I’ve been wanting to get into books and novels. I’ve been reading light novels for a long time. Honestly, I don’t know if that would make me a beginner at reading or not, since light novels are, as they say, light. I’ve been wanting to read actual deep and meaningful stories with rich dialogue and non-one-dimensional characters. Most, if not all, light novels I’ve read are like that—too many clichés, too much OP MC slapping anyone who stands in his way, and building a harem. Sometimes, there’s too much action and less meaningful dialogue between the MC and the characters around him. I would like to read a book that’s either fantasy or sci-fi. Or anything with a supernatural element in it. But what I really like is the characters interacting with each other. How they laugh together, cry together, the tragedy of losing a loved one, or being happy they survived. When I do find light novels like these sprinkled with a little supernatural stuff, they tend to be masterpieces. But I might as well read all the good light novels. So I think it’s time I start reading full books that actually have substance and aren’t garbage serialized light novels with the OP isekai.
by Some_Tailor_1796
2 Comments
Hiya, try The Portalis Runes, it is the first of a trilogy. A fantasy novel from multiple POV, it’s not too heavy and also has an undercurrent of banter and humour between characters.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/A.-G.-Brogan/author/B0D26FK3PG?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
**Beware Of Chicken**: this slice-of-life story is a parody of the *isekai* (transported to another world) and *xianxia* (magic kung fu) genres. I didn’t know anything about either of these tropes, and I’m enjoying the hell out of this story! [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60888209](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60888209)
MC (a modern Canadian) nopes out of the xianxia sect he’s been dropped into, and runs to the other end of the continent to…become a farmer? Romance, dick jokes, talking animals, and the best food in the world happen to him, anyway. The backstory and some action begin to come to the fore in the later books, but the world-building and relationships are all quite enjoyable.
The books talk a lot about the search for meaning in life vs. the struggle for power; surprisingly insightful and inspirational at times! The MC’s notions of politeness, helping others (he is SO quintessentially Canadian, LOL!), and mental health confuses and inspires the people he meets in equal measure, particularly in a world where those with power are *supposed* to fight to gain ever more in order to literally ascend to the Heavens. “We give to the earth, and the earth gives back” is a recurring quote and motif.
The MC is no blindly altruistic hippie, however; he’s quite happy to reap the rewards of his efforts, though he mostly uses the profits to help his family, friends and neighbors in their own endeavors. The MC consciously chooses to focus on living in the now, rather than the quest for personal power.
Books 1, 2, and 3 are available on Amazon as both ebook and audiobook (performed by Travis Baldree); Book 4, and the just-completed book 5 are still currently available completely for free on Royal Road. Book 6 will begin on Royal Road in April.