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...