MUCH more violent than I normally go for but also... what a baddie the mc is. I think I'm in love.
However, I probably won't continue reading this series and it'll be a pass on getting a copy for the library. Too much cutting people in half and spider scorpion monsters lol

While I myself have arachnophobia, I have to admit that I wasn't bothered nearly as much as I thought I would be reading this manga. Which is definitely a plus since I really liked the plot and concept of the series.
The thought of a humanoid leading raiding parties of giant spider/scorpion monsters against whomever she decides to target (current target: Slave Traders) was definitely amusing to watch and I enjoyed how they decided to weave the 'Hive Mind' concept into the plot; Is Mushi-nee truly this vicious or is it the thousand of others' thoughts invading her mind and corrupting her?

I'm definitely excited to see where this story plans on going and if she's going to actually become a 'benevolent leader' or a 'tyrannical overlord'.

Mushi-nee (nickname for our main protagonist) awakens in a world similar to a game she had previously played where she was the leader of a barbaric and vicious faction of spider monsters called the 'Arachnea'. While she's not sure how she got to where she is, she becomes certain that this world is not the one she's played in.
The Arachnea claim she's their queen and will lead them to assured victory against their enemies, whomever that may be,

Wow! I am already addicted to this.

This first volume is creepy, horrifying, and bloody. It touches on themes of hive minds vs. individuals, and I especially appreciated the main character and her emerging bloodthirsty feelings she has to battle with. Do bad people deserve to be killed? I sense that is a theme to come.

I also enjoyed how the artist made spiders cute and sympathetic. (As well as scary.)

The first book leaves a lot of mystery that I assumed will be answered in the next volumes, but all the immediate mysteries were solved in this volume, which I appreciate.

The translation was well done. Although I know Japanese, I liked the translator's note, since that'd help any non-Japanese speakers out there.

I'll be picking up the next volume, probably in Japanese since I can't wait for the English any longer!!

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read and review this.

A young woman, with a username of "Mushi-nee," suddenly finds herself transported into a world, not unlike the online real-time strategy game that was her only escape. She is hailed Queen of the Arachnea, which people in the above world seems to know nothing about. Rather than shrink away from her fate, she embraces her new title and faces this new world head-on.

This is just the beginning of the series, and I look forward to seeing more of Mushi-nee adventure.

Rating: 5 out of 5
-Characters: 5/5
-Cover: 5/5
-Story: 5/5
-Writing: 5/5
Genre: Fantasy/Military
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yes

Want to thank the publisher and Netgalley first for letting me read this manga. I haven't really read much war/military manga but I have read a good few of people going to their favorite books or games. So when I saw this I was really excited to request it. I wasn't disappointed. I was left wanted to read more. The only thing I had a slight problem with was the cover. It was very busy and all over the place.

Also I suggest a 16+ audience. It can be gore-ish at times.

I now have a new manga series to follow and I have no regrets. This is a gory, dark kind of story, with the main character being a young woman transported into a strange new world with giant insect monsters that she controls. It’s an interesting concept, with great art and good build up so far. Personally, I can’t wait to see what she does next with her swarm.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

4.5

This manga was deliciously dark. There are definitely adult themes and gore in it. It also gave me some “Overlord” vibes—although it’s been quite a while since I’ve read and watched that. I enjoyed the premise, and the art was amazing. I’m wholly invested and am dying for volume 2.

ARC Copy...yep this is by far one of the most over the top, violent and interesting Isekai premises so far. You got the typical premise of ordinary human awaking in another world (which in this a beloved fantasy game) and then...ok this gets interesting if the protagonist is in charge of "evil" spiders with complex world mechanics. Promising so far.

4.25 stars

So, interesting premise on this one. I enjoyed the anthropomorphization of the swarm, while still keeping their insect, hive mind characteristics intact. I also really appreciated the struggle the main character felt trying to balance her survival in this "new to her" world with her values and conscience as well as the influence of the swarm.

Curious to see where this goes.

I requested this book through net galley because the title and the cover art looked very interesting, and I'm really glad I did!! The story pulled me in and I love how the author created the main character the main character, it's fast paced in my opinion in a good way, the story keeps flowing smoothly and more characters are already being introduced. I would and will definitely be reading more of this series. I will be honest, the art style isn't my favorite but it's easy for me to look past it since the story is so good.

I received a free digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Her Majesty’s swarm follows a young woman, (online nickname "Mushi-nee," roughly translated to bug woman per the book) who finds herself sucked into an alternate world. She finds this world to be like her much visited online strategy game which she has spent many hours playing. Once in this new world she suddenly finds herself face-to-face with giant arachnids who believe her to be their leader (content warning: spiders!). The book has parallels with Alice in Wonderland but is considerably gorier so be warned!

I really enjoyed the fast-paced story and beautiful artwork, it is some of the best manga art I have seen to date. I am very much looking forward to continuing this series and learning more about our heroine and her swarm.

Please be aware this Manga contains adult themes.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for allowing me a copy of Her Majesty's Swarm for review.