The Sorcerer King of Destruction and the Golem of the Barbarian Queen (Light Novel) Vol. 1

破滅の魔導王とゴーレムの蛮妃 #1

by Northcarolina

A hot new isekai series about a young man trapped in another world with a powerful inhuman partner–and don’t miss the manga adaptation, also from Seven Seas! He has no name, and he has no memory. All he knows is that he was summoned by a dark spell with a gruesome sacrifice. Now, he’s the Sorcerer King of Destruction, fated to bring about the end of the world. His only hope to defy that fate lies in his partner, a beautiful elven golem with a terrifying taste for violence. She will be his greatest protector—just as he must become hers!

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Manga, Action, Fiction, Japanese Literature

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Hidekisohma · Rating 5 out of 5]

So i found this randomly at a half price books, and being a sucker for light novels, i thought i'd give it a try.

And...i actually had a really good time with this one.

Main guy gets transported to another world but unlike other stories, he's by himself a lot at first. eventually he makes said golem (Who doesn't talk) and they're a tagteam traveling in this world.

We learn a lot about the magical system and just how powerful this golem is. But while she's super powerful it doesn't go into boring "mary/gary sue" territory as the main character not knowing what he's doing really helps move the story along.

it's impressive that the author managed to make a book which only has 1 talking human character up until about 2/3 of the way through the book interesting. the MC talks to himself but in an organic way that makes sense.

The golem (or Gol as he calls her) is quiet and really good at fighting but also very adorable.

There are 1000 Isekai (transported to other world) stories, and there's 2 things that set them apart from each other. the hook, and the main character. the hook in this one is there are attributes to different schools of magic and most people are really good at 1 or 2, but not all. He is only good at Earth which is considered one of the worst ones.

as for the main character, he is actually quite amusing. he isn't annoying, super hyperactive, or an emo loser. he kind of just acts like a normal person. he's a little eccentric yes, but not in an overwhelming annoyingly bad way like the main character of another Isekai series Konosuba.

I very much enjoyed this story and wanted to read more and was actually sad it was over rather than checking to see how many pages were left every chapter.

Normally when i write a review i try to find some negatives as i don't like giving 5 stars mainly as a rule. there are very few books that i can say "wow, i loved that and the flaws were so negligible that i can't give it a 4." If i could give halfs on this site, it would be a 4.5. The 1/2 point is mainly as just i would have liked to have seen some other character interactions as literally the only other sentient being he meets in the entire book is one human guy. I'm sure they'll show more in the future novels, but this is a very small nitpick.

As i'm quite excited to read the second one and will be ordering it right away, i can't in good conscience give it a 4. Great job Northcarolina. Keep it up.

4.5/5 rounded up to a 5.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dumb luck and awkward fortune of which the main character finds himself enmeshed by the end of the novel doesn't quite speak to the inventive curiosity that pushed him to the brink of death a handful of times prior. This novel is doggedly straightforward but yields to a patient and charismatic writing style. In THE SORCERER KING OF DESTRUCTION AND THE GOLEM OF THE BARBARIAN QUEEN, readers encounter a contemplative young man whose knack for thinking things through at just the right depth ensures his unlikely survival in a dangerous fantasy world.

The main character being summoned to a fantasy world to serve as it's epoch-making king of destruction? Imbued with nearly unlimited magical energy (mana)? And possessed by the now very dead, megalomaniacal spellcaster known as Luvel Zairein? Yes. Yes. And almost. The amnesiac protagonist of THE SORCERER KING OF DESTRUCTION makes a fortuitous zig where others would have surely zagged and accidentally saves himself from getting his mind wiped totally clean and replaced with that of a vengeance-seeking master of spells. The good news is that the no-named hero has a ton of power and can live however he sees fit. The bad news is that he has no idea where he is or how in the world he's supposed to escape the burden thrust upon him.

This novel is not for isekai fans who want their heroes to meet and engage with a dozen colorful new and quirky (cliché) characters or villains from the outset. This is also not the novel for readers who demand kinetic action from the very first chapter. The scope of THE SORCERER KING OF DESTRUCTION is incredibly narrow: a young man awakens in a new land, he practices his craft, he leaves his cottage home, he gets into a few scrapes, and that's all. There are no grand schemes, there are no chatty sidekicks, and barring the coincidental appearance of a god-tier dragon, there are very few magical creatures. It's actually kind of dull.

But the book's sluggish approach isn't so bad. The protagonist is practical. He doesn't leap at the first taste of adventure for its own sake and he doesn't gloss over the ridiculous nature of his situation. Upon accidentally creating a helper golem capable of obliterating a feral demon beast, the guy loses so much mana in the effort he's bedridden for days. He's thankful his new creation turned out so well but he's too smart to incapacitate himself by trying such a dangerous spell ever again.

The genial pacing means there's zero purposeful action through the novel's first 115 pages. The main character doesn't exchange words with another human for a good 75 pages beyond that (he either chats to himself or to his newly created golem, Goltarou); to wit, there are only five, maybe six characters in the whole book. The narrative's slow and precise progression hearkens to decades-old European adventure comics whose primary hook were their invariable emphasis on the hero's inexorable forward journey -- always plodding forward, one step at a time, and never turning back.

THE SORCERER KING OF DESTRUCTION is a stylistic encounter. The story relies on a protagonist whose pragmatism drips from every wound and whose relationship with his small, surrounding cast is birthed only from necessity. The book's spellcasting is understated, considering it's long and ludicrous title, but if one doesn't mind the protracted finagling with fate that occurs when a superpowered character acknowledges he has no training in how to actually use his power, then the title will be an easy, if mildly tedious read.

[Tarl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect with this book. The cover looked interesting, the synopsis sounded alright. But I wasn't prepared for what a unique adventure this book would be. First off, it is your standard isekai fare. But then it goes off on a slightly different story where the protagonist learns how to do magic and ends up creating his traveling companion in the form of a golem.
That said, there are some VERY over powered moments in this story. To the point where, while I purchased the second book, I am concerned that I may stop there. The author said he was mentored by the writer of Overlord, and it kinda shows in overpowered moment of this story. I mean, if your character is super amazing, then there is no where to go, cause they are already at the top...

And sure, the reactions of the golem are cute and interesting to watch, they aren't enough to keep the reader invested. Nor is the mystery of who the protag reincarnated into, or any of the world building, as it is all pretty close to standard isekai fare. Sure, there could be conflict, but by the end of the book they have already done something so earth shatteringly powerful, what's left to challenge them?

So in the end, this is kind of an average book. I liked parts of it, I didn't like the overpowered aspect of the final climactic battle. I am going to read the next book in the series, but I am not sure if I will go further than that...

[Tom Thuenen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intro is clearly set much later then the first two books. I like this story because the MC is overpowered but doesn't really know that or how to use his powers. He's pretty immature and prob not as old as his current body, more like middle school level or younger, but doesn't remember anything about his past. His immaturity could explain why he's so determined to be a good and proper gentleman yet doesn't really know how such a person would act. I think the author should have made it clear that the MC is a child in an adult's body, this would explain why his so naive and always expecting people to behave (as he sees it) as adults.

[MyDoRyS · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is fun, but it has a slow pace, so if you're not into that, you might want to skip this one. I do hope it doesn't turn into a romance adventure.....which is why I would have liked if Gol stayed as a golem rather than a female character. I think many of these novels are too focused on the sexuality of the characters, rather than the actual story. I will give a go to the 2nd book, but let's see, I worry when authors start adding fillers just for the sake of hitting a certain demographic instead of providing an actual good story. On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good isekai times ahead

I love the interaction the main character’s have. The author does a great job conveying the golem’s feelings without it speaking a single word or having an illustration. Only issue is a feel the MC could be more open to the possibilities available with earth magic

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice light read.

A pleasant read, not quite as silly As in another world with my smart phone - But if you’re looking for strong realistic character development, soul crushing drama, and excruciating complicated intrigue, this is probably not genre. On the other hand if you want some light pleasant Escapism, this may be more your speed.

[Joaquin Escudero-Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

An lack luster beginning

I am not entirely sure if I liked or disliked this book. The first half of the story dragged on so much that I was on the verge of putting it down on more than one occasion. I can see that there's a lot of potential, especially in the world building and in the f!pushing of Golss backstory. Hopefully the story picks up the pace in the second volume.

[Kenzie Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book was so slow, after that the whole story had no side characters going on except one who appeared for the last 5 chapters.

I felt the MC was so dense a lot and there was hardly any progress going on of what he wants. Then Gol, I like her, I want to know about her, I can’t read the next volume though since this book was just meh to me.

[Edward · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prologue and the rest of the book have nothing to do with each other it seems. It also is unclear if the golem is a he or a she or a he that turned itself into a she. It wasn't captivating enough to me to want to read again nor to want to read a volume 2 if there ever is one.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eh, its not bad but its not that great either. The story starts off super slow and doesn't pick up till like the last five chapters or so. Plus not much gets explained with magic and stuff till the very end.

[Thesincouch]

August 2022, 18pp: the beginning is very slow. Not because nothing happens but because the narration insists on going around in circles. I don't like that kind of writing style so I'll pass on this one.

[Shawnie Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely going to read the light novel

[Columbo Magnum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, but I think hope more characters are introduced in the next volume.

[Jesus A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume had a slow start, but then it got better as more you read it.

[Dustin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hit the halfway point and don't really feel like finishing it. Mostly just dull.

[Alec Rebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1