Torn from his life by gods capricious and cruel, he is thrust into their Divine games in a strange new world. His name stolen, he resolves to call himself after the first and greatest of all heroes—Gilgamesh. However, corrupted by his new powers, he slowly walks the path of darkness and damnation as he kills for pleasure and power. The more he kills, the more willing he becomes to continue the slaughter as he brings the evils of his old world to the new.
For his dark destiny, long foretold, leads down a path of darkness and horror.
Such is the fate of the Watcher of Deep Places.
[An Epic LITRPG with an unrepentantly evil MC]
**Very slow-burn with genociding, godslaying payoff**
[Warning: An unpleasant and very flawed MC who slowly gets worse. He is NOT a hero.]
Do not expect;
*A main character who does not need to struggle for anything.
*A meaningless leveling process.
*No bags of holding, instant inventory, telepathic party chat, instant fast travel, and a helpful system (or a fairy guide that explains everything).
*LitRPG elements that are so complicated that they distract from the story.
*Artificial mercy.
*On-the-nose political or social messaging.
*Harems.
*A main character who can do everything and is loved by everyone.
Expect;
*An introduction to a beautiful world steeped in the influence of the steppe, middle-eastern, and Asian cultures.
*A hopefully subtle discourse on the nature of evil and the corrupting influence of power.
*A realistic depiction of how a person would react to suddenly being transported to an alien world to fight at the behest of the gods.
*A magic system with a very real and dangerous cost.
n.b The MC is slowly going cuckoo. He is a bit all over the place and is definitely one tomato short of a salad. This is what happens when magic and the divine mess with you [at least in my mind!] This is a feature, not a bug. Enjoy the story.
This story bills itself as a Litrpg and an isekai but that's actually quite deceptive. Yes, the story does contain Litrpg and Isekai elements, but it has very little in common with most examples of the genre. If you're going into this expecting something similar to what you see in anime, you're going to be really disappointed.
This story is closer in tone to the old western sword and sorcery novels, like the Savage Sword of Conan. The Isekai and Litrpg stuff is simply tacked on to that structure. And if you're into that kind of stuff, this story is absolutely great. It nails the gnarly tone associated with those kinds of adventures, a protag that is streetwise and unpleasant and the story doesn't hesitate to throw real danger at the protag and his party members. Party members have minds of their own and will even abandon the protag if his quest gets in the way of their own objectives. Plus! The protag has enough graciousness to accept that abandonment with a degree of politeness.
So don't go into this thinking about JP Isekai. Think Conan, Kull the Conqueror, Warlord. And I get sword and sorcery isn't the most popular genre in light novels. But you should give this novel a try.
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I'd like to start by saying that this story and this work feels very familiar to me. The Cataclysm epigraph feels Tolkienesque to me. The fact that there are epigraphs was a plus for my preferred style. And the fast that the author provided some free audiobook content was totally awesome. Now onto the review...
Style:
"Gilgamesh" immerses readers in a rich dark fantasy LitRPG (how's that for a tongue twister- but it works). The writing style sucks you in with its descriptive prose. I felt like a got a pretty accurate view MC's gritty surroundings. It doesn't always happen, but the integration of game elements actually ADDS to the reading experience.
Story:
The world is threatened by a cataclysmic force. The MC navigates the blurred line between dreams and reality. The plot is layered with twists and turns making me excited for what comes next. The dark undertones and moral ambiguity of the MC really make this if not unique, pretty darn close.
Grammar:
The grammar is commendable, especially with a web-serial. Occasional minor errors do not detract from the overall quality of the writing.
Character:
The MC of "Gilgamesh" is a complex character. The internal struggles adds a little something to his persona. The supporting characters, hint at rich personalities. The interactions between characters are believable, which makes me believe that these characters were part of the "plan" of the story from the beginning.
As I've said, this is a fun story. I really do look forward to reading more and exploring the dangerous world of Gilgamesh.
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Came here from RR;
What an exhilarating ride! Just finished Book 1 of "Cheaper 27, " and I'm buzzing with excitement. LitRPG stories always bring that sense of progress, and "Grieving Lands" executes it brilliantly.
For me, the real strength lies in the vivid world-building. The descriptions are so rich and colorful that I could easily picture every scene in my mind, immersing myself completely in this vibrant world.
While the plot might follow a familiar path for the genre, it works seamlessly here. It didn't necessarily stand out to me at first, but I found myself fully engaged nonetheless. I'm eager to see how it unfolds further down the line—there's potential for some intriguing developments.
As for the characters, they mostly fit the typical mold, though the main character stands out with a personality that grows more pronounced as the story progresses. I enjoyed what I saw of their development, yet I crave deeper interactions and further character growth. I have a feeling the author is setting the stage for some exciting developments ahead.
Not a single issue with grammar or spelling, which ensured a smooth and enjoyable read from start to finish.
In short, if you're looking for an exciting tale of survival, progress, and thriving in a captivating fantasy realm, look no further. "Grieving Lands" delivers an immersive experience that will leave you hungry for more adventures in this dynamic world. Highly recommended!
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Let me preface this review by admitting I'm not accustomed to critiquing, but I'll do my best to avoid spoilers.
Firstly, this story is an absolute page-turner that gripped me from the get-go and refused to let me go!
The author's style is sharp, intelligent, and meticulously crafted. They clearly possess a keen intellect, yet the author doesn't overwhelm you with a plethora of obscure words or indulge in self-congratulatory prose. The chapters strike a balance—engaging without being overly verbose, and straightforward without being simplistic.
The narrative itself is incredibly detailed. Right from the first page, the world-building is breathtaking. Every aspect, from the choice of the protagonist's initial base to the intricate landscapes, is vividly realized.
Grammar-wise, this story is flawless.
Now, onto the characters. The main character is analytical and sharp-witted, bringing modern knowledge into a fantastical realm and exploring its potential with enthusiasm. They're not afraid to get their hands dirty, or even to devour freshly slain beasts raw. The supporting cast is equally diverse and believable: there are antagonists (can't escape them, huh?), genuinely good souls who I hope stick around, and a few enigmatic figures I'm reserving judgment on until their roles become clearer.
In summary, I'm thrilled to have discovered this story and believe you will be too.
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