Fake It to Break It! I Faked Amnesia to Break Off My Engagement and Now He’s All Lovey-Dovey?! Vol. 2 Review

Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life, Josei

Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Second Chances, Cute

Cover Illustration for Volume 2

Synopsis:

After Viola faked amnesia and Phillip tried to trick her into a romance, they’re finally in a real relationship. Now, in order to become a suitable duchess once they marry, Viola must learn to fight her discomfort of socializing with the other nobles. Phillip also takes up an appointment as a guide for a foreign princess. Viola knows it’s just a job, but she can’t help suspecting her fiancé of infidelity when she sees just how close they’re getting…and Little Vio repeating Phillip’s confession about Luna serves as the final nail in the coffin! Follow the needy heir and the oblivious heiress as they tangle with yet more misunderstandings in pursuit of their happily ever after! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Disturbance in the Happily Ever After!

Following the clear up of a host of misunderstandings, Fake It to Break It’s sequel finds that Viola’s amnesiac adventures aren’t quite over yet.

Kicking off exactly where we left the blossoming lovebirds last time, the series continues, this time with the misunderstanding of mixed-up feelings resolved. Now, the two of them are free to enjoy each other’s company and get to know one another properly, that is, until a new problem reaches their door. With a party of foreign princesses visiting and Phillip in charge of their care, new rumours start to swirl that Phillip’s conduct towards them could be considered more than just friendly.

In an unsurprising change-up to proceedings, the sequel of this misunderstandings fantasy rom-com sees Viola in the firing line, attempting to fight for her engagement. With the possibility of Phillip’s fidelity in question, this arc brings Viola’s feelings into the spotlight.

It seems that ever since her little amnesiac stunt, her feelings for Phillip have been quietly growing, making the rumour reveal a rather heavy-hitting event for the series protagonist. Thankfully, these feelings are also what saves their relationship, as she’s able to look beyond the circumstantial evidence and believe the truth of Phillip’s words.

In addition, the latest volume provides more than just misunderstandings. Adding to their more settled relationship at this point in the series, this volume provides ample downtime from the misunderstandings plot. Several cute dates take place throughout volume two’s story. Moreover, the author gives ample time to the wedding and to their happy life afterwards.

Fake It to Break It’s second volume makes for a fine albeit superfluous addition to the series. Tying loose ends and showing that Viola’s love for Phillip equals his for hers provides all the necessary ingredients for the epilogue’s happy end, even if this was already satisfied by the previous volume’s ending.

Fake It to Break It Vol. 2

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 second 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

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

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.

Fake It to Break It! I Faked Amnesia to Break Off My Engagement and Now He’s All Lovey-Dovey Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life, Josei

Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Second Chances, Cute

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

Viola wants nothing more than to break off her dull arranged engagement with Phillip. He’s the son of a duke, and Viola is thoroughly convinced she’s an unfitting future wife for a man of his station. Worst of all, he seems utterly uninterested in her. So when Viola is in a carriage accident, she takes the opportunity to fake amnesia in hopes of getting out of her betrothal. Little does she know Phillip is also an opportunist, and he takes advantage of the situation by feeding the “amnesiac” Viola a tale she can scarcely believe—that they’ve been passionately in love this entire time! Now trapped in her own lie, Viola is forced to play along. Can this curious couple outwit each other into happiness? Or will their bizarre web of deception get them both caught? (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Lie that Leads to a World of Love!

Liar, Liar

Featuring lies, love and truth, my latest review sees me return to the J-Novel Heart catalogue and their latest title – Fake It to Break It!

The story finds its protagonist, Viola, at an impasse. Stuck in a seemingly loveless engagement, she’ll do anything to find a way out. Luckily for her, the chance arises after she’s caught up in a carriage accident. Taking advantage of the situation, Viola pretends to have amnesia as an easy way to escape her engagement without repercussions. She is blindsided, however, when her fiancée also uses this as an opportunity. No longer dull and uninteresting, he regales the amnesiac Viola of how much they love each other, forcing her to find out the truth.

Whilst this series won’t win any awards for originality, the story is solid and written entertainingly and engagingly. Mixing up themes of misunderstanding and second chances, it finds the two leads locked in a battle to keep their versions of reality alive. As the two investigate to find the truth, they become closer to each other than ever before. Perhaps even realising that love can blossom between them where once there was nothing.

Parroting the Truth

Key to the series’ entertainment value comes from its deuteragonists, Viola and Phillip. Viola brings the comedic value to the partnership as her constant lies about her amnesia bring with it a house of cards. Not naturally gifted in the art of deception, she often only manages to blunder through tense situations. Phillip, on the other hand, brings along the intrigue. After Viola’s amnesiac event, Phillip undergoes a sudden personality change that forces Viola to investigate. Slowly picking apart his tangled web, she discovers that his newfound feelings may be older and deeper than she ever realised.  

Both of their lies, however, are brought hilariously crashing down in no small part thanks to an overly talkative parrot. Whilst this brings with it its own convoluted misunderstanding from the past, this doesn’t stop the two blossoming lovebirds as they move to accept each other’s failings.

With all the misunderstandings put to rest, the last parts of the volume finds their relationship moving into a fluffier dimension. In a move that’ll likely have any fluffy rom-com enjoyer jumping for joy, the end of the story sees the sugar piled on for a conclusive happy ending.

They say two wrongs don’t make a right, but sometimes, two lies do. Solid and entertaining, Fake It to Break It makes for a great addition to the J-Novel Heart line-up, with a foray into misunderstandings and second chances.

Fake It to Break It 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.

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

Cover Illustration for Volume 4

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.

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

Cover Illustration for Volume 3

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.

Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke Vol. 2 Review

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

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

Cover Illustration for Volume 2

Synopsis:

Rebuilding from the ground up is old hat to Claire Martino after falling out of societal favour in her homeland and arising from the ashes as a hero in a neighbouring kingdom. Therefore, when tragedy strikes due to her half-sister’s malicious scheming, Claire doesn’t think twice about going back in time to set things right. However, two can play at that game… Against old and new enemies alike, Claire is in for more trouble than ever before. Fortunately, with her quick wits, unshakable resolve, and trusty team of allies, she remains determined to unlock the good ending. With the power of the Paffuto Kingdom at her back, can she beat Charlotte at her own game? And while Charlotte pursues her own love interest, can Claire reignite the spark she shared with Vik? (Source: J-Novel Club)

Claire Plays a New Save!

The second of the J-Novel Club pre-pub mountain has me reviewing another second volume. This time, it’s Fallen Daughter of the Duke and Claire is looking to fix things with a precious restart!

Following the tragic end of the first volume, Claire’s determined for a better go of things with a surprise second chance. Having gone back in time, things aren’t quite as Claire remembers. Those who shunned her previously are still kind and caring, someone is trying to destroy Lindel, and she’s sent to Paffuto immediately after her baptism.

Now a guest in Paffuto years earlier than expected, she’ll have to deal with her feelings for Vik when he doesn’t know her. This is on top of Vik’s older brother not being in the first timeline and an ever-growing coup to put him on the throne!

Coming in from the previous volume, I was a little sceptical of the series taking the nuclear option, given that the ultimate tragedy could still be avoided. Upon finishing the volume, however, I have been convinced of this volume’s exploration of the past. It’s all a testament to the author’s intriguing plot points and some amazing character development.

Character progression can be found across the entire volume, from Dion’s change of heart to her older brother’s true personality, but some of the best development can be found with both Prince Asbert and Vik.

Charlotte’s horrifying influence can be felt no more so than on Asbert. Dismissive and rude to Claire under her control, the second volume reveals his true personality and a better insight into Claire’s once strong feelings towards him. From the very outset, it’s clear to see his love for Claire and the lengths that he goes to ensure her happiness. Without Charlotte’s malign influence, he’s level-headed and intelligent, a perfect candidate for a ruler.

Ordinarily, he would make for a good love interest for the protagonist, but the game’s central plot must be kept to some extent and he still ends up with Charlotte. Although, things are likely to change with Asbert possibly achieving his happy ending now that Nicole has arrived in Nostron.

For Vik, development comes in two equally important directions. The first deals with his and his brother’s relationship. Frayed by misunderstandings, it’s thanks to a coup that the two are truly able to understand each other.

The second deals with Vik and Claire’s relationship. Building slower than before, this volume does a great deal in providing credibility to their relationship. Trust and vulnerability play a huge role for the two of them and watching them both open up make’s this series a cut above some of the others in its genre.

The central plot of this volume is also better than the first. Moving away from some of the more trope-laden aspects, the coup central to the action provides more meat to the antagonists as well as purposely develops the main characters for the better.

As we move towards the events in the first volume and a reckoning for Charlotte, the series’ second volume goes leaps and bounds beyond what was seen in the first. Starring a host of complex and believable characters and relationships, as well as an above-average plot, makes this a must-read for shoujo fans!

Formerly Fallen Vol. 2

My Rating: 9/10

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 in pre-pub format on the J-Novel Club website.