10/10

This was crazy gory, crazy dark, and at times strangely light in the craziest times. Wasn't sure if I would be continuing past volume 1, but I will be.

Finished volume one as well as 8 chapters of the manga.
2 stars, it was okay.

Characters: 2.5/5
They had an interesting concept, with a new kind of isekai mc and main girl. However, the execution was lackluster, and I was unable to get wrapped up in the lives and struggles of the characters at all. They seemed rather cut and dry, if that makes sense.

World: 3/5 I liked it
It was interesting. Rather English and Victorian. The aesthetic was on point, especially in the manga. I can't say I was a fan of the skimpy clothing, but I didn't pay much attention to that anyway, since it was drawn in a way that I thought that much of the skin was cloth until very late in the story.

Story: 2/5 okay
Rather bland, if I do say so. I'm tired, so I won't keep writing.

This is skippable, unless you really want isekai.

An extremely well written novel. From the character development to the plot, everything felt sufficient. Watching a broken man like Kaito mature and grow, as he discovers what it truly means to be happy, and learns how to take care of others was an enlightening process. I could barely contain my tears the moment Hina cradled Kaito's head and said how she'll always be there to protect him, even when when no one else would. Already have volume 2 ready right before I completed this novel.

(4.5/5)

TWs/CWs: Abuse, Character Death, Graphic Violence, Graphic Death, Physical Abuse, Mental Abuse, Graphic Depictions of physical Assault


I held off on reading Torture Princess (TP) for a while because honestly, the title and cover made me think it'd be a quite... titillating title.

Good thing I changed my mind.

TP is a story centered on abuse: sometimes on the literal monsters involved in abuse, sometimes on the family that abuses, completely on the ways that abuse penetrates a life and forcibly changes it.

But it's also a story about grief and, eventually, healing. Or at least, resolution.

This is not a nice book: rather, it's an incredibly powerful read, but not a /kind/ book. TP is quite raw, especially in its descriptions: there's no hiding from the gore, from the descriptions of abuse, from the horror that is sure to continue through this series.

But that's honestly what's going to make be read Volume 2.

I don't know what to expect, but Torture Princess has its hooks in me: I'm here to see the story of the Fremd Torturchen and her fate. I'm rooting for her, in fact: I'd like to see her come to a positive results, desire her grim fate.

After all, everyone deserves the chance to grieve and heal from abuse, even if they're guilty of doing harm to others. You can still be held accountable while also being recognized as someone who was also dealt unwarranted harm.

I'd like to end this by saying this: abuse is horrific: it's nightmarish. It affects the abused deeply, leaves scars both visible and unseen. It changes us. But I think anyone who's ever been abused -even midly- will find this a haunting, somewhat cathartic book.

I recommend that readers go into TP aware of the warnings above: I had to read it but by bit because honestly, it could be a lot.

Take care and read with kindness: and if you find yourself finishing this, do right by yourself and let everything process.

And remember: the abuse dealt to you is not your fault. We do not ask to be hurt: we do not ask for the pain dealt is as children or as adults. No one deserves abuse.

But we can heal, even if it's takes time and hurts a little, or a lot.

We /will/ heal