Mar 3, 2024
This is a preliminary review for Watashi wa Gotsugou Shugi na Kaiketsu Tantou no Oujo de Aru, henceforth referred to as WataGo, that covers the first volume. The first book is about 160 pages, and can be finished in a few days.
The best way to describe the novel is that it feels like it was written from a fan— which is to say that it feels like fanfiction. I don’t use that term negatively, mind you; I believe that in this novel, the author expresses their love of tropes commonly seen in BL, while also offering criticisms for how fiction of this nature tends to
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be written. In the novel’s afterward, the author even notes how they specifically wrote about her special interests. While reading WataGo, I couldn’t help but think that this novel had a lot of passion behind it.
The novel is primarily written in first person perspective, and the protagonist, Octavia (formerly Maki Tazawa, 16 year old fujoshi), though it has additional chapters from the perspective of other characters. These chapters lend some additional light on how mysterious Octavia appears, and does a good job illuminating the ways other characters may see Octavia as someone far more cunning than she really is.
However, the novel is at its best when the reader is inside the head of Octavia. The reader is always made aware of how Octavia feels, so each scene is navigated with a humorous touch that only a fujoshi could provide. For example, one of Octavia’s main gripes in the world that she lives in is that while the world is that tropes are applied completely arbitrary. As one might expect from reincarnating into a BL novel, the world is very accepting of gay romance, but it doesn’t mean much when you also happen to be reincarnated as a princess who is expected to conceive heirs for a couple who can’t biologically reproduce. In the novel “The Noble King”, The book Octavia reincarnated in, magic potions exist that could get people pregnant on their first attempt, and yet it has no potion for letting two men conceive with each other.
How contrived, right? One of WataGo’s greatest draws is how it highlights how lopsided fictional worlds end up being when worldbuilding isn’t fully fleshed out. WataGo also makes reference to how the author’s lived experiences may affect the world they create, such as how a European setting in “The Noble King” ends up having a lot of parallels to Japanese culture.
This book is a must read for anyone who likes the uniquely charming tropes that are best utilized in fanfiction spaces. The first novel is humorous and doesn’t take itself completely seriously, but it also sets up future plot points that could have incredible pay off!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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