Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court (Light Novel) Vol. 1

ふつつかな悪女ではございますが ~雛宮蝶鼠とりかえ伝~ [Futsutsuka na Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga: Suuguu Chouso Torikae Den] (Novel) #1

by Satsuki Nakamura, Kana Yuki (Illustrator)

Prepare for swirling court intrigue in this award-winning and magical "trading places" tale of maidens competing for the crown--and don't miss the manga adaptation, also from Seven Seas!

In the Kingdom of Ei, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts—but only one will be crowned empress. Just when frail and beautiful “court butterfly” Kou Reirin seems poised to marry the crown prince, jealous “court rat” Shu Keigetsu steals her body! Reirin wakes up in the dungeons as the conspirator, and things look dire…or do they? Now that she’s got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Historical, Manga, Fiction, Young Adult, Magic

322 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2020

About the author

Japanese name: 中村颯希

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

WARNING: might not be a good read for those who are chronically ill or are close to someone who is. Read with caution.

Hard to know how to rate this one. Hard to see where it’s going to go. The MC h was strong mentally, but weak physically. Antagonist wants what the MC h has (love of the Prince and everyone else, intelligence, beauty, place in society, etc.) and switches bodies, not realizing the limitations of the MC h’s body. MC h now has a healthy body and is making friends/allies due to her sweet disposition and actions that show her pure, strong heart.

Confusion ensues, but MC h is FINALLY happy, she is healthy enough to do simple things most people take for granted.

But the antagonist is in the wrong body and shouldn’t win, but the MC h loses if she gets back to the correct body.

3, like the MC h, but the plot based off of a formerly weak and sick MC h being in a well body has a…weird feeling to it, stars.

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

This was a quick and fun read for me. I really want to see how all pans out and while this is a romance, it doesn't really focus on that. Still, I don't care for the crown prince as the male lead. I think I much prefer Shin-u.

As it is, I love Reirin, but she sure is nice to someone that stole her body and the love of the people that cared about her. I hope they see through that Keigetsu. That girl may have had a scrappy life and was treated poorly by everyone, but she's also been terrible to everyone just because she was treated poorly and she judged Reirin without a clue as to what she had been going through. Maybe the experience will make her a better person as this all shakes out.

Part of me doesn't want them to switch back so Reirin can have the freedom to do more of the things she wants. Keigetsu may have gotten more than what she bargained for, but she should have to live with that struggle now.

The ending surprised me. How did Tosetsu figure things out? I hope the next book is out soon. Been a while since I got sucked in like this.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I’d say I enjoyed this. It’s humorous and light hearted, but manages just slightly to touch on some of the more negative aspects of inner court life. It plays into some tropes and ways of thinking that I’m a bit iffy on, and Reirin has a smidge too much of “not like other girls” going on, but I’m hoping those aspects will be explored and expanded on in later volumes. I definitely liked and felt more sympathy for Keigetsu for the majority of the novel, and Leelee is also a great character.

[Cyndy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A.K.A. Toxic Positivity: The Series

I think this is one of those books where you have to just accept the author's explanations for everything and not think about it too seriously, or you'll realize that it has some pretty off-putting messages ("Hard work solves everything ever! Even when you're always bedridden and will die if you exert yourself too much" and "People will like you if you become a completely different person and never call them out for their unreasonable mistreatment of you") and that the author bends over backward to make the main character Reirin right in everything (this is one of those "airheaded OP girl" series by the way)

- Reirin: This might be an unpopular opinion but I think female protagonists in these villainess-type stories are just as "cheat" and absurdly overpowered as their male counterparts, except people look past this because overpowered female protagonists are still sort of a novelty and tend to have more likable personalities. Reirin is no exception and you can just feel the author trying to twist all logic and common sense in order to make her absolutely perfect in everything despite realistically not being able to do so (let's face it she should have died a long time ago if she did all the stuff she did in real life) The author explains it by saying her condition forces her to become an expert in medicines so she wouldn't die before the doctor comes, but it's still a stretch to believe she could learn a complicated dance from someone who vaguely remembered it in just a few days, while doing other stuff too. Reirin honestly straddles the line between "mary-sue parody" and "actual mary-sue," and it doesn't help that she's really oblivious to what other people think. She does show some self-awareness and a scene near the end states that locking away all her negative emotions wasn't healthy at all for her. I think the author does an okay job at explaining why she is the way she is. Also I saw some Japanese reviews talking about this but considering the empress is supposed to bear heirs is it really ok to pick Reirin as a maiden? Pretty sure she'll die in childbirth no matter how much medicine she takes.

- Keigetsu: One thing I have to give the author credit for is actually making her an asshole. So many villainess stories have the "villainess" be a little snobby and that's it. Honestly it's a shame that we get more of Reirin's POV than Keigetsu's because the story is really skewed in her favor. The thing is, we're supposed to see Keigetsu as a whiny, wicked girl who just needs to get a better attitude, but considering how badly she's been treated all her life, why does anyone expect anything different? Her parents committed suicide because of debt, she was forced to work as a servant, and then the noble consort picks her up and forces her to become a maiden despite her being a poorly educated country girl until that point. Unlike the other girls she never had a chance, and yet I'm expected to believe that she deserved all that bad treatment from the people at the inner palace? Don't get me wrong she's a pretty unpleasant person but what do these people expect when they treat her so awfully? A lot of the blame should go to the noble consort (who is clearly up to something).

All in all I think the message of the book is "inner beauty trumps outer beauty" but it really doesn't work when "inner beauty" involves being supernaturally good at everything and overlooking people trying to kill you (even if they were forced to do it) and unfair shitty treatment. I honestly did find this book entertaining and I'll probably read the next books for Keigetsu. Just treat it like a light-hearted comedy and you'll enjoy it.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wanted to give this 5*’s just because I like Reirin so much, but there’s something inherently strange about a narrative which has to put down another women in order to make its main character shine. Reirin would shine regardless though but still…
The crown Prince emanates “nice guy” energy. I’m sure he’s a decent character but he’s such an awful person and the narrative doesn’t acknowledge that. I mean he’s this extremely cold, basically sociopathic guy who feels nothing towards other people and yet is compassionate (?) and has such a superiority complex that he only likes. Literally 5 other people in the world and looks down on everyone else. Even though he is excellent at everything he does it still pisses me off to read about him and his thoughts (half of which are basically sexist spiels on like. “All women like me woe is me they’re all shallow bitches!!” Stop whining you bitch) Shin-u’s attitude towards women is refreshing compared to him, Shin-u is basically just a dumbfuck and the narrative acknowledges it.
The age of the characters also has me going huuh?? Wdym Reirin is 15?? Okay?? But I shut my brain off hahahahahaha.
Anyways if Reirin ends up with the CP I’m going to murder myself to death
Edit: jp reviews tell me she ends up with the cp so I guess I’m aborting this novel series goodbye

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woman of Steel

Imagine a frail young girl who is prepared to die at anytime, to wake up in a healthy body? Girl is having the time of her life. She can eat as much salty potatoes to her heart contends. She can do stuff she couldn’t do in a sickly body. This is paradise. She tries so hard to feel guilty/solemn to the villainess who stole her body, but she wants a 6 pack!
Now doesn’t that sound fun! Meanwhile, the poor villainess is stuck in bed. Sickness overtaking her and afraid to die. In short, you reap what you sow.

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggle-bussed through this one. I just couldn't get into it at the start, but somewhere along the lines it finally clicked and I started breezing through it. The story is a lot more complex compared to other villainess LNs I've read, but I think that's due in part to the author trying to emulate Chinese LNs. The storyline isn't the greatest either, since it took me so long to read compared to other novels it's a lot harder for me to process how to explain my thoughts on this book. Let me just say it wasn't great, but it also wasn't the worst either.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So lovely!!

Reiren is the biggest and best cinnamon roll I have had the pleasure of meeting for quite a while. Living life everyday prepared for it to be the last, yet still managing to maintain a spirt of goodwill and a heart full of love is the framework our heroine is built on. She some how even makes the villainess seem pitiful, though you can't like Keigetsu at all. Very enjoyable!

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wholeheartedly appreciate how this is somehow the only book in the whole world that has accurately described living with chronic illness. I have to admit I didn't see that coming whatsoever when I started it, but I do want to thank the author for articulating the experience quite efficiently. However, I did not like this as much as 7th Time Loop. But maybe I will like nothing as much as 7th Time Loop, so it's probably not this novel's fault.

[Mayra Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story actually starts really fast into the plot but I actually liked that. I got to learn about the characters as the story went on and I loved the characters growth. Both of the villain and ‘victim’ change as the story goes on and I love the paths they take in this book. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Bethsleeps · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a fun, quick read about a woman who is happy no matter what misfortune she comes across because she’s had worse growing up really sick. I do like those characters who are just endlessly optimistic but I think in this one it pushes it a bit too far! Still super fun, just don’t bother thinking about it too hard.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is interesting enough - 2 girls swap bodies, one can’t say anything about it, but their personalities are so opposite that people are bound to notice.
There’s a fair bit of use of the word d*mn, and a reference to seducing the crown prince, as well as a somewhat revealing drawing of that plan, making it inappropriate for my 11yo

[Miss Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

the thing is this story is telling me to hate reirin but an expert villainess connoisseur i want to see my girl grow and live a good life. not all of us can dismiss ill treatment okay! she deserves better!

3 stars

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The early writing style reads as a touch immature, but that may be due to translation hiccups. For instance, descriptions for speech coming after the speech itself. The plot itself is delightful and Reirin is an inspiring protagonist who embodies the "Do no harm, take no grief" mentality.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Careful what you wish for" in book form. The further I went in the book the more I wanted to read it. I am loving the characters and how they interact with each other. An overall great start to the series.

[Jennine S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Love. This!

This story is awesome! I love the characters and the very intriguing plot! It is over far too soon! Thank you author!

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Levi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I love Reirin!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story with interesting characters and tropes.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

オタクな友人に薦められた本。
皆に蛇蝎のごとく嫌われる女性と、皆に愛される体が弱いながらもメンタルが鋼の女性の中身が入れ替わり、周りの人間が、最悪な性格なハズの女性が何故か魅力的に見える事にちょっと混乱する、という話。
王道の展開だし、キャラクターの造形だって浅い事この上ないけれど、とても読みやすくてすいすい読め、とても楽しめた。
主人公の玲琳は、いわゆる「メアリー・スー」タイプで、何でもできるし、どんな逆境でも好転させるし、ただただ自分らしくいるだけで、周りが惚れる(恋愛的な意味だけでなく)タイプ。無敵すぎて正直キャラとしてはつまらんけれど、その無双っぷりが逆に楽。変に「私なんかが…」と謙遜するより、いい意味で見えてる範囲が狭い。
この小説が原作の漫画も読んでみたが、この話はラノベ形式の方があってる気がする。（もしくは、私が本を先に読んだから、漫画だと物足りなく感じるのかもしれない。キャラの絵とか私の脳内イメージと違って違和感だったし）

私が女性で、尚且つ主人公も女性だから、「なろう系」ともいえる安易なストーリー展開も楽しめるのかもしれない。
というわけで、素直に2巻も読んでみるつもり。
（友人にもこの本の感想を伝えないと）

[Ethereal Amorist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful concept adopted into a hilariously brilliant story! I love how much depth each character has and the way it explored everyone's thoughts and emotions. The 1st time I read it was a little disorienting to adjust to frequent POV changes, but this time I loved it a lot.

I'm quite Excited to reread the complete series 'cause this time I am reading with my sister. So, in Rerin's words - "Let's do this with a bang!"