banishment – Faceless One Blog

My Magical Career at Court: Living the Dream After My Nightmare Boss Fired Me from the Mages’ Guild! Vol. 3 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, School Life

Sub-Tags: Strong Lead, OP, Tsundere, Bickering Couple, Banishment

Synopsis:

Noelle may be a commoner from the middle of nowhere, but she’s a rising star in her dream workplace—the Royal Court Magicians’ Division! It seems like a world away from her horrible old job at the Mages’ Guild, but life as a royal court magician comes with its own challenges. She’s already fought off a dragon and battled her way through the perilous Weissrosa Abyss, but can she survive making a fool of herself in front of all the magi? Now, Noelle has been thrust into the unexpected situation of being picked to take part in the famous World Magic Championships—and she hasn’t even been a royal court magician for a year! Along with her old friend Luke, another impressive young magician, she has to face off against some of the toughest magicians from around the world. On her new globetrotting adventures, Noelle is confronted with sneaky aristocrats, powerful magic duelists, the mysterious Fairy Queen…and maybe even some romantic developments! (Source: J-Novel Club)

The Court Mage and the Magic Championship!

Upon conquering the strongest dungeon in the kingdom, the latest chapter in the Magical Career saga sees Noelle face her toughest challenge yet, the World Magic Championships. Filled with some of the most powerful magicians on the Western Continent, Noelle and the chosen few selected for the tournament will be tested to their uppermost limits, but the competitors aren’t the only thing they’ll have to contend with. At the heart of the tournament lies a noble conspiracy willing to do anything and everything to put wilful commoners like Noelle in their place.

The Ultimate Underdog

Continuing to prove her naysayers wrong, this volume gives Noelle the largest stage yet to show off her abilities – the World Magic Championships. From nobility from across the globe, the hordes of spectators in the stands, and even her fellow competitors, this volume has finally given me the impetus to ask: How many volumes does it take before my patience runs thin with the never-ending perspectives from Noelle’s detractors? This volume cuts it close.

Three volumes in, and this series has answered a longstanding hypocrisy within my reviewing methods – tropes and striking the right balance. When it comes to the trope of “secretly overpowered individual in a world full of naysayers,” the balance personally is struck with the relative vocality of a main character’s supporters. A hard measure to quantify, the third volume of Magical Career falls foul of the line due to the sheer number of detractors in comparison to her supporters. After all, there’s only so far someone can go on willpower alone.

Thankfully, this seems set to change as the number of Noelle’s allies grows throughout this latest volume.

Willing a Victory

Fortunately, beyond this volume’s balancing act issues, there’s still plenty to enjoy. The tournament itself is suitably grandiose. It features a slew of powerful individuals that would normally be deemed impossible for anyone to defeat. Only Noelle could treat some of these opponents as if she were doing regular court magician work on a weekday.

Of the competitors introduced, Evangeline holds the most potential. Fairy Queen and naturally gifted magician, her frankly odd personality meshes well with Noelle. Their blossoming friendship by the end of the volume gives off positive vibes for the future of the series.

Additionally, the competition provides some much-needed character development for Luke. The boy-wonder whom everyone perceives as a prodigy who, in reality, is the hardest worker of anyone. There’s a genuinely heartfelt moment to be had as his efforts see him piped at the post by an overwhelmingly powerful opponent. In some ways, following Luke’s story would’ve made for a better series. The only thing stopping this reality is the fact that we wouldn’t get enough of Noelle’s infectious personality.

Despite the latest volume of Magical Career’s initial teething trouble regarding trope balancing, there’s still plenty of entertainment to be drawn from the story. The tournament is well-presented, offering everything one could want, from vivid fight sequences to interesting opponents. Moreover, there’s ample character development, especially for Luke. His segment ending in defeat is genuinely heartfelt.

My Magical Career in Court Vol. 3

My Rating: 7/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the third volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Harem, Isekai

Sub-Tags: OP, Strong Lead, Game Elements, Banishment

Synopsis:

Deemed a “good-for-nothing” for his low level and lack of a god-given Gift, Allen is stripped of his noble status and banished from the Duchy of Westfeldt. But Allen has a secret: he was a great hero in a previous life, and he’s thrilled for the chance to finally live the way he pleases! His drama-free existence, however, is soon interrupted by a desperate encounter with his ex-fiancée. As a former hero who still possesses the incredible powers from his past life, Allen can’t ignore someone in need—no matter how much he might like to! And so begins the new heroic saga our former hero never wanted! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Saga That Starts at the Frontier!

Written by Shin Kouduki and illustrated by Chocoan, The Banished Former Hero is one of the latest adventure fantasy series to finish its pre-pub on the J-Novel Club website.

Following the story of Allen, the former prodigy of the Westfeldt Duchy, it starts as he’s banished from his noble household upon discovering his lack of a gift. Elated by the prospect, he sets out to live life as a free man, no longer shackled by the duties of nobility or his former role as a hero. Unfortunately, fate has other ideas. On his way to the frontier, he runs into his former fiancée, setting off a chain of events that’ll rock the shape of the kingdom.

A Trip of Nostalgia

An overpowered protagonist banished due to their perceived weakness has become par for the course in isekai light novels, and the Banished Former Hero is a rather generic example of the genre. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, as the series neatly falls into a personal nostalgia zone, taking me back to when I first started reading light novels, constantly seeking series featuring overpowered protagonists who end up gaining harems. As a result, I ended up liking it quite a bit more than I should have.

Whilst the series is never going to be on anyone’s Novel of the Year awards, it does serve its job well as the occasional guilty pleasure. Once the story moves past the banishment storyline and introduces his former finacée, Riese and her bodyguard, the plot picks up at a blistering pace. From here on out, Allen is defeating strong enemies left and right and picking up harem members just as quickly. It’s clear that the author has understood the brief, hitting all the right beats for this type of series.

Aside from Allen’s overpowered antics, there’s another aspect to the series that stands out – the conspiracy between the members of his former family. Typical for this genre, they are comically villainous, but their potential as long-term antagonists elevates them to something more than just cackling hyenas.

Although The Banished Former Hero’s beginning may appear generic, it is still an engaging journey. The author, Shin Kouduki, manages to hit all the right beats within the series’ specific genre. Allen fells powerful enemies and unwittingly grows his harem at an almost alarming speed. Meanwhile, his family start the long, winding road towards an ultimate comeuppance.

The Banished Former Hero Vol. 1

My Rating: 6.5/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Harem, Slice of Life, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Banishment, Business, Strong Lead, Strategy

Synopsis:

Van, fourth son of a marquis, is just a toddler when he realizes he’s been reincarnated. Thanks to his literal lifetime of knowledge, he’s raised as a child prodigy—until his production magic manifests, and it’s the last thing his snooty mage family wants to see! His disappointed father banishes him to a podunk town on the verge of collapse, yet Van can only see the place’s potential. Can our hero’s bastion of battlements build a better life than battle magic ever could?! (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)

Production Creates the Strongest Village!

The Village of a Lord Worth Following

Written by Sou Akaike and illustrated by Kururi, the latest review on my blog focuses on a series about creating the strongest village.

Reincarnated as the fourth son of a prominent Marquis, the story of Easygoing Territory Defense starts when Van is given the less-than-welcome news that he’s discovered to possess production magic. Drawing ire from his father, the assessment results lead him to be put into exile in a village at the end of the world. Determined to make his new life in the boonies a success, Van decides to put his skills and clever thinking to good use to start creating an economic powerhouse the continent will always remember.

For the series’ first volume, the story’s plot is split into three sections – Van’s life before exile, Van’s first days in the village, and Van’s first steps to creating the strongest village.

To start with, showcasing Van’s life before he’s carted off to the edge of the territory provides much-needed context in these types of stories. As a child prodigy, Van never lets these compliments get to his head. Remaining grounded due to his age at time of reincarnation, he’s considered a kind and inquisitive child whose down-to-earth nature quickly gains the admiration of the servants under the Marquis’ employ. It is no wonder that when Van is asked to leave the estate, several servants leave to join him. These include his maid, Till, and his tutors, Diss and Espada.

This welcoming personality of Van’s continues as he first sets foot inside the new village he’s been told to manage. His nature helps to start their relationship on the right foot, which is then solidified as both Van and his gang help to defend the village from several overwhelming threats.

Bargains, Deals and Treaties

The true meat of this volume, however, comes as Van settles down and finally decides to put his plan into action to make a success of the village.

After one of the attacks on the village, Van and the gang are left with a lot of materials from lizardmen. This sets about their success by flooding the settlement with capital. As a result, merchants, demi-humans and even foreign nobility end up paying the little village a visit.

With more visitors to the village, it’s plain to see that the author can let go in these parts and start to have fun. With almost all the arrivals in complete shock at the growth of the village, Van has his work cut out dealing with noble intentions and more than one marriage proposal. In the end, however, he’s always able to convince them onside.

To conclude, Easygoing Territory Defense’s first volume makes for a wonderful start to the series. Filled with fun adventures and an ever-curious protagonist, it makes the experience of watching his new village grow all the more enjoyable.

As his village grows further, I shall wait in anticipation of what’s in store for the little lord next.

Easygoing Territory Defense Vol. 1

My Rating: 8.5/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally from the list of distributors found on the Seven Seas website.

My Magical Career at Court: Living the Dream After My Nightmare Boss Fired Me from the Mages’ Guild! Vol. 2 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, School Life

Sub-Tags: Strong Lead, OP, Tsundere, Bickering Couple, Banishment

Synopsis:

Noelle is living the dream! Not so long ago, she had nowhere to turn after losing her awful job at the exploitative Mages’ Guild. But one day, she had a lucky run-in with her old friend Luke, an extremely talented royal court magician. Now she works at the royal court too, and it’s even better than she hoped it would be! Her coworkers are friendly, she gets to flex her muscles as a magician, and she’s been rising through the ranks almost as fast as Luke himself. It isn’t all smooth sailing, though. Noelle has already dealt with assassins, goblin hordes, and more—all while trying to adapt to the new environment of the royal capital. With a dragon waiting at her front door, it doesn’t look like her life is getting any quieter. How will she handle intimidating new opponents, such as a strict university professor and an elite swordsman? And what does Luke have planned for him and Noelle…? (Source: J-Novel Club)

Seekers of Love and Fame!

All For the Sake of Love

Having defeated dragons and gone toe-to-toe with the strongest mage in the country, for the blog’s latest review, I’m following Noelle’s journey as she faces her toughest challenges yet.

Still determined to showcase her skills as more than a mere commoner, Noelle’s continuing story in My Magical Career at Court has her attempting to climb to the top of magehood. Once again, her ambitions have her facing ever-tougher challenges, from a bought with the kingdom’s strongest knight to fighting on the frontlines in the world-famous dungeon. Additionally, Noelle isn’t the only one making moves. Luke, Noelle’s partner in crime, is also looking to make his dreams a reality.

In the second volume of the series, the story primarily focuses on the other member of the partner-in-crime duo, Luke. Ever in awe at the barriers Noelle’s able to smash through, both physical and emotional, Luke has come to see her as more than just a friend. In light of this revelation, as part of this volume, Luke attempts to move his romantic aspirations forward and ensure that Noelle can continue to live without restraint.

As a part of this storyline, we see a different side to Luke, which is quite out of the norm. When it comes to Noelle, Luke’s noble persona disappears, replaced by a shy and awkward young man in the throws of first love. Battling between keeping her as a friend or potentially ruining their relationship with a confession leads him to create roundabout ways to keep Noelle out of the sight of nobility.

Noelle Knows No Limits

As for Noelle’s part in the second volume, her abilities continue to defy everyone’s expectations. Unaware of Luke’s meddling behind the scenes, she deafly deals with all the challenges that come her way. The changing point in her attitude, however, comes during her mission in the kingdom’s infamous dungeon.

Fighting against the dungeon boss on the 80th layer is a task that even the powerhouse Noelle struggles with. To eventually defeat this terrifying nightmare requires both Noelle and Luke to fight in perfect harmony. A move that changes more than one opinion about Luke in Noelle’s mind.

To conclude, the second outing of My Magical Career at Court continues to keep up the first’s level of entertainment.

Switching focus to the duo’s other half has opened new possibilities. Developing the series’ romantic aspects and adding new depths to Luke’s character shows forethought for the series’ future. Meanwhile, this volume continues to showcase Noelle’s abilities in all their glory.

My Magical Career at Court Vol. 2

My Rating: 8/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the second volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

Jeanette the Genius: Defying My Evil Stepmother by Starting a Business with My Ride-or-Die Fiancé Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Shoujo

Sub-Tags: Business, Revenge, Banishment

Synopsis:

When Jeanette’s father suddenly goes missing, her evil stepmother seizes the opportunity to cast her out of the house! Now she’s left with no family, no belongings, and nowhere to live. But Jeanette the eternal optimist firmly believes in one thing: “Every crisis is an opportunity for growth!” Eager to face her new life, she has only one thing left to do to break free of her old—call off her engagement with the popular and beloved Count Claus! Little does she know the saintly gentleman she’s supposed to marry is secretly a blackhearted schemer, and he has other plans. In fact, he’s so madly in love with her, he’ll use any means necessary to stay by her side and assist her! Once the couple begins working together, Jeanette’s enterprising nature starts to shine. With her positive attitude, her natural genius, and her clever, besotted fiancé, can Jeanette triumph over adversity and earn back what’s rightfully hers? (Source: J-Novel Club)

The Trials of a Successful Businesswoman!

An Airhead with Acumen

Featuring an airheaded protagonist, revenge, and plenty of business acumen, for my latest review, I decided to pick up J-Novel Club’s newest acquisition from DRENovels – Jeanette the Genius.

Equal parts rom-com and revenge story, this latest pick-up by JNC follows the business misadventures of Jeanette. Gifted with an eye for business at a young age, this story finds her striving to become a successful businesswoman despite the male-dominated environment and an evil stepmother who wishes to thwart her at every turn.

With challenges compounding and a missing father to add to the mix, a normal person would quickly give up on their dreams. For Jeanette, however, she’s blessed with several elements that continue to drive her toward success.

Looking within herself, Jeanette’s eccentric attitude is one thing that constantly drives her forward. Airheaded and viewing everything as a new challenge to conquer, the unendingly stubborn belief in her abilities allows her to get the edge in the world of business. This almost superhuman-like positive attitude draws everyone in, and it isn’t hard to see why business partners, house servants, and friends all decide to stay by her side.

Mixing Love and Business

Away from her own attitude, her ever-loving fiancé, Claus, is another key point towards her success. Gifted in business in his own right, he’s always by Jeanette’s side, scheming to ensure that her revenge is seen through. Without his lengthy business connections, Jeanette would never have been able to acquire her father’s business, dealing the final nail in her stepmother’s coffin.

As for the rom-com aspect between Jeanette and Claus – it’s suitably fluffy and cute. Whilst it takes a while for Jeanette to see that Claus truly loves her, when they finally end up together, it makes for a welcome reprieve from the moments of unhinged hatred displayed by Jeanette’s stepmother and sister.

Whilst the series could never be considered trailblazing, it does what it knows well. It’s entertaining and well-paced, with the main characters coming across as lively and animated.

Overall, Jeanette the Genius‘ first volume makes for a solid addition to both the revenge and rom-com genres.

Jeanette the Genius Vol. 1

My Rating: 8/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke Vol. 4 Review

Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life, Shoujo

Sub-Tags: Video Games, Banishment, Strong Lead, Second Chances

Synopsis:

A new installment in the Eternal Love dating sim series promises plenty of surprises and new princely suitors for its protagonist, Claire Martino…but what if she’s perfectly happy with her current love? Prince Gilbert of Lupty is determined to win Claire’s hand via whatever means necessary, be it forcing cutscenes to activate or trapping her all on her lonesome in a kingdom far, far away. But Claire has no time for pesky would-be love interests, as her diabolical half sister, Charlotte, is still on the loose. Worse, the fate of the world hangs in the balance with an impending magical tornado that promises to level whole kingdoms and end countless lives. Claire must save the fictional universe she holds so dear without losing everyone and everything she cares for—but who will save Claire from Gilbert’s clutches? (Source: J-Novel Club)

Magical Tornados and Time Loops!

Claire and the Second Otome Game

After defeating time loops and stopping Charlotte, Claire and Vik can finally be happy. With nothing but sweet moments seemingly on the horizon, can anything stop their happiness? Perhaps the appearance of an Otome game sequel.

Attempting to tie up loose ends involving the magic tornado and Charlotte’s escape, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke’s fourth addition finds the series moving to the neighbouring kingdom of Lupty. Meant as a diplomatic visit for Claire to brush up on her magic, her supposedly quiet visit quickly escalates as the wheels on the second Otome game begin to turn, and a familiar face shows up to cause no end of trouble.

Key to the events of the second Otome game this time is Lupty’s, Prince Gilbert. Once thought of as a level-headed man, his memories of a previous life have turned him into quite a mess. Driven by his need to have everything follow the events of the game, his attempts at getting the good end between himself and Claire cause no end of problems.

Whilst this problem could’ve been quickly solved with the presence of Vik, Claire’s mission is a solo one meant to prove her skills as a member of the royal family. As a meeting between nations, to stop Gilbert’s obsession, Claire has to move carefully to avoid a diplomatic incident. As a result, the solution to the problem requires a little more thinking than usual, and it allows characters other than Claire and Vik to come up with a solution – in this case, Lui.

A Redemption Arc

If Prince Gilbert wasn’t enough for Claire and Lui to deal with, someone else has also managed to escape to Lupty – Charlotte. At the start of this volume, Charlotte still hasn’t come to terms with the fact that she’s done wrong and is continuing to trick and scheme in an attempt to find a royal fiancé.

While Charlotte continues to be an annoyance for most of the volume, things begin to change when she’s finally exiled to a convent. Isolated from the events of the game and forced to experience life outside the world of a protagonist proves to work wonders.

Through the perspective of a nun who lives in the convent, readers experience Charlotte’s slow but inevitable change thanks in no small part to an orphan child named Claire. In a well-realised step-by-step approach, we can see Charlotte lose sight of her main character syndrome, turning into a tsundere.

Overall, Fallen Daughter of the Duke’s fourth volume continues the series’ story in a way that feels natural and necessary.

While the fun capers of the Otome Game sequel are enjoyable, the real meat and bones of the volume come from the highlighting of side characters given major roles in the plot and the start of Charlotte’s redemption arc.

Charlotte’s redemption arc, in particular, deserves mentioning since it doesn’t shy away from long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.

The Fallen Daughter of the Duke Vol. 4

My Rating: 8.5/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the fourth volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

My Magical Career at Court: Living the Dream After My Nightmare Boss Fired Me from the Mages’ Guild! Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, School Life

Sub-Tags: Strong Lead, OP, Tsundere, Bickering Couple, Banishment

Synopsis:

Magic is everything to Noelle. She loves it so much that she puts up with her horrible job at the Mages’ Guild to practice it. The hours are long, the pay is rock-bottom, and the boss is a nightmare! But as long as she has magic, she can withstand the hardships. At least, until the day she hears these dreaded words:“You’re fired.” Noelle’s hometown in the outskirts of the kingdom doesn’t offer many alternatives for a career in magic—especially now that she’s been blacklisted from guild work! Just when it seems like all hope is lost, Noelle’s old friend Luke shows up to give her an opportunity she never could have imagined: a job as a royal court magician. Now Noelle is living the dream, rubbing shoulders with the kingdom’s greatest magicians and showing off her skills. She has a beautiful new workplace and a generous new boss, but how will she cope with intense entrance exams, her marriage-obsessed mother, and the rules of etiquette? What awaits Noelle in her magical new career? (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Battle of Rivals Racing to the Top!

A Rookie Climbs the Ranks

Few could quite be described as obsessed with magic as much as Noelle is. Magic has consumed her and is the only reason she’s been able to endure the hardships that life back in the boonies has brought. While for most, being fired and blacklisted from every magic organisation in town could spell the end for their magic, for Noelle, this spells the beginning of a new and exciting journey when an old friend uses the opportunity to make her his apprentice. What follows is the start of a light-hearted story about challenging people’s preconceived notions.

Beginning her journey as an apprentice to the royal court sorcerers, it isn’t long before her actions catch the attention of those around her. Humble to her own abilities, she outshines others by performing menial tasks in record time and being instrumental in saving the nation from several types of monster attacks. As a result, she easily gains the respect and admiration of those around her.

Unlike at her previous employ, Noelle’s perseverance and hard work pays off. In the royal court, good work doesn’t go unnoticed, resulting in the second-quickest rise in the ranks. Most would be pleased with these achievements, but Noelle simply can’t enjoy merely coming in second, especially if the pole position belongs to her rival, Luke.

Rivals, Friends, Lovers?

Whilst magic has always been there for her, it isn’t magic alone that has allowed her to progress to the levels she’s at today. Arguably of equal importance is her long-standing rivalry and friendship with fellow court sorcerer Luke.

The opening volume goes into great detail about their intertwining path, navigating the waters of rivalry to becoming best friends with the possibility of something more on the horizon. The constant bickering and bantering between them adds a wonderful comedic quality to the series whilst showcasing how deep their bond lies.

Noelle isn’t the only one touched by their bond with Luke also developing as a result of their relationship. Noelle is one of the very few to have touched this noble’s heart. Her genius and constant pushback against the world’s natural order was the wake-up call Luke needed to bring him out of the view that the world revolves around his every perfect action. Her representative challenge opened Luke towards a whole new world of emotions, eventually leading him to fall head-over-heels for the series’ protagonist.

Overall, My Magical Career at Court makes for a wonderful addition to the ever-growing list of J-Novel Club titles thanks to its well-placed comedic undertone and overwhelmingly positive atmosphere.

Whilst Noelle’s constant challenging of people’s preconceived notions is well realised, it’s hard to argue that the story’s best moments are often found in the interactions between Noelle and Luke. Constantly bickering but thick as thieves, they bring the story to life as they challenge each other to ever-greater goals.

With the opening volume ending on a cliffhanger, it’s hard to imagine that there won’t be more crazy adventures to come for this headstrong airhead.

My Magical Career at Court Vol. 1

My Rating: 8.5/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

Reincarnated Mage with Inferior Eyes Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Harem, School Life

Sub-Tags: Banishment, Reincarnation, OP, Strong Lead

Synopsis:

Good grief. After spending years traveling across the world, saving towns, defeating demons, and then finally killing the demon king, my party—the people I considered comrades—decided to kick me out. I’d honestly thought that they’d be different. They wouldn’t be like the rest of the world, who irrationally hate people like me, with Amber Eyes. But…I was wrong. In the end, it’s not their fault, though. It’s just how the world was back then. I was sure that with more time and understanding, the world would shed their preconceived notions about those with Amber Eyes and treat us as they would anyone else. I held on to this hope as I used my unique magecraft to reincarnate myself two hundred years into the future. Now, it’s time to find out if my guess was right! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Mage That’s Anything but Inferior!

The first of JNC’s new license pre-pubs to finish, the best way to describe the first volume of this series would be short but sweet.

Following on well-trodden ground, the premise revolves around Abel, a mage with amber eyes, who, upon helping the hero’s party defeat the demon lord is kicked out. Sick of the treatment those with amber eyes get, he reincarnates 200 years in the future, only to find that magic has become scarce and those with amber eyes outcast for completely different reasons.

The series isn’t anything you haven’t read before and stacks every trope under the sun in one of the shortest light novel series going. Ultimately, I think this is why the series is so hard to review; even though I enjoyed the story, I can’t exactly praise it for its original story developments.

In the Company of Nobles

The first half of the volume gets the majority of tropes leaning on the more annoying side of the line. Featuring a newly reincarnated Abel alongside Lilith, a demon child he once saved, now turned maid. The two hole up in a residence belonging to a local noble. These make for Abel’s first interactions in the new, modern world, and it’s fair to say he strikes up a fair few controversies.

On the slightly more negative side, the trope of duelling a stubborn, pig-headed noble raises its ugly head as the climax of this half of the story. Beyond making an enemy for later volumes, it provides little else other than catharsis for his actions.

However, there are plenty of positives to be found in this half, mainly in the actions of the local noble’s younger son, Ted. He’s a well-thought-out character using the evidence he sees to not judge Abel by the colour of his eyes but instead see him for his true abilities. As a result, he becomes Abel’s first friend in the modern world (even if Abel doesn’t agree).

Lilith is also set up as an intriguing character for the series. Throughout her 200 years of solitude, she has made quite the name for herself and has put a fair few important people into her debt – these are likely to become more apparent as the series progresses.

A Mage’s Connections

It’s Abel’s prospective academy life, the second half of the story, that has the most positive aspects to focus on.

Abel can be considered a rather cold personality and can be seen being indifferent to many characters throughout the volume. So, what’s great about this storyline is the attempted softening of this persona.

During the academy entrance exams, Abel has the opportunity to become closer friends with Ted and open the possibility of friendship with one of the hero’s descendants, and classic tsundere, Eliza. Invaluable connections if he’s to open up to the modern world experience.

Overall, whilst Inferior Eyes contains many of the genre’s overwhelming tropes, the series, nonetheless, remains enjoyable. With the series ending with Abel gaining new connections in the modern world, I remain hopeful that something good can develop from this.

Reincarnated Mage with Inferior Eyes Vol. 1

My Rating: 7/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! If you like what I do and want to see more, consider supporting me by buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside Vol. 7 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life

Sub-Tags: Banishment, OP, Strong Lead, Cute, Heartwarming

Synopsis:

Far from the battle with the demon lord’s army, another fight is brewing in Zoltan. The Veronian warship in the harbour declares war on the peaceful frontier region. Red left the battlefield behind him a long time ago, but to protect those he loves and his peaceful days, he takes up his sword again! (Source: Yen Press)

The Pirates Invasion of Zoltan!

Returning to a series filled with pirate troubles, the latest review of the week catches up with Red and the gang, who are still in the midst of a standoff in Zoltan.

The Secrets of Veronia

As the plot is at a bit of a standoff, readers will find the latest volume of Banished from the Hero’s Party more action-centric than usual. This can only be seen as a good thing as the plot moving forward requires everything to be a bit more go, go, go.

Most of this volume’s slice-of-life aspects appear at the start of the volume – a sort of “calm before the storm” situation with Red and Rit enjoying each other company as they go for a walk in the rain.

After Red and Rit’s little jaunt in the rain, it isn’t long before Red encounters some new Veronian ‘friends.’ A quick battle between Lilinrala and Red reveals an even deeper twist to the arc and the real reason behind her actions.

One of the better and more detailed blessings, it seems the Emperor’s skill didn’t just snare Mistorm and Leonor, but Lilinrala too. Prince Salius may not be of Mistorm’s blood, but he does happen to be both part elf and have a passing resemblance to Lilinrala. As a result of this information coming to light, the two groups may have more in common than first thought, and their mutual assistance will be more than needed as Leonor plans to pay Zoltan more than just a passing visit.

A Most Evil Woman

The big bad of this volume and arc, so to speak, is Leonor, Queen of Veronia. She’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting antagonists of the series so far, and this volume does well to characterise her motives.

The first lot of development is given as a part of an interlude into Red’s past. They met each other whilst he worked as a member of the kingdom’s knights. In their time together, it’s clear how accustomed to manipulation and scheming she is, from setting up kidnapping attempts and staged battles. All in aid of gauging Red’s abilities and his potential as a mate.

When she doesn’t get her way, she spares no effort to ensure they never cross her again!

This characterisation is doubled down upon when she makes her appearance in Zoltan. Fake pleasantries are quickly put aside as the people refuse to surrender Mistorm to the invaders.

She’s a selfish, psychopathic narcissist. She’ll do anything to satisfy her own desires, and nothing and no one will stand in her way. Everything she does, from poisoning her own sister and husband to selling out Veronia to Asura demons, are all in her own self-interest and for her own amusement. She is a villain in the truest sense of the word.

Additionally, this volume confirms what makes someone truly strong within the confines of this fantasy world. A strong blessing isn’t everything, especially when its influence can have such an impact on someone’s life. What makes someone truly strong is their ability to overcome this influence or to be able to live a life beyond its effects. This is true for Red, Rit and even Ruti, but it’s even more true for someone like Leonor. She’s level 1, has never killed anyone, and has gotten to positions not thought possible for those with only a warrior’s blessing. A blessing’s control is only as strong as the influence you let it have over you.

To conclude, Banished’s latest volume still keeps the series feeling fresh. Leonor makes for a fantastic villain, and I love how her appearance adds so much to the overall lore of how blessings work. With the epilogue introducing the startings of the next arc, I’m looking forward to what comes next!

Banished from the Hero’s Party Vol. 7

My Rating: 9/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! If you like what I do and want to see more, consider supporting me by buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

You can read the seventh volume of this series digitally and physically from the distributors listed on the Yen Press website.

Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke Vol. 3 Review

Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life, Shoujo

Sub-Tags: Video Games, Banishment, Strong Lead, Second Chances

Synopsis:

A newfound harmony flourishes between the kingdoms of Noston and Paffuto, and beyond international relations, fresh opportunities for friendships and romance arise! As their relationship deepens, Vik wants to help Claire face her scheming half-sister, Charlotte, at the upcoming ball. Although there’s no save point before this boss encounter, Claire is now equipped with a mysterious arcane treasure that’s always been surprisingly close at hand and also has a party of friends to support her. They just might put a stop to Charlotte’s furor…but the younger Martino daughter is not afraid to resort to underhanded tricks! (Source: J-Novel Club)

The Otome Game’s Full Circle!

Starting the new week off is the first of three newly finished pre-pubs as Claire’s Otome journey reaches the end of its first arc.

Entering its third volume, Claire’s story continues towards the original tragedy at the ball. Still searching for a way to keep everyone safe, salvation may come in the form of a family heirloom; a bracelet given to her by her late mother holds the key to a power-up that could stop Charlotte’s schemes. However, when Charlotte unexpectedly arrives in Paffuto things go awry in the worst ways possible!

Engagements and Annulments

The Fallen Daughter of the Duke’s latest volume feels as though the series has finally come full circle. Ending this volume where the story first began – on a breaking off of an engagement – only this time to a character that is more deserving due to her schemes and troublemaking, making the ending of the first arc an overall satisfying experience.

Equal parts poetic and cliché, this is the only type of ending I can imagine for an annoying character like Charlotte that isn’t overly cruel or just an easy escape for her to cause more trouble. As, whilst her actions are reprehensible, she causes them out of delusion rather than with malicious intent.

Marking the end of the first game’s Otome troubles, this volume also features several happy endings. The first is the most obvious, Vik and Claire, freed from the shadow of Charlotte, make their engagement and love official. The second happens between Asbert and Nicola. There were obvious signs of this relationship blossoming, but it’s nice to witness all the same.

The most interesting happy ending comes with the friendly relationship between Asbert and Vik. Ensuring the two nations don’t go to war as in the previous timeline, the friendship between them could have great implications for any future problems that Vik and Claire may face from other nations.

Ancestry and Legends

To get to these happy endings, however, Claire must hope that the power in her mother’s bracelet can offer a saving grace. Amplifying the user’s magic, with the bracelet’s power unlocked, Claire would easily be able to protect everyone at the ball by creating a large-scale barrier.

The key to unlocking the bracelet’s power requires the help of one of the final characters yet to be reintroduced after the first volume, Isabella. She’s the one who’s able to solve the puzzle behind the bracelet thanks to her literary knowledge. What’s more, it’s great that the author has used a bit of forethought in having the connections Claire made in the original timeline come help her achieve a happy end in this one.

Unfortunately, one major problem with this final plotline revolves around Charlotte’s visit to Paffuto and the inevitable trouble she causes. Claire, Vik and the rest of the group show a remarkable lack of obvious hindsight. Failing to mark Charlotte or keep the bracelet safe from her grasp, Charlotte steals the bracelet for the upcoming ball.

It comes over as completely unbelievable that a group of the kingdom’s brightest would look over something so crucial, especially when Charlotte and the bracelet could have such a devastating impact on everyone.

Concluding its first arc, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke’s third volume manages to reach a satisfying ending even with some of the series’ rather unbelievable coincidences. Other than Charlotte, every main character got their happy ending that felt well deserved and a natural progression from their starting point. This series has certainly placed itself well for a continuation into what I assume will be the Kingdom of Lupty.

Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke Vol. 3

My Rating: 8.5/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! You can also help support my work by buying me a coffee over on my Ko-Fi account.

You can read the third volume of this series digitally and in pre-pub format on the J-Novel Club website.