One of the main themes is redemption. The villainess gets a second chance and tries to right her past wrongs. Another theme could be love, as she might develop new relationships different from her first life. And there's also the theme of power struggle within the story's setting.
In my opinion, the villainess is the most interesting character. She has so much depth, with her complex past and her attempts to rewrite her story. Then there are the antagonists from her first life who still pose threats in her second life. Their motives and actions add a lot of intrigue to the story. And don't forget any side characters who might help or hinder the villainess on her new path.
Typically, in such light novels, the main character is often in a situation where they have to deal with the role of a villainess. It usually involves trying to avoid the bad endings that the villainess is supposed to have in the original story, like being defeated or killed. There are often elements of time - travel or reincarnation involved too.
Well, it has a significant following. The story's popularity might be due to the way it subverts the traditional roles. Instead of the hero taming something, it's the villainess, which adds an interesting twist. Also, the character design and the world - building contribute to its popularity.
I'm not entirely sure as I haven't read it in detail. But generally, it might be about a female character who is considered a villainess in the context of a story involving a tyrant. Maybe she has some sort of complex relationship with the tyrant, like trying to oppose him or perhaps getting caught up in his schemes.
Well, it really depends on the plot and character arcs. Sometimes it happens early on, while in other cases, it might take a while for the love to blossom.
Well, the villainess is the central figure. Alongside her, there could be her maids or servants who play important roles in the story. There might also be rival characters, like other noble ladies who are competing with the villainess in some way. And don't forget about the male lead, who might be a knight or a nobleman that gets involved with the villainess's story, whether it's through love or some other form of connection.
One key feature is its unique take on the villainess trope. It often subverts the typical expectations. For example, the villainess might not be as evil as she initially seems. Another feature could be the complex character relationships. The interactions between the characters are filled with drama and intrigue. Also, the light novel may have a vividly described setting that helps to bring the story to life.
The 'The Villainess Turns the Hourglass' light novel typically involves a story where the main character, who is a villainess, gets a second chance through the use of an hourglass. She then uses this opportunity to change her fate, often by outwitting her enemies and changing the course of events in the story. It's a common theme in such novels where the character tries to rewrite their own story in a more favorable way.
Since I haven't read it, I can't say for sure. But I would assume the villainess and the tyrant are the main characters. There might also be other important characters like the villainess's family members or friends, or some of the tyrant's advisers or enemies.