this is actually like one of the best works i've read? holy sh*t I just love the MC so much. like the best part of this of this novel is how she throughout it never once tries to justify what she did in the past (even though she had reasons) and just straight up goes "yeah... I kind of am a villainess"
vague spoilers below

and yeah, aria is definitely a villainess. but so is mielle and so is isis. I don't understand why some people are defending them? it's not like mielle grew to hate aria because of her deeds in childhood, because if that was true she would eventually be able to forgive aria in the second tl and then this wouldn't have happened. no, mielle hated aria because she was a commoner and didn't "fit in" with the rest of them. this is literally proven when we see that mielle ended up poisoning the countess in the first tl, because what did the countess ever do except be a commoner?

countless of times have we seen through her pov that the only evil thing aria ever did that mielle hated her for was be born to a prostitute. while mielle was in the wrong I think we should also blame emma who encouraged these thoughts.

i actually do think aria did have some character development because while she sort of is a villainess to the very end, she also learns to truly appreciate her people and not just "use" them. we see this for example when she goes from calling sara her best investment to her best friend lol

some of these reviews don't understand that while aria wasn't physically abused, she was constantly undermined by her family and insulted with b*tchy remarks. she was also neglected of any affection and manipulated to hurt her sister, which lead to her death. she isn't some "ungrateful b*tch" she literally had a right to be mad.

to enjoy the story, you need to understand that arias point wasn't to not be a villainess, as she literally mentions how she truly is one throughout the entire novel. yes she is evil, but so were mielle and isis. they are ALL villains. aria was really rude and b*tchy in the first timeline, but she was still extremely wronged so I think her revenge is justified.

It's nice to see an ACTUAL villainess. I kind of hated MC, but I liked the story.

The title of this novel fits it well.

Overall, the plot and everything isn't bad. 5 stars. One of the better Korean novels out there.

Liked it extra for the MC actually being a villainess and not some goody-two-shoes dubbed as a villainess.

I read the manhwa and the spoiler from people that read the novels. I can't have access to the novel tho...

anyway I am addicted to the manhwa so far. The picture style remind me of good ol japanese manga style which I like.

I dont think the FL is villainess. I think she just try to put people in their place. Rewarding people that good to her, punishing people that bad to her. To be honest she is normal.

... more>> Spoiler: so far the manga is ok until I read the spoiler.

1. The FL father, Chloe reveal to be alive and her mother married him. Meanwhile her mother ditch her husband, the count for chloe, a man who used to leave her. Making her a prostitute and raising FL alone. FL in early day used to wear awful clothes, starving and not getting education. She used to wander around the street unsafety. If not because of FL mother getting married with the count. FL probably end up as commoner or prostitute. She doesn't get proper dress, proper meal and proper education. She doesnt have to snatch a crown king too.

So when things got better for FL and FL mother. FL snatching crown king and FL mother become rich after divorcing the count, FL father shows up and claiming his 'place'?? I dont like how easy FL father get forgiving for this. (OOT it reminds me of k-drama "Nevertheless" when handsome, playful men seems can get away with anything. Ughh... !!!)

2. I understand FL want to kill Mielle. As for me, Mielle seem like irrational girl who hate FL just because it is who it is not because what FL do to her. Mielle always the one who start the trouble and end up got karma really fast (carriage case, emma case and count fall case). And she doesn't learn anything. Prove that Mielle is actually s*upid 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

3. I dont like FL having grudge over Cain. For me Cain is neutral character. He hate FL in the past life, but thats because FL in the past is uneducated, shameless persona. Not to mention mielle probably influence him. In present, he is smitten and several time helping FL like when he try to finding Berry (tho crown king got Berry first tho). Indeed Cain having lust for FL. But he never do anything inapropriate or sabotaging situation. When Mielle push the count, he help Mielle because she is his sister and he dont know that Mielle really push the count (remember that cain is s*upid / easily manipulated ☺) . So to think that he deserve punishment, is unfair.

3. The count end is also what I dislike. He end up su*cide to be with his two s*upid children ? I feel like after FL mother divorce him. He should married again with other woman and having a child again. Begin again his life. Thats a better end than wasting his life for his two s*upid children. His act is also supporting su*cide anyway... I feel bad for the count because he is the one who provide FL with food, clothes, tutor, book, etc during her upbringing. Things that FL real father never do.

I feel like the count is actually quite smart and savvy businessman as he have so many land and big house even before married to FL mother. He educated his children in a good way Like placing Cain with same school as Oscar, duke son. He also provide tutor to his daughters including FL. So idk why Mielle and Cain still grow to be that s*upid. Their s*upidity probably come from their mom tho 💃💃💃. Still the count blame himself for his daughter pushing him. That scene actually give me heart break. 🤧🤧🤧 <<less

This was the first online novel I have ever read and I will always have a little soft spot and bias towards it. It doesn't mean it was without flaw, but I do consider it a worthy introduction into the world of Asian web novels. The story was quite unique, of course, now I know it followed quite a few common tropes but the second half was intriguing and there was a lot more action to it. Aria really is a villain down to her core, and Asher indulges that.... more>> In another story, they'd be the ones face slapped by the OP MC. I did find the concept of 'magic powers' that only the two MCs had a little tacky though. Whenever they ran into an issue that could otherwise not be solved, their magic powers would be able to save the day. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read. <<less

I love that the MC is the total villain in the story. I don't get why many are complaining that the MC is being petty in the long run because that is the story isn't it? The MC is not a saint nor did she ever plan on being one and did exactly what she promised, to be more of a villainess than the villainess. I like how she did not become 'a softy' until the end of the story. It's very refreshing.

I came here after reading the manga adaptation and I have to say that the villainess is not a very likable character. For people who have a strong sense of morals, this is not the novel for you, since she treats everyone without any sincerity and doesn't trust a single person, even to people that she knows that cares for her genuinely and harbor no ill intentions towards her.

... more>>

Spoiler

but she starts to reciprocate and grow affectionate to ppl who truly care for her near the end of the novel.

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However, I actually liked how the author showed the character growth in the MC as the novel progresses. Our MC was a bad-tempered, unintelligent and petty person in her first life. When she first came back, though she put up a good façade, from her thoughts and actions, it could be seen that she still retained her personality from her past life, while still harboring naive thoughts that the relationship between her and the count could be mend. But over time and experiencing many events, she becomes intelligent and calculative, her schemes become grander and her heart towards the other members of the family excluding her mother hardens due to disappointment.

Having said that I don't have much affection for our MC, I also don't pity for the outcomes of any of her enemies since they deserved it. Though I was shocked by her ruthlessness and how she really showed no mercy for her stepsister, I could understand the reason for her actions. Her relationship with her stepsister can be summarized as "it's either you die or I die", but unlike other revenge novels when the MC plots the demise of her most hated enemies, our MC is even more merciless

Spoiler

as she keeps her stepsister alive but psychologically torture her bit by bit by taking things away from her one by 0ne, pushing her into a corner.

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The way she treats her enemies makes me think that perhaps death is the easiest and best ending for her enemies. <<less

I meant to rate it a 3. I miscl**ked : (

I’ve read this novel a while back. After reading it the first time, I had a pleasant opinion of it. It wasn’t anything to rave about but it wasn’t entirely bad either.

Now that I’m reading the manhwa for this novel, there is a stark difference in my opinion. I think this story is better as a manhwa. The storyline and world building is very lacklustre in the novel.

It is a pretty typical villainess reincarnation story. It’s heavily focused on politics... more>> and aristocratic society as well.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the MC’s personality, she is very cunning which is perfect for a revenge plot. The romance is developed adequately. It could have been better but the romance is a subplot anyway. I think because there were so many “secret” identities, it is a bit hard to follow in some instances because the ML appears at the most random times.

It reminds of a regular fantasy novel like the kind I read in middle school. If you are expecting a sophisticated and well-thought out plot, you won’t really find it here.

Overall, it is a good novel for this trope. It’s important to note this is more revenge focused book rather than romance. <<less

It's a better story than the most reincarnation related stories. Here the villainess or the MC is a person with her own strength, she doesn't depend on the ML that much. She exacts her revenge on her own. She even builds up her own business and earns a lot of good name by helping the commoners.

She cares about her own people. And she tries to improve her mindset at one part, that's the part I actually started to like her.

But, in few instances it felt like she is too selfish... more>> or cruel. Like her use of hourglass without hesitation, even though she is not certain about the consequences of it's use. Then in few scene she seemed too cruel, maybe that's my own opinion. Other than that, overall it's a novel which deserves a try. <<less

Just read the webtoon instead of the novel. The webtoon is true to the novel [so far], so you won't really miss anything. The novel isn't really amazing. In fact, it will probably put you off the webtoon. Well, either way the story was very underwhelming halfway through. It's very, very underwhelming. The extra stories were also really horrid. The author kept dragging the story more than needed, and I personally feel that it could have ended better. The ending could have been less strained if the author started building... more>> up the background story for the other supporting characters rather than try and cram everything in the ending and the extra which was honestly utter crap.

TL;DR halfway through the story the author basically butchers the plot and forces everyone to have a happy ending except the villains with an explanation of a pea for the background story <<less

Read at your own interest, don't listen to others' words or be influence by it, because everyone has different tastes. To be fair, I don't pity the count's family, everything that happened was brought on upon themselves, it was a cause and effect, if they didn't scheme against FL like that to the point of even killing her mother who's been with her since childhood and herself, and also to manipulate her as a puppet in their hands in regards of her young age. They've used her thoroughly that I... more>> even felt quite satisfied. As a commoner, the FL doesn't have anything to hold herself up against in the entire nobles society, she's even wearing rags in tatters when she was a commoner, what knowledge could she possibly gain in that state, not to mention that she was a child, it was already good if they could survive the day with proper food to eat, they wouldn't even have enough strength to worry about such pleasantries and hypocrisy happening in high society, elegance, grace, etiquette, what was that? is that even edible? Also, if I recall correctly, FL was easily manipulated like that was because she trusted her so called "family members". Due to the vast difference of a lifestyle a commoner and a noble could have, a count at that, it was only natural for the FL to rely on her family members for guidance on how to be a proper lady, she wasn't blessed with proper knowledge and guidance like Mielle had in her childhood, so she comes of as s*upid. I mean, could even call someone without prior education smart? but what did they do? they've just make her appear more foolish and crude, also, don't give me that bs that the count didn't even mistreat her, how naive, the count ignoring the fl's state when he's suppose to be a "father" and turning a blind eye to all of this is already a mistreatment itself, do you really think that a person who could become a count would know nothing about the affairs happening inside his territory? He's also a person who wouldn't even bat an eyelid to try and sell his daughter just to make some connections, it's fine if he favors his own children more since FL isn't related to him by blood, but this and the things that I've stated above makes me really makes me feel disgusted and utterly nauseous every time I remember their "affections" to fl. Once a person wed someone or promise themselves for a lifetime, they must bear the responsibilities that comes with it, even if the person they've promised with already has child that isn't related to them by blood, the count is the one who went in to take the FL and her mother willingly, so it's only natural that he should take the responsibilities along with it, but he didn't, really disappointing, not only as a man, but also as a father and husband. The FL doesn't even blame Mielle in her first life, like when it was almost the time of her execution, she's mulling on her thoughts on why it became like that, Mielle didn't even appear in her mind as the master mind of all of her miseries, FL even thought that Mielle was kind enough to even "beg for forgiveness" for her and that she always saw Mielle as a family member so it wouldn't come across the FL that is was her. I mean, who would guard against people whom you've treated as close family members? she only knew what the truth was later on when Mielle decided to admit it herself in front of the FL in the guise of "speaking with her sister" before her execution just to make FL suffer more mentally, it was only then that the FL's thoughts that seem foggy and the clues that pointed to Mielle slowly become connected together, but it didn't even cross the FL's thought. It's because the FL didn't that Mielle whom she treated as a family would be cruel enough to do such things, such a dark mind at such a young age, what more of the people around her?. Learning her lesson, the FL makes full use of her previous life's knowledge and opportunities that will come across her life, and being wary to those everyone around you. She built a tougher shell around herself that was pricked with thorns as to avoid her previous experience. The FL's previous life probably already left a huge trauma on her without even noticing it herself, because even if she's trying use Oscar, there was also a chapter where the FL broke down unconsciously, saying "Don't abandon me, don't abandon me too, please..." or smth along that line, she is just burying it in the depths of her heart, where it would only reveal itself when the FL has completely been surpassed by her fatigue, she's trying to forget it, everything, along with her plan and act of revenge. Anyway, this review took so long that I've expected, it's just that whenever I'm reading a particular story, I tend to have deep connections with the characters in it to the point that I'm researching the effects of the circumstances they are in, on what it would feel like, or what effects it would have on the person who's experiencing it, is likely for them to have a trauma or not? and could a person be still perfectly sane even after experiencing all of it, or things like that. CAUSE AND EFFECT, if the person A didn't do this, person B wouldn't respond with that. There was only one character I feel pity about or wish for a happy ending, and that is, Oscar. A person's nature is defined and develop by those around them, it couldn't just pop out like nothing as if magic. <<less

It would have been nicer if there were extra chapters with only the FL and ML hahahahahaha, Also, my baby Oscar should have at least meet some girl nice 'mright? :/ (

Romance isekai medieval. Light on plot. There are politic and finance element playing in but nothing heavy and it doesn't go in much details

Review by a male webnovel addict who spends most of his time reading shoujo's these days:

It was a pretty entertaining read. It kept me reading to the end.

The MC is actually a villain. Not a fake villain with righteousness. No. She is pretty evil and manipulative. So... there's that.

... more>> Her basic power is being manipulative, observant, future knowledge, 5 minute rewind, and a decently deductive mind. No real power.

If you want a villainess novel where the MC is actually acts like a villain and acknowledges that she is one... somewhat, and not a self-righteous white lotus wanna be, then.. yeah go ahead.

There is relatively no action or much comedy, the romance and character development as well as her relationships are pretty good. The side characters aren't half bad.

The biggest part is, is the MC enjoyable to read? Yes. She is. She is a complex character that tries to work through some real issues through out the series.

Do I recommend it? Well if all you have left is mediocre or worse novels to read, then yeah, this is a go ahead. It's better than 90% of the novels out there, especially if its a shoujo.

Is it perfect? No, of course not. Nothing is perfect. But is it an enjoyable read? Yes. <<less

I started the novel because I enjoyed the webtoon version, and I really enjoyed the novel at first. However, as the novel progressed the plot seemed to shift to something that lost the initial spark of the beginning chapters. I dropped the novel somewhere in the middle (150+ chapters) when it wasn't interesting anymore despite the potential it could've held.

The story reminds me of the South Korean movie 'Parasite'. I want to like the story but these 'parasitic' feeling that I get from Aria and her mother prevent me to give it a 5 star rating.

Overall, the story is about the villainess (the main character) who act like a saint to beat her stepsister who also act like a saint. The translation quality is not that bad, but sometimes it's hard to understand.

The story is well paced and I do like the main character, but sadly after chapter 10, the translator has locked the chapters and you have to pay to read more. It is enjoyable as far as I know.

I loved the novel and manhwa especially since this was one of the first ever novels I read, but when I reread some of these reviews it did bring back some sour memories

overall, this story will always have a special place in my heart for all the excitement and hypeI felt towards it when I was in middle school <3

I feel like the introduction of the novel built a premise and had so much potential which the author could really not sustain or develop. There were so many times reading this novel where I felt like if this was written by a different author it would be so much better but it falls so flat due to the lack of character development, world building and logic that exists in the novel.

Aria has 0 development and its irritating. Other Fls who choose to stay evil or are committed to... more>> their original goal such as Helena from Kill the Villianess experience character development which act as forces to create discussion on why their goal matters and why they are sticking to that. Aria is never challenged throughout the novel, she has 0 consequential failures and I can't even think of one occasion where she does fail. It's really disappointing because she ultimately dissolves into a Mary sue and makes the reading experience so boring because she has little personality other than being a girl boss. Also the inconsistency with Asher being a cool smart prince but failing to know her identity as investor A or even Arias convenient nieviety of his true identity does not align with what we know of her as a super smart individual.

Arguably the bigger draws of historical kNovels is the intricate world building that has readers questioning the structures and laugh at how unrealistic governments are run in some circumstances but this does not happen in here. Like why does the King do nothing? Why is Asher often with Aria even though he is busy (and don't say he isn't often with her because in late story he is constantly by her side even though he should arguably even more busy). Also doesn't the prince/King have better things to do then just stick around Aria and Asher ?? Surely he does right... The way the world is built is so illogical because it only exists for the convience of Aria which I think lets down the plot largely because the Mary sueness could have been detracted from if she had actual challenges as a result of the world she lives in.

Some things just don't add up for me, like where does aria put her money from her endeavours. Like that's never explored or even mentioned...

[Side note] Iris is such a underutilised character and would have been more interesting as a FL than Aria tbh.

I have read worse but I think this is the most underwhelming reqd I have had <<less

I loved the story and have read both the manhwa and the novel quite a few times.

Rebirth, revenge, confident MC who uses her knowledge to change her fate from the past and a ML who accepts her for who she is.

It was good, there was nothing special about it. I enjoyed the ML more than the fl. But I can see where people would hate it. I recommend reading it if you like revenge and a slow love story combined.