Rating: 4/5
[Gifted a copy on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]

Volume 1 of <i>The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor</i> by Ii Oshikawa is a very cute (if inherently silly) and short star crossed romance.

Eleonora, a beautiful if verbally unusual (in the volume’s best running joke) noble lady, sets out to attend a ball hosted by Alexei, Emperor, brooding young man, infamous tyrant. As we watch their two paths converge, Alexei’s childhood rescue by an unusual but kind figure is also told. It takes very little to realize where the story is going, but Alexei and Eleonora are so cute you just can’t wait for their paths to cross. Undercutting this fluffy tale is a darker origin story, with a few striking moments of non graphic but still bloody violence.

Almost fairytale-like, this story requires its reader to roll with it on its own logic (there’s some objectively very silly things going on), but its charming art, cute leads, and avoidance of some unnecessary tropes creates a very fun read.

I was hooked by the title, intrigued by the book's summary, and absolutely enamored with the book itself. This was such an incredibly fun read! There is a mystery that no one has yet figured out needs to be solved, a quirky cast of characters, tragedy in spades, the question of how to overcome the cruelty of your upbringing, hilarious dialogue, sweet friendships, reincarnation, and so much talk of favorite foods. I genuinely laughed out loud at several parts (one of which was the giving of the nicknames between Alexei and his savior). The entirety of the book walks close to that line of too silly to take seriously, but whenever that happened the emotions and dialogue were so heartfelt, and the ridiculousness seems to be mostly tongue-in-cheek, and instead of finding it exasperating I really loved every bit of it.
I'm also a big fan of the foundation that was built for the relationship between Alexei and Eleonora, and I love their individual personalities. Alexei is strong-willed and determined to do what's right, and to gain the power to not be hurt again and to stop others from being hurt as well. Eleonora cares about people and animals, she has a protective instinct in her, but doesn't really care what other people think about her... ever. It's hilarious and makes her just so endearing. I can't help but love both of them. When the volume ended I found myself looking for more, ravenous for the next part of the story! I cannot wait for the next volume, and the one after that, and the one after that as well. This book truly sunk its claws into me!

A touching story of love found in an unexpected place, teared apart ruthlessly and reunited by fate.

I absolutely loved this volume! It’s a bit cliche but has a unique twist. The story features Emperor Alexei with a tragic past as he was abandoned by his stepmom. Tortured in a forest of monsters, he’s rescued by a friendly monster who saves him and provides the warmth and love of family. Using the nicknames Pie and Ham they live peacefully until tragedy strikes. As Pie reincarnates as a young lady, Alexei has taken the throne and their fate intertwines once again in the imperial court.

I loved the execution of this story. It’s fast paced but retains the emotions throughout. It weaves present times with the past in well placed flashbacks. Pie and Ham’s past was adorable and I could honestly devour a whole volume on it. It had a warmth to it, that was both innocent and gentle. It contrasts the present storyline which is uncertain and devoid of any warm feelings. I also loved how Pie and Ham didn’t need to know each other to feel safe and loved. They showed it by their selfless actions and words.

Pie is a unique character. She retains her memories and speech from her past life now as Eleonora. I feel like everyone will love not only her accent, but her confidence in feeling content with her situation. On the other hand, Alexei’s character is understandable but also nothing special. Though his child self was cute so I hope he finds that innocence once again. There is also an element of magic in this volume which isn’t heavily prevalent but there are hints scattered throughout.

The artwork is stunning! It’s adorable with an overall soft feel. I love how it balances both detailed and simple images to relay emotions throughout. The creatures in the forest were drawn really cute so I’m hoping we see more of them in future volumes!

Overall, I enjoyed this volume and I’m looking forward to continuing this series. I am thoroughly invested in this story primarily because it is sweet yet simple. Pie and Ham had a beautiful relationship in the past and I would love to see them together again.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for giving me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

You will find this manga at the corner of main character reincarnation and Cinderella retelling. Right from the beginning, I was a little bit skeptical of the story - those first introductory pages really came in out of left field. It did grow on me a little bit.

I enjoyed some aspects of this first volume more than others. It's a very interesting take on a narrative with hints of cinderella - the FMC is invited, along with all the other of-age, eligible girls in the realm, to a ball where the MMC is looking to find a bride. Though to be fair, that wasn't the original intention of the ball.

This first volume was super exposition/backstory heavy which I wasn't a huge fan of. I'm not super invested in any of the characters at this point but it is an interesting premise.

I ended up enjoying this much more than I thought I would initially. I had originally assumed this was just another "I was killed in my previous life, and I've been reborn to start over so I can change the events of the previous timeline so I can live this time!". This story was very much not that! The two main characters have such a natural chemistry, and it's so refreshing that it's implied that they like each other as people first, and not just as romantic conquests. This volume goes into the back story a bit longer than I expected it to, but it makes sense, the back story is the basis for the entire present plot. I also love that while this has dramatic elements, there are some comedy elements as well. Hilariously, the comedy elements might be what will elevate the dramatic elements in the end. I'm very interested in seeing how this manga plays out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

4/5! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was a really cute second chance romance, and Ham & Pie are both so loveable. Definitely going to continue this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The one aspect that really stood out to me was the fact that the prince's first love is not stereotypical. Otherwise, this is a pretty standard story if you're familiar with the beats of fantasy-flavored romantic light novels or webcomics. It's not a bad thing, someone is going to love this, but I personally was hoping for something more out of it, story wise. At least the reincarnation wasn't from another world this time!

After Pie, the person who saved him and treated him like family after his step-mother tried to murder him, was killed, Prince Alexei swore revenge and has now become the Demon Emperor feared by all. He has no idea that Pie was reborn as Eleonora, a duke's daughter, who retains her memories of her past life as Pie thanks to Alexie's magic. Unfortunately, Pie only knew Alexei as "Ham," and last saw him at 9 years old so when she finally meets him when he's looking for an empress, neither recognize each other.

I need volume 2 now because the pieces are falling together!!! I can't wait for them to both realize their connection and see what her family thinks after they shunned her away.

This was a cute story with lots of potential with the magic they've touched upon. The art was lovely and I'm excited to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Feat: romcom, cinderella vibes

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Ii Oshikawa for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.

A wholesome slow burn romance with in depth character backstory and a lead-up leaving the reader itching for more!

Alexei, shunned and put to death by his family as a young boy, holds his mother's priestess protection, being brought back to life after many deaths in the forest. When a green-skinned froggish lady saves him from another nasty death-by-bear, he finds her to be sweet and caring, where her family and the people of her village shunned her for her appearance. They call each other Pie and Ham.

After Pie's death, Alexei had grown so close to her over the years of living in the forest that his power explodes outwards in his grief and anger. He aims to climb in power so that he will never be unable to protect the person he loves again. His power and wish is that Pie will live. And so she dies. Reincarnated into a noble girl with all of her memories in tact, Pie wants nothing more than to see Ham again, and Ham seeks to find the reincarnation of his loving Pie.

A wholesome found-family connection that will easily become a romance. The first volume focuses on the characters backstories and interactions during Alexei's youth. Very slow-burn with a lead-up to a cliffhanger that will have the reader absolutely itching for the next one!

I don't think I liked this one. I think it was the pacing - it just felt kind of off the entire time I was reading this. I think there was too much flashback relative to the amount of time spent in the present and that the backstory we did get did not really make sense. I was also really not sure what vibes I was supposed to be getting near the end. I would skip this one.

Well drawn and a cute take on a Cinderella story line. The first novel sets the stage for the characters to grow more in future editions.

The art is absolutely gorgeous. This volume was a lot of background, we learn about their time together when he was young and her in her previous life. We see their reintroduction and from her view point, it very sweet. She has been waiting a long time to meet back up with Ham to show him her love for him again. I can't wait to read the next one. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for !y honest opinion.

A more unique premise for a fantasy romance manga!

The female lead Eleonora seems so unique, I love the way her accent stays (no spoilers). It added a very down-to-earth feel to this story. I'm curious about the future relationship dynamic between the leads; it is a little complicated. They are cute together though. The story also feels a little whimsical with the enchanted forest setting scenes.

For a first volume, feels a little short but the art is pretty and the plot and pacing is comprehensible. I'm actually familar with this manga, I also know it develops quite well in further volumes (but is a slow-burn), so I would definitely recommend this as a simple, yet with depth, read.

Thank you so much to Kodansha and NetGalley for the ARC, my thoughts are my own.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.**
☆Review posted to Goodreads on 9/27/2024.☆

4.5⭐️

This was an enjoyable start to a series! I feel like it could have been a bit longer for a first volume, to really set the scene, but overall, good! I will be continuing this series!

A wonderful first volume! Alexei isn't that interesting so far as a character since I've seen his type of male lead plenty of times, but Eleonora is FASCINATING to me! Their shared history is compelling and I hope the author does not take too long to get to them recognizing each other. I am also interested in the kinds of conflicts their relationship will face in the future!

Art: 4/5 nothing super unique but it's polished and fits the story
Plot: 5/5 definitely a great premise and I hope it continues to surprise me
Characters: 4/5 most of the cast are tired tropes but the FL seems promising

Following an assassination attempt, Prince Alexi finds a better life living among the strange creatures of the forest - including a frog-like person who he names Pie. When Alexi is torn away from the woods and Pie is killed, he grows into a bitter young ruler. He never expected that a young noblewoman who is presented as a potential marriage candidate is Pie reincarnated, memories included. Nothing is as it seems in the empire.

This is sort of a reverse beauty and the beast retelling. The chronology is a little wacky - which make some parts confusing, but I see some great potential in this plot.

I loved this ! Havent heard about this manga until I saw it on NetGalley but it should be more known about. Its a reincarnation story but not villainess or revenge which I tend to read often. Its about a friendship that ended in tragedy but through a blessing overcomes that and will hopefully become a beautiful romance.

The art is very beautiful, I will say this makes me want to read more! Although, it is a bit slow in this volume but there is a lot of room to expand with the storyline. I'm hoping for more drama and romance in the upcoming updates! Definitely a fairy tale story with magic and humor that will capture your heart and support. Overall the art is truly stunning and so eye catching, never change that!

This story was adorable. You have a prince who someone tried to kill him, and he gets saved by a girl who does not look human. You get to see as these two get close and then something happens. The story turns in a different direction, and I am for to see where it will go in book 2!

Such a cute story! This is pretty different from the usual reincarnation or shoujo fantasy romance. I really enjoyed it. It's a little slow-going so far, but I'm sure in future volumes we'll get more romance/plot happening. I will definitely continue reading once more come out!