The art is absolutely phenomenal! Everything about this volume was incredibly interesting, from the art to the story and characters. As a reader of many other reincarnation/transmigration manhwas, this one really stood out to me in its organization and story. It managed to turn a simple concept into something that felt unique. Kayena is a really strong female lead to follow, which I absolutely love! I would completely recommend this volume!

This series is one of my favourites and I'm always such a sucker for plots where the reincarnated villainess becomes incredibly cunning and uses everything around her to her advantage. I love how Kayena's change in attitude also causes those around her to also perceive her a bit differently and it hits really well!! 
I cannot wait to see everyone fall to her feet as the series progresses because i just love her so much 🤭

Thank you Netgalley and Ize Press for the early copy, all opinions are my own!

I absolutely loved this first volume. The story is intriguing and addictive, with a strong female lead who takes control of her destiny. I’m really impressed by how the main character plans every move so carefully—nothing she does is random. Everything has a purpose, and I love how she no longer lets others control her or influence her choices.

Also... Raffaello? So cool. Mysterious, intense, and definitely one of the characters that stands out the most. I can’t wait to see how their dynamic develops in the next volumes!

If you enjoy smart, independent heroines with a touch of drama and romance, this series is definitely worth reading.

As a start to the series, this was ok. I've read a few stories where the 'villainess' of the story gets another shot at reliving their life, and I would rate this an ok start with some potential. I appreciated that the main character made moves to try and solidify her relationship with her half-brother, and was somewhat understanding of him being in part responsible for her ultimate fate. In a, 'I am not going to trust him, but I also want to help him,' sort of way. It was good enough for me to try and sneak a peek at what would happen in future volumes online, but unfortunately I got the vibe that the brother just gets turned into a villain another way by becoming obsessed with his sister while she is both trying to solidify her relationship with him at the same time as she was making plans to get away from him AND building a relationship with the ML. Doesn't necessarily affect my rating of this volume, but disappointing all the same. I would probably classify this as a 3.5 if I excluded knowledge of where this was going in the future, and a 2.5 knowing something of what's to come.

The art is really awkward at times (the crown not fitting on the head and looking photoshopped on?). The story could be more detailed, but I’m still getting used to manga so maybe this is just a me issue!

Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for providing me with an eARC of this manhwa, set to be released in May 2025. Below are my honest thoughts on The Villainess is a Marionette, Volume 1.

Right off the bat, this manhwa reminded me of The Villainess Needs Her Tyrant, which I am also currently reading and absolutely loving. The premise of a female lead who dies—whether by accident or through someone else’s schemes—only to be reborn into the past and given a chance to rewrite her fate is a trope I personally adore. There’s something so satisfying about watching a heroine take control of her destiny and outmaneuver those who previously wronged her.

Visually, the art style is stunning! The character designs are elegant and expressive, perfectly complementing the fantasy setting. The detailed backgrounds and vibrant color palettes make every panel feel immersive. However, while the artwork captivated me, the storyline itself felt familiar, following a path I’ve seen in many similar series. That said, I’m hopeful that the second volume will bring more unique developments to distinguish this title from others in the genre.

Overall, while The Villainess is a Marionette didn’t completely blow me away in terms of originality, I still found it enjoyable. The gorgeous illustrations and the ever-compelling villainess trope make it a solid read, and I would love to grab a final copy once it’s officially released. I’m eager to see how the story unfolds in future volumes!

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

What a wonderful little read! A simple girl dies and wakes up as a princess, with knowledge of everything that led to her demise. I enjoyed seeing the ways Kayena was plotting with her newfound knowledge, and her owning her life as a princess. I hope to see more of Rafaello and their dynamic, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for the prince!

The suspension of disbelief required to enjoy this is simply too much, a fact that is shockingly unrelated to being an isekai. (Although the protag's justification for transmigrating is........ well I'm not sure how she can possibly be such a master tactician, that's all I'll say.)

Everyone is deeply unlikeable. Like, everyone but a single minor character. Furthermore, the protagonist's character arc seems to be "I've always felt shackled to someone else's will, so to remedy that, I will shackle everyone to mine". That's a slay, I guess 💅

One of the main love interests is a man who is thought to be gay because he doesn't court women. But don't worry! He's not GAY, he just hates the presence of women, especially their cootie touch. But don't worry x2: not because he's a misogynist or anything; he has a disorder that makes him cry scream throw up with revulsion at a woman's touch. But don't worry x3: obviously the main character is immune 🩷

Who's the second love interest? Don't worry about it. Sweet Home Alabama playing in the background is unrelated.

Thank you NetGalley and Yen Press for the ARC!

I've already read this webtoon before, and I'm so exited to read it again! The way they formatted each panel is pleasing to the eye and really makes the story flow well, My only problem is that the drawings look a bit pixelated? Maybe not formatted or made bigger to resize the images, hopefully that's only for the arc and not the full release though! Overall I just love villainess and reincarnation books, and this is one that is definitely up my alley! I'm exited to reread the next volume of chapters!

This was not what I expected it to be, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Isekai manwha/webtoons are very popular, especially ones with "Villainess" main characters, so I thought this would be a repeat of a very familiar formula. What I found instead was a main character that was playing mental chess while the people around her were playing checkers. Rather than focusing on romancing the very handsome supposed love interest, Kayena is thinking about her survival and the politics of the relationships she has with her family. This is super interesting, I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

The artwork was absolutely stunning and it really brought the story to life.

Kayena is such an interesting villainess. She's using her new life to get what she wants and she's a fantastic schemer. They might be a bit suspicious because of her drastic personality change but they truly have no idea what she's up to and she's playing the prince like a fiddle. I can't wait to see what she does next, especially with Vera.

Even though I've read soooo many villainess type mangas this one is one of my favourite so far. The art, put and characters are all super interesting >.<

I'd like to send my thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free pdf version of this manga in exchange for an honest review.

I am so happy this is getting a print edition.

The art is beautiful despite the obvious foot fetish, Kayena is EVERYTHING and our male lead is such a cutie.
It can get dark at times but the stunning illustrations and the gorgeousness of Kayena balance it out.

Brilliant female lead
Sibling rivalry
Political intrigue
First love feelings
Gorgeous wardrobes
And fantastic female entourage

I just hope the print version does not look as muted as the galley. Having read it originally as a webtoon, the illustrations are supposed to be brighter.

The art, the fashion, the plot!!! And let’s not forget the romance—UGH, I need 20 more of these books!

I seriously devoured this story; it was impossible to put down. The fmc was such an integral part of why this is so good! We love a smart woman’s!

And the romance? Don’t even get me started. The chemistry between the leads was off the charts. I’m talking slowwwwww burn.

Honestly, I’m already counting down the days until book two drops. I need to know what happens next. The way this one ended—talk about a cliffhanger!

Am I willing to read any isekai that comes my way? Of course. Will I scream, kick my feet, and make embarrassing noises while reading? Absolutely.

The MMC was everything—dark, brooding, and stormy, exactly how I love them. He’s got that mysterious edge, and just when you think you have him figured out, the story throws a curveball. I need more of him, like, yesterday.

Oh, and let’s talk about the visuals for a second—this needs to be turned into an anime, like, STAT. The art, the character designs, the fashion choices—it all screamed “anime” the moment I opened it.


Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!

I could read this trope all day, every day.
I enjoy Kayena's intelligence and demeanor. I am a bit concerned about chemistry with the love interest(s?) as both have characteristics that keep them from being romantically inclined.

The art is beautiful and I love that it is full color.

Recommended.

This story is super reminiscence of it's genre, issekai. I loved this story and can't wait to read more. It was a good combination between humorous and serious. I'm extremely invested in Kayena's story and if she's going to get her happily ever after. I will definitely be recommending it to everyone who also loves Villains Destined to Die and Why Raelianna Went to the Duke's Mansion.

Also this edition of the novel didn't show up on goodreads or storygraph yet.

This story follows a girl who dies and finds herself reincarnated in a novel she once read—a story eerily similar to her own past life. However, in this new life, she is a princess. Determined not to meet a tragic end again, she carefully plans her escape while working behind the scenes to help her brother claim the throne.

With stunning artwork that brings the characters to life, we witness the transformation of a princess, once seen as nothing more than a hollow doll, into someone truly remarkable.

This book was a fun read. Dramatic, but not overly so. It begins with a twist that pushes you straight into the action and leaves you wanting to know what happens next, at every step of the way.

Similar to Cursed Princess Club, except more serious and the protagonist is meant to be beautiful and revered.

A beautiful princess who was used as a pawn in her brother's schemes and left to die gets a second chance at life... and this time she'll do anything to avoid death, free herself from her family's schemes, and manipulate her way into freedom. Kayena Hill is a princess who was known for her beauty... and she is cast as the novel's villainess and used as her brother's pawns... until he let her die... and now the book has her coming back and starting over. Kayena is determined to not repeat the mistakes of her first life and now in her third life she will use all the knowledge from her previous lives to outsmart her brother, avoid her death, and get her freedom. It will require her to manipulate all the moving pieces and everyone around her... and even get help from the one man who can't stand her but something seems off about him because he's acting so different from her previous lives... and he might just be in love with her, if only he could help her in her schemes. Kayena is determined to use him but for some reason he's happy to let her? This is a really fun story and I read the original work and am so happy it's getting traditionally pubbed now. The artwork in this is absolutely gorgeous and it only gets better with every chapter. I can't wait to read the next book (despite already knowing what happens haha).

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Yen Press | Ize Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*