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Record of Wortenia War Light Novel #1
Record of Wortenia War, Volume 1
Ryoma Mikoshiba, an ordinary high-schooler adept at martial arts, one day finds himself summoned to another world.
The ones who summoned him, the O’ltormea Empire, cite the fact that 'when those summoned kill another living being, they can absorb a fraction of their strength and make it their own' as their reason.
But upon learning the empire uses those they summon to strengthen themselves by foul means, Ryoma is consumed by hatred and slays an important member of the O’ltormean court.
Attempting to escape the Empire's borders while keeping his identity a secret, he is accosted by twin sisters— one golden-haired, the other silver-haired— in a meeting that sets the gears of fate in motion.
The curtain rises on a record of the wars of a young supreme ruler in this other world fantasy!
The ones who summoned him, the O’ltormea Empire, cite the fact that 'when those summoned kill another living being, they can absorb a fraction of their strength and make it their own' as their reason.
But upon learning the empire uses those they summon to strengthen themselves by foul means, Ryoma is consumed by hatred and slays an important member of the O’ltormean court.
Attempting to escape the Empire's borders while keeping his identity a secret, he is accosted by twin sisters— one golden-haired, the other silver-haired— in a meeting that sets the gears of fate in motion.
The curtain rises on a record of the wars of a young supreme ruler in this other world fantasy!
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2015
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121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 7, 2019
This Isekai (travel to another world) Light Novel kind of reminds me of New Life +, an insane bloodthirsty ruthless type hero from Japan. It makes a little bit less sense here maybe physically, the character in Ryouma only being 16, but somehow not only having the appearance of an adult, but also the movements of a trained warrior (he wins some ridiculous battles). He does retain his memory here, and the author built in this weird backstory where his grandfather taught him martial arts. Still, it doesn't seem like purely fight or flight response that causes him to take actions that are morally grey (even if necessary), like killing a doctor. Most of the stuff he does is premeditated and planned. His opening at the start reminded me of Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs, so I was already unsettled before that scene by him.
The side cast hasn't really stood out to me yet. The main focus is definitely on Ryouma, but they do introduce a few key figures. Celia, the daughter of the first man Ryouma fights, a noble who organizes a plan to get him back to the castle and try him / kill him. There's a few different retainers and Noble friends introduced who help Celia try to track him down, including Shardina, Saito, Celia, Durnist the prime minister, king Lionel Eisenheit, Orlando, and Rolf. Big cast, but not too well developed yet. I wonder if they'll remain the enemies throughout or differences will be settled later? There's also some shopkeepers who appear that kind of push the plot forward significantly, but they don't seem to be major figures we'll see much of again. In addition,
The story begins by introducing a grandfather figure and a childhood friend that's a girl (and takes care of the two of them). I never really get why stories like this and Cooking With Wild Game introduce these childhood friends early with names that... We'll probably never see again. Maybe they want to use them as fallback plans in case they have to end the series early, have the hero sent home but he has a bride candidate waiting for him? Idk.
The setting is kind of a hodgepodge due to the nature of summonings. Summons are mainly used as punching bags for nobles; they use them to level up as any defeated creature or human in that world attains the killer points for... Leveling or something. There's a level system (highest known level being 7) and a guild ranking system (F-A). The few summoned not used as punching bags have influenced the world before, but only with the knowledge they have. IT people are more likely to be summoned than, say, a paper manufacturer that understands the processes involved of making that kind of material, so computer like systems exist, but notebooks made of paper don't. It's kind of medieval, kind of not.
Phycial movement in this one was good despite it all taking place in the capital + neighboring town / city + surrounding forests. This is due to the nature of Ryouma's plight, him having to escape capture after his bloody ordeal to start the story. The setting itself is ok, but I might have missed some of the chatter about what it looks like in between other scenes. Overall, I get the impression it's medievally... except not (there's a guy that looks like a businessman who is in the imperial force, bankers that look like your average teller would in Japan). There's talk about other lands, including Eastern lands that use Katana which leads me to believe this will mirror a bit of our real world. There's also beasts, like giant bees and wolves, and the typical guild reward setup you'd be accustomed to from Monster Hunter for cutting off monster parts or taking on quests. But the plot frequently mentions that 'this is not a video game' as the laws of the world go counter to game logic sometimes (like potions being super expensive).
Ultimately, I will read more of this series. Not sold on it yet, but it is very visceral. I kind of wonder what the message will be considering how anti-hero the protag seems. We're sure to deal in politics and war as well, and we'll see how much of that mirrors real world strategies. It has promise, but we'll see what they do with it.
The side cast hasn't really stood out to me yet. The main focus is definitely on Ryouma, but they do introduce a few key figures. Celia, the daughter of the first man Ryouma fights, a noble who organizes a plan to get him back to the castle and try him / kill him. There's a few different retainers and Noble friends introduced who help Celia try to track him down, including Shardina, Saito, Celia, Durnist the prime minister, king Lionel Eisenheit, Orlando, and Rolf. Big cast, but not too well developed yet. I wonder if they'll remain the enemies throughout or differences will be settled later? There's also some shopkeepers who appear that kind of push the plot forward significantly, but they don't seem to be major figures we'll see much of again. In addition,
The story begins by introducing a grandfather figure and a childhood friend that's a girl (and takes care of the two of them). I never really get why stories like this and Cooking With Wild Game introduce these childhood friends early with names that... We'll probably never see again. Maybe they want to use them as fallback plans in case they have to end the series early, have the hero sent home but he has a bride candidate waiting for him? Idk.
The setting is kind of a hodgepodge due to the nature of summonings. Summons are mainly used as punching bags for nobles; they use them to level up as any defeated creature or human in that world attains the killer points for... Leveling or something. There's a level system (highest known level being 7) and a guild ranking system (F-A). The few summoned not used as punching bags have influenced the world before, but only with the knowledge they have. IT people are more likely to be summoned than, say, a paper manufacturer that understands the processes involved of making that kind of material, so computer like systems exist, but notebooks made of paper don't. It's kind of medieval, kind of not.
Phycial movement in this one was good despite it all taking place in the capital + neighboring town / city + surrounding forests. This is due to the nature of Ryouma's plight, him having to escape capture after his bloody ordeal to start the story. The setting itself is ok, but I might have missed some of the chatter about what it looks like in between other scenes. Overall, I get the impression it's medievally... except not (there's a guy that looks like a businessman who is in the imperial force, bankers that look like your average teller would in Japan). There's talk about other lands, including Eastern lands that use Katana which leads me to believe this will mirror a bit of our real world. There's also beasts, like giant bees and wolves, and the typical guild reward setup you'd be accustomed to from Monster Hunter for cutting off monster parts or taking on quests. But the plot frequently mentions that 'this is not a video game' as the laws of the world go counter to game logic sometimes (like potions being super expensive).
Ultimately, I will read more of this series. Not sold on it yet, but it is very visceral. I kind of wonder what the message will be considering how anti-hero the protag seems. We're sure to deal in politics and war as well, and we'll see how much of that mirrors real world strategies. It has promise, but we'll see what they do with it.
November 25, 2019
Ryoma isn't your typical high school kid---he's used to training with his grandfather to use martial arts as a deadly weapon and not a sport. So when he's summoned to another world, it doesn't take long for him to realize it's his life and future on the line, and react accordingly. But antagonizing the Empire that summoned him is a dangerous game. If he can't slip past the borders before they catch him, he'll have a very short life in this new world . . .
The main attraction of the first book is Ryoma himself. He's not motivated by revenge particularly, at least at first, but he is smart enough to find the summoning a bad idea with only one way out---and he has no hesitation murdering the people trying to enslave him. It's a nice touch that many of the castle people are presented in terms that would otherwise make them sympathetic, if they weren't totally convinced otherworlders like Ryoma are just tools to be used at their convenience. And Ryoma knows that most of the people he's killing aren't monsters (although a strong argument could be made for Gaius being one), but he's willing to make the pragmatic choices to ensure his own survival.
I love the following quote and I think it sums things up perfectly:
But Ryoma isn't the only part of this book, unfortunately. His encounter with two scantily-clad sisters that immediately enslave themselves to him is the worst part by far. These aren't characters, they're caricatures that bundle a bunch of annoying tropes into a book that so far had been doing a good job avoiding the worst of them. I hate these characters. They have no personality beyond "yes, Master."
I do know from reading ahead that future books minimize Laura and Sara's roles to a level that's more tolerable, and that the series improves from here. But their awkward inclusion leaves me disinclined to recommend this except as the backstory to the much better second book. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
The main attraction of the first book is Ryoma himself. He's not motivated by revenge particularly, at least at first, but he is smart enough to find the summoning a bad idea with only one way out---and he has no hesitation murdering the people trying to enslave him. It's a nice touch that many of the castle people are presented in terms that would otherwise make them sympathetic, if they weren't totally convinced otherworlders like Ryoma are just tools to be used at their convenience. And Ryoma knows that most of the people he's killing aren't monsters (although a strong argument could be made for Gaius being one), but he's willing to make the pragmatic choices to ensure his own survival.
I love the following quote and I think it sums things up perfectly:
“This is what I think: you’re free to try and take advantage of me, and I’m free to defend myself. I’m not dumb enough to think that if I hit someone they won’t try to hit back, though. And it’s exactly because I know they’ll hit back that I try not to hit anyone, unless I’m prepared for them to retaliate... And when I’m resolved to kill anyone who dared pick a fight with me.”
But Ryoma isn't the only part of this book, unfortunately. His encounter with two scantily-clad sisters that immediately enslave themselves to him is the worst part by far. These aren't characters, they're caricatures that bundle a bunch of annoying tropes into a book that so far had been doing a good job avoiding the worst of them. I hate these characters. They have no personality beyond "yes, Master."
I do know from reading ahead that future books minimize Laura and Sara's roles to a level that's more tolerable, and that the series improves from here. But their awkward inclusion leaves me disinclined to recommend this except as the backstory to the much better second book. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
March 11, 2022
Actions speak louder than words.
I have wanted to read this light novel for a while now. Was surprised by the rough illustrations, maybe done "old-style" and actually painted instead of designed on a computer. The volume size is 226 pages, a little over the average for a light novel.
The main character, Ryoma, is young at 16, thanks to the persistence of this grandfather, had a high level of martial arts training in modern Japan, before like a typical Isekai novel, gets summoned to another world. Ryoma is strong, big (100 Kg) and tall, seems to be over-powered (OP) for a main character. The people that summoned him, at the first instance, tried to enslave/control him. Without any weapons or special skills, Ryoma makes an escape and thus starts his adventure in this alternate reality world. Because Ryoma is unable to return to Japan, both the author and main character seek a main plot arc and secondary plot arcs to complete this series.
Actions speak louder than words, the author writes that Ryoma read the adventurer manual, beforehand and yet destroys the wings of the bees, just to explain 3-4 paragraphs later saying what the manual (already read). Again when Ryoma ponders, whether or not to save the 2 slaves from the robbers. If he's going to save them or not, it's just way shorter to describe what Ryoma does, and then no explanation is necessary.
Author has a writing style that, comments, play by play every action done and omitted as well. I think the story would flow a lot faster if the author kept his thoughts (unneeded, unnecessary, etc) out of the light novel. If the author mentions everything that happens, why and how it happens, and everything that doesn't happen, why and how they don't happen it's like if a cook at a restaurant would prepare the food for the customers, would chew the food for the customers, then eat and digest the food for the customers only to at the end send the check/bill to the customers. This is what it feels like to have so many unneeded explanations. Let the readers interpret the actions however the hell they want, think what they want and not read into anything if they want. It's about making the story strong with actions in plot arcs, not about explaining everything to the last detail and leaving all the readers out of the story.
I have wanted to read this light novel for a while now. Was surprised by the rough illustrations, maybe done "old-style" and actually painted instead of designed on a computer. The volume size is 226 pages, a little over the average for a light novel.
The main character, Ryoma, is young at 16, thanks to the persistence of this grandfather, had a high level of martial arts training in modern Japan, before like a typical Isekai novel, gets summoned to another world. Ryoma is strong, big (100 Kg) and tall, seems to be over-powered (OP) for a main character. The people that summoned him, at the first instance, tried to enslave/control him. Without any weapons or special skills, Ryoma makes an escape and thus starts his adventure in this alternate reality world. Because Ryoma is unable to return to Japan, both the author and main character seek a main plot arc and secondary plot arcs to complete this series.
Actions speak louder than words, the author writes that Ryoma read the adventurer manual, beforehand and yet destroys the wings of the bees, just to explain 3-4 paragraphs later saying what the manual (already read). Again when Ryoma ponders, whether or not to save the 2 slaves from the robbers. If he's going to save them or not, it's just way shorter to describe what Ryoma does, and then no explanation is necessary.
Author has a writing style that, comments, play by play every action done and omitted as well. I think the story would flow a lot faster if the author kept his thoughts (unneeded, unnecessary, etc) out of the light novel. If the author mentions everything that happens, why and how it happens, and everything that doesn't happen, why and how they don't happen it's like if a cook at a restaurant would prepare the food for the customers, would chew the food for the customers, then eat and digest the food for the customers only to at the end send the check/bill to the customers. This is what it feels like to have so many unneeded explanations. Let the readers interpret the actions however the hell they want, think what they want and not read into anything if they want. It's about making the story strong with actions in plot arcs, not about explaining everything to the last detail and leaving all the readers out of the story.
September 5, 2021
The story starts as any Isakai with a Japanese high schooler being summoned to a fantasy world. The high schooler, Ryoma, though is a highly trained martial artist and warrior. Finding himself in an alien area surrounded by soldiers and an old man who are clearly up to no good. Deciding to flee, he kills the men and begins his flight from the Empire that has been summoning Japanese for decades and using them as expandable tools all because people from Earth earn 'xp' quicker.
The world and character building are good. Ryoma might be a tad too cold and calculating for a high schooler, supposedly the result of a life long training by his grandfather. There are no weird obsessions, tropes or echi moments and even the villains have believable motivations. The story is also brutal, people die and Ryoma has to fight to survive.
My complaints are relatively minor. Ryoma feels a bit unbelievable as a Japanese high schooler even if he is not OP. The semi mind control slavery near the end also is a bit iffy even if it fits the world. And while not done often, let alone to the point of lessening the experience for me, I am not a fan of switching points of view.
Regardless, the book felt refreshingly different isekai to me. It has been years ago that I read one without a silly twist. More importantly, I enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to the next parts.
The world and character building are good. Ryoma might be a tad too cold and calculating for a high schooler, supposedly the result of a life long training by his grandfather. There are no weird obsessions, tropes or echi moments and even the villains have believable motivations. The story is also brutal, people die and Ryoma has to fight to survive.
My complaints are relatively minor. Ryoma feels a bit unbelievable as a Japanese high schooler even if he is not OP. The semi mind control slavery near the end also is a bit iffy even if it fits the world. And while not done often, let alone to the point of lessening the experience for me, I am not a fan of switching points of view.
Regardless, the book felt refreshingly different isekai to me. It has been years ago that I read one without a silly twist. More importantly, I enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to the next parts.
January 30, 2021
I can’t stand this author’s over explaining and OP MC
I got through 3 volumes before I needed to stop. The introduction of the clan just to give the Main Character convenient access to something he wanted was the jumping the shark point. The main character is never really challenged anymore, the author keeps breaking up the action with explaining everyone’s thoughts for a page, and there’s at least one moment in every book where the main character gets a huge windfall.
If you like Overpowered type main characters, and want an isekai that features a protagonist custom made for the situation he’s in, this if your book series. The political intrigue, war strategy, and mystery of the world are all too thin compared to all the other crap.
I got through 3 volumes before I needed to stop. The introduction of the clan just to give the Main Character convenient access to something he wanted was the jumping the shark point. The main character is never really challenged anymore, the author keeps breaking up the action with explaining everyone’s thoughts for a page, and there’s at least one moment in every book where the main character gets a huge windfall.
If you like Overpowered type main characters, and want an isekai that features a protagonist custom made for the situation he’s in, this if your book series. The political intrigue, war strategy, and mystery of the world are all too thin compared to all the other crap.
January 8, 2023
Great cold and cunning MC. One of the best places I’ve read in fact. His desire to return home is a bit so-so, but considering the amount of novels I presume this eventually goes away/dies out.
The introduction of the two sisters is worrying. Harem books tend to suck. We’ll see how the author develops them in volume 2.
Overall? Great series. Had me stuck reading it and wondering how events were going to play out. Good mixture of physical and psychological warfare. ALSO, MC being a big buff guy is refreshing, sick of all these scrawny ass MC’s getting unbelievable strength.
The introduction of the two sisters is worrying. Harem books tend to suck. We’ll see how the author develops them in volume 2.
Overall? Great series. Had me stuck reading it and wondering how events were going to play out. Good mixture of physical and psychological warfare. ALSO, MC being a big buff guy is refreshing, sick of all these scrawny ass MC’s getting unbelievable strength.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2019
An Isekai light novel for more nature readers, Record of Wortenia War features many of the usual Isekai tropes - but then rather than taking the normal Hero path, the main character Ryoma sets out on a blood drenched path of his own making.
I found the writing to be better than the average light novel - and it also had some new ideas being explored too.
This series seems to have a lot of promise based upon this book, so I have already dived right into volume 2.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
I found the writing to be better than the average light novel - and it also had some new ideas being explored too.
This series seems to have a lot of promise based upon this book, so I have already dived right into volume 2.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
March 17, 2020
It was alright
The book was alright, I did buy the second book but I think the best way for me to describe my opinion is that it felt stilted at times and the there were a couple of times that I didn't who was talking. But the way the story line was progressing was fun and it is definitely a different take on the traditional I was summoned to another world.
The book was alright, I did buy the second book but I think the best way for me to describe my opinion is that it felt stilted at times and the there were a couple of times that I didn't who was talking. But the way the story line was progressing was fun and it is definitely a different take on the traditional I was summoned to another world.
October 9, 2019
Not a bad start
The first half of the book is full of world building and some character development, broken up by occasional fight scenes. The second half of the book had a faster pace. Enjoyed it overall and will keep reading the series. Have already bought the second book.
The first half of the book is full of world building and some character development, broken up by occasional fight scenes. The second half of the book had a faster pace. Enjoyed it overall and will keep reading the series. Have already bought the second book.
February 20, 2020
Wuxia type summoning
Japanese teen with martial arts summoning story. Unlike Chinese no trouble with English pronouns. Silly in one thing, instead of making teen look adult either pick teen or adult instead of unlikely blend.
Japanese teen with martial arts summoning story. Unlike Chinese no trouble with English pronouns. Silly in one thing, instead of making teen look adult either pick teen or adult instead of unlikely blend.
September 2, 2021
This book is Mighty Boring, which is quite an achievement given that it has some quite brutal fighting scenes. They’re over-explained so much that any shock or tension is drained entirely. Only to be read if you enjoy shouting “Get on with it!” several times per page.
December 26, 2019
Lumayanlah.
MC cowo utama tidak lemah tapi juga tidak kuat super tanpa tanding.
MC cowo utama tidak lemah tapi juga tidak kuat super tanpa tanding.
July 20, 2021
I read the manga before this. Still meh for a start.
February 1, 2022
One of the better Isekai, it does have some light novel tropes but nothing to overwhelming or annoying like so many others.
July 19, 2019
So, yet another isekai title from J-Novel Club. However, this time, the protagonist Ryouma isn't exactly the usual everyman wussy type that's being stereotyped, but instead he is a very determined and disciplined martial artist with no qualms of following the "eye for an eye" principle.
This does make for a more compelling read, although the author does seems to struggle with the lengths of violence Ryouma is willing to go to at the later half of this volume. The entire volume is basically a pretty long prologue however, introducing Ryouma and establishing his motives within the world that has basically stolen his life out of him.
Typical of isekais, there is the requisite female companions, in the form of two enslaved sisters who he coincidentally rescues in his travails. The book ends on a cliffhanger quite soon after that, which leaves the volume feel rather short and abrupt.
That said, I see some potential in this volume, with how ruthless Ryouma can get. While most isekai'ed power fantasies usually revolve around some easy laidback path to success, Wortenia War shakes up that norm enough to make me feel invested in checking it further.
This does make for a more compelling read, although the author does seems to struggle with the lengths of violence Ryouma is willing to go to at the later half of this volume. The entire volume is basically a pretty long prologue however, introducing Ryouma and establishing his motives within the world that has basically stolen his life out of him.
Typical of isekais, there is the requisite female companions, in the form of two enslaved sisters who he coincidentally rescues in his travails. The book ends on a cliffhanger quite soon after that, which leaves the volume feel rather short and abrupt.
That said, I see some potential in this volume, with how ruthless Ryouma can get. While most isekai'ed power fantasies usually revolve around some easy laidback path to success, Wortenia War shakes up that norm enough to make me feel invested in checking it further.
April 21, 2020
在穿越小說中之中這本算是比較硬派的
因為是召喚來被人利用的
所以沒有神/GM/遊戲bug送主角外掛能力
主角及敵方在當下已知的資訊下沒做出太降智商的行為
只是有些設定在書中好像不太重要
像是
不知是不是在後續集數會發揮的部分
--
J-Novel Club 限時免費閱讀第7本
因為是召喚來被人利用的
所以沒有神/GM/遊戲bug送主角外掛能力
主角及敵方在當下已知的資訊下沒做出太降智商的行為
只是有些設定在書中好像不太重要
像是
不知是不是在後續集數會發揮的部分
--
J-Novel Club 限時免費閱讀第7本
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