Ascendance of a Bookworm Part 1 Novel Volume 1

I bought this on a whim and am mostly glad I did, despite liking the premise more than the execution.

I liked that the heroine was an unapologetic book lover, and it's nice to read isekai that not only has a female protagonist, but also one where there's no romance. As much as I like all the otome game isekai that's been getting licensed lately, some variety in female protagonist isekai is a good thing.

Unfortunately, like many recent light novels this one is prone to bad pacing and bloat. I wish the author had listened to her editor and turned the first three volumes of this series into a tighter and probably much better paced single volume.

Also, there are several typos in this. It's kind of surprising they weren't caught since this was first published as an ebook.

This is one of the best LN series out there, in my opinion. It has a host of likeable characters, excellent character development, amazing worldbuilding, a more complex plot than your typical LN while still being easy to understand, and a little bit of everything in terms of genre. There are serious moments and funny moments, slow slice-of life moments and action-filled moments.

The series does start a little slow, so I would really recommend reading more than volume 1 before making a final decision on it. One of the great things about this series is how things change dramatically and unfold over time. Volume 1 deals mostly with Myne's failures, and you're not really supposed to like Myne at first as she starts out pretty selfish. However, as she starts to care about people, her world really opens up and things start moving. The change in scope from volume 1 to volume 2, and from part 1 to part 2 to part 3 is pretty dramatic, and the series takes the time to do it right.

A slow-paced world-building series that hits its stride once it gets the foundation set up and ready for further into the series. The series might be a slow start for many but if you're willing to commit you will find a deep and well-thought-out world built up solidly that will lead into a deep and interesting world.

Myne is a fun main POV character and is easily relatable in the passionate pursuit of her goals. Full of some soft humor and heroine that you can root for as she works past her obstacles in the way of her goal.

If you can get into the series and take it in at the pace it gives you'll find a series to devote yourself too.

This is a solid, but not exceptional light novel that's worth your time because it's the starting point of a great series. In my experience the best individual light novels in a series tend to be the first couple because after that point the writer runs out of steam, things meander, and so the quality dips. Ascendance of a Bookworm doesn't do this though; it starts small and slowly builds itself into something special.

The thing I most appreciate about the series is the constant progression and the realism. Myne isn't an overpowered protagonist from the start, and while she has abilities she has to claw her way to every success and it really makes you appreciate how far she's come, because you were with her when she was at rock bottom.

Has a nice easy going pace, and it’s interesting to see how much our main character struggles to adapt to this fantasy setting

I love Urano's honesty, and how realistic her reaction was to waking up in a new body and world. Her relationship for her family slowly developed, and her love for them became hers by the end of the book, not just from Myne's memories.

Some will say it's too slow, but the pace was to my liking. I enjoy world building in isekai, and this volume did not disappoint me.

This is an easy read, and very enjoyable.