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michieknee's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A funny read. Katarina's such a fun ditz of a protagonist. Getting the perspective from the members of her accidental harem was a nice addition if a bit redundant in spots. It's also very heavy on exposition but with most of the series set up out of the way this should hopefully ease up in the next volumes.
A funny read. Katarina's such a fun ditz of a protagonist. Getting the perspective from the members of her accidental harem was a nice addition if a bit redundant in spots. It's also very heavy on exposition but with most of the series set up out of the way this should hopefully ease up in the next volumes.
jessthebibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
cute isekai reverse harem manga from the time the H regains her past life memories till she goes to Magic High School.
athenaevarinya's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this anime, which is why I had to read the light novels. It's essentially a written recap of the anime (so I'm very glad the anime is a very faithful adaptation). Reading, instead of watching, I have to question how Katrina's personality would be totally taken over by her past-life self. While it's to her benefit, I think it would make more sense if the personalities of the two lives of the same soul were more blended (meaning Katrina should be a little more naturally lady-like).
fscottfishgerald's review against another edition
5.0
The light novel is hilarious. I immediately bought all the available volumes after finishing the first book and no regrets. I have read the manga adaptation as well so, as you can tell, I am a fan. The main character is reborn from modern times into the body of a video game character that happens to be the villainess of the story. She vows to change the plot because the only possible game endings are death or exile. Along the way she remains oblivious to the fact that she has become the protagonist and remains under a misguided view that she is evil.
ruthelibrarian's review
4.0
Reading Level: Middle School
Interest level: Middle & High School w/ appeal to adults
Recommended for library purchase? Yes, with caveats.
To preface this review, I have read through volume 6. The rating on this review reflects my feelings towards volumes 1-3. If you are seeking to purchase light novels for your library collection, I highly recommend picking up volumes 1-2. The story ends perfectly at the end of volume 2. The series continues, but makes some major mistakes which leads me to say that if your patrons want to read more, they should invest in the series themselves as this series is about to be 9 books long in the Summer of 2021.
After watching the anime for this series, I couldn't resist picking up the light novels! The light novels are not well written, but the characters and unique story (unique to someone who doesn't often read light novels, mind you) are enough to draw the reader in and keep them invested! The entire cast in this book are loveable and you really root for all of them to somehow end up with the protagonist, Katarina Claes.
Katarina, herself, is very charming and its hard not to love her. She is very kind, generous, outgoing, and confident in most things. Her character flaws are played up for laughs in this hilarious read. Volumes 1 and 2 follow her childhood and teenage years, though she is actually a reincarnation of a Japanese teen girl, which might make her closer to being in her mid 20's by the time the 'game' portion begins.
What do I mean by game? Katarina Claes is actually the villain of a dating sim game that the Japanese teen played right up until her death. Now as Katarina, she has to do everything in her power to avoid a bad end, as Katarina Claes of the game never had a chance for a happy life! In her work to prevent her end, Katarina inexplicably ends up charming the entire cast of the game. The romantic interests as well as the other rival characters! It was refreshing to see women portrayed as openly pursuing another female character. While Katarina is incredibly dense and has no idea any of these people are interested in her, it doesn't feel like a queer bait since literally no one has a chance to make her recognize her feelings... at least in the first two books.
The second volume ends perfectly and there is no need to continue on reading the series after that point. However, the third volume is really fun too, and worth reading!
Then... we get volumes 4, 5, and 6... It is downhill from there. Suffice to say that the fourth volume rehashes the SAME CONFLICT from volume 2 and 3. It's literally the same plot with different characters in different places. Volume 5 is a collection of short stories which occur before volume 4.
Volume 6 has transphobia in it, period. There is a character who goes by Laura and identifies as a woman. She has a muscular body and a beautiful beard. Katarina takes a moment to gender her properly (that's fine) but spent the whole book pointing out how Laura is, in my characterization of Katarina's characterization, "basically a man."
Spoilers below:
I've been trying to read volume 7, but I find it quite difficult due to this transphobia and how the author seems to just be pulling plot points out of their butt. Katarina just happens to randomly buy a powerful magic item that works for her in one volume. She just happens to pick the perfect magic item to make one of her newly acquired powers even stronger and win a fight for her. Sophia lends her a book that happens to have spoilers for the sequel of the game, but Sophia does not have her previous life memories or at least doesn't actively seem to be helping. Not to mention, Katarina just happened to have a dream about her Japanese friend (who might be Sophia now?) playing the sequel just in time for Katarina to realize she is about to be in another dead end showdown. That's contrived as hell, I'm sorry.
In short, I would recommend reading the first two volumes 100%. I would even say the third is great too. After that, I would let it go. Other people seem to enjoy it, but it is just a rehash of the original plot over and over to me.
Interest level: Middle & High School w/ appeal to adults
Recommended for library purchase? Yes, with caveats.
To preface this review, I have read through volume 6. The rating on this review reflects my feelings towards volumes 1-3. If you are seeking to purchase light novels for your library collection, I highly recommend picking up volumes 1-2. The story ends perfectly at the end of volume 2. The series continues, but makes some major mistakes which leads me to say that if your patrons want to read more, they should invest in the series themselves as this series is about to be 9 books long in the Summer of 2021.
After watching the anime for this series, I couldn't resist picking up the light novels! The light novels are not well written, but the characters and unique story (unique to someone who doesn't often read light novels, mind you) are enough to draw the reader in and keep them invested! The entire cast in this book are loveable and you really root for all of them to somehow end up with the protagonist, Katarina Claes.
Katarina, herself, is very charming and its hard not to love her. She is very kind, generous, outgoing, and confident in most things. Her character flaws are played up for laughs in this hilarious read. Volumes 1 and 2 follow her childhood and teenage years, though she is actually a reincarnation of a Japanese teen girl, which might make her closer to being in her mid 20's by the time the 'game' portion begins.
What do I mean by game? Katarina Claes is actually the villain of a dating sim game that the Japanese teen played right up until her death. Now as Katarina, she has to do everything in her power to avoid a bad end, as Katarina Claes of the game never had a chance for a happy life! In her work to prevent her end, Katarina inexplicably ends up charming the entire cast of the game. The romantic interests as well as the other rival characters! It was refreshing to see women portrayed as openly pursuing another female character. While Katarina is incredibly dense and has no idea any of these people are interested in her, it doesn't feel like a queer bait since literally no one has a chance to make her recognize her feelings... at least in the first two books.
The second volume ends perfectly and there is no need to continue on reading the series after that point. However, the third volume is really fun too, and worth reading!
Then... we get volumes 4, 5, and 6... It is downhill from there. Suffice to say that the fourth volume rehashes the SAME CONFLICT from volume 2 and 3. It's literally the same plot with different characters in different places. Volume 5 is a collection of short stories which occur before volume 4.
Volume 6 has transphobia in it, period. There is a character who goes by Laura and identifies as a woman. She has a muscular body and a beautiful beard. Katarina takes a moment to gender her properly (that's fine) but spent the whole book pointing out how Laura is, in my characterization of Katarina's characterization, "basically a man."
Spoilers below:
I've been trying to read volume 7, but I find it quite difficult due to this transphobia and how the author seems to just be pulling plot points out of their butt. Katarina just happens to randomly buy a powerful magic item that works for her in one volume. She just happens to pick the perfect magic item to make one of her newly acquired powers even stronger and win a fight for her. Sophia lends her a book that happens to have spoilers for the sequel of the game, but Sophia does not have her previous life memories or at least doesn't actively seem to be helping. Not to mention, Katarina just happened to have a dream about her Japanese friend (who might be Sophia now?) playing the sequel just in time for Katarina to realize she is about to be in another dead end showdown. That's contrived as hell, I'm sorry.
In short, I would recommend reading the first two volumes 100%. I would even say the third is great too. After that, I would let it go. Other people seem to enjoy it, but it is just a rehash of the original plot over and over to me.
merinnan's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
saidahgilbert's review
5.0
2nd reading: It's just as laugh-out-loud funny as the first time I read it.
shdwblood's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0