The war between the creations is over. The survivors, now known as "Arrivals," must pick up the pieces and create a future for themselves.
In the story worlds, isekai protagonist Daiki Yamato makes his long way home to his beloved Athena. But Daiki's author is dead, and it is up to him to figure out how to give his story a happy ending.
In America, Alice Matson and her creation, monster hunter Jenny Calhoun, make a desperate call for help to mech pilot Atria Silversword Kaguyama and JPRG mage Princess Stellaria, setting off an encounter that will change the course of all of their lives.
And in Japan, Lt. Colonel Atria Silversword falls out of her story into the real world to discover that her author is the legend Atria Silversword Kaguyama, the creation who became her own creator.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: This is a fun and creative multiverse romp that pulls from anime and videogames in delightful ways. The novel’s multiple character narratives weave into a satisfying sci-fi plot.
Prose: The writing is consistent in tone, with diction that takes a backseat to plot. Dialog reads naturally, and the world-building is clearly established without being overly expository.
Originality: The novel draws from sources different than typical fantasy and sci-fi fare, leaning into anime, manga, superhero comic, and videogame tropes. The premise of the setting—characters who are able to travel through in-fiction fictional worlds—is clever and fun.
Character/Execution: The characters are entertaining and draw the reader in, intentionally playing off genre tropes while still portrayed with depth and substance.
Date Submitted: May 09, 2023
"Whether it was a grand adventure like Daiki Yamato's, short stories like First Contact and Apotheosis, or quick footnotes like Coda, everything just felt right when reading it and it gave us a nice look into the aftermath (no pun intended) of the story and brought to the table something a novel series rarely does... ties up all loose ends and gives us a definitive end to the story."
