I'm in Love with the Villainess (Light Novel) Vol. 2 Paperback – Illustrated, February 23, 2021

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was captivated by every chapter and finished it in a day because I couldn’t put it down. It really delivered on everything you wanted from the first book and more.I won’t give any spoilers but I loved the genuine representation and respect it provided for the LGBT+ community in ways that I never expected. If you enjoyed the first book, I would definitely recommend reading this one because it was even better. It’s now in my top 10 for all books I’ve ever read!

So, keep in mind that, while I'll try to avoid detailed spoilers, I'll have to share *some*.The biggest pro to this volume: there is an actual, distinct ending, as well as a bit of a "where are they now" epilogue. It deals only with the main named characters with a quick listing (not counting the "heroine and her capture target"), but that's still more than a *lot* of light novels ever manage. And, for the most part, it makes sense, even if the ending feels rather... Rushed. And sometimes nonsensical (I mean, really? Wind magic = time control? *Really*?), but still solid enough given the setting of a shojou game. And there *are* happy endings! Well. For all the non-het (non-incestous) characters.And while part of me appreciates that, just because of how it inverts some of the dumber tropes around gender and sexuality (and romance), another part of me finds that, at least, a little sad, for one character especially. On the other hand, the author didn't go with some variant of a harem/mesh relationship, which would the easy (and lazy) way to do it. And the epilogue is only set a few months (to a year at most) after the climax. So it leaves enough to the imagination and the future.I think my biggest issue is that the author/protagonist briefly makes a *very* disparaging comment about "people who love people, regardless of gender or sex". Which, given what they reveal about some characters, especially in the protagonist's flashback, and even the nature of her... Romancing? Seducing? Winning? Claire, implies that there's more truth to it than she wants to acknowledge.That aside, this is one the few works I've read that takes a lot of this subject matter head on, and I love it for that. Even if the protagonist IS a creepy stalker with a masochistic streak. She just *is*, although it works out. Still not sure how I feel about that, but suspension of disbelief does *wonders*But still, complaints aside, this is a *lovely* duology with tame yuri, and with a satisfying ending at that. Can't recommend them enough.

I loved the first volume, but this.....this was even better. I opened the volume, planning to only read a bit, then I finished the first chapter. Each Chapter is it's own story arc, and each one is really good.I loved the plot development, character development, and....politics. This book actually goes over some very interesting topics that I didn't expect, like Homophobia, or gender Dysphoria.The last chapter few chapters even had me on the edge of my seat, there were parts where if I wasn't trying to read, I would've criedI know this review is mostly a collection of random thoughts, but I just have so much I want to say.I've been able to recount specific lines of dialogue, and scenes from the book have haunted me to this day.I love this cast of characters, and pretty much everything about this series.Give this one a read when you have a chance to breath

I can’t express how much I enjoyed this story. A beautiful continuation of a story I am currently confident is my absolute favorite. I can’t get enough, so I’ll be off to buy book #3 now.

Like in a typical dating game, the common route has ended, and Rea has started on Claire's route. Since Rea knows little about the path, she has to work out to reach the good ending. After all, changing even little things can impact the overall story.Less sillyness, more drama, as is in my experience fairly typical for dating games/visual novels. It gives the world building more substance, although it still is more about the characters and their development. The characters is were it shines - the characters show surprising complexity for the genre. The magic system lack substance and the politics are still a bit simplistic. Still, enough humor and the drama is relatively short/glossed over quick enough to keep it an entertaining read. I liked the ending, even though the epilogue felt a bit superfluous and I could have done without.All in all, an entertaining read and good end to the dulogy (is that a word?).

Volume 2 is the thickest of all 5 books and concludes the end of act 1. I love everything about the series. I highly recommend giving the whole series a read and please do buy the official books to support the author, as well as support her on her other media.

Captivating story that brings life and purpose to the main character and recontextualize the previous book with the new information that is presented in this. A good first and Second read

This was a great second book to the series. There were a bunch more antics from the main character and her love towards the second main character Claire. This volume provided a clear ending to main story line and I thought this volume would close out the sereis, but to my great surprise there is a thrid volume coming out soon. I greatly enjoyed how the end wrapped up and the epilogue that described where everyone else ended up... with the glimpse of life afterwards. Looking forward to seeing where things head in the next volume.