The story doesn't glorify war, nor does it overemphasize its traumas, but it never shies away from the reality of the character's positions as commanders who carry the heavy burden of their unit's lives on their shoulders. They have to think objectively about sacrifices, follow orders they don't like, plan ahead, watch soldiers die by their own orders, and be ready for whatever counter-strategies the enemy throws at them. But with their heads together, they are much more capable of seizing victory from the jaws of defeat.
The characters are archetypal and their personalities may not be as natural or complex as those in other series, but they're passable. The characters have simple exterior personalities, but each of them harbors inner conflicts that guide their interactions with one another and create unique relationships, the most prominent of which being between the lazy Ikta Solork and the dedicated Yatorishino Igsem.
If you're looking to immerse yourself in a detailed fantasy world, Alderamin will likely disappoint you in this regard. While the fantasy setting is interesting, the series is written in a really bare style that is low on description--as if it's narrating the story as historical nonfiction to someone who is already familiar with the spirits, cultures, environments, and technologies that are foreign to us. In lieu of details, the writing prioritizes what is happening, why, and how. This works well for keeping the reader invested in the strategies at play and the inner monologues and conversations among the characters, but it comes at the cost of immersing readers in the world around them.
Alderamin is clearly well-researched. Some strategies seem to be reminiscent of real battlefields from history and frequently include technical details like naval maneuvers or how the human body acclimates to high altitude. This research is crucial to immerse the reader in the mindset of these strategists.
One of the most impressive facets of Alderamin is how it writes strategy, as without it the story would have little merit. As the reader, you'll consistently be given enough information to formulate a strategy that might get the characters out of their predicament, but still be surprised by what the characters come up with. When writing strategy, it's important that the strategist doesn't come off as 'omniscient' or always knowing exactly what his or her opponents will do, and this is an area that Alderamin handles extremely well. Characters make intelligent mistakes, sometimes crucial ones that haunt them, and have to live with the consequences of their decisions.
If you're interested in military strategy, Alderamin fills that niche extremely well, but it's not without its shortcomings.
