Tags: Action, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

Sub-Tags: Otome, Bickering Couple

The Witch, The Knight and the Messy Broken Engagement!

A Request from the Queen

Where do you turn to when your apothecary skills aren’t up to snuff? For a witch like Carla, it means leaning on your abilities to change into anyone you have enough information on and act as a divorce agent! Unfortunately, Carla’s not very good at this role either, but that doesn’t stop a request from the Queen for her services regarding a broken engagement situation of national importance. 

Carla’s unique skills are needed in the case of Prince Abel and Patricia, who’ve been having major issues with their engagement. From the information gathered, Abel has been having an affair, and his mistress is using her powers to get rid of Patricia.

This makes up for the majority of the plot in volume one. This usually typical set-up for an Otome-like storyline is made all the more interesting due to the unique perspective it’s told from. Having an outsider mess around with these tropes creates the opportunity for a whole load of shenanigans. In this example, the story has Carla change into Patricia confronting the prince and his actions head-on for maximum derailment. 

Carla’s unsubtle approach was enough to coax the truth of the matter out of Prince Abel. Not only is the prince still in love with Patricia, but Lilith’s actions weren’t totally her own. Under threat from powerful nobility, she had no choice but to use her magic to try and hurt Patricia.

The Witch and a Certain Knight

Carla isn’t alone in trying to solve the Queen’s issues; by her side is a knight named Thane. The interactions between them are another aspect that really elevates the series. They act like an old married couple, constantly bickering with one another, in turn making the volume a more entertaining read.

The relationship between the two is more than just surface-level interactions, with the author going to great lengths in fleshing out why they act that way with each other – stemming from Carla’s hatred of knights and Thane’s distrust of witches.

By the end of the first volume, however, Carla and Thane have moved on from their hatred of one another towards a friendship and possible blossoming romance. Their relationship has taken such great strides that Thane even manages to help Carla from being exploited by a business partner.

Overall, Apothecary Witch is a refreshing entry into the Otome genre. Elevating the story through the charismatic interactions between Carla and Thane, and using unique perspectives to derail the usual tropes found in this genre, has made this a series to watch out for.