heartwarming – Faceless One Blog

A Surprisingly Happy Engagement for the Slime Duke and the Fallen Noble Lady Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life

Sub-Tags: Cute, Heartwarming

Synopsis:

After her sister’s engagement to the crown prince is broken off suddenly, tragedy strikes, and Lady Francette and her family lose all of their wealth and status. Left with nothing but her name and determination, Francette moves to the slums and ekes out a living selling homemade pastries. That’s when she meets an unlikely new friend named Wibble, a talking slime who introduces her to the one and only slime duke himself: Gabriel! To her surprise, the unusually stoic Gabriel soon asks for Francette’s hand in marriage–and she accepts. Now she must adapt to Triste and its eccentric people, and she soon finds herself breathing life into the strange but endearing backwater. What was once a marriage of convenience becomes something much more in time…and—of course—expect lots of slime! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Land of Slimes, Slimes and More Slimes!

Written by Mashimesa Emoto and illustrated by Kasumi Nagi, J-Novel Club’s latest series involves a surprise proposal and plenty of friendly slimes.

A Surprisingly Happy Engagement for the Slime Duke is another series that adds to the ever-growing roster of fallen nobility given cute, happy endings. Typical of the genre, the story centres around Francette, a perfect mild-mannered young lady whose situation has become fraught after her ducal family was disgraced.

With her father too busy having affairs, Francette is forced to make ends meet by baking cakes, that is, until a knight in shining (or should I say slimy) armour shows up in her hour of need.

If everything I’ve written about the series so far seems generic, then you’d be right on the money. Everything about this series could be summed up by any number of reviews that I’ve already written on the genre already. From the perfect young lady, the strong yet demure love interest, to the threats that they face together, it’s all been done before and you’ll know the conclusion to the story before it’s even begun.

Whilst there’s nothing inherently wrong with being generic, in fact, there’s a nice comfort factor to the series, I do find myself wishing that there was something more on offer, especially with the series’ strongest aspect, the slimes.

The veritable twist in the fallen noble tale, the slimes take the form of both man-eating monsters and miracle helpers, once tamed. The main window into the actions of these creatures is through Wibble, Gabriel’s first slime and Fran’s faithful helper. Wibble acts as a great piece of comic relief. His tumultuous relationship with Gabriel serves as a way to bridge the gap between the fantasy’s two lovebirds.

Unfortunately, Wibble is the only slime we get to know throughout the volume, and as a result, the series’ main twist ends up lacking a certain level of depth. By the end of the first volume, both slime culture and why slimes act the way they do once tamed remain a mystery.

Despite a generic setting, Slime Duke’s first volume makes for a good spare afternoon’s comfort read. As mentioned previously, there’s nothing wrong with generic and Wibble’s antics about Triste can make up for almost any fault in the series.

Regrettably, a comfort read this series must remain. With little to no depth beyond the usual paint-by-numbers plot, it hardly makes an impact in an already saturated market.

Slime Duke Vol. 1

My Rating: 6/10

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.

The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects Vol. 3 Review

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

Sub-Tags: OP, Strong Lead, Family, Heartwarming

Synopsis:

It’s summer on the grassy plains. With war behind him, Dias has his hands full with everything daily life can throw at him. There’s the new but strangely familiar merchant, the dogkin refusing to spend their hard earned coin, and the appearance of some of Dias’s old friends and family, each of whom has their own reasons for searching him out. On top of it all, Dias is about to meet Alna’s brother, who is convinced he has to rescue his sister from the evil new lord of the plains! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Family Affair Out on the Frontier!

Fresh from defeating Diane and her evil machinations, the latest volume out on the plains turns out to be a family affair.

Scaling back the action and the scheming of royalty, the third volume of The Frontier Lord focuses more on the slice-of-life aspects of the story. As Dias’ territory has grown over the past three volumes, news of his lordship has started to travel far and wide, reaching the attention of those who want more than to settle in the frontier. This time around, each of the visitors to the frontier has personal connections to either Dias or Alna and provides interesting insight into their growth as characters.

A strong yet kind protector defines Dias’ character. Throughout the volume, revelations reveal that these foundations began with his parents and were honed through his time at the orphanage. The tough times that Dias and the others went through in the orphanage mean that even now that they’re adults, they all still refer to Dias lovingly as either a Dad or big brother.

As for Alna, her visitor to the plains reveals a time of family hardship. With her absentee brother returning on the news of Alna’s marriage, it becomes instantly clear why she would favour Dias as a partner. Dias is a dependable provider, unlike her brother. He’s gullible and too trusting, traits that saw him lose the family savings and leave them in dire straits. With his return to the tribe by the end of the volume, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for healing over the coming volumes.

The Baar Hierarchy

Beyond the main plot of the third volume, there are plenty of entertaining and hilarious side stories to enjoy. The most entertaining of which comes from another episode in the Baar’s nature documentary.

This time, the episode focuses on the Baar’s leadership and hierarchy. When two males arrive on the scene, these sheep-like creatures take a rather novel approach to settling who gets to become leader. Rather than fight it out, they take the more pacifist approach of choosing which male has the best song. This is a fitting solution, given that these creatures are said to have similar intelligence to humans.

Overall, The Frontier Lord’s third instalment keeps the series feeling fresh and entertaining. Key to the series’ longevity, this time around, comes from the development of its deuteragonists. Both get a part of their past revealed throughout the volume, offering interesting insights into how they became the people that they are.

The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects Vol. 3

My Rating: 9/10

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.

Even Dogs Go to Other Worlds: Life in Another World with My Beloved Hound Vol. 4 Review

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

Sub-Tags: Cute, Heartwarming, Medicine, Pets

Synopsis:

A Slow Life Where There’s Always Someone To Welcome You Home!

Together, Takumi and Leo were successful in warding off the Orc attack on the village of Lange. A fake merchant they find there finally tells them what they need to know—the Yugard store in Ractos is selling diluted medicine to people. Takumi and company are outraged at the dark truths that come to light.

“All preparations have been made, milady.”

“We’re finally ready to take on the Yugard store now.”

Finally, the time has come for the vile merchants to pay for their crimes! (Source: Cross Infinite World)

Takumi Takes the Fight Straight to the Source!

Picking back up with Takumi and Leo in the middle of a pursuit, the latest instalment of Even Dogs sees the Libert family representatives embroiled in a fight between the Duke and their neighbour, Count Bastler. With those under the Count’s employ causing mischief and mayhem throughout Ractos and the surrounding villages, Takumi and the Libert family must be clever to catch them in the act and make them pay.

A Count’s Dirty Deals

The fourth volume of Ryuuou’s fluffy fantasy follows Takumi and the rest of the gang as they move to resolve the series’ latest arc surrounding Count Bastler’s schemes. Causing an outbreak and profiteering off the resulting suffering has led the cast of Even Dogs to decide that justice must be served.

This plot leads to a surprising change to the usual stance of passivity set across by light novel protagonists as Takumi is well and truly in favour of seeing the Count and his cronies pay. Whilst the scheme is nothing over the top, it does successfully land eggs on the perpetrators’ faces in a way that doesn’t detract from the series’ usual cute style. Moreover, it shows that Takumi has thoroughly integrated himself into the fantasy world and its people by viewing their suffering as his own.

As well as bringing the perpetrator to justice, the resolution to the series’ latest arc also brings some new characters into the fold. Chief among them is Anrinnelesse. Count Bastler’s daughter and whistleblower, her character holds much promise for the future of the series. Otome villainess adjacent and completely uncompromising, she’s sure to keep Claire on her toes about her feelings for Takumi.

As an aside, whilst most of the volume’s runtime is dedicated to finishing off the arc, there are still plenty of the fun, slice-of-life moments this series is known for. There are Leo antics galore, with the Duke’s riding lessons being a particular highlight.

Overall, the latest volume of Even Dogs Go to Other Worlds continues this series’ fun-loving spirit. Successfully managing to resolve its newest arc, the fourth volume introduces interesting new characters that positively add to the fantasy world. Additionally, the volume develops Takumi, showcasing his resolve to those around him and how far he’s managed to integrate into his new surroundings.

Even Dogs Vol. 4

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 sixth volume of this series digitally through the distributors listed on the Cross Infinite World website.

The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects Vol. 2 Review

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

Sub-Tags: OP, Strong Lead, Family, Heartwarming

Synopsis:

Life just keeps getting busier for Dias as he makes the best of his homestead out on the grassy plains. Realizing he needs a stable source of food for his people, he tries his hand at farming but quickly learns raising crops is harder than he thought. On top of that, he’s got new residents to welcome in the form of three dogkin clans, all of them brimming with energy and hungry for a new life. But juggling the challenges of his own domain isn’t all Dias has to worry about. Unbeknownst to him, Princess Diane is planning an invasion, and she has quite the ace up her sleeve… (Source: J-Novel Club)

Dias Plants the Seeds of Success!

Having set the foundations for his territory, the second instalment of The Frontier Lord finds Dias looking for new and exciting ways to develop his territory.

With Dias’ territory growing in population by the day, the latest volume in the series finds the Lord of Nezrose looking for new ways of feeding his folk. Settling on cultivating the land, Dias will have to come up with a novel solution if he’s to overcome the territory’s dead soil problem, and that’s only part of what Dias will have to deal with. The succession for the throne has become evermore fierce, and his twin daughters seem to be hiding something big from him and Alna!

Cultivation and Succession Battles

In its sequel outing, The Frontier Lord continues to prove why it’s one of the strongest slice-of-life fantasy series presently on the market. The second volume follows from the first with a set of equally entertaining storylines ranging from action to comedy and politics.

It begins, this time, with my favourite story contained within the volume. A Senai and Ayhan-focused story, it’s a low-stakes comedic adventure that stars the two of them as they help their father turn barren land into a field of crop-filled dreams.

It’s a story that explores the twins’ past, revealing them as Forestkin and shows how comfortable the two are becoming in Dias and Alna’s presence. Moreover, the storyline also introduces the readers to Aymer, the long-eared Mousekin. Another great addition to the ever-growing side-cast, she’s perfect for filling in the role of educator and strategist.

The second main storyline of the volume takes a more serious tone. Following on from the succession story in the opening outing, things have started to heat up in the royal capital.

Whilst he beats Diane predictably quickly again in this volume, the storyline gives some intriguing insight into the other royal factions. Prince Richard gets the most focus. The only smart one of the bunch, he knows to keep well away from Dias and will likely be the best path to success for Nezrose’s future.

Overall, The Frontier Lord’s second instalment continues the strong slice-of-life vibes that began in its premier outing.

Whilst the first volume focused on Dias and Alna and settling the territory, the second expands its universe by creating stories that develop the world-building and characters. Of particular note is the story focusing on the twins. It cleverly mixes in insights into how they are settling into Dias’ family whilst also taking the form of a low-stakes comedic adventure.

The Frontier Lord Vol. 2

My Rating: 9/10

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.

I’m Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness Vol. 3 Review

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

Sub-Tags: Cute, Heartwarming, Personal Growth, Family

Synopsis:

Ever since the misanthropic Dark Overlord Allen rescued runaway Charlotte, his secluded mansion has grown more and more lively. One day, he is shocked to discover by chance that it’s Charlotte’s birthday tomorrow. Everyone else brings her gifts, but he hasn’t prepared anything to celebrate! With his dignity as a boyfriend on the line, he racks his brains for the best present ever—but something strange befalls Charlotte… What secrets lie hidden in her past and identity? Will the lovebirds finally muster up the courage to share their first kiss? What awaits them on their family trip to Ryugukyo, the mysterious snowy resort? Things come to a head with the schemers behind Charlotte’s plight in this adventurous climax! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Naughty Final Confrontation!

After reuniting with her sister, the climactic volume in the Crash Course in Naughtiness series sees Allen and Charlotte enact their naughtiest pleasure yet – revenge!

In the latest chapter of this sweet rom-com, the action begins as the date nears Charlotte’s birthday. A supposedly momentous occasion, it’s an event that has Allen all up in trepidation. To kiss or not to kiss? And that’s not all that waiting for the blossoming couple. A surprise visitor from the past and an unfortunate meeting in the present will test this cute couple to their absolute limits.

A Birthday to Remember

As Allen and Charlotte’s relationship begins to blossom, an Evans family affair proves to be a final stumbling block to their happily ever after. All starting on Charlotte’s birthday, Allen’s wholesome anxieties about the right time to take the next step is interrupted by his significant others reincarnation syndrome.

With the first saint, Lydillia, stuck in Charlotte’s body, it quickly becomes apparent that Charlotte isn’t the first to get the short end of the stick in the Evans family. A tragic tale of duty and disease reveals that the saint may not be as ready to move on as she makes out.

Struggling to come to a solution, Allen’s magic turns out to be the key. Able to separate the two, the series goes into cuteness overload as Allen and Charlotte welcome Lydia into their ever-growing family as their adoptive daughter.

This isn’t the only family drama for Charlotte to deal with in the volume. Acting as the grande finale, the series finally tackles the confrontation between Charlotte, her parents and her fiancé.

Taking the form of a naughty revenge plot, the climax of Charlotte’s arc is handled adeptly by the author. It takes in Charlotte’s personality, her development over the three volumes, and the style of the series to provide a conclusion that gives the antagonists their just desserts, as well as not going too far to where it feels off-putting.

Overall, A Crash Course in Naughtiness provides everything and more as it ties up loose ends and prepares for a happy ending. For the third volume, the story goes into cuteness overdrive as it builds on creating the perfect family for Allen and Charlotte. Moreover, the story provides a satisfying conclusion to the betrayal arc that’s been ongoing since the series’ inception.

A Crash Course in Naughtiness Vol. 3

My Rating: 9/10

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 Ephemeral Scenes of Setsuna’s Journey Vol. 2 Review

Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Heartwarming, OP, Strong Lead, Weak to Strong

Synopsis:

Every Family is Unique

Setsuna continues his journey with his apprentice Alto in tow. Along the way, Alto experiences a host of new feelings toward Setsuna—from doubt to envy to love—as their teacher-pupil relationship evolves. But the pair’s bond is put to the test when Setsuna is attacked by two beastfolk who mistake him for a slave trader and attempt to separate them. Still, this is but one more trial they will have to overcome as Setsuna and Alto happen upon a mysterious woman in a cave and they begin to consider what it means to be family… (Source: Yen Press)

The Beginning of a Hero’s Journey!

A Troubling Start

Following on from Setsuna’s brief stop in Gardir, my latest review returns the blog to the Ephemeral Scenes of Setsuna’s Journey as both he and Alto finally start the trip of a lifetime.

Beginning their long journey, the latest volume of Setsuna’s Journey finds the Master and Apprentice making their way towards the nation of Kutt. Styled as a journey of self-discovery and exploration, they’ll travel to experience all the world has to offer, including its people. From beastfolk mercenaries to imprisoned dragon maidens, each will provide our titular protagonists with a new perspective on the fantasy world.

After the positive developments brought forth in the series opener, the second instalment begins by building on this momentum. This starts almost as soon as their trip begins when the author once again focuses on the series’ strong point of character-driven narratives.

Known as Rudol and Kara, these beastfolk mercenaries aren’t afraid to use force against those they believe are harming other beastfolk. To put an end to their murderous intentions, Setsuna agrees to have them follow the pair as they make their way to Kutt. To convince them that he means no harm to Alto, Setsuna intends to both tell and show them on their short trip together. With each passing step, Setsuna’s actions toward Alto, as both a parental figure and Master, manage to turn their opinion of him around. His firm but fair nature ensures that the two mercenaries are convinced that Alto is in safe hands – a considerable achievement given Rudol and Kara’s history with humans.

This part of the journey also reveals some much-needed insight into Alto’s thinking as well. In the short time that he and Setsuna have spent together, Alto has begun to see him as someone extremely important in his life. This is showcased when, in the company of the two mercenaries, Alto willingly comes to Setsuna’s defence, even against opponents beyond his level.

The Passion of Dragonfolk

Reaching Kutt by the second half of the volume, the story turns to focus on Setsuna and his impact on the world and vice-versa. For only the second time in the history of the series, something breaks Setsuna from his stoicism.

Whilst searching for medicinal herbs in Kutt, Setsuna and Alto stumble across a prison uniquely designed to hold dragonfolk. Upon seeing the woman held inside, to say that his reaction was love at first sight is a bit of an understatement. It’s out of character but fitting, given that his body and experiences have changed since being in Japan.

Overall, the latest volume of The Ephemeral Scenes of Setsuna’s Journey exceeds expectations.

As Setsuna and Alto begin their grand journey, it is one fraught and filled with adventure. From their interactions with the mercenaries and their confessions with the dragon maiden, the second volume in the series hits all the right emotional and character beats.

Setsuna’s Journey Vol. 2

My Rating: 9/10

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 and physically through the list of distributors found on the Yen Press website.

Now I’m a Demon Lord! Happily Ever After with Monster Girls in My Dungeon Vol. 7 Review

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

Sub-Tags: Cute, Heartwarming, Dungeons, OP, Game Elements

Synopsis:

This time around, a plot to ruin Nell gets in the way of Yuki’s ideal life! Yuki’s exciting second life as a demon lord in another world continues. He and Nell arrive safely at Alisia’s royal capital, where they immediately set off to explain her situation to the king. There, they learn of a nefarious scheme designed to undermine Nell’s role as the country’s hero. Determined to find and crush those intent on hurting his precious wife, Yuki uses all the skills and tools at his disposal to gather information. And when he learns that the mastermind is planning to attack at the royal ball, Yuki, with the king on his side, makes his move to settle things once and for all! (Source: J-Novel Club)

Yuuki’s Royal Problems Return!

What Makes a Hero

Continuing his demon lord antics in a new world, my latest review calls back upon Yuuki as he faces a problem of royal proportions.

After discovering that the threats in Alisia are far from over, the seventh volume of Now I’m a Demon Lord finds Yuuki and Nell in the royal capital. Far from a visit to his old friend, the king, Yuuki’s visit concerns a nefarious scheme surrounding Nell. Someone within the royal courts is pulling the strings to undermine Nell’s actions as a hero by throwing all sorts of problems her way, from monster attacks to vicious societal ploys. With his wife under attack, Yuuki will do anything within his power to stop these fiends before they succeed.

Back in the royal capital, and it quickly becomes clear that Yuuki and Lefi aren’t the only power couple in the series. With the focus switched away from the dungeon, it allows the second official coupling of the series, Nell and Yuuki, a chance to stretch their wings and become closer. Investigating a new scheme that involves Nell proves to do a world of good for their blossoming relationship. To stop these schemers in their tracks, the two must fight, think and dance together to get an edge on their opponents.

As for the schemers themselves, whilst most are easily brought down by Yuuki’s clever use of theatrics, their leader makes an interesting introduction to the series. Surviving relatively unscathed from the incident, his ideology revolving around the nation’s survival beyond all else will cause a fair few challenges for Yuuki as the series presses forward.

Upon closing the incident in the royal capital, these events give Nell some pause for thought, whether to stay in the dungeon or continue to be a hero. Deciding on a hybrid between the two, the climax of the volume finds her leaving the dungeon.

Nell’s departure brings out a rare sentimentality in Yuuki, a man normally seen as a hedonistic thrill-seeker. It’s a touching moment that shows, behind the jokes, that he cares about those he loves deeply.

A Dungeon’s New Guest

In the interim, there are also plenty of slice-of-life moments to enjoy in this volume as well. These are best highlighted when the dungeon plays host to a new guest, the king’s daughter, Ilyr.

With the others so used to their life in the fantastical place, it’s nice, once in a while, to get a new first-time perspective on the comfy life the dungeon provides. Moreover, this experience is especially poignant for Ilyr. As a member of the royal family, playtime comes as a rare occurrence, and life in the dungeon offers an opportunity, however small, for Ilyr to act like any normal kid should.

Overall, the latest volume of Now I’m a Demon Lord continues to let the series shine. This time around, its main highlights surround Nell and Yuuki’s relationship and the new guests hosted in the dungeon.

Quickly giving the original couple a run for its money, the development between Nell and Yuuki shows just how much of a natural fit the two of them are together. By the end of the volume, the author showcases several clear reasons why their relationship should be seen with as much merit as Yuuki and Lefi’s.

Furthermore, even the slice-of-life sections in this volume aren’t without their purpose. With Ilyr’s first introduction to the labyrinth, we’re given an interesting perspective on what a fluffy dungeon life could mean to those who could have everything they could possibly ever want.

Now I’m a Demon Lord Vol. 7

My Rating: 9/10

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 seventh volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

I Only Have Six Months to Live, So I’m Gonna Break the Curse with Light Magic or Die Trying Vol. 3 Review

Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Harem, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Heartwarming, Spirits, Strong Lead

Synopsis:

My academy life continues, but I hate the unfair caste system that causes discrimination in the school. I know I can’t change it all by myself, but I can’t just stand back and let this inequality continue. Meanwhile, I decide to investigate a large hole that mysteriously appeared in the academy. What secrets does it hold? Can it help me get rid of my curse? I’m excited to learn everything I can, but I’m suddenly transported to unknown ruins while a dangerous monster awakens from its centuries-long slumber. I have to get out of here so that I can save my friends and my kingdom before it’s too late! (Source: J-Novel Club)

Callus and the Beings of Darkness!

Attack of the Darkness

Still determined to discover the truth behind his curse, my latest light novel review follows Callus in his third outing as a mysterious hole appears on academy grounds.

Written by Genkotsu Kumano, the latest edition of Six Months to Live continues Callus’ journey within the academy. The joys of everyday school life don’t last, however, when proceedings are interrupted by the appearance of a mysterious hole in the academy. Deep within the hole lie previously unexplored ruins that hold many secrets. For Callus, these ruins could hold the secret behind taboo beings and something much darker as well.

As the series finishes its third volume, the decisions that are shaping the overall journey of the story are beginning to take shape. Alongside Callus’ longstanding goal of curing his curse, the latest volume adds the antagonists that’ll attempt to hinder his progress. Known as beings of pure darkness, these creatures have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike, and the opening of the academy ruins provides just that.

Pretty analogous to the genre as a whole, these beings of darkness do find several ways of standing out. The first is their potential. Beings of Darkness are intelligent and can change their shape at will, providing a smorgasbord of possibilities in the future. The second is their power scaling. The battle between our heroes and the beings are evenly matched, leaving plenty of room for growth in the main characters’ strength.

The First Taboo Being

Dark beings aren’t the only things hidden in the ruins. For Callus, a dragon statue located within the ruins holds new revelations about his curse.

Transported alongside The Saint away from the action, the statue reveals a hidden dimension home to the first king’s former companion. Whilst there, Callus learns more hints about his condition and their relation in regards to Arth, the first king.

The news about the future of his curse isn’t inherently good, but it does keep the mystery ticking. With a true timeframe now in place, developments should come in thick and fast in future volumes.

In conclusion, Six Months to Live’s third volume provides excellent stepping stones as the series looks towards its future. With the introduction of long-term antagonists and a tangible timeline given on Callus’ curse, the plot is shaping nicely alongside Callus’ infectiously positive attitude.

Six Months to Live Vol. 3

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

I Guess This Dragon Who Lost Her Egg to Disaster is My Mom Now Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Shounen

Sub-Tags: Gender Bender, Heartwarming, Second Chances

Synopsis:

The Way Of The Dragon Is The Way To Become Strong!

XXXX, a man used and abused for general tasks by his adventuring party, finds himself on the verge of death in dragon territory in the Kugus Mountains after a party member stabs him in the back. Literally. Next time he opens his eyes, he’s in the nest of a red dragon named Kaphal whose egg was destroyed in a natural disaster. Having lost both his memories and his name, he turns instead into a young girl named Lushera. And apparently Kaphal plans to raise Lushera as her own daughter…? This is the story of the odd fate binding one dragon and one human, the story of an unconventional mother and daughter. (Source: Cross Infinite World)

The Man Reborn as a Dragon’s Daughter!

Survival on Mount Kugus

Written by Suzume Kirisaki and illustrated by Cosmic, my latest review looks into a newly released light novel series highlighted by a most unusual mother-daughter pairing.

On the surface, The Dragon Who Lost Her Egg could draw a comparison with another dragon-rearing series, Dragon Daddy Diaries. Beyond the similar bond between their protagonists, however, the two couldn’t be more different.

More mature and mystery-focused, the story finds the series’ protagonist in the most unusual situation after being literally stabbed in the back by his former adventuring party. Changed into a girl named Lushera, her new life begins with a series of incomprehensible developments. Not only does a foggy haze keep Lushera from memories of her old life, but a dragon named Kaphal seems more than eager to raise her as a dragon’s daughter. With the two awkwardly learning the roles of mother and child, a strange fate seems to be binding the two together.

The start of this series sees the story split between Lushera’s new life as the daughter of a dragon and her old life, represented by the actions of his former party, The Seven-Sided Die.

The parental relationship between Lushera and Kaphal starts as the very definition of the odd couple. Unable to communicate and neither knowing much about the other’s way of life leads to many misunderstandings and false starts. Over time, however, their relationship develops into a uniquely heartwarming affair.

In her own way, Kaphal cares for Lushera like any doting mother would; it’s only the method that’s changed. Licking Lushera clean and having her fight monsters is a dragon’s way of trying to get their offspring stronger and healthier. Kaphal’s actions eventually get through to Lushera, and the author does well to visualise the strong bond of love the two forge.

A Dragon About Town

The novel’s latter half sees Lushera and Kaphal’s new bond tested. Becoming aware of a threat to the mountain finds the two looking for allies in the nearest human town. It’s here that the volume’s mystery begins to unfold, as well as the fate of Lushera’s former party.

Within a town that knew her previous identity, small pieces of information begin to fit together, revealing the true nature of the nameless adventuring manager. With a shocking reveal that should’ve caused a rift between the protagonists, it ends up making them stronger and makes the actions of the final fight feel all the more deserved.

As for the Seven-Sided Die, whilst their story begins rather typically for a banishment setting, it grows from strength to strength with the introduction of Lushera’s former adventurer card. What follows for the party and Gimmel in particular is a slow descent into madness.

With their adventuring manager still alive and growing stronger beyond human comprehension, they quickly realise that a nasty fate awaits them. With few good options ahead of them, their motivations for self-destructive behaviour and eventual treachery are understandable. In turn, the author has fleshed out what are usually comically evil villains, making their eventual end all the more satisfying.

Overall, The Dragon Who Lost Her Egg’s opening instalment makes for a strong start to the series. Its strength comes from the development of the relationship between the two protagonists as they move through stages from a comedic odd-couple to a heartfelt parent-child bond that can survive even the toughest of upheavals.

As a story, it has all the potential of becoming a well-written and character-driven long-running series.

The Dragon Who Lost Her Egg Vol. 1

My Rating: 9/10

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 Cross Infinite World website.

You Were Experienced, I Was Not: Our Dating Story Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Gyaru, Cute, Heartwarming

Synopsis:

Kashima Ryuto is a gloomy high-schooler who quietly spends his days watching his crush, the beautiful Shirakawa Runa, from afar. She rules the school and has had no shortage of boyfriends. Although Ryuto is fully convinced she’d never accept him, fate leads him to confess his feelings to her anyway. To his astonishment, she accepts—simply because she’s “available” at the time—but the surprises don’t end there. She immediately invites him over as if it’s the most natural thing in the world! This odd couple is different in just about every way—the friends they keep, their hobbies, their love lives—but with every passing day, they grow a little bit closer. This may not be Runa’s first relationship, but their dating story is going to be full of firsts for them both! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Relationship of Differences!

The Gloomy High-Schooler and the Gyaru

The second of JNC’s newest licenses with an anime currently airing, Makiko Nagoaoka’s fluffy rom-com series, Our Dating Story, makes for the focus of my latest review.

Not what most would consider a conventional paring, the story of Our Dating Story follows the blossoming relationship between the gloomy high-schooler, Ryuto, and his new girlfriend, the shining Gyaru, Runa. Whilst Runa only originally accepts his confession because she’s available, Ryuto is determined to make their romance a reality and make Runa’s ideals of love come true. What follows is a series full of firsts that’ll turn their love-fantasy into a love-reality.

Deciding on the cute and fluffy approach to the rom-com genre, this series sets itself apart almost immediately by making its female lead experienced. Not getting a large showing in this genre style, this series manages to get away with an experienced lead by suggesting that Runa’s exes have only ever been after one thing and that she’s never truly experienced the other joys of dating.

Determined to have true love blossom between them then, Ryuto’s approach sees him take the slow and steady route.

Throughout the first volume, Ryuto shows Runa that he views her as an individual rather than the Runa cultivated by rumours or her ex-boyfriends. He showcases this by taking Runa on dates and other activities with her favourite hobbies as a focal point, showcasing that he constantly wants to learn more about the real her.

Ryuto’s forward-thinking action plan clearly has an effect. From shopping dates to boba tea sampling, Runa quickly notices the difference between Ryuto and her past relationships. Ryuto’s efforts to make her happy are always something that she brings up in his favour, either to herself, her friends or her classmates. It also shows that Ryuto is willing to move beyond being passive, an aspect that does tend to hamper the genre.

Rumours and Relationships

Whilst this series may focus more on the fluff side of things, there’s still intrigue to be found in its human drama. For the most part, this drama focuses on Runa’s past – how she deals with relationships and how her peers perceive her suspected promiscuous nature.

The author’s focus on how Runa deals with a new relationship is a strength of the series. Having been tricked by men she’s loved in the past, every so often, her insecurities play out in her time with Ryuto. Both jealousy and possessiveness come out from time to time, usually reassured by a quick-thinking Ryuto.

Drama about Runa’s past and her peers occurs during the plot climax of the novel. Concerning rumours spread by a newcomer in class, what should’ve seen an end to their relationship is turned on its head thanks to Ryuto’s growing confidence. It promises great things ahead for the two of them, given that they’re both willing to fight for their relationship.

In conclusion, Our Dating Story’s premier volume makes for a great taster of what’s to come in the series as a whole.

A blend of cute, fluffy moments alongside interesting moments of human drama, the series is at its best when focusing on the protagonists. From how the story highlights Runa’s insecurities in contrast with her outward personality to Ryuto’s focus on Runa as an individual, there’s plenty for any rom-com enjoyer to like in this series.

Our Dating Story 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.