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A review by seabanshee
The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly unique and self-aware, SVSSS packs a punch and will deliver a delightful read filled with laughter. It's a wonderful debut novel for MXTX, and I can only hope that the official translation will bring in a larger readership to appreciate it. It's the only MXTX book I haven't read as the fan translations were removed once Seven Seas announced the publication, so I have no idea what to expect from the future volumes.
But this volume alone was charming and hilarious as MXTX ruthlessly targeted so many tropes and plotholes that riddle mainstream popular fiction, weaving an entertaining narrative that's sure to break our hearts in future releases. Set up almost like a virtual RPG, Shen Yuan's soul is sucked into a system that places him in the body of a scum villain from a novel that he despised. He then has to try his best to remain in character while attempting to change the horrible fate awaiting him at the end of the story. But as he changes the timeline, a butterfly effect springs forward, which continues to spiral the original story he once knew into completely different territory.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good laugh, but also to anyone interested in reading danmeis. It'd be a great beginner novel since birth vs. courtesy names aren't really present much in the novel. I first read The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation and nearly split my head in two when a single character had four separate titles, and there was a cast of 15+. So if names and titles are likely to overwhelm you as you wade into danmei novels, SVSSS would be a perfect icebreaker to introduce you to common concepts in the xianxia and wuxia-inspired genre.
Also, it's hella gay, which is always a plus.
But this volume alone was charming and hilarious as MXTX ruthlessly targeted so many tropes and plotholes that riddle mainstream popular fiction, weaving an entertaining narrative that's sure to break our hearts in future releases. Set up almost like a virtual RPG, Shen Yuan's soul is sucked into a system that places him in the body of a scum villain from a novel that he despised. He then has to try his best to remain in character while attempting to change the horrible fate awaiting him at the end of the story. But as he changes the timeline, a butterfly effect springs forward, which continues to spiral the original story he once knew into completely different territory.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good laugh, but also to anyone interested in reading danmeis. It'd be a great beginner novel since birth vs. courtesy names aren't really present much in the novel. I first read The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation and nearly split my head in two when a single character had four separate titles, and there was a cast of 15+. So if names and titles are likely to overwhelm you as you wade into danmei novels, SVSSS would be a perfect icebreaker to introduce you to common concepts in the xianxia and wuxia-inspired genre.
Also, it's hella gay, which is always a plus.