I read about 300 chapters. I just wanted to drop it multiple times throughout my reading, but I thought it will get better, so I hung around longer, but it didn't get better. ------------------- Here's the good parts of the story: - Author takes new approaches to the typical reincarnated into a game scenario. It's not just someone died and poof he's inside a game world. Also, a lot of events are properly thought out (no stealing opportunities, no utilizing future knowledge to steal from auction...etc. you know, the typical stuff you see in other works). - MC has a purpose and drive. He doesn't just want to exploit the game and get stronger for flimsy reasons. He an extreme revenge type of dude, which I like. - Characters have variety and each has a set personality and growth. ----------------------- Here's the problem with the story: - Main problem: Writing a lot of useless words and adding a lot of flowery words. Author might think that these set the atmosphere and make for nice writing, but honestly it's distracting and makes it over the top. especially when even characters talk in this over the top flowery language, like when professor Eleanor briefed students about the test. [Examples: "the rustling of leaves seems to whisper secrets and warnings" - "forming a chorus of anguish" - "a symphony of terror that pierced the darkness" - " thanks to the enhanced boots" - "this alone showed how much potential.." - "it was evident that.."....etc] All these are added in paragraphs of action disrupting the flow of battle, or when there's no combat, then it's just an attempt at using beautiful language, but it's just cringy and tiring to read. _________ Author could take a couple of points from korean novels, they don't add unnecessary expanding nor describe things in flowery words. ___________ - Another problem is that the story is dull and got more boring with each following arc. Honestly the first arc was the best one, despite the overly flowery words and cringy talks between characters, the story itself had a clear direction. The following arcs are bland. For example the latest arc I read, they went to phantoms land, however it didn't feel like there was a build up nor a climax, even the reward after everything was done was underplayed and felt boring despite the big power up. ____________ - Now my final problem with the story: It didn't feel like we went anywhere, the story almost feels stagnant, even though the timeline moved forward and the MC got stronger, I see no immediate goal in sight. Here's how things will unfold with this story: MC trains > gets stronger > gets shoved in event > fights something > gets power up > trains > event > power up.. .etc. That's how it happened in all 300 chapters and that's how it'll be going forward, it's bland and boring. Do you know why other stories with a similar set up are more appealing? It because characters have long term goals (which is present here "revenge") and they have short term goals. MC here doesn't have short term goals nor any desires. He hates demons with a passion, so it should be reasonable for him to have goals like to brutally scheme against anything demonic and go DOOM mode on them. But we don't see that, the dude just gets shoved into situations that have demons and he defeats them. Demons come to him, not the other way.
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LIKEIt's a clear and good review; thanks for writing it. To address the writing style, this is mainly how I write the fights, but according to the feedback from the readers, I can adapt to different styles of writing. As for the criticism regarding the plot, you are absolutely correct. The plot revolves so much around the emotional aspect and interactions of the main characters right now. I am trying to display how a person can change from a cold-blooded revenge pursuer to a healed human. But, by doing that, the story overwhelmingly became something that is hard to be called as a revenge plot, and I am aware of this. Though it is not purely unlogical, and these types of things can easily be covered, from a reader's perspective, it most likely makes the MC weirdly lost. I will try to improve on this aspect to make the plot 'advance' rather than stagnate.
If it helps in anyway: i got hooked at « hunter academy » but instantly closed it when seeing chapters names cut in mutliples parts. Would rather get no named chapters than seing names sprayed on more than 2 chapters. In my head it sounds like slow paced stories, for no reasons. Because if you cant give a name to a chapter it looks like nothing happens in it and there will be 1500 words of BS content -> so it makes me feel like i will just lose my time. Sometimes lots of good review can convince be to try but not here
The quality of story drastically downgraded after first semester exam. it feels like mc has personality disorder, and to increase the length of the chapter you use words that are not required. I start reading this novel, thinking of Mc personality and revenge plot. But after first semester you fully change the story. Now to me it's sound like how a revenge driven protagonist can become a simple and people pleaser.
for those who are wondering, the flowery words are just chatgpt writing, if you tell chatgpt to expand or add details to the 5 or 6 lines you wrote yourself you'll get 3 or 4 long paragraphs of flowery words. at this point I am trying to find a novel that has minimum ai use. if anyone knows a good novel with no and i quote " flowery words" please tell me. i would be internally grateful for your generosity 🙏