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The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World’s Greatest Clan #1
The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Volume 1
All Talk, All Action
Noel longs to be a Seeker like his heroic grandfather, slaying the beasts that emerge from Abysses and exploring far-off lands. Unfortunately, it turns out he's nothing but a measly Talker--a job with no combat skills whatsoever. Undaunted, Noel sets out to establish the strongest clan in all the land, using his silver-tongued Talker skills to unite assassins and heroes under his leadership.
Noel longs to be a Seeker like his heroic grandfather, slaying the beasts that emerge from Abysses and exploring far-off lands. Unfortunately, it turns out he's nothing but a measly Talker--a job with no combat skills whatsoever. Undaunted, Noel sets out to establish the strongest clan in all the land, using his silver-tongued Talker skills to unite assassins and heroes under his leadership.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2020
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102 people want to read
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November 14, 2021
Although there is a chance that you will enjoy something in this book, the confused tone, illogical second protagonist, and the unlikable “Gary Stu” main character makes “The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Vol 1” an unpleasant read.
Confused Tone and Lack of Direction
Throughout most of the book, I was confused about what it was trying to be.
It started out simply enough; a long winded prologue that went into too much detail about the world, and an introduction to the “Seekers” that are this fantasy world’s adventurers. It also introduced the protagonist; a young man aiming to be the best Seeker, just like his late grandfather.
From amidst the unexciting exposition, we can glean 4 important characteristics of the protagonist: the protagonist has no talent for combat, he was brutally trained by his grandfather, he is extremely persistent, and of course, his goal is to be the strongest Seeker.
In addition, as the story goes on, one more key characteristic is soon revealed — he is ruthlessly pragmatic.
Therein lies my confusion.
According to the introduction, he is inept at combat because he lacks the talent to learn combat skills. He persevered through gruelling training during his childhood to compensate for this lack because he desperately wanted to be the strongest Seeker.
This gives the impression that this is a story about perseverance — maybe there is a plot twist somewhere down the line that flips the narrative.
However, he is never, ever, significantly set back. The challenges he faces are never a significant issue because he almost always has a plan for it. Even if he doesn’t, the answer is always close at hand.
So, perhaps this story is about a brilliant man’s ascent to becoming the strongest, in which he deftly overcomes all difficulty through foresight and ingenuity.
I could get behind that. It can be fun to watch a hero defeat all antagonists by thinking outside the box and sidestepping raw power.
Why is it, then, that the protagonist often overpowers his foes? As I said before, he always has a plan — among those plans, some have him simply defeat them in combat using his grandfather’s training.
Furthermore, he is no hero.
His ruthless pragmatism means that his sympathies and considerations only go as far as people are useful to him. Antagonists are slain or maimed. Accomplices are shown mercy to oblige them to return the favour.
This is a fact that the author gently reminds you of at strange moments. A throwaway phrase here or there stating “I felt no guilt” or something to that effect — the author’s awkward reminder that this protagonist is edgy and remorseless.
What about an anti-hero? Though unpleasant, some stories can only be told through the eyes of those that do not subscribe to our version of morality. Perhaps this book can cast a new light on society or human nature. Maybe there is some profundity to be found if I keep tolerating the protagonist.
As you may have guessed, I did not gain any such insight. The story was predictable and plainly unpleasant.
Furthermore, the inexplicable admiration of some characters — particularly from women — directly clashes with the anti-hero interpretation. I can only assume that the protagonist is physically attractive to them.
It’s quite a tangled mess.
However, at least the main protagonist has a consistent personality. The second protagonist, introduced at the halfway point, is a confused caricature of mismatched tropes.
Alma Judikhali; Hollow Fan Service and Convenient Sidekick
Alma is an illogical character — at once a powerful assassin born of , and a well adjusted, clingy, playful young adult. Ever since she was introduced, I could not shake the feeling that she was written to fulfil certain roles for reasons outside the story.
In short, I had difficulty suspending my disbelief.
She was first introduced as a “cool beauty” type, but that is abruptly tossed aside.
For no in-universe reason, she slept naked with the protagonist.
In stark contrast to her introduction, she decided to play at being the “doting elder sister” type. There wasn’t even a throwaway line to at least try dismissing the incongruity. It simply is.
It is even revealed that Alma had shortly before meeting the protagonist, yet this was never once hinted at, nor does it affect the story. In fact, Alma is so well adjusted that it is impossible that she spent 20 years being abused then recovered so soon after escaping.
Moreover, she joins the protagonist without any difficulty. Their abilities melded together perfectly ever since their first test run. The author even tried to play up the difficulty of coping with the protagonist’s skills, but this turned out to be a non-factor, just like every other challenge.
Speaking of which...
Noel Stollen; Gary Stu with extra steps
The protagonist’s name is Noel Stollen, by the way. He just felt like such a non-character that it felt wrong to use his name.
Nothing is ever a significant obstacle for Noel Stollen. Although the “Mary Sue/Gary Stu” archetype explicitly refers to characters that are nearly perfect, I believe that Noel’s place in the story means that he’s, at the very least, a first cousin of Mary Sue.
Although he is ostensibly a non-combat Seeker — an underdog — he has trained under the most powerful man and dominates every battle he’s in.
Although we are told that people hate him, he is often shown to either be respected or kept at a distance. Furthermore, in the few times that hatred is shown, he easily takes the haters down.
Even when he attracts unwanted attention from powerful people, Noel has a solution and is never truly in danger.
Take the halfway point of the book, for example. With unsavoury tales about the protagonist circulating — completely true, might I add — the protagonist laments that it will be difficult to find new party members. Shortly after, the perfect candidate arrives through no extra effort on his part.
There is never any tension because of this. Every obstacle and antagonist is just another checkpoint on the straight road towards a vague ending, wherever that is.
In Short
Depending on your ability to suspend your disbelief, you might enjoy this tale about a young man’s ascent to becoming the strongest — together with a buxom embodiment of tropes.
However, I did not enjoy my time reading this — only powering through with a sliver of hope that the time and money I spent pays off somehow.
With a confused tone, illogical sidekick and undefeatable protagonist, I recommend skipping “The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Vol 1”.
Did I mention it’s also transphobic? One of the villainous characters is deliberately misgendered in every scene she appears in, so if that is intolerable to you, definitely skip this.
Confused Tone and Lack of Direction
Throughout most of the book, I was confused about what it was trying to be.
It started out simply enough; a long winded prologue that went into too much detail about the world, and an introduction to the “Seekers” that are this fantasy world’s adventurers. It also introduced the protagonist; a young man aiming to be the best Seeker, just like his late grandfather.
From amidst the unexciting exposition, we can glean 4 important characteristics of the protagonist: the protagonist has no talent for combat, he was brutally trained by his grandfather, he is extremely persistent, and of course, his goal is to be the strongest Seeker.
In addition, as the story goes on, one more key characteristic is soon revealed — he is ruthlessly pragmatic.
Therein lies my confusion.
According to the introduction, he is inept at combat because he lacks the talent to learn combat skills. He persevered through gruelling training during his childhood to compensate for this lack because he desperately wanted to be the strongest Seeker.
This gives the impression that this is a story about perseverance — maybe there is a plot twist somewhere down the line that flips the narrative.
However, he is never, ever, significantly set back. The challenges he faces are never a significant issue because he almost always has a plan for it. Even if he doesn’t, the answer is always close at hand.
So, perhaps this story is about a brilliant man’s ascent to becoming the strongest, in which he deftly overcomes all difficulty through foresight and ingenuity.
I could get behind that. It can be fun to watch a hero defeat all antagonists by thinking outside the box and sidestepping raw power.
Why is it, then, that the protagonist often overpowers his foes? As I said before, he always has a plan — among those plans, some have him simply defeat them in combat using his grandfather’s training.
Furthermore, he is no hero.
His ruthless pragmatism means that his sympathies and considerations only go as far as people are useful to him. Antagonists are slain or maimed. Accomplices are shown mercy to oblige them to return the favour.
This is a fact that the author gently reminds you of at strange moments. A throwaway phrase here or there stating “I felt no guilt” or something to that effect — the author’s awkward reminder that this protagonist is edgy and remorseless.
What about an anti-hero? Though unpleasant, some stories can only be told through the eyes of those that do not subscribe to our version of morality. Perhaps this book can cast a new light on society or human nature. Maybe there is some profundity to be found if I keep tolerating the protagonist.
As you may have guessed, I did not gain any such insight. The story was predictable and plainly unpleasant.
Furthermore, the inexplicable admiration of some characters — particularly from women — directly clashes with the anti-hero interpretation. I can only assume that the protagonist is physically attractive to them.
It’s quite a tangled mess.
However, at least the main protagonist has a consistent personality. The second protagonist, introduced at the halfway point, is a confused caricature of mismatched tropes.
Alma Judikhali; Hollow Fan Service and Convenient Sidekick
Alma is an illogical character — at once a powerful assassin born of , and a well adjusted, clingy, playful young adult. Ever since she was introduced, I could not shake the feeling that she was written to fulfil certain roles for reasons outside the story.
In short, I had difficulty suspending my disbelief.
She was first introduced as a “cool beauty” type, but that is abruptly tossed aside.
For no in-universe reason, she slept naked with the protagonist.
In stark contrast to her introduction, she decided to play at being the “doting elder sister” type. There wasn’t even a throwaway line to at least try dismissing the incongruity. It simply is.
It is even revealed that Alma had shortly before meeting the protagonist, yet this was never once hinted at, nor does it affect the story. In fact, Alma is so well adjusted that it is impossible that she spent 20 years being abused then recovered so soon after escaping.
Moreover, she joins the protagonist without any difficulty. Their abilities melded together perfectly ever since their first test run. The author even tried to play up the difficulty of coping with the protagonist’s skills, but this turned out to be a non-factor, just like every other challenge.
Speaking of which...
Noel Stollen; Gary Stu with extra steps
The protagonist’s name is Noel Stollen, by the way. He just felt like such a non-character that it felt wrong to use his name.
Nothing is ever a significant obstacle for Noel Stollen. Although the “Mary Sue/Gary Stu” archetype explicitly refers to characters that are nearly perfect, I believe that Noel’s place in the story means that he’s, at the very least, a first cousin of Mary Sue.
Although he is ostensibly a non-combat Seeker — an underdog — he has trained under the most powerful man and dominates every battle he’s in.
Although we are told that people hate him, he is often shown to either be respected or kept at a distance. Furthermore, in the few times that hatred is shown, he easily takes the haters down.
Even when he attracts unwanted attention from powerful people, Noel has a solution and is never truly in danger.
Take the halfway point of the book, for example. With unsavoury tales about the protagonist circulating — completely true, might I add — the protagonist laments that it will be difficult to find new party members. Shortly after, the perfect candidate arrives through no extra effort on his part.
There is never any tension because of this. Every obstacle and antagonist is just another checkpoint on the straight road towards a vague ending, wherever that is.
In Short
Depending on your ability to suspend your disbelief, you might enjoy this tale about a young man’s ascent to becoming the strongest — together with a buxom embodiment of tropes.
However, I did not enjoy my time reading this — only powering through with a sliver of hope that the time and money I spent pays off somehow.
With a confused tone, illogical sidekick and undefeatable protagonist, I recommend skipping “The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, Vol 1”.
Did I mention it’s also transphobic? One of the villainous characters is deliberately misgendered in every scene she appears in, so if that is intolerable to you, definitely skip this.
November 10, 2021
I really liked it a lot. I liked that the story changes from first person to third person in parts, giving us a greater context of the story and it brings a soulful aspect to the story and characters that makes it really interesting in contrast to the first person perspective that is very steely and cool. It blends really well and it has these great internal themes on leadership styles that really give it a mature feel. I highly recommend this story, I want to read more volumes in the near future.
December 10, 2021
Everyone’s a piece of crap and Noel’s the ‘hero’ because he’s the biggest piece of crap. No thanks.
November 22, 2021
"Once a traitor, always a traitor. There was no merit to keeping someone untrustworthy by your side" (Noel Stollen, p. 82).
Of all the fantasy elements, adventure narratives, and battle roles one might consider reinventing, the author of THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER...#1 makes a plausible case for the rearguard sorcerer as being in need of a calculated upgrade. Indeed, there are plenty of sword wielders, archers, and assassins headlining stories, but they're at the front of every battle. A few clerics might slip into frame every now and then. And yet, for the rearguard, it's best to stay out of the way until called upon. Ironically, or not, in this novel series, the role of the "talker" is that of a spellcaster, whose power-of-voice will either save or doom his chosen vanguard.
Noel knows this. The grandson of a fearless, battle-axe wielding warrior who retired to the countryside, Noel inherited a bloodline that is indifferent to self-satisfaction but full judicious motive. The young man's soft features contrast his brusque disposition, and his rearguard post as a "talker" contrasts his intense focus on physical and mental training. In short, Noel is perfectly fine with other adventurers underestimating him because he trusts in his intuition, hard work, training, and rhetorical skill far more than any other opponent can, or should, in theirs. And for the most part, it works.
The first quarter of THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER RUNS THE WORLD'S GREATEST CLAN #1 is written rather vaguely, hinting at but never quite fully explaining to readers the adventurer classes, their relationship to one another, and how or why they conflict the way they do (e.g., Readers are never told talkers are contemporary analogs for sorcerers, it's merely implied). The novel's lack of focus might be attributed to a lack of certainty on the part of the author, but the book eventually takes good shape and sticks to it. Noel is a talker whose adventure party embezzles his cash and skips town. All precipitating events stem from the young man snaring his revenge, seeking replacement party members, and navigating the streets with an eye to avoid, attract, kill, or overthrow an array of gangsters, thieves, slaves, assassins, and more.
This is book rests snugly in the antihero niche of fantasy light novels, or isekai tales, that privilege characters who are most in their element when scheming a dozen steps ahead. Noel is ruthless; he thumbs out a man's eyeball, he aggressively taunts a psychotic mob boss, he decapitates a local thief, and when he's had enough of his busty partner using him as a body pillow, he slaps her in the chest.
Clever plotting, unguarded violence, and characters who are confident under pressure highlight this novel. The book contains a clear and deliberate diversity of character dynamics that may (or rather, should) bear long-term consequences on the main character's journey. THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER...#1 is written either as a brilliant tease or as an unabashedly clever effort to spit into the wind while running. Will the little girl whose father was killed in a deal with gangsters grow up to avenge her family? Will the attractive healer/cleric, who was sold into slavery, earn her freedom and seek retaliation? Will the beautiful but horribly naïve assassin come to terms with her misplaced affection?
One might argue there's a fine line between passive acquiescence to the vicissitudes of a brutal fantasy world and a muffled indulgence of eccentricity. For example, sexual assault occurs frequently in this novel (of which both men and women are the victims). Also, a healthy proportion of the recurring cast is written as psychotic, emotionally divested, or just morally gray. It's an ongoing, extraordinarily tender balance.
Further, the author's deliberate smashing together of different genres will either amuse or annoy (e.g., the novel combines typically disparate elements of crime noir, middle fantasy, and steampunk fiction). The wide breadth of character archetypes will likewise draw interest or spite (e.g., drug-dealing mobsters, elven archers, effeminate sadists, warrior monks). And Noel, as the point-of-view character, is horribly dispassionate; such an impression could be a major turnoff for some readers (i.e., he has sympathy for no one). THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER...#1 begins slow and gentle but soon gains pace and purpose across an aggressive and bloody expanse of the fantastical. It's a very clever book, but one doubts most readers will appreciate it as such.
Of all the fantasy elements, adventure narratives, and battle roles one might consider reinventing, the author of THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER...#1 makes a plausible case for the rearguard sorcerer as being in need of a calculated upgrade. Indeed, there are plenty of sword wielders, archers, and assassins headlining stories, but they're at the front of every battle. A few clerics might slip into frame every now and then. And yet, for the rearguard, it's best to stay out of the way until called upon. Ironically, or not, in this novel series, the role of the "talker" is that of a spellcaster, whose power-of-voice will either save or doom his chosen vanguard.
Noel knows this. The grandson of a fearless, battle-axe wielding warrior who retired to the countryside, Noel inherited a bloodline that is indifferent to self-satisfaction but full judicious motive. The young man's soft features contrast his brusque disposition, and his rearguard post as a "talker" contrasts his intense focus on physical and mental training. In short, Noel is perfectly fine with other adventurers underestimating him because he trusts in his intuition, hard work, training, and rhetorical skill far more than any other opponent can, or should, in theirs. And for the most part, it works.
The first quarter of THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER RUNS THE WORLD'S GREATEST CLAN #1 is written rather vaguely, hinting at but never quite fully explaining to readers the adventurer classes, their relationship to one another, and how or why they conflict the way they do (e.g., Readers are never told talkers are contemporary analogs for sorcerers, it's merely implied). The novel's lack of focus might be attributed to a lack of certainty on the part of the author, but the book eventually takes good shape and sticks to it. Noel is a talker whose adventure party embezzles his cash and skips town. All precipitating events stem from the young man snaring his revenge, seeking replacement party members, and navigating the streets with an eye to avoid, attract, kill, or overthrow an array of gangsters, thieves, slaves, assassins, and more.
This is book rests snugly in the antihero niche of fantasy light novels, or isekai tales, that privilege characters who are most in their element when scheming a dozen steps ahead. Noel is ruthless; he thumbs out a man's eyeball, he aggressively taunts a psychotic mob boss, he decapitates a local thief, and when he's had enough of his busty partner using him as a body pillow, he slaps her in the chest.
Clever plotting, unguarded violence, and characters who are confident under pressure highlight this novel. The book contains a clear and deliberate diversity of character dynamics that may (or rather, should) bear long-term consequences on the main character's journey. THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER...#1 is written either as a brilliant tease or as an unabashedly clever effort to spit into the wind while running. Will the little girl whose father was killed in a deal with gangsters grow up to avenge her family? Will the attractive healer/cleric, who was sold into slavery, earn her freedom and seek retaliation? Will the beautiful but horribly naïve assassin come to terms with her misplaced affection?
One might argue there's a fine line between passive acquiescence to the vicissitudes of a brutal fantasy world and a muffled indulgence of eccentricity. For example, sexual assault occurs frequently in this novel (of which both men and women are the victims). Also, a healthy proportion of the recurring cast is written as psychotic, emotionally divested, or just morally gray. It's an ongoing, extraordinarily tender balance.
Further, the author's deliberate smashing together of different genres will either amuse or annoy (e.g., the novel combines typically disparate elements of crime noir, middle fantasy, and steampunk fiction). The wide breadth of character archetypes will likewise draw interest or spite (e.g., drug-dealing mobsters, elven archers, effeminate sadists, warrior monks). And Noel, as the point-of-view character, is horribly dispassionate; such an impression could be a major turnoff for some readers (i.e., he has sympathy for no one). THE MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER...#1 begins slow and gentle but soon gains pace and purpose across an aggressive and bloody expanse of the fantastical. It's a very clever book, but one doubts most readers will appreciate it as such.
January 22, 2022
I really like this fantasy novel series. It is graphic in just the right amounts and holds up with character development. The fight scenes and schemes are just great mixed in with the right amount of everything you would need in an action fantasy. Also, the manga is great with amazing art and not cutting out important parts of the story.
April 3, 2022
Darker than I expected, in just about all aspects. Not a bad story, but I personally enjoy more light-heart ones.
May 22, 2022
It’s a really good book ngl idk why people don’t really like it
December 31, 2022
Hooked immediately. The GOAT of cold and cunning MC’s.
March 12, 2023
Overall it's alright. I'm interested in the idea and will probably read more, but I'm not extremely invested right now either.
March 20, 2024
My boyfriend asked me what the hell I was reading because of the big boobies on the cover. But I really couldnt explain because I dont know myself.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews