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lampers_'s profile picture

lampers_'s review

2.0

This one is important in the scope of GL works but I can’t help but feel that it wasn’t a good time overall. Its humor relies on one single joke, Claire doesn’t like Rae back. Which throughout the book, I never really found funny and their chemistry doesn’t quite click enough so it feels like one sided harassment most of the time.

That is what comprises the first half the book before the book randomly dives into a plot line regarding class conflict. You then get some extremely basic world building and some corny dialogue from Rae foreshadowing the 2nd half.

Thankfully though the 2nd half manages to work much better. Even if the subject matter wasn’t dealt with any semblance of class, it did well to define who these characters were a bit more (which the first half failed to do).

So far, I don’t really see the hype. It is one of the only pieces of yuri light novel I can think of that actively addresses sexuality, so it’s commendable for that reason. But it really was just a single scene and I can’t see myself giving it more credit for that. I bought the 2nd volume, so I’ll be giving that a try at the very least before deciding to drop this or not. The 2nd half established some plot threads that may have potential and I hope the 2nd volume dips into it at least a little.
safiewafie's profile picture

safiewafie's review

3.0
funny lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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honeyviolets's profile picture

honeyviolets's review

5.0
adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

emmalthompson85's review

3.75
funny medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a weird one. I really liked the concept of the person who's been isekai'd into the world being openly gay about it. Not sure how common that is a a trope but the only thing of the genre I've read before is scum villains self saving system and this is a really nice counterpoint to that. Rei effectively being Claire's biggest fangirl was cute. And the slow realisation that Claire is moving into the role the game has the love interest fill is cute. I listened to the audio book and the narrator was brilliant, she brought a real anime feel to her reading. 

That said, why always so much uncomfortable sexual boundary pushing. Rei manipulating herself into a position where she gets to see Claire naked and then makes sexual jokes about it. Against Claire's explicit consent. Not great. 

There was also a truly bizarre sequence where Rei comes out, Claire reacts badly and Rei lectures her on how not every gay woman is going to hit on her which, fine, but Rei has clearly and aggressively hit on Claire and got herself into a position where she's responsible for Claire's care. I feel Claire has a right to worry as Rei hasn't respected boundaries in the past. 

I also found it hard to root for Claire when the topic is "should peasants have rights?" And she believes no. 

I'll probably listen to the next one to see how it goes then make a decision about the rest of the series. 

pixelsoda's review

4.25
adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
sa_n's profile picture

sa_n's review

4.0
adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Loveable characters: Yes

spiderwitch's review

3.5
adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

joan_h's review

4.0
funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

trash_candra's review

4.0

Rae is an unreliable narrator and starts out as an awful person who sexually harasses a stranger and uses her knowledge of the world to force herself into Claire's life, so she's not at all a good person.

That said, I think it's satisfying and fun seeing her grow over the course of the book. I don't think she's a commendable person at any point, but she starts to see other people as people and begins to respect Claire and help her rather than just ogle at her.

The story was pretty engaging, with a number of plot twists that were hinted at but not so obvious that you saw them coming from a mile away. By the end of the book most of the characters still suck as people, but they show they're capable of change and that's always sweet to see. If this was a standalone book I'd be mad that Rae and Claire are still awful at the end and faced no repercussions, but given that it's the first of a series I'm hopeful that we will see character growth or retribution in the future.

lemonaderoses's review

3.5
adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes