Mastodawn

#Review: #ReformingAnIcyFinalBoss: Getting Back at the Self-Proclaimed Villainess with the Power of Friendship Vol. 1 (#IcyBoss)

#LightNovel by #Takamedou
English Pub: #JNovelClub (1-9): (7 Entertaining)
#Fantasy #Isakai (sort of)

Angelina Grey—the self-proclaimed villainess—is isekaied into her favorite otome. But despite her beliefs, she is not the person the world revolves around. Milly Asteara, the ‘Icy Final Boss’ is.

IcyBoss is reminiscent of “My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!” (Hamafura). Milly, an intelligent, powerful magic user, and total social baka, discovers the power of friendship. Like Katrina Klaus (Bakarina), she has powerful charisma, which hinders her from becoming the badass delinquent villainess she dreams of. But that’s okay as she gathers her flock of friends and locks horns with Angelian Grey.

This was a lot of fun to read. It missed a higher score due to some moments where I was knocked out of the story by interactions that didn’t ring true, as well as the shallow portrayal of Angelina.

Volume 2 is already streaming in prepubs, and I can’t wait for all the chapters to be available.

Volume 1 is free for J-Novel Club members until 26/02/16
Volume 2 is free for J-Novel Club members until 26/04/15
Digital release: 26/01/11 & 26/03/17

(This review is based on the digital pre-publication version.)

Link to “Reforming an Icy Final Boss:” J-Novel Club

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NaraMoore ⛩️👻八尺様👻⛩️ at Fedi Nov 21

#Review: Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden Vol. 8 (#NiaListon)

#LightNovel by #UmikazeMinamino
English Pub: #JNovelClub Rating (1-9): (7 Worth following)
#Isakai #Fantasy #MarialArts

Volume 8 concludes the martial arts tournament arc. I have never been a fan of tournament fiction with its blow-by-blow descriptions of combat moves or game mechanics. That said, I found this volume to be passable. The combat scenes are varied and brief. There is enjoyable background action taking place. I had some guesses about who the winners were, but I wasn't completely sure until the end. Finally, the previous seven volumes had built up my investment in the characters and outcomes. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Nia Liston's quirky first-person narrative remains interesting. Her naïveté and egotism are still interesting, even if some of the stock lines are getting threadbare.

Hints of future plot lines are sprinkled throughout, showing that the author has thought about where to take things next. The volume ends with a surprising and interesting twist. Sorry, no spoilers here!

Volume 8 is free to read for members of J-Novel Club until 12/17/25. Digital release: 1/15/26

(This review is based on the digital pre-publication version.)

Link to NiaListon: j-novel.club

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