If you want a real revenge story, read the Villainess Reverses the Hourglass, because this ain't it folks.
In an oversaturated genre, this manhwa is just another drop in the bucket, with your classic stoic, black haired, misunderstood ML who had an abusive childhood, and the generous FL who is always considerate, makes the most ethical choices, and considers everyone's feelings. Also, every plan she makes always works without any unintended consequences, everything she puts her mind to comes to fruition, and everyone loves her. She doesn't even get revenge on those who wronged her! She just chooses to not interact with them and let them ruin themselves all on their own.
I find characters like this flat, and therefore the plot drags because you know her plan will always work without a twist, and people will always be on her side. Even if you're looking for fluff, there are other stories out there with more heartfelt and cute scenes. I don't recommend, and I don't understand the high ratings and praise.

The female lead is actually the most powerful person in the country (probably the world) and she can do no wrong in this story basically. Since this is the case, there are also no challenges or problems for her to struggle to overcome and grow from. Expect no character development or growth aside from right after she gets reincarnated and isn’t someone’s puppet.

The way everything plays out, with the characters having only very shallow thoughts and emotions, makes me feel like I’m reading an elementary school book where everything is simplified and could be summarized in a sentence. It’s like a kid planned it out where “she’ll be super strong and her summons will be super strong and cute and she’ll be able to solve anything because she’s nice and the strongest guy in the world will love her and do anything for her” and then writes out that happening but in no more detail than that.

Basically there are no strong feelings whatsoever in this story so reading is more just read read read okay next chapter read read read. Nothing exciting happens, nothing bad happens, nothing funny happens, nothing that happy even really happens lol and the romance is just as shallow. In fact, when the main characters decided to take their relationship to the next level (aka actually exists lol) I was caught off guard - it had barely been developed but okay I guess they’re there now.

The premise is that the duke is cold and it’s a marriage of convenience so you’d think the story would like, show a gradual thawing for the duke or have the two slowly fall in love but nope. Duke decides to have a wife, then immediately after decides he loves his wife and that’s it. Female lead is like wow he’s the first person to be nice to me and super competent so I like him and that’s also it. Entire premise basically does away with itself immediately.

The art also is just so-so so when extras in the story talk about how beautiful the female lead is, or when the female lead talks about how handsome the male lead is, it's like, what are you seeing these two look as generic as could be. No eye candy here.

Only reason I’m still reading is because I want to see the bad guy get his comeuppance, and the author surprisingly doesn’t have that bad of a plot (even if the storytelling and characters are one-dimensional cardboard) so I actually wonder about what happens next.

... Last updated on November 16th, 2021, 8:02pm

if you aren't going to be original at least be like this manhwa: have passably decent art and don't be too offensive with the wish fulfillment plot.

who cares whether there's much exploration of anyone's character aside from the MCs? who cares about exploring the tension in "traditional" gender roles? rich bro tries to buy the nominally tragic heroine some happiness! hopefully it works?1!

As stated in the title, the plot and the intrigue is decent and engaging. The romance is so corny, it gives me cancer. This is the typical “love knows no bounds” trope or the ig couple relationship personified. At any point, you get tired from the cheesy lines and “couple moments”.

The characters are stereotypical good and competent + morally upright people that everyone wants to be. They kinda have no flaws, and I guess are Sues. Without character flaws, unique personality traits, and dreams, their romance and character development feels a bit empty. Not fully human.

duke, stop buying everything

The beginning, about the female lead's revenge at being lied to and cheated by her fiance and family members, is interesting. But when the Duke comes into the picture and she becomes more dependent of him, it slowly becomes meh and a typical member of the trope dude-is-so-in-love-with-the-chick-he-spoils-her-by-buying-anything-and-everyt hing-that-crosses-his-path-while-she-of-course-remains-oblivious-of-his-feeli ngs. The title refers to how the Duke is incapable of loving a woman, thus even if he marries, the woman will not be loved and will become a Duchess with the empty soul. But this man likes our female lead from the get go, so what is the point of that title even.

Despite the grammar issues of the translations, this is still one lovely manga. Love the relationship development bet. FL and ML. Love the couple so much. They both have something to bring to the table.

With the countless isekai/2nd chance manga that's been popping up recently, a reader can't help but feel numb to these stories.. What I liked about The Duchess With An Empty Soul is

But the best part is

If you want a FL who's more cunning and is truly out for revenge I suggest reading the Villainess who reverses the hourglass. Much more interesting read.

... Last updated on April 23rd, 2020, 12:59pm

I thank Duke Agentine for helping Ivona in both her old life and new life.

Also, I've read till chapter 66 and I think it's going pretty good so far. No cliche big misunderstandings.



... Last updated on November 27th, 2021, 3:06am

"Duchess Agentine, will you marry me?"
I think it's supposed to say "Duke Agentine, will you marry me?" , since the Duke has the last name Agentine, and she is the one that wan'ts to marry him (and isn't a Duchess in the first place).