This book had me waffling between 4 and 5 stars for a few reasons, but in the end, those reasons won out and hence the higher rating.
I have been reading a fair number of light novels, especially in the isekai genre, and Grimgar has to be one of the better series I have read. Where other authors thrust their characters into another world with Mary Sue powers, this one is different. The characters started off as nobodies, with no memories of where they came from and no skills that helped them rise to the top.
Everything they achieved they achieved on their own merit. And that's the key as to why I love this series so much. Sure, there are certain elements that give them an unfair advantage, such as the backstab line (you who have read the series will understand), but there are so many other adventuring parties out there that are heads and tails above this party that it doesn't feel like cheating or overpowered.
This is very apparent in the previous two novels, but in this one, this one they touch more on the fact that these people may have known each other in a previous life, and despite not having any memories of that life, they can still feel some sort of bond. This leads to one of the best examples at just how powerful light novels can be. There is a certain horror to be realized that you could be in another world, working alongside your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/etc and not realize it, other than a certain familiarity that may come about. It's terrifying if you sit down and think about it.
It also leads to one of the more shocking moments of the novel, which I won't go into details here, but enough to be said that I have nothing but admiration for the author and their skill to make me feel such a powerful emotion over something that was essentially so short and not really detailed. (if only Avengers Infinity War could have done the same with Vision and Scarlet Witch's romance, it wouldn't have felt so forced) This was one of the elements that forced this book into the higher rating.
Another was the continued realism of how the world is treated. The party is now fighting orcs, and orcs are terrifying. I mean, this series has already shown just how terrifying trying to kill a goblin could be, and now they are facing off against larger, more powerful beings. This isn't a normal fantasy game, rpg, or novel where orcs are easy creatures to defeat. But rather, they are stronger, larger beings who are equally armed and armoured to the characters. They are a challenge, and there is a very real risk of dying against them. (something most fantasy novels don't touch on)
Lastly, the mass combat in this book is handled very well. And by that I mean you only see the part the heroes are taking part in, and you only rarely get to see another character's point of view. This works well, as it keeps the confusion of the battlefield realistic and makes the reader wonder what's going on in the other battles, are they surviving or failing? And when something doesn't work out, the author doesn't need to spell it out to the reader, the character's feelings and reactions do this more effectively than long exposition about how so-and-so failed at whatever task they were supposed to do.
In the end, I really liked this book. I'm still not a fan of Ranta, but that just shows how good of a writer the author is, as he finally gets to shine in this one. I also like how we still don't know why these characters are in this world, or how they got there. I loved how we got to see the normal military's view of the adventurers (the outsiders) and the distrust and dislike that people of this world who are warriors feel towards these adventurers who's only job it seems is to do odd quests and such.
So if you like a lighter read with a more realistic fantasy element, I would recommend this series. I am looking forward to the next in the series and the one after that. Though I have bought the ebook versions of these novels I am most likely going to get the soft covers as well for my collection. Well with the read in my opinion, even if Ranta is a jerk...
The journey of Haruhiro and co exploring Grimgar world continue again. One word to describe the 3rd volume of Grimgar is Awesome. The main story from 3rd volume of Grimgar is about mission issuing from Crimson Moon alliance, which is to take down Deadhead Watching Keep as part of Two-Headed Snake orders.
On this volume, the mystery of Grimgar revealed a little, because of new character introduce, Cocho, which somehow Haruhiro might know her before they came to Grimgar. This is quite interesting, because until 3rd volume you won’t have extra information about how or what the Haruhiro and co before came to Grimgar.
Even one of chapter is dedicated on Haruhiro previous life, but the next chapter telling that past is instantly forgotten by Haruhiro. Now, as the reader you have better understanding of Grimgar worlds and it’s characters, I’m just curious what the reason Grimgar force to erased memory from their previous worlds? I hope this mystery will answered soon.
Another awesome things from 3rd volume of Grimgar is you will see that Haruhiro is not just a weak-willed wussy characters. Well, I believ some of you already tired with self mocking on Haruhiro inner monologue, right? However, in this volume Haruhiro is growth rapidly and you can see that he become
Commander or Leader
Strategist
Scouts
Assassins (maybe)
Scouts Like or not, Haruhiro is good at scouting. He know before he can formulate a plan or execute it, he need more information. Whether gathering information on Tavern or Battlefield he is able to do that and it’s portrayed very well on this volume.
Strategist Maybe Haruhiro is not the smartest or magnificent strategist, however on this volume you will see how he able to formulate battle plan with calculating the enemy he facing and the comrades battle abilities to make use of.
Leader Haruhiro might be the current party leader, but he is also have the qualities of becoming leader or even a commander. You will see he not hesitate anymore to command not limited only to his party but every volunteer soldiers to achieve his goals.
So far, I’m really surprised about Haruhiro growth, and it story of this volume. My only disappointment is Ao Jyumonji is being Ao Jyumonji, that ending to end this volume is very cruel, make me can’t wait to read the next volume of Grimgar.
I worked my way through this one. I did know about the happenings in the volume before reading, so nothing too shocking or revelatory for me.
I do think the pace of the volume was a bit weirder than previous volumes, the early half being Haru contemplating for pages on what to do, the latter third or so focused on the action he chooses, just a bit too passive.
There are a lot more characters involved in this section. Renji's group, some female warrior team (something Angels?), and then higher up teams (Green something or other?). Just a lot to keep track of, which I clearly wasn't able to not remembering all the names. Even Haru is bad at remembering who is whom, so I don't feel too bad. 😅
Overall, I felt like the story just didn't hit home for me. The first volume focused a lot on our group being introduced, how to deal with loss, and accepting Merry. Volume 2 focused on Haru taking leadership role and Ranta. These were clearer concepts. This one throws some ideas out (Haru as a hero / leader, Haru's past, Moguzo and Ranta's aspirations), but I didn't feel like any of the concepts felt like they came together and made a point. The title is something like "Things Won't Always Go Your Way" so maybe that was the point? That if you think there's going to be this Aesop fable like point coming together at the end of the chapter, you'll be disappointed? I don't know.
The author pours so much into harus thoughts and fights. I can almost feel when swords or daggers hit. I feel the tension of battle as I read. Thank you Ao Jyumonji. From your afterword, i hope one day you work on a game to bring your expectation to life
5 minutes later: Another light novel translated from Japanese.
The story overall is a unique twist of the 'players trapped in a video game' and a refreshing one in that the main characters just.. are not very good at their jobs. Or even remotely good.
Normally I get very frustrated with characters that are not competent in their roles or in the story, and there are some frustrating moments but overall its a nice change from the utterly overpowered characters in say, SAO or Overlord. The characters grow slowly, and they experience all kinds of delicious trauma.
Seriously. Dont get too attached to the protagonists.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
There has been far too much time already dedicated to Ranta talking about the other members' breasts. I think we have about 100 pages across these 3 volumes where he says one has "tiny tits" and the other has large ones. After the first instance helps to further establish Ranta's immaturity, there is no need for this whatsoever.
Haruhiro has done nothing but complain about Ranta for... let's say 50 pages across Vol. 2 and 3. He just randomly starts to HATE Ranta. Haruhiro even goes so far as to say he was the ONLY one who risked his life in the Kobold mines... EVEN THOUGH THEY LEFT RANTA FOR DEAD 2 LEVELS DOWN JUST MOMENTS BEFORE!!! AND HE WAS ON DEATH'S DOOR!!!
Moguzo doesn't do much outside of grunting and screaming.
Yume and Shihoru fight, but don't really have any moments to shine. The closest you get is when the shadow sorcery puts someone to sleep or something. They're apparently just there to be made fun of by Ranta.
(I don't really spoil anything terribly but I feel like. you'd enjoy this more if you went into it blind so read at your own discretion)
I read this after taking a bit of a break of the series to catch up on some other stuff and boy I feel like this is my fav so far.
The author has such an incredible talent at making this series being incredibly hard to out down.
I admire that he has no qualms about playing with the fate of the characters, delivering plotwists most japanese authors (Including anime/manga) are too afraid to make.
No character has any kind of plot armor in this series and I am so afraid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I like how we get a little taste of Haruhiro remembering a scene of life from "before" - when he lived in "our" world, or something like it at least. The characters have these moments and flashes of remembering who they were before Grimgar but then they often forget. It was nice seeing that moment of him with Choco in the world before - even if the story crushes my heart because Choco /dies/.
Now of course I need the next one because i'm worried about Moguzo. Please, don't let them lose another team member. Not Moguzo. Please.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This volume is continuation of the Anime with the same title. I was started reading the novel because of that. In this volume Haruhiro and his party continue their adventure. The new adventure that keep me reading non stop. The story is not cliche as many of "Other world" story. It has emotion in every part when Haruhiro tried his best to lead his party. Really love this story.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and when it ended, I was screaming for the next book. The characters we’ve grown to love or love to hate are on full display in all their relatable, flawed human glory, and the danger in which they find themselves this time out is extreme. Will they win? Will they die? It’s a pulse-pounding journey to the last page, and it’s one you will relish to the last word.
Probably the hardest hitting of all the volumes so far, even... One of the hardest hitting LNs I've read. Certainly a unique series, and I say that in the best possible way. Nothing I have seen compares so far, now maybe I'll read something or find out that there are more like this but for now my experience with this series is pure. The ending was absolutely brilliant, and the beginning of the next volume was even more so, actually they got me so good!
This one was brutal I'm not gonna lie. Some good things happened but some really bad things happened as well. I'm upset at the author for what happened here...not gonna lie. There were a lot of signs but I didn't think he was gonna do it.
Anyway, It was a nice progression in terms of showing the skill gap of the team compared to people just arriving and in terms of upping the stake from the last book.
Y parece que puede haber llegado alguien del pasado de Haru
Saben que algo se les escapa de la memoria cada vez que quiere recordar algo Y que saben cosas que no han visto en este mundo y eso los mantiene intranquilos
Se meten en una batalla que según está ganada antes de empezar, pero no saben que una batalla siempre es riesgo y que pueden pasar muchas cosas que se escapen de las manos y acaben mal...
This book took me a while to get into, I don’t know why but it did. Once I got about 70 pages in though I could not put it down. This was the first book that continued from the anime and omg I need to keep reading now.
The writing annoyed me from time to time and the ending was a little sudden. (Moguzo 😭😭) but all in all I thought it was a great book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I picked up after the anime and I'm happy I did, it's a nice LN and history is quite decent so I will buy vol4 for sure and the last part really ended in a fashionable way, I would say. I still want to know more of their real world cause it's all still a mistery the author is actually doing a good job making that such a big mistery I just hope it turns out to be a good plot.
Haruhiro and company continue their adventures with a focused mission. I liked that format rather than the "Go hunt stuff, sell, repeat" nature of the first two volumes.
This volume did help flesh out the wider world of Grimgar a bit, so I hope that continues into Volume 4 and beyond.
team renji for the win! its my first time to read a shonen light novel and it really felt like watching an action anime in words. I loved hanging out wd the gang fighting orcs and all, teasing each other and getting to know their background stories.
Reading this volume will make you know more about haruhiro past before coming to grimgar. It also will make your feeling huasiwjsjadhsjsjwjw after reading it.
The second and third volume doesn't give a dark aura, but the ending is quite dark again. The story begun to flat, but the excitement actually came from the dark theme.