The Reincarnated Villainess Won’t Seek Revenge Volume 2

This book is an extension of the first volume, so everything inside is still of the same quality. Following the upheaval that led to King Grey's dethronement, Queen Tia has gone into hiding to concoct some nefarious plans in the dark. That's what we're dealing with this time, and since it heavily involves her younger half-brother (in her past life, at least), once again Mary gets dragged into a political game she never asked for. Prince Rizel has been crowned as the new king of Dirésias, but if you think we barely saw him in the previous book, we see him even less in this one.

All the issues I previously mentioned for the first book can still be found here. The writing is still introspective and puts a lot of focus on everyone's internal feelings, including side characters who only play supporting roles. The pacing is still wild, there's barely any build-up for the important scenes, and there's still no tension change even during the climax. Even when Reynaldo gets injured in an ambush or during the confrontation with Tia, I barely feel anything for the characters due to all these things.

Most of the problems faced by Mary are solved in a very convenient way. That includes her internal turmoil over the main love interest, Albert. It's barely addressed in the previous book, but Mary does feel upset at the idea that he loves her simply for being Rosemary's reincarnation. That's one of the issues that do get resolved here, mainly because you really can't just sweep it under the rug like... nearly everything else in this story. It's just the way they clear this issue is just so quick and easy, in a similar way with how all the other potential love interests just backed off on their own due to varying reasons. Mary and Albert do get their own happy ending, so I guess if you're not the type who would mind small details, it does get wrapped up nicely in the end.

This has been a quick and light read, but I wouldn't say it's particularly good. It's just okay at best. Futaba Hazuki's art is beautiful though. I wished the story was just as nice as the illustrations, but oh well.