The Otome Heroine's Fight for Survival: Volume 3

The Otome Heroine's Fight for Survival Light Novel #3

by Harunohi Biyori, Camilla L. (translator), Hitaki Yuu (illustrator)

Alia continues to roam the land in her quest to become stronger and overcome her fate. Her ruthless actions and impressive feats of carnage have made her notorious among those who operate from the shadows of the Kingdom of Claydale. Her habit of coating her hair in illusory ashes and her developing features have earned her the nickname “Lady Cinders,” and that name alone is enough to strike fear in the hearts of many. Cutting down any who would stand in her way, Alicia returns to the Barony of Horus—where her journey began two and a half years ago—to repay a debt. There, she runs into a few familiar faces...

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2022

Reviews

[Russell Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great addition to a series that's continuing to deliver. This book has two parts, both involve Alia getting involved with a quest of sorts due to someone she met in the first book. Both quests also delve a bit deeper into the relationship between monsters and humans in this world and it was interesting to see how the author put a good amount of thought into things compared to so many other light novel writers.

Something I also appreciate is how much story we get in each book of this series. It seems all too often that light novels take a single plot arc and split it across two or even three books, with the paltry 200-page count being fluffed up by 50 pages of side stories.

By the end of each book in this series, I feel like I've actually had a legit story experience with a satisfactory stopping point. I'm curious to see how things go in the next volume since it seems like Alia won't be able to avoid interacting with the nobles from the Otome game plot she's been trying to avoid.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell if this book is perfect, or just very close to perfect. More action, more tension, and more world development all wraps together supremely well in this book.

Honestly there was a confusing part near the end but I'm quite certain it'll all make sense because I think it'll come up again in the 4th book. Also it's something very minor.

On that note, I love how the story somewhat, "humanizes." the monsters of this world. It very much so focuses on the relationship between an adventurer like the MC has full fledged become and the world around her. From other adventurers, to monsters, to old allies and enemies. From realizing the kill or be killed aspect of life between humans and monsters, to the possibility of a rocky coexistence between others.

These topics expand the world even more, allowing for a richer world to come to light. By the end they're also teasing a future plot I am very excited to see.

In terms of the, "power fantasy," aspect of the story, the main character has very clearly risen to much higher heights by this point. She's nearing the level of the maximum strength we've seen other characters to have. Perhaps new characters will be introduced, or perhaps this is a sign of reaching the end of the series? I have honestly no clue, but am optimistic. This is a series I hope lasts a long long time however. It's nice seeing the character grow from such a young age into her own person, ready to stand alone against whatever comes after her.

[Pieter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The volume consists of two main stories, our heroine struggling to deal with a large group of orcs under the leadership of a powerful leader. Here a direct confrontation as usual is not the solution. In the second part we get to meet some old friends and foes and have her make some new friends along the way. Alia is slowly growing in power, and through her actions she is being drawn back into civilization without it ending up in her against the rest of the world. As usual, interesting world and characters, having the main character struggling to survive is a nice change of pace, and this time it is a bit less grim (even though it is equally bloody in a way). Still, I do feel this volume was a bit of a filler one, little on the main plot (that otome game in the title), and not that much character development. Still, it was an enjoyable read and a good addition to the series.

[Alarna · Rating 4 out of 5]

good. :)