exemzordies's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
3.0
Overall satisfying read, fluffy fantasy. Romantic tension increases into a romantic dynamic, though there's some fuzzy consent due to secrets, bad communication, and not great boundaries, could be glossed over as ultimately desired. Slow life is a good chunk, but it moves into resolving major plot conflicts partway through, so it's not all relaxed comfy vibe. [Glib title joke]Some titular revenge actually happens.
I was pleased to have finished, but there I have major peeves with some choices in how it deals with major plot elements and conflicts. It does leave a sequel hook, but pretty much all the main conflicts are resolved, so it would have to make a major pivot to continue.
Confrontation with toxic friend finaaaalllly happens, to more or less effect. But this ties into the ending being too easy, neat and tidy. After the protagonist dwelled so much on the injustice her toxic friendship dealt upon her, and trying her best to get away from that dynamic for her entire life [spoilery rant] It frustrates me to no end once I get to thinking about all the implications the climax reveal entails.
After protag antagonizes about never being able to see her family because of one-way isekai This is unearned and also defangs prior conflict for what? Just to tie things up?
Spoiler
I was pleased to have finished, but there I have major peeves with some choices in how it deals with major plot elements and conflicts. It does leave a sequel hook, but pretty much all the main conflicts are resolved, so it would have to make a major pivot to continue.
Confrontation with toxic friend finaaaalllly happens, to more or less effect. But this ties into the ending being too easy, neat and tidy. After the protagonist dwelled so much on the injustice her toxic friendship dealt upon her, and trying her best to get away from that dynamic for her entire life [spoilery rant]
Spoiler
it turns out her close family knew about magic all along, and didn't tell her for the implied reason that they didn't want her to selfishly use it the way her toxic friend does, but didn't prevent her being in contact with, despite often going abroad and being aware of the toxic dynamic the friend inflicts on her unconsciously. Toxic friend poisoned every person in their social circle against protagonist and isolated her from all peers, and the family just let them be- protag only had healthy interactions with her own family and practically no others, and they didn't want to separate them!!!!!! You could have moved and cut ties, and done adult stuff to prevent toxic friend from following, and did nothing about it? You leave protag to her own means, and she was only able to move when she becomes a college student and only for someone to spill where she was going to toxic friend and get followed anyway? You were complicit in this all the way into her young-adulthood?After protag antagonizes about never being able to see her family because of one-way isekai
Spoiler
her original family up and decides to move to the fantasy world she cannot return from, because travel is one-waySpoiler
And it does this right after resolving how she could deal with it and move on, which makes it even more disappointing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence, War, and Death
Protagonist's major conflict is tied up in a toxic friendship that caused bullying that she is mostly away from in this volume. Fantasy wars, villages in strife and famine. Characters consistently assume she is less capable because of the body she's in, and this continues after her true identity is revealed.
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