The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character

My Thoughts on The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character

"The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character" completely took me by surprise. It's a premise that sounds like it could easily fall into predictable tropes, but it manages to deliver a refreshing and genuinely entertaining story.

First Impressions

The initial hook is fantastic: a workaholic crown prince, Alondre, bored with his routine and desperate for some excitement, makes a deal with an ArchDemon to create a clone. This clone, Bern, gets to live out Alondre's fantasy of being an adventurer. The humor comes from the contrast between Alondre's genius-level competence and Bern's supposed naivete as he blunders his way through the adventurer's life. It’s a fun twist on the reincarnation trope, offering a unique perspective on the "new life" experience.

What Works Well

One of the strongest aspects is the characters. Alondre is relatable despite his royal status, and his interactions with the ArchDemon, Lucidra, are comedic gold. She believes she's manipulating him, but he's always one step ahead, using her demonic magic for his own amusement and personal gain.

The heroines are also well-developed and play meaningful roles in the story. They aren't just there for romance; their arcs contribute to the overarching plot and showcase their strength and independence. I particularly enjoyed how the story handles the "multiple lives" aspect. Each "clone" becomes deeply involved with a heroine, leading to interesting emotional complexities and moral questions. The author does a great job of balancing humor with more serious themes, such as the psychology of the characters and their struggles with the injustices of the world.

Areas of Concern

While the story is generally well-paced and engaging, I do hope the heroines introduced in earlier arcs continue to play significant roles beyond their initial stories. It would be great to see them become more integrated into the main plot, rather than remaining isolated within their individual arcs.

Final Verdict

Overall, "The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character" is a delightful and well-executed fantasy novel. It offers a unique premise, engaging characters, and a compelling storyline that balances humor, romance, and deeper themes. I'm excited to see where the story goes and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a refreshing take on the genre. I'm giving it a solid 4/5.