Written well, but she collects guys - they get too enamored without thinking for themselves

Cancelled, huh.

... Last updated on August 15th, 2023, 8:58pm

I have to say I liked this one! While it's not a top tier manhwa that will change your life, I found the premise compelling and Elena as a character very intriguing! As other reviews noted, it's so refreshing to have such a capable, smart and feminine leading lady, who does everything with tenderness and understanding. Even her revenge arc is somehow not that cold-blooded and bitter you can see she is traumatized and she does want to ger her pound on flesh for all the pain she was inflicted, but she's not a crazed lunatic.
Another citique the manhwa gets is that the second part, in the Academy, isn't as compelling as the first one. I for one have to disagree - the first part is a thrill ride, bait to make you fall into reading the manhwa, and the second part should be less thriller and more or a slow and deliberate path Elena takes to make her plans come true - step by step, very meticulously and with such attention to detail it's wonderful! However I do admit that the pacing is sometimes off, slagging a bit and getting into unnecessary side stories, but okay, it's not that bad. The story of how Elena and Ciel fall in love... Hm... Sadly I didn't feel Ciel. I can see that he would be further fleshed out if the manhwa had a contunation, but for now, he's a cold blooded, very pondered ML who didn't, in any way, make me want to learn more about him. I think this wasn't handled very well, although I do see what they wanted to show - a prince who developed a stoic facade to fight with the unstable political situation, whose power is largely taken from him, who seems to cold and calculated but is in fact a goodie behind the facade. A bit cliche, but could work, but he doesn't get the time to develop all of this properly.
The art and everything else is very nice. But the cancellation really cut it al of! This definitely had potential! Imagine seeing what Elena would have made, what kind of a literary salon, art circle or architectural school could she have created if given a chance! Too bad, really too bad... But still, recommended for those who want some depth to their manhwa...

Art = 10
Plot = 7
Characters = 8

There is very little if any romance at all in this series. Overall it has a very intelligent revenge plot; think of it as Count of Monte Cristo lite. Since the plans can get complicated and confusing, it’s better to binge it. If you like it or don’t manage to drop it until chapter 60, go read the light novel.

~~~ the rest of this review is dedicated to the light novel ~~~
I find it strange the romance only happens in the side-stories and even then it’s incomplete. We get an incomplete prequel in the form of a dream and then an incomplete romance. but unfortunately the light novel is completed and we won’t get that. 🙁

... Last updated on December 31st, 2021, 11:51am

I was really interested in this, but the pacing once she's at school kinda falls off, then the series ends.

This started out surprisingly strong. Then she went to the academy and the momentum fizzled out. Now reading that the series might not even be finished and that has made me wish I hadn't started it at all.

Save my time

A strong start, but since the MC has gone to school there has been minimal progression of plot. Just ambling around the art department, and awkward encounters with MCs. I know characters have to be established, but this is glorified filler at the moment.
Looks like it's getting cancelled at ch.60.. Given the pace of the last 25-30 chapters I'm hardly surprised.

... Last updated on June 21st, 2021, 2:27pm

Replacement stories are always a little unbelievable but thankfully Shadow Queen doesn't really bother with trying to convince us of the plot: it just goes straight into the politics, the emotions, and the revenge. The beginning of this story is really strong, and it's great to see Elena play different roles with such skill. It does get a bit tedious just how far ahead she thinks, but hey, this is her chessboard, after all. And we're all here for that vengeance, anyway.

Also agree with Delaria: praying that Ren isn't the ML. He's not likeable at all... just kind of an edgy b/stard character. I have a horrible feeling he'll be "softened" by Elena at some point, but even if he does stay true to his nastiness, he's still not the kind of character I enjoy reading about.

... Last updated on April 12th, 2021, 4:37am