Lauvil's manga / #Novel World(143)

Kinda cliché and predictable, but still a fun read. The FL is tough and witty, which is a nice alternative to the Mary Sue FL's with no personality, but then again: That's not a new character concept either... I'm also not a big fan of stories using a female antagonist as a plot device. Especially not a selfish, arrogant and entitled woman, with no redeeming qualities or chance of improving her relationship with the FL. She is an overused trope, that has not evolved since Cinderella, but a deeply problematic and sexist way to portray women. I like the FL, though, and the ML is not as bad as in other comics, so I'll keep reading for now.

Paused ch. 35 Korean woman reincarnated as the Villainess of a novel, Lesian. Her family is abusive and her father has basically sold her to be the crown prince's fiancée. Originally Lecian was in love with the Prince, but now that someone else is possessing the body, that's no longer the case. Lecian decides to get out from under her family's thumb, get out of the engagement, and learn swordsmanship - all with the help of Duke Kiernen. I'm not quite sure what it is that this story wants... So far it is mixing several different tropes, and I just wonder what the point is. - Reincarnated as a Villainess - Noble lady abused by her family, who starts standing up for herself - Fiancée already has a lover, who is a meek, sweet, lowborn girl. I feel like they are about to mix in a "contractual relationship" in a moment with a fake engagement (which Kiernen wishes was real). But who knows. There is an engagement between the Prince and Lecian standing in the way. Where the fuck is this story even going? I have a hard time remembering the plot each time I come back to it, bc it's so generic.

Oh boy. This Webtoon is all the tropes in one: - Reincarnation into a novel - Time reversal after an unjust execution - A black-haired ML who is a cold-hearted munchkin, aside from when he interacts with the FL, in which case he is sweet and kind, while also infantilizing her and trying to control her. - Cute, naive, "quirky" FL, who is as dense as a block of wood when it comes to, well, anything.

Restart

I don't think this story is romantic at all. The emperor is giving off ALL of the red flags; he kills without remorse, he's possessive and controlling, he has no consideration for others and only thinks about himself. I think chapter 12 was supposed to be romantic in revealing his thoughts, loneliness and deep infatuation with Charlie, but I thought it was out right terrifying. It was even explained in the first few chapters, that the emperor married Charlie by force AFTER having killed her entire family. She hated him and her life so much, that she eventually killed herself. Yet the emperor stubbornly held onto her until the end. If the new Charlie didn't like him back, then that would become her life as well; being tied down by a possessive husband, who has no consideration for her feelings. Who will force his feelings upon her, rape her, and not let her go, even if it kills her. The whole premise is SO toxic, and the author unfortunately missed the chance to redeem the ML-character.

Dropped. The characters are simply too stubborn and dumb, especially the FL. The author really wanted to drag out the tension and the romance, but we've hit a point where it's simply ridiculous. The only reason the main couple is not together, is bc the FL insists on "following the original story", even though that ship has CLEARLY sailed loooooong ago. There is no point in stubbornly clinging on to the of story, and yet the FL is CONVINCED that she knows what is best for the ML and what will make him happy, just bc she once read the book. Well, it's BS. She has clearly already changed the story and at this point it seems like she just want to play martyr to make herself feel important and generous or smth. Meanwhile, the ML is just as stubborn, clinging on to a woman who runs away from him every chance she gets. He even goes so far as to kidnap her and keep her captive - which btw is NOT romantic, dear author. If he has to resort to those kinds of methods to get the attention and companionship of his love interest, perhaps he should just give it up. She's not the only woman out there and however hurtful it is to let a love end, you'll overcome it eventually. I'm so done with this.

It's not the most original plot line, but entertaining nonetheless. I'm not really too fond of this mix between angsty relationship with a sociopathic ML and a sweet, innocent romance, that the author decided upon... I kinda want my angst angsty and my romance healthy and sweet. Mixing the two kinda muddies everything. But maybe the author has some great plan that will make things a bit clearer in the future. It's still kinda early to judge, ig.

Not really my cup of tea... The ML just seems like a psychopath and the FL is super generic, and the first few chapters really bored me.