The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3 contains a pacing challenge with some shallow characters despite a story that’s hard to predict what’s next.
The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3 has a lead that’s difficult to like sometimes. After all, dying and realizing everyone around you manipulated you is terrible enough. Learning your step-sibling pulled the strings is worse. If they had a do-over, anyone in their right mind would seek to win and stick it to their awful step-sister. However, it is a page-turner one moment, and the next, it drags. The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3 contains a pacing challenge with some shallow characters despite a story that’s hard to predict what’s next.
Penned by Sansobee with art by Antstudio, translated by Kakao Entertainment, and lettered by Adam Jankowski, the third volume is a hefty read. So, readers can grab tea, curl up, and nestle in with the intrigue of this Yen Press comic. Aside from plotting against Mielle, questions still circle the magical hourglass. Plus, there are more hints of romance between Lord Asher and Aria, allowing glimpses of a softer side to her.
The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3 Teases Romance and An Obvious Secret
As Lord Asher and Aria continue connecting, it’s clear that Asher feels something for Aria and goes out of his way to charm her. The series portrays how torn Aria feels. After all, she’s fighting to avoid her future death while also rightfully punishing those who harmed her. She does not have time for love. However, it’s great seeing The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3 show chinks in her armor as she succumbs briefly to Lord Asher’s charm.
While there is nothing wrong with readers knowing a character’s identity before other major characters, it feels forced here. Given Aria’s intelligence, it’s hard to believe she has not figured out Asher’s identity. It’s even more ludicrous given how many others she’s around defer to him. So, seeing how the story depicts it feels inauthentic to the character.
Aria’s Level of Petty Struggles to Toe the Line
Aria is not playing when it comes to Mielle. While she uses the hourglass as needed to get the upper hand, her quick, shrewd thinking helps her. Mielle’s dislike is palpable, but she is a shallow villain, which diminishes the story. But it’s also a challenge to read at times because, from any other perspective, Aria is a bully who uses everyone around her. That’s precisely why the brief humanizing moments are essential. Unfortunately, there are too few. So, one moment, it’s easy to cheer Aria on. But in the next, especially with the servants, it isn’t easy to like her.
The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3 shows Aria using the hourglass less. It’s a tricky balance as the hourglass solving all her problems dulls the entertainment, but not enough, and it feels like a misleading title. But now, an additional mystery surrounding the hourglass affects Aria physically. Questions about the hourglass need answers, but developing the foes needs to come first.
The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3 has moments where it’s fascinating, weaving a complex story of intrigue and fighting between the wealthy and the crown. But it also takes on too much while doing too little, as villains are hollow. So, the lack of development makes the story falter. Aria has some range, but more character growth is essential to immerse and connect with the characters in The Villainess Turns the Hourglass 3.
