Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint

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PRE-RANT WARNING: First and foremost, it's important to note that the overarching genre of this tale is a blend of fantasy and sci-fi apocalypse. If this isn't your cup of tea, I kindly suggest you save your precious time and venture elsewhere. Additionally, the story draws heavily from Korean culture, which may initially give pause, but those who embrace these cultural elements will find themselves savouring each passing word with increasing appreciation. Note: I've also streamlined this review, improving flow and removing excess. I should've mentioned that the following is dedicated, and a love letter to, ORV, its readers and its writers. Thank you.

As we ... embark on the quest to identify the paragon(s) of artistic expression, we are inevitably confronted with a fundamental paradox: the perennial tension between subjectivity and objectivity. The former is a divergent offshoot of the latter, while the latter is formed from countless fragments of the former. It's absurd, isn't it? To not be able to read this for the first time again is one of my many uncontrollable regrets. A novel that shatters genre conventions and elevates literary excellence to dizzying new heights that are rarely seen. What more could a discerning reader ask for than a story that seizes you, captivates your imagination, and takes you on an emotionally charged odyssey that is both gripping and heart-rending? And all the while seamlessly blending all genres of entertainment. It shouldn't seem real, yet it exists, cover-to-cover, as Sing n' Song's magnum opus, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint (ORV). A true avatar of artistry, suggestiveness, intellectual and spiritual depth, universality, and style that merges objective and subjective viewpoints to forge my, and many others, perfect story.

In the initial chapters of the novel, while not inherently lacklustre, there is a certain absence of distinctiveness that sets it apart from its literary counterparts. The narrative submerges readers into what appears to be Universe No. 1,864, complete with systems, deities, and abilities. A weariness may wash over you as you anticipate yet another banal, formulaic web novel, hastily crafted with a carbon-copy premise. You may sigh at the sight of, what seems to be, even more fantasy garbage that'll poison your eyes with the same eight troupes that've infected the genre, as you bore holes into your monitor wondering if you've wasted your precious time. However, it's paramount you persist beyond these opening chapters, for it's through this foundation that the story's critical turning points are unveiled & understood, revealing their relevance to the characters and the resonant emotions they elicit. This opening act, encompassing the entirety of the first volume, not only acts as a catalyst for the story's trajectory but also provides a sturdy bedrock that propels numerous narrative branches throughout the arcs of the novel. Each of these branches is executed with meticulous beauty and precision, guiding our characters towards their "destined purposes" in this vividly realised world while evoking a myriad of emotions that culminate in resplendent finales.

Whilst tedious meandering of the plot can swiftly grow tiresome, ORV masterfully navigates these deviations, utilising them to unveil profound revelations that challenge readers' understanding of the intricately crafted world. While the storytelling may appear linear initially, rest assured, you will soon discover it is a thrilling roller-coaster ride. This multi-faceted intricacy extends to the novel's supporting cast - nuanced, fully-realised characters, each possessing their unique perspectives, morals, and ideologies that shift and evolve as they navigate the ebb and flow of life's challenges. These characters gradually transform from vessels advancing the plot of both Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse (TWSA) and ORV into genuine individuals with whom readers (referring to both Kim Dok-Ja and us) develop a deep and heartfelt connection. A prerequisite of which, is the delicate interweaving of fragile themes and motifs - time paradoxes, salvation, grief, free will, depression, suffering, and more - serves to deepen the readers' relationship with these characters, transcending the boundaries of fiction and resonating as extensions of the human experience. Such depth is a breath of fresh air amidst the sea of one-dimensional caricatures that often plague modern literature and entertainment.

Furthermore, deviation from mythos and alternative narrative routes make ORV thrillingly unique, while also providing a familiar touchstone. Rather than discarding everything you know about ancient mythology, I invite you to approach it with an open mind and envision the clash of Sun Wukong against the Ennead - an audacious amalgamation that defies both logic and expectation. It's within this delicate balance between the extraordinary and the recognisable that ORV finds its strength, rewarding readers with tales that gradually unfurl, germinating from seeds sown in the earliest moments and blossoming in magnificent splendour as the narrative unfolds. This isn't even mentioning how the author plays an eccentric alchemist, mixing and matching different elements of hard and soft worldbuilding that results in a wonderfully addicting concoction that pressures your desire to learn further about the world ORV's characters traverse (assuming, of course, you are still around to witness its conclusion.)

Perhaps the most idiosyncratic facet of ORV lies within its meta-narrative - an exploration of storytelling itself, the intricate dance between reader expectations, and the mesmerising interplay among a reader, a protagonist, and a writer. It elevates an already rich and engaging story by injecting intellectual and philosophical contemplation about our agency through the characters, thereby nudging us to question the power that stories hold in shaping our perceptions of the world and ourselves. The boundaries between reality and fiction blur as Sing n' Song probes at the principles by which we relate to both individuals and our surroundings, thus provoking questions such as "Are they mere characters or genuine individuals?" and "When does the realm of the novel intersect with our reality and how can we reconcile the two?" This seamless integration of narrative structure and thematic exploration stands as a testament to the author's commanding prowess, casting a beguiling spell over the readers' consciousness.

With a staggering 551 chapters and a formidable word count of 1.3 million, ORV presents a weighty journey - but one that promises immeasurable rewards. It stands as a masterpiece, transcending the confines of contemporary literature and offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It irreversibly alters one's perception of the written word, reshaping notions of what great writing can achieve, and instilling a newfound appreciation for its unparalleled influence. It's not a mere novel but a transformative encounter, an awakening to the boundless possibilities inherent in the art of writing. A story that stretches into eternity, culminating in the final words of the epilogue, leaving the reader in a state of catharsis - an experience that reverberates throughout the entirety of the novel.

While this review may seem - um, excessive, scarily so even, please acknowledge that amid fervent admiration, personal qualms persist. One notable aspect deserving attention revolves around the character of Yu Jung-Hyeok, whose subtle progression throughout the story may not become apparent until the latter stages of the novel, unfolding at a deliberately measured pace (an issue that echoes itself in its story writing as well) that may at times induce a sense of stagnation. However, let's consider the analogy of self-perception: When one sees oneself every day, change often eludes notice, and one may perceive oneself as static. Yet, when encountered by someone who has not witnessed the journey first-hand, they discern the transformative growth that has taken place. In the case of this sunfish, the realisation dawns upon the reader in the final 20% of the novel, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste. Before this critical juncture, the remaining characters possess an inherent humanity, while Jung-Hyeok seems relegated to the role of a mere plot device, creating an unusual dynamic that fosters a sense of detachment. On the subject of obstacles, I'd like to address the elephant in the room, that being the way the author approaches the metanarrative. Almost everything is for the sake of the metanarrative, or has relevance to it on some level. For a novel of this nature, I adored it, but I can identify the problem of events occurring or dialogue being spoken which will not have relevance until much later in the story. Normally this would be acceptable, even commendable when foreshadowed well, but readers may note that it honestly happens so often that they may forget WHAT happened/was said, or WHY it transpired to begin with, causing confusion. One might be irritated if they were not able to connect with something previously due to missing context, which was only delivered now. I believe this manner of writing, where decisions/selections driven by the larger metanarrative framework only gain significance once the complete metanarrative emerges, is a charm of ORV rather than a cause for concern. After all, they are simply prevalent revelations that are employed after build-up ensues, just implemented with an slightly acquired taste of a twist. If nothing else, it ardently highlights that every detail in the novel matters! However, I do sympathise with readers who may feel their emotional investment wavered because of it. Nonetheless, of equal importance lies ORV's deconstructive narrative which, once again, employs a deliberately measured pace, as well as demanding a suspension of disbelief to fully appreciate its sublime execution: an example being parts of volumes 3 & 4, which I won't delve into, but readers may note they're, arguably, unnecessarily tedious - but this, in my opinion, does not subvert its brilliance. I could elaborate further on the illusion of stakes, the clichéd elements that leave much to be desired, the stagnant growth of both the supporting cast, including the villains, and missed opportunities with their characters, etc, but it's time to wrap up this review, just note that there are glaring faults staining the page.

While certain peculiarities may require temporary disregard, and seemingly convenient plot devices may test one's resolve, they are all necessary to comprehend the cohesive nature of the epilogue - 80% of which is meticulously spoon-fed. So why describe it as perfect? Despite its irony, or maybe all because of it, we as readers bear the responsibility of opening our third eye and investing our imaginations into the very essence of this extraordinary narrative and thus in doing so, are granted the privilege of forging our own perfect story.

This might come across as somewhat of a lazy explanation, but I'm at a loss for any other words to convey my point. If you're struggling to grasp this perspective, you could perhaps pay a visit to the same set of words I encountered two summers ago. Funny isn't it? My review concludes with a suggestion to delve into the story to comprehend the review, which should be convincing you to read the story. It possesses a certain poetic flair, wouldn't you agree? Or not, and I'm merely chasing after elusive literary ghosts. I can't say for certain, as I find myself confined to the role of the review's author rather than its reader.

Regardless, I hope this review serves as the spark in igniting the inner writer within you; let it inspire you to read up on the sentences you have long yearned to write. Though maybe not now, perhaps someday you will find solace in the embrace of ORV, allowing its world to unfold before your eyes, just as another novel with 3,149 chapters is for another reader for whom the story is perfectly crafted.

WN is already complete (551 chapters), here go!
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1. Story ★★★★★ - Well closed story, with good plots and back in time that is confusing at first, but is very simple to understand. About the "system" of the work itself, which I found FANTASTIC! It's been a while since you've been amazed at such a rounded and complex system without being overdone.
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2. Character ★★★★★ - Fantastic, all his personalities well built at first like the Original MC, and even he changes little by little along with the other characters in the story, even the Gods have their developments, which is fantastic if compare to other works ... that include mythological beings with a fixed personality (never changes).
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3. Enjoyment ★★★★★ - When you will have time to read, I was hooked and rushed the work, still well balanced comedy, plot things, a pleasant time reading.
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4. General ★★★★★ - Don't waste time and start reading, it's a great work with good characters, it has its "Deus Ex-Machina" because the MC knows about everything, but at the same time, everything can change it is the same? KEKW.
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PS: If you want romance, you don't have it unfortunately.
If you read this review thank you very much and may God bless you, I avoided spoiler XD.

Quick Note: I read the manhwa until ~100 and then continued with the web novel.

My first ever manhwa I read was Solo Leveling which was mostly carried by its Godlike art. ( no flame to SL i I sincerely love it)
Well now let me introduce you to Omniscient Reader:
It combines beautiful art with an amazing story where you don't miss out on anything ... except romance lmao

Here you really have everything you could imagine, an easily understandable fantasy format which you might be used to with a system.

All of the characters that you get to know are pretty much amazing. There is no need to ... talk about 1 or 2 specifics because every single one of them develops through time at their own pace. Some might develop without you even noticing at first, but you'll definitly notice later on.

Now you may be thinking, ew system, not that again, but hold on, this is not your average system/power level.

It is simple enough for everyone to understand, but here is the twist: it is actually really deep, especially the power system.

As you can see, it's quite intense and difficult to comprehend, but only if you truly want to comprehend how strong everyone truly is/how someone can be so damn strong.

So for me, after reading most of the manhwa, it was a blessing because I normally only read manga, but hey look at me, I made it to chapter 350 of the novel today. There are so many emotions that you expierence, some where you can laugh with the characters or where you think you truly understand them. Well, sometimes you also cry with them or feel bitterly, but that's why we read, right? We are going on a rollercoaster of emotions, enjoying our ride with its ups and downs (well, the downs weren't really visible to me yet, but whatever).

tldr: Omniscient Reader is an emotional rollercoaster that I have thoroughly enjoyed up to this point.
       + it has the best story/plot that I have ever seen, and the characters are not thrown away and actually get development.

Damn, like what can I really say about this series at this point.

reading Omniscient Reader is like a magic trick.

At the start, you are a confused audience member who is staring at awe as something that shouldn't be possible. As the story/act progresses, information is given in small crumbs until the whole magic trick unravels. Once you finish the book, you see the whole trick, but you can't recall how it's done after a while.

When you reread, you see all the plants for the trick and it begins to click in your head, and you begin to recollect more and more as the magic goes ... on. You catch the foreshadowing sprinkled throughout the manhwa. For the information that passed right over your head on first read through, you now see the crucial importance of it all and understand the actions and decisions of certain characters more. Whilst knowing how the trick is done, you are enjoying watching the magician do it. You lose no enjoyment just because you know how it works, and you're still entertained to see it unravel slowly.

By the end of my second read through, I'm left with one question: how tf do you even pull off a story like this?

story 10/10
I imagine the authors when writing this were like.....hmmm I like this aspect of this story, but wouldn't it be cool if there was a character with this ability as well? Oh sh*t, I also wanna add a little bit of time travel cause that stuff’s spicy. Damn, but I really like Greek Mythology, but also Korean Mythology. We definitely need to add like stars and universes and celestial beings and all that jazz. For that matter, I like twitch streams and video games too. What about like monsters and floating fairy demons that look like furry pacman ghosts with horns and stuff?

F*ck it, we're using EVERYTHING (I mean literally everything) and we're gonna make it work

.....And it works.

Characters 11/10 -
I didn't expect the main character, Dokja, to be so...interesting? During the introduction of his character, you think he's your typical loser loner weeb, who reads web novels all day, and he is! but he's also...not? As the events of the story begin to unfold and the web novel Dokja has been reading for the past 10 years becomes a reality, Dokja does a 180. He becomes cold, calculating, scheming, and sometimes I question whether I should even be rooting for him (at least in the beginning chapters). Also the character development and backstories we get on Dokja are genuinely shocking and add a lot of depth to his character. His character development through out the series is beautiful and I found myself rooting so hard for this guy to the point every arc drove over my heart with a 10 ton semitruck.

And it's not just him. Yu Junghyeok, the protagonist of the novel Dokja was reading, is also a fascinating character who gets a lot of development. I won't go much into his character since I don't want to spoil anything, but just know that his dynamic with Dokja had my eyes glued to the page, consuming each chapter like popcorn. Han Sooyoung is probably one of the best written female characters in a action/fantasy story that I've come across in general. Again, it is so hard not to spoil anything, but just know that she is a delightful addition to the chaotic trio of Omniscient Reader.

And it's not just the main characters! Even the side characters play a large role in the actual story and are genuinely well written and complex. Characters that you don't even think are essential to the story get care and time provided to flush out their inner workings, flaws, strengths, and ideals.

Enjoyment 11/10
This series had my brain in a knot and my eyes glued to the page throughout all 551 chapters of the novel as well as the chapters of the manhwa that are released weekly (currently there are about 117 chapters of the manhwa). A warning for the faint of heart, this series will probably emotionally scar you. I can still feel the ORV angst even after several months from finishing the epologue. It is both my comfort series and the series that causes me the most depression. I hope this series will get the appreciation and love it deserves and I hope that you will also have as much of a blast as I did while reading it!

I recommend starting with the manhwa and then switching over to the novel if you are hooked (that's what I did). The start is good, but the arcs only keep getting better and better as the series goes on until you reach masterpiece level. Have fun reading!

P.S. I wrote this review of the ORV manhwa's page before the novel was added to the sight

Imagine one day you're reading the final chapter in your favourite story on your way home from work, school, or a friend's place and suddenly just after you finish, the world from your story comes to life. All the characters and plot points from your favourite series have become reality and you know how it all ends.
This is the reality that Dokja Kim lives in.

The 551-chapter web novel "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" is an emotional roller coaster with a gripping plot. It becomes better with each scenario that occurs as more of the unknown is revealed to you, further immersing you in the world and its ... secrets making it very hard to put down. It blends many kinds of stories together such as apocalyptic survival, mystery and mythological stories to keep you guessing.

It might be argued that the characters are what define this series because each one has received enough screen time to be fully developed and because of how realistic some of them may be.

The main character Kim Dokja, to me, encapsulated what it means to be a dreamer, someone much like me, the reader, who goes their whole life with their head in a book away from the outside world. As his whole narrative is based on reading stories, I personally latched onto him and he became a fictional character I could relate to through his struggles, motivations and personality.

I would highly recommend this novel as not only was it my first web novel, I feel as though its a great starting point to get into the world of web novels more and more.

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint is probably the best work of fiction I have ever read and probably will ever read. It hits all the marks for a perfect novel such as: a unique story that can't be found anywhere else, insanely well developed and fleshed out characters, twists that made me scream in shock and disbelief, and worldbuilding and imagery that makes you really feel like you are in the novel itself. It also had an insanely good ending, which a lot of stories these days fall short on.

Now more in-depth ratings:
Story - 10/10
The most unique story possible, I still don't understand how the authors came ... up with this and you really won't find anything similar to it no matter how far you search, and trust me, I've tried. The story is very thoroughly planned out from the beginning and even the most insignificant moment holds greater meaning later in the novel. I've never cried to a novel before this one, and I cried so much and so hard at the emotion-evoking moments that I've lost track.

Characters - 10/10
The characters are some of the best written, usually I can't even remember some of the main characters names, but in this series I was able to remember every single side character and minor characters names even if they hadn't appeared in numerous chapters. This just goes to show how well written all of the characters are with their own unique personalities and stories.

Twists - 11/10
No, 11/10 is not a typo the twists are so good that just giving it a 10/10 seems like an injustice. I usually am able to predict anything that is about to happen next in any book that I read but even though I had things spoiled for me, those same things that got spoiled still surprised me. The foreshadowing is insane, you can probably read the book from the beginning and in chapter 20 realize that it foreshadows an event that will happen in chapter 520. (ok that may be exaggerating a little but it's still insane). The numerous amount of times that I was blindsided by unexpected events and was caught in disbelief and shock is probably greater than any other work of fiction that I have witnessed combined.

Worldbuilding and imagery - 10/10
My reading comprehension is rather trash and I get confused really easily especially when reading a long book such as this, but even I was able to understand what was happening and where the were with vivid clarity. The author writes the book in a manner that seems like you really are at the events occurring in novel with such beautiful imagery and depictions of scenes that I just cannot wait to see how the manhwa adapts. I can really imagine every scene with beautiful scenery as well.
The worldbuilding also is insane, especially in a story with as many settings as this one. Even a vague mention of a place that the characters had been earlier in the story still brings to mind exactly what it looked like and what they did there.

Ending - 11/10
Again, 11/10 is not a typo the ending of this novel is absolutely absurd (in a good way). I can't really go too in depth with the ending without spoiling anything, but it is probably the best part of the entire novel which is saying a lot since this novel was absolutely fantastic. Many other current series really fall flat at the end but Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint goes out strong and honestly, even if the rest of the 551 novel was trash (which it isn't) then reading the entire thing just for the end would have been worth it.

Last Notes:
That is my in-depth rating, everyone should really read this. I know that 551 chapters may seem daunting at first but trust me, it is really worth it. Also, if you don't want to commit to that many chapters of a novel that you aren't even sure you will like, you can try out the manhwa and then if you really like it then you can read the novel.

P.S. why does it lag so much when I try to write my review this is so annoying.

What can I say except it is the GOAT.

The plot and everything in the light novel is something new never seen before. The writer is a genius. The lore is deep. So deep infact, you cant even understand it even after looking it up online. It had great twists which you didnt expect and so much more.

It was a cool idea to have a story where the protagonist is not the mc of the story. Kim dokja isnt the most powerful troughout the story, but with his knowledge he seems like overpowered.

The character development is one of the best I have seen. ... The protagonist may not change much, but oh man does the other characters change. Everyone in the rooster changes insanely from start to finish. It is insanely good.

I didnt read it to the finish because it is so damn long, but I had fun reading. The manwha adaptation is great and the novel art is even greater.

I am now depressed, because I cant find any other manwhas or light novels which would compare to this. If you have any please let me know.

The most important part is 4th wall chan is best girl.

[The writer of this review thanks you for reading]
[100 coins have been sponsored]

"I can't read it anymore, because I'm scared it'll end too soon.”

Excerpt From
Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint
Sing-shong (싱숑)

소
This quote explains pretty much my whole reading experience with ORV for the past few years. I have been avoiding the ending (about the last 50-60 Chapters) for years because I didn’t want this story, one of my absolute favorites and one that made one of the biggest impact on my teenage life, to end, reach the conclusion.

But what would have Kim Dokja wanted?
...
I would love to write a complete and detailed review but I literally have no words to describe how i feel right now. I think it’s enough just saying that its one of the best stories existing and nothing I have ever read compares to the impact this story made on me.

Arent we all little Kim Dokjas ourselves?

this novel has ruined all other books for me every time i try to read something all i can think is that theres no point since ive alreadly reached peak fiction. if you love reading than this novel was made for you and i cant recommend it enough i promise that youll love this novel. the mc is my favorite of all time and the way he narrates makes rereading the book an absolute blast i would die for him. i have never bought merch for a fandom before but now my room is slowly getting overtaken by it so yea!! please read this novel!! ... its slow at first and dokja is a bit of an asshole in the beginning but i promise its worth it!! he gets better!! just by a little tho!! also if ur new to orv i recommend that u start with the manwha and than switch to the novel after u catch up with it each manwha chapter is almost one chapter in the novel also dokja looks so good in it omg oughh hes the loml. yjh looks ok. ig

Omniscient Reader (Omni Reader) reminded me of why I loved reading comic books, light novels, and webnovels in the first place— because of my love for stories. Kim Dokja, the MC of Omni Reader, is also motivated by how much he cherishes his favorite story (Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World, a.k.a. TWSA) during his narrative. As a recollection of one reader's (Dokja's) journey of being hurled into his favorite novel, TWSA, Omni Reader is truly a story for readers because it was created by a reader.

My love for Dokja's story also started because, as a fellow reader, Dokja emphasizes the importance ... of what I feel is the best part of appreciating stories during his own narrative: to reread the narratives that one adores because they are one's cherished stories. But other than that, what are you doing reading this review for Omni Reader? Stop dilly-dallying, get to reading Dokja's narrative already fellow readers!


P.S.
— I believe Omni Reader is a wonderful novel, but there is one thing preventing it from being an absolutely perfect story— music needs to be mentioned more in the narrative!!! XD

An overall amazing and satisfying read.

The story is amazing the characters are great and the pace is really enjoyable.
Every single arc is better than the last, everything written is relevant and the foreshadowing is crazy. It's such a perfect story that comes full circle beautifully, I could not recommend this more.

The array characters are lovable and flawed, the plot has unique twists to it, the pace is varied, the setting is really well done and the story is just beautiful.
I'm not well versed in web novels, but I've read my fair share of manhwas and I know this might look like every other ... regressor/reincarnator/leveling/book or videogame becoming reality esque novel ever, but it's all of that and more and better. I admit I may be a bit biased, as I have grown very fondly of the characters and I haven't read that many manhwas or novels with similar themes, but the love I have for this novel is genuine.
It's funny, it's action packed, it's angsty and a little bit more angsty and it's sad and angsty and great.


The fandom is friendly and the art is just incredible. Disclaimer to not look at any fanart or edits because you'll get spoiled, even if you don't think you're getting spoiled, you're getting spoiled.

Overall, highly highly recommend, it's a superb read that will have you hooked from chapter 1 all the way to chapter 551.
If you've already read the manhwa, I recommend reading it from the beginning anyways (that's what I did) because the manhwa doesn't Include some great scenes and, at least I think, you'll find it to be much more enjoyable than the manhwa and it's easier to set the pace and understand the setting that if you abruptly switch from manhwa to novel.

tl;dr READ THE GOD DAMN THING PLEASE ITS SO GOOD

"Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" by Sing Shong is a great work in the sphere of web novels since it opens completely new and interesting perspectives in the relations between a reader and a story. It is a story about Kim Dokja, an avid reader who one day wakes up to find himself in a world exactly like his favorite web novel. Through such progressive centrality in the world, his own knowledge of the plot lets him participate in or intervene in the action in ways that are deeply confronting yet richly enhancing of the narrative.

The Not-so-good:

Innovative Concept: Well, when a character becomes part of the story ... he previously viewed, that is a pretty fresh, exciting conceit. It brings together meta-narrative and speculative fiction in a way that's just new and will be embraced by a readership that loves a story about stories.

Intricate Worldbuilding: Sing Shong amazes his readers with a big, vividly thought-out world. In this novel, the setting is well described, and the lore he has developed so skillfully makes the plot deeper and more believable.

It won't be wrong to say that Kim Dokja was a pretty relatable protagonist; at the same time, one must appreciate how well he struggled to guide his character through twists and turns in the story. Equally appealing are the characters in the novel that add flavor to the unfolding plot.

Meta-Narrative Depth: The insight of the novel into the level of narrative control and the strength of telling is really provocative. It raises interesting questions about the nature of fate, free will, and how a reader's expectation might affect the unfolding of the story.

The Bad

Pacing Issues: Although the plot of the novel is interesting, it has pacing issues in some parts. Parts are considerably slower or repetitive compared to other parts, and that might be a factor in boring the readers who want the tempo to be even throughout a story.
Smashing Difficulty: On occasion, the plot of this novel and its meta-narrative trends are incomprehensibly complex. The switching of eyes along with the complex plot may be hard for those readers who always read a straightforward storyline.

Imbalanced Character Development: While good development can be seen in Kim Dokja's character, the supporting casts have some that at times are a bit one-dimensional, and the shallow motives and backstories really make things less impactful emotionally. Cultural References: The novel still carries lots from the web novel origin and the Korean cultural background, which might not appeal to the tastes and preferences of every reader from other cultures. Some of the translation misses out on certain cultural subtlety or references that make the story readable for an international audience.

Overall,

A very powerful story that invites reflective understanding. Overall rating - 9.9 A masterpiece

This is... a difficult story to rate.

If you love stories, if you are a reader, I am sure the narrative themes will resonate with you. It is after all, a story about stories, reading, writing, creating, and how they all come together in one big circle. But that doesn't mean it is objectively well-written as a story itself.

Story setting and themes: 9/10
I will be honest that before starting ORV, I thought I would be reading another one of those KR-isekai S*lo L*veling-esque stories, but no, it was far more ambitious than I thought it would be. The story and setting started in a subway carriage ... of 20? 30ish people, expanded to Seoul as a stage, then moving on to other planets, other dimensions, and the universe. I never once thought that the writers failed to rein in the vastness of the stage they set up the story in. There was a good control on the scale of things - of course some details or characters would be sacrificed in view of the larger scale but that was inevitable.
and the epilogue chapters brought it to a full close, which I very much appreciated.

Story pacing and writing: 6/10
So yes, when ORV gets good, it gets REALLY good. However, 550+ chapters is also pretty long. A quick search tells me that the English-translated version of ORV is around 1.3 million words - to put that into perspective, all seven books of Harry Potter is around 1.1 million words. Whew.

And that brings me to the argument that the pacing and writing in ORV is... not great. Yes there are some really good parts (can't get over the epilogues) but there are also a lot of unnecessary descriptions and side plots that the word count is simply wasted on. I don't need to read a paragraph on how the same kids ride on the same creature and how the same JK commands the same army in every single fight they engage in. I don't need to read about how someone brandishes a sword and another takes a stance and so on and how the gang all line up together in every single damn fight. Those just end up making reading a chore and a lot of things between the 73rd Demon King selection arc until the you-know-who kidnap arc are a blur to me because I just couldn't be bothered with some of the details. And not to mention the amount of mini-arcs and fights that happened in between that really kind of just muddled the real focus and climaxes. Even though they are less-important arcs in view of the whole story, the writers expanded on all the details and fights using similar descriptions, making it feel repetitive at times. Which is a huge shame, because, as I said, when it gets going, it GETS GOING. In my opinion some of these can and should get cut out to emphasize the real climaxes. I could be feeling this way partly because I binge read it in Korean and was eager to reach the Epilogue. Since it's not my first language, I read slower, but I do honestly think the pacing can be better.

Character: 8/10
The difficulty in dealing with ORV's cast is that, not only do the human characters vary widely in age, nationality, ethnicity, personality, and skills, the cast also includes other worldly beings, mythical creatures, inanimate objects, among others. In the grand scale of things, I thought that ORV had a pretty good hold on its large cast. But I wanted to highlight the three main pillars of ORV, and three of the most well-written in it.

A reader, a protagonist, and a writer. Three beings that need to gather in one place to make a story. Undoubtedly they dominated the screen time, and rightly so, and were the most interesting among the bunch. The writing and characterization were consistent, and subtle enough that it allows some room for interpretation. I shouldn't be putting the names to each role since that'll be major spoilers, but I also appreciated the care that was put into building the relationship and history between them, and that really tied in well with the theme and ending parts of the story.

Enjoyment: 7.5/10
A bit conflicted on this. I genuinely loved the themes and story setting. The characters were also very endearing. But this simply dragged out for too long, and that really affected my reading enjoyment. But overall, I really loved the premise, and I would love to find the time to reread this again.

This story isn't just a story, it's an experience. It messed with my head in the best way possible, blurring the lines between reality and fiction, making me question everything I thought I knew about stories and their power. Kim Dokja? What a legend.
His journey had me on the edge of my seat, laughing, crying, and everything in between. And the way it ended... I'm still reeling from it. The world-building, the character development, the intricate plot twists... it all came together so beautifully.
I can't recommend this enough. If you haven't read ORV yet, what are you waiting for? It's a wild ride ... you won't regret.

I have never EVER written a review even on my favorite anime. This novel is SO SO SO good that's the only reason why I'm writing this.

First off, the plot. The plot seems like another cliche isekai-ish one, but trust me, it's not. There is so much foreshadowing if you reread and lots of fun moments along with sad ones.

Secondly, the characters. I LOVE all of the orv characters. They're so basic but creative at the same time that you can't help but get attached. The character development really hits you hard at the end of the story.

Finally the ending. The ending feels like ... it goes by so fast. You're too invested and by the end you're bawling with one page left of the screen with that one quote. You might think 551 chapters is too much and will take too long to read, but trust me, it's worth it. Even if you read the manhwa, the novel is quite different in wording and more in depth with the characters feelings and other things. By the end of those 551 chapters, you will definitely want to read more, don't worry, since there are side stories which are basically a continuation of orv's open ending.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT look for spoilers no matter how much you want to. It could mess up the element of surprise for many parts of the story and will make the novel not as fun for a 1st read.

TLDR; Orv is a fun story with fun characters. It's very enjoyable and you will want to read more when you finish it. Make sure to not look spoilers up!

I love orv more than I love life but a work does have to be pretty seamless to get a 9 or above. Orv is really good but it is not seamless. For each genuinely magnificent arc (utopia, demon king fight, the star thing, 1st outer god encounter & rereading, everything near the end) there is a formulaic (everything near the beginning), messily executed (the various nebula fights), or uncomfortably nationalistic (little people) one. The writing is pretty inconsistent. Orv could easily be elevated to a 9 if a number of largely irrelevant, uninteresting arcs were just cut directly.

Kim Dokja's Mary Sueisms (in the ... sense that everyone always helps him at the right time, not that his plans ever actually work) obviously make sense considering the final act revelations, but going through the story for the first time, they come off as typical manhwa wish fulfillment. Everything before the beast king arc is pretty rough. The vast array of side characters have had very little time to shine by this point, and are thus all equally forgettable caricatures. This, again, is actually kind of smart in context of *the reveals*, but it goes on for so long that it has the same effect as if it were played straight. This is actually the main problem with orv: Choices made for the sake of the metanarrative are only interesting after the metanarrative has fully unfolded. Before then, these choices just make for a fast and forgettable read.

The large scale fight scenes are also rarely ever all that good. It is really really hard to juggle that many characters in a single fast paced scene, and orv just doesn't rise to the challenge. They almost always just play out as like Jung Heewon and Yoo Joonhyuk + cheer squad who get a hit in occasionally if they're lucky.

Anyway! These faults are unfortunate because when orv is good, it's *really* good. After they've had time to actually do things in the story, all of kdj company become really strongly written, highly compelling characters. After a certain point, it hardly matters what the characters are doing, because they are so interesting by themselves that they can carry whatever plot event is going on. This is so good in the metanarrative too... Dokja, by stepping into the role of "someone inside the story", uncovers depth in side characters who were previously (to both him and us, the readers) simple and two dimensional. Brilliant details in this vein are everywhere in orv, though most can only be discovered in hindsight. This story really does have a lot of nuanced things to say about the interconnectedness and blurry lines between those who read stories, those who tell stories, and those who live stories.

Like don't get me wrong, orv is enough of an enjoyable read to get a 6 or 7 on pure entertainment value, but many parts ultimately feel kind of vapid and forgettable without the context of the greater metanarrative. That being said the metanarrative fucks so incredibly hard that it physically pains me when someone drops the novel midway. Also good yaoi has come out of this series.