The Malevolent Female Villain Turns Out to Be Me

My Thoughts on The Malevolent Female Villain Turns Out to Be Me

The Malevolent Female Villain Turns Out to Be Me promised a fluffy, comedic twist on the villainess trope, and while it delivered on some of that promise, my overall experience was a bit mixed. It's a story of second chances, friendship, and navigating college life, but some elements felt underdeveloped or tonally inconsistent.

First Impressions

The premise definitely grabbed me. The idea of the original female lead and villainess becoming best friends instead of enemies, particularly with a "foodie" twist, was immediately appealing. I was ready for a lighthearted and fun read.

What Works Well

I appreciated the focus on the female leads' friendship. The "sis-mance" between Xu Wanwan and Ye Jinmeng was a highlight, and I enjoyed seeing Xu Wanwan heal from her past-life trauma thanks to Ye Jinmeng's influence. The found family aspect with their childhood friends was also a nice touch, creating a supportive and protective environment. I especially liked that the characters were open and honest with their loved ones about the parallel universe.

Areas of Concern

While the premise was strong, the execution faltered in some areas. I found Ye Jinmeng's characterization to be a bit inconsistent. Her "innocent, child-like" nature, while intended to be charming, sometimes came across as overly naive and, frankly, a bit grating. This made it difficult to fully connect with her and believe in her as an 18-year-old.

The plot also felt somewhat disjointed. The author seemed to introduce plot twists and additional details (like Ye Jinmeng being a lost child of the Xiao family) that felt unnecessary and detracted from the core story. The constant troubles faced by the leads, especially the Ye family, became repetitive and predictable.

Final Verdict

The Malevolent Female Villain Turns Out to Be Me has its charms, particularly in its focus on female friendship and found family. However, inconsistent characterization, a somewhat convoluted plot, and unexpected tonal shifts ultimately held it back from being a truly great read for me. If you're looking for pure fluff and sweetness, be aware of the potential for darker elements. Overall, I'd say it's an okay read if you're in the mood for something light and don't mind overlooking some flaws.