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I'm in Love with the Villainess Light Novel #2
I'm in Love with the Villainess (Light Novel) Vol. 2
DO GIRLS LIKE HER LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER?
Together, Rei and Claire have endured love, loss, and ridicule. Now, they face a challenge that will shake the foundations of the kingdom―revolution. When the dust settles, will commoner Rei and noble-born Claire still stand side by side? And will fate permit their love to survive?
Together, Rei and Claire have endured love, loss, and ridicule. Now, they face a challenge that will shake the foundations of the kingdom―revolution. When the dust settles, will commoner Rei and noble-born Claire still stand side by side? And will fate permit their love to survive?
418 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 5, 2021
talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique
peak lesbian goodness & fighting aristocracy and class system one kingdom at a time is a combination tailored for me.
Truly spectacular novel, I enjoyed it tremendously.
peak lesbian goodness & fighting aristocracy and class system one kingdom at a time is a combination tailored for me.
Truly spectacular novel, I enjoyed it tremendously.
March 15, 2021
the way inori leveled UP this volume
they said oh? you wanna know why rae's on that all about claire life? claire francois has DEPTH, let me show you how!!
the way this volume handled the transmigrator 'coming to terms with world expanding beyond their knowledge' problem...top tier! they said my tropes have layers fam!
anyways claire/rae for life, extremely pleased that this volume assured us that they're married with kids by the end
also love to see that class revolution, inori said aristocracy isn't it and i completely agree!
4 stars
they said oh? you wanna know why rae's on that all about claire life? claire francois has DEPTH, let me show you how!!
the way this volume handled the transmigrator 'coming to terms with world expanding beyond their knowledge' problem...top tier! they said my tropes have layers fam!
anyways claire/rae for life, extremely pleased that this volume assured us that they're married with kids by the end
also love to see that class revolution, inori said aristocracy isn't it and i completely agree!
4 stars
November 16, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this story. At first, I was really drawn to the plot, especially because of the enemies-to-lovers premise. I love Claire's personality, and the setting of the game. I read this second book because I was very curious about the moment Claire would fall in love with Rae, but I was totally disappointed. A slow burn that doesn't quite build to the climax. Overlooking the fact that Rae stalks and harasses Claire all the time, I couldn't even find a moment where I could feel a genuine emotional bond between them. Rather than falling in love, Rae was obsessed, and Claire was only pushed to be with her for plot convenience. It seems to me that the story had a lot of potential. Sadly, I have no desire to continue with the third book, because I couldn't connect with their romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2023
This second volume in the I’m In Love With the Villainess series felt like it was a satisfying conclusion to Rei and Clair’s story. The series is a bit of a crazy Isekai romcom.
The story in this one was a continuation of what we got in the first book. Rei continued her slow burn attempts at getting Claire to fall in love with her while the main plot of the dating sim game she was sucked into played out its French Revolution style storyline!
I felt like this second book did a better job with developing the very slow burn romance between Rei and Claire which definitely benefited the story as in the first book it never overly felt like Claire liked Rei half as much as Rei liked Clair. In this one a better job was done on developing some balance in the relationship which made it a lot easier to root for.
The other plus for this second volume was the character development. Even beyond the work done with Rei and Claire we got to learn a bit more about a few of the main secondary characters and that helped add more depths to those characters and the story as a whole.
The flaw of this series is the fact that the worldbuilding is very basic and simplistic and the main non-romance story arc was a tad flimsy and dull.
One the whole this was an OK series that never quite lived up to its super fun premise or potential.
Rating: 3 stars.
Audio Note: Courtney Shaw did a decent job with the narration. She really leaned into the anime style and tone of the story and dialogue.
The story in this one was a continuation of what we got in the first book. Rei continued her slow burn attempts at getting Claire to fall in love with her while the main plot of the dating sim game she was sucked into played out its French Revolution style storyline!
I felt like this second book did a better job with developing the very slow burn romance between Rei and Claire which definitely benefited the story as in the first book it never overly felt like Claire liked Rei half as much as Rei liked Clair. In this one a better job was done on developing some balance in the relationship which made it a lot easier to root for.
The other plus for this second volume was the character development. Even beyond the work done with Rei and Claire we got to learn a bit more about a few of the main secondary characters and that helped add more depths to those characters and the story as a whole.
The flaw of this series is the fact that the worldbuilding is very basic and simplistic and the main non-romance story arc was a tad flimsy and dull.
One the whole this was an OK series that never quite lived up to its super fun premise or potential.
Rating: 3 stars.
Audio Note: Courtney Shaw did a decent job with the narration. She really leaned into the anime style and tone of the story and dialogue.
January 19, 2021
Rae is still joined at the hip to Claire, staying one step ahead of any possible problems using her knowledge of the game this world is based on. But at the end of the day, she’s just one person and saving the villainess she loves when an entire society is shifting around them might prove trickier than it first seems.
Phew, what a ride. This book takes a look at how gay the first volume was and happily says ‘hold my queer’. It’s got no time for coy shenanigans; this is one yuri that would lead a pride parade and makes time for other topics like gender dysphoria while it’s at it.
The book kicks off with a bang, featuring a truly loathsome minor villain and a challenge that Rae cleverly sidesteps using her aforementioned knowledge. This both eases us back into the world and also suggests that this book is out to be like its predecessor when it is decidedly not.
No, the point this time is that you can plan for a lot of things, but you really can’t plan for other people. And it’s a smart twist on every isekai protagonist ever who assumes they’re invincible because of how damn clever they are. Rae has a lot of obstacles in her path in ways she cannot predict and she’s in over her head far more than I was expecting from the opening chapter.
When things start going out of control, Rae adapts, adapts, and then adapts some more in a desperate attempt to save the one person who means something to her. For her part, Claire becomes a wonderfully nuanced character here and her slow change in attitude is one of the book’s triumphs.
Amidst all this are some genuinely funny moments as well. There’s a ridiculous Fate/Stay Night reference that made me laugh even as it shouldn’t have and there’s a swimsuit scene, of all things, that’s as ludicrous as it is deliciously, brilliantly smart about how it gets there.
Rae and Claire’s relationship remains the heart of this, as it should be. If I loved the coming out scene in the first book, I can say nothing wrong about the story of how Rae realized she was gay, which is an emotional thrashing and a half. Whatever these two achieve by the end feels earned twice over - the author really knows how to put the reader through the ringer
Mix in a lot of smart machination, some of which has been percolating since the first instalment, and copious action and brinkmanship and you have a book that was a delight to read. It has triumphs, some great plot twists (one so obvious I smacked myself for not seeing, though it’s nothing compared to what happens shortly after it shows itself), some big dramatic moments, and an epilogue that tells us where everybody wound up, which I am forever a big sucker for.
It’s not perfect - some of it gets a little maudlin, Rae’s mom can be a bit much, they sure did go there with the incest storyline (mercifully kept to the barest minimum of page presence) and the finale might be a little too over-the-top, but I honestly couldn’t care less. This is one of those books that’s doing five things right for every one thing I might want changed.
5 stars - what can I say, I’m exactly the target for this kind of story. The epilogue is pure delight and this was my “at work book” but I brought it home during the weekends and read it at night and just enjoyed the hell out of it. It nearly, very nearly, brought me to tears with one very pure exchange at the end and if a book gets me that good then it did something right.
I’m not even sure what’s possibly left to bring up in the third volume; it exists but the author’s afterword suggests this was really supposed to be the ending. Either way I will be there for it the second it comes out.
Phew, what a ride. This book takes a look at how gay the first volume was and happily says ‘hold my queer’. It’s got no time for coy shenanigans; this is one yuri that would lead a pride parade and makes time for other topics like gender dysphoria while it’s at it.
The book kicks off with a bang, featuring a truly loathsome minor villain and a challenge that Rae cleverly sidesteps using her aforementioned knowledge. This both eases us back into the world and also suggests that this book is out to be like its predecessor when it is decidedly not.
No, the point this time is that you can plan for a lot of things, but you really can’t plan for other people. And it’s a smart twist on every isekai protagonist ever who assumes they’re invincible because of how damn clever they are. Rae has a lot of obstacles in her path in ways she cannot predict and she’s in over her head far more than I was expecting from the opening chapter.
When things start going out of control, Rae adapts, adapts, and then adapts some more in a desperate attempt to save the one person who means something to her. For her part, Claire becomes a wonderfully nuanced character here and her slow change in attitude is one of the book’s triumphs.
Amidst all this are some genuinely funny moments as well. There’s a ridiculous Fate/Stay Night reference that made me laugh even as it shouldn’t have and there’s a swimsuit scene, of all things, that’s as ludicrous as it is deliciously, brilliantly smart about how it gets there.
Rae and Claire’s relationship remains the heart of this, as it should be. If I loved the coming out scene in the first book, I can say nothing wrong about the story of how Rae realized she was gay, which is an emotional thrashing and a half. Whatever these two achieve by the end feels earned twice over - the author really knows how to put the reader through the ringer
Mix in a lot of smart machination, some of which has been percolating since the first instalment, and copious action and brinkmanship and you have a book that was a delight to read. It has triumphs, some great plot twists (one so obvious I smacked myself for not seeing, though it’s nothing compared to what happens shortly after it shows itself), some big dramatic moments, and an epilogue that tells us where everybody wound up, which I am forever a big sucker for.
It’s not perfect - some of it gets a little maudlin, Rae’s mom can be a bit much, they sure did go there with the incest storyline (mercifully kept to the barest minimum of page presence) and the finale might be a little too over-the-top, but I honestly couldn’t care less. This is one of those books that’s doing five things right for every one thing I might want changed.
5 stars - what can I say, I’m exactly the target for this kind of story. The epilogue is pure delight and this was my “at work book” but I brought it home during the weekends and read it at night and just enjoyed the hell out of it. It nearly, very nearly, brought me to tears with one very pure exchange at the end and if a book gets me that good then it did something right.
I’m not even sure what’s possibly left to bring up in the third volume; it exists but the author’s afterword suggests this was really supposed to be the ending. Either way I will be there for it the second it comes out.
January 28, 2024
2.5 stars. Just as silly as the first volume, but not quite as fun? The class revolution plotline really takes off in this volume, and while I appreciated the attempt at giving the story some depth, it was just really haphazard and not all that well-written. Rei's determination to not care about anything other than Claire got a little annoying. I did appreciate that Claire slowly became more down to earth and class conscious, because it was hard to root for someone who was THAT spoiled. The developing romance was cute...? But I'd been assuming that this all took place at a college, only to find out in this volume that they're all sixteen. Ehh. I do appreciate some of the stuff the book attempted to do, and the ways in which it got serious, with Rei's coming out backstory and Yu's plotline, but it all ended up feeling very shallow.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Courtney Shaw, which made it possible for me to finish this even after I started to fid it a little boring. I'm glad I at least checked the series out? But I'll look for something a little less wacky for my next yuri manga/light novel.
Content warnings:
Listened to the audiobook as read by Courtney Shaw, which made it possible for me to finish this even after I started to fid it a little boring. I'm glad I at least checked the series out? But I'll look for something a little less wacky for my next yuri manga/light novel.
Content warnings:
April 2, 2021
(c/p from my review on TheStoryGraph) This one got a little dark and I kind of love that for it. Not only is this a great enemies to lovers trope but it also has some really cool world building and conversations about inequality in many forms. I like the path it picked and I liked how the characters changed and grew. I liked that the romance was clearly strong and two sided by the end of the book. There are some parts that are pretty tropey but I honestly don't care I had a GREAT time reading this book.
TW for this book include: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Death (including mentions of death by suicide but nothing explicit), Incest (nothing explicit, not even kissing, but it is mentioned.), and Infidelity
TW for this book include: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Death (including mentions of death by suicide but nothing explicit), Incest (nothing explicit, not even kissing, but it is mentioned.), and Infidelity
December 18, 2021
I can appreciate what this book was trying to do - particularly when it comes to queerness and queer culture - but there are still a number of things that veered off into taboo. Like the realization that Rei is a grown-ass adult in love with a 16 year old fictional character and actively pursuing her romantically... Just because she's also in the body of a 16 year old, doesn't necessarily negate that.
September 20, 2024
This was an improvement on the first volume, Rei and Claire both gained a lot of depth and had satisfying character growth. Rei’s backstory where she discovered her sexuality was very touching and highlights the importance of kids having access to queer media they can relate to. On the other hand, there were multiple love triangles and several times significant events would occur with no foreshadowing or prior mention. When that happened it felt like the author was pulling plot elements out of their ass at the last minute.
These books aren’t high literature but they’ve been pretty fun despite all their faults. I won’t be continuing the series as children showed up in the epilogue and I’m not interested in stories about parenthood.
CWs: sexual harassment, homophobia and transphobia, gender dysphoria and nonconsenting magical gender reassignment, suicide, bullying, war, toxic friendship, incest (not between MCs)
These books aren’t high literature but they’ve been pretty fun despite all their faults. I won’t be continuing the series as children showed up in the epilogue and I’m not interested in stories about parenthood.
CWs: sexual harassment, homophobia and transphobia, gender dysphoria and nonconsenting magical gender reassignment, suicide, bullying, war, toxic friendship, incest (not between MCs)
March 15, 2024
9/10
Wow, simplemente wow. Amé todo sobre esta historia. Vivan las novias, joder.
Wow, simplemente wow. Amé todo sobre esta historia. Vivan las novias, joder.
April 26, 2021
This book is such a powerful emotional read. It feels like the author/editor took all the feedback from the first volume, cleaned up the complaints, and then ratcheted up the emotional impact and character development. This book was so good I want to give the first novel a better score on the merits of this book alone.
This book had me gasping and shouting at the pages from the beginning. I was completely pulled into every character's struggle and victory. I could not put this book down until I cried my way through the last pages.
The book also upped the amount of discussion of LGBTQ issues from the first volume. This felt even more authentic this time around as it touched on not only "things you should know as a straight person/ally" but started dipping into inner community issues.
The author also quickly went from Volume One's "the one lesbian in the world" to "this is my art and I get to choose the improbable amount of LGBTQ rep in it" in Volume two, and for that, I applaud the author and look forward top more from them.
I think the only flaw here is that this book felt so full of content with so many arcs it probably could have been split and expanded. Or maybe that is latent want for more speaking.
This book had me gasping and shouting at the pages from the beginning. I was completely pulled into every character's struggle and victory. I could not put this book down until I cried my way through the last pages.
The book also upped the amount of discussion of LGBTQ issues from the first volume. This felt even more authentic this time around as it touched on not only "things you should know as a straight person/ally" but started dipping into inner community issues.
The author also quickly went from Volume One's "the one lesbian in the world" to "this is my art and I get to choose the improbable amount of LGBTQ rep in it" in Volume two, and for that, I applaud the author and look forward top more from them.
I think the only flaw here is that this book felt so full of content with so many arcs it probably could have been split and expanded. Or maybe that is latent want for more speaking.
May 13, 2024
I had a blast reading this volume. The story is so intricate that it makes you forget that it is the secondary plot (the main plot being the romance). I like how aware the story is. The translation is very good and witty. That one chapter about the old life of the heroine is what made me give this book its fifth star. Trans and lesbian recognition !!! There are still three books in the series and I have no idea in which direction they will go. I am so excited!!!!
August 28, 2023
J'ai attendu beaucoup trop longtemps avant de lire ce deuxième volume qui est 1 000 fois meilleur que son précédent!! Toutes les critiques que j'avais du premier volume se sont pratiquement volatilisées car les personnages complexifient enfin leur relation, se complexifient eux-mêmes et on voit enfin la romance se développer des deux côtés.
Ce qui est plus intéressant encore dans ce roman est que la protagoniste, bien qu'elle est au courant de ce qui va se produire, n'est plus vraiment en contrôle des événements, plusieurs choses ont changé par rapport à ce qu'elle connaît de l'intrigue et des personnages ne se comportent pas du tout comme ils le devraient. On n'a donc plus l'impression de "rejouer" un scénario, mais d'un personnage en possession de ses moyens (la plupart du temps), mais qui doit faire face à des imprévus majeurs.
Les enjeux de la narration sont aussi beaucoup plus élevés cette fois-ci, on sort du drame scolaire pour adresser une révolution de société avec des enjeux de politiques internes et internationaux. On a autant le droit à une intrigue fiscale, qu'à des revirements de situation (et de personnages) majeurs et des défis trop difficiles pour que la protagoniste les surmonte seule.
Je dois avouer vraiment aimer la complexité des personnages dans ce volume, il y a des explorations plus profondes, intéressantes, divers, on va vraiment "challenger" les émotions, la raison et la passion des personnages. Je ne m'attendais pas non plus à y trouver une histoire de bacha posh qui est une vraiment montré comme un enjeu de transidentité sérieux (plus que les rares autres livres qui abordaient le sujet) et dont le dénouement est très satisfaisant.
On a encore le droit à des réflexions assez didactiques sur les enjeux LGBT, mais ils sont beaucoup plus arrimés à la trame narrative et détonne un peu moins que dans mes souvenirs. Dans ce volume, le style d'écriture et les dialogues laissent encore un peu à désirer, on a plusieurs répétitions de réaction de personnage, on pourrait clairement dissimuler un peu plus ce qui va suivre (on a une bonne idée de ce qui risque d'arriver, malgré quelques surprises), mais tout le reste compense énormément pour ces petits problèmes d'écriture et c'est vraiment une amélioration notable par rapport au premier volume.
Finalement, l'autrice excelle dans cette narration de deux personnages, le livre devient un vrai "page-turner" qu'on regrette devoir déposer pour aller dormir. J'ai vraiment adoré cette suite, c'est rempli d'action, de romance, de drama et on nous propose une belle histoire d'un bout à l'autre. La fin et le chapitre bonus sont particulièrement attachants.
Ce qui est plus intéressant encore dans ce roman est que la protagoniste, bien qu'elle est au courant de ce qui va se produire, n'est plus vraiment en contrôle des événements, plusieurs choses ont changé par rapport à ce qu'elle connaît de l'intrigue et des personnages ne se comportent pas du tout comme ils le devraient. On n'a donc plus l'impression de "rejouer" un scénario, mais d'un personnage en possession de ses moyens (la plupart du temps), mais qui doit faire face à des imprévus majeurs.
Les enjeux de la narration sont aussi beaucoup plus élevés cette fois-ci, on sort du drame scolaire pour adresser une révolution de société avec des enjeux de politiques internes et internationaux. On a autant le droit à une intrigue fiscale, qu'à des revirements de situation (et de personnages) majeurs et des défis trop difficiles pour que la protagoniste les surmonte seule.
Je dois avouer vraiment aimer la complexité des personnages dans ce volume, il y a des explorations plus profondes, intéressantes, divers, on va vraiment "challenger" les émotions, la raison et la passion des personnages. Je ne m'attendais pas non plus à y trouver une histoire de bacha posh qui est une vraiment montré comme un enjeu de transidentité sérieux (plus que les rares autres livres qui abordaient le sujet) et dont le dénouement est très satisfaisant.
On a encore le droit à des réflexions assez didactiques sur les enjeux LGBT, mais ils sont beaucoup plus arrimés à la trame narrative et détonne un peu moins que dans mes souvenirs. Dans ce volume, le style d'écriture et les dialogues laissent encore un peu à désirer, on a plusieurs répétitions de réaction de personnage, on pourrait clairement dissimuler un peu plus ce qui va suivre (on a une bonne idée de ce qui risque d'arriver, malgré quelques surprises), mais tout le reste compense énormément pour ces petits problèmes d'écriture et c'est vraiment une amélioration notable par rapport au premier volume.
Finalement, l'autrice excelle dans cette narration de deux personnages, le livre devient un vrai "page-turner" qu'on regrette devoir déposer pour aller dormir. J'ai vraiment adoré cette suite, c'est rempli d'action, de romance, de drama et on nous propose une belle histoire d'un bout à l'autre. La fin et le chapitre bonus sont particulièrement attachants.
September 13, 2024
WOW.
Tak jak pierwszy tom był skupiony na romansie, w tym jest baaardzo dużo fabuły i polityki. Bardzo się wciągnęłam i przeczytałam prawie połowę w jeden dzień. Zdecydowanie bardziej podoba mi się niż pierwsza część, ale no pierwsza była dobrą podstawą i wprowadzeniem.
ANYWAYS świetnie się bawiłam przy tym tomie i od razu wezmę się za trzeci hihi
Tak jak pierwszy tom był skupiony na romansie, w tym jest baaardzo dużo fabuły i polityki. Bardzo się wciągnęłam i przeczytałam prawie połowę w jeden dzień. Zdecydowanie bardziej podoba mi się niż pierwsza część, ale no pierwsza była dobrą podstawą i wprowadzeniem.
ANYWAYS świetnie się bawiłam przy tym tomie i od razu wezmę się za trzeci hihi
June 12, 2024
The incest couple kills the vibe so hard
Read
January 5, 2024Necesitaba leer algo así ahora 😭
March 12, 2022
idk… worldbuilding and background are important but i feel like there wasn’t enough focus on the actual romance in this, considering it’s a romance novel.
also too many subplots with too much time spent on characters that the author expects me to care about while the whole time im thinking give me a cute scene with claire!!! i literally do not care at all for lilly or the weird pervert sister character they introduced.
i kept waiting on cute moments to happen for claire and rei but they were so few and far between and when they did happen they were kind of underwhelming!!! it seemed like claire realised her feelings for rei in this volume but that was just indicated by her being a bit nicer to rei or looking thoughtful or whatever. no real moments of softness or exciting romantic moments at all. unsatisfying… especially when this is supposed to be a kind of softcore enemies to lovers type dynamic. you need real moments of realisation rather than just making it feel forced by having claire start to act a bit differently.
there’s a bit where the ceiling is collapsing or something and rei covers claire and i thought omg she’s going to sacrifice herself and get hit and it’ll be some kind of moment for claire to see that rei really does love her… but no… rei used magic to cover them both, they were both fine and it was just a pointless moment really. there were no exciting or memorable moments like that really aside from the part when claire gives herself up. but even then they could’ve explored how the characters were feeling more.
even the ending of this book felt unsatisfying. claire finally accepts rei, but it feels sudden and the whole thing is over in two pages, she doesn’t even say yes really (?) the author just expects you to assume she did which is lame. and then you turn the page and BAM timeskip theyre living together with kids?????? let me live a little in this moment…! ive read like 900 pages to get here 😭😭
even after all of these complaints i keep coming back to these books because i really do love claire as a character… just. please. inori. please let volume 3 have more of a focus on claire and their relationship which is what the book is actually about. rather than introducing new characters that are 1 dimensional and annoying, focus on developing your existing characters and giving us more time to love them
also too many subplots with too much time spent on characters that the author expects me to care about while the whole time im thinking give me a cute scene with claire!!! i literally do not care at all for lilly or the weird pervert sister character they introduced.
i kept waiting on cute moments to happen for claire and rei but they were so few and far between and when they did happen they were kind of underwhelming!!! it seemed like claire realised her feelings for rei in this volume but that was just indicated by her being a bit nicer to rei or looking thoughtful or whatever. no real moments of softness or exciting romantic moments at all. unsatisfying… especially when this is supposed to be a kind of softcore enemies to lovers type dynamic. you need real moments of realisation rather than just making it feel forced by having claire start to act a bit differently.
there’s a bit where the ceiling is collapsing or something and rei covers claire and i thought omg she’s going to sacrifice herself and get hit and it’ll be some kind of moment for claire to see that rei really does love her… but no… rei used magic to cover them both, they were both fine and it was just a pointless moment really. there were no exciting or memorable moments like that really aside from the part when claire gives herself up. but even then they could’ve explored how the characters were feeling more.
even the ending of this book felt unsatisfying. claire finally accepts rei, but it feels sudden and the whole thing is over in two pages, she doesn’t even say yes really (?) the author just expects you to assume she did which is lame. and then you turn the page and BAM timeskip theyre living together with kids?????? let me live a little in this moment…! ive read like 900 pages to get here 😭😭
even after all of these complaints i keep coming back to these books because i really do love claire as a character… just. please. inori. please let volume 3 have more of a focus on claire and their relationship which is what the book is actually about. rather than introducing new characters that are 1 dimensional and annoying, focus on developing your existing characters and giving us more time to love them
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2021
(1am review in bed i edited like 20 times so far. So now its been a hour just about hah excuse my jumbled mess) This... should have been more than 2 books. Its rushed at points. Like there will be a build up to a fight.. and just skips the fight.. like in one the girls are gearing up to fight a well trained team thats out to kill them.. okay im ready. THE VERY NEXT SENTENCE- the team of killers is mostly depleted of their magic at the moment and kill themselves.. I literally went "oh.. what, wait thats it?"
And when rae finally tells her friend the whole story and claire that she's from another world and that this world is just a story... they just accept it.. huh? They just go "okay sure 👍"
What. Like it takes you out of the story. TOO MUCH IS HAPPENING AND YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PAGES TO MAKE IT BELIEVABLE. There are other things that set me off a bit. Its a revolution.. no one dies.. okay fine.. its fluff romance, but... ugh. Too much going on and exciting things are rushed. Something is picked up, looked at a tiny bit, then thrown to the side for the next super shiney plot point. Its disappointing. Bc I looked forward to this. And I feel meh. Parts would gear up and just be rushed through. Or you get TOLD WHAT HAPPENS NOT SHOWN. I hoped the whole thing about everytime Rae tried to change things it would change the game around so it still happened (but worse?) Kept going or why some events were happening at faster rate then when they were meant to. But egh. I like it but.. I don't? Idk. I'd rate it 2 and a half or 3 idk murrrr... Im still gonna get the manga lol
Spoilers Spoilers!!!
Dole isn't bad.. he just "played" the part..
me: EXCUSE ME WAAAAT. WHERE.. NO. No.. wth.? SINCE WHEN.
THERES A RUMOR OF THANES FATHER MAY NOT BE THE KING...
ME:huuuuh???
YU IS REALLY A CURSED GIRL?!
Me: WHAT IS GOING ON WHY IS THIS ALL HAPPENING?!?!
A VOLCANO IS ERUPTING!!!-
me: AAAAAAAAAHHHH STOP PICK SOMETHING. ONE THING AT A TIME WHY IS IS ALL IN ONE BOOK
REVOLUTION IS HAPPENING!!
me: *screams in corner in fear*
Thats not even all the damn twists!!!
And when rae finally tells her friend the whole story and claire that she's from another world and that this world is just a story... they just accept it.. huh? They just go "okay sure 👍"
What. Like it takes you out of the story. TOO MUCH IS HAPPENING AND YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PAGES TO MAKE IT BELIEVABLE. There are other things that set me off a bit. Its a revolution.. no one dies.. okay fine.. its fluff romance, but... ugh. Too much going on and exciting things are rushed. Something is picked up, looked at a tiny bit, then thrown to the side for the next super shiney plot point. Its disappointing. Bc I looked forward to this. And I feel meh. Parts would gear up and just be rushed through. Or you get TOLD WHAT HAPPENS NOT SHOWN. I hoped the whole thing about everytime Rae tried to change things it would change the game around so it still happened (but worse?) Kept going or why some events were happening at faster rate then when they were meant to. But egh. I like it but.. I don't? Idk. I'd rate it 2 and a half or 3 idk murrrr... Im still gonna get the manga lol
Spoilers Spoilers!!!
Dole isn't bad.. he just "played" the part..
me: EXCUSE ME WAAAAT. WHERE.. NO. No.. wth.? SINCE WHEN.
THERES A RUMOR OF THANES FATHER MAY NOT BE THE KING...
ME:huuuuh???
YU IS REALLY A CURSED GIRL?!
Me: WHAT IS GOING ON WHY IS THIS ALL HAPPENING?!?!
A VOLCANO IS ERUPTING!!!-
me: AAAAAAAAAHHHH STOP PICK SOMETHING. ONE THING AT A TIME WHY IS IS ALL IN ONE BOOK
REVOLUTION IS HAPPENING!!
me: *screams in corner in fear*
Thats not even all the damn twists!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2021
While I enjoyed the beginning and the end, I was bored during the middle. I think it took me so long to finish reading because Yu’s Secret didn’t appeal to me. Yes, I enjoy the fact that there is a representation for a certain something in this book; however, I was bored during the buildup to the secret (I won’t say what it is). In addition, I was bored during the investigation process, but I powered through reading because I was near the end.
Honestly, I hope the third book is filled with more romance than this book.... I want some Claire and Rae love. I don’t give a flying f**k about a revolution. In all honesty, the major conflicts are fixed, so I should be reading a fluffy book filled with love and devotion. Yup.... that is what will happen when I start reading the third installment.
Also, are the Japanese fine with sibling incest? L&L (can’t remember their names) are siblings, right? L&L are husband and wife, though.... right? Is that like a thing that is okay? Or is it still considered taboo?
Honestly, I hope the third book is filled with more romance than this book.... I want some Claire and Rae love. I don’t give a flying f**k about a revolution. In all honesty, the major conflicts are fixed, so I should be reading a fluffy book filled with love and devotion. Yup.... that is what will happen when I start reading the third installment.
Also, are the Japanese fine with sibling incest? L&L (can’t remember their names) are siblings, right? L&L are husband and wife, though.... right? Is that like a thing that is okay? Or is it still considered taboo?
December 19, 2023
Inori absolutely outdid herself with this second volume of
I'm In Love with the Villainess
.
Somebody in this app described this installment as "peak lesbian goodness & fighting aristocracy and class system" and I completely agree with them. To merely say that the plot thickens would be an understatement for this volume, since we find ourselves in the thick of a revolution. Although I was not expecting it at first, looking back, it makes a lot of sense and adds a lot more depth to the story and characters. Especially, Claire underwent an outstanding development, thanks partially to her love for Rae. And talking about these two, I just loved the way their relationship has kept blossoming into such precious and faithful love. The epilogue and ending were so soft and had me feeling so emotional! They truly are soulmates.
In conclusion, everything about I'm In Love with the Villainess is just perfect, and I am super excited to read the next one!
Somebody in this app described this installment as "peak lesbian goodness & fighting aristocracy and class system" and I completely agree with them. To merely say that the plot thickens would be an understatement for this volume, since we find ourselves in the thick of a revolution. Although I was not expecting it at first, looking back, it makes a lot of sense and adds a lot more depth to the story and characters. Especially, Claire underwent an outstanding development, thanks partially to her love for Rae. And talking about these two, I just loved the way their relationship has kept blossoming into such precious and faithful love. The epilogue and ending were so soft and had me feeling so emotional! They truly are soulmates.
In conclusion, everything about I'm In Love with the Villainess is just perfect, and I am super excited to read the next one!
April 16, 2022
Book 2 is a grand improvement on everything from book 1, other than the general writing. This series manages gender and sexuality talks better than a few others I've recently read, without naming names. Claire's character arc is so well done, and same with Rei's, although I don't think her change was as drastic. I loved Lilly and Manaria, and Yu's dedicated chapter... my heart. Lene and Lambert maybe never needed to make an appearance ever again? Remove that, and level up the writing, and this book would be pretty close to perfect. In my reading history, I've only known Sanderson to manage keeping this number of characters distinct from one another. Like, this characterization is impressive on a technical level. Characters who all have arcs, goals, and very distinct personalities? Well done.
May 17, 2021
Cute! It’s one of those stories where everything goes perfect in the end because the protagonist is omniscient and has planned for everything to go their way since the beginning, but honestly I wasn’t expecting anything else from an isekai light novel.
There’s some moments in this book where it touches on confronting anti-LGBT discrimination, including anti-trans ideologies. It’s not really delved into that deeply but it was still a pleasant surprise.
On the other hand, the book treats a (blood-related!) brother-sister incest couple in a positive light with pretty much no condemnation of the fact that they’re siblings, which was REALLY uncomfortable. So.... you can’t win I guess....
There’s some moments in this book where it touches on confronting anti-LGBT discrimination, including anti-trans ideologies. It’s not really delved into that deeply but it was still a pleasant surprise.
On the other hand, the book treats a (blood-related!) brother-sister incest couple in a positive light with pretty much no condemnation of the fact that they’re siblings, which was REALLY uncomfortable. So.... you can’t win I guess....
May 28, 2024
5,0 stars
April 3, 2021
A genuine ending, if a bit brief
So, keep in mind that, while I'll try to avoid detailed spoilers, I'll have to share *some*.
The biggest pro to this volume: there is an actual, distinct ending, as well as a bit of a "where are they now" epilogue. It deals only with the main named characters with a quick listing (not counting the "heroine and her capture target"), but that's still more than a *lot* of light novels ever manage. And, for the most part, it makes sense, even if the ending feels rather... Rushed. And sometimes nonsensical (I mean, really? Wind magic = time control? *Really*?), but still solid enough given the setting of a shojou game. And there *are* happy endings! Well. For all the non-het (non-incestous) characters.
And while part of me appreciates that, just because of how it inverts some of the dumber tropes around gender and sexuality (and romance), another part of me finds that, at least, a little sad, for one character especially. On the other hand, the author didn't go with some variant of a harem/mesh relationship, which would the easy (and lazy) way to do it. And the epilogue is only set a few months (to a year at most) after the climax. So it leaves enough to the imagination and the future.
I think my biggest issue is that the author/protagonist briefly makes a *very* disparaging comment about "people who love people, regardless of gender or sex". Which, given what they reveal about some characters, especially in the protagonist's flashback, and even the nature of her... Romancing? Seducing? Winning? Claire, implies that there's more truth to it than she wants to acknowledge.
That aside, this is one the few works I've read that takes a lot of this subject matter head on, and I love it for that. Even if the protagonist IS a creepy stalker with a masochistic streak. She just *is*, although it works out. Still not sure how I feel about that, but suspension of disbelief does *wonders*
But still, complaints aside, this is a *lovely* duology with tame yuri, and with a satisfying ending at that. Can't recommend them enough.
So, keep in mind that, while I'll try to avoid detailed spoilers, I'll have to share *some*.
The biggest pro to this volume: there is an actual, distinct ending, as well as a bit of a "where are they now" epilogue. It deals only with the main named characters with a quick listing (not counting the "heroine and her capture target"), but that's still more than a *lot* of light novels ever manage. And, for the most part, it makes sense, even if the ending feels rather... Rushed. And sometimes nonsensical (I mean, really? Wind magic = time control? *Really*?), but still solid enough given the setting of a shojou game. And there *are* happy endings! Well. For all the non-het (non-incestous) characters.
And while part of me appreciates that, just because of how it inverts some of the dumber tropes around gender and sexuality (and romance), another part of me finds that, at least, a little sad, for one character especially. On the other hand, the author didn't go with some variant of a harem/mesh relationship, which would the easy (and lazy) way to do it. And the epilogue is only set a few months (to a year at most) after the climax. So it leaves enough to the imagination and the future.
I think my biggest issue is that the author/protagonist briefly makes a *very* disparaging comment about "people who love people, regardless of gender or sex". Which, given what they reveal about some characters, especially in the protagonist's flashback, and even the nature of her... Romancing? Seducing? Winning? Claire, implies that there's more truth to it than she wants to acknowledge.
That aside, this is one the few works I've read that takes a lot of this subject matter head on, and I love it for that. Even if the protagonist IS a creepy stalker with a masochistic streak. She just *is*, although it works out. Still not sure how I feel about that, but suspension of disbelief does *wonders*
But still, complaints aside, this is a *lovely* duology with tame yuri, and with a satisfying ending at that. Can't recommend them enough.
June 1, 2021
A fantastic follow-up to the first volume that I feel resolved (at least partially) some of the issues I had with the first one. This one actually forces the main character to confront her godhood, her limitations and to grow, to be genuine, which was a very satisfying way to resolve the issue and give us a very, very satisfying ending (especially the bonus chapter being such a sapphic tear-jerker). If you're looking for a fun, satisfying lesbian novel, this is for you.
One persistent problem that has remained between both volumes is the authorship... The writing has definitely improved, and I don't want to make too fine a point given I am reading a translation, but the fact still remains that it leaves a lot to be desired. But I do feel that the author has a lot of potential, and this is their first work, so I am definitely looking forward to anything else they write! (including the other three volumes in this series, despite the seemingly satisfying story wrap up)
One final thought, the chapter that focused on transness... It is seemingly well-intentioned, but emblematic of people who do not truly understand trans people trying to write and support trans people. Trans people are, and have always been, their own strongest advocates and pushers for autonomy and support. The fact that Yu is side-lined to such an extreme extent (does she even get 10 lines of dialogue in the chapter that resolved around her) as the protagonist is trying to sort out her own feelings and experiences is but a gross example of cis* people's inability to decenter themselves in these discussions.
One persistent problem that has remained between both volumes is the authorship... The writing has definitely improved, and I don't want to make too fine a point given I am reading a translation, but the fact still remains that it leaves a lot to be desired. But I do feel that the author has a lot of potential, and this is their first work, so I am definitely looking forward to anything else they write! (including the other three volumes in this series, despite the seemingly satisfying story wrap up)
One final thought, the chapter that focused on transness... It is seemingly well-intentioned, but emblematic of people who do not truly understand trans people trying to write and support trans people. Trans people are, and have always been, their own strongest advocates and pushers for autonomy and support. The fact that Yu is side-lined to such an extreme extent (does she even get 10 lines of dialogue in the chapter that resolved around her) as the protagonist is trying to sort out her own feelings and experiences is but a gross example of cis* people's inability to decenter themselves in these discussions.
March 2, 2022
‘I’m In Love With The Villainess,’ Vol. 2 by Inori is a Young Adult light novel that continues the story of Rae Taylor a modern day woman transported to the fantasy world of her favorite video game Revolution, and try’s to romance the games main villain character Claire Francois. This volume sees Rei and Claire facing their toughest challenge yet. The fires of a full blown uprising against Bur’s Kingdom Noble elite, and if their love between the two can truly survive the conflict.
I have to admit didn’t care first volume, but this.....this was way better. I opened the volume, planning to only read a bit, then I finished the first chapter. Each Chapter is it's own story arc, and each one is really good. Volume two expands on everything I love about the story, from its decently nuanced take on issues such as homophobia/transphobia, treating its lgbt characters well, having a wonderful romance story, and balancing that all on top of the game’s nobility themes and the classism that comes with it resulting in a bunch of political drama that never feels boring. More of the protagonists flaws are brought to light though she remains a pleasure to follow and confronting her deuteragonist’s own position is a focus that I think is done rather well.
Overall, I’m in Love with the Villainess Volume. 2 is precisely what an excellent sequel should be. It appropriately raised the stakes in every way, expanded the world, flushing out its many factions and conflicts, and does a amazing job of queer representation in a grounded fantasy setting. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cute fantasy romance story.
I have to admit didn’t care first volume, but this.....this was way better. I opened the volume, planning to only read a bit, then I finished the first chapter. Each Chapter is it's own story arc, and each one is really good. Volume two expands on everything I love about the story, from its decently nuanced take on issues such as homophobia/transphobia, treating its lgbt characters well, having a wonderful romance story, and balancing that all on top of the game’s nobility themes and the classism that comes with it resulting in a bunch of political drama that never feels boring. More of the protagonists flaws are brought to light though she remains a pleasure to follow and confronting her deuteragonist’s own position is a focus that I think is done rather well.
Overall, I’m in Love with the Villainess Volume. 2 is precisely what an excellent sequel should be. It appropriately raised the stakes in every way, expanded the world, flushing out its many factions and conflicts, and does a amazing job of queer representation in a grounded fantasy setting. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cute fantasy romance story.
April 19, 2021
'I'm In Love With the Villainess,' vol 2, has to try and thread the needle of its promised revolution and the resolution of its love story with a particularly adamant noble daughter; it does find its way to a happy ending, but because it can't quite seem to commit to the chaos of actual revolution, it instead layers on several convoluted plots and lets its heroines and the country escape relatively unscathed. It feels sort of like the author realizing that, as good as the two characters are together, their differences were going to pull them apart short of a deus ex machina; otherwise Claire wasn't going to remain both the villainess and someone that Rei could love. I'd love to see an adaptation done where the end-game plotting was instead woven through the entire story; light novels getting turned into manga and/or anime would be the perfect place for this sort of editorial touch-up. Other than that, it's a very cute story with lots of good moments, it's explicitly queer and trans friendly, and the whole bicker to banter to loving teasing arc is a great thing; that its romantic genre meant it wasn't going to actually blow up the whole social structure and deal with that fallout is hard to count too much against it.
April 28, 2021
THREE STARS.
Whelp.
This one had higher highs than the previous novel, but also lower lows -- and by lower, I mean so much more boring and fragmented. My major complaint for the first book was how thin the worldbuilding was, and yet somehow the attempt to elaborate on it only made things worse. And the irrepressible charm of the romance falls by the wayside... unfortunate, considering
On the other hand: some awesome development of Claire as a character, more delving into queer issues and identities, that absolute banger of a "black moment" scene... so you know what, I'm probably not going to bother with the third volume, but I'm not sorry I picked this series up. (And I'll keep an eye out for the manga adaptation.) This was a fun and unique read.
Whelp.
This one had higher highs than the previous novel, but also lower lows -- and by lower, I mean so much more boring and fragmented. My major complaint for the first book was how thin the worldbuilding was, and yet somehow the attempt to elaborate on it only made things worse. And the irrepressible charm of the romance falls by the wayside... unfortunate, considering
On the other hand: some awesome development of Claire as a character, more delving into queer issues and identities, that absolute banger of a "black moment" scene... so you know what, I'm probably not going to bother with the third volume, but I'm not sorry I picked this series up. (And I'll keep an eye out for the manga adaptation.) This was a fun and unique read.
July 31, 2024
I think this is a big improvement compared to the first volume. It’s not without its problems: for instance the first chapter features the introduction of Manaria, who I cannot stand and is easily the worst character of this volume, with the ‘Mary Sue’ treatment she gets and the implied incestuous relationship she had with Claire, yet she was actually the good guy the entire time? Screw off with that! Rest of the book was actually really engaging, with the character development Claire gets throught this book and her gradually questioning her status in society and her true feelings for Rae, that was welcome to see. I also liked seeing Yu come out as a girl and win over her(?) gender dysmorphia, though I wished the book spent a bit more time exploring this issue and how it affected Rae, like how when Rae told her coming out story it felt pretty layered and nuanced. It was also interesting to see the power struggle when that eruption occurred, and the different factions that vied for control over the kingdom whilst Rae and Claire were simply trying to do their best for the populace and adjust to the aftermath. And who can forget the adorable bonus chapter with their children?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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