Villainess no More original story by HOZO, Nunoiz, art by Comicloft
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
91 Chapters
Read it on Tappytoon
Add on Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
All her life, Elizabeth has been eclipsed by her warmhearted younger sister, who cares for the common people and rejects the privileges of nobility. In contrast, Elizabeth is seen as an out-of-touch aristocrat who loves to throw lavish parties and frequent the royal palace. Although she works hard for the good of the kingdom, her contributions go largely unnoticed because of her unsavory reputation. One of the few people who are willing to give her a chance is the Archduke of Winternight, the “monster of the North.” As a misunderstood soul himself, he feels a special connection to her and opens up his home. And so, Elizabeth moves to the far North, away from the people she’s known her whole life… Will she finally be able to start over with a clean slate? Or will her past stand in the way of her future with the Archduke?
Review
It has been quite a while since I last picked up a romance manhua. Truthfully, many entries in this genre can be frustratingly cliché, so I usually tread carefully. However, seeing “Villainess” in the title immediately caught my eye—and despite initially confusing it for a manhwa, I was pleasantly surprised by how thoroughly engrossing this story turned out to be!
The first half lays a solid foundation, establishing Elizabeth’s mistreatment by her hypocritical family and gradually building her dynamic with the Archduke. While it follows familiar villainess tropes, the storytelling and compelling pacing immediately hook you in.
The second half takes everything up a notch. The narration gains deeper emotional resonance, the stakes rise with unexpected action sequences, and most importantly, the eventual retribution against those who mistreated Elizabeth is deeply satisfying.
Both lead characters are wonderfully written:
- Elizabeth (FL): Strong, resilient, and remarkably kind despite a painful upbringing. Watching her rise above her family’s hypocrisy and find peace makes her arc immensely rewarding.
- The Archduke (ML): Gentle, respectful, and swoon-worthy. Having faced his own dark past, his protective devotion to Elizabeth makes them a perfect pairing.
The supporting cast adds extra warmth and humor to the journey, making the world feel vibrant (even if I wish we had extra side chapters to explore their stories further!). The ending provides a hopeful, satisfying conclusion for the leads while delivering proper justice to the villains.
Final Verdict: Easily one of my top 5 favorite romance manhua! Villainess No More delivers strong character growth, sweet romance, and incredibly satisfying revenge.
Check out my book shelf for book suggestions and recommendations!
