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Lacey Longs for Freedom: The Dawn Witch's Low-Key Life after Defeating the Demon King #1
Lacey Longs for Freedom: The Dawn Witch's Low-Key Life after Defeating the Demon King Volume 1
Now that she’s defeated the Demon King and become the country’s greatest mage, Lacey has officially fulfilled her life’s purpose. All that’s left is to spend the rest of her days in a loveless political marriage. But when her engagement is broken off, Lacey realizes that all she wants is to live freely. Her wish is granted, and she moves into an empty mansion near a sleepy village.
Settling in is hard for her; shy and self-effacing, Lacey doesn’t know anything about living on her own! She can fry legions of monsters, but frying up a meal? She’d rather starve. Luckily, her friends have her back; with the support of the community, her former party member Wayne, and a monster pet, Lacey slowly learns to take care of herself and come out of her shell.
Meanwhile, Lacey’s worth becomes clear to the townspeople when she solves their problems with magic that’s both unconventional and spectacular. So begins Lacey’s newfound calling as a magical handywoman!
Settling in is hard for her; shy and self-effacing, Lacey doesn’t know anything about living on her own! She can fry legions of monsters, but frying up a meal? She’d rather starve. Luckily, her friends have her back; with the support of the community, her former party member Wayne, and a monster pet, Lacey slowly learns to take care of herself and come out of her shell.
Meanwhile, Lacey’s worth becomes clear to the townspeople when she solves their problems with magic that’s both unconventional and spectacular. So begins Lacey’s newfound calling as a magical handywoman!
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2024
33 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 13, 2025
3.5
Was weird at moments but a good wholesome time nonetheless.
Was weird at moments but a good wholesome time nonetheless.
August 20, 2024
Lacey is a young witch, a charge of the state, somebody who always did what she was told and that was being a powerful spellcaster. She was part of the team of the Hero who defeated the Demon Lord, now she is free and she doesn't really knows what to do with it. She has never lived on her own. The hero pushes her to ask for freedom so that she could find herself and learn to live by her own will. Obviously, never having lived on her own, and being extremely introverted, things don't go exactly as planned.
Lacey Longs for Freedom is one of the quiet life for the OP protagonist stories with pinch of romance added. It is different in that it is not isekai, a system or the MC a man, but otherwise the world is a similar simple Europe-like fantasy setting with magic and monsters. Personally I like these kind of simple stories, and the characters are enjoyable enough even if things at times are a bit silly (although not to an extreme). It did feel rather disjointed though to a point it lowered my enjoyment of the story. Still, it was an enjoyable enough read. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Lacey Longs for Freedom is one of the quiet life for the OP protagonist stories with pinch of romance added. It is different in that it is not isekai, a system or the MC a man, but otherwise the world is a similar simple Europe-like fantasy setting with magic and monsters. Personally I like these kind of simple stories, and the characters are enjoyable enough even if things at times are a bit silly (although not to an extreme). It did feel rather disjointed though to a point it lowered my enjoyment of the story. Still, it was an enjoyable enough read. 3.5 stars rounded up.
December 24, 2024
Written by Hyogo Amagasa and illustrated by Kyouichi, Lacey Longs for Freedom, one of J-Novel Club’s newer titles, is a journey to discover inner confidence.
Following the protagonist, Lacey, a member of the hero’s party, her story takes place after having helped to defeat the demon lord. Allowed her freedom as a reward, she’s given a place to live and the time to do whatever she pleases. Having been afforded this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Lacey wants to use her time to better herself. No longer wishing to be the meek and timid mage, she’s determined to travel on a new path to live for herself.
The bulk of the volume focuses on Lacey’s first months as a new resident in a small village on the capital’s outskirts; her new environment and neighbours are considered the first challenge towards her independence. With each villager she meets and new job she takes on, the author does well to showcase Lacey’s slow progress towards a more confident version of herself as her meek silence turns to strong answers and the occasional pushback.
Of course, Lacey isn’t alone in her journey, and several friends and allies help her on her quest. The most important of these relationships revolves around Lacey’s friendship with Wayne, the aforementioned hero of the hero’s party.
From the outset, it is clear how much the two mean to each other. Through their conversations together, the level of trust and care between them is obvious, as Lacey feels comfortable opening up to him in a way she doesn’t with others. To this effect, Wayne makes for a good stopgap in Lacey’s quest in case anything becomes too much.
Alongside Wayne, Lacey also has help from some of her other friends from the former hero’s party. This volume introduces the readers to Brooks, the party’s martial artist. He’s a boisterous and unstoppable force, making him perfect to challenge Lacey’s resolve. Partying together once more towards the climax of the novel, without the demon lord hanging around their necks, Lacey’s able to see that beneath Brooks’ quirky personality lies a man with her and her friend’s best interests at heart. Moreover, their scenes together offer valuable insight into the workings of the hero’s party and what their dynamics were.
Finally, Lacey is also helped by some furry friends. While they don’t offer much in the way of substance, they do offer moments of lightheartedness and the means of an easy conversation when Lacey gets out of her depth.
Overall, Lacey Longs for Freedom’s first instalment makes for an interesting read. Managing to successfully show the beginnings of Lacey’s transformation towards confident independence, the series brings with it a spate of memorable characters and light-hearted moments.
Following the protagonist, Lacey, a member of the hero’s party, her story takes place after having helped to defeat the demon lord. Allowed her freedom as a reward, she’s given a place to live and the time to do whatever she pleases. Having been afforded this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Lacey wants to use her time to better herself. No longer wishing to be the meek and timid mage, she’s determined to travel on a new path to live for herself.
The bulk of the volume focuses on Lacey’s first months as a new resident in a small village on the capital’s outskirts; her new environment and neighbours are considered the first challenge towards her independence. With each villager she meets and new job she takes on, the author does well to showcase Lacey’s slow progress towards a more confident version of herself as her meek silence turns to strong answers and the occasional pushback.
Of course, Lacey isn’t alone in her journey, and several friends and allies help her on her quest. The most important of these relationships revolves around Lacey’s friendship with Wayne, the aforementioned hero of the hero’s party.
From the outset, it is clear how much the two mean to each other. Through their conversations together, the level of trust and care between them is obvious, as Lacey feels comfortable opening up to him in a way she doesn’t with others. To this effect, Wayne makes for a good stopgap in Lacey’s quest in case anything becomes too much.
Alongside Wayne, Lacey also has help from some of her other friends from the former hero’s party. This volume introduces the readers to Brooks, the party’s martial artist. He’s a boisterous and unstoppable force, making him perfect to challenge Lacey’s resolve. Partying together once more towards the climax of the novel, without the demon lord hanging around their necks, Lacey’s able to see that beneath Brooks’ quirky personality lies a man with her and her friend’s best interests at heart. Moreover, their scenes together offer valuable insight into the workings of the hero’s party and what their dynamics were.
Finally, Lacey is also helped by some furry friends. While they don’t offer much in the way of substance, they do offer moments of lightheartedness and the means of an easy conversation when Lacey gets out of her depth.
Overall, Lacey Longs for Freedom’s first instalment makes for an interesting read. Managing to successfully show the beginnings of Lacey’s transformation towards confident independence, the series brings with it a spate of memorable characters and light-hearted moments.
April 15, 2025
This was really fun!!
The magic system was really interesting!! Also the politics were too.
I really liked Wayne & Lacey’s relationship - they are both Baby. They have no idea about their feelings which is honestly fair.
I really liked Wayne. His character was really great. Loved that not only is he a legendary hero, but he’s a good repairman, frets like a mother hen, has a unique outlook on magic that inspires Lacey, also gets a lot of joy from cooking & cleaning. Loved him.
Lacey was a bit frustrating at times but I understand where she’s coming from - she may be a Legendary Mage, but she was a poor orphan moulded into a weapon meant to follow orders. It absolutely makes sense that she does not have a sense of who she is or what she wants. She was painfully awkward at times but again, she is essentially a Child. It was really nice to see her grow into herself - and stumble upon the way. Gotta say, I do love her OP magic, very satisfying.
I also really appreciate that this book is written in third person!!! First person is a bit of a pain to read for me, but I suffer for the art. But given a choice? 3rd person all the way!! So thanks author!!
Is this a new favourite of mine? No. But above average and I see lots of potential! I will be continuing this series.
The magic system was really interesting!! Also the politics were too.
I really liked Wayne & Lacey’s relationship - they are both Baby. They have no idea about their feelings which is honestly fair.
I really liked Wayne. His character was really great. Loved that not only is he a legendary hero, but he’s a good repairman, frets like a mother hen, has a unique outlook on magic that inspires Lacey, also gets a lot of joy from cooking & cleaning. Loved him.
Lacey was a bit frustrating at times but I understand where she’s coming from - she may be a Legendary Mage, but she was a poor orphan moulded into a weapon meant to follow orders. It absolutely makes sense that she does not have a sense of who she is or what she wants. She was painfully awkward at times but again, she is essentially a Child. It was really nice to see her grow into herself - and stumble upon the way. Gotta say, I do love her OP magic, very satisfying.
I also really appreciate that this book is written in third person!!! First person is a bit of a pain to read for me, but I suffer for the art. But given a choice? 3rd person all the way!! So thanks author!!
Is this a new favourite of mine? No. But above average and I see lots of potential! I will be continuing this series.
December 7, 2024
Not without flaws, but it was an enjoyable read. Lacey’s lack of common sense coupled with unnecessarily powerful spells were amusing to read, as well as Wayne’s mother hen tendencies. I liked that they noted that each of the hero party was an eccentric specialist that tended to be very…focused on themselves. So basically incompetent outside their own expertise, and poor Wayne was the most flexible despite being a noble. I’m curious how each was identified as the best, since it suggested that Lacey had been training her whole life for this, and she had a control tattoo slapped on her hand as a child. It sounds like it was foretold, but…how did they locate her? Did she fit a description, or does every kid get an oracle even if they’re orphans? Was her aptitude or power simply that much higher than a normal mage?
Anyway, I found it interesting to read about her slow transformation into a self sufficient person, and hope she and Wayne come to recognize their feelings for each other. I look forward to meeting the other members of their party, since they promise to be unique.
Anyway, I found it interesting to read about her slow transformation into a self sufficient person, and hope she and Wayne come to recognize their feelings for each other. I look forward to meeting the other members of their party, since they promise to be unique.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews