The Devious First-Daughter

A lonely soul, which was placed under the care of the Lord Protector’s Manor, ended up having her lover stolen by the family’s eldest daughter and dying tragically the day before her wedding. Somehow, she was reborn in the family as their 14-year-old first wife’s daughter, Ning Xueyan, with a startlingly familiar face. Step by step, she will ruthlessly scheme to seek revenge as well as uncover the mystery of her tragic death. Her former fiancee, the flirty crown prince and the bloodthirsty prince, will now bear witness to a vengeful Ning Xueyan becoming the peerless lady of her generation…

Original Publisher

zongheng

English Publisher

tapread

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on The Devious First-Daughter "The Devious First-Daughter" is a web novel that I found myself both enjoying and questioning in equal measure. It's the kind of story that can easily suck you in with its promise of revenge and clever scheming, but also has moments that make you pause and wonder about the logic behind it all. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a reborn female lead seeking vengeance against those who wronged her. The setup is classic, and I was eager to see how the protagonist, Xueyan, would navigate the complex web of court intrigue and family drama. It definitely scratches that itch for a historical revenge story, and at first it seemed like a solid entry into the genre. ### What Works Well One of the strongest aspects of this novel is the female lead herself. While some find her sudden mastery of scheming a bit unbelievable, I appreciated that she isn't portrayed as overly powerful or flawless. She makes mistakes, learns from them, and adapts, which makes her feel more relatable. Her interactions with the male lead are also quite interesting. It's refreshing to see a relationship where the female lead isn't immediately swooning over the male lead; instead, there's an element of fear and strategic calculation involved. The plot, while familiar, does have moments of genuine intrigue, particularly surrounding the mysteries of Xueyan's past life and the political machinations within the court. The author drip-feeds information effectively, keeping you engaged and curious about what's to come. ### Areas of Concern However, "The Devious First-Daughter" isn't without its flaws. I found the constant reminders of revenge in every chapter a bit repetitive and tiresome. The schemes, while initially clever, can become predictable, with the female lead seemingly able to anticipate her opponents' every move with uncanny accuracy. And, while I enjoyed the interactions with the male lead, I can see why some readers might find his character off-putting. He is portrayed as ruthless and domineering, and his early interactions with Xueyan might not appeal to everyone. The length of the novel also feels excessive at times, with numerous side plots and repetitive scenarios that could have been trimmed for a more streamlined narrative. There are also translation issues with character names and confusing terms. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have pointed out plot holes and inconsistencies that become more apparent as the story progresses. The abrupt change in the protagonist's personality after rebirth, without any clear explanation for her newfound skills, is a recurring criticism. Additionally, the ease with which antagonists return to create more trouble, despite their previous failures, can feel frustrating and unrealistic. ### Final Verdict Overall, "The Devious First-Daughter" is a flawed but entertaining read. If you're a fan of historical revenge stories and are willing to suspend your disbelief and overlook some of the shortcomings, you'll likely find it enjoyable. However, if you're looking for a tightly plotted, logically consistent narrative with complex characters, you might be left wanting more. I'd recommend it as a guilty pleasure, something to read when you're in the mood for some lighthearted scheming and face-slapping, but not necessarily a masterpiece of the genre.