[SHORT REVIEWS] #25 EXPANDED

I was thinking why not add other things I watch or would like to recommend in short reviews outside of books, reviews are for everything after all.

Point is, I was watching more these days than reading... Though reading webtoons is also reading, just a different type? But also the dramas~

NOVELS

KOREAN

Gilded Princess

Excuse me, wy this has low rating on NU?

First of all, the synopsis to this novel is shit, I was confused before I read it. And the story felt good. The prose is more thought through, the character has more depth and different choices to make.

The basic idea is, FMC is saved from kidnapping only to be betrayed by someone close to her, only then she realized that her thoughts of a normal life might be futile and only status and money will allow her to be protected, so she agrees to her families arranged marriage (MMC is not someone she is supposed to marry due this arrangement).

SPOILERS

She later finds out that her future husband has violent tendencies and her own family won't care about her well-being since they desperately wish to connect to nobility.

She grew up to be a perfect lady, not of her own free will, she was trained a bred to be the most graceful and beautiful vase her mother could think off. She always was against it inside before she gave up, but the violent future husband is not something she wanted for herself. In desperation she wants to escape only having nowhere to go and being chased and searched everywhere. The only person who came to mind was MMC, he once saved her, but he is someone who so far was on the opposite side of her because he wants to ruin the family she wanted to marry.

I think the story so far was quite good, it shows changes that take place with our choices and mindset etc.

My Arrogant and Insolent Shadow

Once again I dislike the summaries of Korean novels, they're confusing, can't you make it sound normal like what to expect? Sure, part of the summary is true, but a big chunk of premise is missing. She is a commoner girl, true, she lives in this small town, also true, she is hired (she needs money for her mom's medicine) to take care of some young master of unknown identity but noblest birth, very true, but he is also said to be living his last days in this small town, which made him so insufferable. She is the only one who could handle his temper and he was interested in this girl's attitude. So he asked her to return and serve him.

I though it sounded weird, but when I started reading I was again baffled by the difference of what I see in the summary and the novel itself. I don't know, I don't think my comprehensive skills are bad, it's just confusing information the way they write. So I was intrigued to keep on going, will continue to read. I admit I only started with few chapters and decided to leave it for later, since I was in the "let's clean bookmarks" stage.

WEBTOONS

MANHUA

Love by Mistake

(错撩)

(or manhua that has too many alternate titles, like The Wrong Flirt, Only for love, Accidental love)

Based on a novel from JJ and I never read it, but the premise of it is not new but the execution of manhua is EXCELLENT. The art is overwhelmingly gorgeous and fun.

The plot follows Zheng Shuyi (I like her og name, I know the Eng tl named her completely different) who was broke up with her boyfriend because of his cheating, he wanted to achieve quick success with the "right girl", while Shuyi noticed the presence of a RR Phantom in the scenario she thought of getting to know the infamous "uncle" of this little mistress girl, just to become an aunt and let her ex call her auntie, but who knew that she got the wrong person.

I had the same feelings when I was reading this as the previously reviewed manhua about two actors having a secret marriage. It did not click with me when it came to the book, but the visuals helped it become cuter, especially the FMC. I did not read the novel of this one, but saw some unfavorable reviews, while I think the manhua smoothes out the points brought up in those reviews. 

MANHWA

You think it's easy rewriting the story?

(원작은 아무나 비트나)

This is hysterical!! so far. FL is simply a ball of joy, because she is so fun and expressive. Love her antics. She is so suss. Even if she looks like a villainous heroine who is using her beauty for gain.. she actually does use it ahaha What a menace. Reading at least one good among others that are okay is already enough. Also I love the main characters a lot. They are the perfect example of opposite visual and character. The FL looks like an angel, but she is cunning and also likes to tease the ML. One the other hand ML looks a bit intimidating, but he can get shy because of how bold FL is.

I think the story perfectly combines story and art aspect to make the story engaging and entertaining.

The plot of the story is how FL who was in a modern world and also had some not so ordinary life transmigrates into a book and at first wants to escape her fate and does not want marry the duke (ML, who is a villain in the story). Although she knows his backstory and the reason for the revenge, she is still not truly connected to him. While ML's story is fuller than what we see, especially when he explain it himself what pushes him forward. Later on he meets FL, who is definitely not what he expected and his opinion of her starts to change. He is not someone without reason, so we can see why he changes. I think they fit each other pretty well and thus the story might change because of her influence, which she thinks she doesn't have.

I find it very entertaining and would continue. I saw that it only has Season 1 so far (;_; )

ALSO, how many MLs have black hair and red eyes lol!!

I became the Tyrant's Chambermaid

(폭군의 침방 시녀가 되었다)

How very convenient that a hotel employee transmigrates to become a chambermaid of a tyrant, an unloved prince who will become Emperor in the story. Honestly, the tone of it is quite gruesome, but what makes it better is the reaction of FL to things, more like her inner voice. ML has quite a character so as the FL said it's a dark fantasy romance etc. It does not follow the fully angst way, which I'm thankful for. But ML's character is quite heavy.

In a way it's the same as those stories about a secretary to unhinged boss, we saw plenty of those. Thus she has to survive with everyone eyeing her.

Also I chose this cover, because I like it more.

The Crow's Prince

(하필이면 까마귀가 되어버렸다)

I think you can make the crow girl into a meme and an emoji pack, the way she reacts is priceless. I heard it's based on the novel and the novel has more serious tone? But honestly how do we know? Don't authors take at least some part in the process and give an okay? Otherwise who would adapt it this way.

Anyway, a zookeeper, which is rare for stories, travels to the game world and stumbles upon a prince who is destined to become the future Emperor, or so we think. He is her best choice to follow if she wants to find a way to return home. They develop a close relationship during the time they stayed inside the woods while she helped him to recover, so he took her back to the castle.

Here we find that there is another contender for the throne who was always against others. I thought they were half-brothers, but no, they're blood brothers and this guy acted as if it's a sure thing to get the throne. Only because they were the wolves and those who awakened their powers and could transform could become the future ruler. The younger brother was aided by a dark magician and their scheme was eventually revealed. But it's only the beginning.

I think the story might get a turn to be more serious from here, but who knows, the FMC who could later transform into human called Rainelle is the one who makes the day. I have no idea if they ever get any troubles, ther relationship can be called solid and they care for each other so much. I suppose all the trouble will be external, after all we did not really entered the plot at the point where I'm currently reading.

Mother's Contract Marriage

(엄마가 계약결혼 했다)

I was wondering what type of story it will be. But I can't say much, by far it's quite sweet and cute.

Saw it in YT shorts. Forgot for what reason I decided to check it out. I'm sure it's something about her mother and the current Emperor.

The basic premise follows a girl Lylica, she and her mother lived in slums, before one day her mother acted differently (her mother obviously regressed), later her mother entered a contract marriage with the Emperor and Lylica came along. Her pure heart truly started changing people around her, because she always thought the best of people, had faith in them (unless they were truly despicable and her instinct told her so) and also was not marred by the palace intrigue.

The background plot reveals the struggle between the Emperor and aristocrats. The Emperors of this country are the saviors in the history, they led the people to survive, descendant are said to have the dragon blood (yeah, even in Western fantasy it's all about dragons~), so this is why they inherit the throne, while aristocrats want to join the Imperial family by marriage to take control of power. Both the current Emperor and his heir (nephew) both have mothers of common origin.

Sometimes reading about someone so innocent and nice is pretty healing and Lylica is that type f character. The story like many others here not only involve European ambience, romance, but also fantasy elements.

Shards of a Broken Glass Slipper

It looks gorgeous and very distinctive. The picture is quite heavy-loaded with bold colours and imagery. Also the style of storytelling feels a bit dramatic and theatrical.

The plotline is based on the Cinderella plot, where the sister is always hated, but the female protag is like the most precious girl in the world, although her actions are always the same, as they say fake white lotus.

The pacing to me feels a bit slow, but that's all because the beginning has a lot of flashbacks to how contrasting FL's reality is to the story.

Must say that I was intrigued by the first scene, since FL offs herself in front of female protag. All because she wants her perfect life to ne marred with the scene of her gruesome death in front of female protag.

Later FL describes how with her lack of knowledge the servants of the household mistreated her and made her look like a fool, always trying to compare the female protag and herself. Which led to FL's twisted personality. Now she tries to get back things to those who wronged her. Her past life is really heavy I'd say. Female protag is always doing things in the same way, if she can't say smth back she cries, thus the crying baby gets the candy. And also makes FL look bad.

The beginning had a great build-up, but tbh the scene where they play cards bored me, since it took so long and overexplained every detail, which I think if we never play this type of game ever again it did not matter. But if we do, I'm pretty sure the rules will be explained again, because ppl can't remember much.

Author of my own Destiny

(내 남자 주인공의 아내가 되었다)

COMPLETED. This is the only one I finished from the list of mentioned. I'm not sure if I need to give it a separate review, I might do that.

The plot follows the author of her own story who enters the plot and become the villainess Fiona Green. She cared a lot for the characters she created and felt immense guilt that few strokes of her writing decided someone fate to be tragic. Burdened by it she treated the ML of her story with care and love, though she still felt a bit detached since she never considered to be the target of his future affection. Later on she befriended female protagonist and another woman who is a villainess of her story (yay girl power). Together they face the advercity that happened because of her own plot choices.

Her story became conscious and the villainess who became the final boss assimilated with what is called Darkness in this world, entity that can bring ruin to this world.

Although she is the author of her story, but it's not under her control. What happens to characters is not up to her. She fights her own guilt and tries to save this world. And save her characters.

It's an interesting take. The FL is actually quite dimensional, since shows so many sides of herself.

I also love the found family trope among the others. Also female friendship, I found it's a pity there wasn't enough of it.

FL is a true protag of this story, it is very FL-oriented. A great point is also there is no-nonsense points in the story, since a lot of "conflicts" were solved through COMMUNICATION and no stone was left unturned. They did not drag it for forever, they solved it right away and thus the relationship had such a great foundation. It's just other stories love to have these miscommunication tropes so much it's infuriating.

All in all it was a nice story.

PS: It has an alter. title, I became the wife of the male lead, which I think is not really fitting, Author of my own destiny was even used in narration. But becoming a wife... can be considered as a final outcome, since it happened in the very end lol.

DRAMA

Moonlit Reunion

(子夜归)

THEY HAVE A CAT. Also chose tis poster since it's less messy, it may not have all the characters, but I love the idea how simple it is.

It is a fine watch, was attracted to FL's character and actress, since she looks like a doll, so pretty. Tian Xi Wei, my new baby to follow❤

In the way I can describe it as short as possible the story follows (so far) the dealings with demons among humans, And all those cases are handled by a human master who hides among people and a demon cat girl, who judges those who did something wrong among humans and is a part of the Demon Market.

I watched a video with her with edits from how FL acted domineeringly and those are some humorous shots that caught my attention. In general she hides the fact that she's a demon, but she gets attracted to the human cultivator/master guy, the same story is from his side. He falls for her as a girl and yet to find out that she's a demon. But when it comes to dealing with raging demons they have no idea that they're basically on the same side.

It can be found on YT, yeah you can watch it officially and with Eng subs.

New Life Begins

(卿卿日常)

I suppose it will be a group portrait type of drama with extensive cast, judging by the poster. Found it randomly on YT, most likely was recommended because of Moonlit Reunion, since it has the same actress for FL. The premise of this story is interesting, since brides from all regions that are very distinct come to the palace to become wives of Princes. FL is from a place that is into farming, so she's all about food. She wanted to get kicked out early, but caught attention of a sickly prince and eventually married him.

To me the actor who plays the male lead doesn't have what I'd call "the face of the male lead", he also looks younger than the girl. My own perception.

But the story is light and should be easy-going. I know I have no idea what I'm talking about I watched like ep 1 and that's it. But I was attracted to the atmosphere and will see where it'll take me.

Melody of the Golden Age

(长乐曲)

Reason - because the male lead is played by the actor who played Mu Sheng in Love in Eastern Fantasy, Ding Yu Xi, this is what I call the face of the male lead, those gorgeous eyebrows, even if they're drawn. But the ancient clothes fit him so well. The story, or his character in particular feel a bit darker~

FL did not leave a good impression on me in the first episode, I have no idea why, I hope it reverses later. She is the daughter of a concubine who was trained and has extensive invastigative skills. She served in the Ministry of Justice. Although it's cool that she achieved that, but of course it's like another mysoginistic environment. 

Then the marriage bestowed on her family falls on her shoulders since her sister wants to escape this amrriage. She has no idea that ML is not so indifferent to her. They have a past~ 

ANIME

Debu to Love to Ayamachi to!

(デブとラブと過ちと!)

This is so good so far, I watched half of it and waited for it to be released in full before finishing. The FMC is such a ball of light and confidence, she honestly gave me such a good feeling.

The story folows our FMC who got into an accident and got amnesia, she forgot all her bad days and her character made a reverse, she became full of life and confidence and she didn't care a bit that she had weight. Honestly, I think this anime has such a great message on things like not fitting the image, being teased and bullied and how to handle it. How to love yourself and be confident. I really liked this type of positive FMC.

Spy x Family (Season 3)

I finished the season...Release me from this. I don't want to continue watching, but what do I do with Anya. The story struggles to progress anywhere before few last episodes. Only half of this season had any meaning, the rest of it is water that keeps on repeating itself.

It's one and the same situation over and over again like there will never be any progress at all. The characters do not change as well. I can handle Anya, since her character is more fun even if she is an empty head. Loid is a good person, but Yor started to get on my nerves. An adult woman who can't change her ways and acts like a dumbass all the time. I should find it funny, I don't.

Anyway what I'd like to say is that the ways this anime is shown starts to get old. It's the same thing over and over again. Whenever the chance to become better is presented any exciting chain of events that might lead anywhere is cut short and we repeat the process.

Do modern people not see or don't care for this type of storytelling which is not great.

Honestly, all my hopes were up for the final episodes, but it was the same old shit. Also it really got on my nerves. First Loid who escaped decided it's a great idea to throw away the pipe which was his only weapon during the chase. Later Fiona again has a lovestruck girl moment, while she chases someone, I mean.. time and place? Author never follows, it should be funny, not to me, she is portrayed as this competent idiot. It's good that men are also idiots, otherwise I'd think this show is sexist.. IT IS towards EVERYONE. It's cool that Fiona's feelings allow her to uncover her potential, but later with legs and arms broken she still thinks how to plot and become Loid's wife... You know what they say about jokes that are repeated for a hundredth time? Yeah, rotten.

❧

Arrow of Fortune by Jacquelyn Benson

Third book in the Raiders of the Arcana series. I really need to get my s* together and read it, since it already came out. Maybe the difference is that I was actually waiting for this one unlike previous two that I found and they were already available. Same with other books, they came out long ago, but I still keep them unread... I would like an answer to this.

Some mentions, since these are future releases:

All Hail Chaos release date was moved to May. Will I see book two?

The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer, never read her but traveling to books is our vibe here, I want a western take on it (unless you know, it's going to be "inspired").

Murder by Moonrise is the final in the trilogy, I hope to see how Patrice McDonough will finish her wonderful story.

A Wretched Folly by Lynn Messina. Beatrice will get 14th bok in the series. I've finished 7. I slowed down to enjoy it. BUT OH GOD IT INCLUDED PINEAPPLE. You really need to know the lore of these book to know why it matters ahahaha This author really uses things that appear prior to use them later, so ingenious.