- #1
The chapters are short and the descriptions are often thin, but it's a surprisingly interesting read. There's mention of dragons and an ancient civilization relatively early that seems like a throw-away and neglected plot point, but it's actually important in ways that don't become clear until later. There's also more to the main character and his previous life than is immediately obvious, with the first sign of that showing up around chapter 81 (keeping in mind the chapters are short).The story does include some nasty criminal punishments, torture, and s*xual violence. The MC's relationships with women are questionable at best (but at least they are all consensual and non-violent). I think both of those elements will probably put off some readers. They're not one-off elements but recurring ones, so it's not something easily skipped. I think the story offers some plausible reasons for why the world is that way, but that doesn't make the descriptions any more pleasant to read.It's a strange novel about a strange world. It has many shortcomings, but so far i've found it interesting enough to keep reading.