somnia's manga / #Interesting(164)

Read the novel, so I might be biased- but I think the story's pretty good for the most part. One of the better revenge reincarnation stories in the shoujo genre, though there's puddles of cliche content here and there. Everything's kinda super easy for FL to master and overcome, though in most cases you have the hourglass to make you feel comfortable about it if you aren't into those power fantasy vibes like me. The only thing I don't understand is why they had to add this whole bit about FL and ML meeting when they were little kids on the street. Literally doesn't add anything to the story or their relationship - they're already a tight-knit couple, so it feels like someone just yeeted it in because they thought it was cute and not aware of how nonsensical and outdone gags like that are.

I love torturing myself, so I'm very very hooked on this manga right now. From the title you'd think it's gonna be easy-going, but maaan, the anxiety, the risks and the actual severity of Haru's situation is made crystal clear. Honestly, imo it feels wrong to call this smut. Sure, there's lot of tiddy and all, but man there was no point in the story where I felt horny. I want to say that the feeling these prostitutes have towards sex (it being just part of a job and a day to day thing that happens) also carries through to the readers, at least that's how I felt. Anyhow, the angst is keeping you on your toes, the characters are all interesting enough and make you wonder what they might be up to or how they'll be in the future, the twist to the typical medival isekai story is refreshing for isekai trash like me, and plot seems to be slowly taking the stage. So, to summarize: 11/10, nice.

Reinelle is reincarnated as a crow, yet she still finds herself meeting a main love interest of the otome game she used to play. Honestly this one's good. It's more of a light read, but it also has more serious moments to hype and cry along to. Lore-wise it's also holding up well. The only thing I was gonna complain about is this cliche anxiety of Reinelle. You know this moment when the FL feels like she "stole" the ML, or feels their relationship is in danger bc of the incoming original FL. Now, I'm glad that was dealt with nicely here. She brought up here and there, but her life was moving along and didn't have to take up chapters of dialogue. Thank god. Speaking of og FL (Spoiler) I love that they made her into a bestie rather than some, idk, evil demon witch sent in as a spy or what have you. It's cute. Kinda sneaky how now that Reinelle and her future hubby are solid cannon, the author introduces a new type of possessed character with her own romance in sight. Me likey.

Plot in a nutshell: FL was abused by her family both in her first life and now in her 2nd life as a minor side villain of a fantasy "biography"/novel. She was killed by her own husband for poisoning his sister. But now she is set on gaining everyone's favor, or at least her hubby's, to hopefully not be framed for anything and get away from her abusive family for good. Kind of spoiler, literally just me ranting: I love this so much, but I lowkey hurt from the angst that we got going on sometimes. At first it felt random for Ruby to be yeeted away by monsters so randomly, but in hindsight it was needed stress-relief for the readers. It wasn't that out of no-where too, since Ruby seems to have some kinda connection to monsters. Gotta praise the author too, it would've been very easy to find Ruby's insecurities annoying were it not for the amazing writing. I never doubted Ruby and never will, I feel.

So basically, FL is a famous prisoner who managed to escape a few times. When she's captured again, ML (also a war hero and the opposite of FL's anti-hero sort of reputation) ends up "escorting" her to a high security prison island. Of course, she's trying to get an advantage by lying and what not, but ML never falls for any of it. But there's more to their relationship than that and that's where the story really hits good. Ngl, all characters so far felt like they matter and are a part of the whole thing, and also have interesting relationships and backstories. They all tie into questions and different perspectives regarding death, life and justice in a post-war setting. We're still not that far into it all, but it's super promising.

This gives cliche vibes, but I'm trash and totally here for it and the art.

Overall this is okay, I think. The art does a good job at keeping you patient, and honestly the premise is interesting. The main issue with this story is that there's this big moral hole concerning FL. Well, she is also kinda boring personality wise, but her situation makes her look so disingenuous and vain -which I'm pretty sure the author didn't intend. She lies constantly to people who seem to really care about her. Kind of spoilers from here on out: Nevermind the Duke, who she thinks may harm her (more on that later), but she - with the mind of a grown up - basically gaslights (or at least manipulates) her underaged husband into doing whatever she wants. And she does so to get away from him and the Duke, while they've done nothing but show her sincere affection. How is she so oblivious to that when she was supposed to be an affection-starved orphan? Not to mention there's NO real evidence that would make the reader, or FL, think the Duke really is a total heartless asshole who'd kill his daughter in law. He's framed in a sympathetic light actually, the father who closed himself off and tried to drown himself in a puddle of greed, in a vain attempt to cover the pain of his wife's passing. FL just looks like a snake who's out to take advantage of her position, and make herself a cozy playhouse, while waiting on her chance to dip out with cash-filled pockets. And the most annoying thing is that she is basically a Mary Sue and every character sings her praises for being nothing special at all. It's not even funny that they think her cheat sheet knowledge makes her a genius, it just adds onto the pile of hypocrisy she's hiding behind her greasy eyeballs. Who the hell put "strong female lead" into the tags??