The Duchess with an Empty Soul
paused at 83 since translations are... unbearable. STORY WISE: the more complicated it becomes, the less urgency and clarity there are. Unlike Yvona's initially clear and linear attempts to make sure Gaspar and Tristan do not get what they want while preparing for war, she becomes complacent. it begins to focus more on "how men see women and what women can't do" —while also giving us a vague update on how their relationship is progressing. @107... She just let the damn bastard walk away, tf? I saw alot of official translations and had my hope in this, but the more i read the more foolish i feel still reading it when i already reviewed it as lacking urgency when I left it. And more so now that theu do the worst strategies just to increase unnecessary tension and mystery. Ugh dropped
The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years
109
A Returner's Magic Should Be Special
My brain doesnt comprehend the nitty gritty details, but I do understand the gist as the chapters go. No annoying protagonists. The first shadow world is a headache so I skipped one chapter of nonsense. Sometimes it's exctingly unexpected, there are a few "wtf are you lagging behind for" moments like the limits or actual scope of the ML's power and decision-making. (Often all-knowing, sometimes too dense or questionable) ch94—again with the contradicting arrogance despite his charade of saying "it's not over until it's over". he's becoming an MC who is ALL TALK
Kill the Hero
Very exciting and balanced scenarios of predictibility and cunning schemes. He has a funny side kick—who is more often than not working his ass off as a tanker. No romance or women who are interested in him, plus the goal isn't some sort or "along the way" plot. everything is directly influencing/affecting his object of revenge. no fillers or etc. and also, wtf, Kim Woojin in the novel before waki g up as a player has a more interesting past! which makes rereading refreshing tbh haha >> https://woopread.com/series/kill-the-hero/
The Thorn That Pierces Me
32. character-wise... being unable to speak doesn't equate being as blank as a newly processed paper. like bish had the opportunity to learn phrases from the Korean she met, had other ways to communicate since she's still a certified translator something. like, that means you have the basic sense to try to communicate despite the language barrier miss maam can jump to conclusions but won't even try to communicate in "earthly body language" like clasping your hands together or using pictographs—but i understand the fear. i just feel like the author just made her dumb despite her vivid imagination. and it's kinda dragged and getting repetitive with unnecessary dialogue
Isekai Omotenashi Gohan
besides the subpar ending (that had to be supplemented by text from the webnovel of how it would have ended), the story in general is wholesome. it really had an impactful beginning as the sisters were complementary to each other. However, when the internal conflict of staying or leaving this other world was being unraveled, it had fleeting and ungrounded feeling. Esp when it began to confront the romantic possibilities between Jade and Akane. "open ended" doesnt even cut it because the story fell flat just when a sort of climax is achieved between the two. there's a need for more chapters, or maybe even a volume to fully execute the story and at least match its strong beginning. (i'm not really one to appreciate being supplemented by the original text because it's supposed to be a manga adaptation... i don't like it when an adaptation is incomplete, where i'm seemingly forced to read the novel instead if I want to get the story.)
Beware of the Villainess!
Who Can Define Popularity?
the confrontation scenes are the episodes that cut me so deeply to the point of just sobbing and reflecting on who i am, what i deal with, and my flaws. And i really hated Yujin, only to realize that i saw myself in her—coz I also went thru those phases of trying to belong or seek attention by being a hero or the cool troublemaker when being a golden child didn't work. So excited for her lmao, spoilers but like the growth in her makes it more satisfying to read because the only bastard here is the stalker whom I don't even wanna learn more about. but really, the characters and their struggles are so relatable. and the way they cope, especially like Daun's cousin and Yujin who are pretty much "cancelled" if ever show that they will have to live with their mistakes and confront those theyve hurt while also just moving forward to be better people.
The Best Smell
Everytime we get into Kamin's family and how he had to repress his disappointment and anger towards his family, i often have to scroll very quickly because that's just so painful and raw. like yes, just be independent and be with people who actually values you (thanks to Kanggo's fam and Kanggo.) also, it would have made sense if Kamin distanced himself like how he is to the dog coz humans actually did have more rationality to betray you than a dog. but glad it didn't have that angst, i wouldve been more stressed
Virtues of the Villainess