Review Detail of IamMountTai in The Extra of The Lunerra

A Critical Review Read 221/262 Although I’m going to drop it due to the romance, I highly recommend it, but proceed with caution. This author is unafraid to do things that the many readers may not wish to see. The tragedy tag is there for a reason and you may be triggered with anger-inducing powerful moments. This is a good thing, but as a reader who is following the mc and rooting for him, I really don’t like to see it when it's something that I myself cannot tolerate. It is not overly dark despite being gruesome at times it just has some dark moments at times that hit you. I was really surprised that this is a translation because while I wasn’t paying too much attention to the grammar and all, it was definitely very legible and coherent. I will start with the pros that truly stuck out to me rather than give some generic ones. Unlike many other novels of this academy cliche genre, it’s one of the few ones that and might be the one with the least amount of focus on action for the early part of this story which is quite the surprise. It also has a lot of unique approaches to cliche scenarios and made things interesting to read. Moreover, the story dives deeply into the plot of the story which is largely focused on the MC’s mysterious, albeit convoluted past.Each volume also starts with a spoiler prologue, which I initially disliked but I have to admit the author’s stylistic choice ended up making me anticipate what is to happen in that volume. Well done. The author honestly is very good at execution, and plot points that I initially disliked ended up being enjoyable in spite of my reluctance because of its execution making the story great. It created quite a fair amount of memorable moments whether they were bad or good. Honestly I probably won't forget for a long while. The story also has a lot of drama and some of them are quite forced, but because of its execution they ended up making the story more interesting. As for the cons, I would say well romance wise I had expectations, but it was well… acceptable kind of, but with the author’s talent I really think it should be at the level of other things that had been shown. Mc past focus can also be really too much maybe for a fair amount of readers to handle. It was executed well, but at the same time not because if I think about it, it really seems too convoluted and goes on forever. This Mc mysterious memories and whatnot is really ambiguous. In fact, it feels like it takes like 50% of the actual story. Not only that you also later have other characters we know seemingly connected to it and their let’s say ‘events’ and it just makes it more confusing. The author I think knows what he’s doing, but I really believe that while it may be all planned, it is not good for the average reader to try and digest it because it really seems too much. Once you think you know something, the mystery plot just thickens more. Character wise, while the author has talent in execution, particularly the plot which is slow but quite interesting, I do not believe that some major characters were given enough screen time for the 260 chapters we have. Some major characters, while true they have not had their arc yet, had inept character development and even characterisation. With this author’s pacing and ability I find this completely unacceptable. Many much inferior novels of this genre do this 10x better, no joke. That’s how little screen time they have gotten despite being important. Many of the major characters also felt like they had a superficial relationship of being friends with the MC besides Adrian. As the story progressed it's much better (for the ones that had the opportunity…) as they had their screen time and we got some characterisation and even fantastic moments, but the initial part is so bad. A quick friendship is fine for 1 and maybe 2 major character, but the problem was everyone besides Adrian ended up being like that. They just randomly joined the party. For people rooting for certain heroines, prepare to be COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED. Also forgot to mention get ready for a certain skill plot device which may seem familiar to readers of this genre. Forced Drama! This is the END OF SPOILER FREE section. Now it’s time for me to rage about certain things. First thing’s first. How dare you author for showing competent writing with a really very good, interesting story but then show me the state of Julian and LUCIA.Those 2 get barely any screen time in 260 chapters. Alice can somewhat be excused, but still I really think needs more screen time as she is a major character. As for Celine it looks like she’s finally having her arc I guess so that’s fine although I felt much like most of the rest she still needed a bit more. But what I’m most mad about was that I came for the *****ing romance and rooted for Lucia, but instead i read 200 chapters and got absolutely nothing. I can’t even be mad at the fact she lost… BECAUSE SHE WASN’T EVEN IN THE RACE TO BEGIN WITH. LET ALONE BEING ON THE SCREEN. Now I know you dislike harems, and you may not have not planned a possible romantic entanglement with her and the MC which is very disappointing to me, but is fine, but having what felt like 7 chapters of screentime in like 200 chapters? That’s unacceptable. I know she will have a big arc in the future concerning the mention of the Lords was it? I can’t recall, but hey that’s where love would most likely blossom but MC already has his eyes on Sue. I’m really frustrated at this. I really enjoyed the novel, but it really crossed my bottom-line. Speaking of Sue… I like anticipating who the romantic partner of the MC will be and I enjoyed the fact that it was quite up in the air. But tbh, if I had to choose even at much earlier stages of the volumes it was really obviously gonna be Sue. Why? Because she’s the only ordinary out of the group of major characters. So the cliche would obviously be her being picked. Naturally she was picked. Like it’s too obvious… so when it was revealed that the Mc had interest in her, I was like oh… well obviously. Disregarding my rooting for Lucia, I’m disappointed at such an outcome. Although the romance is honestly premature( I am aware that they’re not dating yet) and with your skills I think it can be executed better. Particularly when it comes to Mc’s attitude towards her. You need to show things of why he may treat Sue differently than the others as right now it’s really blurred with Celine though I understand the circumstances of the plot. Speaking of sue her ****ing brother. I inwardly yelled when it was revealed he came to study at Clara’s academy and I absolutely lost it when Clara became that guy’s girlfriend. It wasn’t Lucia that was the final straw for me. It was this. Clara having a boyfriend is fine, but if it’s that guy who even the MC fears and seems like a living crazy psychopath. The two even kissed GAHHHH! Nah I don’t even want to read what the hell happens. It’s gonna be a tragedy and this also means Sue is going to be related too. Maybe Sue and MC aren’t fated to be because of it so perhaps the end partner won’t be Sue. Reminds me similarly of the situation in Novel’s Extra. After all, there is no saying that Sue had to be the final winner. Do I have hope for Lucia tho? Nope! It was a great read and I do believe the story deserves more attention than what it is getting. I hope my review was helpful to newcomers and the author too! Seriously tho. Treat Lucia and Julian better. If you have any possible romantic plans for Lucia then by all means please say so author! At least I would greatly wish to know your stance. Perhaps I may come back after all. I’m also very curious about Adrian and Alice and how they will turn out.