I’m really curious about how Hinami’s skills will work. “God’s Garden” creating a safe zone is useful, but “Violet Light Rhapsody” — summoning a Light Spirit through singing — that’s unusual. It feels like it ties back to her piano and singing lessons from childhood, which is a nice personal touch. It’s not just a random skill, it’s connected to her past. But I’m worried about the lack of attack skills. She’s going to a world with monsters and she has zero offensive abilities? That seems like a recipe for trouble unless she can rely on the shield spirit completely. I wonder if she’ll learn magic later or if this is a purely defensive build. Also, her stats are super low even after the level reset. She’s going to struggle.
Jiang Wu's character is consistent. He's a practical guy. When he gets the system, he's excited but quickly focuses on the immediate problems. His priority is his sister. The scene where he tells her he hasn't given up on her is sweet. He's not a cold survivalist; he's a brother first. That's a good motivation for a protagonist. It means his decisions are based on protecting her, not just accumulating points. It gives the story heart. I hope she gets better, maybe with the General Medicine.
I have a genuine appreciation for main characters (MCs) who either experience rapid growth or start off as exceptionally strong. There’s something undeniably appealing about watching them tackle challenges head-on with their impressive abilities. However, I must admit that this approach can lead to a rather weak narrative structure. The lack of tension is palpable, as there's often little at stake when the protagonist is already a powerhouse. In such cases, the onus falls on the writing to elevate the story. Unfortunately, this particular novel doesn't quite meet that standard. While the narrative isn't poorly constructed, it suffers from an average or perhaps even slightly below-average level of writing. This shortcoming makes it difficult for the plot to truly engage the reader. An intricately woven narrative filled with depth and emotion is crucial when the stakes are low; otherwise, the story can feel flat and unremarkable. In conclusion, while I am drawn to the idea of strong characters, I find that the execution in this novel lacks the necessary finesse and depth to keep the tension alive and enthrall the reader. It’s a missed opportunity that leaves one wanting more from the story and its characters.
1 That detail of the blood on the sheets was a big reveal. It shows that Qi Yingzi is totally inexperienced despite her confident talk. She was putting on a brave face just as much as he was.
I wish we got a bit more of the sailors' reactions when they saw their partners turn into sheep. The scene sort of skipped over their terror. That would have been a great source of dark comedy or horror. Just having them be silent felt like a missed opportunity.
The group dynamics among the three families (Sun, Lin, Wang) are well-drawn. Each has different status and attitudes. The Wang family seems more neutral and kind, the Lin family is hypocritical, and the Sun family is outright cruel. It sets up potential alliances and conflicts for the journey ahead.