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Hello, I am a Witch and my Crush Wants me to Make a Love Potion! #1
Hello, I am a Witch and my Crush Wants me to Make a Love Potion!
“I want you to make a love potion.”
The Good Witch of the Lake’s four-year crush ended in heartbreak with a single request from the object of her affections! Wanting to increase what little time she has with Royal Knight Harij, Rose sends him on a wild-goose chase for the ingredients but gets more than she bargained for when the grumbling knight starts visiting her every day…to feed her?
This is the heartwarming story of a shut-in witch and an arrogant, straitlaced knight whose romance starts from a love potion.
The Good Witch of the Lake’s four-year crush ended in heartbreak with a single request from the object of her affections! Wanting to increase what little time she has with Royal Knight Harij, Rose sends him on a wild-goose chase for the ingredients but gets more than she bargained for when the grumbling knight starts visiting her every day…to feed her?
This is the heartwarming story of a shut-in witch and an arrogant, straitlaced knight whose romance starts from a love potion.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2019
99 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 12, 2023
At first glance, this seems like a run of the mill story and to a lot of people, it really does come across that way. It’s a little too simple, almost, but while this isn’t an epic romance or even an epic fantasy world, but that’s why it just works with me.
Maybe at the time of this posting, I’m still in COVID-19 quarantine and I just really wanted to read about a witch and her crush on a handsome, arrogant knight. And, honestly, it hits so well for me. This singular volume feels like a peek into this world this author has created rather than a fully-realized world on its own and that’s fine. Again, I’m not really looking for something epic with a summary like that.
Rose, the Good Witch of the Lake, is essentially a NEET in our real-world equivalent and makes her wares for those who secretly need a potion that’s a tad embarrassing so for her crush, Harij, to come up with a request to have a love potion made. As much as I gush about the simplicity of this story, it comes to no surprise that the potion isn’t for Harij, but at the behest of the princess who’s about to get married off.
Most people would roll their eyes at a lot of the tropes and cliches that are presented between the two of them – including the love potion trope. I think the difference though is that the love potion doesn’t necessarily create feelings out of plot convenience. Instead, the love potion essentially enhances feelings the person already has. There are some questionable intentions between the fact the princess is marrying someone who is forty years her senior but for the fact, the princess was the one who made the request in order to clinch an alliance for the country that they lived in. That’s actually an amazing twist for a side character for a simple story like this and while I did expect that the love potion wouldn’t originally be for Harij anyway, I just didn’t expect that to be the reasoning.
There’s something charming about this story to me that I really can’t place my finger on. There’s a lot of description of the foods Harij brings her which can distract you from reading if you’re only here for the romance and that’s it. Though you do get a lot of the set up in the beginning as Rose really tries her best to extend his stay, I’m glad that the author really tried their best to really get me, the reader, to understand why Rose liked him. Granted, the technical terms between “crush” and “love” could be a little jarring when you forget that Rose hadn’t really gone out of her little hovel until she absolutely needed to.
I just really liked the relationship between Rose and Harij. Harij had some flaws but it wasn’t enough for me to think, “Why did she like him in the first place?” unlike so many romances with an abusive person. And Rose was relatable to me as the main character and viewpoint character but there were some instances where it’s like, “Come on, Rose.” Again, though, she does try to be better so it’s not as annoying to have someone try and getting a really good moment. I only thought of that as almost I was her friend encouraging her to take the next step or to stop being so closed off to Harij (but I certainly understood why).
Usually, I don’t like the love potion tropes used in a story because it’s usually an excuse for sexy times but there were some legitimate moments where I thought, “Oh, are they gonna…?” And I wouldn’t be mad if they did. I was actually rooting for them too because there had been a lot of (good) sexual tension between the two. I mean, they didn’t, but I wouldn’t have been mad if they did. I understand why they didn’t because they seem to treat the effects of the love potion as though they’re drunk almost (although again, that could leave to some poor impressions for when the love potion is used as intended) but… I don’t know. There’s just something about the way this was written (or translated) that I got into and I just adored this story.
The side stories (and “epilogue”) would’ve been better off included in the story and it would’ve been nicer if the side stories were after they got married or the wedding scene since it’s implied that Rose finally accepted his proposal.
There’s no need to have an epic fantasy and epic romance. Sometimes, you just want to read a romantic blip in this world. Maybe this author will allow us another peek into their world and I anticipate that… so that’s why I’m okay with this story being the way it is and why it’s told in such a manner.
Maybe at the time of this posting, I’m still in COVID-19 quarantine and I just really wanted to read about a witch and her crush on a handsome, arrogant knight. And, honestly, it hits so well for me. This singular volume feels like a peek into this world this author has created rather than a fully-realized world on its own and that’s fine. Again, I’m not really looking for something epic with a summary like that.
Rose, the Good Witch of the Lake, is essentially a NEET in our real-world equivalent and makes her wares for those who secretly need a potion that’s a tad embarrassing so for her crush, Harij, to come up with a request to have a love potion made. As much as I gush about the simplicity of this story, it comes to no surprise that the potion isn’t for Harij, but at the behest of the princess who’s about to get married off.
Most people would roll their eyes at a lot of the tropes and cliches that are presented between the two of them – including the love potion trope. I think the difference though is that the love potion doesn’t necessarily create feelings out of plot convenience. Instead, the love potion essentially enhances feelings the person already has. There are some questionable intentions between the fact the princess is marrying someone who is forty years her senior but for the fact, the princess was the one who made the request in order to clinch an alliance for the country that they lived in. That’s actually an amazing twist for a side character for a simple story like this and while I did expect that the love potion wouldn’t originally be for Harij anyway, I just didn’t expect that to be the reasoning.
There’s something charming about this story to me that I really can’t place my finger on. There’s a lot of description of the foods Harij brings her which can distract you from reading if you’re only here for the romance and that’s it. Though you do get a lot of the set up in the beginning as Rose really tries her best to extend his stay, I’m glad that the author really tried their best to really get me, the reader, to understand why Rose liked him. Granted, the technical terms between “crush” and “love” could be a little jarring when you forget that Rose hadn’t really gone out of her little hovel until she absolutely needed to.
I just really liked the relationship between Rose and Harij. Harij had some flaws but it wasn’t enough for me to think, “Why did she like him in the first place?” unlike so many romances with an abusive person. And Rose was relatable to me as the main character and viewpoint character but there were some instances where it’s like, “Come on, Rose.” Again, though, she does try to be better so it’s not as annoying to have someone try and getting a really good moment. I only thought of that as almost I was her friend encouraging her to take the next step or to stop being so closed off to Harij (but I certainly understood why).
Usually, I don’t like the love potion tropes used in a story because it’s usually an excuse for sexy times but there were some legitimate moments where I thought, “Oh, are they gonna…?” And I wouldn’t be mad if they did. I was actually rooting for them too because there had been a lot of (good) sexual tension between the two. I mean, they didn’t, but I wouldn’t have been mad if they did. I understand why they didn’t because they seem to treat the effects of the love potion as though they’re drunk almost (although again, that could leave to some poor impressions for when the love potion is used as intended) but… I don’t know. There’s just something about the way this was written (or translated) that I got into and I just adored this story.
The side stories (and “epilogue”) would’ve been better off included in the story and it would’ve been nicer if the side stories were after they got married or the wedding scene since it’s implied that Rose finally accepted his proposal.
There’s no need to have an epic fantasy and epic romance. Sometimes, you just want to read a romantic blip in this world. Maybe this author will allow us another peek into their world and I anticipate that… so that’s why I’m okay with this story being the way it is and why it’s told in such a manner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
3,5 stars rounded up to 4.
A cute, fluffy story about a witch, who lives alone after the death of her grandmother, trying to avoid problems as best as she can. But where there is crush, there will be problems. And so it all begins when her crush comes to her shabby abode to buy a love potion.
It's a simple plot but it works. We go through the little changes in the feelings of the main couple, as their awareness of each other grows and they realize what the other really means to them. It's all cute and nice but underneath this romance, there is one more storyline that I couldn't help but notice (or is it me reading into it too much?). The one about Harij helping Rose overcome her grief over the loss of her grandmother and her fear of others. This second storyline isn't blatantly told about, you just feel it and it adds another warm layer to the already heartwarming romance.
Rose is cute and feels very relatable. Harij not so much, but I feel like you aren't supposed to relate to him but fall for him and he's so gentlemanly (and he's a knight!) that he'd have anyone falling for him head over heels (like I did at some point).
I loved the occasional illustrations but I wished they were less scarce. My other small criticism is about the princess' storyline. For something that's pushed to the background (because at the end her character didn't matter much aside from creating a misunderstanding), I wished it wasn't about THAT particular subject. It adds unneeded weight making you actually worry for her, only for her ending to be so unsatisfying and the gravity of her situation so belittled, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
I also won't hide that I kind of lost interest when the couple got together officially and so couldn't enjoy the short chapters. Luckily for me they happened to be at the end.
Overall, it gave me what I ask for from a romantic story. Fluff, well-developed pre-dating phase, emotional connection and more fluff and diabetes inducing sweet moments.
Recommended and will probably check out the sequel too.
A cute, fluffy story about a witch, who lives alone after the death of her grandmother, trying to avoid problems as best as she can. But where there is crush, there will be problems. And so it all begins when her crush comes to her shabby abode to buy a love potion.
It's a simple plot but it works. We go through the little changes in the feelings of the main couple, as their awareness of each other grows and they realize what the other really means to them. It's all cute and nice but underneath this romance, there is one more storyline that I couldn't help but notice (or is it me reading into it too much?). The one about Harij helping Rose overcome her grief over the loss of her grandmother and her fear of others. This second storyline isn't blatantly told about, you just feel it and it adds another warm layer to the already heartwarming romance.
Rose is cute and feels very relatable. Harij not so much, but I feel like you aren't supposed to relate to him but fall for him and he's so gentlemanly (and he's a knight!) that he'd have anyone falling for him head over heels (like I did at some point).
I loved the occasional illustrations but I wished they were less scarce. My other small criticism is about the princess' storyline. For something that's pushed to the background (because at the end her character didn't matter much aside from creating a misunderstanding), I wished it wasn't about THAT particular subject. It adds unneeded weight making you actually worry for her, only for her ending to be so unsatisfying and the gravity of her situation so belittled, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
I also won't hide that I kind of lost interest when the couple got together officially and so couldn't enjoy the short chapters. Luckily for me they happened to be at the end.
Overall, it gave me what I ask for from a romantic story. Fluff, well-developed pre-dating phase, emotional connection and more fluff and diabetes inducing sweet moments.
Recommended and will probably check out the sequel too.
July 7, 2020
This is cute and gets better as it goes on, but a bit too much of a slow-burn.
Full review eventually appearing on ANN.
Full review eventually appearing on ANN.
January 21, 2022
Very sweet. Story arc is complete, so wondering what the next one will bring. 4 solid stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2021
2.5⭐️
You will like this book if you are looking for pure fluff and if you don’t mind a damsel-in-distress female lead.
You will like this book if you are looking for pure fluff and if you don’t mind a damsel-in-distress female lead.
August 6, 2020
Tried the book since it had some nice reviews. I like these kind of books once in a while, but halfway through I was still not getting into the story; I was very bored and thus dropped it. Not a recommendation for me.
The premis is nice in this book; witch girl loves knight guy but guy wants a love potion. There could have been a lot of interesting conversations, but the girl is timid and feels distant to me. She was not all the likable as a protagonist and overal very forgettable.
The premis is nice in this book; witch girl loves knight guy but guy wants a love potion. There could have been a lot of interesting conversations, but the girl is timid and feels distant to me. She was not all the likable as a protagonist and overal very forgettable.
July 28, 2020
Plot - 4 🌟
Character - 4 🌟
Writing Style - 4 🌟
World Building - 4 🌟
Art - 5 🌟
Cover - 5 🌟
Rating - 4.3 🌟/ 5 🌟
Character - 4 🌟
Writing Style - 4 🌟
World Building - 4 🌟
Art - 5 🌟
Cover - 5 🌟
Rating - 4.3 🌟/ 5 🌟
April 4, 2025
cute, but I probably won't read the sequel
July 24, 2022
My heart🥹 They’re so cute and perfect for each other! I can’t wait for vol.2!
July 10, 2020
There was a little book, that had a clever hook right in the centre of its premise. When it was good, it was very, very good, but when it was bad it was... boring.
This is another case where the sum of a book is rather less than its parts. The title pretty much gives the game away, which is fine, but it downplays things it should play up and just sort of... meanders from plot point to plot point.
Rose is a witch, she sells potions (she also can’t lie, which should really have been a bigger part of the narrative). She’s been crushing on Harij for years and now she’s been charged with brewing him a love potion. Right out of the gate she asks for ridiculous components and I feel the story does itself a disservice by not compounding the lengths Rose is going to to keep Harij around and the difficulty of the requests.
He decides to start taking care of her, which is sweet - Rose is a bit of a shut-in and while she’s not explicitly shamed for her life choices she clearly has issues with cleanliness and possibly tact. There is, oddly enough, a fair amount of food porn at this point.
They grow closer, they grow apart, misunderstandings happen, it’s okay. It’s just okay. There are some good parts - I think this has some of the best romance in a romance I’ve read recently; when these two are getting really close (two similar events from different viewpoints are the highlight), the writing really sells the smouldering and things come to life, albeit far too briefly.
Sadly, on the opposite end, the writing cannot hold back from tossing out anachronistic language and ridiculous ‘mysteries from far off lands’ that are just things from our world. It’s a fantasy story and I’m not expecting ye olde speake, but some internal consistency would be good - nobody should be saying “stranger danger”!
I don’t regret reading it, but honestly I think the short story at the end is probably better than the rest of the book and about as much as you need - it sells the characters far better than much of the other material.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn’t say that the interior art in this book does absolutely nothing for me. One picture of a supposedly beautiful princess (and I could go on for three more paragraphs about my issues with THAT storyline) is absolute staid and conveys nothing that the text is putting forward.
It has a certain charm and I did want the characters to get together, but I’d have much appreciated a better path getting them there. Not a waste of reading time, but not necessarily a great use of it either.
This is another case where the sum of a book is rather less than its parts. The title pretty much gives the game away, which is fine, but it downplays things it should play up and just sort of... meanders from plot point to plot point.
Rose is a witch, she sells potions (she also can’t lie, which should really have been a bigger part of the narrative). She’s been crushing on Harij for years and now she’s been charged with brewing him a love potion. Right out of the gate she asks for ridiculous components and I feel the story does itself a disservice by not compounding the lengths Rose is going to to keep Harij around and the difficulty of the requests.
He decides to start taking care of her, which is sweet - Rose is a bit of a shut-in and while she’s not explicitly shamed for her life choices she clearly has issues with cleanliness and possibly tact. There is, oddly enough, a fair amount of food porn at this point.
They grow closer, they grow apart, misunderstandings happen, it’s okay. It’s just okay. There are some good parts - I think this has some of the best romance in a romance I’ve read recently; when these two are getting really close (two similar events from different viewpoints are the highlight), the writing really sells the smouldering and things come to life, albeit far too briefly.
Sadly, on the opposite end, the writing cannot hold back from tossing out anachronistic language and ridiculous ‘mysteries from far off lands’ that are just things from our world. It’s a fantasy story and I’m not expecting ye olde speake, but some internal consistency would be good - nobody should be saying “stranger danger”!
I don’t regret reading it, but honestly I think the short story at the end is probably better than the rest of the book and about as much as you need - it sells the characters far better than much of the other material.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn’t say that the interior art in this book does absolutely nothing for me. One picture of a supposedly beautiful princess (and I could go on for three more paragraphs about my issues with THAT storyline) is absolute staid and conveys nothing that the text is putting forward.
It has a certain charm and I did want the characters to get together, but I’d have much appreciated a better path getting them there. Not a waste of reading time, but not necessarily a great use of it either.
August 12, 2020
I really liked this fantasy romance. This is definitely a young adult romance novel. Two young people whose lives of duty and discipline have kept them isolated from the world around them unexpectedly encounter each other. Circumstances prevent either from really expressing how they feel and understanding the motives of the other. Add into the mix the inherent complications of a love potion and suddenly love becomes impossible or is it? This story has an HEA and I recommend it for all readers.
dnf
July 11, 2020dnf around 30%
nope, just nope.
nope, just nope.
July 19, 2020
Super soft -- cute story
This story is so soft, it can easily be enjoyed by anyone. Simple but good! If you want a light, easy book to enjoy, consider this one.
This story is so soft, it can easily be enjoyed by anyone. Simple but good! If you want a light, easy book to enjoy, consider this one.
June 17, 2020
Como é bom ler algo assim depois de sofrer pra terminar a Ilíada junto com o Filosofia e Cosmovisão ao mesmo tempo que começa a sentir fortes sintomas de ansiedade e um desânimo aniquilador (A Cidade Antiga precisou ser pausado por tempo indeterminado). Estava mais motivado para estudar para o vestibular da UFSC em Nov/2019 do que para ler qualquer coisa agora.
Faz tempo também que eu não anoto e comento sobre alguma coisa com vida - desde Os Noivos - então espero que estes comentários sejam-me úteis no futuro apesar de meio ruins.
Creio não ser muito mais necessário explicar porque eu li isso, mas em síntese é: Não aguentava mais o que eu estava lendo, lembrei que li uma light novel em jul/2019, decidi procurar por alguma coisa heartwarming como ela e achei isso. Obviamente comecei a ler no meio da madrugada, pois eu não poderia fazer isto em outro momento.
Agora, começa o resumo:
PUTA MERDA, QUE NEGÓCIO LINDO
Se quiser lembrar da sinopse, procure. Meu trabalho não é esse aqui.
Destaques especiais para os capítulos 15 e 16.
PERSONAGENS
Roze: A bruxa. Viveu junto com sua avó na floresta. Após sua morte, a sucede nas tarefas de fazer poções e outras atividades. Num dia visitando a capital, encontra Harij discutindo com pessoas que comemoraram a morte da avó; apaixona-se por ele, mas ignora seus sentimentos por 4 anos (ou 7, problema na tradução). Encontra-o novamente quando ele lhe pede que faça uma poção do amor.
Harij: O cavaleiro. Trabalha no palácio real protegendo a princesa, que também é sua amiga de infância. A pedido dela, vai até a floresta pedir para que a bruxa faça uma poção do amor.
Lau, ou Billaura: A princesa. Com 16 anos, é prometida em casamento a um rei já velho. Deseja a poção do amor para que ela mesma a tome e se apaixone.
Fim. O resto é irrelevante. O resto = 2 ou 3 personagens
"This was the seldom-visited witch’s hermitage, located on a small island in the middle of a lake. Roze, the ‘Good Witch of the Lake’, lived here. She was hidden deep inside the forest, far from the capital. Her home was tranquil as it was built to escape human eyes. The lake surrounding the forests was but a large body of water. In spring, colorful flowers would bloom. In summer, the surrounding would be green. In autumn, red. And in winter, everything would be colored white by snow—even the surface of the water. There were more beasts than people here, but they rarely went beyond the lake. The only thing that connected her island to the forest was a small boat."
Esta ambientação... Clichê; clichê ao extremo. Adorei.
Não tem como não gostar disso, parece direto saído de algum conto de fadas. Ainda no primeiro capítulo eu já sabia que ia adorar tudo.
Aliás, uma característica muito interessante de light novels é que elas são, de fato, "light". Nada daquelas descrições longas e cansativas de uma página ou mais. Enquanto eu as acho agradáveis em certos momentos, até para criar uma certa ansiedade no próximo acontecimento (Olá, Os Miseráveis), retirá-las para criar uma leitura mais agradável e fluída é ótimo.
Enfim, isto é tudo sobre as características gerais da obra. Hora de escrever sobre a história. Deus me ajude nisso.
A novel é dividida em arcos, mas isso não importa muito. Tem uma única história e poucos personagens. Dizer que tem 3 personagens importantes é até um exagero.
Poder-se-ia resumir em: Roze e Harij se conhecem. Ele começa a visitá-la. Comem. Casam-se. Fim.
Mas infelizmente eu não posso fazer isso por causa do lixo da minha memória, que necessita de comentários um pouquinho mais detalhados. Vou utilizar dos arcos apenas para fim de simplificação.
[PRÓLOGO]
Apresenta a história do cliente que pede para que a bruxa lhe prepare uma poção do amor. Apresenta, também, sua casa na floresta, completamente bagunçada e velha.
Contudo, a bruxa, Roze, secretamente apaixonou-se pelo seu cliente, o cavaleiro Harij, anteriormente. Para alongar o tempo dos seus encontros, ela pede para ele lhe traga os ingredientes.
"Now, the only thing a hikikomori witch like her could do was extent the time of the potion-making. The longer the better.
I never hoped for you to reciprocate my feelings— —
but at the very least, I want a small place in your memories. That’s good enough for me."
Neste trecho, eu coloquei uma seta e escrevi "bonito".
[ARCO 1]
O primeiro capítulo conta como Roze se apaixonou por Harij.
"That day she fell in love, seven years ago, she wants it to stay as a memory—and that’s it. A good memory she can reminisces in peace. "
Depois, dedica-se aos trabalhos realizados pela bruxa, como fazer poções e curativos.
Apresenta-se o mercador Tien, que Roze trata como parte de sua família por ser um antigo conhecido. Dele, compra um manto de cor verde que ela pretendia usar quando o cavaleiro viesse visitá-la, mas acaba tendo vergonha e continua a usar o seu manto velho.
"I’m sorry, Tien… I still don’t have the courage to put it on…
I do want Harij to remember me, yes.
But not as a try-hard witch who doesn’t know the slightest about fashion yet pretend she does… "
É aqui onde Harij descobre o péssimo hábito alimentar de Roze: Ela alimenta-se apenas do repolho cultivado em seu campo.
[ARCO 2]
"As for Harij, she had told him to return in a month, period.
Suffice to say, she isn’t expecting anyone. No one will bother visiting such a place, anyway. Besides, it’s noon. Harij never visits the witch’s dwelling at daytime.
One month… to me, it feels both short and long… Unable to meet you, there’s this loneliness inside of me.
Wasn’t I able to endure this feeling for seven long years?
Yet, why do I find one month unbearable? Here I thought my memories of him would be able to sustain me for a lifetime. "
Outro trecho bonitinho.
Aqui temos a clássica cena de coisa de otaku. Não esperando nenhuma visita, Roze decide lavar suas roupas e se banhar no lago.
Contudo, Harij vem visitá-la trazendo pão e a encontra.
Depois, enquanto se desculpam pelo ocorrido, Roze acaba falando o nome de Harij, que até então deveria ter sido desconhecido. Quando questionada, ela confessa que o encontrou no passado e acidentalmente lhe conta que bruxas não podem mentir.
"—Then… doesn’t that mean, even for a fleeting moment, he thought about me?
Even though Roze isn’t around, Harij saw bread in the city and thought he’d buy it for her.
This is what people call ‘Joy’—isn’t it?
...
Will I stay in his memories? I’m fine even if he remembers me as this strange witch who only eats lettuce—that means, the next time he sees a lettuce, he’ll be reminded of me.
Even if just once.
Yes—even if only once, Roze doesn’t want anything anymore."
O cavaleiro trouxe também uma toalha de mesa simples e a colocou sobre a mesa para que os dois pudessem comer.
"Nevertheless, thanks to that, Harij learned a lot.
That the Witch’s age is strangely young.
That Witches are unable to lie, no matter the circumstance.
All those haughty, merciless tasks from her weren’t to get rid of him, but truly necessary for the potion.
He though all this time that she was ripping him off—turns out she can’t even afford a single cloth just to cover the expenses of materials.
That the Witch sometimes doesn’t know what to do; that the Witch has a bashful side to her…
—and that she likes Apple Butter very much…"
So descobrir que a bruxa é um jovem mulher vivendo sozinha, Harij pensa que deve protegê-la. A partir desse dia, ele passa a ir à floresta levando comida para ela frequentemente.
Não querendo servi-lo sempre com as mesmas louças, Roze procura e acha as de sua avó.
"“The color is beautiful. It must’ve been made by a very skilled craftsman.”
“Yes, and I—“
—I want to use this tableware the next time we eat together.
When she realizes what she’s about to say, chill runs down her spine.
So you actually believed when he said he would come again?
Moreover, you also expect him to bring yet more food for you?
How foolish of her—she’s amazed at herself, to be this skillful at dreaming… "
Isso aqui me deixou realmente triste.
O último capítulo deste arco foi fantástico. Foi apenas os dois comendo e tomando chá enquanto conversavam.
[ARCO 3]
Sou obrigado a retomar a metodologia de anotação da Oresteia aqui para não prejudicar o sentimento passado pelo texto com essa minha escrita monótona.
Começa com um capítulo na perspectiva de Harij comentando sobre o casamento de Billaura, a princesa.
Numa de suas habituais visitas, ele observa Tien despedindo-se da casa da bruxa.
“So I was right—that’s Ms. Witch’s name.” The corners of Harij’s mouth rise because of her funny expression. “From now on, I’ll be calling you that, and you too, can call me ‘Harij’—“ “—No can do.” It’s an utter rejection. Bitterness swells inside him. Harij stares at Roze. Roze, who doesn’t lie, truly doesn’t want to call Harij by his name. Or even be called her name by him. “—then, return that.” “Eh? These…?” She sounds truly sad, like her child has been held hostage or something. The poison has been applied; the burnt has left a mark. “—just kidding.” Harij enters her dwelling. Roze, who looks like she desperately wants to say something to him, says nothing in the end. She only holds the baskets tightly, as if they’re her most important treasures. Inside, when he glances at their usual spot, the stirring of his emotion can no longer be suppressed— —there are two cups on the table. He presses the area around his chest with his palm—the pain he’s currently feeling, it’s as if his chest is being tightly squeezed. "
Sim, eu copiei uma página inteira.
"She doesn’t want to be indebted to Harij more than she already is.
“It doesn’t even matter whether she’s a witch or not—it’s wrong to throw mud at people.”
No one treats Roze like a person, much else their equal. Only Harij treats her like a person, regardless of her identity as a witch.
Since seven years ago, Harij, too, never changed. Her heart gradually warms up.
Roze truly thinks that his words alone would suffice, even if she has to spend the rest of her life alone.
“Thank you very much for today.”
—I’ll finish the Love Potion as soon as I can. Roze decides so and bows her head.
A week goes by, in which Roze doesn’t sleep at all to finish the last adjustment.
Thus, the potion is finished—the Love Potion requested by Harij."
[ARCO 4]
A anotação feita no pdf diz "Capítulo 15 e 16 muito importantes. O primeiro bonito, o segundo melancólico no início."
Sou obrigado a me conter neste resumo, ainda pelo mesmo motivo acima de ter apenas copiado trechos. Não confio o suficiente nas minhas habilidades linguísticas para passar o que foi lido adiante. A minha recomendação é reler estes capítulos, não iria demorar mais de 15 minutos. Vou fazer apenas um breve resumo.
Roze entrega a poção de amor ao cavaleiro explicando seus efeitos. Para assegurar seus efeitos, ela oferece um frasco com uma versão de teste que dura pouco tempo, e o Harij lhe pede para tomar.
"Thinking the potion’s effect is the cause and it isn’t going to last, anyway, he asks so casually.
Such isn’t the case for Roze. It’s the same as admitting to the secret she has kept for
many years—
Yet, no matter how many curses she spews in her heart, in the end, Roze gives her only answer;
—these feelings she has been harboring for him.
“…yes.”
In a pathetic tone unworthy of representing her seven years’ worth of feelings.
Her weak voice seems to dissipate in the silence"
"Both joy and stubbornness pierce Roze. With so much burdening her at once, Roze
tears up.
“—it’s because you like someone else.”
The fact she has been enduring, along with her tears, spill out at once."
O mal-entendido é resolvido.
No capítulo seguinte:
"Before hesitation can enter her mind, Roze removes the cowbell. For many years, the sound has been familiar to her, but lately, when she hears that sound, she gets overly excited. The tablecloth, too, is stashed away. Surely, he won’t even come back to pick it up. Thus she stores it inside the storage basket.
If she doesn’t do all that, expectation will keep brimming within her heart.
Will that person come and bring me delicious food again?
—Those sorts of hopes.
The same is applied to the dishes and the cups, which she frequently used when they ate together. In the future, they won’t be used anymore.
In the future, he won’t come and bring sweets or tea anymore.
If she doesn’t do all that, memories will keep flooding her mind.
In this room filled with potions, only the faint, sweet scent of apple lingers as the proof that those dreamlike events took place."
O capítulo sem dúvidas deveria ter acabado aqui, mas não é isso que acontece.
Seguindo ainda o clichê deste tipo de história, o cavaleiro retorna e pede-lhe uma nova poção do amor.
Segue-se depois o ponto de visto de Harij sobre o acontecimento.
"Gradually, all his thoughts regarding the ‘unusual’ Roze during the Love Potion incident shift to the one and only Roze who is in front of him. She’s all he can think about."
Harij sente-se rejeitado ao ver que a bruxa havia guardado a toalha de mesa e que ela agia friamente com ele. Querendo mudar isso, ele decidiu pedir mais uma poção do amor, pois passando mais tempo com ele, não poderia ela rejeitá-lo novamente.
Outro comentário no pdf: "Puta merda, muito bom".
(Continua nos comentários porque me alonguei demais)
Faz tempo também que eu não anoto e comento sobre alguma coisa com vida - desde Os Noivos - então espero que estes comentários sejam-me úteis no futuro apesar de meio ruins.
Creio não ser muito mais necessário explicar porque eu li isso, mas em síntese é: Não aguentava mais o que eu estava lendo, lembrei que li uma light novel em jul/2019, decidi procurar por alguma coisa heartwarming como ela e achei isso. Obviamente comecei a ler no meio da madrugada, pois eu não poderia fazer isto em outro momento.
Agora, começa o resumo:
PUTA MERDA, QUE NEGÓCIO LINDO
Se quiser lembrar da sinopse, procure. Meu trabalho não é esse aqui.
Destaques especiais para os capítulos 15 e 16.
PERSONAGENS
Roze: A bruxa. Viveu junto com sua avó na floresta. Após sua morte, a sucede nas tarefas de fazer poções e outras atividades. Num dia visitando a capital, encontra Harij discutindo com pessoas que comemoraram a morte da avó; apaixona-se por ele, mas ignora seus sentimentos por 4 anos (ou 7, problema na tradução). Encontra-o novamente quando ele lhe pede que faça uma poção do amor.
Harij: O cavaleiro. Trabalha no palácio real protegendo a princesa, que também é sua amiga de infância. A pedido dela, vai até a floresta pedir para que a bruxa faça uma poção do amor.
Lau, ou Billaura: A princesa. Com 16 anos, é prometida em casamento a um rei já velho. Deseja a poção do amor para que ela mesma a tome e se apaixone.
Fim. O resto é irrelevante. O resto = 2 ou 3 personagens
"This was the seldom-visited witch’s hermitage, located on a small island in the middle of a lake. Roze, the ‘Good Witch of the Lake’, lived here. She was hidden deep inside the forest, far from the capital. Her home was tranquil as it was built to escape human eyes. The lake surrounding the forests was but a large body of water. In spring, colorful flowers would bloom. In summer, the surrounding would be green. In autumn, red. And in winter, everything would be colored white by snow—even the surface of the water. There were more beasts than people here, but they rarely went beyond the lake. The only thing that connected her island to the forest was a small boat."
Esta ambientação... Clichê; clichê ao extremo. Adorei.
Não tem como não gostar disso, parece direto saído de algum conto de fadas. Ainda no primeiro capítulo eu já sabia que ia adorar tudo.
Aliás, uma característica muito interessante de light novels é que elas são, de fato, "light". Nada daquelas descrições longas e cansativas de uma página ou mais. Enquanto eu as acho agradáveis em certos momentos, até para criar uma certa ansiedade no próximo acontecimento (Olá, Os Miseráveis), retirá-las para criar uma leitura mais agradável e fluída é ótimo.
Enfim, isto é tudo sobre as características gerais da obra. Hora de escrever sobre a história. Deus me ajude nisso.
A novel é dividida em arcos, mas isso não importa muito. Tem uma única história e poucos personagens. Dizer que tem 3 personagens importantes é até um exagero.
Poder-se-ia resumir em: Roze e Harij se conhecem. Ele começa a visitá-la. Comem. Casam-se. Fim.
Mas infelizmente eu não posso fazer isso por causa do lixo da minha memória, que necessita de comentários um pouquinho mais detalhados. Vou utilizar dos arcos apenas para fim de simplificação.
[PRÓLOGO]
Apresenta a história do cliente que pede para que a bruxa lhe prepare uma poção do amor. Apresenta, também, sua casa na floresta, completamente bagunçada e velha.
Contudo, a bruxa, Roze, secretamente apaixonou-se pelo seu cliente, o cavaleiro Harij, anteriormente. Para alongar o tempo dos seus encontros, ela pede para ele lhe traga os ingredientes.
"Now, the only thing a hikikomori witch like her could do was extent the time of the potion-making. The longer the better.
I never hoped for you to reciprocate my feelings— —
but at the very least, I want a small place in your memories. That’s good enough for me."
Neste trecho, eu coloquei uma seta e escrevi "bonito".
[ARCO 1]
O primeiro capítulo conta como Roze se apaixonou por Harij.
"That day she fell in love, seven years ago, she wants it to stay as a memory—and that’s it. A good memory she can reminisces in peace. "
Depois, dedica-se aos trabalhos realizados pela bruxa, como fazer poções e curativos.
Apresenta-se o mercador Tien, que Roze trata como parte de sua família por ser um antigo conhecido. Dele, compra um manto de cor verde que ela pretendia usar quando o cavaleiro viesse visitá-la, mas acaba tendo vergonha e continua a usar o seu manto velho.
"I’m sorry, Tien… I still don’t have the courage to put it on…
I do want Harij to remember me, yes.
But not as a try-hard witch who doesn’t know the slightest about fashion yet pretend she does… "
É aqui onde Harij descobre o péssimo hábito alimentar de Roze: Ela alimenta-se apenas do repolho cultivado em seu campo.
[ARCO 2]
"As for Harij, she had told him to return in a month, period.
Suffice to say, she isn’t expecting anyone. No one will bother visiting such a place, anyway. Besides, it’s noon. Harij never visits the witch’s dwelling at daytime.
One month… to me, it feels both short and long… Unable to meet you, there’s this loneliness inside of me.
Wasn’t I able to endure this feeling for seven long years?
Yet, why do I find one month unbearable? Here I thought my memories of him would be able to sustain me for a lifetime. "
Outro trecho bonitinho.
Aqui temos a clássica cena de coisa de otaku. Não esperando nenhuma visita, Roze decide lavar suas roupas e se banhar no lago.
Contudo, Harij vem visitá-la trazendo pão e a encontra.
Depois, enquanto se desculpam pelo ocorrido, Roze acaba falando o nome de Harij, que até então deveria ter sido desconhecido. Quando questionada, ela confessa que o encontrou no passado e acidentalmente lhe conta que bruxas não podem mentir.
"—Then… doesn’t that mean, even for a fleeting moment, he thought about me?
Even though Roze isn’t around, Harij saw bread in the city and thought he’d buy it for her.
This is what people call ‘Joy’—isn’t it?
...
Will I stay in his memories? I’m fine even if he remembers me as this strange witch who only eats lettuce—that means, the next time he sees a lettuce, he’ll be reminded of me.
Even if just once.
Yes—even if only once, Roze doesn’t want anything anymore."
O cavaleiro trouxe também uma toalha de mesa simples e a colocou sobre a mesa para que os dois pudessem comer.
"Nevertheless, thanks to that, Harij learned a lot.
That the Witch’s age is strangely young.
That Witches are unable to lie, no matter the circumstance.
All those haughty, merciless tasks from her weren’t to get rid of him, but truly necessary for the potion.
He though all this time that she was ripping him off—turns out she can’t even afford a single cloth just to cover the expenses of materials.
That the Witch sometimes doesn’t know what to do; that the Witch has a bashful side to her…
—and that she likes Apple Butter very much…"
So descobrir que a bruxa é um jovem mulher vivendo sozinha, Harij pensa que deve protegê-la. A partir desse dia, ele passa a ir à floresta levando comida para ela frequentemente.
Não querendo servi-lo sempre com as mesmas louças, Roze procura e acha as de sua avó.
"“The color is beautiful. It must’ve been made by a very skilled craftsman.”
“Yes, and I—“
—I want to use this tableware the next time we eat together.
When she realizes what she’s about to say, chill runs down her spine.
So you actually believed when he said he would come again?
Moreover, you also expect him to bring yet more food for you?
How foolish of her—she’s amazed at herself, to be this skillful at dreaming… "
Isso aqui me deixou realmente triste.
O último capítulo deste arco foi fantástico. Foi apenas os dois comendo e tomando chá enquanto conversavam.
[ARCO 3]
Sou obrigado a retomar a metodologia de anotação da Oresteia aqui para não prejudicar o sentimento passado pelo texto com essa minha escrita monótona.
Começa com um capítulo na perspectiva de Harij comentando sobre o casamento de Billaura, a princesa.
Numa de suas habituais visitas, ele observa Tien despedindo-se da casa da bruxa.
“So I was right—that’s Ms. Witch’s name.” The corners of Harij’s mouth rise because of her funny expression. “From now on, I’ll be calling you that, and you too, can call me ‘Harij’—“ “—No can do.” It’s an utter rejection. Bitterness swells inside him. Harij stares at Roze. Roze, who doesn’t lie, truly doesn’t want to call Harij by his name. Or even be called her name by him. “—then, return that.” “Eh? These…?” She sounds truly sad, like her child has been held hostage or something. The poison has been applied; the burnt has left a mark. “—just kidding.” Harij enters her dwelling. Roze, who looks like she desperately wants to say something to him, says nothing in the end. She only holds the baskets tightly, as if they’re her most important treasures. Inside, when he glances at their usual spot, the stirring of his emotion can no longer be suppressed— —there are two cups on the table. He presses the area around his chest with his palm—the pain he’s currently feeling, it’s as if his chest is being tightly squeezed. "
Sim, eu copiei uma página inteira.
"She doesn’t want to be indebted to Harij more than she already is.
“It doesn’t even matter whether she’s a witch or not—it’s wrong to throw mud at people.”
No one treats Roze like a person, much else their equal. Only Harij treats her like a person, regardless of her identity as a witch.
Since seven years ago, Harij, too, never changed. Her heart gradually warms up.
Roze truly thinks that his words alone would suffice, even if she has to spend the rest of her life alone.
“Thank you very much for today.”
—I’ll finish the Love Potion as soon as I can. Roze decides so and bows her head.
A week goes by, in which Roze doesn’t sleep at all to finish the last adjustment.
Thus, the potion is finished—the Love Potion requested by Harij."
[ARCO 4]
A anotação feita no pdf diz "Capítulo 15 e 16 muito importantes. O primeiro bonito, o segundo melancólico no início."
Sou obrigado a me conter neste resumo, ainda pelo mesmo motivo acima de ter apenas copiado trechos. Não confio o suficiente nas minhas habilidades linguísticas para passar o que foi lido adiante. A minha recomendação é reler estes capítulos, não iria demorar mais de 15 minutos. Vou fazer apenas um breve resumo.
Roze entrega a poção de amor ao cavaleiro explicando seus efeitos. Para assegurar seus efeitos, ela oferece um frasco com uma versão de teste que dura pouco tempo, e o Harij lhe pede para tomar.
"Thinking the potion’s effect is the cause and it isn’t going to last, anyway, he asks so casually.
Such isn’t the case for Roze. It’s the same as admitting to the secret she has kept for
many years—
Yet, no matter how many curses she spews in her heart, in the end, Roze gives her only answer;
—these feelings she has been harboring for him.
“…yes.”
In a pathetic tone unworthy of representing her seven years’ worth of feelings.
Her weak voice seems to dissipate in the silence"
"Both joy and stubbornness pierce Roze. With so much burdening her at once, Roze
tears up.
“—it’s because you like someone else.”
The fact she has been enduring, along with her tears, spill out at once."
O mal-entendido é resolvido.
No capítulo seguinte:
"Before hesitation can enter her mind, Roze removes the cowbell. For many years, the sound has been familiar to her, but lately, when she hears that sound, she gets overly excited. The tablecloth, too, is stashed away. Surely, he won’t even come back to pick it up. Thus she stores it inside the storage basket.
If she doesn’t do all that, expectation will keep brimming within her heart.
Will that person come and bring me delicious food again?
—Those sorts of hopes.
The same is applied to the dishes and the cups, which she frequently used when they ate together. In the future, they won’t be used anymore.
In the future, he won’t come and bring sweets or tea anymore.
If she doesn’t do all that, memories will keep flooding her mind.
In this room filled with potions, only the faint, sweet scent of apple lingers as the proof that those dreamlike events took place."
O capítulo sem dúvidas deveria ter acabado aqui, mas não é isso que acontece.
Seguindo ainda o clichê deste tipo de história, o cavaleiro retorna e pede-lhe uma nova poção do amor.
Segue-se depois o ponto de visto de Harij sobre o acontecimento.
"Gradually, all his thoughts regarding the ‘unusual’ Roze during the Love Potion incident shift to the one and only Roze who is in front of him. She’s all he can think about."
Harij sente-se rejeitado ao ver que a bruxa havia guardado a toalha de mesa e que ela agia friamente com ele. Querendo mudar isso, ele decidiu pedir mais uma poção do amor, pois passando mais tempo com ele, não poderia ela rejeitá-lo novamente.
Outro comentário no pdf: "Puta merda, muito bom".
(Continua nos comentários porque me alonguei demais)
March 14, 2022
Their relationship is really cute and I enjoy how weird the FL is lol
October 14, 2022
The manga was cute but this was so much sweeter! I can’t wait to continue the light novel series. The illustrations were a sweet touch. I absolutely adore Rose and Harij.
February 5, 2025
Pretty cute, FMC feels a bit damsely to me but otherwise it's a cute story.
January 20, 2022
Picked up this book because I liked Eiko Mutsuhana's other series, Return from Death. This is also a romance story set in a fantasy world, and the romance is pretty well-written. It is a slow burn with a lot of misunderstandings, but it develops naturally with plenty of sweet, fluffy interactions. The title pretty much explains the entire story, though of course things are never that simple.
The main character, Rose, is a witch who lives like a shut-in. She makes a living by selling medicines and concocting potions, and the majority of the book is set in the woods she's living in because she barely leaves her home. We do get glimpses of the outside world from Harij, Princess Billaura, and Rose's very few visits to town, but at least in this volume the world-building reflects Rose's lack of interest in the world beyond her hermitage. So if you don't like main characters who are timid and socially awkward, this book is probably not for you.
But if you don't mind Rose's personality and are in the mood for something lighthearted with minimum drama, you might find the story charming. I sure did. The writing really sets up a lovely, mystical, witchy atmosphere, which I think is one of the best things about this book. It has a happy ending too, even if it's left slightly hanging to open the way for the next volume.
Mutsuhana writes romance really well. She always manages to capture the bittersweet essence of shoujo stories, regardless of premise and genre. I might be a fan of her works for the romance alone LOL.
The main character, Rose, is a witch who lives like a shut-in. She makes a living by selling medicines and concocting potions, and the majority of the book is set in the woods she's living in because she barely leaves her home. We do get glimpses of the outside world from Harij, Princess Billaura, and Rose's very few visits to town, but at least in this volume the world-building reflects Rose's lack of interest in the world beyond her hermitage. So if you don't like main characters who are timid and socially awkward, this book is probably not for you.
But if you don't mind Rose's personality and are in the mood for something lighthearted with minimum drama, you might find the story charming. I sure did. The writing really sets up a lovely, mystical, witchy atmosphere, which I think is one of the best things about this book. It has a happy ending too, even if it's left slightly hanging to open the way for the next volume.
Mutsuhana writes romance really well. She always manages to capture the bittersweet essence of shoujo stories, regardless of premise and genre. I might be a fan of her works for the romance alone LOL.
October 11, 2020
So very sweet.
What's a witch to do when her crush comes asking for a love potion? Why, have him go collect all the ingredients himself, so that she can spend more time gazing at him. And What's one to do when he keeps coming back, even after you make him the potion? Well, you get all flustered and misunderstand everything going on around you. All while your cuteness overwhelms him.
What's a witch to do when her crush comes asking for a love potion? Why, have him go collect all the ingredients himself, so that she can spend more time gazing at him. And What's one to do when he keeps coming back, even after you make him the potion? Well, you get all flustered and misunderstand everything going on around you. All while your cuteness overwhelms him.
August 14, 2020
I found this entertaining enough, I knew what I was getting right from the get-go and it was all very shojo. The relationship could have been built up to more, but this would have gone on for a larger amount of pages (I would have been all about it, though, because I like slow burns).
Should be a 3.5 at least but unfortunately I can't.
Should be a 3.5 at least but unfortunately I can't.
July 4, 2020
It is naturally a romance story with a rather hikkimori witch and a dashing knight.
December 5, 2020
Third light novel. I'll probably be reading mostly these to get to my year end goal. I'm so glad I set it super low at the beginning of the year because 2020 has done its best to kill my return to reading.
This is a story of a very socially awkward witch who fell in love with a handsome knight at first sight only to have her heart broken four years later when they speak for the first time for him to order a love potion from her. Unable to let go of her crush that easily, she makes him fetch her one ingredient at a time, to give her about monthly visits from the knight in the vague hope he'll remember her someday. However, the time only first catches his attention, then his care, and finally his heart.
This is a love story romance book through and through. Unlike the last two light novels I read, there is no grand war to worry about, or mystery cases from the king. The tension is all in the building relationship between our hero and heroine, and how they learn to communicate.
It is about as chaste as the Misfortune Devouring Witch, as in sex is acknowledged but never even gotten close to. That is a partial shame because this is also a book that includes the hero accidentally seeing the heroine 100% naked before the romance even properly starts and I think a sexy spice would have warmed the romance so well.
That is not to say that the romance is bad or bland, far from it. The heroine is very accurately socially awkward. She is pretty good in familiar roles (as a witch and potion seller) but the minute she needs to experience something new, she freezes up. She's smart but often trapped by her own feelings. I also felt she was dealing with a pretty realistic situational depression. Her home is constantly called cluttered and messy, and she doesn't do much to fix it. It's mentioned and shown that she often hides from her own emotions which clearly leads to her avoiding and struggling with the chores her grandmother had done until her death. Some of this appears to be laziness, but very clearly not all.
The hero is very kind in this respect. When he first realizes she lives on mostly lettuce, he begins to bring her food everyday and taking long lunches to spend time with her. This makes the romance a sweet, slight slow burn despite being in the forefront of the story most of the time. While the heroine gets the POV most of the time, enough of his POV is given to show how the two miscommunicate or whenever he has a large jump in his emotions.
The miscommunications are done rather well, in my opinion. The heroine expects failure to the point that she closes down opportunities, which reads as rejection to the hero who then tries a different route. The hero is probably a little pushy for people who are sensitive to that flaw in guys, but for me, I find it extra romantic.
I'm looking forward to the sequel but good news, this book reads like a stand alone. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a sugary sweet low stakes romance.
This is a story of a very socially awkward witch who fell in love with a handsome knight at first sight only to have her heart broken four years later when they speak for the first time for him to order a love potion from her. Unable to let go of her crush that easily, she makes him fetch her one ingredient at a time, to give her about monthly visits from the knight in the vague hope he'll remember her someday. However, the time only first catches his attention, then his care, and finally his heart.
This is a love story romance book through and through. Unlike the last two light novels I read, there is no grand war to worry about, or mystery cases from the king. The tension is all in the building relationship between our hero and heroine, and how they learn to communicate.
It is about as chaste as the Misfortune Devouring Witch, as in sex is acknowledged but never even gotten close to. That is a partial shame because this is also a book that includes the hero accidentally seeing the heroine 100% naked before the romance even properly starts and I think a sexy spice would have warmed the romance so well.
That is not to say that the romance is bad or bland, far from it. The heroine is very accurately socially awkward. She is pretty good in familiar roles (as a witch and potion seller) but the minute she needs to experience something new, she freezes up. She's smart but often trapped by her own feelings. I also felt she was dealing with a pretty realistic situational depression. Her home is constantly called cluttered and messy, and she doesn't do much to fix it. It's mentioned and shown that she often hides from her own emotions which clearly leads to her avoiding and struggling with the chores her grandmother had done until her death. Some of this appears to be laziness, but very clearly not all.
The hero is very kind in this respect. When he first realizes she lives on mostly lettuce, he begins to bring her food everyday and taking long lunches to spend time with her. This makes the romance a sweet, slight slow burn despite being in the forefront of the story most of the time. While the heroine gets the POV most of the time, enough of his POV is given to show how the two miscommunicate or whenever he has a large jump in his emotions.
The miscommunications are done rather well, in my opinion. The heroine expects failure to the point that she closes down opportunities, which reads as rejection to the hero who then tries a different route. The hero is probably a little pushy for people who are sensitive to that flaw in guys, but for me, I find it extra romantic.
I'm looking forward to the sequel but good news, this book reads like a stand alone. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a sugary sweet low stakes romance.
October 7, 2020
I usually do not read romance novels. The gripe that I have with most of them is that too often they focus more on the development of a relationship after two people found each other and fell in love with each other. This novel promised to be a love story that I could genuinely enjoy: Two people falling in love with each other, getting to know their crush and getting closer with each other, maybe even getting into a relationship - who knows?
This book was a slow and comfortable read. I am not well-versed in romance novels and therefore cannot rate this book in comparsion to other works, but I surely enjoyed most of it. Rose was a likeable and charming protatgonist. Shy and quick to get nervous around her crush, it is easy to identify with her and root for her getting through to Harij.
I liked the first half way better than the second; while the first half of the book describes the slow and sweet getting-to-know of two people who have just met, the second half tries to sow (very light) trouble in Rose's life and her relationship to Harij. Some of it felt quite forced and rushed for the sake of having something exciting and threatening going on. Also, as someone else in this review section noted, the ending of the story suddenly turns a 180 from bashful and slow advances to hot and steamy sexual desire exploding. This, by itself, would have been awkward but somewhat understandable - however, the reason for this sudden turn is very ill-picked and gifts this otherwise sweet story with an ending that felt like it tried to convey a completely different messag.: While the first half depicted love as a something that can slowly bud between two people based on shared feelings for each other, the second half conveys two people getting into a realionship and developing sensual and sexual feelings for each other as something that needs a suspension bridge effect or even intoxication. The bonus story was the saving grace of sorts for the story, as it went back to the sweet and quiet sort of romance of the first half of the novel and gave this book a better ending than the actual epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and liked its slow burn. Only some instances in which the author tried to spice things up with various exciting/dangerous situations felt severely out of place and hinder me from rating this book with 5 stars.
If an occaional shift in tone in a story is no propblem for you and you crave a light-hearted and sweet read for the cold season, I can highly recommend this book to you.
This book was a slow and comfortable read. I am not well-versed in romance novels and therefore cannot rate this book in comparsion to other works, but I surely enjoyed most of it. Rose was a likeable and charming protatgonist. Shy and quick to get nervous around her crush, it is easy to identify with her and root for her getting through to Harij.
I liked the first half way better than the second; while the first half of the book describes the slow and sweet getting-to-know of two people who have just met, the second half tries to sow (very light) trouble in Rose's life and her relationship to Harij. Some of it felt quite forced and rushed for the sake of having something exciting and threatening going on. Also, as someone else in this review section noted, the ending of the story suddenly turns a 180 from bashful and slow advances to hot and steamy sexual desire exploding. This, by itself, would have been awkward but somewhat understandable - however, the reason for this sudden turn is very ill-picked and gifts this otherwise sweet story with an ending that felt like it tried to convey a completely different messag.: While the first half depicted love as a something that can slowly bud between two people based on shared feelings for each other, the second half conveys two people getting into a realionship and developing sensual and sexual feelings for each other as something that needs a suspension bridge effect or even intoxication. The bonus story was the saving grace of sorts for the story, as it went back to the sweet and quiet sort of romance of the first half of the novel and gave this book a better ending than the actual epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and liked its slow burn. Only some instances in which the author tried to spice things up with various exciting/dangerous situations felt severely out of place and hinder me from rating this book with 5 stars.
If an occaional shift in tone in a story is no propblem for you and you crave a light-hearted and sweet read for the cold season, I can highly recommend this book to you.
June 14, 2022
I think this is my favorite light novel I've ever read. I mean, any time a romance story is so sweet/sultry that I need to put the book down and take a moment, it automatically gets high marks. I loved the interactions between Rose and Hiraj, especially the love potion scenes. At first I was a bit worried about the weird Witch potions and their silly names, but when the eponymous love potion entered into the narrative, it really made the prose pop.
Rose is so shy and timid and infatuated, she's relatable in so many ways. Harij is just so perfect in a sense that it's impossible to not love, but also impossible to ever believe anyone would be good enough for him. They make such a lovely and fun couple.
I will say, however, that though I really enjoyed myself, the book isn't without faults. As many other reviews mention, Rose is a bit of a damsel. Particularly after meeting Harij, because before he enters her life she seems to get by, but once he's around he defends her from every slight. Also, whether a quirk of the writer or the translator, some of the prose didn't work for me. Especially when it was trying to be conversational. Any sentence that had a "that is to say" or "needless to say" or anything like that really hit me weird. It wasn't enough to spoil the story, but when they happened they were a low point of the chapter.
I really like where this volume ended and I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next one, but I do recommend it if you like a slow burn mildly fantasy story.
Rose is so shy and timid and infatuated, she's relatable in so many ways. Harij is just so perfect in a sense that it's impossible to not love, but also impossible to ever believe anyone would be good enough for him. They make such a lovely and fun couple.
I will say, however, that though I really enjoyed myself, the book isn't without faults. As many other reviews mention, Rose is a bit of a damsel. Particularly after meeting Harij, because before he enters her life she seems to get by, but once he's around he defends her from every slight. Also, whether a quirk of the writer or the translator, some of the prose didn't work for me. Especially when it was trying to be conversational. Any sentence that had a "that is to say" or "needless to say" or anything like that really hit me weird. It wasn't enough to spoil the story, but when they happened they were a low point of the chapter.
I really like where this volume ended and I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next one, but I do recommend it if you like a slow burn mildly fantasy story.
May 26, 2022
Some of the readers are probably hoping for romance development between Harij and Roze, Harij’s character development so he realizes his own feeling, Roze’s character development so she becomes more optimistic but me, I just damn hope she learns how to clean!!
Geez, as someone who loves to clean, I think some plot (that’s explaining her house condition) is rather too much about her laziness.. Roze, you said God didn’t oversee your place, here I am praying for god to take the wheel with your godforsaken place– it’s basically just coughing- sneezing- fit- lungsfailure waiting to happen.
But its okay, later not only god has proven Roze wrong, he had also listened to my prayers! Harijans is a godsend. Moreover, he cooks breakfast for her- Knight with high spec househusband skillz?
Truly a rare pokemon.
Other than that- the fact that the FL; Roze have been neglecting sleep too!? For many years!? Combined with poor eating and dusty house? I called it MaGiC. That’s will be the only reason she’s still alive.
Geez, as someone who loves to clean, I think some plot (that’s explaining her house condition) is rather too much about her laziness.. Roze, you said God didn’t oversee your place, here I am praying for god to take the wheel with your godforsaken place– it’s basically just coughing- sneezing- fit- lungsfailure waiting to happen.
But its okay, later not only god has proven Roze wrong, he had also listened to my prayers! Harijans is a godsend. Moreover, he cooks breakfast for her- Knight with high spec househusband skillz?
Truly a rare pokemon.
Other than that- the fact that the FL; Roze have been neglecting sleep too!? For many years!? Combined with poor eating and dusty house? I called it MaGiC. That’s will be the only reason she’s still alive.
December 6, 2023
It was ok if a bit….shallow, I guess is the word. Rose is irritatingly unable to care for herself, to the point where you wonder how she learned nothing from her grandmother except potions. I wanted to say…you know, you don’t have to LIE in order to not tell the truth. You can mislead very easily or deflect. It’s like saying “I don’t know exactly where he is” when you know someone is in the cellar isn’t a lie because you know where he is, but not EXACTLY at that moment. This should be second nature for someone who has grown up with the concept of not being able to lie. The princess…we’ll leave aside how odd her marriage ends up being, but she randomly comes by and they form a strangely close friendship. The indifferent Rose is extra caring of her for no reason, washing her feet, etc without even knowing who she is. It’s just weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2021
Whilst this was a sweet read, if you're looking for a female main character who is independent and highly capable... look elsewhere.
If you don't mind your female MC being someone who's neurotically shy with crippling self-esteem issues and yet still getting the love of the near perfect male lead... read on. It's an indulgent read, and as long as you're aware of that going in then all is good.
The one opportunity which I thought was missed was that, once in a while you can read the MC's monologue as she got exasperated by the things happening around her, and whilst those monologues were entertaining, they stayed as her inner monologue. She never voiced them out loud, which would had made for a more entertaining read... ah well.
If you don't mind your female MC being someone who's neurotically shy with crippling self-esteem issues and yet still getting the love of the near perfect male lead... read on. It's an indulgent read, and as long as you're aware of that going in then all is good.
The one opportunity which I thought was missed was that, once in a while you can read the MC's monologue as she got exasperated by the things happening around her, and whilst those monologues were entertaining, they stayed as her inner monologue. She never voiced them out loud, which would had made for a more entertaining read... ah well.
June 9, 2022
Ok, this one was CUTE.
I read it all in one sitting and I really think the pacing was well done. The relationship between Harij and Rose developed at a perfect pace to keep my attention, but still be a slow burn the way I like it. The main characters are cute and the writing is passable.
The only thing holding it back from a full five stars of amusement (like it’s definitely not objectively a five star read but I felt very satiated by the content!) is the side plot of the princess and her marriage. Yeah, that doesn’t sit right with me.
And then there’s the whole ethicality of love potions thing but I’m never coming to light novels to think very deeply… So for what it is, this story was a fun romantic romp and I really enjoyed my time with it.
I read it all in one sitting and I really think the pacing was well done. The relationship between Harij and Rose developed at a perfect pace to keep my attention, but still be a slow burn the way I like it. The main characters are cute and the writing is passable.
The only thing holding it back from a full five stars of amusement (like it’s definitely not objectively a five star read but I felt very satiated by the content!) is the side plot of the princess and her marriage. Yeah, that doesn’t sit right with me.
And then there’s the whole ethicality of love potions thing but I’m never coming to light novels to think very deeply… So for what it is, this story was a fun romantic romp and I really enjoyed my time with it.
July 10, 2020
Overall easy read but character development was lacking
It’s a fun, indulgent read but if you’re looking for something that’s more than bare bones, don’t bother. The characters felt very 2D and I really really really wanted to like Rose. I really did. But she frustrates me so much. She’s very wishy washy and I still don’t understand how he falls in love with her. It seemed that out of nowhere - BAM - he’s in love.
Another issue is the sheer amount of coincidental happenings. Some of the things that happen are so clichéd that it made my eyes roll so hard, I thought they were going to get stuck.
Still it isn’t the worst thing I’ve read.
It’s a fun, indulgent read but if you’re looking for something that’s more than bare bones, don’t bother. The characters felt very 2D and I really really really wanted to like Rose. I really did. But she frustrates me so much. She’s very wishy washy and I still don’t understand how he falls in love with her. It seemed that out of nowhere - BAM - he’s in love.
Another issue is the sheer amount of coincidental happenings. Some of the things that happen are so clichéd that it made my eyes roll so hard, I thought they were going to get stuck.
Still it isn’t the worst thing I’ve read.
February 8, 2024
Es un libro ligero para leer en una sentada, trama sencilla, sin necesidad de tener que profundizar y personajes con un desarrollo natural y creíble, estoy esperando con ansias más historias sobre la Bruja Buena del Lago Rose.
Si te gustan las historias de romance sin triángulos amorosos o drama, solo los dos protagonistas conociendo sus sentimientos, esta historia te va a gustar.
Aunque advierto que hay uno o dos detalles que me hicieron ruido, pude ignorarlo pensando en que 1.- es una historia de fantasía y 2.- el enfoque es la epoca antigua; así que no me impidió disfrutar la historia principal.
Si te gustan las historias de romance sin triángulos amorosos o drama, solo los dos protagonistas conociendo sus sentimientos, esta historia te va a gustar.
Aunque advierto que hay uno o dos detalles que me hicieron ruido, pude ignorarlo pensando en que 1.- es una historia de fantasía y 2.- el enfoque es la epoca antigua; así que no me impidió disfrutar la historia principal.
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