I’ve read many isekai stories and this one has a promising start because of the strong personal motivation. The sister is not forgotten in the rush. I like that the God didn’t send her to a world completely alien—she can communicate, there are humans, and the world resembles a game Hana liked. That detail connects her past with her future. The fact that she says “if it was a world Hana liked, then I would do my best to live there” shows she’s carrying Hana’s spirit with her. That’s sweet. I also like the “exchange diary” as a way to maintain that emotional line. I can imagine her writing about her days and thinking about Hana. That could be very touching. I really hope the author uses that tool well. If it becomes just a gameplay mechanic, I’ll be disappointed.
The mystery of who pushed her is a good slow burn. It's mentioned but not resolved, so it's hanging over the plot. I hope it ties into the bigger villain family scheme. It feels like the first domino that will break their father's indifference.
The worldbuilding around the Secret Realms is really clever. It’s basically a glorified gacha game for the government, sending in cannon fodder to grind levels in parallel universes. The whole 'Secret Mark Warrior' class system and the '60% survival rate is good' mentality paints a pretty grim picture of Mist Star society. It’s dystopian in a very casual, 'we're used to this' way that I really enjoy.
Pacing is uneven. The first part is super fast: time travel, grassland, cave, monsters, portal, village, ruins, all in a few pages. Then the survival section (storm, cold, hut) slows down nicely. The temple section picks up speed again. The copper smelting part is detailed and slow. Overall, it's a rollercoaster of rhythm. I preferred the slower sections because they allowed for more atmosphere and emotion.
The character of “Suspiciousness Ing” is a perfect representation of internet trolls. They jump into a conversation without context, assume the worst, and start attacking. The way Jiang Nan just sits there awkwardly, not sure how to defend herself, is so relatable. And then “Doll Doesn’t Slack” coming back to shut her down was so satisfying. It felt like justice, but also a reminder that there are good people online who will stand up for small creators.
The fight against the black dog is also a great action set piece. It's short, punchy, and shows exactly what Shen Zhiyin is capable of without overstaying its welcome. She uses a small wooden sword to poke the dog's eyes and then kicks it—two moves, done. And even though she's a child, you completely believe she's a master. The police watching the security footage and being stunned is a nice touch. It validates her skills without making it unbelievable.
This novel has certainly impressed me in many ways. The characters are portrayed with intelligence and depth, and the overall writing is quite sophisticated. However, I found myself struggling to remain engaged as I proceeded past the 40th chapter. At that point, it felt as though the story could have either concluded or experienced a significant turning point, but instead, it continued to meander on. The fundamental issue lies in the predictability of the plot. It became increasingly obvious that the protagonists would ultimately triumph; it was merely a question of time. The anticipation of yet another host being defeated began to feel stale, and the excitement that once existed was wearing thin. It’s rather disheartening when a story with such promise reaches a plateau; what was initially thrilling has now devolved into a routine cycle of events without any real surprises. Despite these critiques, I must acknowledge that the novel still retained a certain degree of appeal. The energy and momentum of the storyline didn't wane entirely; it just no longer felt worth the prolonged investment. Perhaps it's simply a matter of my current mood, as I'm feeling a bit mentally fatigued, and I would prefer a fresh narrative pace to invigorate my reading experience. All in all, while this book certainly has its merits, I find myself yearning for a more dynamic and unpredictable storyline.