Short review: Greatly Greatly enjoyed the story, it tugged on my emotions while I binge read, overall enjoyable, only have one issue, it's solid enough it shouldn't be a "fanfic"

The story overall is something I am familiar with in that I have read a bunch of stories similar on SH, it's not original in idea, but it's very well done in execution of it. Did well on the world building of the "badies" that the MC is part of, and her (cause it's basically her once she gets into the game and stays in the game for 30 plus chapters, I'll use that as the pronoun for simplicity) self discovery of what she did wrong, her morality as a child that was eroded by toxic opinions in her environment and overcoming it slowly, at least right now, in a semi unhealthy fashion for well founded reasons of ignorance and worry.

I very much enjoyed binge reading the story. I don't think I can say that enough, not only for the development of the world setting, unlocking the mysteries the MC has locked up inside herself, the many many emotional elements being played in a pleasant symphony of drama, and (as of posting) the blooming fluffy pink romance that the MC is starting to have, her first one mind you, which made it all the more sweeter for me.

All these, and the fact the language and story "showing" is better the 60% to 70% that I have read on SH. The author even takes time to edit mistakes, since I found very very few of them, makes the experience very good for binge reading. But the author understanding it's a "web novel", longer chapters are good for readers, and it making it easier to dive into the story for a chapter then take a break for a moment and then dive back in know where you're at and the characters.

Okay, I'm singing praises, I'm really happy with reading this and enjoying the roll coaster ride the author has built, so why it this 4 stars? It's simply, the author was greatly inspired by an other author that posts so SH, if you don't know reading this story will help you figure out what author, they also are pretty amazing, HOWEVER, the author that inspired this fanfic has stated openly that she isn't going to canonized other fanfics for full control of her work (as she should especially since she wants to take her stuff to publishing down the line). Second, this author does an amazing job of world building with such a good foundation that it doesn't read as a fanfic. 

In my humble opinion as a reviewer, the author should take the time to edit the story turn it into an original work. An element of fanfics is using characters that inspired it and writing your "own" stories of "what ifs", this story isn't that. Since the author had wanted to make something good enough to be a canon piece of writing for the universe set she enjoys.

And cause she put in so much effort, and so much style, it's goes pass fanfic work easily and just needs a little extra to take it to original, and that, for me, is the big thing holding back a 5 star rating on SH.

I am looking forward and eager to know what happens next, and I hope to see where this ends, for it would be a crime of writing to leave it with a good ending, which the author has shown she has the chops to do. 

Author-san, I'm happy to have read and enjoyed so much of this novel, I hope your ink never dries and you have energy to write the rest of this. ?

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It feels like the story is so early, yet so much has happened. It's a good thing. 

This is a dark fiction, and deserves that title. The main character does some f**ked up stuff (surprise, you read the story summary), and slowly has to realize that and deal with it. 

All while juggling gender issues, questioning an ideology they've had their whole life, dealing with the pure existential dread of hopelessness. 

Balancing all of that with the good that can be found in people, in the world, in the self. 

This is a darker fiction that deals with heavy issues in a.. Way. The writing is good, the characters are really, really f**king good. Near everything makes sense and what doesn't is used to lead you by the nose into the next little mystery of the story. 

If you don't mind (or if you like) moral-gray terrority and the struggle to find yourself, read this story. Trust me. Even if the worst happens and the story goes on a permanent hiatus, what is here is worth your time. 

Be well, friends. 

-Rainnyth

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I've just finished binging this entire story thus far and I love it so truly much! Diane is absolutely amazing! Thank you for bringing this story to life <3

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