- #1
I'm kinda mixed on this novel, honestly. Though I'd absolutely recommend giving it a read, because the first arc (~100 chaps) is absolute f*cking GOLD. The character development and characterization was pretty much on point, sticking to the spirit of the original characters while exploring a 4th Grail War that played out entirely differently than any of the others. When talking about the first arc alone, I'd say it might make it into my top 10 all time favorites.Sadly, after that, it deteriorates slightly. Don't get me wrong, it's still a very well written book, and very enjoyable. But while the first arc is fast paced, with inspired writing that grabs you and pulls you into the story, reading for hours while it feels like only minutes have passed, after that it just kind of... Tapers off. Still a good fic, but without the same gripping immersion and vivid emotions of the first arc.Ironically, it almost feels to me like the first arc ruined the rest of the book. If a book improves from mediocre to good as you read it, that leaves you at least somewhat satisfied. If a book deteriorates from borderline masterpiece to very good, that leaves you with a sense of disappointment, even though it's better than the first example.I won't dive too deeply into what I like about the book, because there's a LOT there and would have to contain heavy spoilers, but I will say that the first arc is a must-read for ANY Type-Moon fan, and at that point you can either stop or continue as you wish.
