Im on vol 11 as im writing this review so my opinion is based on what I've read uptill now.

... i don't even know where to begin with this. This novel is something special for me so the review might be biased... and as to why it's special, is simply because it grew on me. You know a story is good when it changes you and your thinking along the way. My taste in novels has been remolded after this experience and i wish it could have happened sooner.

Not your run of the mill isekai or high fantasy novel no no this one is on a whole different level. The story is .. captivating, the caracters are more deep than I've ever read or seen, the settings and theme :thrilling and profound. Every book or story has that one aspect of it that makes it the way it is, in this book it's the characters. Their depth, their growth and their thinking is transparent yet shrouded a little, making you connect with them feel for them as much as you would for real people. It may seem exaggerated but in my honest opinion I've never felt more connected or understanding towards a character and it's thinking. In all of novels the mc isn't as connected as here you never know their true intentions or morals in some situations but here you and mc walk side by side knowing each other well and good like as if he's a part of you.

I won't talk about how good or bad the plot is or how the action and fighting is because you can find them almost in all top novels. What i will clarify is the special trait of this novel that goes sometimes unnoticed is it's realistic approach to certain things. Not op mc but extremely rational mc that makes you feel as if you couldn't have thought any other way if you were in his place. Not daring ofc but realistically would any of us be? The party system heavily emphasises that no such thing as one puch man exists in this novel, the nitty and gritty reality of being a weak party and a weak mc are shown throughout the pacing.... but above that is shown how they rise, how they grow and change overcome their weaknesses and thus this novel is something like an adventure in itself. You learn and grow with the characters, you laugh and cry with them and feel the pain and thoughts they do.
But credit is due where it should be, the action, strategy and thrill is top notch here. Romance is not forced at all and do i freakin love that. Its literally like a normal teenager battling for his life in the middle of unknown territory riddled with orcs, elves and other high fanatasy beasts/races. You don't know how others feel for you or how you actually feel for them, romance is slow but well paced and realistic. Priorities are well shown and sometimes mc can show his awesome and op side.
This novel is a master piece no doubt, the world building is awe inducing and will make you actually feel like you are an adventurer on uncharted lands. The prejudice and the stereotypes are well encountered with in a way that will absolutely satisfy you. Like Not all orcs are orcish some might be more gentle than a human can be with more wisdom than an old demon can hold. Twists and turns will keep you on the edge of the seat.
Last not the least the writing and translation are top notch. Makes you wonder if you're actually reading something like lord of the rings or the faraway paladin(another LN with superb writing)
Overall i dragged this out quite a bit, but if you give this novel a try please hold on untill you read past vol 4 because that's where the fun actually starts.
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I rate this 10 because like the mc i also grew up little by little.