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puddicure 's review for:
Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools Volume 1
by Hisaya Amagishi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay, so I’ve really gotten into light novels now. And I have to say, I adore this one, partly because so far, the reincarnation narrative isn’t a focus of the story At All. Dahlia has lead a life almost as long as her previous one, and her previous life is mostly a source of inspiration for her magical inventions.
There’s very little reliance on the standard fantasy RPG worldbuilding, and no irritating gameplay meta framing devices. If you’re looking for that, go elsewhere.
This book takes time in between scenes to pause and discuss things like marriage customs, the magic system, and copious descriptions of food, but in a way that’s rarely overwhelming, and quite fun. The concepts utilized in the magic system- magic crystals being used to create magical tech- isn’t entirely unique, but the social infrastructure surrounding those crystals and materials is fresh and fun to me.
This story invites you to come inside and have a cup of tea, and goes at its own pace. It starts a bit melancholy, but much like the protagonist, it slowly gains color and a sparkling, earnest outlook on the world Dahlia lives in. It paints a picture of a young woman realizing she is not alone, and that she is valued and supported by the friends and community who care for her.
Unlike the most of the other LNs I’ve read so far, which have been in first person, this one is told in 3rd person limited, with the occasional character focus chapters thrown in here and there. I think that choice really suits the narrative of a woman who has difficulties asserting herself and allowing herself to take up space, and the author establishes a pattern for character backstory disclosure that becomes familiar and comfortable in its rhythm.
My biggest criticism is…well, I don’t like the art style at all. And this isn’t my first light novel at all! It’s perfectly FINE art, but the moe generic style doesn’t really suit the story, and the character designs don’t feel like they were created in tandem with the narrative. Dahlia is supposed to be tall, and the bonus story even comments on her “mature face”- so why are they drawing her with such a baby face? The new clothes she gets in her makeover don’t match the character design, either-she gets a pair of green pants, “a lily-white sweater with just a hint of green, and a white shirt to wear underneath,”, along with a black dress she pairs with a beige jacket. The design used entirely disregards the symbolically significant palette change from dark to light clothes.
Volf is supposed to be stunningly handsome- why does he look like a generic harem anime lead with colored contacts in? I literally scoffed when the first illustration of him came up after them talking up his good looks.
Even her childhood friend Irma, also on the cover of volume 1, isn’t really as shes described in the book, with dark hair and brown eyes; they made her a redhead.
Like I said, the art isn’t Bad. It just feels like an artist was contracted and given a few notes on general character features, without any access or attention to the rest of the story.
It’s easy enough to ignore, though, so I’m not detracting from my score for it.
There’s very little reliance on the standard fantasy RPG worldbuilding, and no irritating gameplay meta framing devices. If you’re looking for that, go elsewhere.
This book takes time in between scenes to pause and discuss things like marriage customs, the magic system, and copious descriptions of food, but in a way that’s rarely overwhelming, and quite fun. The concepts utilized in the magic system- magic crystals being used to create magical tech- isn’t entirely unique, but the social infrastructure surrounding those crystals and materials is fresh and fun to me.
This story invites you to come inside and have a cup of tea, and goes at its own pace. It starts a bit melancholy, but much like the protagonist, it slowly gains color and a sparkling, earnest outlook on the world Dahlia lives in. It paints a picture of a young woman realizing she is not alone, and that she is valued and supported by the friends and community who care for her.
Unlike the most of the other LNs I’ve read so far, which have been in first person, this one is told in 3rd person limited, with the occasional character focus chapters thrown in here and there. I think that choice really suits the narrative of a woman who has difficulties asserting herself and allowing herself to take up space, and the author establishes a pattern for character backstory disclosure that becomes familiar and comfortable in its rhythm.
My biggest criticism is…well, I don’t like the art style at all. And this isn’t my first light novel at all! It’s perfectly FINE art, but the moe generic style doesn’t really suit the story, and the character designs don’t feel like they were created in tandem with the narrative. Dahlia is supposed to be tall, and the bonus story even comments on her “mature face”- so why are they drawing her with such a baby face? The new clothes she gets in her makeover don’t match the character design, either-she gets a pair of green pants, “a lily-white sweater with just a hint of green, and a white shirt to wear underneath,”, along with a black dress she pairs with a beige jacket. The design used entirely disregards the symbolically significant palette change from dark to light clothes.
Volf is supposed to be stunningly handsome- why does he look like a generic harem anime lead with colored contacts in? I literally scoffed when the first illustration of him came up after them talking up his good looks.
Even her childhood friend Irma, also on the cover of volume 1, isn’t really as shes described in the book, with dark hair and brown eyes; they made her a redhead.
Like I said, the art isn’t Bad. It just feels like an artist was contracted and given a few notes on general character features, without any access or attention to the rest of the story.
It’s easy enough to ignore, though, so I’m not detracting from my score for it.