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악역의 엔딩은 죽음뿐 [Ag-yeog-eui Ending-eun Jug-eumbbun] (Comic) #8
Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 8
Painstaking efforts, near-death experiences, unrequitable feelings—everything Penelope has worked for comes crashing down in an instant upon the return of Ivonne, the “true” daughter of House Eckhart. The one to blame? Eckles, the very man Penelope was betting her survival and escape on. But when she goes to confront him for his betrayal, not only is she hit by a shocking revelation about her relationship with him, but about Ivonne too...And as the clock strikes midnight on the day of Penelope’s coming-of-age ceremony, and thus, the end of Hard Mode, she’s forced to face the music.
296 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2025
68 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
January 4, 2026
HOLY CLIFFHANGER!!!!! I need the next volume NEOW
November 23, 2025
No amount of spoilers I’ve seen could have prepared my heart for the devastation I am feeling after reading this volume 😭😭😭😭😭😭
Will update my full review tomorrow because I pretty much cried my way through this entire volume and am completely heartbroken 😭😭😭 #iamnotokay
………….
It's the next day, and I really don't know if I have any more straightforward thoughts except the devastation I felt last night washed over me anew this morning 😭
The emotional pain that Penelope is feeling and preparing for the end is easily one of the hardest things I have ever read. I was able to keep my tears at bay during her and Callisto's conversation, even though my heart was being torn in half for BOTH of them. The anger Callisto was feeling and expressing because it showed how he really DOES love Penelope, only for Penelope to shut it all down, including her own feelings, because she didn't get the affection meter where it needed to be, was absolutely crushing. She felt she had lost the game and therefore, there was no point in trying or wanting more. 😭
However, that conversation with her father completely broke me. The things he said about what Reynold told him, the way he feels Penelope walks around like a [redacted], to him embracing her. It truly was everything the OG Penelope would have wanted, but could never hear. And when Penelope thought even harder on those thoughts of where OG Penelope went, I grieved for her and the Penelope we follow in this story.
If that was not enough, the very ceremony I've dreaded is here, with all the spoilers I saw online now across these pages. Again, none of them were enough for me to brace my heart for the emotional onslaught I was feeling. I am thankful that, despite knowing what's to come, IZE Press blessed our broken hearts with that teaser of the next volume, that all hope is not lost.
Even with that said, though, the ending is brutal. It is one I never desire to ever ever see for my all-time female character. As Callisto said at one point, she deserves to be surrounded by beautiful and radiant things just as she is because that really is exactly what she is.
If you're a fan and reader of this series, the only warning I can give is to prepare your heart. This is the toughest volume yet.
(TW: thoughts of su!c!d3)
Will update my full review tomorrow because I pretty much cried my way through this entire volume and am completely heartbroken 😭😭😭 #iamnotokay
………….
It's the next day, and I really don't know if I have any more straightforward thoughts except the devastation I felt last night washed over me anew this morning 😭
The emotional pain that Penelope is feeling and preparing for the end is easily one of the hardest things I have ever read. I was able to keep my tears at bay during her and Callisto's conversation, even though my heart was being torn in half for BOTH of them. The anger Callisto was feeling and expressing because it showed how he really DOES love Penelope, only for Penelope to shut it all down, including her own feelings, because she didn't get the affection meter where it needed to be, was absolutely crushing. She felt she had lost the game and therefore, there was no point in trying or wanting more. 😭
However, that conversation with her father completely broke me. The things he said about what Reynold told him, the way he feels Penelope walks around like a [redacted], to him embracing her. It truly was everything the OG Penelope would have wanted, but could never hear. And when Penelope thought even harder on those thoughts of where OG Penelope went, I grieved for her and the Penelope we follow in this story.
If that was not enough, the very ceremony I've dreaded is here, with all the spoilers I saw online now across these pages. Again, none of them were enough for me to brace my heart for the emotional onslaught I was feeling. I am thankful that, despite knowing what's to come, IZE Press blessed our broken hearts with that teaser of the next volume, that all hope is not lost.
Even with that said, though, the ending is brutal. It is one I never desire to ever ever see for my all-time female character. As Callisto said at one point, she deserves to be surrounded by beautiful and radiant things just as she is because that really is exactly what she is.
If you're a fan and reader of this series, the only warning I can give is to prepare your heart. This is the toughest volume yet.
(TW: thoughts of su!c!d3)
November 18, 2025
I want to give this zero stars because this is caught up to the webtoon and I NEED THE REST OF THE STORY NOW. This is just a TEASE and I DONT appreciate it.
But Penelope and the Crown Prince and DRAMA!!!
5, how could I give Penelope anything less, stars.
But Penelope and the Crown Prince and DRAMA!!!
5, how could I give Penelope anything less, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
Reina, diva, preciosa, devoraste con ese vestido.
July 4, 2025
chapters: 141-162 (end of season 3)
penelope raised the fact that people would be gossiping if she had her coming-of-age ceremony when the real daughter is back. the duke's reaction kinda indicates that he sees penelope as his daughter.
callisto's proposal... omg JUST ACCEPT IT PLEASE. for someone who needs the person to love her to survive, i can 100% understand penelope's conversation with callisto. but i don't think he doesn't love her. he just doesn't know it yet.
everytime penelope talks to her father, everytime she finds out something new. the duke might have adopted penelope because of her pink hair, because he just lost his own daughter, but i think he genuinely wanted to help young penelope who had no support. he was so shocked when penelope mentioned she was leaving. omg, when penelope started crying and the duke hugging her.
the duke wanted to hide the news of finding ivonne first such that penelope has her coming-of-age ceremony without any scandal. but derrick brought ivonne. he's most likely magically manipulated at this point of time, but still...
with her necklace, penelope knew that the wine is poisonous. that ivonne was going to poison herself to gain sympathy from others or to land penelope in deeper trouble with society/her family. at the last moment, penelope swapped the wine with ivonne and got poisoned instead. she just wanted to die.
poor derrick, he's just a pawn in all of this. for someone who's stubborn, he's so easily manipulated.
the despair in callisto... boy, you're in love already.
thank god winter is there to help clarify the situation. penelope knew that the wine was poisoned before she took a drink.
callisto has to go to the battlefield while penelope is in a coma. sigh, this couple.
she just started a hidden route!? goddamn, give this girl a break.
penelope raised the fact that people would be gossiping if she had her coming-of-age ceremony when the real daughter is back. the duke's reaction kinda indicates that he sees penelope as his daughter.
callisto's proposal... omg JUST ACCEPT IT PLEASE. for someone who needs the person to love her to survive, i can 100% understand penelope's conversation with callisto. but i don't think he doesn't love her. he just doesn't know it yet.
I chose you, Penelope Eckhart. Not your house.
everytime penelope talks to her father, everytime she finds out something new. the duke might have adopted penelope because of her pink hair, because he just lost his own daughter, but i think he genuinely wanted to help young penelope who had no support. he was so shocked when penelope mentioned she was leaving. omg, when penelope started crying and the duke hugging her.
You are also my daughter, Penelope. Since the day I brought you to this house, I have never once thought of you as anything but my daughter.
the duke wanted to hide the news of finding ivonne first such that penelope has her coming-of-age ceremony without any scandal. but derrick brought ivonne. he's most likely magically manipulated at this point of time, but still...
with her necklace, penelope knew that the wine is poisonous. that ivonne was going to poison herself to gain sympathy from others or to land penelope in deeper trouble with society/her family. at the last moment, penelope swapped the wine with ivonne and got poisoned instead. she just wanted to die.
poor derrick, he's just a pawn in all of this. for someone who's stubborn, he's so easily manipulated.
the despair in callisto... boy, you're in love already.
thank god winter is there to help clarify the situation. penelope knew that the wine was poisoned before she took a drink.
callisto has to go to the battlefield while penelope is in a coma. sigh, this couple.
"I'll do it all for you. If you want to get out of here, I'll get you out of here. Love or whatever... Damn it, I'll do everything you want...so don't die."
she just started a hidden route!? goddamn, give this girl a break.
May 31, 2025
Status: 162 chapters completed.
The heroine had it too easy sometimes (why do affection scores increase even in her absence??) and you can't examine the world/politics too hard, but I had a fun time binging through this!
The heroine had it too easy sometimes (why do affection scores increase even in her absence??) and you can't examine the world/politics too hard, but I had a fun time binging through this!
January 5, 2026
I cried like a baby reading this oh my god it was so good and may I just say I don’t think I’m going to be prepared for the next book
January 29, 2026
Anyone else wish this had a TW?
January 22, 2026
I need next volume plz…is she going to be in a coma…? Who knows…also who poisoned her? Ivonne? I hope Callisto saves her heheheh.
5/5
5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2025
If my beloved isn’t Callisto, I’m not sure I want them~
December 1, 2025
I am WRECKED
November 24, 2025
November 2025
Kindle edition
Two villainess book pre-orders delivered at the same time. Of course I saved this one last. This one was a major turning point for the characters. Penelope being real with Callisto, confronting Eckles and having a farewell moment with the father. There were a couple of gut wrenching moments. The look on Emma's face when she was given her orders. Winter's realisation and the truth about the real Penelope. It gives a new take on the 'heroine'. The betrayal from the system itself was brutal. The last scene though with Callisto, that was unforgettable. Looking forward to the next one.
Kindle edition
Two villainess book pre-orders delivered at the same time. Of course I saved this one last. This one was a major turning point for the characters. Penelope being real with Callisto, confronting Eckles and having a farewell moment with the father. There were a couple of gut wrenching moments. The look on Emma's face when she was given her orders. Winter's realisation and the truth about the real Penelope. It gives a new take on the 'heroine'. The betrayal from the system itself was brutal. The last scene though with Callisto, that was unforgettable. Looking forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2026
There are probably a trillion of manga/manhwa on this topic and I have read quite a lot of them, yet this one is rather special and captivating. It even made me shed tears and since there are no more volumes for now, I'm going to switch to webtoons to continue as this story ends with chapter 162, but there seem to be more available
September 17, 2025
Okay I need more of this. This series is filled with a lot of twists and turns and is honestly so good! Definitely give this a try.
November 28, 2025
THIS is by far my favorite manhwa of all time! I thought vol. 8 was the end but I am pleasantly surprised at finding out that vol. 9 will be coming soon!!!
January 19, 2026
I love these silly books. Need the next one after that cliffhanger and I need my boy Callisto to step up.
February 1, 2026
NO ESTOY NADA BIEN DESPUÉS DE ESE FINAL
November 17, 2025
Peak of the series arguably should have ended here I never found the final arc to be very engaging
December 19, 2025
Mein armes Herz, ich kann nicht mehr 😭
Ich brauche jetzt sofort Band 9!!!
PS: Mein Freund hat mich gerade gefragt, ob ich wegen eines "Bilderbuches" weine. Die Antwort lautet ja 🥺😭
Ich brauche jetzt sofort Band 9!!!
PS: Mein Freund hat mich gerade gefragt, ob ich wegen eines "Bilderbuches" weine. Die Antwort lautet ja 🥺😭
May 9, 2025
When I tell you this is the best villainess manhua you’ll ever read, y’all better listen!! Cause WTF!!!
I never thought I’d cry in this volume. But twice, TWICE! When her father said all those things, discovering a new side of the duke, she started crying and when he embraced her omg the emotions. I couldn’t not cry you know?
And then when Callisto said what he said to her after the poisoning and she was in a coma, ahhh I cried some more. He thinks he doesn’t love her but the reason I believe they connect so well is that their personalities are almost similar, which because of every interaction he ends up loving her without realising it. All those times he thinks about her again… (reminds me a little of Alchemy of Souls with the crown prince and mu-deok) So when the time came to Penelope poisoning herself, man did he look so distraught. pls pls author have those two be together at the end, this is destiny right? Right!!?
I just ahhh this was so good. I can’t wait to read the next chapters, so imma do that now 😭😭
Callisto is Sylus coded for sure and I absolutely love Callisto so much in this volume, everything that he did in this broke my heart and made me smile like an idiot. He’s so sweet. And “love be damned” well, he loves her for sure…
“And now the women I love could die at any moment!” 🫠🫠🫠 pls this guy
♾️⭐️
I never thought I’d cry in this volume. But twice, TWICE! When her father said all those things, discovering a new side of the duke, she started crying and when he embraced her omg the emotions. I couldn’t not cry you know?
And then when Callisto said what he said to her after the poisoning and she was in a coma, ahhh I cried some more. He thinks he doesn’t love her but the reason I believe they connect so well is that their personalities are almost similar, which because of every interaction he ends up loving her without realising it. All those times he thinks about her again… (reminds me a little of Alchemy of Souls with the crown prince and mu-deok) So when the time came to Penelope poisoning herself, man did he look so distraught. pls pls author have those two be together at the end, this is destiny right? Right!!?
I just ahhh this was so good. I can’t wait to read the next chapters, so imma do that now 😭😭
Callisto is Sylus coded for sure and I absolutely love Callisto so much in this volume, everything that he did in this broke my heart and made me smile like an idiot. He’s so sweet. And “love be damned” well, he loves her for sure…
“And now the women I love could die at any moment!” 🫠🫠🫠 pls this guy
♾️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
Don't mind me as I just sob through this entire thing.
As fond as I was of Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion , I kept hitting frustration points with the art and some of the story progression. Reading this intensely perfect volume so shortly after finishing that series really puts the two in a direct comparison - where Penelope and Callisto's story comes out in leaps and bounds on top.
The art is beautiful. You always have such a strong sense of setting and architecture and the wide, terrible world - or small, constricting rooms - surrounding the duke's daughter. The facial expressions and body language do so much to convey emotion, particularly as Penelope's panic and despair and heartbreak builds up throughout this volume.
We start with a bang, with Penelope finally confronting Eckles in the dungeon to check his affection - still at 99% - and ask why he would betray her. Some of it is due to Ivonne's influence and the power of that manipulating mirror she wields. What the mirror mainly seems to do, though, is prey on what's already in that person's heart: with Eckles, his love for Penelope was always twisted and toxic and possessive, and all Ivonne did was push him over the edge. He loves her, in a dark, selfish way where he would even kill her to keep her for himself, if that's what it took. Which is how he was able to do things like betray all his countrymen and send them to their deaths.
Penelope had been so focused on trying to take the "easy" path to his affections, she hadn't given any thought at all to how love can come in different forms. Even if she had gotten Eckles to 100%, it wouldn't have been good for her. It would've made her "win the game," but she would have never been happy. (Or even safe, really.)
Granted, Penelope was absolutely terrible with Eckles. She manipulated him. She tormented him by making him fall in love with her without ever intending to return the feelings. There's a lot she did so wildly wrong. But Eckles also...wow, I was not expecting to end up wanting to toss him aside as badly as Penelope did.
I'm sure he still has an important role to play, especially since he retrieved the ring Penelope threw in the grate, and he can be incredibly dangerous. But it's hard to tell if he would really side with Ivonne or against Penelope, even after being thoroughly rejected.
Speaking of rejecting...Callisto was a shining star yet again. He absolutely did not take Penelope's rejection well. He was angry and hurt and insulted and shouted at her and then stormed away - but he was also truly trying to understand why she wouldn't want to marry a prince. And he did respect her decision, even if he hated everything she was saying. He would never force her into anything she didn't want - that would be pointless, because it would be destroying all the things he likes about her.
To some extent, Callisto is right...isn't it stupid for Penelope to be fighting so hard for her place in this world, only to refuse a glittering pathway into the castle? But her logic truly does make a lot of sense if you're able to see it from her point of view. Especially following the Eckles devastation. She's finally understood how empty these affection meters are, and how far removed their percentages are from actual emotional concepts like "love" or loyalty or trust or partnership.
Callisto is nearly to 90% - when he finally checked his rating, at her coming-of-age party, a few days after the rejection - but it doesn't mean he's that close to being in love with her. They even had an argument about that whole concept, with Callisto, as a crown prince and future emperor, truly not understanding why she needs something as silly and childish as "love" when he's offering her a partnership built on common values and societal standing and promises he'll never break.
I don't think Callisto knows what love is, really, and has never wanted or cared about it. Until Penelope tells him how empty a marriage would be for her if her lover didn't actually love her: with every fiber of his being, willing to sacrifice everything to sweep her out of her hell.
It seems likely that he's finally understanding some of that at her coming-of-age ceremony, especially with the realization that he might actually lose her, and not just in a marriage way. I desperately need to see how this all plays out in the next volume, which isn't even up for preorder yet, so just color me despaired.
At least I'll be able to start reading some of the novels in the meantime.
I am also curious if the mirror will have any effect on Callisto. My hope is that it won't...it couldn't completely control Eckles, so there are flaws. And if it's "mirroring" and amplifying what's in that person's heart, I would like to think that Callisto's feelings for Penelope are strong and...unselfish? enough for him to not be swayed into hurting her. Yeah, he's selfish in the way that anyone born to be an emperor is kind of inevitably destined for, but he also truly cares for Penelope and values her independent spirit and that sharp, thoughtful brain that fights against him so fiercely.
I didn't 100% understand what was happening with the chalices at the end, or what Ivonne's goal was. We'll see if anyone tries to claim it was all some big evil anti-Ivonne plot from Penelope, but it's pretty clear Callisto will stay by her side, even if no one else does.
The stuff with the Duke was also handled so well. Penelope, even outside of the game plot, had some solid reasons for not trusting his affection, and not feeling like he was a true father to her. But he's working so hard to reassure her now that he has two sons...so he can have two daughters, too. He loves her and he doesn't want anything to change just because he finally got Ivonne back.
And he was probably terrified, without knowing exactly how it would play out, of seeing something like the coming-of-age disaster to happen to his beautiful, broken-hearted second daughter.
Hate that the entire manhwa isn't already out. But I'm really glad I finally started reading it.
As fond as I was of Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion , I kept hitting frustration points with the art and some of the story progression. Reading this intensely perfect volume so shortly after finishing that series really puts the two in a direct comparison - where Penelope and Callisto's story comes out in leaps and bounds on top.
The art is beautiful. You always have such a strong sense of setting and architecture and the wide, terrible world - or small, constricting rooms - surrounding the duke's daughter. The facial expressions and body language do so much to convey emotion, particularly as Penelope's panic and despair and heartbreak builds up throughout this volume.
We start with a bang, with Penelope finally confronting Eckles in the dungeon to check his affection - still at 99% - and ask why he would betray her. Some of it is due to Ivonne's influence and the power of that manipulating mirror she wields. What the mirror mainly seems to do, though, is prey on what's already in that person's heart: with Eckles, his love for Penelope was always twisted and toxic and possessive, and all Ivonne did was push him over the edge. He loves her, in a dark, selfish way where he would even kill her to keep her for himself, if that's what it took. Which is how he was able to do things like betray all his countrymen and send them to their deaths.
Penelope had been so focused on trying to take the "easy" path to his affections, she hadn't given any thought at all to how love can come in different forms. Even if she had gotten Eckles to 100%, it wouldn't have been good for her. It would've made her "win the game," but she would have never been happy. (Or even safe, really.)
Granted, Penelope was absolutely terrible with Eckles. She manipulated him. She tormented him by making him fall in love with her without ever intending to return the feelings. There's a lot she did so wildly wrong. But Eckles also...wow, I was not expecting to end up wanting to toss him aside as badly as Penelope did.
I'm sure he still has an important role to play, especially since he retrieved the ring Penelope threw in the grate, and he can be incredibly dangerous. But it's hard to tell if he would really side with Ivonne or against Penelope, even after being thoroughly rejected.
Speaking of rejecting...Callisto was a shining star yet again. He absolutely did not take Penelope's rejection well. He was angry and hurt and insulted and shouted at her and then stormed away - but he was also truly trying to understand why she wouldn't want to marry a prince. And he did respect her decision, even if he hated everything she was saying. He would never force her into anything she didn't want - that would be pointless, because it would be destroying all the things he likes about her.
To some extent, Callisto is right...isn't it stupid for Penelope to be fighting so hard for her place in this world, only to refuse a glittering pathway into the castle? But her logic truly does make a lot of sense if you're able to see it from her point of view. Especially following the Eckles devastation. She's finally understood how empty these affection meters are, and how far removed their percentages are from actual emotional concepts like "love" or loyalty or trust or partnership.
Callisto is nearly to 90% - when he finally checked his rating, at her coming-of-age party, a few days after the rejection - but it doesn't mean he's that close to being in love with her. They even had an argument about that whole concept, with Callisto, as a crown prince and future emperor, truly not understanding why she needs something as silly and childish as "love" when he's offering her a partnership built on common values and societal standing and promises he'll never break.
I don't think Callisto knows what love is, really, and has never wanted or cared about it. Until Penelope tells him how empty a marriage would be for her if her lover didn't actually love her: with every fiber of his being, willing to sacrifice everything to sweep her out of her hell.
It seems likely that he's finally understanding some of that at her coming-of-age ceremony, especially with the realization that he might actually lose her, and not just in a marriage way. I desperately need to see how this all plays out in the next volume, which isn't even up for preorder yet, so just color me despaired.
At least I'll be able to start reading some of the novels in the meantime.
I am also curious if the mirror will have any effect on Callisto. My hope is that it won't...it couldn't completely control Eckles, so there are flaws. And if it's "mirroring" and amplifying what's in that person's heart, I would like to think that Callisto's feelings for Penelope are strong and...unselfish? enough for him to not be swayed into hurting her. Yeah, he's selfish in the way that anyone born to be an emperor is kind of inevitably destined for, but he also truly cares for Penelope and values her independent spirit and that sharp, thoughtful brain that fights against him so fiercely.
I didn't 100% understand what was happening with the chalices at the end, or what Ivonne's goal was. We'll see if anyone tries to claim it was all some big evil anti-Ivonne plot from Penelope, but it's pretty clear Callisto will stay by her side, even if no one else does.
The stuff with the Duke was also handled so well. Penelope, even outside of the game plot, had some solid reasons for not trusting his affection, and not feeling like he was a true father to her. But he's working so hard to reassure her now that he has two sons...so he can have two daughters, too. He loves her and he doesn't want anything to change just because he finally got Ivonne back.
And he was probably terrified, without knowing exactly how it would play out, of seeing something like the coming-of-age disaster to happen to his beautiful, broken-hearted second daughter.
Hate that the entire manhwa isn't already out. But I'm really glad I finally started reading it.
May 14, 2025
i'd say literary masterpiece (the novel was 100%)
art? 10/10. storyline? 10/10. everything? 10/10z
i'm a bit sad that we're still waiting on the novel to be converted into the manhwa but i'm so excited to see it done. the colours of the hearts mean something guys! penelope don't give up on callisto - that's your man frfr!
i love this series sm, i honestly don't want it to end (i already finished the novel *sobs violently*)
art? 10/10. storyline? 10/10. everything? 10/10z
i'm a bit sad that we're still waiting on the novel to be converted into the manhwa but i'm so excited to see it done. the colours of the hearts mean something guys! penelope don't give up on callisto - that's your man frfr!
i love this series sm, i honestly don't want it to end (i already finished the novel *sobs violently*)
April 5, 2025
5 stars
141-162, end of season 3
141-162, end of season 3
January 26, 2026
It's the end for Penelope in vol 8 of Villains Are Destined To Die. After so long struggling to meet the unfair system requirements of living inside an otome game as the villain, the deadline for making one of the six romance-able male leads has arrived: her coming-of-age ceremony. The prequel is now over and the real game -- where the true daughter of the Duke, Ivonne, takes over as protagonist romancing the men -- is ready to begin. Worse, it's come early, as Penny's chosen romance target Ekklis brought Ivonne home ahead of the scripted plot, and the people around Penny are already falling under Ivonne's sway...
Volume 8 really piles on the angst. It's Penny's darkest moment, where all hope seems lost and all her plans to escape from her hell of a life as an unwanted, unloved adopted daughter come crashing down. There's confrontations with her chosen romance target Ekklis, with dark horse romance target Prince Callisto, with her adopted father who swears he thinks of her as a real daughter while continuing to ignore her wishes and impose his own ideas of what she must really want. The art really conveys Penny's hopelessness and her trauma so well, with beautiful Penny starting to look like a gaunt corpse and almost always wearing dead-fish eyes in her interactions with the men responsible for her abuse and trauma. The desperation and depression are both palpable, and the cliffhanger ending is *chef's kiss*. We're in the endgame now...
Rating: 5 stars - Top tier entry for one of my favourite comic series.
Volume 8 really piles on the angst. It's Penny's darkest moment, where all hope seems lost and all her plans to escape from her hell of a life as an unwanted, unloved adopted daughter come crashing down. There's confrontations with her chosen romance target Ekklis, with dark horse romance target Prince Callisto, with her adopted father who swears he thinks of her as a real daughter while continuing to ignore her wishes and impose his own ideas of what she must really want. The art really conveys Penny's hopelessness and her trauma so well, with beautiful Penny starting to look like a gaunt corpse and almost always wearing dead-fish eyes in her interactions with the men responsible for her abuse and trauma. The desperation and depression are both palpable, and the cliffhanger ending is *chef's kiss*. We're in the endgame now...
Rating: 5 stars - Top tier entry for one of my favourite comic series.
November 27, 2025
4.9/5 stars. Caught up but at what cost!?
I hate this cliffhanger. Actually, I love it because the yearning passionate prince is coming in a clutch (kinda). The panels are beautiful.
Penelope is also just a likable female protagonist. She smart. But she’s not very intelligent when it comes to romance because why did it take her so long to realize her relationship with Eckles was toxic? I wish when she realized it was akin to poison, she saw the flaw was also partly her fault and due to the way she treated him.
Ivonne is not 100% evil. It’s already clear from the previous volume that the original protagonist has an evil agenda. However, I think it makes sense for her to develop an evil agenda if she had been approached and raised by bad people. She was gone and hidden for so long, it doesn’t make sense if she returned to the Eckharts as the same person. If the original Penelope was twisted due to her “poor” backgrounds then this is kind of like painting Ivonne as growing twisted because she had lived in poor conditions. And now that I am ranting this I see this webcomic has a similar trend to other webcomics where the rich are “good” and the poor are “evil”. This should not be the theme in every webcomic I come across ToT. It really is a manhwa problem at this point.
Anyway, I hope to see character development coming from Penelope but we shall see…
I hate this cliffhanger. Actually, I love it because the yearning passionate prince is coming in a clutch (kinda). The panels are beautiful.
Penelope is also just a likable female protagonist. She smart. But she’s not very intelligent when it comes to romance because why did it take her so long to realize her relationship with Eckles was toxic? I wish when she realized it was akin to poison, she saw the flaw was also partly her fault and due to the way she treated him.
Ivonne is not 100% evil. It’s already clear from the previous volume that the original protagonist has an evil agenda. However, I think it makes sense for her to develop an evil agenda if she had been approached and raised by bad people. She was gone and hidden for so long, it doesn’t make sense if she returned to the Eckharts as the same person. If the original Penelope was twisted due to her “poor” backgrounds then this is kind of like painting Ivonne as growing twisted because she had lived in poor conditions. And now that I am ranting this I see this webcomic has a similar trend to other webcomics where the rich are “good” and the poor are “evil”. This should not be the theme in every webcomic I come across ToT. It really is a manhwa problem at this point.
Anyway, I hope to see character development coming from Penelope but we shall see…
November 29, 2025
Vol. 8 of Villains Are Destined to Die continues to impress with its emotional depth and stunning artwork. What truly stands out in this volume is Penelope’s inner conflict—her struggle to contain her feelings and bear her burdens alone. The way the story portrays her internal emotions is heart-wrenching yet incredibly relatable, giving readers a deep connection to her character.
The scenes between Penelope and her father are particularly unforgettable. Their conversation is beautifully bittersweet, a delicate mix of longing, regret, and love that genuinely tugs at the heartstrings. I found myself on the verge of tears during these moments, as the story captures the nuances of family bonds and unspoken emotions perfectly.
On top of the compelling narrative, the art continues to be breathtaking. Each panel is carefully detailed, from expressive character faces to richly designed backgrounds, elevating the emotional impact of the story. It’s clear that the visual storytelling complements the plot, making every scene resonate more deeply.
Overall, Vol. 8 is a masterful blend of emotional storytelling and gorgeous artistry. Penelope’s journey of solitude and vulnerability, paired with the stunning visuals, makes this volume a must-read for fans of the series.
The scenes between Penelope and her father are particularly unforgettable. Their conversation is beautifully bittersweet, a delicate mix of longing, regret, and love that genuinely tugs at the heartstrings. I found myself on the verge of tears during these moments, as the story captures the nuances of family bonds and unspoken emotions perfectly.
On top of the compelling narrative, the art continues to be breathtaking. Each panel is carefully detailed, from expressive character faces to richly designed backgrounds, elevating the emotional impact of the story. It’s clear that the visual storytelling complements the plot, making every scene resonate more deeply.
Overall, Vol. 8 is a masterful blend of emotional storytelling and gorgeous artistry. Penelope’s journey of solitude and vulnerability, paired with the stunning visuals, makes this volume a must-read for fans of the series.
November 11, 2025
The story took a turn down a path I really don't care for. Also, we go back and forth on things Penelope said as though they simply didn't happen.
It became clear a few volumes ago that the Crown Prince was going to be the frontrunner - how I wish that meant he would finally learn to take "no" for an answer. He does not.
I also feel really weird about the complete lack of care or empathy for the slaves. It's always difficult when a series has a form of slavery in it. The idea that we're meant to root for a protagonist and anyone "good" in the cast when they're casually accepting of slavery is just gross, to be honest. This series takes it a step further with no one seeming to care about what happens to the slaves and I think that's just so... weird.
I think I'll be stopping here. Hope Derrick gets what's coming to him, though. I won't be sticking around to read it.
It became clear a few volumes ago that the Crown Prince was going to be the frontrunner - how I wish that meant he would finally learn to take "no" for an answer. He does not.
I also feel really weird about the complete lack of care or empathy for the slaves. It's always difficult when a series has a form of slavery in it. The idea that we're meant to root for a protagonist and anyone "good" in the cast when they're casually accepting of slavery is just gross, to be honest. This series takes it a step further with no one seeming to care about what happens to the slaves and I think that's just so... weird.
I think I'll be stopping here. Hope Derrick gets what's coming to him, though. I won't be sticking around to read it.
December 2, 2025
Man this series continues to hit it out of the park. The waiting period between each volume is a killer.
Penelope is in her end game. Her coming of age ceremony is in days. This is complicated by her number one love interest, Eckles, having been turned against her by Ivonne. The appearance of the Duke’s biological daughter brings high pressure on Penelope to get to 100% on one of her suitors’ romance meters. Eckles and Callisto make more of an appearance in this volume than Derrik, Reynolds, or the magic guy, but none of it seems to matter because Penelope is pretty sure she only has 5 days left. Or does she??
The game continues to throw curve balls at her. Penalties and endings and scenes never before seen in the game itself. Can’t wait for the next volume.
TW for Penelope’s bad aka non eating habits rearing again in this book and called out by her father and Callisto.
Penelope is in her end game. Her coming of age ceremony is in days. This is complicated by her number one love interest, Eckles, having been turned against her by Ivonne. The appearance of the Duke’s biological daughter brings high pressure on Penelope to get to 100% on one of her suitors’ romance meters. Eckles and Callisto make more of an appearance in this volume than Derrik, Reynolds, or the magic guy, but none of it seems to matter because Penelope is pretty sure she only has 5 days left. Or does she??
The game continues to throw curve balls at her. Penalties and endings and scenes never before seen in the game itself. Can’t wait for the next volume.
TW for Penelope’s bad aka non eating habits rearing again in this book and called out by her father and Callisto.
December 28, 2025
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Penelope's worst nightmares are coming true - Eckles is not the sure bet that she has believed him to be; Ivonne, the true daughter of the Eckhart family, has returned before she was supposed to; Penelope's coming-of-age ceremony is looming, and even though Ivonne has returned before she was supposed to, the ceremony spells the ending of hard mode and the deadline for which she needs to be at 100% with one of the love interest. Prince Callisto is also acting strangely and proposing courtship and even marriage despite not being at 100% in his affection meter.
For readers who have been with this series since the beginning, there is a certain amount of suspense in this volume as we are nearing several key moments for dear Penelope. The creators have done a decent job of keeping the narrative tension high throughout this volume and providing ample opportunity for readers to be rooting for our dear protagonist (couldn't be heroine, could it?), but tragically, we are reminded of the title of the book a few times over the course of this volume -- that all of Penelope's scheming and best laid plans may all be for nothing, especially because she is her own worst enemy at times.
Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12
Penelope's worst nightmares are coming true - Eckles is not the sure bet that she has believed him to be; Ivonne, the true daughter of the Eckhart family, has returned before she was supposed to; Penelope's coming-of-age ceremony is looming, and even though Ivonne has returned before she was supposed to, the ceremony spells the ending of hard mode and the deadline for which she needs to be at 100% with one of the love interest. Prince Callisto is also acting strangely and proposing courtship and even marriage despite not being at 100% in his affection meter.
For readers who have been with this series since the beginning, there is a certain amount of suspense in this volume as we are nearing several key moments for dear Penelope. The creators have done a decent job of keeping the narrative tension high throughout this volume and providing ample opportunity for readers to be rooting for our dear protagonist (couldn't be heroine, could it?), but tragically, we are reminded of the title of the book a few times over the course of this volume -- that all of Penelope's scheming and best laid plans may all be for nothing, especially because she is her own worst enemy at times.
Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12
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