Again, post is early since I won’t have internet next week. Ignore until Monday.
A Late-Start Tamer’s Laid-Back Life: Volume 8 - This time with penguins. I still feel a bit fatigued from the last copy and paste 4 times arc, but it looks like it’s getting better. - 6/10
Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Avatar of a Goddess Volume 8 - Each and every volume is better than the last. I gave that incredible P5V7 an 11/10 and in all fairness, this one has to get a 12/10 now. I’m ready for a 13/10 volume next. Btw. is anyone else hyped to see Lessy animated by Studio WIT?
edit : The Diary of a Middle-Aged Sage’s Carefree Life in Another World: Volume 1 - Found the worst LN I’ve ever started to read. I’m only 2 chapters in but I can already tell that this really has no redeeming qualities. I can’t imagine how a LN could even be any worse. Maybe if it bricked your tablet. Wow, this one is really terrible on so many levels that I can’t even begin to list all the faults in the first two chapters. And right after reading Bookworm P5V8. Talk about whiplash.
Finished Dahlia in Bloom Volume 8.
Now getting back to reading Spice and Wolf Side colors 2.
Making Magic: Vol 1 to 3 - I am really enjoying this series. It has wholesome, cute vibes. There are also some kingdom building/ecological reclamation aspects that were interesting, but only really get focused on in the third volume. The third volume also has an interesting mother/daughter relationship which I don’t see written in light novels as often.
Two problems I have with it is that there is a lack of a strong central conflict/through-line. Although, a lot of light novels suffer from this due to it being a serial medium. Technically reclaiming a large wasteland is the through-line, but the sub-conflicts of each book rarely tie into that conflict. The other problem is that this is one of those, “why is this an isekai?” stories. The character’s memories are wiped after reincarnation, so there isn’t any character implication for having come from modern day japan. There is some plot/worldbuilding justification for it, but the author could have easily written a similar plot without invoking reincarnation.
Overall I recommend if you’re looking for a fun, cheerful read with some action.
Only the Villainous Lord Wields the Power to Level Up: Vol 1 to 3: - A series I liked more than I thought I would. Based on the title, I thought it would be more of a generic power fantasy system/lit-rpg type story, but actually has some interesting kingdom building aspects. It is still a power fantasy, but I get the impression that the author has considered the relevant power levels. While the main character is OP, there are still legitimate threats to him in the world. One aspect I don’t like is that all characters have a “martial” stat that represents fighting, and a character with a higher martial stat will always beat a character with a lower one. I’d recommend Min-Maxing My TRPG Build in Another World for a story that still has RPG elements, but without the “my number is higher so therefore I win” aspect. I’ll probably continue to read for the politics and kingdom building aspects when I don’t have anything else I’d rather read.
The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows: Vol 1 - Another series in the “restarting my life after being expelled from my party/job” fantasy sub-genre. The protagonist’s earnest desire to help others without being naive made me like him. I plan on reading the next book in the series when it is translated. The harem romance in this book is really forced and unnecessary. That’s coming from someone who will admit to liking harems. Three characters in particular seem to be emotionally and professionally fulfilled, so throwing them at this random guy is unjustified by the character’s emotions. The guy himself seems to have no romantic desire/libido which further adds to the confusion of “why did the author add this to the story”. In story its justified by them being grateful for the healing he does, but gratitude and respect is not the same as romance.
I agree with Making Magic lacking a through line in the form of an overarching plot. I’ve come to think of it as completely separate stories with the little bit of overarching story as just the set dressing / part of the world building instead.
I’m in the mood for some kingdom building (maybe because I’m currently building my personal little kingdom here at the moment) and I’ll put Only the Villainous Lord on my plan to read list.
Finished Making Magic Vol 5 this week.
It is a good Wholesome / Cute story you can just turn your mind off and read.
How a realistic hero rebuilt the kingdom - Vol 01
I started it (70% read) but have dropped it for now as I can’t get into it. I really enjoyed the anime but just can’t get into it. I am not sure if it’s because I know what is happening or whether I am just not looking for a more serious read at the moment. I might try picking it up where the anime ends and see if I am more successful.
I’ve been killing slimes for 300 Years - Vol 01
I pick it up after failing to read Realistic hero as I read Making Magic - Vol 05 before it and thought the Wholesome book might be easier to read.
Anyone got any recommendations for good series?
My top 3 are Ascendance of a Bookworm, Tearmoon Empire (even though my hype is quickly dying off since the translator change) and Cooking With Wild Game.
Bookworm and Tearmoon are on my list to read.
I will have to look into Cooking with wild game.
I often compare Cooking With Wild Game to Bookworm. In both series the isekai MC has zero powers apart from their knowledge that they brought with them. And not knowledge in the sense of “I’ve seen a gun in TV and games and I am suddenly able to recreate them without a problem”. Just like Myne in Bookworm has to painfully R&D the creation of paper, the MC in Cooking With Wild Game has to try to recreate recipes with isekai resources.
Another similarity is how the series both start with low-stakes, small-scale problems but slowly build up to become bigger and involving the lives of more people. Both also at the very core stories about class divides.
Where they differ is who carries the series. In Bookworm it’s Myne the main character. She is clearly the MVP of the books. In Wild Game it’s the side characters around the MC that are carrying.
