Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 8
Painstaking efforts, near-death experiences, unrequitable feelings―everything Penelope has worked for comes crashing down in an instant upon the return of Ivonne, the “true” daughter of House Eckhart. The one to blame? Eckles, the very man Penelope was betting her survival and escape on. But when she goes to confront him for his betrayal, not only is she hit by a shocking revelation about her relationship with him, but about Ivonne too...And as the clock strikes midnight on the day of Penelope’s coming-of-age ceremony, and thus, the end of Hard Mode, she’s forced to face the music.
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Gwon Gyeoeul
In the world of Korean light novels, few voices have sparked as much quiet curiosity as Gwon Gyeoeul. Best known internationally for The Villainess Is a Marionette, Gyeoeul doesn’t chase the spotlight—but their work doesn’t need it. With stories that thread emotional complexity through elegant, fantastical worlds, they’ve carved out a space that feels both lush and intimate, where character transformation often holds more weight than spectacle.
Though not yet a household name in the global literary scene, Gyeoeul has built a loyal following across South Korea and beyond, especially among readers who crave stories that blur the line between power and vulnerability. Their writing leans into the psychology of ambition, identity, and consequence—especially through female protagonists navigating high-stakes political games behind glittering palace walls.
Villains Are Destined to Die
In a world where beauty, power, and cruelty often go hand in hand, Villains Are Destined to Die dares to flip the script—by placing readers inside the mind of the very character they’re taught to hate.
When a modern-day woman wakes up trapped in the body of Penelope Eckhart—the cold-hearted villainess of a brutal romance game—she’s not offered the luxury of playing by the rules. Survival becomes the only goal. But the game isn’t just rigged against her; it’s actively punishing. In a society where love is currency and a single wrong move can mean death, every decision becomes a calculated risk, every interaction a potential trigger for betrayal.
Villains Are Destined to Die consists of eight books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
