A compelling start to a promising series

This graphic novel is a captivating read that blends fantasy and romance with a touch of political intrigue. The story follows a young woman named Bekio who is betrothed to the once cheerful Emperor. However, the Emperor has become jaded and withdrawn since the loss of his beloved sister. Bekio's journey to win his heart is filled with challenges and unexpected twists.

What I liked:
- Engaging characters: Bekio is a strong and determined protagonist who is both compassionate and resourceful. The Emperor, despite his initial coldness, is a complex character with a tragic backstory.
- Intriguing world building: The world is richly imagined, with detailed descriptions of the palace and its surroundings. The political landscape is also intriguing, adding another layer of complexity to the story.
- Fast-paced plot: The story moves at a brisk pace, keeping you engaged from beginning to end. The twists and turns in the plot add to the excitement.

What could be improved:
- Character development: While the main characters are well developed, some of the supporting characters could use more depth.
- Pacing: The story could benefit from a slightly slower pace in some parts to allow for more character development and emotional exploration.

Overall, it's a promising start to a series. It's a captivating read with a strong female protagonist, a complex love story, and a touch of political intrigue. I'm eager to see where the story goes next.

"The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor" follows Prince Alexei, who lost someone dear to him at a young age. This traumatic memory turned the once cheerful boy to a bitter and jaded man. However, the woman who saved him back then was reincarnated, and the two soon reunite, neither being fully aware of their shared past. I loved the art of the manga and the backstories definitely carried the plot. I am intrigued to see their reactions once the couple realizes the full truth of their connection!

It was a fun read and it has nice art as well!

I would consider picking up volume 2 of the series! This would be good for readers who love fantasy romance, royalty, and josei manga!

This reincarnation romance has me hooked! The story was just getting exciting when the volume ended, leaving me eager for more. It’s funny, awkward, and refreshingly unique compared to typical reincarnation-themed manga. With its beautiful artwork and intriguing plot, I can’t wait to see how Alexei and Eleonora’s relationship develops in volume two!

Please see my full review in Booklist for a full analysis of this work. Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to review this manga professionally.

This was so good, and has me so excited for what is to come in the story. I love so many of the elements within the story. Thank you for the arc.

Here we go again, me falling head over heels with another beautiful manga series with pretty characters (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ

I am always a sucker for tragic reincarnation stories, and this may sound wrong, but the level of tragic in this one thrills me ₊˚⊹ ᰔ A prince who was ‘murdered’ by his step-mother, and a girl who was born ugly as a monster forming a bond like no other, then being separated when she was murdered by the same people who caused Prince Alexei’s death. She was then reincarnated as a beautiful noble lady, but this story is no sparkles and glitters, as the prince had become a vengeful emperor, both of them unaware of each others’ identities.

I love the fact that both the characters actually got reincarnated/revived in some sense, though one of them stayed with their identity while the other became someone entirely new. Just from this one volume, we learned that both Alexei and Eleonora suffered through a lot of ordeals growing up, which prepared this story for more tragic things to come. And I am silently screaming inside my head and shaking impatiently because they finally reunited over pies and ham and they are so pretty aND I NEED MORE OF THEM ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

These two have a lot of enemies and although I wish they would just bond gently in a soft bubble and get married and have pretty children– we know it ain’t that easy. I am all buckled for a wild ride, and I will be continuing this series definitely. Let me build my ship while I’m at it ⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

If you’re a fan of reincarnation stories, give this one a chance! 🩷

The characters were fun and I enjoyed the humor. Not a ton happened in this volume, but it was a promising star to the series. The art is gorgeous, I love it.

So The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor (volume 1) is a fascinating sort of taken on destined reunions and reincarnations and I was riveted once I got a few chapters in to see where it was going!

Prince (now Emperor) Alexei is in line for the throne-- until his family decides they'd rather get rid of him in a tragic "accident" so they can take their own path. But he survives (in a way) (or we'd have no titular Jaded Emperor) and comes to live in a forest with a malformed human who loves and cares for him and names him "Ham" after the food she most longs to eat-- and in turn he calls her "Pie," his favorite food. But when it's known the young prince may still be alive, that's when the real tragedy begins... which ends up in a reincarnation situation, and the passing of ~20 years.

I kept reading, intrigued by the developments on the Emperor's messy family and Eleonora's stepfamily situation, how they mirror each other yet are separate, and when these two fill find out who each other are/were! Plus the various hints that what the nobles are taught isn't what reality is like on the ground.... I'll definitely keep up with this series; it was pretty unique!

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

This was actually so cute and I cannot wait for volume 2. I found the story to be very unique and so interesting that I finished it in one sitting!

The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor Volume 1 is by Ii Oshikawa and focuses on Prince Alexie as he tries to overcome his childhood trauma of seeing someone he loved be killed in front of him, and as others attempt to marry him off. "Pie", the green monster that lovingly cared for Alexie while he was in the forest has been reincarnated into the body of Eleonora who has her memories and dialect from when she lived in the forest. Because she speaks in a "lowborn" manner, her family makes her an outcast and forbids her from speaking. Due to this, she is considered mysterious at court and highly eligible.

Most of this novel gives the backstory of "Pie" and "Ham" (Alexie's name when he is living in the forest) so there is not much in the way of relationship development. I really enjoyed the art and worldbuilding in this series, but there were times where I was confused what was going on. Having the characters in the flashbacks have not only different, but outlandish names was one of the things that made it difficult to follow along, especially when later on, the characters start talking about the food pie and ham!

I feel like the court intrigue in this reminded me of "The Apothecary Diaries," so if readers are a fan of that series, they may like this one too.

The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor 1 is a bittersweet story that weaves fairytale magic with the harsh realities of royal life, and it doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to tugging on your heartstrings.

As a child, Prince Alexei’s days in the forest with a kindhearted creature were like something out of a dream. But that dream shattered when duty called him back to the palace, leaving behind both the forest and the joy it brought. Now grown, Alexei sits on the throne, hardened by tragedy and consumed by the need for revenge. Little does he know, the creature who once saved his life now walks the halls of his court, reborn as the quiet, enigmatic daughter of a duke.

The story beautifully contrasts the innocence of childhood with the weight of adulthood, creating an emotional depth that lingers long after the last page. The palace is as much a character as the people in it, brimming with intrigue and secrets. Every interaction between Alexei and the duke’s daughter is charged with unspoken history, and you’ll find yourself holding your breath, hoping they’ll somehow recognize each other while knowing how complicated their reunion could be.

The artwork elevates the story even further, with delicate linework and intricate details that make every scene feel alive. From the lush, dreamy forest to the cold, imposing palace, the visuals capture the emotional stakes perfectly.

This is the kind of manga that leaves you aching for answers while savoring every moment. With its rich world-building, beautifully layered characters, and poignant storytelling, it’s a story that invites you to lose yourself—and maybe get a little misty-eyed along the way. 4 stars for a stunning beginning to what promises to be an unforgettable tale.

This was really good and I look forward to reading the second one when it comes out in English. Artworks is beautiful and descriptive. I like the backstories of our MCs. The boy who couldn't stay dead and the woman who was green. Now the King of the land who has grown into a hard man, and a daughter of a duke who is a reincarnation. Now that the two have met in the here and now, can they figure out who they once were to each other? Eleonora doesn't talk like a noble is expected to and watching them interact has already been entertaining. The next step in the story should be a good one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for this eARC

I went into this manga not knowing what to expect, but surprisingly, I loved it. This is the sort of story I would love to see adapted to an anime as it’s so full of intrigue and romance. I understand some are a bit put off by Pie and Hams history, but I actually quite liked the chemistry on reconnecting. The artwork is gorgeous, and Pie’s accent was a charming little added bonus. I would love to read the next volume, and will be looking out for it eagerly.

Thank you so much for letting me read this manga. Very pritty artwork and an intriguing story. I just flew through this manga and want to read more of it.

The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor opens with a heartwarming and wholesome tone. Rather than diving straight into romance, this first volume focuses on establishing its two protagonists, Alexei and Eleonora. The pacing is slow and deliberate, offering a thoughtful exploration of their backstories and relationships.

The art is absolutely lovely, exuding a fairytale-like atmosphere with clear Cinderella influences that enhance the magical tone of the story.

The volume ends on a cliffhanger, which is both thrilling and a bit frustrating. Just as the story seems to gain momentum, it cuts off, leaving the reader eager for more. While this abrupt ending makes it feel more like an extended prologue than a full chapter, it sets the stage for what promises to be an engaging series.

Thank you, Kodansha Comics, for the ARC!

A gorgeous and sweet manga that was heartwarming, silly, and with just the right amount of angst. It kept me engaged and loving the story all the way to the end, and I can’t wait for the next volume!

This was so cute! Not what I was expecting when I picked it up but I was pleasantly surprised. The story is unique and interesting. I cannot wait to read more in the next volume.

I did not end up finishing this volume as I really did not mesh with the story and just could not waste the time finishing it. Thank you for the opportunity!

I think this is the first I’ve read reincarnation! It was cute and I loved the Cinderella vibes mixed with fantasy. Volume one gave a lot of info about the characters & was easy to follow. I look forward to the next volumes!