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The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik (Light Novel) #1
ハーシェリク：1 転生王子と憂いの大国
オタクのアラサー女性である早川涼子は、交通事故によりこの世を去ったはずだった。
しかし、ファンタジー世界の金髪碧眼の第七王子に転生していたのだ。王子様ライフを満喫していたが、
三歳の誕生日に大国を蝕む貴族たちの不正に気付いた彼女は、国を守るためその闇と戦う決意をする!
「小説家になろう」発大人気ファンタジー!
しかし、ファンタジー世界の金髪碧眼の第七王子に転生していたのだ。王子様ライフを満喫していたが、
三歳の誕生日に大国を蝕む貴族たちの不正に気付いた彼女は、国を守るためその闇と戦う決意をする!
「小説家になろう」発大人気ファンタジー!
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2016
48 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 1, 2021
Kinda weird, a 35 year old woman being reincarnated as a young boy. Not bad, but slightly odd. And no one seems to think it strange a three year old is reading WAY above his reading level. 3 solid stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2020
I think it is a well designed isekai novel with a broad-minded protagonist and it doesn't fall into the category of an OP protagonist. However, the story did make a fatal mistake by telling the reader that the main character grew up to be a labeled a hero. This takes away any tension that the main character could potentially die in future novels, which, while unlikely, has happened in novels before and will happen again.
The other confusing thing about this novel is that it says at the end of the novel that this is "the end," although it uses "fin" instead. This makes it seem like this isn't a series, but a single novel. However, the cover art shows the number "1" on it, indicating that this is the first in a series. Consistency is key to not confuse your readers.
The other confusing thing about this novel is that it says at the end of the novel that this is "the end," although it uses "fin" instead. This makes it seem like this isn't a series, but a single novel. However, the cover art shows the number "1" on it, indicating that this is the first in a series. Consistency is key to not confuse your readers.
October 14, 2020
Enjoyed this. Deals with one of my favourite isekai plotlines - person born into another world tries to save/improve society into which they're born. As with a fair few of these, a bit odd that the Price Herscherik is quite so young (what's wrong with adult isekai protags?), and be interested to see if they'll end up doing anything with the gender swap, but by and large this is enjoyable, with a good support cast, and a nice, fluent translation.
April 21, 2023
A fun read.
It's not super super amazing; for one, the aspect of the MC being an older woman in a male child's body wasn't explored as much as it could've, but as a whole the novel fits with its title.
The MC doesn't immediately forget her past life which is a nice address when explaining decisions she makes during her current life. Her relationships with other characters in the second life is very fantastical– and this stems from the main issue I had with the novel:
Why is the MC stuck so young for so long, and why do people take her so seriously?
I feel either the author overestimates a 4yo's physical abilities (this *toddler* goes around travelling across town and into other territories for weeks on end without a proper parental guardian FGS), or perhaps they'd forgotten to address the time flow. People are /way/ too forgiving in the novel that this literal bumbling mini human is going around unattended and chatting like at least a teenager.
Regardless though, this was not a game-breaker for me to stop reading, more an annoyance that I'll pretend the MC were actually in the early teens instead.
Other than that, the course of the novel basically covers a year of the MC's transmigration into her new life, from a 4yo to a 5yo. The writing/translation is interesting, and my only complaint besides the age issue is that the relationship of MC and the other characters around her could've been developed more, I feel it would've been so much more fun to read if more of the story actually acknowledged her status as a child, rather than just "a boy who looks like a girl". It would have been nice to see her comparing the differences between a man and a woman's daily life more, the novel does mention some but I feel it's brushed off quickly in favour of plot progression into making the MC a bonafide Hero Prince™.
Major props on making the MC interesting to keep reading on about though despite her not inheriting the usual Protagonist Powers like magic or otherworldly intelligence. I don't mind if she does receive some in the future, but this was executed well in this novel and doesn't make the MC into a Mary Sue (though who can blame her if she was– she's 4 for crying out loud).
Overall It's good enough that I wonder what else is in store for the rest of the novel series.
It's not super super amazing; for one, the aspect of the MC being an older woman in a male child's body wasn't explored as much as it could've, but as a whole the novel fits with its title.
The MC doesn't immediately forget her past life which is a nice address when explaining decisions she makes during her current life. Her relationships with other characters in the second life is very fantastical– and this stems from the main issue I had with the novel:
Why is the MC stuck so young for so long, and why do people take her so seriously?
I feel either the author overestimates a 4yo's physical abilities (this *toddler* goes around travelling across town and into other territories for weeks on end without a proper parental guardian FGS), or perhaps they'd forgotten to address the time flow. People are /way/ too forgiving in the novel that this literal bumbling mini human is going around unattended and chatting like at least a teenager.
Regardless though, this was not a game-breaker for me to stop reading, more an annoyance that I'll pretend the MC were actually in the early teens instead.
Other than that, the course of the novel basically covers a year of the MC's transmigration into her new life, from a 4yo to a 5yo. The writing/translation is interesting, and my only complaint besides the age issue is that the relationship of MC and the other characters around her could've been developed more, I feel it would've been so much more fun to read if more of the story actually acknowledged her status as a child, rather than just "a boy who looks like a girl". It would have been nice to see her comparing the differences between a man and a woman's daily life more, the novel does mention some but I feel it's brushed off quickly in favour of plot progression into making the MC a bonafide Hero Prince™.
Major props on making the MC interesting to keep reading on about though despite her not inheriting the usual Protagonist Powers like magic or otherworldly intelligence. I don't mind if she does receive some in the future, but this was executed well in this novel and doesn't make the MC into a Mary Sue (though who can blame her if she was– she's 4 for crying out loud).
Overall It's good enough that I wonder what else is in store for the rest of the novel series.
December 23, 2021
A Japanes 35-year old office woman dies and is reborn as a male prince in medieval fantasy world. There is rot in the kingdom, something his father cannot do anything about. So as 3 year old he decides to do so, scoring his first success at 5 years old.
Personally I like smart protagonist mixed in with politics were combat power means nothing. Others might find how morality and care about others a bit restraing though. The villain being smart is good to. I might wonder a bit about motivation and how short sighted they appear, but greed and ambition certainly caused similar thing in real life. I liked the peeks into the life of her family after death or what would have happened had she not died. Often the aspect of leaving your old life behind is glossed over and at least the protagonist is not just an otaku suddenly becoming something else just by being in a different world.
The fact that the protagonist is a 35 year old woman in a body of a kindergarten kid is a bit weird. Him being a boy now does not have an impact on the story. It is glossed over, but then again, he is only 5 years old. Calling his power of observation, memory and apparent charisma normal is a bit of a disservice. It is very much an isekai perk. The world is fairly generic and (for now) lacks depth.
All in all, it is a fairly average isekai light novel adding a star for having the type of protagonist I like.
Personally I like smart protagonist mixed in with politics were combat power means nothing. Others might find how morality and care about others a bit restraing though. The villain being smart is good to. I might wonder a bit about motivation and how short sighted they appear, but greed and ambition certainly caused similar thing in real life. I liked the peeks into the life of her family after death or what would have happened had she not died. Often the aspect of leaving your old life behind is glossed over and at least the protagonist is not just an otaku suddenly becoming something else just by being in a different world.
The fact that the protagonist is a 35 year old woman in a body of a kindergarten kid is a bit weird. Him being a boy now does not have an impact on the story. It is glossed over, but then again, he is only 5 years old. Calling his power of observation, memory and apparent charisma normal is a bit of a disservice. It is very much an isekai perk. The world is fairly generic and (for now) lacks depth.
All in all, it is a fairly average isekai light novel adding a star for having the type of protagonist I like.
October 13, 2023
As a story of reincarnation into a different life, a well-hashed genre, I was expecting a rote story—this is not that.
The writing style of this author is fluid and immersive. It was quite difficult to put down and I burned through it. I’m so grateful the story continues into another book. There were so many moments that I was emotionally attached to the point of smiling while reading—always a weird embarrassing feeling, but that’s how you know it’s a good book.
The storytelling, perspectives, and thoughts of each character were intriguing. I enjoyed the wit of the characters adapting to situations and events throughout the novel. Very fun adventures of a ‘young’ protagonist. <3
This will definitely be on my recommendations list! Excellent work Nobiru Kusunoki-Sensei! Thank you for writing the first of several “trope-filled novels I could sink my teeth into!”
The writing style of this author is fluid and immersive. It was quite difficult to put down and I burned through it. I’m so grateful the story continues into another book. There were so many moments that I was emotionally attached to the point of smiling while reading—always a weird embarrassing feeling, but that’s how you know it’s a good book.
The storytelling, perspectives, and thoughts of each character were intriguing. I enjoyed the wit of the characters adapting to situations and events throughout the novel. Very fun adventures of a ‘young’ protagonist. <3
This will definitely be on my recommendations list! Excellent work Nobiru Kusunoki-Sensei! Thank you for writing the first of several “trope-filled novels I could sink my teeth into!”
April 16, 2021
Not horrible. They get a few points for having a 35 year old otaku female reincarnate in another world in the body of a very young boy. This brings up the first issue. I always enjoy how these types of stories go way over the top. My issue is with the concept of a three year old beginning to plot his political struggle against the bad guy is taken seriously, by ANYONE.
You know he is a transplanted 35 year old woman, I know he is a transplanted 35 year old woman, but the people in the story do not. Instead of saying that he is a bit strange, they should be saying that he is a possessed monster.
The writing is fairly well done.
I had some issues with the characters, but they are not deal breakers.
Worth a read.
You know he is a transplanted 35 year old woman, I know he is a transplanted 35 year old woman, but the people in the story do not. Instead of saying that he is a bit strange, they should be saying that he is a possessed monster.
The writing is fairly well done.
I had some issues with the characters, but they are not deal breakers.
Worth a read.
September 1, 2024
4 Stars
The only thing I didn't like was the MC being a woman in her first life but now she is reborn as a boy. It was so unnecessary and didn't add anything to the plot. I'm glad she didn't forget her family like so many others characters from other novels usually do. You can't even blame her for not taking action fast bc she is just a child and even in her first life she didn't deal with such treacherous people.
The only thing I didn't like was the MC being a woman in her first life but now she is reborn as a boy. It was so unnecessary and didn't add anything to the plot. I'm glad she didn't forget her family like so many others characters from other novels usually do. You can't even blame her for not taking action fast bc she is just a child and even in her first life she didn't deal with such treacherous people.
September 16, 2024
My biggest issue with this is finding out that only the first five books came out in English, and that I will not see where the story was heading. Additionally, it reminds me of 'The Genius Prince's Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt (Hey, How About Treason?)' in that they keep mentioning about how people look back at this, and that this is how it all started...but without getting to where the things happened that the future them is famous for.
November 29, 2022
picked this up on a whim and it's not bad. i always enjoy a smart isekai protaganist. i think it would benefit from aging herscherik up a bit though; like you could have him be ten and do the uncanny child prodigy thing. at three i'm genuinely wondering why no one's tried to exorcise this obviously possessed child
3 stars
3 stars
April 10, 2024
Sometimes, a good book can be like a good meal. This whole series gave me that feeling. I loved reading about the little prince that was reincarnated from a 30-year-old woman, although I wish the author had not mentioned that the little Prince was reincarnated from a 30-year-old woman quite so many times. Lol
I also loved reading about a protagonist that for once, wasn't overpowered. I love how his natural charisma just gathered allies to him. His father is a sweetheart, I just want to hug him. Kuro is someone that I would like to see an entire light novel dedicated to, he is just awesome.
I love that there was intrigue, the device was really cool, just read this it's totally worth reading the whole series!
I also loved reading about a protagonist that for once, wasn't overpowered. I love how his natural charisma just gathered allies to him. His father is a sweetheart, I just want to hug him. Kuro is someone that I would like to see an entire light novel dedicated to, he is just awesome.
I love that there was intrigue, the device was really cool, just read this it's totally worth reading the whole series!
September 13, 2020
Wow after reading the latest book of ascendance of a book worm I didn’t think anything could be as good. I’m glad I eating though this was good and quite wholesome. I can’t read the next one, this is defiantly Josei.
November 2, 2020
35 to baby prince
Reincarnated with memories of Japanese otaku office lady into political quagmire with grim sidekick with Lupin talents. If it was me, I would have had sidekick assassinate top villain.
Reincarnated with memories of Japanese otaku office lady into political quagmire with grim sidekick with Lupin talents. If it was me, I would have had sidekick assassinate top villain.
November 3, 2024
Yes, another of those "I just started reading it yesterday and now I finished it" type of books I encountered. I love it! I know this was just the start but I can't believe that I would love it this much, you know. 😊😁💕
August 25, 2020
Entertaining. I don’t much care for the gender bender but the hero/heroine’s no nonsense and organized personality is appealing as is his determination to do the right thing.
May 25, 2022
Really cute book. Shame the series got cancelled cause the premise can go for more than just the 5 books that were published.
July 19, 2020
Well-written reincarnation novel. It doesn't shy from close tragedy or less-than-noble characters. There's also reflection on their previous life, and it serves pretty well as the drive for the mc. The main character, Hersherik, isn't crazily strong, but has believable knowledge and reasons for doing the things he does. Besides, the art is pretty, and I enjoyed this book very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2022
A bit earnest and obvious.
September 10, 2020
When Ryoko, a 35-year-old office worker, dies unexpectedly, she finds herself reincarnated as the seventh prince in a world of fantasy. But she soon learns her kingdom is one mired in corruption, where her father is a puppet and the ministers do as they please. Although Ryoko---now Herscherik---wants to see justice served, what can she do as a child?
Although these stories tread familiar ground in a lot of ways, they're also fairly different. Herscherik has Ryoko's memories of being an adult to help him along, but he's the least talented, the least beautiful, and the least influential of his family. Also, for most of the story he's only three years old.
It's funny to watch his growing friendship with the man he names Kuro. They meet in the most unlikely of places, and Kuro can't help but find the prince confusing. I was amused that the extra material in the book basically points out that Herscherik wasn't quite as good as escaping notice as he assumed.
The prose is more in line with a regular novel than a light novel. It can get somewhat wordy and heavy on the description, which does help to paint the world, but also leaves this feeling like a heavier read than other light novels. I don't find the prose too off-putting, but I do find myself skimming a bit when the story is retreading familiar ground such as Ryoko's modern-day life before she transfers.
Overall this is a pretty good read. I like stories about unlikely friendships, so Kuro and Herscherik are great. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
Although these stories tread familiar ground in a lot of ways, they're also fairly different. Herscherik has Ryoko's memories of being an adult to help him along, but he's the least talented, the least beautiful, and the least influential of his family. Also, for most of the story he's only three years old.
It's funny to watch his growing friendship with the man he names Kuro. They meet in the most unlikely of places, and Kuro can't help but find the prince confusing. I was amused that the extra material in the book basically points out that Herscherik wasn't quite as good as escaping notice as he assumed.
The prose is more in line with a regular novel than a light novel. It can get somewhat wordy and heavy on the description, which does help to paint the world, but also leaves this feeling like a heavier read than other light novels. I don't find the prose too off-putting, but I do find myself skimming a bit when the story is retreading familiar ground such as Ryoko's modern-day life before she transfers.
Overall this is a pretty good read. I like stories about unlikely friendships, so Kuro and Herscherik are great. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews