Roxana

Roxana is a dark, full-colour villainess story with a premise that promises intrigue. The downfall of a criminal family is already written in a scandalous novel, and the heroine is caught up in its shadows. When the heroine's older brother is kidnapped, she must decide whether to wait for the story's revenge or take matters into her own hands, since he is the key to her survival. The stakes are high, and the deceit runs on all sides. The colour work makes the court and its rivalries vivid, and the tension between the leads builds nicely. The honest cons: the melodrama can feel heavy-handed, and the body horror and violence are harsh at times. Some plot turns feel contrived to keep the pressure on. Still, it is an engaging, twisty read for fans of villainess stories. If you like heroines who refuse to be written off, this is a good pick.