Nov 18, 2022
tl;dr Eminence in Shadow is chaotic and illogical but comedic entertainment
This is a review written based on the first 4 volumes.
The story is about a 18-year old that never grew out of middle school and is so obsessed with wanting total invulnerability (even to nuclear bombs) that he gives himself a concussion and one day sees what he thinks is threads of mana (truck lights in the darkness), and gets reincarnated in another world. This other world validates his chuunibyou desires and he attains absolute power.
Of course, what probably actually happened is that he got taken to the hospital, and the story is actually his
...
dreams in his coma. Just my hypothesis. Evidence:
- Everything he says appears to turn out to be true or otherwise work out in his favor even though he very clearly doesn't believe a word of what he's saying.
- He achieves absolute power.
- As the reader, you don't have to worry about plot holes. Are your dreams perfectly logical? Didn't think so.
- Character names. For example, Skel Etal, Po Tato, Prev Asshat.
Anyway, don't take the premise too seriously.
Given that, this LN is genuinely entertaining. It reads a bit like the American Psycho.
> “It makes my blood boil…,” I say, compressing the magic in my hand down further. In a flash, I release it, causing the air to quiver around us.
> There’s no particular reason for that. I just love to put on a good show.
> Plus, it startles Beta, who even murmurs, “Incredible.” Nice.
Of course, this makes some of the exchanges stale and overused, especially in the first 3 volumes, where he just does things and says things and is praised for his incredible foresight by everyone around him, as they're oblivious of the fact that he's making it up as he goes. Volume 3 started to get boring but volume 4 was quite a bit more refined, adding fresh jokes. I am a bit concerned how the author will choose to end this series, especially given my hypothesis above.
The official translation is also incredibly well done. It localizes quite a few names and adds to the comedic value of this work. The afterwords are also short and entertaining.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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