“He falls first”…I think it’s happening. Though he started saying it in jest, it’s feeling like there is some weight behind what he’s saying…
Also, I like how all of the love interests aren’t being introduced all at the same time. It shows that there is a plan and that hopefully we won’t have a huge lag time between volumes.
Oh, I forgot to mention it in the first review, but if you aren’t into guns, especially being aimed at one’s self to control others by threatening self-harm, don’t read these. It was used in the first volume and the second and it made me VERY uncomfortable.
Guns are NOT toys and should be handled responsibly. They shouldn’t be used in media for unnecessary drama.
4, I hope to my stop with that particular scene in future volumes, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If anyone were to say, "Perfect sequels don't exist…" Let me kindly introduce this series because I LOVED volume two so much! I don't know if I would say it was BETTER than volume one, but the enjoyment I had of this volume was just as strong as volume one, hands down!
In fact, maybe even more so because I couldn't help giggling when reading the opening scene! I do believe our Leonardo is quite smitten with our beautiful Francesca! The things he said in the opening I feel were just the tip of the iceberg because after seeing them ride in the carriage AND how he acted at the soiree, it leaves no room for doubt that he loves her!
He's just *coughs* os a little crazy, which this volume also showed. *nervous laughter*
I did, however, appreciate the "twist" of Francesca pointing out that since she is doing everything in her power to change the story, she has sort of ended up becoming a villainess of her own making. I wasn't expecting that and definitely don't feel she is, but I could see why SHE feels that way!
If I had any "struggle" reading this volume, it's that the new character reminds me SO much of Sebek from Twisted Wonderland, and I had such a hard time not comparing the two. LOL! I personally didn't mind, as I really like Sebek, but seeing another character so similar made me giggle in its own right, even though I probably shouldn't have when tensions were so high. LOL!
Overall, definitely another amazing volume, even though…WHAT WAS THAT CLIFFHANGER?!! I NEED VOLUME THREE ASAP!!
Wishing again for the light novel, because this seems like it might get kind of frustrating reading in manga format. The plot is just too complex and drawn out for shorter installments - it would be good for binging or a backup visual version if you already know the story.
Very little story progress is made in this volume, although I did enjoy Francesca getting to know and like Leonardo more. Amekawa relies a bit too heavily on her heroines being simultaneously brilliant and oddly oblivious, which makes for a lot of cute moments, but starts to drag after a while. Due to her double lives, Francesca's closer to 29 than 17 and shouldn't be as innocent and sheltered as Leonardo points out. Optimism, faith in others, and a resilient dedication to hope doesn't have to come from naivete or ignorance, so it's a teensy bit silly to have Francesca making all these epic, forward-thinking plans while missing big obvious signals about Leonardo's feelings.
Also, while I tend to get sucked into isekai type plots (not to make a pun), I do think it'd be nice to have more heroines who are strong and brave and smart and shock their impressively overpowered love interests due to just...their own inner strength, rather than a detailed background knowledge of all the world's inner workings and big events. It seems a bit unfair that the girl basically needs a cheat code in order to operate at the same level that the guy was simply born into.
But that's a larger genre complaint, I suppose. I realize I'm sounding pretty critical of this story, when the reality is that I am enjoying it: I just have higher expectations because I like this author and was hoping her second story would provide some fresher material.
The one thing I do really like is how funny this one is. Francesca's father in particular keeps making me laugh - he's so over-the-top devoted to his precious daughter's well-being that all of his violent threats to the people around her really work as humor. He'd be kind of horrifically creepy if you took any of this as face value, but it's been an amusing thread thus far - mostly because it plays so well off Francesco's exasperated attempts to calm him down.
I also really enjoyed the interaction between him and Leonardo, with Leonardo demonstrating a true understanding of his noble status and how to treat a fiance from another high-ranking family. It's an elaborate dance that they both handle according to their own personalities.
Can't figure out yet what's going on at the party or if there's someone else doing the Evil Drug Deals and Mind Controlling, or if the story's just warping a bit due to Francesca accidentally choosing Leonardo as her game partner.
I came into this manga two volumes delayed because I hadn't realized it was licensed in English - only thought of looking it up after seeing it on the author's social media - but I kind of wish it'd taken me longer to find it, so I could binge and find out more of the plot all at once. Looks like it's going to be a pretty long road to get anywhere, although the next volume is meant to wrap up the party (and maybe drugs?) plot.
This is not really my usual jam and just like with volume 1 there are parts I'm interested in while other parts are less interesting to me/I'm less keen on them. So I'll call this an alright middle of the road read so far to me personally. I think I'll give it a third volume, given my library gets it, to determine if I should continue this series or not. After all this series is still publishing, as far as I can see, and I try to mainly read finished middle of the road series to avoid keeping track of more than necessary. Especially when I feel a series is middle of the road. To me a middle of the road series or book for that matter, aren't usually a bad thing. It's just something I like reading but I'm not rushing to finishing. You may call it a leisurely/chill kind of pleasure reading! Because of that, it's easier to stick with finished series and preferably shorter series.
I'm not sure how I feel about volume 2 :/ On one hand, new love interest! On the other- I just feel like we haven't made all that much progress with the plot? The new love intrest is an uptight rule-follower who is shown to have a kind side (in the side story) but Leonardo is still the same jerk as before- and I'm sure he has his motivations but I just don't like him. The protagonist is making some more moves now tho- I'm liking seeing more of this bold side of her where she isn't afraid to stand up for what's right- I just wish we got more "personality".
I was so happy to see the next volume on ComicsPlus! In this one a whole lot of Francesca trying to make sense of the events and thinking about how to continue, lots of Leo x Francesca moments (which on the one hand I found YAS but also a bit ICK given that I just cannot tell if Leo is honest or not), great art, and a fabulous cliffhanger what will happen next and will people survive this party? I need to know! Also I want more Ricardo even though he seems so angry all the time.
I really like the back and forth between the two leads. The story good but a bit fast, and the volume is over all too soon. I find myself making theories and getting excited to see if I can guess what's upcoming. Definitely a fun read!
I remember the plot of the book but honestly cannot remember if I liked it or loved it so I'll give it a 4 star for now and if I do a reread I'll rerate it!