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The Book Eating Magician
[‘Lightning Magic Primer’ has been consumed. Your understanding is very high.] [The 2nd Circle magic ‘Lightning Bolt’ has been acquired.]
The unprecedented magician who will eat all the magic books of the world has appeared.
The unprecedented magician who will eat all the magic books of the world has appeared.
400 pages, ebook
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97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 6, 2018
Theodore Miller wants nothing more than to be a magician. And he’s brilliant at studying, insatiably curious to learn new things, and dedicated to his schooling. That still hasn’t stopped him from failing the last year of university multiple times due to insufficient power to complete the practical exams. About to set off on his last repetition, Theodore finds a mysterious book in the library—one that bonds itself to his hand and demands to be fed books, or it will eat him instead. But the books Gluttony eats also offer small bonuses to Theodore . . .
The translation quality is excellent. I found almost zero mistakes in hundreds of chapters, and the text flows very nicely. This is a very readable edition, and I hope that if it ever gets an official translation it will sound as good.
Yes, there are a lot of chapters. But this does not feel anything like that long. The chapters are relatively short, and perhaps due to the serial format, something is always happening. Whether it’s Theodore’s initial experiments with the grimoire Gluttony, his clever approach to enemies, or the times the story pulls back to spotlight someone else showing off awesome power, something is always happening.
Theodore is finally able to rise through ranks he never hoped to reach before, but some of his enemies are so ridiculous there’s no way he can overpower them. So most of his fights are more about being smart about how he’ll use the various tricks he has available. And even then, sometimes it’s just about hanging on long enough for someone else to rescue him.
Theodore’s actual magical power, and sensitivity to magic, are terrible. Gluttony can boost him, if he feeds it the right books, but he’s still terrible for a long time. The scene where someone tries to help boost his sensitivity is funny because no one can believe he’s reacting so badly—everyone assumed his base level was much higher. I also find it interesting that it’s his sensitivity, more than his power, that’s the real block. He could buy things to increase power, but that doesn’t do him any good if he can’t use the power well.
I also really like Theo’s attitude. Before Gluttony, he’s persistent in the face of insurmountable odds. He just picks himself up to try again every time he fails, doesn’t complain, and studies harder. After Gluttony, he’s aware he’s only succeeding due to a “cheat,” and remains humble. He’s certainly aware of his own capabilities, but he’s polite, respectful, and far more interested in learning something new than showing off. His encounter with a bitter master of summoning magic is a good example: the man dislikes Theo for being stronger, but Theo’s interest in his life’s work despite the poor results eventually thaws him, and together they manage to work the kind of spell the master spent his whole life wanting to see. Also amusing to me was one part where Theodore is tackling an 1800 page book and has stayed up far too late reading the first 1050 pages . . . and his reaction is, only 750 pages to go! Onward! Which as someone who frequently loses sleep due to reading amused me greatly.
The secondary characters are also fascinating. I love that Theodore decides to trust Vince, the one professor who supported him as a student, with the truth about why can can suddenly surpass his old limits. That changes their relationship, but Vince remains a staunch supporter in every way he can, and Theodore respects him. Other favorites include Randolph, a mercenary Theodore met who becomes a friend, and Orta, the assassin’s assassin, head of the White Tower.
I like how the story circles back to characters. Someone will get focus for a while, then fade into the background, then pop up again later with some changes according to how they’ve pursued their own paths in the meantime. This keeps things fairly focused even though a long story, as new characters come in slowly and develop over time.
I also find it amusing that even though Theo is technically gaining a string of girls who all like him, every time it’s about to get serious with one of them something happens. (My favorite is Gluttony interfering with a ‘Burning Carnal Desire’ curse and Theo reflexively attacking the cause.)
This is my first real experience with reading web novels, but it’s been so good I’m eager to look into more. The blend of action, adventure, and magic in this story is a whole lot of fun, and the chapters are so short it’s hard to stop. I rate this series Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
The translation quality is excellent. I found almost zero mistakes in hundreds of chapters, and the text flows very nicely. This is a very readable edition, and I hope that if it ever gets an official translation it will sound as good.
Yes, there are a lot of chapters. But this does not feel anything like that long. The chapters are relatively short, and perhaps due to the serial format, something is always happening. Whether it’s Theodore’s initial experiments with the grimoire Gluttony, his clever approach to enemies, or the times the story pulls back to spotlight someone else showing off awesome power, something is always happening.
Theodore is finally able to rise through ranks he never hoped to reach before, but some of his enemies are so ridiculous there’s no way he can overpower them. So most of his fights are more about being smart about how he’ll use the various tricks he has available. And even then, sometimes it’s just about hanging on long enough for someone else to rescue him.
Theodore’s actual magical power, and sensitivity to magic, are terrible. Gluttony can boost him, if he feeds it the right books, but he’s still terrible for a long time. The scene where someone tries to help boost his sensitivity is funny because no one can believe he’s reacting so badly—everyone assumed his base level was much higher. I also find it interesting that it’s his sensitivity, more than his power, that’s the real block. He could buy things to increase power, but that doesn’t do him any good if he can’t use the power well.
I also really like Theo’s attitude. Before Gluttony, he’s persistent in the face of insurmountable odds. He just picks himself up to try again every time he fails, doesn’t complain, and studies harder. After Gluttony, he’s aware he’s only succeeding due to a “cheat,” and remains humble. He’s certainly aware of his own capabilities, but he’s polite, respectful, and far more interested in learning something new than showing off. His encounter with a bitter master of summoning magic is a good example: the man dislikes Theo for being stronger, but Theo’s interest in his life’s work despite the poor results eventually thaws him, and together they manage to work the kind of spell the master spent his whole life wanting to see. Also amusing to me was one part where Theodore is tackling an 1800 page book and has stayed up far too late reading the first 1050 pages . . . and his reaction is, only 750 pages to go! Onward! Which as someone who frequently loses sleep due to reading amused me greatly.
The secondary characters are also fascinating. I love that Theodore decides to trust Vince, the one professor who supported him as a student, with the truth about why can can suddenly surpass his old limits. That changes their relationship, but Vince remains a staunch supporter in every way he can, and Theodore respects him. Other favorites include Randolph, a mercenary Theodore met who becomes a friend, and Orta, the assassin’s assassin, head of the White Tower.
I like how the story circles back to characters. Someone will get focus for a while, then fade into the background, then pop up again later with some changes according to how they’ve pursued their own paths in the meantime. This keeps things fairly focused even though a long story, as new characters come in slowly and develop over time.
I also find it amusing that even though Theo is technically gaining a string of girls who all like him, every time it’s about to get serious with one of them something happens. (My favorite is Gluttony interfering with a ‘Burning Carnal Desire’ curse and Theo reflexively attacking the cause.)
This is my first real experience with reading web novels, but it’s been so good I’m eager to look into more. The blend of action, adventure, and magic in this story is a whole lot of fun, and the chapters are so short it’s hard to stop. I rate this series Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
July 11, 2022
1/5 stars: disliked.
read to 59/400 (14% through, raws and tl complete)
This is a hackey novel with a boring "works hard and is talented" mc, one-dimensional side-characters, and no story because everything is handed to the mc on a platter. If even I dislike this with my low standards, then you shouldn't bother considering this novel.
This book is so generic that it is boring. It is the opposite of gripping. Some books can't be put down and I have to read them for 60 hours straight across 7 days. This book is put down every 5 minutes so that I can scroll reddit.
Characters: 1/5 disliked
I noticed it from the start, but the mc is the generic **works really hard and has intellectual and magical talent but a bad innate body talent** kind of mc. I find that not very interesting. The side characters are all very one-dimensional. There is the heart-of-gold professor who helps the mc. The quiet, superstar girl who has no friends and latches on to and loves the mc. The token parents who basically are blocks of wood who say lines they read from a book on how to be a parent.
World: no comment
The focus really isn't on the world here, so I don't have an opinion.
Story: 1/5 disliked
In the end, everything the main character has and does in the story is hacky and unsatisfying. He levels up quickly because "he's the type of person who works hard, and he worked hard." He can learn magic quickly because "he is smart, so he read the book for 6 days and understood everything." He can fight well because "his hack gave him the memories of some other person who could fight well." He can cast magic well because "his hack meant he pointed his hand at a book and became able to cast the magic in it perfectly." He can multicast because "his hack has extra abilities." The only two girls introduced so far are attached to him at first sight because "they saw him and then felt attached." A lich becomes OP because "the mc ran into him half a day after he perfected his master plan." The mc defeats the OP lich because "the enemy was dumb enough to put the mc next to his phylactery instead of in the sealed cave next door and the mc's hack let him point his hand at the armored phylactery and destroy it." The mc gets money and stuff when he needs it because "it is a reward from the kingdom for killing the lich." The mc becomes fast friends with a top-tier swordsman because "he scams the swordsman out of a fortune using contract semantics, but they chat like normal people on the street and drink alcohol, and the author thinks that that is all it takes to become lifelong friends." What is this book?!?!?!?
I feel so stupid. I just logged on to goodreads to paste in this review and saw that this books was on my dont-read list...
read to 59/400 (14% through, raws and tl complete)
This is a hackey novel with a boring "works hard and is talented" mc, one-dimensional side-characters, and no story because everything is handed to the mc on a platter. If even I dislike this with my low standards, then you shouldn't bother considering this novel.
This book is so generic that it is boring. It is the opposite of gripping. Some books can't be put down and I have to read them for 60 hours straight across 7 days. This book is put down every 5 minutes so that I can scroll reddit.
Characters: 1/5 disliked
I noticed it from the start, but the mc is the generic **works really hard and has intellectual and magical talent but a bad innate body talent** kind of mc. I find that not very interesting. The side characters are all very one-dimensional. There is the heart-of-gold professor who helps the mc. The quiet, superstar girl who has no friends and latches on to and loves the mc. The token parents who basically are blocks of wood who say lines they read from a book on how to be a parent.
World: no comment
The focus really isn't on the world here, so I don't have an opinion.
Story: 1/5 disliked
In the end, everything the main character has and does in the story is hacky and unsatisfying. He levels up quickly because "he's the type of person who works hard, and he worked hard." He can learn magic quickly because "he is smart, so he read the book for 6 days and understood everything." He can fight well because "his hack gave him the memories of some other person who could fight well." He can cast magic well because "his hack meant he pointed his hand at a book and became able to cast the magic in it perfectly." He can multicast because "his hack has extra abilities." The only two girls introduced so far are attached to him at first sight because "they saw him and then felt attached." A lich becomes OP because "the mc ran into him half a day after he perfected his master plan." The mc defeats the OP lich because "the enemy was dumb enough to put the mc next to his phylactery instead of in the sealed cave next door and the mc's hack let him point his hand at the armored phylactery and destroy it." The mc gets money and stuff when he needs it because "it is a reward from the kingdom for killing the lich." The mc becomes fast friends with a top-tier swordsman because "he scams the swordsman out of a fortune using contract semantics, but they chat like normal people on the street and drink alcohol, and the author thinks that that is all it takes to become lifelong friends." What is this book?!?!?!?
I feel so stupid. I just logged on to goodreads to paste in this review and saw that this books was on my dont-read list...
October 31, 2020
Both the story and the english translation are enjoyable at the beginning of the book. You can understand the character's frustration and can follow along as he progresses. After chapter ~100, maybe sooner, the book starts going downhill. As I did, you may think "I'll stick with it, it might get better again". You'd be wrong.
The inconsistencies alone make it hard to read. One chapter he may state something as a fact, and the next one say something completely different. It happens ALL the time.
There are many things that repeat too often, such as the "sayings from the east" that eventually become quite annoying. Seriously, after it appears the first time, nearly every chapter will have a saying from the east for something, or a reference to the east. Why? Only God knows. It only gets wo
The "romance" is cringe-worthy. There's a harem if you enjoy that sort of setting. I don't and that may be a factor impacting my review, but even taking that out of the equation I wouldn't recommend the book.
A lot of things can crush rocks and mountains. A LOT. Trust me, you'll see those phrases often after he's strong enough.
Every threat that gets worse gets assessed and raised by two stages. EVERY TIME.
The names of every single god, artifact, idea.. anything that comes from mythology, and I mean any sort of legend from anywhere will be used haphazardly. Funnily enough they actually make it clear it's not Earth and there's infinite worlds and dimensions.
Every time someone uses martial arts they'll say what style of martial arts they're using.. and what move.. and another line with ambiguous information. Every time. Usually the art they use is just their own name, and yet it's there again and again. Why?
At some point the threats just get ridiculous. I get it, the guy needs to get to the top, but it's been thousands of years since there was a single problem, and all of a sudden OP enemy after OP enemy appears that just at the level he can beat and no one else. But as I said, the biggest killer here is the amount of inconsistencies going on, how he beats them, how he does what he does.. he just pulls new shit out of his ass when needs to and that's it, no explanation of how it got there.
I just.. there are so many problems with this novel, I didn't touch the tip of the iceberg with these things. They don't even seem that problematic sometimes if you just read what I wrote here, but it's 400 chapters of those completely unnecessary things that happen time and time again and you end up rolling your eyes so far you can see your brain.
I'll be honest. The premise is good, I truly enjoyed the beginning. Everything goes to shit shortly afterwards and only gets worse. I have no idea how I actually managed to finish the book, but I do not recommend it.
The inconsistencies alone make it hard to read. One chapter he may state something as a fact, and the next one say something completely different. It happens ALL the time.
There are many things that repeat too often, such as the "sayings from the east" that eventually become quite annoying. Seriously, after it appears the first time, nearly every chapter will have a saying from the east for something, or a reference to the east. Why? Only God knows. It only gets wo
The "romance" is cringe-worthy. There's a harem if you enjoy that sort of setting. I don't and that may be a factor impacting my review, but even taking that out of the equation I wouldn't recommend the book.
A lot of things can crush rocks and mountains. A LOT. Trust me, you'll see those phrases often after he's strong enough.
Every threat that gets worse gets assessed and raised by two stages. EVERY TIME.
The names of every single god, artifact, idea.. anything that comes from mythology, and I mean any sort of legend from anywhere will be used haphazardly. Funnily enough they actually make it clear it's not Earth and there's infinite worlds and dimensions.
Every time someone uses martial arts they'll say what style of martial arts they're using.. and what move.. and another line with ambiguous information. Every time. Usually the art they use is just their own name, and yet it's there again and again. Why?
At some point the threats just get ridiculous. I get it, the guy needs to get to the top, but it's been thousands of years since there was a single problem, and all of a sudden OP enemy after OP enemy appears that just at the level he can beat and no one else. But as I said, the biggest killer here is the amount of inconsistencies going on, how he beats them, how he does what he does.. he just pulls new shit out of his ass when needs to and that's it, no explanation of how it got there.
I just.. there are so many problems with this novel, I didn't touch the tip of the iceberg with these things. They don't even seem that problematic sometimes if you just read what I wrote here, but it's 400 chapters of those completely unnecessary things that happen time and time again and you end up rolling your eyes so far you can see your brain.
I'll be honest. The premise is good, I truly enjoyed the beginning. Everything goes to shit shortly afterwards and only gets worse. I have no idea how I actually managed to finish the book, but I do not recommend it.
April 9, 2023
It's a good webnovel, and for the most part, I enjoyed reading it. The main character Theodore is your typical hardworking underdog that lacks the talent to succeed but has a special encounter with a powerful being, who helped him overcome his lack of talent. His journey toward the top of the world is very satisfying to read although like with most webnovels, it became a bit tedious to read at the end when he becomes overpowered already and the enemies he meets are out of this world (both literally and figuratively). I especially liked the MC's interactions with the authors of the original books that he ate, and I wish the author could have added more of those types of interactions because toward the second half of the webnovel, there were more time skips, the focus of the plot generally became centered on resolving threats and enemies, and Theodore's knowledge gathering using Gluttony's functions is just glossed over and summarized in a few sentences. Meanwhile, the ending is passable, at least when compared to the other webnovel endings I've read that gave me a brief urge to throw my phone against the wall in frustration.
Keep in mind that I have different standards for webnovels, which the Book Eating Magician falls under, and for published novels like most of the books you see in GR. Generally, I'm more tolerant on the quality of webnovels, which focuses on quick chapter-by-chapter releases with the aim of creating a novel that they can keep running for a long period of time (this isn't even considered a long webnovel). This is in contrast to traditionally published books, which are shorter, higher quality, and typically polished over a period of time before it reaches the eyes of the readers.
Keep in mind that I have different standards for webnovels, which the Book Eating Magician falls under, and for published novels like most of the books you see in GR. Generally, I'm more tolerant on the quality of webnovels, which focuses on quick chapter-by-chapter releases with the aim of creating a novel that they can keep running for a long period of time (this isn't even considered a long webnovel). This is in contrast to traditionally published books, which are shorter, higher quality, and typically polished over a period of time before it reaches the eyes of the readers.
September 1, 2018
I liked this a lot. I have been reading quite a few Chinese (translated) Xianxia web novels, and this is kind of in the same genre, but has a different "taste" (pun intended). It's quite a bit shorter (still, at 822k works, it's not short by any means), and pays a bit more attention to women and sex, although all of that is still off-screen. For about the first thousand pages, the main character blushes if he touches a girl's hand by accident.
The second half of the book borrows figures from mythology and legend of the world with gusto and no attempts at accuracy. Normally, that makes me cringe, but I was able to ignore those since the names are used more as placeholders than attempts to actually incorporate legends and myths.
On the whole I did enjoy it, and count it one of the better examples of the genre.
The second half of the book borrows figures from mythology and legend of the world with gusto and no attempts at accuracy. Normally, that makes me cringe, but I was able to ignore those since the names are used more as placeholders than attempts to actually incorporate legends and myths.
On the whole I did enjoy it, and count it one of the better examples of the genre.
September 20, 2019
5 stars - Just finished and sure that there are sections that deserves it.
It felt like a mix of "Harry Porter", "Lord of the rings", "Gods & Demons" & "7 deadly sins".
It felt original and nostalgic, in many ways.
The ending reminded me about the "Star Wars" style, alpha and omega. It was simply classic, elegant and beautiful.
From "could've been better" side:
* (at some moment) it felt like a pattern for the game. For example: "Near Death Experience" + "level up" cliché, used too many times.
* Or the scale of the events - escalated from local to global. It felt a bit as if attractiveness of the material was compensated with a scale. Number over quality.
* Russian translation of the book, was a bit inconsistent. It had moments where something was called A in one place and B in another. Minor percentage. But still... decreasing the joy and making think twice "why".
All in all:
* I'd be happy to re-read that book again in the future. Or see a movie series based on it.
* I'd be happy to use the contract & the supper-power that the main hero had experienced.
* I'm happy to relive the adventures of "The Book Eating Magician".
It felt like a mix of "Harry Porter", "Lord of the rings", "Gods & Demons" & "7 deadly sins".
It felt original and nostalgic, in many ways.
The ending reminded me about the "Star Wars" style, alpha and omega. It was simply classic, elegant and beautiful.
From "could've been better" side:
* (at some moment) it felt like a pattern for the game. For example: "Near Death Experience" + "level up" cliché, used too many times.
* Or the scale of the events - escalated from local to global. It felt a bit as if attractiveness of the material was compensated with a scale. Number over quality.
* Russian translation of the book, was a bit inconsistent. It had moments where something was called A in one place and B in another. Minor percentage. But still... decreasing the joy and making think twice "why".
All in all:
* I'd be happy to re-read that book again in the future. Or see a movie series based on it.
* I'd be happy to use the contract & the supper-power that the main hero had experienced.
* I'm happy to relive the adventures of "The Book Eating Magician".
April 13, 2023
a magician gets an artifact that allows him to eat magic books and incorporate the magic of it.
Interesting concept and the story is put into episodes. at the end of an episode very often the MC gets a new skill.
While it was interesting for the first 100 chapters after 200 chapters it gets a bit boring and after 300 chapters I skipped through to the end.
Sometimes more is not better. Good idea though.
Interesting concept and the story is put into episodes. at the end of an episode very often the MC gets a new skill.
While it was interesting for the first 100 chapters after 200 chapters it gets a bit boring and after 300 chapters I skipped through to the end.
Sometimes more is not better. Good idea though.
June 1, 2019
Great concept, interesting and different way to gain magical powers, long book that slowly became something that was hard to continue reading for me. Nothing bad, just weird and a chore to get through. So, I stopped at chapter 143. It could be the translation to English wasn't good and the vaguely evil vibes from the MC and his willingness to trample others to succeed was unsettling.
November 5, 2022
Read it start to finish. Some parts can be boring but overall I liked the characters and plot was good too. The middle part of the book was a little boring but the later parts were my favorite. I've read a couple of similar stories like "The Beginning After the End" and I think is pretty on par with it.
August 7, 2023
A very interesting and fast paced story. Features a somewhat different magic system than normal but easy to follow. An enjoyable story I find myself coming back to, currently reading it for the 3rd time and it's only the second book I've ever re-read.
May 9, 2018
De momento va muy muy lento, solo la premisa del libro es lo que me hace que le de otro volumen de cuartelillo. Veremos a ver.
August 30, 2018
Loved this series, they just finished
October 29, 2020
Gluttony best friend ever😂❤
stopped-reading
November 9, 2020Enjoyed it at the beginning. Became boring and the characters are flat.
May 28, 2021
4.5/5 the story focuses on the development of our MC and how with each different scenario he continues to grow. Love the interaction between the mc and gluttony.
July 13, 2021
I absolutely love this book. No spoilers here. But it was perfectly written from beginning to end.
July 25, 2021
I really liked the first 150-200 chapters but then it started to slow down and I had more trouble staying invested. But after the chapter 350-370 I found it interesting once again.
December 27, 2021
I really liked the first season of the webtoon, can't wait for the next one. This story has something special.
March 27, 2023
nice concept but it gets boring
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews