Manga Review – Can’t Stop Cursing You [4]

Here we are, at the end of this delightfully, but painfully, short horror series with murders, curses and figuring out who done what.

I enjoyed the series for what it offers as we follow Saeyama, a curse-breaker and his trusty little assistant, Yamazaki. As we delve into the world of curses and trying to figure out whom is behind it and making contractors, we also take a detour into the world of idols.

As usual, the story is gripping, the art is gorgeous and boy, do I get invested as I enjoy seeing the gritty world of idols and what not. Though, as good as the story was, as well as the previous volumes, the ending felt like it was done to just have something, while leaving so much to be answered and desired.

My biggest peeve is how there is so much that can be done and how the series can be continued since not everything was answered or even concluded. Spoiler, the main baddie is still loose even after this volume, only the reader is aware of whom it is but the main protags do not.

I’d also love to see the characters interact and grow with each other since there feels like a lot more can be explored. Hopefully they may continue this series, in some way, in the future cause this just doesn’t feel so satisfying in the least. That and forever need more horror series, even better if they were more frequently updated like other series I collect.

It’s not much of a review as much as me rambling about how I wish it ended better or just continued because it has so much potential but for now, read all the things, yay~

Manga Mail – Okay, not just manga…

So, instead of one week, I’m sharing two weeks worth of bookworm goodness. Most of these came from Kinokuniya, my favourite book obtaining place and the novel’s shown are from Kmart and Big W because why not.

So let’s begin~

The five above are titles I’ve been waiting eagerly for a while. I mean, the Re:Zero was a filler since I’ve been falling a bit behind and not being as excited for the others.

The next one that I’ve started to read is the Ex Yakuza and Stray Kitten, which is cute and funny as the first two volumes. Now, why I picked up The Great Snakes Bride is beyond me but there was something about it that got me interested in giving it a go.

Of course, the last two books are two of my most favourite series and super enjoyable for me, I can’t wait to see how these series progress. I normally not into ecchi titles but My Dress-up Darling is absolutely adorbs and I hope it doesn’t end too soon.

This was the recent order and I am more excited to share it and I can’t wait to finally read the stuffing out of them, it makes me a bit sad that two of these have ended, one is close to ending and the last two take ages to come out.

The two that are finished are Solo Leveling LN and Can’t Stop Cursing You, the part that saddens me the most is that the horror one is ending when there is very few good horror series out there and none of them are actually that long, to me anyway. I can’t wait to talk more about these.

Another Light Novel to fuel the ever loving need to know what’s happening in the series I’ve enjoyed in manga form but have absolutely no patience to wait for them to be released but, then again, it’s been a while since I’ve indulged in a good book.

I am super excited that My Gently Raised Beast since I need more about these two cuties on the cover. It’s been a while and I have legit zero patience for waiting.

The novel, on the other hand, has a story. I went to go get the book pictured below, since the store claimed to have stock but after looking around, I noticed this little gem since I forgot it was even coming out, so I look forward to reading it once the current pile gets lower.

Now this was the novel I’ve been waiting for since I finished the second book ages ago. So now that I finally have it, it kind of killed the reading pile by overtaking to being read now. I am rather enjoying what I have read so far, even though I am having moments where I’ve forgotten a few things but I’ll be able to catch up with a few more chapters.

I look forward to sharing about these titles in the future, until then, read all the things, yay~!

Manga Review – The Fiancee chosen by the Ring [1]

A new Yen Press title with 1 volume in English with 4 in Japan, we have a funny little series called The Fiancee chosen by the Ring where a marriage ends up being decided by a ring thrown into the area and banging our lass in the face, bringing her a whole new world of romance she wasn’t bargaining for.

SYNOPSIS

Aurora el la Porta is a noblewoman with one love – the art of embroderiy. While she attends the lavish evening parties, she’s not looking for a dance but inspiration for a new design!
On one such night, distracted by many beautiful dresses on display, she’s struck in the face by a mysterious wedding ring. When she picks it up, one of the finest knights in the kingdom approaches, declaring her his new fiancee!
Aurora has no idea what’s going on, but one thing’s for sure – she’s got a big decision to make…

THOUGHTS

When Chapter 1 starts with a gorgeous colour spread, you know it’s going to be a beautiful manga, especially when the art is just such a chefs kiss moment for me.
We start with our leading lady at a party, being in awe of a sea of gorgeous dresses, feeling inspiration filling her soul as she glances at herself, feeling under-dressed compared to the others in attendance.
It’s not before long, she’s hit with a small object, she picks it up and before long, she has been declared a bride. Oh what a delight! Not for Aurora though, oh no, that is a fright.
I really love her reaction and how the dude reacts after sobering up a bit and realising what he has done. He asks if she could play along a little longer, just as she agrees, the sister bursts in with hopes of convincing her and is pleased when she doesn’t have to do much.
I found this so cute and exciting for a first chapter, I was super pleased to pick this up and it was worth it, despite being seduced by the synopsis but this really cinched it for me.

Chapter 2 has Aurora questioning, feeling tired and still eager to embroider the design, that is, until she gets a late night visitor, one who is pleased that Felix has chosen well and that they will meet again. She has a meeting and a chat with the future husband, learning a few things and finding myself more amused at their potential relationship.

We continue in Chapter 3 with learning that she may have a dormant skill with magic that seems to be apart of her embroidery skills. So he takes her to someone who could tell her more about the magic she may wield but doing so means going to where he works. Which is super cute because of how nervous and protective he is of his future bride. I couldn’t help but love it even more.

The mock battle of Chapter 4 shows off the skills of Felix the knight to his bride, who can’t help but be in awe of his skills. She ends up wishing to help him at one point and nearly gets injured as she enters the foray, which Felix ends up protecting her with his ice magic. I’m sorry to admit but I found this super romantic. It continues on in Chapter 5, where our main lass wipes his injury, showing concern that I can’t help but find so endearing.
Then we discover the true identity of the visitor from the second chapter, there we learn more about what Aurora could be and ends with a cliffhanger that absolutely killed me cause I have to wait for the next volume.

The Bonus story seems to be a part between the first two chapters where Aurora explains to her brother of what occured.
I do admit it was amusing and the overall volume is why I gave it 5 blossoms. It’s funny, cute and I need more, I love a good story with characters that grew on me quickly, doesn’t help that the art is stunning too.

VERDICT –

Manga Review – A Galaxy Next Door [1]

A new title from the creator of Sweetness and Lightning, Gido Amagakure, has penned a new series called A Galaxy Next Door, with 2 volumes out in English thanks to Kodansha and ongoing at 4 in Japan, it’s a cute series with a lot more to it that meets the eye.

SYNOPSIS

Princess meets… Manga Artist!?

Ever since their father died, Ichiro Kuga has struggled to support his two younger siblings on nothing but a small inheritance and his passion for drawing manga. But with all his responsibilities, it’s becoming harder to keep up with deadlines after his last two assistants quit to follow his dreams.
Just as he’s nearing his breaking point, the beautiful and scarily competent Shiori Goshiki applies to become his new assistant.
But there’s something almost otherworldly about Goshiki, and soon Kuga finds his reality turned upside down when she suddenly declares them engaged to be marry!

THOUGHTS

Chapter 1 starts with a beautiful colour page depicting a lass leaving her home to discover a new world for herself and the dude attending a funeral, where he vows to do his best for his siblings.
The two collide when Kuga needs a new assitant and she comes into his life, they get along and work hard to finish some pages before a deadline. They sleep, he wakes, thinks a pen is about to pierce her and he pokes her stinger annnnnd chapter ends.
This whole starting chapter is why I ended up falling so hard into this series. It was cute, sweet and funny, with so much potential that drives my need to keep reading.

The art reminds me a lot of Gido’s other work, which I do need to finish badly. Unlike it, I will finish this series, no matter how long it takes, I am honestly loving this series, it’s worth it. Ignore the fact I picked it up on a whim.

Back to the review with Chapter 2.
Now that Kuga has been pierced by tradition, him and Goshiki are meant to be wed. This is between getting some good news about Kuga’s work getting a colour page and learning more about why he should be close to Goshiki, we see more about Kuga and his family, who are absolutely adorable. I honestly love where this is going and the budding chemistry between our two leads, it’s certainly tempting as a series to collect.

Chapter 3 starts with Goshiki becoming a resident, working together and their first shopping experience together where they learn more about one another, while wondering how to void the tradition of the marriage but I feel like in the end, they will chose to be together, mainly cause, they just compliment each other and the little ones seem to be fond of her too.

We have Goshiki starting Chapter 4 being like the reader, reading a great manga and it progresses into wanting to draw better realism in their work. A new character joins, a former tenant named Moka, who is a fellow manga artist, which Goshiki is currently enjoying the works of. That is not the best part, as we near the end of the chapter, we have Goshiki start to understand her developing feelings and that brings me great joy since she has such a delightful smile.

Chapter 5 is a beautiful chapter where they all bond on a rainy day, feelings are shared, fun is had and my sobbing over how much I need more of this series to the extent I had no choice but to give me 5 blossoms and wanting to continue buying this series, it’s beyond cute, it’s so sweet it hurts.

VERDICT –

Manga Review – Alice in Kyoto Forest [2 – FIN]

Alice in Kyoto Forest is a two volume series, soon to be 2 volumes, licensed by Tokyo Pop in English, which is a nod at the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland with a more traditional twist.

SYNOPSIS

Alice is certainly not in her world anymore.

This version of Kyoto is magical and confusing – and Alice can’t seem to find her childhood first love, Ren, the person who she believes summoned her to this Kyoto in the first place. Strangely enough, the Imperial Crown Prince looks startlingly like Ren… but if he summoned her, why doesn’t he recognise her?

On top of all that, Alice realises she must discover her heart’s true calling in order to remain in Kyoto Forest. If she doesn’t find a purpose, she’ll rapidly grow and eventually disappear altogether! Stories and Fairy Tales have always gotten her through the sadness of her rootless life back at her aunt’s house. Perhaps it’s time to rely on them again, here in magical Kyoto Forest.

PREVIOUS ENTRY – Volume 1

THOUGHTS

Chapter 7 starts with Alice getting to know cartography, Ryohei and why he is there over a meal, finding out that they may have a lot more in common, as well as the realisation that Alice herself was called to Kyoto Forest due to the wish of Ren.

Chapter 8 continues with Alice helping the dude out to get into the palace to see Ren, even if it’s just a glimpse. She meets Ayame, the princess and reads to her, which allows her to glimpse Ren, who seems to not reconigse her at all. While Chapter 9 seems to have found Alice deciding on her path in life, while understanding that she can’t dwell too much on the prince while she has no real goal.

Chapter 10 continues with Alice finding a dwelling to start her dream of opening a bookstore. I really enjoyed this chapter since it shows Alice setting up her life in Kyoto Forest, finding the right place for her, as well as showing her love of books with everyone who comes to visit. Her frog companion def confirmed my theory I had from the first volume, which is really nice.

Now, Chapter 11, had an amazing sudden turn in the story as the Princess seems to have gone missing while on the way to visiting Alice, I kind of wish this series went longer to really flesh out these stories cause damn, this was a good one.
She goes to visit old friends who help lead her the right way to finding Ayame, which is interesting to me cause they give so much info and made Alice realise where she needs to go due to an earlier encounter.

This continues in Chapter 12 as Alice goes to investigate the temple where Ayam could have been taken to. Quite a few things happen that results in the group Alice took with her being captured by the cult but they are somewhat protected due to Ryohei and the cult starts to question themselves.

Chapter 13 concludes this story as well as the series.
This ends with the cult members being dealt with, Alice realising that Ren was with her all along and so much happens. Honestly, how it ends feels like more could be done, I hope for a second series that focuses on their relationship as they get through the world of Kyoto Forest.

Mainly it gets 4 blossoms due to the amazing story, cute art but loses a blossom cause I would have loved to seen more from the series. The little story at the ends really adds to the overall story, which I enjoyed, which fuels my desire to read more about this series.

VERDICT –

Manga Review – Mame Coordinate [2]

Mame Coordinate is a cute little Seinen, apparently, about a cute girl who wishes to become a model, despite her country bumpkin ways, love of fried food and general plainness. A four volume title with two volumes currently out in English, thanks to Tokyo Pop.

SYNOPSIS

Audition day finally arrives, but standing next to the famed Noel, Mame’s budding confidence nearly collapses!

At first, it seems like her modeling career really might end before it ever got started, but Uri campaigns for one last chance – for both of them. To make it things work, they’ll need to give it their all and then some, placing bets for Mame’s future on an indie brand and its young designer.

PREVIOUS ENTRY – Volume 1

THOUGHTS

So, given my low opinion for the first volume, I came in with low spirits but I think this volume redeemed itself and made me curious for the last two volumes and I can’t wait to see what they offer in the future but let’s dissect the volume.

Chapter 6 we start with Mame entering the contest, where she proceeds to hide because she feels so out of place, which I am not surprised but a bit miffed cause she lost the confidence to be proud of herself. Noel comes in and basically drags her out and before long, Mame is stuck next to her, which was bound to happen.

Chapter 7 continues with them showing what they can do with simple walks, Mame is stunned by Noel and her little quirkiness comes out as she does a weird pose, thinking it will get her cut but ended up being the opposite. The chosen ones pose in the new clothes and Mame let herself go into an imagination state which earned her some awes but, alas, she didn’t make it.

Chapter 8 starts with Mame and food.
Meanwhile Uri was being told they are letting Mame go but she managed to get them one more chance with a small indie brand run by a young high schooler with her own fashion line that she felt Mame was ideal for. I like this chapter a lot because I feel like this is geared more towards the main lass and her uniqueness, especially with how she is and what she wears.

Chapter 9 continues with Momota getting Mame into her clothes in hopes that she will give this small label a chance to help grow and shine. They go over the goals and work together in trying to reach them but it’s looking rather grim at this stage, even with all the new promotions and social media being brought on. I thought this was a great chapter since it shows so much growth and possibly a blooming desire from Mame and her desire to model.

Chapter 10 is a dark beginning, they don’t look like they will reach the goal but Mame does something that the others didn’t expect until they watched what she posted. She really shows herself as a character, trying to model the clothes in hopes of bringing people to the brand and I found it so adorable and the main reason that this manga will be continued for my collection in pre-order status instead of filler. That spark at the end was amusing, I wish to read more of this.

This earned a high four blossom from me because I had low expectations and it blew me away with how interesting it got, even the characters started to grow on me compared to the first volume, which makes me now want to read the rest. I also enjoy the new character Momota, she has such a cute style and determined personality, I want to see her succeed so much now.

VERDICT –

Manga Review – Outbride Beauty & the Beasts [1]

A new Steamship title from Seven Seas and my second smut filled series has come home in the form of Outbride Beauty and the Beasts, a series penned by Tohko Tsukinaga, which is currently 1 volume long in English and 4 volumes ongoing in Japan.

SYNOPSIS

After a tragic accident, Mashiro wakes up in a strange world to find herself surrounded by four beautiful beastly men who call themselves “celestials”. There’s just one problem – Mashiro is the only human female in this world, and the celestials are imploring her to mate with them and bear their children!
How can this shy young lady with a boy phobia repopulate the world when all she wants is to overcome her fear and find true love?

THOUGHTS

We start the series with a spicy Chapter 1 where our main lass is offered protection, in exchange of dropping offsprings for four celestial hotties. We learn a bit about the lass until she is somewhat killed, she wakes to only be felt up but saved. She flees from the men who are trying to crack onto her since she’s the last human lady around and all and it’s the best way for celestials to breed and all.
That is where we are left with that chapter. A sad, confused lass with four hotties after her. I am rather enjoying this and loving the art, which is super pleasing for the eye. I also like how there is no sex right out the gate compared to I’ll Never be your Crown Princess.

Anyway, onto Chapter 2.
Our leading lady discovers what has happened to her world, where she is now basically alone, realising she is basically stuck with these men and will need their help and touch in order to survive, I don’t blame her, if I want to live, I’d try and get use to the situation but that’s just me.
Anywhom, we end this chapter with her experiencing the pain of not being healed, she allows herself to be healed and we are left with her dozing off while the fox dude longs to do more to her.

We wake to Chapter 3 with a jump as we see the dreams of Mashiro, who only reawakens back into the world she barely knows to the first face she awoke to previously, a perverted little Seraph. We get a little breast action as we also find out that having a different partner helps extend the effects of the resistance to the poison that kills humans.
We also learn more about our four male leads, then watch the Oni make out with her while foxboy watches, probably a bit jealous wanting the lass to himself and we then meet two more new characters who tend to our lovely lead.
They are absolutely adorable and I adore them.

Chapter 4 has a small tea party, new clothes for the lass and flight to an underwater city with the dragon boy, who certainly does go down to the depths in more than one way, as you find out in Chapter 5, mentioning that going straight to the core of it all is one of the best healing ways after actual penetration and ejaculation. So after he enjoys her honey pot, they return to the abode where she learns more about the things of that world. Only to be visited and snuggled by the foxboy, which was super cute since it was more of a sweet thing over a sexual encounter. I think it’s rather sweet.

Finally, we round off the volume with Chapter 6.
We start with a cute wake up, make out and education on methods best to deal with the poison and she is like “oh no, I ain’t ready for that, I only just started kissing and being eaten out recently”.
Fret not, our lovely fox goes downtown and helps her experience what coming is like but after he leaves, the angel gets quite devilish as the chapter leaves us there.
So far I am enjoying the pretty art, hotties and the fact this has a rather interesting storyline between all the smut, I look forward to more volumes.

This manga also has a bonus chapter where the little angel has such vivid, naughty dreams which oddly left me cackling.
The whole volume gets 5 blossoms because of how much I actually enjoyed it and having gorgeous art is an amazing bonus. I cannot wait to read more and see who gets a baby pumped into Mashiro first, as bad as it sounds.

VERDICT –

Manga Review – I’ll Never be your Crown Princess [1]

Presenting my first manga from the new Seven Seas branch of Steamship, something I will claim to be basically their smut line, we have I’ll Never be your Crown Princess penned by Saki Tsukigami and drawn by Natsu Kuroki.
I picked it up because I like the hilarious idea of a lass trying desperately to get out of marrying a prince but ends up in that situation regardless.

SYNOPSIS

I will not be your plaything!

Liddy, who was Japanese in her previous life, is now the daughter of a duke and engaged to the gorgeous crown prince Friedrich.
Sounds like a dream come true – except this is a world that practices polygamy, and Liddy refuses to marry a man with multiple wives.
To sabotage the engagement, she loses her virginity to a stranger, but that plan is thwarted by a surprising revelation. What will happen to Liddy in this hot fantasy romance?

THOUGHTS

I expected to be faced with smut and basically very sexual themes but did not expect it first chapter but, then again, the whole concept is about a lass throwing away her virginity like the crown she doesn’t want because she’s a one man gal. So, besides the usual gorgeous art and amusing characters, I may try something new with this review.

Chapter 1 is simply about the lass, who is to become the Queen and in doing so must remain a virgin, going to a masked ball in hopes of losing her virginity to some random dude, her friend helps her in this plan, as well as getting the invite to said ball. Out of nervousness, she indulges in the sweets and food offered at the party, which is very unlike the people there, as you find out later, just like how she treats the random. She feels like she was going to regret her choice but ends up banging the random, it gets pretty in your face but that’s the most you see in this volume and the bang the night away.

Now, Chapter 2 begins with her noticing the mask has fallen off and leaves the dude asleep in the bed, as she makes her way back.
Then the Prince comes to visit the lass, she manages to confess that she is no longer virgin and he’s like “that’s fine, I was the one who did that to you” and shes like “oh hell no”. He’s pleased to be engaged to her and shes like “oh, shit”, followed by the usual talk of “you are possibly carrying my spawn due to my seed” and she’s like “contraception bitch” and he’s like “how the hell did you get that?”.
She still is like “nope, not being your crown princess” until the end of this chapter.

Chapter 3 is following his side of the events and how he has a huge sex drive and needs to bang randoms to settle it through the ball his associates tells him about. He finds sex with others very boring considering they don’t do more than lying there and he wants more. When he calls the next ball his last, he finds out he is being hitched to the main lass but at said ball, he finds a very charming lady that he couldn’t help but approach, love blooms and then that’s how that chapter ends.

Chapter 4 wakes with the dude feeling awesome, which is rare for him apparently, so with his associate, he looks through all the ladies portraits and eventually found the lass he banged at the ball, which is the one he is hitched to. He mentions to the father of the lass that he intends to love on his kid as much as he can and then she is like “nope, never”.

The final chapter of the volume makes me chuckle regardless.
So he makes his intentions known that he wants her, she’s like that is utter bull and they get a little handsy, well the Prince does anyway, then more discussions ensue. It mentions the ritual of how a Princess Consort is made or marked by the Royal Flower, which made me cackle for some reason, mainly cause it can only be done once. So, either way, it ends with her being all “this is utter bullshit”, which made me laugh harder.

I gave this four blossoms because I just enjoyed it so much, I ain’t a huge fan of sexual content due to my own reasoning but I do enjoy the interaction between Friedrich and Liddy, I long to see what the next lot of volumes have.
I am also a huge sucker for pretty art like this, so I have to see what happens next.
The short novel part at the end was an enjoyable read.

VERDICT:

Manga Review – Wotakoi 6

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, a 6 omnibus series from Kodansha while Japan had 11 volumes, which I would have preferred more to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good series, with a few limited edition covers, mainly if your American but thankfully, the Kinokuniya store in Australia got it’s version with a bonus art piece, which I simply adore.

SYNOPSIS

Narumi slips up in front of her work friends, and the anxiety of outing herself as an otaku forces her to retreat inward. While Hirotaka is quick to console her, a difference in opinion devolves into an argument.
Will the couple learn to grow past this obstacle? Maybe sage advice from bickering experts Hanako and Taro can help?
Meanwhile, Naoya and Ko might need some guidance of their own as they take their first steps together as a couple.
The conclusion of these intertwining, nerdy love stories await!

THOUGHTS

I started collecting this series because I could relate a lot to the themes, such as me enjoying gaming and manga/LN while dating a guy with a love for gaming and nerdy things too, so reading a series based so close to home is a delight but a side of me is sad that the series has not only ended but ended in a way that made me think it was not only anti-climatic while just not overly ending.

The art and characters will always be something I adore while I enjoy Naoya and Ko the most as a couple, since I feel like its so fresh, innocent and utterly adorable as they navigate being a couple while the others seem enjoyable but they don’t make me smile like a silly little gal.

The story seems to focus on the characters coming to term being open as otakus with people outside of their friend groups, venturing new paths in their relationship and ending when they started, together doing what they do best while having a delicious meal and drink together. It was nice but yea, my opinion hasn’t changed about the ending.

I enjoy the fact that at the end, it came with a little poster with the couples, the colour pages are just so delightful. Out of the two covers I now own, I think they are both equally cute since they show the main characters as kids and then adults, showing a progress of their relationship.

The only reason it got 3 blossoms cause I felt like there could have been more, it felt a little rushed, maybe I just wish there was more to it than what we got.

VERDICT:

Top 6 Light Novels – Jan to Jun

Every 6 months, I check out mostly new titles that topped the last 6 months according to me, I may end up doing a yearly one where these titles may not pop up, but I shall think on this and update if the idea has changed from this point. Until then, that’s the plan and today, though a bit late, is the first 6 months of Light Novels that sat a the top of my enjoyment list~!

JANUARY

Let’s start with Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie is an ongoing series in Japan while Yen Press has printed 2 volumes currently in English. While I obtained and read this as soon as it arrived, I inevitably fell in love with it.
We have our usual villainess who is going to die horribly if she doesn’t change her wicked ways. Cecilia, after discovering memories about having a past life merged with her current ones, realises she is the bad guy from a game! So, she started to change her wicked ways, even to the extent of dressing up as a boy to avoid many disasters from occurring. Here we follow Cecilia or Cecil, the son of a baron to make sure her future doesn’t end in doom! Though, that ending was one for the books and really made we want to continue reading this series.

Why did I enjoy this? I like how Cecilia will go to such great lengths to protect herself from being caught as a villainess. I even like some of the twists and turns in the first volume, one I had a hunch about and was beyond thrilled when it was confirmed cause it added an element into the series that I’ve rarely seen outside of White Cat’s Revenge. I plan to read the second volume soon.

FEBRUARY

Next we have My Happy Marriage, another great title from Yen Press. Still waiting for the manga edition of this series but I am most thrilled to have read this so far and I have the second volume waiting to be read soon, probably after a few other volumes of other series.
A talentless Miyo is being forced into marriage once she reached the marriageable age, considering all the abuse she endured from her step-family while her father did very little to help her. The man she is to wed is a cold and cruel commander who barely held down any previous marriage candidates or will that end thanks to her?
She gives herself up to this new fate but maybe this is something they both needed, not only for themselves but for each other.

Why did I enjoy this? The first LN and probably the only LN to not have an Isekai theme or being reborn as some sort of villainess but rather a girl who was dealt with a bad hand but has a lot more to come in the future where things may start to look up. I actually also enjoy the interactions of the main couple and seeing them grow and develop with each other really makes my heart flutter.

MARCH

Tearmoon Empire is a series from J-Novel, with 6 volumes in English and ongoing in Japan. It was a series I was hoping to get in print for ages and here we are, finally in print. The manga is also currently in digital hell on J-Novel, so I await it’s day of print too.
We have a villainess, who finally loses her head literally and suddenly is back to her child self, along with a book showing her fate. Afraid of dying again, she vows to change the pages of the blood stained diary she holds by changing the lives she has ruined before her execution. Though she struggles to change but despite that, she works hard to change the fate for herself while others start to see it as almost saintly of her to do.

Why did I enjoy this? It’s a little different because she is not changing completely from her original selfish self, she is doing it to make sure she lives in the future. Sure, her actions seem helpful and changing the world around her but she is doing it mostly for herself but I still want to see how she changes in future volumes and to see how much she changes her fate.

APRIL

Another Yen Press title and it also has a manga companion, which has arrived at a much later date but the LN of The Holy Grail of Eris was another great title. It is not an Isekai but it is somewhat a Villainess based series.
We have the very sincere Constance who is now facing the crimes of petty theft while a lass steals her fiance but what can she do? She was taught to be sincere!
That’s when the spirit of Scarlett comes in and saves the day, that is until she reminds out main gal that she has a proposal and that Connie herself accepted to do so. What does this wicked woman want? Revenge on her enemies. Sure, it’s great to have help when things look grim but who knows how grim things will get with a noblewoman ghost wanting revenge.

Why did I enjoy this? A dead villainess wanting revenge? yes please, sign me right up for that!
It’s a bit different from other series and I am enjoying the whole mystery vibe that the series has going on and the development of Connie as she tries to discover herself and slowly strike out on her own in a way. I also enjoy seeing how she interacts with Scarlett, it’s a delight for me.

MAY

Just like the manga edition of this post, we have the LN version of The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen as this months top LN. Another great Seven Seas release, it was a very enjoyable series.
It’s just a more detailed version of the manga about a villainess wanting to survive instead of dying due to being an utter dick to those around her, ruining and taking lives without any regards. She truly wishes to be good despite the dark side still being apart of her.

Why did I enjoy this? Me wanting to see where Pride ends up being the major reason. It’s a delightful little read and having the manga helps put pictures to this amazing title. It does get so much more interesting in the second volume, which I can’t wait to continue with volume 3. It’s really such a great series.

Previously mentioned: Comparison of Heretical

JUNE

Lastly we have a continuation series since we had no starting LN this month.
Accomplishments of the Dukes Daughter is an 8 volume series with 5 volumes currently out in English, thanks to Seven Seas, which also releases the manga version of the series.
Basically, we have Iris, a villainess looking at being banished due to all her wicked deeds, a recently dropped engagement and potentially losing her status. When she suddenly recalls her past life, which also contained information about Iris being a character in a game she enjoyed, she vowed to change her ways and separate herself as much as she could from her fated paths.
After managing to convince her father, she became a fief lord of her homeland, where she proceeded to help grow and develop it into a thriving land with new laws, systems and methods in place. Though she encounters many hardships, it was fun to watch her overcome them.

Why did I enjoy this? I learned a lot from this series and watching Iris grow and develop as a character throughout the five volumes was exciting, even if it got dry in a few places. Though the fifth volume ended in a way that made me think it was done, I do look forward to what the last three volumes will bring. I really love this series, it felt so different from others of it’s kind.

And that’s all we have for today about the last 6 months and hopefully I can get the next 6 done in the beginning of January rather than nearly two months later cause the idea didn’t strike until recently.
Until then, enjoy reading all the things, yay~!