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The Evil Queen's Beautiful Principles #1
The Evil Queen's Beautiful Principles (Light Novel) Vol. 1
Reincarnation, royalty, and revenge... A new fantasy isekai series by the creative team behind Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter (light novels and manga also from Seven Seas)!
In a world of royalty and magic, a young Japanese woman is reincarnated as Princess Luxeria. But the princess is born with magical abilities so strong and terrible that she agrees to live her life locked away in a tower. When her family is betrayed and her royal parents are murdered, she’s forced to step out of her self-imposed exile and into a treacherous world. Princess Luxeria must pretend to be the perfect puppet ruler...all while concealing her burning desire for vengeance.
In a world of royalty and magic, a young Japanese woman is reincarnated as Princess Luxeria. But the princess is born with magical abilities so strong and terrible that she agrees to live her life locked away in a tower. When her family is betrayed and her royal parents are murdered, she’s forced to step out of her self-imposed exile and into a treacherous world. Princess Luxeria must pretend to be the perfect puppet ruler...all while concealing her burning desire for vengeance.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2024
15 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 24, 2024
Simultaneously interesting and boring
The only thing going for this novel is the interesting story that feels like there are notes of "count of monte cristo" woven into it. The setting is almost non-existent (just castle) and the characters are all relatively flat.
My biggest complaint is that the "love story" makes zero sense. Almost no effort or into explaining how the couple could harbor any feelings and what little there is is weak at best. The constant parade of deal breakers and betrayals... Well anyone would wonder why a woman with 40+ years of life experience would have any interest in a 17 year old cheater. Plus, the idea that he has feeling for her are so obtuse, how can a crush at 8 years old become a self sacrificing flame? There's just no accounting for the behavior of these characters. It goes beyond lazy writing and becomes neglectfully sloppy.
Despite all that, the cliffhanger has me indecisive over whether to read one more or not. I think I'll sleep on it a bit before deciding.
The only thing going for this novel is the interesting story that feels like there are notes of "count of monte cristo" woven into it. The setting is almost non-existent (just castle) and the characters are all relatively flat.
My biggest complaint is that the "love story" makes zero sense. Almost no effort or into explaining how the couple could harbor any feelings and what little there is is weak at best. The constant parade of deal breakers and betrayals... Well anyone would wonder why a woman with 40+ years of life experience would have any interest in a 17 year old cheater. Plus, the idea that he has feeling for her are so obtuse, how can a crush at 8 years old become a self sacrificing flame? There's just no accounting for the behavior of these characters. It goes beyond lazy writing and becomes neglectfully sloppy.
Despite all that, the cliffhanger has me indecisive over whether to read one more or not. I think I'll sleep on it a bit before deciding.
July 1, 2025
DNF @60%
This was a slog. So much telling, little to no action. I kept waiting for something to happen until I finally gave up.
This was a slog. So much telling, little to no action. I kept waiting for something to happen until I finally gave up.
March 15, 2024
Revenge can be a difficult theme to manage. A balance of catharsis and believable motivations, it’s a theme that, on the whole, The Evil Queen’s Beautiful Principles navigates adeptly.
Key to this successful navigation is the volume’s central revenge act – Luxeria, the protagonist’s revenge against those who murdered her parents. Acting as a puppet ruler over the novel’s first half, it allows the revenge plot to build bit by bit. Throughout, her façade allows her to plan secretly gathering allies, leading to the perfect moment of catharsis as Luxeria reveals her true intentions in a bloody wedding sequence. It’s well-focused and staged, helping to feed into Luxeria’s prized narrative as the cold-hearted queen.
Unfortunately, the rest of the volume’s subplots aren’t so well-focused.
Romance and a Revenge for the People
In the case of the volume’s climax, the focus is taken away simply due to the novel already having peaked. Going one step beyond a personal vendetta, she takes her plans to stop the kingdom’s bureaucratic decay and create a system that helps both commoners and the nobility equally. A fine concept in practice, unfortunately, it falls foul of the fact that not one member of the nation’s ministry holds a candle to her power and, therefore, barely feels like a threat.
As for the series’ romantic subplot, the problem stems from an overall lack of connection between the series’ two romantic leads. Beyond a small flashback, Luxeria and Wilhelm barely speak more than two words to each other throughout the entire volume. As a result, I find it difficult to connect with their love story, and what’s more, I barely find it believable that she would use her abilities on him in a way that could endanger her entire motivation as ruler.
Fortunately, the theme of friendship is one subplot that offers some light at the end of the tunnel. The relationship between Luxeria and Alicia is the only link that the protagonist doesn’t sever from their childhood years. Offering a very different side to Luxeria from the ruthless ruler, their fun-loving moments together come as a welcome tension-breaker. Although, even this subplot suffers from a few holes. Explaining a plot point as being happenstance isn’t exactly a favourite of mine.
To conclude, whilst the story’s central revenge plot is well-focused and delivers the perfect amount of catharsis, this positivity doesn’t extend towards the rest of the story. A less-than-stellar climax and an underdeveloped romantic subplot mean that I won’t be picking up the sequel in the series.
Key to this successful navigation is the volume’s central revenge act – Luxeria, the protagonist’s revenge against those who murdered her parents. Acting as a puppet ruler over the novel’s first half, it allows the revenge plot to build bit by bit. Throughout, her façade allows her to plan secretly gathering allies, leading to the perfect moment of catharsis as Luxeria reveals her true intentions in a bloody wedding sequence. It’s well-focused and staged, helping to feed into Luxeria’s prized narrative as the cold-hearted queen.
Unfortunately, the rest of the volume’s subplots aren’t so well-focused.
Romance and a Revenge for the People
In the case of the volume’s climax, the focus is taken away simply due to the novel already having peaked. Going one step beyond a personal vendetta, she takes her plans to stop the kingdom’s bureaucratic decay and create a system that helps both commoners and the nobility equally. A fine concept in practice, unfortunately, it falls foul of the fact that not one member of the nation’s ministry holds a candle to her power and, therefore, barely feels like a threat.
As for the series’ romantic subplot, the problem stems from an overall lack of connection between the series’ two romantic leads. Beyond a small flashback, Luxeria and Wilhelm barely speak more than two words to each other throughout the entire volume. As a result, I find it difficult to connect with their love story, and what’s more, I barely find it believable that she would use her abilities on him in a way that could endanger her entire motivation as ruler.
Fortunately, the theme of friendship is one subplot that offers some light at the end of the tunnel. The relationship between Luxeria and Alicia is the only link that the protagonist doesn’t sever from their childhood years. Offering a very different side to Luxeria from the ruthless ruler, their fun-loving moments together come as a welcome tension-breaker. Although, even this subplot suffers from a few holes. Explaining a plot point as being happenstance isn’t exactly a favourite of mine.
To conclude, whilst the story’s central revenge plot is well-focused and delivers the perfect amount of catharsis, this positivity doesn’t extend towards the rest of the story. A less-than-stellar climax and an underdeveloped romantic subplot mean that I won’t be picking up the sequel in the series.
January 30, 2026
I wasn't really a fan of this one... it was so long... and yet so uneventful... The world building was thorough, but at many times it felt like there was more exposition than plot.
Another commenter mentioned that it does a lot of TELLING and not a lot of SHOWING, which I agree with wholeheartedly. Notably, the main character would say a line. Then would think about WHY she said that line. Then would explain what her goals, motive, and attitude of that line was. Then would explain the reactions she exepected, vs the reactions the line recieved. At many times, it felt like the idea of the line was conveyed at least three times over, which made it feel uneventful and very very long.
Overall, the premise is fun, but the pacing is a bit painful. (Audiobook version)
Another commenter mentioned that it does a lot of TELLING and not a lot of SHOWING, which I agree with wholeheartedly. Notably, the main character would say a line. Then would think about WHY she said that line. Then would explain what her goals, motive, and attitude of that line was. Then would explain the reactions she exepected, vs the reactions the line recieved. At many times, it felt like the idea of the line was conveyed at least three times over, which made it feel uneventful and very very long.
Overall, the premise is fun, but the pacing is a bit painful. (Audiobook version)
December 8, 2024
It was nice... it is nowhere near as good as 'Accomplishments of a Duke's Daughter' (which you might note I have read books 1-5 twice this year alone).. The author decided to go from a world with no magic to one with magic. It was nice, but the two volumes seemed to go much quicker (two volumes went quicker than five/eight ..no surprise there) and I think that it would have benefited from going a bit slower. That said, I hope that the author writes more series, as I prefer them creating a new one rather than letting one drag on too long.
January 15, 2025
This book has an interesting concept and world building but absolutely no tension… all the plans just… happen, and the number of times someone asks “how did you know that was going to happen” to the MC and there’s just a hyper convenient explanation got annoying after 1-2 times.
Also I have 0 clue why it’s even a reincarnation except?? For her somehow knowing about government policies?? Which she also later says doesn’t matter that much since it’s a different country anyway??? And also random throwaway comments like “DIY” and “humidifier”??
Also I have 0 clue why it’s even a reincarnation except?? For her somehow knowing about government policies?? Which she also later says doesn’t matter that much since it’s a different country anyway??? And also random throwaway comments like “DIY” and “humidifier”??
January 30, 2025
3.75/5
Really hoping that the rest of the novels in the series will be good because the premise and setting of the world and characters is well thought out. There was a lot of interesting moments but too much build up I think, although maybe it was necessary for introduction purposes.
I love the idea of the heart love sword.
Really hoping that the rest of the novels in the series will be good because the premise and setting of the world and characters is well thought out. There was a lot of interesting moments but too much build up I think, although maybe it was necessary for introduction purposes.
I love the idea of the heart love sword.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2025
This book was amazing and I finished it in like a week. Ima buy the Secound book soon and love it just as much! I don’t like whilhelm but on the Secound book maybe we will learn more about him and make me actually like him.
December 10, 2024
Great!
Read
December 23, 2024Overall decent, my main annoyance is that, as of book 1, it doesn't need to be an Isekai.
August 25, 2025
3.5
Middle of the road read, not quite my vibe but not totally awful. Perhaps a bit slow/boring at some parts. Because of that middle of the road feeling, I don't think I'll bother continuing.
Middle of the road read, not quite my vibe but not totally awful. Perhaps a bit slow/boring at some parts. Because of that middle of the road feeling, I don't think I'll bother continuing.
September 26, 2025
3.5 stars.
November 14, 2024
God I hate when adults write children, they always get it wrong. She is supposed to be an adult in a kids body who isekai-ed into this world and personally it annoys me.
it feels like the FL is in love with her best friend the maid ....
way more political then i thought it was going to be. they should have focused on this from the beginning instead of the weird lesbian coded friendship OR just make the FL queer? why fight it? (they keep showing her besties perspective and i dont know why, she adds nothing to the plot)
it feels like the FL is in love with her best friend the maid ....
way more political then i thought it was going to be. they should have focused on this from the beginning instead of the weird lesbian coded friendship OR just make the FL queer? why fight it? (they keep showing her besties perspective and i dont know why, she adds nothing to the plot)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews