**contains some spoilers**
Welcome to another episode of manga reviews, I am your host Pokyqu!
I very much enjoyed ascendance of a bookworm. By far the best thing about this novel is the world building and the chapters with character perspectives other than the mc!
Structure
Part 1 was wholesome, a bit of a slow read at times but satisfying exploring the mc relationship with her family as a commoner in the medieval like world she was reincarnated into with a little bit of an educational kind of thing going on dr stone type vibes. Part 2 introduced a set of new characters in the setting of a temple. Parts 3-5 focused on the life as a noble and the house of lords (magic school) and politics of the world. I like the way it is structured, the plot developing with each part but some parts are better than others. imo part 2 + 3 were the most fun as it contained world building but still included new characters and some of the older characters.
Characters
Ascendance of the bookworm had a very pleasant cast of characters from her time as a commoner till the end as a noble. Most were quite interesting and likable especially when given the treat of a chapter with another characters perspective. An issue that I believe that the novel had was that in the later parts mostly parts 4 + 5 there were too many characters being introduced in quick succession. Most of the names of the characters are "noble names" which are intentionally long and hard to pronounce/remember not to mention the "Gods" in the story so it took me quite some time to distinguish the large cast of characters which weren't eased in to the story like characters from the earlier parts. Another concern I have is a lack of focus or priority for certain characters most notably the antagonists. Georgine who was set up to be a major villain mastermind type since part 3 who was defeated off screen, Gervasio a major villain who seemingly out of nowhere showed up in late part 5 and was displayed as a significant antagonist in terms of power and influence was also beaten chapters after his introduction off screen, same thing with the prince of Island and Detlinde very disappointing antagonists even tho most of them had a lot going on with them in the narrative. Other characters just got too much or too little focus that didn't make sense. For example Kartlsted/Elvira and their family, Florenzia and the fuedal lord family not being involved more in part 3. As well as characters like Hildebrand who had a great amount of screen time but only was really a plot device like Letzia but with double the appearances. I would have liked to see more perspective type chapters but I believe there will be much more for the light novel.
Lore
As a result of the long confusing names and lore as well as reading the web novel via google translate a lot of details were missed in the translation. However the lore and world building are very interesting with good fantasy elements and I'm sure will be a much smoother experience when reading with the light novel. Part 5, specifically in the final arc saw a large amount of lore dump and felt very rushed towards the end.
Conclusion
Rating : 8 /10
Overall Ascendance of a bookworm is a well written novel although sometimes the author gets excessively descriptive. Details are sometimes difficult to follow with long names and lore dumps at part 5 but due to being read from poorly translated web novel a lot of the details would go underappreciated. Its an engaging story with great plot, world building, and a likable cast of characters. Although I have my criticisms with some characters mostly the antagonists, rushed final arc of part 5, most of these will likely be fixed in the light novel with even more perspective chapters which are extremely enjoyable. I'm sure if I read the light novel version I would've enjoyed it even more! Highly recommend :)
