Showing posts with label author: touya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author: touya. Show all posts

December 10, 2025

The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 6

The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 6 by Touya 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Things pick up very quickly where they left off in volume 5 here, with more assertions that Luciana is the legendary magician. While the group does suffer some loses, everyone seems rather pleased with the outcome of this encounter, even gaining the promise of the East Star to be there if ever Luciana needs her aid. Luciana is determined that this isn't the end and she'll find a way to right everything, but doing so will recall more luck and memories from the original game that seem to be beyond her grasp at the moment. In the meantime, she's made herself a rather unique circle of supports that she originally meant to avoid. There seems to be something else going on with Luciana's memories as she gets flashes of things in the forest that she should not be aware of. Unsure if that will have further answers down the road as well.

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November 28, 2025

A Tale of the Secret Saint 10

A Tale of the Secret Saint 10 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fia runs into Blue and Green, who somehow manage include themselves in Fia's extended leave with Kurtis as she goes off to Blackpeak Mountain to visit her sister and familiar. There are more than a few hilarious conversations and encounters, including even a commentary on hair ornaments given her rather unique headpiece. Fia's memories seem fairly clear with the exception of certain events. It would be interesting if she found Sirius just as she's managed to find others who remember their shared past. Even with these memories, Fia has her own fears to worry about now, both regarding her previous fate and her new life's fears as she remembers she is not just who she was, but Fia now, with her own memories and experiences as well. The dragons are a unique touch, though it seems maybe there's at least one that isn't so happy to welcome Fia and her odd group up the mountain.

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October 13, 2025

The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 5

The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 5 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Saphir seems to have more up his sleeve than anyone realized as they track him down with the East Star. It seems there may be more going on that is easy to keep track of with all of this knowledge of different abilities and the battle with the East Star taking place. For all of the importance that seems to be put on Daryl for this unique ability, the others don't seem to be lacking in any ability either given their own skills with mana and in the battle. In truth the only one suspected to have very little mana is Luciana, but is that really the case given her unique abilities? Curious if this has always been her reality and it was just never learned because of actions in her past life, or if this is the result of changing fate with her new abilities and determination.

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The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 4

The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 4 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


We learn a lot about Saphir and Louis in this volume, especially in connection with the East Star and Daryl. This leads to further connections with the charm Luciana is under and how she came to find the purple animal that she now recognizes as Conrad. Lakas also has some competition now as Joshua claims Luciana is equally important to him now as she is to Lakas. After seeing Saphir taken away by the East Star, it seems things may be in motion even more than they originally realized as they rush to save their friend while still trying to connect the pieces to protect Luciana and her identity. Surprisingly, the only one not to go along on their rushed quest is the eldest Wisteria brother, though this seems to be more due to an inability of his brothers to wake him than not wanting to be part of the action.

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The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 3

The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 3 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Saphir seems to have more connections and knowledge than he lets on, especially as he banters back and forth with Wisterias. For some reason, he seems keen on including Lakas as well given their suspicions about this magician and the seals. Lakas seems to alternately blend in with the nobility and go along with things, or be holding himself back from raging jealousy as the Wisteria's take even more interest in Luciana and her unusual circumstances with this charm. Why does Saphir seem this has to do with his own actions with a certain star as well? It can't be a coincidence that the same symbols keep appearing.

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The Villainess's Guide to [Not] Falling in Love 2

The Villainess's Guide to [Not] Falling in Love 2 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


For someone determined to avoid falling into a relationship with any of the games romantic characters, Luciana sure finds herself surrounded by them rather quickly. Thanks to her surprising actions in the first volume and her brother's sharp senses back in their family home, it seems she's become a person of interest for several characters now. Lakas is no longer a statue as he and his sister seem to almost idolize Luciana, while the Wisteria family now has a rather keen interest in this charm it seems she is under. So much for fading into the background; that doesn't seem possible at this point.

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The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 1

The Villainess's Guide to (Not) Falling in Love 1 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Luciana is reincarnated into the world of an otome game, except her new life is the villainess without any real power in a world where magic abilities are essential among the nobility. To make matters worse, her original personality was dead set on building herself up at the expense of others and chasing after men who clearly had no interest in her solely because of their titles. With her newly awakened memories and awareness, Luciana only desire to fade into the background, but when she realizes that the reason this current world is different from her memories of the game, she realizes she has the opportunity to possibly change someone else's fate for the better as well. Much to the surprise of those around her, she genuinely is out to do her best for once, and surprises several people along the way.

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July 17, 2025

A Tale of the Secret Saint 9

A Tale of the Secret Saint 9 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Despite her attempts to stay under the radar, Fia has gained a rather large following of devotees and protectors. Curious how more ties to the past knights are coming up now with the sword as well - just who is this Black Knight and why did Fia's past fate drive him mad? It seems more adventures are in store heading to this mountain as well. With the exploration planned in time with her visit and more company, it seems less and less likely Fia will be able to hide her black dragon for much longer (though truthfully he already isn't as hidden as she would like to believe). The knights back home are also hilarious. Who knew she'd so easily have the entire squad of captains in the palm of her hand, including their commander.

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February 10, 2025

A Tale of the Secret Saint 8

A Tale of the Secret Saint 8 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Oh goodness, the story keeps spinning out of control, and yet somehow still works in Fia's favor even though she's desperately trying to hide her origins. Somehow, even the captains and the commander himself seem more than okay with everyone calling her the Great Saint as well, which is a little peculiar aside from Kurtis with his memories coming to light. It's also rather hilarious how displeased he is when everyone wants to claim their Duke as the reborn Blue Knight when he knows that's his own history. While there's no indication so far that anyone else has memories of the past, it also wouldn't be too strange at this point. At least it seems odd stories and rather insistent worship of the Great Saint aside, they did manage to accomplish their goal and find a way to establish peace between the knights and the islanders before it was too late.

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October 10, 2024

A Tale of the Secret Saint 7

A Tale of the Secret Saint 7 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fia's secret may be out at least with the captain if not the rest of Sutherland, though it's unclear if they realize she does have her power or just recognize her physical resemblance and that she clearly recognizes the illness they are suffering from. The captain was an unexpected plot twist, though we don't get very far into how they're going to help the people before we're swept back in time again. The constant flashbacks are a little jarring at times, though both lives are still interesting. It definitely slows the current story down when so much of the book is revisiting the past. Now that we've found the captain after so much focus on his part in Fia's past life, slightly curious with the previous captain in the lime light towards the end if that may be another person of interest coming into play here soon.

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September 29, 2024

A Tale of the Secret Saint 6

A Tale of the Secret Saint 6 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It seems more than a few people are seeing the similarities between Fia and the Great Saint, though most write it off as impossible as they know nothing about her saint magic, let alone her memories. A slip of the tongue may lead to some unintended revelations though given it seems her own personality and thoughts haven't changed much even if it's been 300 years since her previous life. So far, it seems the captains consider it a ruse, but if someone does get wind of her abilities, that's likely to change quickly as well. These villagers certainly are rather devoted, especially if they're willing to believe she may no longer have saint powers but still be the Great Saint reborn.

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A Tale of the Secret Saint 5

A Tale of the Secret Saint 5 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fia continues to be rather oblivious, but she's learned a bit more about her own history and at least one of her knight's territories since then. She continues to blunder around in the most innocent way that it's hard not to laugh, especially as the captains and people around her seem equally enchanted by her and also terrified of her and what the black dragon may do if anything they say or do is taken as an offense or forcing Fia to do something against her will. The side story at the end seems to take place before Fia's knight exams at the beginning of the series and is rather hilarious. She's not only confounding her own country and earning their devotion for her strange abilities and innocent nature, but also another empire as well. 

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A Tale of the Secret Saint 4

A Tale of the Secret Saint 4 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Well it would seem the cat is out of the bag so to speak, at least partially. No one seems to have clue in that Fia is also a saint, let alone possibly a "great saint" as Zavilia seems to think. We get a rather substantial piece of Zavilia's history, including how and why he's so drawn to Fia and has made her his priority, rather literally. It's rather sweet the way these two care about each other, even if they are still vastly different and may not entirely understand each other in the same way. The captains at least all seem supportive, even if some still can't seem to believe it's possible Fia has the complete devotion of the black dragon. Zachary and Quentin at least seem to have some idea that Fia is still hiding something, but also that she seems to be trying to protect someone or something that they don't fully understand. It will be interesting to see if Fia does manage to hold to her resolve to hide her status as a saint or if that also comes to light at some point, especially as she is most likely going to continue to be involved with the captains and events at a higher level than the other knights.

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A Tale of the Secret Saint 3

A Tale of the Secret Saint 3 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Well we have another one of the captains in the mix now and apparently he can see a lot more than the others can with her perceptions of aura or power. He not only apparently recognizes Zavilia and wants to help hide who he is to everyone else while also somewhat panicking that they could all be doomed, but also sees Fia herself as a powerhouse and is amazed at their bond. At least he seems accepting and positive and isn't throwing Fia or Zavilia to the wolves, but is attempting to work with them. Fia herself continues to prove valuable and insightful on her own as they come up against these monsters and she works with the familiars and other knights to turn things back in their favor, but it seems the blue dragons aren't so willing to let them go.

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September 28, 2024

A Tale of the Secret Saint 2

A Tale of the Secret Saint 2 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Well, Fia definitely has some eyes on her at this point, though if anything they mostly seem to be intrigued by her and otherwise friendly. It is certainly a bit of an odd placement to be in when they're asking her about taking charge in the field as a new trainee. Of course sharing memories of her past life would be risky and most likely unbelievable, so the field guide is a good idea, if also somewhat of a tenuous leg to stand on. We see more of Fia's saint powers here too, and gain some insight into the healing potions as well as how monsters and familiars function. Zavilia is rather impressive and maybe a bit of a saint himself putting up with Fia's crazy costume scheme so he can stay by her side in the castle at least for a little while. Fia also seems to be finding some friends, which is a good sign, though some might start wondering just how or why she knows so much about saint magic. Who is this that's after the black dragon though, and will the spell trouble if or when someone realizes what Zavilia really is. 

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A Tale of the Secret Saint 1

A Tale of the Secret Saint 1 by Touya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fia herself seems to be a bit of a clueless klutz, though her heart seems to be in the right place and she's genuinely kind. It seems her previous life didn't end on the best note with her own brothers betraying her on the battlefield, yet it seems there may remain stories about her in that previous life even now in her new life, which seems to take place years later in the same world/kingdom. What is uncommon in her situation, is not only remembering at least pieces of her previous life, but discovering she apparently still has her magic as well. As a result, she manages to basically float through challenges that her current family would have previously thought were too difficult for her and is unintentionally gaining attention and a bit of a rep with the higher ups as she finally achieves her dream of becoming a knight, something her currently family is well known for.

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