Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion

Nov 20

Plot

Eunha Park thought she was getting another chance at life when she awoke in the world of a novel. The only problem? Raeliana McMillan, the character she was reborn as, if fated to be killed by her fiancé! For the sake of her survival, she comes up with an idea—get into a fake marriage with a man more powerful than her groom-to-be. But when that protection comes in the form of Noah Wynknight, the duke with a warm smile and cold heart, Raeliana realizes she might be a bit in over her head…She’s going to regret this plan, isn’t she?

Character Development

Raeliana is one of those protagonists that uses her foreknowledge to her full advantage for her survival. She is introspective and wears her emotions on her sleeve, as they say. She’s not the most intelligent but studying for her exams to enter college in our world prepared her for the bridal training she has to do to be the future Mrs. Wynknight. Her character is very relatable and enjoyable to travel with (as the reader). She struggles and comes up with solutions last minute and flies by the seat of her pants to make it another day. She’s a little naive and doesn’t cover all her bases or even think of worst case scenarios. This causes her to panic when things change from the storyline of the original novel.

raeliana - long dirty blond hair with large green eyes, in a mermaid white dress with gold filigree and a translucent cloak that looks like fairy wings — Raeliana is one of those protagonists that uses her foreknowledge to her full advantage for her survival. She is introspective and wears her emotions on her sleeve, as they say. She’s not the most intelligent but studying for her exams to enter college in our world prepared her for the bridal training she has to do to be the future Mrs. Wynknight. Her character is very relatable and enjoyable to travel with (as the reader). She struggles and comes up with solutions last minute and flies by the seat of her pants to make it another day. She’s a little naive and doesn’t cover all her bases or even think of worst case scenarios. This causes her to panic when things change from the storyline of the original novel.

Noah Wynknight is your stoic, cold love interest. He’s highly intelligent. Noah Wynknight is handsome in the sense that he gives off a dangerous but ethereal vibe with his yellow eyes and black hair. He’s witty, teasing, cares for Raeliana in his own interesting way, and things several moves ahead in the political sphere of their world.

Francis Brooks is also a villain to Raeliana. He’s the fiancé that tries to poison her. Raeliana’s death is what instigates the original novel. He’s a selfish, greedy man that just wants her family’s money. He’s your standard brown hair and not very memorable. What is memorable is how Raeliana reacts to him.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Vivian Shamal is a young noble lady who thinks she deserves to be with Noah Wynknight. She is the beautiful evil villainess of the original novel. She’s arrogant and thinks she’s better than everyone. Vivian is the main villainess from the original novel that Raeliana read before she ended up in this world.

Adam Taylor is another notable character. He was a child soldier that grew up on the battlefield. He’s in the employ of Noah Wynknight. He’s also very stoic and doesn’t talk much. He’s very child-like and warms up to Raeliana. He may be a killer but he has a secret heart of gold, especially towards children.

Nick Maddox is a fashion designer and all around cosmetologist. He is hired by Noah to get Raeliana ready for a ball he needs to attend. Nick is flamboyant and a people pleaser. He’s excellent at underhanded banter. He’s one of my favorite semi-trans looking characters with make-up and a gorgeous purple suit.

World-building

The world-building is great. We get a lot of the political sphere that affects Raeliana’s life. One of the things that I found endearing about the world building is the bookstore. It doesn’t come up very often but anything Raeliana would need is there. She gets books to help her try to break up with Francis Brooks and how to write contracts.

The backgrounds aren’t as important when characters are in frame. They become more detailed when there isn’t a person in the background. It’s mainly for context of location and time of day. The only other time the background has a lot of detailing is when the illustrator and author want you to focus on a specific things such as the fancy carriage of the Wynknights that picks Raeliana up to go live with Noah.

Themes

Only you can change your fate. Throughout this first volume, Raeliana knows she was supposed to die. We also find out that she was fated to die young in our world as well. Her story is about changing fate using whatever knowledge you know and learn. Though she is not someone who thinks things completely through or ahead, she does her best to navigate the ever changing world around her.

Observations & Predictions

We have not seen the last of Francis Brooks. He won’t let Raeliana go so easily.

Something that I found interesting is this world doesn’t try to re-direct and correct the original story. Raeliana’s actions bring about huge changes she will not be ready to deal with.

Although Raeliana and Noah are in a contractual engagement, we know that Noah is going to develop some feelings and not want to end the contract. Raeliana is the type that is kinda dense, so she’ll still want to end things at the end of their negotiated term.

I also expect to see a lot more of Vivian Shamal since she’s the original villainess from the novel.

Recommendations

7th Time Loop: The villainess enjoys a carefree life married to her worst enemy
By: Touko Amekawa

I’m the Villainess so I’m taming the final Boss
By: Sarasa Nagase

My Next Life as a Villainess: all routes lead to doom
By: Satoru Yamaguchi

Villainess level 99: I may be the hidden boss but I’m not the demon lord
By: Satoru Tanabata

I’ll go down in history as the world’s greatest villainess
By: Izumi Okido

The most Heretical Boss Queen
By: Tenichi, Suzunosuke

My Ranking

Plot: 8/10
Character Development: 8/10
World-Building: 6/10

Overall: 8/10

#romance#isekai#fantasy#victorian#survival#manga#manhwa#royal#politicalintrigue#yenpress#tanoshi#bookreview#mangareview#manhwareview#femaleprotagonist

Ariel Curry