historical – Faceless One Blog

Secrets, Schemes and Swaps!

Returning to review the imperial court, volume 2 sees Reirin in a precarious position as her swap has been revealed!

Following the exhilarating ride of the first, the second volume carries on from Tousetsu discovering the body swap. Keeping her quiet on the situation will be the least of Reirin’s worries, however, as the wheels of conspiracy have begun to turn. With someone failing to poison Keigetsu and Reirin but succeeding with the Empress, it’ll be up to both Keigetsu and Reirin to hunt them down before chaos ensues!

Coming from the first volume to the second, what I’m grateful for is in the second volume the author has chosen to give an even greater focus to the series’ best elements, mystery and character drama. From the outset of this novel, the reader’s engagement will be drawn to the events, characters and everything else building towards the ever-expanding mystery, which it does to great effect.

As a part of this building, the author does well in utilising a flashback chapter, something I’m often known for criticising. This flashback sequence adds so much to the story, following the previous members of the maiden court. Their characters, actions and events play masterfully into the present story, especially as it focuses on Kenshuu’s regret and Shu’s tragedy.

In the present, the fatal schemes fall on the shoulders of Reirin and Keigetsu, both of whom have suffered at the hands of the enemy. Sharing their knowledge and working together, they figure out Shu Gabi is behind the schemes as a revenge plot against the death of her unborn son. She’s using a form of Venomcraft, hoping to kill the Empress of an illness born from a curse.

More than just the intrigues of a mystery, this plot gives a really nice bit of a focus on Keigetsu’s character, something that was absent in the previous volume.

She’s more than just her villainess persona, the hurt and neglect that she’s felt throughout her entire life likely made it so that she’s always on the defence and looking to put others down. Deep down, however, she’s just as kind and caring, fiery and feisty, and willing to go the extra mile for others. I think it was important that the author made Keigetsu and Reirin friends by the end of the volume as they complement each other so well.

The theme of romance also plays more of a role in this volume. Both Gyoumei and Shin-u have become more intrigued and enamoured with the new version of Keigetsu and after finding out the truth, both of them go out of their way to discover the body-swapping secrets. I feel it won’t be long before the romance will take more of a central stage.

Overall, Inept Villainess is a brilliant sequel. Focusing more and more on the elements that first hook you in alongside character development that makes the characters feel uniquely human and flawed makes this series a must-read, not only for villainess-genre enjoyers but with the wider light novel community.

Though I Am an Inept Villainess Vol. 2

My Rating: 10/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments!

You can read the second volume of this series digitally and physically from the list of distributors on the Seven Seas website.

Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Historical, Drama, Romance, Villainess, Shoujo/Josei

Synopsis:

Prepare for swirling court intrigue in this magical “trading places” tale of maidens competing for the crown–and don’t miss the manga adaptation, also from Seven Seas!

In the Kingdom of Ei, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts—but only one will be crowned empress. Just when frail and beautiful “court butterfly” Kou Reirin seems poised to marry the crown prince, jealous “court rat” Shu Keigetsu steals her body! Reirin wakes up in the dungeons as the conspirator, and things look dire…or do they? Now that she’s got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her! (Source: SevenSeas)

Before getting to the review, I’d first like to apologise for my long absence. A holiday and an extremely busy week when I returned made it impossible to read and review the new light novel series that was being released. Things are back to normal now, however, so the number of reviews will be back to normal starting with this and then going on to two pre-pub series, Private Tutor, Expedition Cooking and Heretical Last Boss volume 3. Enjoy!

A Healthy Body to Match Reirin’s Backbone!

Welcoming me back into reviewing, my first series of the month combines villainesses, body swapping and a Chinese imperial court setting.

The story follows Reirin who has recently been body swapped into that of the court’s sewer rat and all-around jealous villainess, Shu Keigetsu. For many, the constant animosity from those Shu had wronged would have any normal person begging to be turned back, however, for Reirin, this new body is an unexpected blessing. Finally able to do the things she’s only dreamed about, Reirin’s new life is about to turn the court upside down!

What’s interesting about this series and what sets it apart from the crowd is its unique setting. Being placed within an imperial court that closely resembles those of ancient Chinese history isn’t often used in Japanese light novels. It immediately sets the series on the right foot by moving itself away from the more typical European settings we normally get. It is thus engaging to learn about royal structures and mythologies that don’t typically follow the western norm.

Beyond the world-building, I think what’ll strike people first about this series is its relatively light tone. Whilst there is a good amount of drama and mystery building up in the background, the focus on Reirin’s positive outlook on life gives the series a pleasant, light tone, which for this type of series I do tend to get more enjoyment from.

This light tone, however, does not mean that this series skimps out on character work. In fact, the relatively small cast introduced in the first volume works in the series’s favour. The handful of characters who get introduced have suitable time to breathe and grow especially Reirin and Leelee.

Reirin, as the empress likes to say certainly has backbone given all the things she did whilst being in such a sickly original body. As kind as she is talented, she doesn’t waste much time, even after being sent towards execution, trying new things, improving herself and improving Shu’s standing within the court.

Unfortunately, her kindness can be a bit of a double-edged sword. Rarely is she ever seen to be angry or annoyed even in the face of The Lion’s Judgement or with the harsh treatment she now receives from the members of her clan due to her lowered status. Moreover, she very willingly performs Shu Keigetsu penances even though she has no reason to do so, which can get aggravating at times.

By the end of the first volume, Leelee is a better character overall. Becoming an outcast alongside Reirin, she has suffered much the same disdain as Shu from the clan as well as being one of Shu’s pre-body swap victims. Even throughout being manipulated by a member of the opposite clan, she still has her pride and kindness that earns her Reirin’s respect and friendship. It’s probably the dynamic I’m most looking forward to once the second volume drops.

The first volume also introduces us to Shin-u, captain of the Eagle Eyes, and Gyoumei, the prince. Both are given pretty good introductions from Shin-u’s predisposition for lacking emotions and Gyoumei’s general disdain towards women. These character moments go a long way in showcasing the variety of emotions both feel due to the new and improved Shu.

Overall, the first volume of Inept Villainess sets up good foundations for the series going forward. Introducing a well-rounded cast, the starting of a mystery and world-building unique to Japanese light novels, it’s a series that’ll likely excite any villainess-genre fan. My biggest problem with the series, however, comes in the form of the original villainess, Shu Keigetsu (now in the body of Reirin). Beyond the first act, her character barely does anything besides being bedridden so it leaves the first volume without a properly developed antagonist.

Though I am an Inept Villainess Vol. 1

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! The next light novel reviews will be Fallen Daughter of the Duke and Death’s Daughter.

You can read the first volume of Inept Villainess digitally from the distributors listed on the Seven Seas website.

Tag: historical

Though I Am the Inept Villainess Vol. 2 Review

Secrets, Schemes and Swaps!

Though I Am An Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court Vol. 1 Review

A Healthy Body to Match Reirin’s Backbone!