I love discovering new manga and there is a variety of series for all types of readers. When seeking out manga I decided to check out Volume One of Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke written by Saki Ichibu and illustrated by Ushio Shirotori. Here are my thoughts on the first installment of this new isekai series from Tokyopop!
Synopsis:
Claire Martino once had everything: a loving family, a crown prince fiancé, and a hopeful future using her family’s inherited magic. Then, in an instant, she lost it all — and the culprit was her own beloved half-sister. As the daughter of the now-disgraced duke and scorned as a villainess, Claire leaves everything she knows and sets out on a journey to find her true self.
But wait, isn’t that the plot of the otome game NEW START ♡ ETERNAL LOVE on its hardest route…?
Review:
Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke follows the story of Claire who decides to set off on her own after losing her promising future as a noble. Until now, Claire has never really experienced a life of her own choosing and she takes this opportunity to start anew and find herself. But when she finds herself transported out of the otome game and into the body of Minami, she starts to question which world is her true reality. When the game blurs the line between fact and fiction which road will she choose?
Like any isekai story, this manga series manages to transport its readers to a brand-new world full of magic and wonder. There is nobility, vast kingdoms, political intrigue, action, and perhaps romance along the way? This blend of elements makes the series highly immersive, and fantasy-filled. The series is originally based on the web novel by Ichibu and the Shiotori did a beautiful job adapting the text into a visual story. You can tell there was a lot of care and detail in bringing this story to a visual medium. The illustrations are highly detailed in all aspects and the background settings are stunning. The reader truly feels as if they are a part of Claire’s story.
This first installment of the series is easygoing in pace and spends most of this time setting up the world-building. There’s not too much action happening except for some magic scenes and the initial hasty escape when Claire leaves her home. It’s a soothing read that is on the much quieter side, but that may change in future volumes. Claire is just starting out on her journey, and she has a lot to learn about herself and the world around her (despite her upbringing). Her newfound friendship with Crown Prince Vik may be just the push she needs to discover her true potential power!
Final Verdict:
Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke is a cute new manga series that may appeal to readers who have enjoyed A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation or Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter. It’s calming, fantasy read that is light-hearted but for me, it was just an “okay” read since it was a bit too slow-moving for my tastes. I may not continue with this series myself, but I recommend it to any reader who enjoys fantasy or isekai stories.
*I received this review copy from Tokyopop in exchange for a fair and honest review.
