
The downside of some aspects of the story is that is was superficial. When it's light and fluffy I don't mind but for the somewhat darker stuff I want to see more.
All in all I had a very good time. The series is short and even if it's somewhat open-ended it still feels complete.
Will I read the light novels though? Based on the translation of these volumes I won't. Some sentences were akward and some words felt really out of place.
Also I have zero interest in starting to actually read light novels. I have one on my shelf but it feels like one of those teenage books associated with the magazine. I devoured those as a teenager but they were very easy and generic. I get the same feeling with light novels. If I want to read some easy books in this style I'll read some Star Trek novels.
WHAT A GOOD ENDING!! so damn satisfying...very romantic...heart wrenching....ugh, it slayed me! I do think that the second prince got off WAY too easy (he literally hurt aileen as he was trying to r*pe her), but it does make a bit of sense in the context of the world/politics/etc. I'm glad they explained it as aileen's choice in exchange for securing the throne for claude. but damn, him coming to rescue her...losing control over seeing her hurt and crying...then her saving him, being a freaking badass!!!!! her words to him after, to get him to turn back into a human, were literally so perfect. then, the cuteness of their happily ever after, including in the short stories at the end - *chef's kiss*. I wish we got one real kiss between them, but I will settle for the adorable cuddles and her kissing his cheek.
also, gah, that cover..!?!!?!!? ╰(✧ω✧)╯why yes, I did buy this series solely because of this fantastic cover lmao.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hm. Conflicted. I heard that the light novel is still ongoing... I might pick it up.
First thing's first, the art is BEAUTIFUL. Much better than the anime. I couldn't stand the anime's colours.
Secondly, I loved how it started off! I am a sucker for shoujo romance & an isekai-based shoujo romance is interesting.
My gripes: Pacing is so fast. A lot of lore is just narrated over. Some transitioning is terribly handled. And I'm also at a loss as to how Aileen knows certain information (like I get that in her past life she played this game obsessively, but were those information all attainable since she played as Lillian and not Aileen? idk)
Honestly, I called out the reason for King Claude's transformation at the end. It was delivered... okay-ish. It was so fast I felt like I didn't have time to process. What saved it for me was just the entirety of Chapter 13 lol all of the romance.
It was short but had some very cute moments. Definitely plays into so many of those common tropes in the genre, but I did overlook that. Honestly would rate it about 3.5 stars overall? The book was good but it wasn't /great/, it lacked a lot of oomph and I feel like you could find so many novels and manga with the exact premise and nothing would be different. The antagonists were barely fleshed out and felt a little 2-dimensional honestly. The ending was kind of unsatisfying to me, but that might just be because the antagonists didn't really face any kind of consequences for their actions.
The conclusion was pretty short but I’m happy with how it ended, though I do I wish it was drawn out a little more. It got a lot darker than I thought it would for a moment and I was glad when it went back to being lighthearted and funny.
This could have stood alone as the opened ended happily ever after, but I know, from watching the anime, that this ends up not being the final showdown, though it feels like one.
Despite Aileen's best maneuvering to circumvent this ending, it happens anyway. So with Prince Cedric and his new love...Lilla (?), the sacred sword maiden, kidnapping her the ending Aileen was looking to prevent is triggered. But she's got a few desperate tricks up her sleeve and Lord Claude isn't going to take her kidnapping laying down. It's up to Aileen to save them both so they can have their happy ending.
In my opinion, the anime covers this a bit better than the manga. The manga feels a touch rushed in wrapping up this part of the story line, but I still enjoyed this volume more then the 2nd volume.
J'aime beaucoup la façon dont a tourné cet isekai et dont Aileen a pris en main sa destinée. Je ne m'attendais pas à cette tournure, donc ça fait plaisir. Je trouve que ça a même apporté une touche d'originalité.
Je ne sais pas trop ce que je vais retrouver dans le dernier tome, mais même si c'est un peu plus calme, j'apprécierais de rester un peu plus longtemps avec les personnages.