AbsoluteZero

Basic review, look elsewhere. While this novel provides a few decent nuggets along the way, it's stale, even for the genre. But before I get to that, I'll go down the list, starting with translation quality. It's in need of major editing. While most of it is understandable, minor connecting words are often left out, leaving a great number of jarring moments where you have to fill in an "at" or something similar. It's unpleasant, even if not unreadable. Updates are stable enough, but with the pace of the story, it's rather aggravating regardless, even if they are trying their hardest. Story development. This is the biggest letdown for me. The story progresses so slowly that it's nearly unbearable, and the worst part is, there are some interesting background plots beneath the surface, or at least enough mystery to keep one interested. However, for every interesting tidbit, there is enough filler to make you forget what you were looking forward to by the time you get close. It makes whatever thought was put into developing certain aspects of the story pointless. As if the story isn't bad enough, the rest of the characters and world-building are shallow and unappealing. There are a few exciting moments, with the FL acting dominating and cunning, but it's all buried beneath unnecessary plot armor, an overbearing and rather annoying ML who decides things on his own and she just accepts it, and the FL pouting and acting pathetic. I don't know how else to describe it. When a female MC is done right, it's incredible, but it's not done well here. She could be strong, but she defers to him, and in the few moments she tries to get information or pushes for her way, she either does it by pouting, coaxing him to let her do what she wants, or she gives up because the ML is angry. It's sad to see a strong FL turn against her own character for love. Unfortunately, it's something often seen in the genre, with FLs thinking love means submission and coquettishness. It's the final straw in an already unpalatable novel. And I gave it ample chances, hoping something would change.