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lavendermarch's review
3.0
I read this on J-Novel Club's website with my monthly subscription. I read part of it a month or two ago, and decided to finish it today out of curiosity more than anything else. TBH, it's okay but not amazing. The MC, Viola, is pretty fun, and I liked reading from her perspective. However, the male lead, Cercis, is kind of unimpressive, and came across more as immature and rather pathetic or lame at times than anything else. By the end of the story, I stood with Viola - I was more or less uninterested in him, haha. That said, I don't hate the guy, so I'm thinking of reading the next volume out of curiosity, or something. This book has a rather wild premise, and it mostly delivers, with solid translation and a good main character. The male lead isn't that great, but he maybe has potential, so if you're interested in the synopsis, I'd give it a go (even if just for the female lead). 3.25 stars.
makeintoall's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
shdwblood's review
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
blood_lion's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
linguisticfanatic's review
2.0
I went into this expecting a rich guy with a side girl while he has a wife to keep him respectable in society. I got that and the typical "I've fallen in love with her and grown as a man so I'm breaking up with my side girl" ending and would've been happy to give this a higher rating if that was all. Fast read, cliche set-up, general good pacing for the light novel writing style, etc.
However, I just cannot stand to continue this series. This is because I eventually had to avoid all things written in italicized font. The internal narration and thoughts of our MC was just absolutely horrid and painful to read. Reading modern, VERY modern, phrasing and words in the setting that the story takes place in made me recoil every time. Halfway through the book I figured out that I could skip all of that and not be any worse for wear on the plot, so I did and was able to finish the book. If I would've had to suffer one more "I need eclipse glasses" or "man the battle stations" phrases because someone is so blindingly dazzling to behold or the MC is expecting a kerfuffle I would've chucked my Kindle across the room.
2 stars because without that character dialogue in italics it would've been a decent but predictable read.
However, I just cannot stand to continue this series. This is because I eventually had to avoid all things written in italicized font. The internal narration and thoughts of our MC was just absolutely horrid and painful to read. Reading modern, VERY modern, phrasing and words in the setting that the story takes place in made me recoil every time. Halfway through the book I figured out that I could skip all of that and not be any worse for wear on the plot, so I did and was able to finish the book. If I would've had to suffer one more "I need eclipse glasses" or "man the battle stations" phrases because someone is so blindingly dazzling to behold or the MC is expecting a kerfuffle I would've chucked my Kindle across the room.
2 stars because without that character dialogue in italics it would've been a decent but predictable read.
orionmissing's review
2.0
Viola is princess to a very poor royal house. When a wealthy prince offers to clear her families debts so long as she agrees to become his official "show wife" she agrees. Prince Cercis is engaged in a long running love affair with an older woman whom he can't actually marry.
After their wedding, Viola is given the grand main house to live in while he and his lover will occupy the small garden house.Viola doesn't care for him, or his affairs, at all. Instead, she gets to work befriending the staff and fixing up the manor with craft and decorations to her liking. As a poor man's daughter she's not used to such extreme wealth.
Over time, from he staff, we learn Cercis' backstory. Then he starts coming around more. At first the result of circumstance, then by choice.
We can tell he's taken a liking to Viola, but what will he choose in the end? And what about what Viola wants?!
See!? Such a fun little story idea! I would watch this as an anime!
Unfortunately, as is the issue I continuously run into with light novels, the writing is sooooo stunted.
These are translated works from Japan where they aim to appeal to middle school/highschool students as fast, simple, reads. I wonder if it's the translation into English that sucks the life out of them?
The lackluster writing makes it so hard to carry the story. They dont feel like quick reads in English.
These plots are fun! Please give me fun! lol.
Im going to read all the light novels I've not completed reading over the years and in search of hopefully finding some hidden gems.
I blog at: https://www.nerdificationreviews.com
Come hang! <3
After their wedding, Viola is given the grand main house to live in while he and his lover will occupy the small garden house.Viola doesn't care for him, or his affairs, at all. Instead, she gets to work befriending the staff and fixing up the manor with craft and decorations to her liking. As a poor man's daughter she's not used to such extreme wealth.
Over time, from he staff, we learn Cercis' backstory. Then he starts coming around more. At first the result of circumstance, then by choice.
We can tell he's taken a liking to Viola, but what will he choose in the end? And what about what Viola wants?!
See!? Such a fun little story idea! I would watch this as an anime!
Unfortunately, as is the issue I continuously run into with light novels, the writing is sooooo stunted.
These are translated works from Japan where they aim to appeal to middle school/highschool students as fast, simple, reads. I wonder if it's the translation into English that sucks the life out of them?
The lackluster writing makes it so hard to carry the story. They dont feel like quick reads in English.
These plots are fun! Please give me fun! lol.
Im going to read all the light novels I've not completed reading over the years and in search of hopefully finding some hidden gems.
I blog at: https://www.nerdificationreviews.com
Come hang! <3
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