The Little Prince in the Ossuary - Reviews

"Exceedingly realistic. Author displays an impeccable understanding of dark human emotions, akin to reading a novel adaptation of 'The Joker.' Five stars."

I don't usually write reviews, but this story truly deserves more attention; it's exceptional. The plot revolves around a young boy whose body was sold by his parents for the family's well-being, leading to his mind being separated from his physical form. The buyer uses the boy's body for a youthful appearance, while his consciousness remains trapped in a virtual game set in an apocalyptic world.

At first, I found the excessive descriptions and monologues dull, but I regret giving up on it earlier. The storytelling is fantastic, with a balanced mix of thrilling action and a gripping narrative. The fight scenes are exhilarating, and the plot progression is engaging. Moreover, the translation is seamless and top-notch.

Kudos to the translators, who have maintained the same level of excellence they showcased in "Second Life Ranker." Although not typically drawn to adventure stories, I must commend their excellent taste in novels.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book. It's an enjoyable read that offers more than meets the eye. Happy reading! ❤️

The review for Chapter 8 is intriguing. My interpretation is that the story takes place in a futuristic Earth, given elements like cloning and consciousness transfer. The start might be a bit bewildering, but allow me to clarify based on my understanding: the protagonist is engaged in a virtual reality game, with real-life consequences – you'll have to explore further to unravel the rest!

This is an exceptional tale that, personally speaking, doesn't align with my usual preferences. It takes place in a grim, dystopian future setting. The protagonist, Gyeoul, is a young boy whose family commodifies him by transferring his consciousness into a younger body, facilitated by a doctor's intervention. Gyeoul's mind remains separate, immersing itself in virtual reality games, particularly a survival game set during a zombie apocalypse. The book ingeniously exposes the darker aspects of humanity, focusing on greed, prejudice, irrationality, and the devastating effects of human behavior during crises.

What stands out is the book's emotional realism and the subtle shifts in tone, often bordering on melancholy, which showcases exceptional writing, translation, and editing. The narrative feels like a thought-provoking experiment, challenging societal norms.

I wholeheartedly recommend this series, featuring a compelling main character, realistic scenarios, and profound questions about society. To truly appreciate the depth of its action, I suggest reading the entire novel without breaks. Chapter 40 alone is a thrilling highlight.

I tend to be hesitant when starting a new book, and I let it sit on my reading list for almost a month before diving in. But so far, it's been incredibly engaging. The term "dark" might come from its grounded nature, despite having a unique premise. Initially, I had doubts about the concept, but those concerns vanished as I continued reading. In all honesty, I believe almost anyone would find it worth giving a try.

Hopefully, this will entice more readers to explore, as Chapter 7 onward truly delivers. "The Little Prince in the Ossuary" primarily unfolds as a captivating virtual reality narrative, occasionally delving into flashbacks of the real-world events. The protagonist finds himself in a simulated global apocalypse scenario, reminiscent of "28 Days Later," as a refugee in a camp. He confronts challenges like racial discrimination, conflicts between different ethnic groups, and the daunting task of survival and self-improvement.

Away from the主角's extraordinary heroics, we witness the state of the external world and the chain of events leading him to this situation. In essence, it's a thrilling survival tale featuring a protagonist capable of both logical decision-making and fierce combat, intertwined with a compelling mystery surrounding his presence in this "game."

Furthermore, the story is crafted by TeeKay and Nisaea, creators of "Second Life Ranker," and their artistic prowess ensures an engaging experience. So give it a try, knowing that their taste for quality is impeccable.

Chapter 24 Edit: The story has surpassed expectations, echoing positive feedback from Korean readers and accolades it has received. The author masterfully portrays the despicable nature of characters in Chapter 24.

Chapter 8 Edit: It keeps getting better, maintaining a mature and darker tone. I anticipate this progression throughout the narrative. The author effectively demonstrates, rather than simply stating, the characters' personalities.

Original Review (Chapter 2): "The Little Prince in the Ossuary," as described, is a VR novel where the protagonist experiences a near-reality game. Despite limited content in Chapter 2, some might question my five-star rating. Here are three points in response:

First, with two one-star reviews already, why shouldn't I give it a high rating considering its potential?

Second, it shares the same "Novel of the Year" award as "SCoG" and "Novel's Extra," which suggests quality.

Third, the translation by TeeKay and editing by Nisaea, known for "Second Life Ranker," ensures a polished product. Critics who find fault might just be missing the point or overly critical online.

In conclusion, I encourage giving it a chance, as the storyline and translation seem promising so far.

Addendum: Though I often tease Nis, this endorsement is not sponsored – he'd never let me preview Chapter 3 if he were stingy... (deleted part)

This marks my very first time writing a book review, so here's a concise one for you all. ABSOLUTELY READ THIS ASTOUNDING Epic Novel! It offers an exhilarating blend of action, suspense, emotion, and even a touch of humor. The storytelling is captivating, and I must commend the translation team for their seamless work. Enjoy every page!

What can I say? I haven't come across a Korean novel, or any novel for that matter, that matches the excellence of this one. Okay, perhaps that's a slight exaggeration since I do have my personal favorites, but this one certainly stands out among my readings thus far. It's disheartening to see how the translators who took over after Chapter 40 marred such a fantastic work.

I wonder why a more capable translator didn't take on this project earlier? Were the translations held hostage by less skilled hands until it was too late? It seems like learning Korean might be necessary to fully appreciate the rest, but I doubt the untranslated comments would hold the same appeal for me.

It's similar to appreciating literature in different languages, where one might prefer one over others for its unique charm. In my case, I'm proficient in three, and I enjoy reading in English.

...Moving on from that tangent. I highly recommend reading up until Chapter 40 and skipping the rest until the manga adaptation (which, unfortunately, will likely be heavily censored) comes out. Asura's translation might be worth waiting for, although I doubt they'll surpass the fantastic work done by Patchwork Novels.

Strangely, this eastern book offers the most authentic portrayal of American thought, at least as perceived from an outsider's perspective. I am convinced that the author, having either spent considerable time in the US or knows many Americans well, captures the essence accurately. The book is incredibly captivating, with a bleak atmosphere that I find appealing. The virtual reality elements are seamlessly integrated and draw me in. Naturally, the theme of humanity and how the AI in the story surpasses human nature in some ways resonates. What I appreciate is the realism of the characters, despite them being fictional. Their actions feel genuine, not just their personalities. I'm eager for more and hope the translation continues.

This is an excellent novel, highly engaging. Initially, I expected it to follow the usual formula of a naive shonen story, but the protagonist defies that with his practical and, at times, calculated actions, which strike a balance without being excessively harsh. The narrative maintains a serious tone, but it's punctuated with hilarious moments that feel genuine, like those found on the internet.

However, the recent translator falls significantly short compared to the previous one. It's disheartening to read such a polished translation followed by an MTL (Machine-Translated) mess. I understand that they have multiple projects, but the quality has plummeted. Your Active Translation team should seriously reconsider continuing this adaptation; it's spoiling the reading experience for me. Despite the fantastic novel, I deduct two stars due to the botched translation, which actually motivated me to learn Korean. So, four stars for the book, minus two for the translation mishap.

This novel is one of the finest I've encountered. Typically, when encountering a 'tragic' label, I tend to overlook it, seeking alternatives. However, the author masterfully handles the portrayal of the protagonist's past, ensuring the emotional impact remains manageable and heartache is contained. The main character's action sequences, his well-developed personality, and the engaging interactions with non-playable characters are exceptional. I highly recommend giving it a chance, as I am confident you won't be disappointed.

P.S. I do hope for a more accelerated translation pace.