The Life of the Saint Called the Mother of Heroes

My Thoughts on The Life of the Saint Called the Mother of Heroes

"The Life of the Saint Called the Mother of Heroes" promised a tale of betrayal, revenge, and a saint's hidden depths. While the premise intrigued me, my journey through this josei fantasy drama was a mixed bag. The story, centered around a female protagonist wronged by a king, had moments that shone, but ultimately left me wanting more.

First Impressions

Initially, I was drawn in by the European-esque setting and the idea of a saint enacting revenge. The early chapters painted a picture of a woman scorned, setting the stage for what I anticipated would be a clever and satisfying retribution. However, as the story progressed, I found myself questioning the protagonist's choices and the overall execution of her plans.

What Works Well

The concept of a slow-burn revenge is interesting, and in some ways, I found the patience of the main character admirable. The author does a decent job portraying the passage of time and the subtle shifts in power dynamics. The writing style itself is adequate, providing enough descriptive detail to paint a vivid picture without being overly verbose. The translation also appears to be well done.

Areas of Concern

My biggest issue lies with the revenge itself. It felt... underwhelming. The protagonist spends decades playing the role of a supportive wife, raising the king's children (including those from his affair), and ultimately administering a slow-acting poison. While the idea of a drawn-out, subtle revenge is appealing, the execution left me feeling unsatisfied. It felt like the protagonist sacrificed too much of her own life for a payoff that wasn't impactful enough. I questioned whether the decades of servitude were worth the final reveal. The king, despite being poisoned, seemingly lived a long and fulfilling life, which diluted the impact of the revenge.

Final Verdict

"The Life of the Saint Called the Mother of Heroes" is a quick read with an interesting premise, but the execution falls short. While the idea of a saint's revenge is intriguing, the actual revenge feels weak and unsatisfying. The protagonist's choices are questionable, and the ultimate impact on the antagonist feels minimal. While I appreciate the concept of a slow-burn revenge, I believe the story could have been much more impactful with a different approach. Overall, I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5.