I am someone who loves magical girls' anime and manga (I have a Sailor Moon tattoo), so I was really excited about the premise of this book. I really loved the cover art and the manga panels at the beginning of the chapters, as it really added to the story. However, that's where the things I liked about this book ended. The bolded letters at the beginning of every chapter were distracting, and every paragraph felt very disjointed. It felt like I was reading it in fast forward, as lots of plot points were just skipped over. I honestly think if the author made it longer and gave themselves more time to flesh everything out, it would be so much better.

I have to admit that I didn't read the description of this too well. I like going into books not knowing a whole lot because then it allows me to be more surprised and have less preconceived notions on how things are going to go...usually. I have since reread the description and honestly, it wouldn't have tipped me off to anything. I thought this was going to be more fun based on the description and the fact that this was related to magical girls. I grew up watching things like Cardcaptor Sakura and Sailor Moon. I was hoping for it to evoke some sort of nostalgia. Instead, it evoked reality.

A depressed millennial with credit card debt is pretty relatable. I don't personally have any credit card debt, but depressed millennial woman is pretty spot on. It's not just the pandemic. It just feels like no matter how hard you work you never move forward. I think she is very relatable. And she has to fight climate change? Yeah, that's relatable. But wait, someone who can do something about climate change doesn't want to? Yeah, that's also relatable, but not in a fun way.

However, I do have to admit it was fun seeing a Magical Girl union and how they get their powers and they manifest and what not. It was fun. It made me wonder what sort of powers I would have. Speed reading? I just wish that I could have seen more, it's quite short. However, I have to admit that I wish now that his was a graphic novel. I think that would have been really fun. I really liked the illustrations and would happily read a graphic novel adaptation of this. Also, this was sapphic, which was exciting.

Overall, I would recommend this for fans of magical girl things, but also millennials going through some things. It's a really short read, which makes it a great option if you need something short and fast for a readathon or if you're looking to dip your toe into translated books. I want some more magical girl things now. Maybe I'll rewatch Cardcaptor Sakura or something.

29, depressed, and in a mountain of debt...
Right before jumping off a bridge she's told she's a magical girl and her life changes...

This was a really fun quick read, even though it starts with thoughts of suicide. I enjoyed the characters and I wish we could have gotten to know them all a little more. I did find myself wanting more at the end. The cover is gorgeous and I love the addition of illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.

Thank you HarperVia and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I’ve honestly never read anything like this! I didn’t know about Magical Girls as a specific genre prior to reading this. The cover and description caught my attention. This gave me modern sailor moon vibes. A young woman is on the verge of committing suicide after losing her job during COVID when she’s approached by someone who will change her life. She learns about the Magical Girl world and why life is worth living. A sweet, quick read with magical and even some sapphic elements! Do recommend!

This book felt whimsically thought provoking. Despite the many dark topics touched upon in this book the author still managed to keep the overall tone of the book so lighthearted. The translation felt a bit awkward at first but definitely improved throughout the story. I full enjoyed this short novel and felt that it brought to light many issues not only Korea but the world faces as a whole in a truly unique way.

3.5 rounded up

i’m really not super sure how i feel about this one! i’ll be honest the cover really drew me in even if the summary didn’t rope me in right away …. i think this was really just like nothing else i’ve ever read before! the illustrations and the translator’s note at the end really elevated the whole experience for me. the story was intense but somehow lighthearted at the same time, i really identified with our main character and enjoyed her thought process

A millennial woman is saved from herself when a magical girl recruits her to the cause of fighting the end of the world -- caused by climate change. I really enjoyed this refreshing take on the magical girl trope, and I think many others will as well.

A very interesting short story! The main character was laughably relatable and was endearing to follow along with. I really enjoyed the minimal but impactful world building. I did find some scenes to be confusing which I feel like might be a side affect of it being translated and sometimes I felt like we were missing information in the English version. Overall it was a fun and insightful short read and I would recommend to anyone that's a fan of the genre!

"A Magical Girl Retires" by Park Seolyeon and translated by Anton Hur is a sparkling account of what it means to exist in a post-pandemic world.

In "A Magical Girl Retires," Park Seolyeon crafts a captivating narrative that breaks away from traditional magical girl tropes. The story unfolds with grace as the protagonist navigates the challenges of retiring from a life filled with enchantment. Seolyeon skillfully explores the complexities of the character's journey, weaving a tale that is both whimsical and introspective.

The author's writing style is enchanting, painting vivid imagery that immerses readers into a world where magic and reality seamlessly coexist. The delicate balance between the fantastical elements and the protagonist's personal growth is a testament to Seolyeon's storytelling prowess.

Characterization takes center stage as readers witness the magical girl's evolution beyond her powers. The emotional depth and authenticity of the characters make the farewell resonate on a profound level. Seolyeon delicately explores themes of identity, purpose, and the inevitable passage of time.

The pacing is well-crafted, allowing readers to savor each moment of the protagonist's farewell journey. The narrative unfolds with a perfect blend of excitement, reflection, and moments of sheer magic. "A Magical Girl Retires" stands out as a testament to the author's ability to deliver a compelling story that transcends genre expectations.

This novel is a delightful exploration of the magical girl theme, offering a fresh perspective on retirement, growth, and the enduring magic found in the ordinary. Park Seolyeon's work is a must-read for those seeking an enchanting tale that goes beyond the typical boundaries of the genre.

#AMagicalGirlRetires #NetGalley #AntonHur #ParkSeolyeon @netgalley @antonhur @harperviabooks @sanhomaydraw

Thank you NetGalley and HarperVia for the ARC! A Magical Girl Retires is a quick novella that follows a 29 year old woman who has lost her job, racked up a bunch of credit card debt and is now despondant and contemplating suicide. Suddenly, a magical girl appears before her and informs her that she, too is a magical girl and the one she's been looking for. Our heroine must quickly learn her abilities and help to save the world! This is a very quick and fun read, while still containing several heart-felt messages. Fans of magical girl stories are sure to love A Magical Girl Retires.

First off, that cover is GLORIOUS. Between the cover and the title, I was immediately interested. I'm a big fan of the magical girl subgenre of anime (one of my favorites is Madoka Magica), and the description of this one seemed like it was going to tackle the very real side, obtainable sides of being a "magical girl."

Unfortunately, the execution didn't live up to the hype that I made for this book, which was disappointing. As much as I wanted to connect to it, I couldn't. That said, I really hope this beautiful gem finds its place with readers who will love it!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

A millennial turned magical girl must combat climate change and credit card debt in this delightful, witty, and wildly imaginative ode to magical girl manga.

This was cute! I didn't know what to expect going in, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, this book seemed like it would be meant for me. Millennial, debt, climate change! All super relevant stuff. Unfortunately, it did miss mark. While I think that the concept and the characters had so much potential, the length of the story did not give that potential the time it needed to flourish. The main character was set up to be relatable to a specific demographic, but it didn’t get there for me. Which honestly, was definitely disappointing because I was very excited to read this.

My favorite character was the Ah Roa. I really wish we could’ve had more of her because I absolutely adored everything about her and would love to see a Novella focused on her journey.

This was a quick, fun read! The humor was great, I enjoyed the characterization, and the story kept me invested!

I am very, very new to reading translated novels. Obviously I've had some experience with manga, but written novels are a different story. But I have to say, this novel, though short, was absolutely stunning. I LOVED the characters, the cast being relatively small meant that each one could have a moment to shine, and I loved the small setting with big stakes. As a massive Sailor Moon fan who is now a grown adult, this book touched my heart and my soul and made me cry and laugh and smile. I loved the gentle romance, I loved the strong self discovery, I loved the deep introspection. This was truly a fantastic book that I would recommend to anyone who loves anime, fantasy, or coming of age stories. The ending made me so, so happy. I was beaming when I finished this book. I would love to see more books like this, not quite a fairytale retelling, but something different set in a world we're familiar with. 5/5 stars.

So, here's my take on this book: it's like taking a stroll through the life of a magical girl who's finally someone you can totally relate to.

Overall, I'd slap a 4-star rating on this novel, though it's more like a 3.75/5. Initially, what grabbed me were the stunning art style and the voice of our main character. She's just so down-to-earth! As someone who's been through the ups and downs of their 20s, I found it super refreshing and enjoyable. But I gotta admit, there were moments where things felt a tad repetitive. It didn't bother me too much, but I was hoping for some fresh twists instead of the same old mishaps in different packaging. Still, I had a blast reading it.

If you're up for something that hits close to home (maybe even dives into a bit of an existential crisis), give this book a shot. It's a quirky, slightly darker take on the magical life that's lost its shine.

Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for hooking me up with this ARC!

An enjoyable romp through the life of a magical girl who is (finally) just like you.

Overall, I'd give this novel a 3.75/5, rounded up to 4 stars. I think initially I was really drawn to both the art style utilized (which is gorgeous), and the voice that our FMC has. She's so relatable! As someone who has absolutely experienced the downside of living in your 20s, I found this to be refreshing and fun. Despite this, I have to admit that there was a slight repetitiveness to the book. This didn't bother me all that much, but it left me wanting our FMC to experience things that were a bit... newer. That weren't the same catastrophes in different fonts. However, I don't think that this is something that needs to be a dealbreaker for future readers. I had so much fun with the novel despite this.

If you're looking for something that speaks to you (maybe even existential crisis you), I think that you should give this book a try. It's a fun, darker glimpse at a magical life that has lost its sparkle.

As always, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this ARC!

I really wanted to enjoy this one. It has several of the elements of a book I’d love: magic and existential dread in your 20s. But the writing style was so removed from the characters that I could not connect or care. It took me far too long to get through this short book and it was sadly not an enjoyable time. Hopefully it finds its readers. Maybe those who enjoy sad girl books with small speculative elements?

"The most iconic magic girl of all, Sailor Moon, specifically refers to herself as a champion of justice... Magical girls exist because justice does not." -- Letter from the Translator

This short novella was truly amazing. Despite its brevity, it still hits incredibly hard with its emotional impact and relatability, particularly for women and femme-presenting individuals.

The unnamed narrator, who represents the average every day woman in South Korea, opens the story with contemplating suicide over credit card debt. But it runs so much deeper than that. It's not just about the money--it's the build of all the little things that slowly crush our spirits: jobs, relationships, education, the regrets, loss, and the anxiety of our future.

However, she is rescued by Ah Roa, a magical girl who believes that she too can become a magical girl who has the power to save the world. But this is not just about saving the world. It's about saving yourself first. And finding love for yourself and others.

With kdrama-level snippets of comedy and deeply relatable parallels to the struggles of our reality, the novella encapsulates hopes, dreams, and failures all while maintaining our suspension of disbelief where the most ordinary of people can become a magical girl.

In a world where climate change looms over us all and the anxiety of what's ahead, this novella reminds you of the strength within yourself to move forward.

A young woman that is coping with the death of her grandfather and drowning in credit card debt gets a second chance at life by becoming a famed magical girl. I really enjoyed this novella. The main character was incredibly relatable. It captured the powerless feeling of what it is like to be a young woman with far too many challenges facing you. For a shorter story it really packed an emotional punch.. The chapter art was perfect. I look forward to getting a physical copy of this book to do a reread soon!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Via for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.