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Overlord #14
Overlord, Vol. 14: The Witch of the Doomed Kingdom
A caravan flying the flag of the Nation of Darkness has been attacked by a noble who hails from the Re-Estize Kingdom. Coincidence...or conspiracy? Either way, Nazarick interprets this as an act of brazen hostility and readies for war! The people of the kingdom, still reeling from the disastrous battle at Katze Plain, reluctantly prepare themselves for another bloody day. When a ruthless campaign of extermination begins sweeping through the entire country, and near-certain doom looms over them all, every single living being within the kingdom’s borders must decide for themselves how to weather the storm that is Ainz Ooal Gown!
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First published March 12, 2020
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About the author
Kugane Maruyama
120 books359 followersMARUYAMA Kugane
Name (in native language): 丸山くがね
Name (in native language): 丸山くがね
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 24, 2022
I do not know if the author of Overlord, Kugame Maruyama, is an idiot or he believes that his readers are idiots. The plot arcs of Volume 14 are idiotic. The Re-Estize Kingom falls by itself from lack of grains, lack of young men (thanks to the massacre of 200 thousand male soldiers by Ainz) and the lack of leadership, lack of heroes and lack of initiative.
The actions of the main characters are irrational. Ainz and his retinue punish, masacre, torture people and kingdoms that have done nothing to them Roble Holy Kingdom Re-Estize Kingdom, while at the same time prize, foster and protect the Slane Theocracy and Baharuth Empire. They sponsor the Re-Estize noble that robbed the humanitary crops that were sent to the Roble Holy Kingdom, and Ainz and his Floor Guards did nothing to the emperor, the adventurers from the Slane Theocracy that mind controlled Shaltear. There is no fairness, justice or moral compass by Ainz or his Nazarick henchmen. They are all psychopaths and the author is responsible for this dystopia, terror, torture and gore.
This by a huge margin is the worst volume so far. Holding grains in a foreign territory, moving grains in a foreign territory, helping the Roble Holy Kingdom, financing an idiot noble in the Re-Estize Kingdom, controlling the eight fingers criminal organization, is sheer stupidity. The more food Nazrick gives foreigners for free and in aid, the more Nazrick enemies get stronger and their world domination is delayed.
The author spends pages and pages of unneeded information that does not improve or move forward the main plot arcs and secondary plot arcs. Having an idiot as king, and having his main retinue as arrogant fools, the level of this light novel has hit incredible lows. Not that it was ideal before.
The actions of the main characters are irrational. Ainz and his retinue punish, masacre, torture people and kingdoms that have done nothing to them Roble Holy Kingdom Re-Estize Kingdom, while at the same time prize, foster and protect the Slane Theocracy and Baharuth Empire. They sponsor the Re-Estize noble that robbed the humanitary crops that were sent to the Roble Holy Kingdom, and Ainz and his Floor Guards did nothing to the emperor, the adventurers from the Slane Theocracy that mind controlled Shaltear. There is no fairness, justice or moral compass by Ainz or his Nazarick henchmen. They are all psychopaths and the author is responsible for this dystopia, terror, torture and gore.
This by a huge margin is the worst volume so far. Holding grains in a foreign territory, moving grains in a foreign territory, helping the Roble Holy Kingdom, financing an idiot noble in the Re-Estize Kingdom, controlling the eight fingers criminal organization, is sheer stupidity. The more food Nazrick gives foreigners for free and in aid, the more Nazrick enemies get stronger and their world domination is delayed.
The author spends pages and pages of unneeded information that does not improve or move forward the main plot arcs and secondary plot arcs. Having an idiot as king, and having his main retinue as arrogant fools, the level of this light novel has hit incredible lows. Not that it was ideal before.
October 2, 2020
This volume follows the fall of the Re-Estize Kingdom, which has been in a state of unrest and political disorder, after the Sorcerer Kingdom sends a declaration of war. It's so over the top, that it's both insane and brilliant at the same time. The battles, the scheming, the politics, everything is so nicely done with just the right amount of gnarly. We finally get a glimpse at some stronger oponens and other playeeeers.
April 8, 2022
This was actually better than the last few volumes.
Finally we see kinda challenging opponents. But even then Ainz is really being ultra careful. Most op protagonists can afford to live without taking so many precautions.
He is the embodiment of the quote
“A lioness will use all of her strength even when hunting a rabbit.”
I'm really looking forward to the next volume which should be released in a few months.
The millions of human deaths in this novel kinda put into perspective how ainz sees the world. How much more important his guild is. How his emotions have truly been severed.
They should have killed coco, let him die in the battle. The baptism was too cruel.
I expected more from Renner. But it seems like no one manages to see through Ainz.
Finally we see kinda challenging opponents. But even then Ainz is really being ultra careful. Most op protagonists can afford to live without taking so many precautions.
He is the embodiment of the quote
“A lioness will use all of her strength even when hunting a rabbit.”
I'm really looking forward to the next volume which should be released in a few months.
The millions of human deaths in this novel kinda put into perspective how ainz sees the world. How much more important his guild is. How his emotions have truly been severed.
They should have killed coco, let him die in the battle. The baptism was too cruel.
I expected more from Renner. But it seems like no one manages to see through Ainz.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2020
Terrifying. That's how I'd describe it in one word.
While I've enjoyed reading the machinations of the Sorcerous kingdom previously, this story takes on an entirely new scale in a way not seen before. I even felt anxiety despite knowing what was inevitable.
And what a contrast in comparison to the previous volume and the way Ainz was presented as the hero they needed.
I'm really looking forward to the next instalment, though it may be a long long while away.
While I've enjoyed reading the machinations of the Sorcerous kingdom previously, this story takes on an entirely new scale in a way not seen before. I even felt anxiety despite knowing what was inevitable.
And what a contrast in comparison to the previous volume and the way Ainz was presented as the hero they needed.
I'm really looking forward to the next instalment, though it may be a long long while away.
December 9, 2021
I still liked it, but compared to previous books it felt very flat. It was rushed and unsatisfactory.
There were many things that happened without knowledge of the reader. And only after it was done we were told what actually happened. It didn't sit well with me.
Literally, a whole army was killed off-screen. Why? That scene could be amazing. There was only one cool fight/duel that happened in the entire book.
There were many things that happened without knowledge of the reader. And only after it was done we were told what actually happened. It didn't sit well with me.
Literally, a whole army was killed off-screen. Why? That scene could be amazing. There was only one cool fight/duel that happened in the entire book.
March 6, 2022
Amazing ending can’t wait for the elves. Funny seeing Platinum Dragon Lord and his ideals of keeping world peace. Ainz solos without any help from the guardians mid/low diff
Still can’t believe that neai became the technical queen of the sacred kingdom. They’re basically a vassal state at this point
Still can’t believe that neai became the technical queen of the sacred kingdom. They’re basically a vassal state at this point
September 9, 2024
I'm overall feeling pretty mixed on this volume of "Overlord".
This was my favorite arc from the fourth season of the anime, but that was largely just do to the fact that it was the only arc that interested me in that season. And to be completely honest, it isn't even all that interesting.
The pacing is, surprisingly, way too quick. The novel focuses far too much on the random slaughter of the kingdom that it gives almost no time for any actual character development towards the characters I care about. It *does* bring in some new faces and develops them to an extent, but they all either feel like one-off side characters or foreshadowing for future arcs and volumes. The only main characters that I've come to care about who develop interestingly are Princess Renner and Climb; and in all honesty, I think they're developments could have been done significantly more effectively.
Compared to the previous volume, this one just feels lacking. It felt like Maruyama wanted to write two volumes like he did for the previous one, but couldn't or wasn't able to. And instead, he just crammed two volumes worth of events into one volume, making everything feel rushed and less important than it should.
But if there's one thing I do like a lot about this volume, it's how it highlights the baffling decisions of the anime adaptation. Choosing to skip the Sacred Kingdom arc in season four and giving it it's own movie might have been the best decision for that arc, but it absolutely destroys this one. Without the context of Ainz trying to prove to the world that he can be both a benevolent ruler and a terrifying one by comparing and contrasting his treatment of the two kingdoms, Ainz just looks like a weird psyhcopathic asshole in the anime. Being able to see how the Sacred Kingdom was treating, and hearing people bring it up a lot, helped make this act of atrocity feel more tactical than stupid. It's the main reason why I'd argue this novel is superior to it's adaptation. But not by much.
Overall, this volume was okay, but it left a lot to be desired. But man, it's really weird to think that this series is almost over. There's only going to be four volumes after this, and I have no idea how Maruyama plans on making a satisfying ending to this. Because honestly, at this point in time, I can't really see there being one in only four volumes.
This was my favorite arc from the fourth season of the anime, but that was largely just do to the fact that it was the only arc that interested me in that season. And to be completely honest, it isn't even all that interesting.
The pacing is, surprisingly, way too quick. The novel focuses far too much on the random slaughter of the kingdom that it gives almost no time for any actual character development towards the characters I care about. It *does* bring in some new faces and develops them to an extent, but they all either feel like one-off side characters or foreshadowing for future arcs and volumes. The only main characters that I've come to care about who develop interestingly are Princess Renner and Climb; and in all honesty, I think they're developments could have been done significantly more effectively.
Compared to the previous volume, this one just feels lacking. It felt like Maruyama wanted to write two volumes like he did for the previous one, but couldn't or wasn't able to. And instead, he just crammed two volumes worth of events into one volume, making everything feel rushed and less important than it should.
But if there's one thing I do like a lot about this volume, it's how it highlights the baffling decisions of the anime adaptation. Choosing to skip the Sacred Kingdom arc in season four and giving it it's own movie might have been the best decision for that arc, but it absolutely destroys this one. Without the context of Ainz trying to prove to the world that he can be both a benevolent ruler and a terrifying one by comparing and contrasting his treatment of the two kingdoms, Ainz just looks like a weird psyhcopathic asshole in the anime. Being able to see how the Sacred Kingdom was treating, and hearing people bring it up a lot, helped make this act of atrocity feel more tactical than stupid. It's the main reason why I'd argue this novel is superior to it's adaptation. But not by much.
Overall, this volume was okay, but it left a lot to be desired. But man, it's really weird to think that this series is almost over. There's only going to be four volumes after this, and I have no idea how Maruyama plans on making a satisfying ending to this. Because honestly, at this point in time, I can't really see there being one in only four volumes.
August 17, 2022
Probably the best book of the series, but the one a subset of fans will hate.
In antihero stories, there is generally a turning point where the audience is challenged about who they are rooting for. Tony kills Christopher, Walter cowardly flees his family, Tyrion rapes a sex worker, Ophelia is driven to suicide. The justifications are removed and the flawed subject is presented unflinchingly to the reader.
It's a high risk-high reward choice for the author. Doubly so for a light novel audience unfamiliar with the trope. But the payoff is great. Aniz, who by a series of whims is on the path to conquer the world and build a utopia, bumbles into genocide. Stupidity is compounded by the incompetence of a salary man who expressly knows he is over his head, and he justifies war crimes as the stick to accompany his earlier carrot approach. Submit or die.
As is clear in the next, the victims of this war of aggression never have a chance. They constantly seek to simply surrender and survive, only to be firmly rebuffed. Quislings are given their scraps, well informed that their survival depends on their value to their masters. Not for nothing did aniz's child npc resemble a nazi soldier. This was always the plan.
The author takes a quiet approach, never explicitly showing her intentions. But I don't think it is an accident that aniz's primarily goal, to protect his children and his home from outside threats, suffers a setback. The first credible threats finally take direct action against the world conquerors and the only question that really remains is this a Japanese empire sowing Hiroshima or a US Empire bombing Afghanistan families story?
History may indeed be written by the victors but they cannot completely obscure the truth of their crimes. Alexander was a butcher. The British empire were drug dealers. The Romans parasitical slavers done in by their laziness, which made them weak. No amount of grand statutes can obscure that the sorcerer kingdom is a kingdom of monsters.
In antihero stories, there is generally a turning point where the audience is challenged about who they are rooting for. Tony kills Christopher, Walter cowardly flees his family, Tyrion rapes a sex worker, Ophelia is driven to suicide. The justifications are removed and the flawed subject is presented unflinchingly to the reader.
It's a high risk-high reward choice for the author. Doubly so for a light novel audience unfamiliar with the trope. But the payoff is great. Aniz, who by a series of whims is on the path to conquer the world and build a utopia, bumbles into genocide. Stupidity is compounded by the incompetence of a salary man who expressly knows he is over his head, and he justifies war crimes as the stick to accompany his earlier carrot approach. Submit or die.
As is clear in the next, the victims of this war of aggression never have a chance. They constantly seek to simply surrender and survive, only to be firmly rebuffed. Quislings are given their scraps, well informed that their survival depends on their value to their masters. Not for nothing did aniz's child npc resemble a nazi soldier. This was always the plan.
The author takes a quiet approach, never explicitly showing her intentions. But I don't think it is an accident that aniz's primarily goal, to protect his children and his home from outside threats, suffers a setback. The first credible threats finally take direct action against the world conquerors and the only question that really remains is this a Japanese empire sowing Hiroshima or a US Empire bombing Afghanistan families story?
History may indeed be written by the victors but they cannot completely obscure the truth of their crimes. Alexander was a butcher. The British empire were drug dealers. The Romans parasitical slavers done in by their laziness, which made them weak. No amount of grand statutes can obscure that the sorcerer kingdom is a kingdom of monsters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2025
To be quite honest, this is the most disappointing novel in this series so far.
If nothing else, it just goes far too fast.
The war kicks off with the foolish actions of Philip, But we hear absolutely nothing from him again until his execution at the end of the novel. I didn’t like Philip, so I can’t say I enjoyed his POV (he was made to be unlikable, so that at least was accomplished well), but we should have gotten more from him in the interim.
I feel like a perspective from Raeven or the other nobles who betrayed the kingdom would have greatly added to this book. It feels rather barebones, like there are multiple scenes missing that would flesh it out better. I do understand this is the longest novel in the series as of yet, so I think it would have benefited from being a two parter.
This is not to say I hated this book, it was still an enjoyable read. I rather like the humor of this series, with the dichotomy of how all the characters think. An example, Albedo and Demiurge are so proud that they’ve found a genius girl like themselves in Renner, but Ainz is kind of unnerved by the thought of her and calls her a psycho.
Another thing I liked was the character of Zanac. He truly shines in this volume and it’s unfortunate that we’ll not see more of him. His conversation with Ainz is well done.
To sum it up: an entertaining book with a lot of flaws. Would give 3 and 1/2 stars if able.
If nothing else, it just goes far too fast.
The war kicks off with the foolish actions of Philip, But we hear absolutely nothing from him again until his execution at the end of the novel. I didn’t like Philip, so I can’t say I enjoyed his POV (he was made to be unlikable, so that at least was accomplished well), but we should have gotten more from him in the interim.
I feel like a perspective from Raeven or the other nobles who betrayed the kingdom would have greatly added to this book. It feels rather barebones, like there are multiple scenes missing that would flesh it out better. I do understand this is the longest novel in the series as of yet, so I think it would have benefited from being a two parter.
This is not to say I hated this book, it was still an enjoyable read. I rather like the humor of this series, with the dichotomy of how all the characters think. An example, Albedo and Demiurge are so proud that they’ve found a genius girl like themselves in Renner, but Ainz is kind of unnerved by the thought of her and calls her a psycho.
Another thing I liked was the character of Zanac. He truly shines in this volume and it’s unfortunate that we’ll not see more of him. His conversation with Ainz is well done.
To sum it up: an entertaining book with a lot of flaws. Would give 3 and 1/2 stars if able.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2020
Acredito que o autor chegou ao limite com a construção da historia e que está na hora de começar a fechar as tramas que ele criou para assim caminhar pra reta final e foi isso que ele começou a fazer nesse volume. O problema é que algumas coisas pareceram bastante apressadas, sendo a justificativa para isso o fato de só ter mais 3 volumes pra finalizar a historia e infelizmente muitos pontos ficaram muito apressadas e sem sentido oque acabou sendo decepcionante e arrastado durante o volume. Mas o meu alivio por ele decidir acabar a historia na hora certa compensou pela inutilidade de algumas tramas.
June 6, 2024
Con esto decido tomarme un break de overlord, por lo menos, de 2 semanas, ya leí desaforadamente los otros 13 y no es que me haya asqueado sino que pierde impacto, siento que este libro si bien tiene muchas cosas grandes que pasan no me llaman tanto, el mundo cambia su status quo, pero sinceramente me sigue pareciendo más interesante como otros personajes no OP se adaptarian a ello, y simplemente en este tomo no pasa, no parece haber un fin cerca tampoco, y sin embargo escuche que en 3 tomos terminaba, entonces, como haran?
Bien ahí q muestran hechizos que fallan como en dnd
Bien ahí q muestran hechizos que fallan como en dnd
August 6, 2022
from a fan
I kinda rushed through this volume because it is definitely going to be in the anime this season(4), so I definitely had to get the real story before they chop it up for the show, that said - I know the main character has to have his weaknesses and quirks, but can he get over being in charge already, with the decisions he made so far you think he would step it up a bit in that direction
I kinda rushed through this volume because it is definitely going to be in the anime this season(4), so I definitely had to get the real story before they chop it up for the show, that said - I know the main character has to have his weaknesses and quirks, but can he get over being in charge already, with the decisions he made so far you think he would step it up a bit in that direction
July 5, 2022
Fun continuation
I really like the finishing out on certain plot lines, with a very nice twist and turn that has me questioning the change in writing style until I finally grasped what was going on. Very pleased with how well the characters always start true to their personalities.
I really like the finishing out on certain plot lines, with a very nice twist and turn that has me questioning the change in writing style until I finally grasped what was going on. Very pleased with how well the characters always start true to their personalities.
July 3, 2022
The next volume can't come out soon enough!!!
This series is so dark and twisted that its fantastic. I can't get enough and desperately hope that the author and translators manage to produce more volumes soon.
This series is so dark and twisted that its fantastic. I can't get enough and desperately hope that the author and translators manage to produce more volumes soon.
July 4, 2022
another banger
Lord ainz is such a chad. To be honest I’m mad we did not see even more of him this book and damn did it take a while to come out can’t wait for the next one though see you all then!!
Lord ainz is such a chad. To be honest I’m mad we did not see even more of him this book and damn did it take a while to come out can’t wait for the next one though see you all then!!
November 11, 2022
Another solid entry in the series, it feels like a turning point for many reasons I won't spoil. Things do get very much horrible, but that's only to be expected from an evil "overlord". I can't wait to see the next volume!
October 26, 2024
Very faithful to the anime! There is more depth and insights in a few sections of the book that are missing in the anime! That is exactly why I read these. First half of the book is boring, second half is good. Onward to book 15!
April 24, 2020
I was starting to get disappointed with the last few books, but this one was really good.
The author has put a lot of thought into the politics of this world. Looking forward to the next book.
The author has put a lot of thought into the politics of this world. Looking forward to the next book.
October 22, 2020
Underwhelming compared to previous volumes.
July 14, 2021
Betray your kingdom for that "D" Renner? Yeah, same.
September 3, 2021
Beautifully made. I really liked the ending and how everything was created from the ground up to the Kingdom's demise
February 21, 2022
A shocking end to the Re-Estize Kingdom, and an exciting peek into the existence of other players.
July 4, 2022
Next, Please!
Can't wait for the next book! Hopefully, anime season 4 and the movie dull the painful wait we must endure!
Can't wait for the next book! Hopefully, anime season 4 and the movie dull the painful wait we must endure!
July 11, 2022
omg I loved this so much. I’m so excited for the elf kingdom in the next volume!
July 17, 2022
Must read for fans!
For any and all overlord fans! This is a must read! You got death, destruction, mechs and dragons and more!
For any and all overlord fans! This is a must read! You got death, destruction, mechs and dragons and more!
August 14, 2022
Mit eins der besten Bücher der Reihe.
Guter Fokus zwischen politischem Drama, Kriegsplanung, Kampfszenen und wichtigen Charakterinteraktionen.
9/10
Guter Fokus zwischen politischem Drama, Kriegsplanung, Kampfszenen und wichtigen Charakterinteraktionen.
9/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2022
Definitely one of the worst in the series. The entire plot was extremely contrived and barely introduced anything of value until the third act.
September 24, 2022
Truthfully, The story was a little "light" here, though that's why we said light novel. The story barely goes anywhere.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews