This feels to be one of the better novels to come through Trial Reads so far. I’m a bit skeptical that it’ll get chosen due to it not being a system/cultivation/face-slapping novel, but I can always be optimistic about it. The initial impressions are that it is a combination of Lord of Mysteries and multi-verse crossover novel (Terror Infinity/48 hours a day), but not enough has been revealed to judge whether or not that’s correct. My mental imagery has conjured up some Bloodborne vibes, but again, its hard to say how accurate that is. There’s a general sense of mystery regarding the world that’s quite well done. Enough has been shown to pique my interest and hint at a greater mystery regarding the world building, but not so much has been revealed for me to jump to conclusions one way or another. My initial impression is that it takes place in a post-apocalyptic future time where society has degraded technologically to the Industrial Revolution level. There’s a lot of potential here for how things will play out. There appear to be elements of eldritch horror in the Lovecraftian vein, but they’re also balanced with aspects of steampunk and magic. The Lovecraftian elements feel appropriately mysterious and sufficiently dangerous in context. They seem to offer great power with the corresponding amount of consequence, which sets them up to be potentially compelling devil’s bargains in the future. The way steampunk technology has been used thus far and hopefully magic in the future as well lead me to believe that wits and daring will play a larger role in combat than simply might/strength of arms. Aside from the MC, even some minor characters have been shown to be cunning and sprung concealed cards in attempts to turn the tables. Unfortunately, its too soon to say whether or not this will continue, but initial impressions are favorable. The novel summary is a bit vague and I originally thought this was going to be somewhat of a monster evolution novel where the MC evolves from a cluster of cells into increasingly powerful monster forms. He sheds his initial form fairly quickly and “reincarnates” into a human body. From there, he arrives in seemingly Industrial Revolution-era Europe and gets swept up in a scenario-test type world that all youths entering *****hood must undergo where things aren’t as straightforward as they seem. Survivors are selected to become trainees of a order tasked to protect the remnants of humanity from the dangers of the outside world(s). Side characters feel realistically intelligent and take reasonable actions indicative of their backgrounds. There haven’t been any cartoonish villains so far and antagonists have conducted themselves pretty realistically in the context of their backgrounds. All said, the introductory 60 chapters were quite good and enough crumbs have been laid for the story to branch off in a number of potential directions.
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LIKEHighly recommended from me. Feels on par with Plague Doctor and World of Dieties.
I had a reading comprehension fail/ bad memory regarding the summary. Focus too heavily on the cell bit when that was only a fraction of the entire bit. Feels pretty accurate now that I’ve reread it.
And both of em not choosen😭 and most likely this good novel not going to get choosen too. At this point you just don't know what to do with this platform, such a disappoint🤦♂️
