Title

The Villainess is a Marionette

Also known as: Agnyeoneun Marionette, 악녀는 마리오네트, Agnyeoneun Malioneteu, 恶女是提线木偶, นางร้ายหุ่นเชิด, 悪女はマリオネット, 惡女是懸絲木偶

by Yi-Rim Han, Dokjeom

Score from AniList: 73/100finished112 chapters

Drama Fantasy Romance More like The Villainess is a Marionette

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I woke up as Kayena Hill, the novel's villainess, praised as the greatest beauty in the empire. Who knew that her story would catch my attention because I was her in my past life? Destined for terrible ends, I've died twice—but I refuse to die a third time as a pawn in someone else's scheme. I’m no longer the vain and naïve princess. Now that I know how the story will unfold, I’ll turn the tables around and have everyone dancing to my tune. This time, I’ll be the one pulling the strings. (Source: Tapas) Note: Includes one extra chapter.

Chapters available: 112
Type: Manhwa

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3.5/5

A bright, full-colour villainess story in which a woman who knows how her story ends sets out to become the one pulling the strings.

Pros

A sharp, clever villainess premise
Full-colour art that makes the court vivid
A heroine with clear agency and wit

Cons

The political plotting can feel familiar
The romance thread is predictable

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Read the full take

The Villainess is a Marionette is a bright, full-colour villainess story with a clever central idea. A woman wakes up as the villainess of a novel she once knew, praised as the greatest beauty in the empire, and she realises she is destined for a terrible end. She has died twice already, and she refuses to be a pawn in someone else's scheme again. The premise is sharp: now that she knows how the story unfolds, she can turn the tables and make others dance to her tune. The colour work makes the court and its intrigues lively. The honest cons: the political plotting can feel familiar to genre readers, and the romance thread is fairly predictable. Some side characters are thinly drawn. Still, it is a sharp, satisfying read for fans of villainess stories who enjoy clever heroines. If you want a protagonist who takes control of the plot, this is a good pick.