Usually, I like to give a piece of media some "cool down" time to let it all sink in before I start writing a review. I just think it's nicer to reflect a little bit more before ultimately deciding on the least overhyped opinion possible. However, sometimes I just have some strong opinions I really have to share. That's exactly the case for "A Devil and Her Love Song". I literally just finished reading the last chapter a few seconds ago, and I have so many thoughts to share about it. Even before I started reading the last volume, I was already plotting this review in my head because this series was such a roller-coaster of mixed feelings and questionable twists. First of all, I'm left with the feeling that what I got in the end isn't what I signed up for. For the first few volumes, we are promised a story about the baddass, brutally honest protagonist Kawai Maria, who "brings out the worst in people" by revealing their true nature. This earns her the nickname "devil Maria", as most people aren't happy with confronting the very thing they've been trying to desperately hide—their true selves. Some of them put on a mask in order to protect themselves from the world, whereas others use it as a means of manipulation. However, later on, the whole premise changes to the tragic story of Kawai Maria's dark past, and while that could've made the story even more interesting, it was very poorly executed. First of all, it feels like the focus of the story suddenly changes, and many characters and situations that, in my opinion, could've been better explored never get full closure in order to make room for the new arc. This new arc completely clashes with the Kawai Maria we were initially introduced to, showcasing a much more vulnerable and needy side of this once cool and independent main character. There's nothing wrong with showing vulnerability, of course, but in this case, it feels like it overshadowed the characteristics that made her such a unique protagonist to start with, which was one of the strongest points of the manga. Also, the way her tragic backstory situation was resolved is... problematic, to say the least. Since I don't want to spoil too much, let's just say some inexcusable actions were excused without any reasoning at all. Two characters, specifically, are EXTREMELY unlikeable. Yet, they're never properly held accountable for their innapropriate behavior, to say the least, and at times, they were even portrayed as victims. Overall, while the few last volumes were VERY disappointing, I have to say the first ones were worth it. If you don't want to go through the disappointment that the later chapters are, I recommend you read up until the choral competition part, or the very moment Maria's dark past first gets revealed (you'll know it when you see it), or just stop right before they become 2nd year students. Also, Yuusuke absolutely slayed, the best character of this entire series and the only consistently likeable one, lol.