Plot driven and lost the story. Too much deus ex machina.
I was absolutely in love with the power system, and in the previous two books, it was wonderfully balanced and quirky: a world with mages, where the MC has amazing stats but can’t cast spells. Sure, the MC is still OP, but that’s why we read this genre! An interesting world that has partial command economy that is somewhat state controlled, and lots of conscription. Interesting world building. All these were interesting enough and the first two books were consistent enough that I was actually looking forward to this release.
Unfortunately it was a bit of a let down. Characters are uncharacteristically naive or dumb at times to force scenarios and plot. The story gets forgotten, and kinda loses its identity, as narration or dialogue seems like an excuse to explain potential plot holes and why this must happen. All lot of “tell” instead of “show”. About three quarters into the book, I found myself disinterested and just completely disconnected from the story. Characters state one motive and then do another thing a few chapters later, because the plot demands it, so I’m not even sure what I’m reading anymore, as I’m led from point A to point B.
***Spoiler Alert***
I love that the author isn’t afraid to kill characters, but it’s starting to feel forced. The Dean and Shinpai’s goal is to give Larek time to grow, and ultimately for HIM to stop the breach… so they force him to become a production line of fusions for 6 months with no progress or growth??? I mean yes, gotta equip the SIC, but putting in no effort for his growth?
They’re running away, and trying to keep his identity as a fusionist hidden, so they freely flaunt the extra-ordinary fusions, explain each and every fusion that is on it, say that they were gifted it by the super fusionist, and then go ahead and make fusions in the inn, because “the innkeeper won’t reveal where she got them”, even though anybody with magic detection already know how unique it is just by passing by. Not to mention just handing it out so freely… I get Larek not appreciating the value, and they got two 11 year olds but they got martial and a noble with them, and none of them through a week of running away, talking and strategizing had done any thinking?? He even talked about how it’d be suspicious for him and the 11 year olds, but the older ones should be fine, so just wait outside of town and have Bart and Kimble go shopping or something. I mean somebody literally killed and destroyed your academy trying to find you and you’re running for your life but everyone is so nonchalant about everything. What happened to his “bodyguards” preaching precaution in the first few chapters, that won’t let regular curious students near him because they could be a threat? Or that lesson he learned when Viv poisoned him, to not let his guard down?
Not to mention that the building collapsed when he escaped, so they could be presumed dead, or even if the enemy knew he was alive, if him or his fusions get spotted in that town.. that just confirmed the direction he’s headed…
Everyone that helped Larek is dead, he’s now been through so many Scissions, he’s been treated like crap his entire life by hyumans, and falsely accused so many times, and realized that the Dean and Shinpai had (even if it’s for his benefit/forcing him towards their goal of closing the breach) manipulated and deceived him, but he still remains positive and naive enough to fully equip the SIC members that were going to rob him… sure he could potentially sabotage the weapons when he wanted, but everyone on his team went along with that??
Sure enough that was to equip the SIC members in the next fight against monsters that suddenly appeared right where they are because that was the plot. Then a Great-One shows up and he agrees to go with her, so you already know he’s going to get away, and all his “friends” have their memories wiped so you already know the plot is gonna reset the board and send him on a new adventure alone. So 3 books later, you’re getting the same character from page 1 of book 1 because “he is too stubborn to change” which means no character growth, with no friends, no mentors, but with a new stat sheet in a new land..
I think the best way to describe it, is that there is character growth, there is only stat progression. In fact, they have been reduced from characters to caricatures, with little to no flavor or influence on the story. She’s a Druid and cares for Larek so she says this, but doesn’t really influence the plot. Pen is gay so she slaps Viv’s ass and kisses her. Viv reveals her parents used to run an inn so she speaks to the innkeeper in the next page, and that’s it. Kimble is a pyromancer so he shoots fireballs, fire spears and a wall of fire. They are just stand-ins with no influence on the story, as the plot drags them from one event to the next.