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While the title for this lies a bit (the series isn’t as unique as it claims for certain plot points) I found the characters and plot line compelling to see it through to the end.
The art is gorgeous and it is refreshing to see a main character “villain” who’s driving force is kindness and compassion for the people around them, even if they’re treated poorly. There are certain points where I do think she comes off a little slow to pick up on things as she’s so emotionally intelligent in other instances, but that can be explained away with her trauma and that “common” trope mixed into the story. I’ve also gotta say, love that they did the deed fairly early on as I find that really frustrating with other titles that leave it to the end. These are grown ass MARRIED adults, I don’t think we should be having them be ‘pure’ until the end of a series after everything is resolved. I’d also point out that them at least being physically compatible helped develop their trust in each other even if it wasn’t shown later down the line. I’m glad I’m seeing older female leads (even tho she IS still relatively young) in these series. My only small gripe is that I think the princess should have had a relationship at the end that maybe didn’t end up as a “legal” marriage? Idk, I’m not a fan of the whole cast pairing off with each other and having “conventional” relationships, especially when they’re not “conventional” characters.
An all around fun read if you’re looking for something engaging and FINISHED unlike a lot of things out right now that drag on unnecessarily. The ending is nice, although I could use a BIT more PDA with the main couple being together at the end and cute as hell. For fans of the “villainess” genre, I’d say it’s worth the read!ヾ(☆▽☆)
I've been getting into watching live concert videos on YouTube in the background while I read, and lemme tell you: 21 Pilots to this series with "Dragpath" at the ocean scene? Absolutely fucking devastating.
As much as the 'teacher-student' trope is still very cringe to read in any form for me; the larger focus about how an older-single-living-alone-man VS a young-family-oriented-woman cope with their limited time and impending end is quite beautiful and moving. To honestly see (not justifying it) that towards the end there is this sort of reckless abandon from both of them and how facing such a reality does in fact make you both manic and strangely clear headed. In that way, for the different perspectives and varried character archetypes, I understand why the author wrote the age difference and psychology dynamic so then it could be explained why it had to be a 'teacher-student' relationship.
Like the other comments point out, it's hard to connect and truly understand how it feels to be terminally ill until you are exactly that. To have a piece of media so succinctly describe that in an interesting and respectful way feels incredibly human and rare. As someone who hasn't been sick, but has had an inner family member go through all stages of this and then witness their passing, it is incredibly impacting and amazing to read some of the same situations and scenarios that the main characters' family also went through. To reach that level of peace takes time a lot of people dont have at the end, so I'd like to remind anyone reading my ridiculously long post this:
Treasure every day, every second, every moment you have. Never leave a last encounter unresolved. Live kindly, passionately, and most importantly: Completely free and without inhibition. May you experience all forms of emotion deeply and purposefully with gratitude and humility to your fellow human who is experiencing just as a deep and complex life as you are. "You are something the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is something that the whole ocean is doing." - Alan Watts