By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

A few weeks ago, while reviewing newsletters in search of a new series, I came across I Woke Up as an Imprisoned Villainess. The cover was mildly engaging and reminded me of stories that often feature twins or long-lost siblings—the kind of narrative I’m a sucker for. Intrigued, I clicked the link and read the description, which revealed the story of two women, rumored to be villainesses, who switch places. Now, that seemed interesting to me.

As some of you may know from following us for awhile, I aim to read about ten chapters daily from various works, sometimes even more. This is in addition to my professional reading, which includes novels, poetry, and reviews, as well as staying updated on trends through news, magazines, and video content. I don’t always make my full quota, but, in short, I do read a lot; mostly because my work requires it and partially out of fun, but a lot nonetheless. So when I come across a truly unique series, it really stands out to me and I Woke Up as an Imprisoned Villainess is one such unique work.

So, there I was, the clock about to strike midnight and I open up the first chapter before getting sucked into an eight chapter binge read that left me wanting more. This short series from MangaPlaza, spins an intriguing take on the popular villainess trope, mixing identity swap drama with themes of self-discovery and growth for our main charater, Sophia Alcott, a humble apothecary who has woken up mysteriously in the body of Violet Elford, a villainess imprisoned in a tower. At first, what could be a terrifying fate turns into a bizarre silver lining for Sophia, who is shocked by the comfort of this ‘prison’ compared to her shabby life at home. With food she’s never tasted and luxuries she never imagined, Sophia’s stint as Violet seems like a dream come true as she escapes her belittling and abusive family.

On the flip side, Violet wakes up in Sophia’s body, and unlike Sophia, who docilely enjoys her new circumstances, Violet has her own plans. Her actions begin to drastically alter Sophia’s former life, creating a dual narrative that highlights the experiences of two women inhabiting each other’s worlds. This juxtaposition is both comedic and compelling: while Sophia revels in luxury, explores her passion for medicine, and finds love with Violet’s fiancé, Violet is turning Sophia’s modest life upside down. Violet, in all her glory and confidence, makes Sophia’s existence known well and good in the household by reclaiming her rightful place as the heir of the Alcott family, putting the father in his place along with staff and evil stepmother/half-sister in a way that can best be described as quick and justified.

Sophia’s genuine, down-to-earth reactions to the aristocratic lifestyle injects a refreshing layer of comedy into a genre often weighed down by murder plots, politics, and romantic angst. Meanwhile, Violet’s methodical approach to tackling Sophia’s former life in between this wholesome build up of Sophia and her new love interest, creates a sense of anticipation.

Let me say now, whatever negative thing you think will happen as a result of her budding romance will turn on its head, because Violet doesn’t care at all about that. She’s got her own plans and we’re all just along for the ride. I think that this contrast between what you think will happen based on tropes and what actually happens in the work highlights how fun these premises can be. Sophia, previously a background character in her own life, is forced to step into the limelight as the series begins to reach a climax. Conversely, Violet’s unapologetic manipulation of Sophia’s quiet existence reveals her deeper motivations, hinting that there’s more to her than the title of “villainess.”

The pacing of the plot keeps you hooked, with enough intrigue surrounding both the identity swap and the changes the two women are making in each other’s worlds really interesting.

Overall, I Woke Up as an Imprisoned Villainess is a witty and engaging story that balances humor, character development, and intrigue masterfully. Fans of the isekai and villainess genres will appreciate the twist on familiar tropes, while those looking for something fresh and clever in the fantasy genre will find this story to be a hidden gem.

I highly recommend picking up this series, which is currently releasing on MangaPlaza: https://mangaplaza.com/title/0303009350/

Happy Reading!

Edits by: Krow Smith | @coffeewithkrow