The Obedient Saint Was Made a Scapegoat, so She Decided To Be Reborn as a Villainess

Anna, a saint who had worked hard despite being looked down upon for being an orphan, was chosen to be the prince’s fiancée, bypassing the other saint Noemi who was loved by everyone. As a result, the people around her became even colder towards her. In the midst of this, the bishop asked Anna to undergo the “sacred ritual” to protect the country. The sacred ritual is a ceremony where one is placed alive in a coffin and enshrined. Although Anna was reluctant, she eventually gave in to the pressure from those around her. While inside the coffin during the ceremony, Anna heard the true reason why it was being performed and strongly regretted her choice. Then a spirit appeared and offered to help her escape. With the spirit’s power, Anna fled and returned to the church in a different form.

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on The Obedient Saint Was Made a Scapegoat, so She Decided To Be Reborn as a Villainess This title definitely grabbed my attention! The premise of a saintess embracing her inner villainess after being betrayed sounds like a fun, potentially empowering read. But after diving in, I found it to be a mixed bag, leaving me with a feeling of "almost, but not quite." ### First Impressions The initial setup is compelling. We have a saintess, Anna, who's used and abused, ultimately chosen as a sacrifice to benefit others. This immediately sets the stage for a dramatic transformation. I was eager to see how she would shed her obedient persona and embrace a villainous one. ### What Works Well I appreciate the character progression, or rather, the character reversal. Anna's journey from a timid, self-sacrificing saint to a more assertive, even selfish, individual is intriguing. It's not just a simple flip; there are layers to her transformation, even if they sometimes feel rushed. The story does explore the idea of her eventually finding a balance, settling into a more laid-back, kind persona that actually suits her, which I found refreshing. The male lead also seems consistently kind, which is always a plus in my book. ### Areas of Concern The pacing is definitely an issue. The story feels condensed, like a plot outline fleshed out into prose. While a lot *happens*, I felt like I was missing crucial details and development. The revenge aspect, which I was particularly looking forward to, also felt underwhelming. It largely amounted to giving people the cold shoulder, which didn't quite satisfy my craving for a more impactful retribution. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, here's where I'll delve into some specific plot points that might spoil your reading experience. * The reason for Anna's selection as a sacrifice isn't fully explained, leaving a slightly unsatisfying gap in the narrative. * Her transformation into a "villainess" happens quickly, with no real "training arc" to show how she masters the persona of a spoiled noble. This sudden shift felt jarring and somewhat unbelievable. * The male lead quickly recognizes Anna despite her change in demeanor after she helps during a fire. ### Final Verdict "The Obedient Saint Was Made a Scapegoat, so She Decided To Be Reborn as a Villainess" is an okay read, but it doesn't quite live up to its potential. The premise is interesting, and there are glimpses of good character development, but the fast pace and lack of detail ultimately hold it back. It's a decent story if you're looking for a quick, light read, but don't expect anything groundbreaking. I'd give it a 3 out of 5 stars.