A review by theirnknight
The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (Novel) Vol. 3 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

While this book is treated like a romance, I can only read it as a mild horror. Not scary, but the 'relationship' certainly takes the tone of an attempt to placate the generally malevolent and manipulative love interest. Not to say the feelings of the protagonist are insincere, but there's a continued feeling of the relationship as a threat he's willing to embrace, rather than a genuine benefit to his life. It's less funny than the rest of the series, although I'd still consider it a comedy, though still engaging. I found the drama less captivating than the comedy, but still worth reading for those who like the style of the first book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual violence

Moderate: Stalking, Slavery, Gaslighting, and Violence

There's a very notable scene where the couple have sex. It's consensual by his word, but done out of necessity from the protagonist's perspective rather than mutual desire, and is painful and violent to the point that he almost dies.