Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon: Volume 1

Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon Light Novel #1

by Meikyou Shisui, tef (Illustrator), Gad Onyeneho (Illustrator)

When Light is kicked out of the Concord of the Tribes, his former comrades instantly turn on him. Light escapes this diabolical act of betrayal by the skin of his teeth...only to find himself in the deepest part of the Abyss, the most dangerous dungeon in the realm! To avoid being eaten by carnivorous monsters, he uses the Unlimited Gacha, his sole magical skill. But where it previously only produced junk items, this time Mei—a gorgeous Level 9999 fighter in a maid outfit—springs forth! Fast forward three years and Light has carved out his own kingdom in this backwater dungeon, summoning more beautiful Level 9999 warriors who swear absolute fealty to him. Now a powerful Level 9999 Overlord himself, Light plans to ascend to the surface and take revenge on his betrayers one by one!

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Fiction, Manga, Novels

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2021

Reviews

[空 · Rating 1 out of 5]

The whole summon's over the top display of loyalty was really cringe, I didn't find it that bad in manga because they did cut much of the stuff so it was bearable but man novel is just another level of cringe. DNF 35%. Read manga if you're planning to go for this one.

[Pablo García · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author quickly resolves the main plot arc and reason for this fantasy novel series in the first 25% of Book 1. Then nonsensically and convolutedly tries to find "new reasons to continue writing his other world-fantasy novel series. The thing is, humans tend to be the destroyers and supremacists, and that the author makes this other world the opposite does not justify the usual genocide that humans have had of other Beast-kin, Spirit-folk, etc. that are both humanoid and sapient.
So, the author is all over the place in a story that lost it's main plot arc (from finishing it too quickly) and with such an OverPowered Gacha (lottery card skill), well, it's really not moving quick enough because the author lacks the imagination to use light-speed instead of dilly-dallying from Dungeon to Dungeon and from day to day... The serial killer spirit-folk is a little bit over the top, if you ask me...the thing is dungeons limit the level up of an adventurer, if the adventurer is already beyond the scope of the monsters within such dungeon. So if a Spirit-folk is let's say Level 1500, killing level one Orcs is not going to add experience points (XP) towards his leveling up to a higher level. It is tradition to say, that to level up from 1500, that adventurer needs to find adversaries that are higher than his level to gain experience points and help him to level up. Otherwise, that adventurer could kill everybody in this "other world" but if they are not higher level than 1500, they will not add any experience points and thus will not help him level (so it is futile to kill monster hordes that are under your current levels)...
The original idea is great, the story needs editing and some polish to make it even better. The thing is, at the speed the author is going, this is going to be a one-book-show, or maybe a two-to-three-books-at-maximum fantasy novel series...They are in fact so OverPowered, that, the main character, Light, only needs to travel with two of his retinue members to completely overcome whatever problem, adversary or monster horde they might meet on their way...

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun but slow

This story is really pretty good. It has an interesting or rather entertaining concept, with good-mood, anime-like humor splashed all around. It is, however, slower than one would expect. It can take four pages for a single scene due to posturing and restating. It also depicts the protagonist, Light, with extremes in his mannerisms while planning versus his very mild eventual actions, suggesting that his mind is slightly unstable. He's sort of like a basic boy raised under great prejudice and betrayal, then granted all the power one might conceive of like a factory full of candy. With no role models he seems most likely to become a demon lord, an evil god, or a bloody tyrant after ten to thirty years. Seriously, he needs a life changing boost to his emotional growth and his self discipline - probably from a true mentor. The extremes are sometimes funny and one also gets the satisfaction of OP main characters, too.

[Павел Качнов · Rating 1 out of 5]

I watched the first episode and thought the premise had promise — betrayal, survival, maybe some moral decay. But the moment the harem appeared and the god-mode cheat switched on, it lost all credibility. The story operates in a world with no scarcity, no zero-sum logic, no cost to power. Characters don’t act like people; they act like narrative props orbiting the protagonist’s inflated ego.

It’s less a fantasy world than a sandbox for a bullied teenager’s revenge daydream. There’s no tension, no consequence, no internal physics — just the illusion of struggle before everything folds into wish fulfillment.

If you’ve read Reverend Insanity, you’ll see immediately what’s missing: a moral economy, consistent world logic, and real stakes. This isn’t dark fantasy — it’s escapism with a vengeance.

[tom whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sympathetic revenge

Bullied, betrayed, and abandoned normally is the start of a brooding Edgelord tale. Thankfully that isn't the case here. There is some hints of that of course, but there is also a lot of humanity in this tale to round out the character. This results in him being slightly less "cool" but far more relatable and likable to a larger audience. The book was a little too cliche in the prolog though so the tonal shift in chapter 1 threw me a bit. Luckily it recovered well and became quite enjoyable. I would recommend this as a casual read to any fan of fantacy.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon My Trusted Companions Tried to Kill Me, But Thanks to the Gift of An Unlimited Gacha I've Got Lvl 9999 Friends and Am Out For Revenge On My Former Party Members and the World vol.1

Is exactly what the the paragraph long title states in every way. No twists or turns, but still. The first volume is entertaining, and the lengthy title is both hilarious and intriguing. I'll definitely track down vol 2 eventually.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good, the pacing was either to fast or to slow, but what irked me the most was the dialogue. It was pretty much unreadable to me Especially with the way the girls spoke to what's his face. unnatural stilted and cringe. Neither the plot nor the characters were engaging.
Recommended? no
buy/borrow? no

[Christopher Diedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book

If you like revenge stories then this is the book for you. As we follow the MC on his path for vengeance this is a fun read. It has some good twists and turns. I would recommend.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another isekai story in the dungeon, a weak to OP Player's journey. The story centered on the revenge of the player for those who backstabbed him. A journey to uncover this world secrets through revenge.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Pretty standard light novel for the genre MC is very like able and the story isnt cookie cutter. It makes its own stand.

[Dantegideon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was very bad. Cliche piled on cliche.

[Genielle Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's good

It's funny and enjoyable to read. I can't wait to see what happens next to light and his crew. Oh the anime would be awesome!

[Joshua Broadhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

The plot twists in this book had me on the edge of my seat, the battle scenes are awesome. I laughed a lot in this book I'm looking forward to reading the next book

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

lol whaat

[Jeff McNeill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good, though some repetitive grovelling by the underlings. Still, some suspense is still there even with the level 9999 everyone seems to have. Worth a read. I'll continue the series.

[Ryan W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buena novela. Así que a seguir leyendo. Recomendable.

[Ahmed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overdone

[Eros · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like harems. Intro was tough tho