Aug 31, 2023
This Manhwa had an interesting premise, which it abandons by chapter 10? 15? 20? I don't exactly remember, but roughly around that time, the idea that the main character is in mortal danger from one wrong move is gone. It devolves into a character drama, the point of which is… I'm not exactly sure. The protagonist doesn't seem to care enough about anything to commit to any one goal. She doesn't fix Penelope's life and relationships, she doesn't vent out her frustration at the situation, she rarely talks to her main escape vehicle, that is Eckles. She lacks character, therefore not being a character.
“Penelope”
...
fails at both kindness and manipulation. She is apparently so stoic as to not mentally crumble from being in mortal peril all the time, but she still chooses to yell at her brothers for being bastards to her. Why? I'm not sufficiently convinced she gives a damn about Penelope's life. Her only goal is apparently to get 100% favorability with a character to win, and she picks Eckles as her way to do so… and then forgets about him. There's one thing I can see her caring about, and that is to avoid the crown prince (even way after we as the audience know he isn't a danger to her). Aside from that ONE desire of hers, she has no actual motivations. Her inner mind is telling the reader otherwise, but I can see that she doesn't do anything of her own accord. She is forced into situations by circumstance or by literal quests telling her what to do. Never since the working class of Martinaise has the world seen such an inert person, unwilling to do the bare minimum to save her own life. Oh, and also I have to love the protagonist who falls face-first into being a manipulator, while not being able to read emotions WHILE HAVING A LITERAL INDICATOR OF LIKABILITY. Also, she is actually insane and has a slave, who she emotionally abuses. OF course, it's not even remotely framed as one of the most abhorrent acts of immorality man can commit.
Also, the rest of the characters are hit or miss. Flip a coin each time a character interaction happens to guess the quality of it. Also, they're supposed to want her dead, but they really don't. Also, also, when it comes to favorability for her brothers, it makes no sense, once it crosses into 20%, they are already madly in love with her (romantically, of course. This is East Asia, baby, if normal incest is commonplace, step-incest is super normal, apparently.) But while being in love with her, they still behave like dickbags. The pink haired gremlin at least stops at just insults and later on genuinely tries to understand her feelings. The other absolute hobgoblin straight up betrays her and almost lands her under an executioner's axe. Somehow, I am supposed to not hate this person.
Also x3, the pacing is shit. Penelope's very important birthday doesn't feel like a looming disaster if it didn't happen by chapter 50. It's chapter 124, the Third Season has ended, and it still hasn't happened. I don't know why I'm reading this.
Anyway, although I've listed all the negatives and all the reasons you shouldn't read this. I personally enjoy the plot progression and some character interactions. It's moderately fun. Like 5/10 barely above dropping it altogether fun.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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