What I like:
It's so far one of the best novels I have ever read. It's very rare for me to get past a hundred chapters but in TCF I'm already at part 2. I love the world-building even though it was a bit slow at first, but once you reach around 200 chapters, there are nonstop wars and politics (just as I like). The genre itself is Isekai, with your typical monsters, dragons, royalties, etc. Is generic but the way the author writes the plot is what blows my mind. So far, I haven't found a single plot hole yet and we are still at part 2. There is also no romance (as someone who is not a fan of romance like me, this novel is heaven). The women here are strong and not some damsel in distress that needs saving (FYI the MC is physically weaker than the women) and every character also has their own personality and doesn't feel like NPC or fodder. They have their own stories and stand out on their own.
My opinions on my favorite characters: I love Cale and Alberu so much. They are both strong and smart, which is my type of MC. I love how they scheme while casually drinking wine in the middle of the night. Cage and Hannah are my favorite strong women, their personalities are quite unique and suit my taste. I love Archie too, who is probably one of the characters who get a lot of development throughout the story.
Now, aside from all the positive things I've said, this novel isn't perfect per se. The only reason I rate this 5 stars is that I truly enjoyed reading this and isn't planning on stopping anytime soon. If I am someone rating this purely on plot, characters, and everything else without personal feelings involved, I'd say this is a 4-star novel.
What I don't like:
BTW, this came from someone who has been following and rereading this novel since 2020 so don't dare say anything like I didn't read enough, only here for the action, or something like that. This is my observation for the past years.
- The misunderstanding is becoming repetitive, some memes too, and the character developments, especially Cale (MC), are quite small. Even though I'm already at part 2, Cale is still struggling to open himself to his loved ones. There's progress but it's small.
- There are way too many characters and some of them don't even have personalities anymore. I feel like their personalities are just recycled from the other characters. It was fun at first, but I wasn't amused the next time it happened.
- I know why Cale always brings Raon (the black dragon) with him but I wish the other two children would also have more roles, even if not in fighting. They are mentioned sometimes, being in Cale's room playing, rubbing their heads on Cale, meowing, and so on but not enough screen time.
- I also wish Cale would participate more in politics to get more reactions from the extras (nobles and commoners) but he is always on the front lines so we only know what happens through Alberu. I badly want other's POV on Cale and his achievements.
Personal feelings about part 2 of the novel:
Be careful clicking, there are major spoilers here.
Spoiler
To be honest, I didn't like part 2 that much. I don't like how we kept changing settings, world-building again, new characters, new plots, and world problem-solving. It's kinda overwhelming me. Especially these creepy *ss new characters who want Cale to leave his world and live in theirs without thinking he has a home and family to return to. I hate how Cale barely spends his day with everyone anymore because he is too busy.
Furthermore, the dead should just stay dead. As much as I like the dead characters, them coming back to life and getting a second chance is just not doing it for me. I cried a lot for the angst, about Kim Rok Soo's past, and all that emotion felt wasted, to be honest. Anyway, this is just my feelings so it's only natural you guys won't understand.
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