Dear Sister, I’ve Become a Blessed Maiden Vol. 1 Review

Synopsis

Umehiko is stranded in another world after saving his sister from being kidnapped by a powerful mage named Theodorus. Theodorus brands him with a magical mark that turns him into a living source of mana—a “blessed maiden.” As the mana within him builds, it manifests in overwhelming sensations that only Theodorus can relieve. Faced with this strange new reality, Umehiko must choose between escape or adapting to the whims of his arrogant and bratty new master.

The Good

The sex scenes are drawn competently and feature plenty of positions, unique costuming, and situations to keep things fresh throughout the first volume. Umehiko’s flustered expressions as well as Theodorus’s confident smirks will arouse those who enjoy their dynamic.

It’s also refreshing to engage with an isekai story where the protagonist actually wants to return home for a change. It sets up the possibility that Umehiko might decide to stay in this other world due to his feelings for Theodorus. Or perhaps his magical “friend” would want to see this other world himself. That gives the series room to grow in ways other isekai tales cannot.

The Bad

Like any genre, Boys Love contains tropes that some readers will love and others will abhor. This becomes a problem when they aren’t used to introduce new or compelling concepts to a story. It’s a bad sign that the first thing I thought while reading Dear Sister, I’ve Become a Blessed Maiden was, “I’ve seen characters with these exact personalities before and know where most of the conflict this story has will derive from.”

This book is like a hornier and more homosexual version of Beauty and the Beast. Instead of a tight 84 minute animated film, I expect that poor communication between the burgeoning gay couple will drag the story along for many volumes. I’m unsure if a story about two irascible characters failing to convey their desires to each other can be carried just by the admittedly hot sex scenes between each bump in the road.

Last but not least, there’s the canonical fact (which is played as a joke!) that the 500-year-old Theodorus is about as mature as a 14 year old. What makes this all the more infuriating is that this is something that Umehiko finds endearing about his new magical master. It’s one thing to like a bratty top, or to overlook the spines on a prickly pear to get to its sensual juices, but I find Theodorus intolerable in this first volume.

The Verdict

Anyone willing to look past a few flaws will find a book with solid foundations, even if it isn’t the most original tale told in its genre. Those looking for nothing more than any story with forced magical chasity where a bratty dom makes the sub’s life miserable while romance slowly burns beneath the surface, Dear Sister, I’ve Become a Blessed Maiden will be perfect for you. If a strong story with more compelling characters is required to really stoke your flames of passion, it might be best to find a separate saucy story to enjoy. It’s hard for me to personally recommend as I am unable to find that spark of magic that makes a story truly noteworthy.

If you liked Dear Sister, I’ve Become a Blessed Maiden you might also like…

• The Titan’s Bride by Itkz
• Everything for Demon King Evelogia by Io Kaziwara
• Summoning a BL Fan to Another World by Moe Fujisaki

Credits

Story and Art: Yuiko
Translation: Katrina Leonoudakis
Lettering: Jamil Stewart
Cover Design: Mariel Dágá
Proofreader: Jenny Mott
Production Designer: Melina
Editor: Suzanne Seals
Published in English by Seven Seas

Thank you to Seven Seas for providing a review copy. Receiving this copy did not affect the reviewer’s opinions as expressed here.

Article edited by: Adam Wescott