Victoria of Many Faces, Vol. 1
Story and Art: Komo Ushino
Publisher: Yen Press (Print & Digital)
Translation: Andria McKnight
Lettering: Olivia Osanz
Publication Date: February 18, 2025
Rating: Teen
Genre: Manga, Drama, Fantasy
Victoria’s peaceful, everyday existence has begun! Ever since she retired from the espionage world, Victoria’s been living as a civilian, just like she’s always dreamed of. But her past as a spy is hard to run from—even though she turned her back on danger, it can’t stop danger from finding her! So when she meets Nonna, a young girl totally on her own in the world, Victoria has to decide what’s truly important to her…peace, or her new friend?
This review contains spoilers for Victoria of Many Faces, Vol. 1. I received a free copy from Yen Press in exchange for a review.
Victoria of Many Faces follows the journey of Chloe, a top spy for the Kingdom of Hagl, who fakes her own death to escape betrayal and start anew. Taking on the identity of Victoria Sellers—a woman who mysteriously vanished a decade ago—Chloe hopes to experience a normal life for the first time.
However, “normal” doesn’t come easy. On her first day in her new town, Victoria stumbles upon an abandoned child, Nonna. Determined to help, she takes the girl under her wing, but their path soon crosses that of a purse snatcher. Instincts kicking in, Victoria intervenes, drawing the attention of Jeffrey Asher, Captain of the 2nd Order of Knights. When Nonna is left with nowhere to go for the night, Victoria wants to take her in, but her unknown status raises concerns about human trafficking. To her surprise, Jeffrey steps in as her guarantor, allowing them to stay together.
As Victoria settles into town, she secures a job as an assistant to historian Bernard Fitcher and finds housing with Lady Yolanda—the very woman she saved from the purse snatcher. Her bond with Jeffrey grows, and she’s even invited to a soiree as his companion to deter unwanted suitors. But when her sharp instincts uncover a criminal at the event, Victoria beats the knights to the punch in catching him, inadvertently drawing the attention of the royal family. Now, an investigation looms over her, threatening the peaceful life she so desperately wanted.
The cast is filled with likable characters, and Nonna, in particular, stands out as a favorite. Her backstory remains a mystery, but I’m eager to learn more. Meanwhile, Chloe’s former boss lurks in the background, suspecting she’s still alive—and I can already tell he’s going to be a thorn in her side. (Just let our girl live!!)
The pacing occasionally feels abrupt—especially in the scene where Jeffrey receives Victoria’s letter, which made me wonder if I’d skipped a few pages. However, the story excels in its blend of drama and fantasy, with beautiful artwork bringing it to life.
Overall, Victoria of Many Faces is an engaging read, perfect for fans of fresh-start narratives, spy thrillers, and found-family dynamics. While the pacing could be smoother, the strong characters and intriguing plot more than makes up for it.
