Perhaps I am being overly critical, but this is a "plot-driven" novel. The "notepad" power isn't literally a notepad; it serves whatever narrative purpose the story demands. Initially, it allowed him to recall the future through meticulous journal entries, and I could accept the futuristic energy source attached to it. However, by Chapter 21, the power has expanded to include recalling his entire past life, copying and pasting abilities like a magic microscope's vision, and even transferring mana hearts into bodies.
It's intriguing how our weak, sickly orphan, seemingly connected to numerous celebrity young masters who despise the protagonist, hasn't taken any action against him despite constant provocation, vandalism, and antagonism. In a decent story, I would usually trust the author to explain these anomalies later. But given the author's手法, the reliance on the plot notebook as a driving force, it leaves me skeptical and unable to suspend my disbelief.
The writing and translation are commendable, but there's one aspect that stands out as a concern. Let me introduce you to the main character (MC), who is emotionally vulnerable. He's incredibly eager to please, to the point where a small kindness from someone would have him at their feet. In his first reincarnation, he was a loyal servant to the Libra household, who资助了他的 orphanage. Unfortunately, he was exploited and ultimately betrayed, leading to his demise.
The story hints at his desire for self-reliance and revenge, but as I progress, I find myself skeptical about his ability to stand firm. He does show resilience against classmates, but when it comes to the main female lead (her name escapes me), he's overly compliant, believing he must be a knight in shining armor for her. However, she doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings or care much about him, treating him more like a charity case.
The secondary female lead (name forgotten) adds to the annoyance, as do most other characters in the book, who seemingly despise the MC unjustifiably. The only character I find likable is the old man in the basement, deserving of more attention. The MC's lack of emotional support leaves me concerned about his chances of achieving revenge and suggests he might crumble under the affection of the Libra household.
While I enjoy romance and harem stories, the current character dynamics suggest the MC would benefit from being more guarded and possibly dropping the harem tag. If the romantic interest were to shift towards the old man, that could create a more engaging dynamic (just kidding). That's my take on the matter.
This novel is authored by the same person who wrote "The Novel's Extra," and it's evident within the first few chapters, with similarities becoming even more pronounced throughout the story. Characters and plot elements closely mirror those in the earlier work. If you enjoyed "The Novel's Extra," you're likely to appreciate this one, but if not, you might not find it appealing.
On a personal note, I actually like both books, and I'd argue that this one is marginally superior thus far. However, there are some drawbacks. The initial chapters focus heavily on a cliché where everyone dislikes the protagonist unjustifiably, which can feel repetitive after a while. The sudden hostility between characters can be frustrating, especially when their dynamics become predictable.
Additionally, the author occasionally veers off course into unrelated and absurd subplots, such as a video game-inspired world or a time loop, which might confuse some readers. The power progression in the story lacks coherence, allowing the主角 to seemingly perform impossible feats due to their overwhelming strength. While this doesn't bother me much, others might find it problematic.
Despite these shortcomings, the engaging narrative and evolving character relationships make for an enjoyable read. The writing is generally good, and the translation is solid. Considering its overall quality compared to other works on the platform, I believe this novel deserves a 5-star rating despite its flaws.
Similar to numerous other Jee Gab Song's novels, the beginning is captivating, featuring a relatable protagonist who makes sensible decisions and an intriguing, innovative power system. However, what sets this particular novel apart from his other works like "The Novel's Extra" and "The Villain wants to Live" is its exceptional character development. The transformation of Jesco from a drug lord to his eventual redemption is particularly well-executed. The growth of characters like Beckman is also delightful.
Given that the story is still ongoing, one cannot help but hope that this novel avoids the common issue faced by Gab-Song's other titles, which often struggle with satisfying endings. Nevertheless, based on the promising start, I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
The novel tends to have an excessive amount of dramatic events per letter, constantly upping the stakes for the main character (MC). Anytime you feel they've made progress or escaped their previous life's fate, rest assured that the author will swiftly subvert your expectations with yet another disaster or unexpected plot twist, often happening as early as the next chapter or even within the same paragraph, bringing laughter through irony.
Oh you gotta be f*ck*ng kidding me. A whole month of waiting and we get what? 3 new chapters? No sir I've had better deals offered to me by Nigerian princes on the internet
Popular Reviews
It's intriguing how our weak, sickly orphan, seemingly connected to numerous celebrity young masters who despise the protagonist, hasn't taken any action against him despite constant provocation, vandalism, and antagonism. In a decent story, I would usually trust the author to explain these anomalies later. But given the author's手法, the reliance on the plot notebook as a driving force, it leaves me skeptical and unable to suspend my disbelief.
The story hints at his desire for self-reliance and revenge, but as I progress, I find myself skeptical about his ability to stand firm. He does show resilience against classmates, but when it comes to the main female lead (her name escapes me), he's overly compliant, believing he must be a knight in shining armor for her. However, she doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings or care much about him, treating him more like a charity case.
The secondary female lead (name forgotten) adds to the annoyance, as do most other characters in the book, who seemingly despise the MC unjustifiably. The only character I find likable is the old man in the basement, deserving of more attention. The MC's lack of emotional support leaves me concerned about his chances of achieving revenge and suggests he might crumble under the affection of the Libra household.
While I enjoy romance and harem stories, the current character dynamics suggest the MC would benefit from being more guarded and possibly dropping the harem tag. If the romantic interest were to shift towards the old man, that could create a more engaging dynamic (just kidding). That's my take on the matter.
On a personal note, I actually like both books, and I'd argue that this one is marginally superior thus far. However, there are some drawbacks. The initial chapters focus heavily on a cliché where everyone dislikes the protagonist unjustifiably, which can feel repetitive after a while. The sudden hostility between characters can be frustrating, especially when their dynamics become predictable.
Additionally, the author occasionally veers off course into unrelated and absurd subplots, such as a video game-inspired world or a time loop, which might confuse some readers. The power progression in the story lacks coherence, allowing the主角 to seemingly perform impossible feats due to their overwhelming strength. While this doesn't bother me much, others might find it problematic.
Despite these shortcomings, the engaging narrative and evolving character relationships make for an enjoyable read. The writing is generally good, and the translation is solid. Considering its overall quality compared to other works on the platform, I believe this novel deserves a 5-star rating despite its flaws.
Given that the story is still ongoing, one cannot help but hope that this novel avoids the common issue faced by Gab-Song's other titles, which often struggle with satisfying endings. Nevertheless, based on the promising start, I wholeheartedly recommend this book!