Synopsis

In an age when spies act behind the scenes in every land, Chloe spends her days successfully carrying out even the most difficult missions due to her unparalleled disguise skills and martial arts abilities. However, after the betrayal of her boss, she suddenly disappears-as Chloe plans to redo her life as the ordinary citizen Victoria in the neighboring kingdom of Ashberry, striving for a “normal” life. However, Victoria’s peaceful life is abruptly cut short as she begins to get involved with many people. In this new land, her experiences and abilities from her days as a spy come in far more useful than she ever expected!! On the other hand, the second prince and the pursuer of the organization amongst others take an interest in Victoria’s strength, and many shadows close in on the one with all the cards in her hand…! (Source: Yen Press)

The Spy Who Returned to Normality!

Written by Syuu and illustrated by Nanna Fujimi, Victoria of Many Faces, one of Yen Press’ latest titles, showcases the many everyday uses for spy craft.

Following the ultimate spy, Chloe, the story tells of her coming to blows with her organisation and deciding to become an ordinary citizen. Choosing to live in a new country and go under the pseudonym Victoria Sellars, she plans to start again and live a life of normality. However, for a master spy, nothing is ever so simple. After deciding to adopt an orphan, she’ll be thrust into the heart of the community and face the possibility of detection from every direction.

The series gets off to a strong start as the story introduces Victoria and her choice to defect. It’s a segment that leaves a lasting impression as her tough decision to leave is highlighted through the betrayals she’s suffered as part of the organisation. With her mind made clear, Chloe fakes her death and sets about living life in a different country as Victoria.

Victoria’s travels to Ashbury make for important scenes as they showcase her prowess as a spy. To get away from her organisation undetected, she utilises several methods of spycraft, such as donning a disguise and using fake documents, making the case that her arsenal is wide and varied.

As the novel continues, Victoria ends up settling quite nicely into her new life in Ashbury. Taking up the majority of the volume, these chapters revolve around Victoria and her newly adopted daughter, Nonna’s daily lives in the city. From this point onwards, the tone of the novel lightens slightly, thanks in part to Nonna, who makes it easier for Victoria to become part of the community.

Through their wide variety of slice-of-life adventures, the cast begins to grow alongside Victoria’s heart. Besides Victoria and Nonna, each of the characters introduced in this volume is well-developed and suitably complex. Jeffery Asher, Victoria’s love interest, is a particularly nicely presented example. As a man in his thirties, the author makes it clear that he’s lived a life before Victoria stumbled in. These experiences help colour his decision-making and also help him realise that the woman he’s fallen in love with isn’t all she says she is.

For other characters, as well, as the volume progresses, begin to realise that Victoria is more than a mere commoner. The author, Syuu, shows their talent for narrative well here. Through the little things Victoria ends up letting loose, different characters are able to discern the aspects that make her stand out, whether it be Lady Yolanda picking up on her mannerisms or education or the second prince picking up on her fighting style.

Ultimately, these slip-ups cost Victoria by the volume’s climax, as several individuals and agencies learn of her identity. In these tense “on the run” scenes, Syuu neatly ties up the overarching narratives, providing a sense of completion, even if there are more stories to be told in future volumes.

Expertly mixing spycraft, slice-of-life, and complex characters, Victoria of Many Faces’ first instalment is a breath of fresh air. Leaving a strong impression from the get-go, the author only builds on this success, creating a story filled with wonderful, heartfelt moments, exciting action sequences, and a nice little bit of comedy to top it all off. I highly recommend this series.

I Give Victoria of Many Faces Volume 1: 10/10