A Magical Girl Retires was such a fascinating premise. As a long-time fan of Sailor Moon, I figured I would be the target audience for this. And, for the most part, I enjoyed this. I liked how short and sweet it was, but it felt a little too sparse. I didn't connect with the characters, and they felt a little flat. Overall, I enjoyed this read and am curious about anything else this author may write in the future.

Though the pacing can be a bit slow for some but I loved it, the heartfelt moments and creative world-building make it a delightful read.

I've purchased my own copy since reading the ARC, but to be honest (as a Sailor Moon fan since the 90's lol) I would have impulsively bought this book for the title and cover alone. If you love illustrations in books you won't be disappointed. Every chapter has an accompanying illustration and they're beautiful! So, even thought it was the aesthetic of this title that pulled me in, the synopsis kept my interest. It's darker than I expected, but not in a violent or graphic way. It's a pretty traditional magical girl story, but it includes some themes of depression and modern issues. Overall, I enjoyed reading this immensely and recommend it, but don't go in expecting it to be like a Sailor Moon light novel.

I found this tale of a 29 year old magical girl to be a pretty fun "but what if in the real world" take on magical girls. While there's a lot that is universal in the tale, there were a few Korean cultural elements that didn't perfectly translate that were explained in the afterword by the translator that might have benefited from being in a foreword instead. I enjoyed it, but would have enjoyed a longer excursion in that world even more, the novella length was both its strength (poignancy and succinctness) and its weakness.

A MAGICAL GIRL RETIRES by 박서련, (translated by Anton Hur) intrigued me with its manga-like cover and premise about a millennial girl dealing with credit card debt. Despite not being my usual type of book, this novella took me by surprise.

It was a fast and engaging read, touching on relevant topics such as the workplace in Korea, domestic violence (and how the society does not stand up for affected women), burnout, debt, and even COVID (though it does feel a bit too soon for books set during the pandemic, as I’m not over it yet), and especially, climate change.

Our main character is depressed and burdened by credit card debt, leading her to contemplate ending her life. However, at 마포대교, she discovers that she’s a 마법소녀 (magical girl). After accepting her new fate and receiving her talisman (which I found so funny, lol), and her newfound calling, she joins the magical girl union, hoping to to help save the world.

The book took a different direction than I anticipated and, being a short novella, lacked some depth. Additionally, elements like time manipulation and other fantastical aspects were a bit too fantasy-y for my taste. However, I appreciated the author’s focus on climate change and the sapphic storyline between our main character and Roa. After reading the translator’s note, I better understood the book and grew to appreciate it even more. While not perfect, I think this book will linger on my mind for some time.

A short adaptation of magical girl manga that's translated from Korean to English, this book tries to imagine a situation where actions have consequences.

A bit too short to explore the potential of what's being proposed here, I liked the ideas it brought to the table, with a magic system that enabled girls and women to tip the scales of power to restore justice. But it falls short of its full potential by cramming it all into about a hundred pages. Maybe I'm not familiar enough with manga adaptations, or the translation is clunky, I cannot tell which.

Oh. My. God. I loved it. Is this about me? Lolol. A hilarious and brutally honest depiction of what it means to be a millennial woman. Addressing topics like debt, love and loss. I highly recommend this to lovers of comedy and anything with a magical spin.

A Magical Girl Retires is a novella that isn't immediately obvious why it's called that, but wraps up pretty neatly throughout the short story. I think even as someone who has a background in Magical Girl Media that you don't have to know too much about the genre to appreciate this book (it's more like an adult urban fantasy sort of thing having much more to do with society and the consequences of, well, being an adult in society, especially a Woman in South Korea) but it does help a little I'm sure! There's a lot here without being too much, and it was a nice succinct little book that I'll probably be thinking about for a while actually.

Also the cover, hello!

Thank you to HarperVia and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperVia for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read! I can't say I've ever read anything like this before. I suppose the best description would be a pragmatic new Magical Girl who is thrown into a world of whimsy but struggles to stay afloat with depression and monetary woes. It's not a light-hearted Sailor Moon title, that's for sure.

I did thoroughly enjoy this title, my only complaint was how odd Roa was, I couldn't tell what was going on with her, did she want to date the protagonist or what? It was just confusing me with how they kept going back and forth. Still, it was a fun and ironic read!

This is not what I was expecting when I imaged a book about magical girls. I was envisioning more whimsical outfits, cute magical wands, and a cat sidekick or two. I was not expecting a pragmatic book about the dangers of credit card debts, climate change, and domestic abuse. This books felt like it was trying to touch on many important current events, yet it was so short that every point made felt shallow and surface-level. I wouldn't go into this expecting a fantasy because you will be disappointed, but if you grew up woth Cardcaptor Sakura or Sailor and you want to see what magical girls would be like grown up and in modern-day Korea, maybe you will enjoy this book!

A Magical Girl Retires is a delightful twist on the magical girl genre, offering a unique blend of charm, humor, and heartfelt moments. The story follows navigating a world and tackling mundane yet relatable challenges. The characters are well-developed, with the protagonist's struggle to find her place in a "normal" life resonating deeply. The art is vibrant and whimsical, perfectly complementing the narrative's blend of fantasy and reality. Overall, it's a refreshing and engaging read that explores the transition from extraordinary to ordinary with grace and wit.

Thank you net gallery for a copy of this book.

Thank you net gallery for a copy of this book. This was a short story about a would be magical girl and how not all power is good. I would definitely recommend

Short magical girl story in translation where the wrong girl gets accidentally chosen and there's a little bit of forward looking in the sense of realizing how fucked things are with climate change, but pulls back before it starts to engage too much with it.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early Ebook copy.

Park Seolyeon's "A Magical Girl Retires" is a refreshing and modern twist on the magical girl genre, cleverly interweaving fantasy with real-world issues. The novel follows a millennial woman in Seoul who, after a failed suicide attempt, discovers she might be the greatest magical girl of all time. But as she soon finds out, being a magical girl is far from the glamorous fantasy she's imagined.

Seolyeon’s storytelling shines as she brings to life a protagonist who is relatable and compelling. The protagonist's struggle with depression, financial woes, and low self-esteem are portrayed with authenticity, making her journey all the more engaging. The guardian angel, Ah Roa, adds a layer of mysticism and hope, driving the narrative forward with her mission.

The book's greatest strength is its blend of whimsy and realism. The notion that magical girls must navigate job fairs, trade unions, and classes adds a humorous yet sobering touch to the fantasy. The protagonist's magic wand being a credit card is a brilliant metaphor for modern struggles, particularly the battle against global climate change. This inventive approach brings both laughter and reflection, emphasizing that heroism in the modern world is often about sustainability and perseverance rather than superpowers.

The translation by Anton Hur is smooth and engaging, capturing the novel’s enchanting and fast-paced nature. The dialogue is crisp, and the cultural nuances are well preserved, making the story accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.

While some may find the blend of mundane tasks and magical elements a bit jarring, it ultimately serves to ground the fantastical in a way that feels fresh and relevant. The book's message—that we all have the potential to be magical girls fighting for a better world—is uplifting and timely.

This was an amazing book. I am obsessed with magical girls, and this was a very wholesome one. It has such a “Madoka magica” vibe.
I love the illustrations in the beginning of each chapter, they gave so much life to the story.
This is for everyone who loves “magic with a consequence” and “the chosen one”.
My only complain is the length of the book!! I wanted more! I want to get to know each character!!!
5/5 and such an easy read!!

Thanks netgalley for the review copy.

This needed to be longer! It takes so many interesting turns - climate change being the big bad! Roa confessing to the narrator! the concept of how magical girls get their powers! - but none of these things really get a chance to percolate or expand into all that they could be. It's also tonally kind of weird in the beginning, going a little too fast between bleak and slightly comic, but from the mid-point on that does kind of get smoothed out.

It is an entertaining read overall, but yeah. There needed to be a bit more there for me.

I love stories/comics/etc. where the magical girl is placed in a contemporary setting, so this book was pretty much tailor-made for me. I loved how *real* the book felt, and how the story used the common magical girl tropes to make societal observations and political critiques. It was a fast and very entertaining read, and throughout it all the love of the genre was palpable. I'm eager to read more of Park's future works!

First, i love the cover.
Second, I will religiously rewatch card captor sakura once a year.

A magical girl retires was a quick and very enjoyable read but also had depth that you normally don't find in the genre. I would totally recommend it to anyone.

"A Magical Girl Retires" is an enchanting and witty novella that reimagines the classic magical girl trope through a contemporary, millennial lens. Park Seolyeon's storytelling, brought to life by Anton Hur’s brilliant translation, is a delightful blend of humor, fantasy, and real-world challenges.

Our protagonist is a 29-year-old millennial who, after losing her job during the pandemic and drowning in credit card debt, decides to end it all by jumping off Seoul’s Mapo Bridge. Her suicide attempt is thwarted by Ah Roa, a clairvoyant magical girl on a mission to find the greatest magical girl of all time. To her surprise, our protagonist might just be that someone.

The initial excitement of becoming a magical girl quickly turns into frustration as she realizes that the magical world isn’t quite as glamorous as it seems. It's not just about destiny; it's hard work. She has to attend job fairs, join trade unions, and go to classes. Her magic wand? A credit card, which she must use to battle the colossal threat of climate change.

Seolyeon’s clever narrative offers a biting critique of societal issues, from predatory capitalism to environmental degradation. The book’s whimsical tone and fantastical elements provide a refreshing contrast to its serious themes, making it a unique and engaging read. The character's journey is both deeply personal and universally relatable, as she grapples with self-esteem, financial struggles, and the pressure to save the world.

The novella’s short length makes it a quick read, but it’s packed with thoughtful insights and laugh-out-loud moments. The illustrations by Sanho Kim add a charming touch, enhancing the magical girl aesthetic. The interplay between humor and serious social commentary is masterfully handled, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

"A Magical Girl Retires" is a delightful and thought-provoking story that will appeal to fans of magical girl manga, fantasy, and contemporary fiction. It reminds us all that we have the power to make a difference, even in the most unexpected ways. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a magical, uplifting, and meaningful read.

Many thanks to HarperVia and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A very fun, bite-sized novel that is essentially an episode of Sailor Moon if she were 29, depressed, and in debt. Everything remains fairly surface level, but it's really just a light, fun, charming story, perfect to read on the porch on a sunny day.