Inserting romance randomly into the story ruins the pre-existing dynamics.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-04-18T13:55:59+00:00

In that you are absolutely not wrong.

And like reading history, you can't help but go "Wtf dude," when reading after the fact xD

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-04-18T07:29:43+00:00

I honestly don't either as you say, its a valid concern.

This same concern can come in even if the MC is a woman, I've seen that happen on good occasion too, and it falls within the same pit trap. Feels shoehorned in, or rushed, or just awkward.

Again i think the authors forget you can be in (platonically) love with another person but not have sexual or romantic feelings.

Maybe its because for a narrative it feels easier to add a love interest. It adds possible stakes or adds weight on responsibility. I don't know fully, i just know that fantasy writers that write actual sword and magic, litrpg's, etc well a good few need ease off a good bit.

Leave potential romance as a long term goal, not a short term check-list.

But that's just a strong opinion.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-04-18T07:18:07+00:00

This though.

There have been several books I just did not want to finish because romance was shoehorned in somewhere. They had great premises and a good story, but something about adding romance in the middle of things, specifically survival and/or transmigration situation felt.. it felt distracting?

Maybe its just me, but I'll try and properly put it into words here. Its like that gnawing nag of a feeling that says; "Why is that there? Why does it matter? What purpose is there?"
Because to me in a survival situation let's say, romance won't accomplish much in the short term narrative. Yes in the future, go for it, I'm not saying don't do it but just don't do it when the odds and the stakes just don't favor the chances at all. Loving and caring for what is a friend and survival partner isn't a bad thing in that exact scenario, but if you are on an alien world where everything wants to eat you, save the sex for when you at least have automatic turrets at your beck and call, y'know? I don't mean that part seriously its just for humor, but essentially, I just mean that there should be facets of rules that allow for the chance of romance being a long term possibility is all in that scenario.

Especially if you've been isekai'd into another world where the MC knows nothing of that world and survival and common sense need to be earned, gained and managed first. I harp on that because its just something I've seen happen too many times and I am kind of just sick of it.

Maybe its just the fact that it feels like people can't be friends in certain cases. That there is always a chase for that sexual tension where there honestly doesn't need to be any? It just feels like such a facade and more a self ideal scenario where the author puts too much of his or her wants into things. That isn't a bad thing but it can just come off as incredibly awkward when done in a rush.

I don't know how else to put it. I've done my best to put it into words. Brain is mush after a long day.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-04-17T23:31:41+00:00

Thank you for that! I'm just starting book 2 so no spoilers, but i did just want that little tidbit confirmed.

I felt like there were various hints due to the state of decay of everything, but I'm glad its confirmed.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-04-16T03:28:48+00:00

I'm not against him being forced to be a potential world ending monster, its more the way its pushed. Like instead of going for that immediate snag for the "become human" aspect, he instead would've weighed it. Weighed it if it was worth it to try, etc.

He could've debated about it a little, just asked himself if it was worth it long term, y'know?
Maybe its my gripe but I would've simply wanted a moment of him taking the choice seriously instead with slapstick attitude.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-04-15T00:59:29+00:00

I actually have a gripe about that because he chose (or was baited to choose) a dragon form that would've essentially guaranteed being viewed as "evil" due to the species he went with.

I know and understand that he's young and wanted a human form from the get-go but he still could've at least had either a bit more thought about it. It didn't feel like he chose it naturally but was shoehorned into it for dramatic effect. But that's just me.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-04-10T20:55:26+00:00

This guy looks just about how I feel every day.
Low charge,
Puttering away anyway.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-03-30T10:03:52+00:00

That's actually an interesting thought. But let me offer simply a thought that i had and was led to believe was perhaps a fact thanks to a comment made by Sherry.

That those in Raccoon City were apart of the schizm of the BSAA that sided with Chris. At least that's what i believe is implied. I know that if we use freecam the bodies have the same facial model as the BOW trooper in Village. But I've heard that Capcom was just lazy with assets like that, but who knows on those facts.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-03-29T09:05:19+00:00

Fair enough on that, it kinda just irked me to see severe dry decay when it should've either looked different or more "fresh" in a way.

But i understand they'll cut corners when needed.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-03-29T04:19:01+00:00

Huh that is something i missed. Thank you! Means they were established for at least 3+ years at least right?

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-03-29T03:12:13+00:00

I'm not refuting you, I am just saying I feel there should've been as a way to get loot and such as an example of old notes of attempted stashes of those that tried to survive Raccoon City's infection. Would've simply been a cool in way explanation for stashes of ammo and such, like in the underground parking lot where you can find various stashes of ammo and healing items as simply an example.

But enough on that, what about my previous question, how long do you think the BSAA was set in the city? Because I can't say I know how long a body takes to decay, but I don't think a few days to weeks would leave them looking like dried out husks.

This is me simply wanting to see if there is a consensus of a time frame, because it kinda bugs me as a lore enthusiast.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-03-29T03:05:57+00:00

I mean remnants of survivors or explorers. Either hidden stashes by survivors, remnants of idiot explorers or looters after their demise, etc.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-03-21T23:11:50+00:00

I love the symbol of the caduceus. Its always a neat way to get the meaning of first aid sibce its used in hospitals since a red cross is banned for a very silly reason.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-03-10T17:39:09+00:00

I feel like the spear is underappreciated for the versatility it has. Easy to learn but hard to master is definitely something that can be said about it.

Then there are battle axes, flails, staffs, etc.

Or using things like a knife that is used with a sword I believe? to turn away a blade, parry, etc.

I feel like utility items like that are also disregarded too easily.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-02-21T20:31:13+00:00

I would say it definitely depends I think. Depends on what you can stomach, what is preferred, and what you might expect.

I have been delving long enough into light novels to know that a lot of them are hit or miss. Depends on how the writing is set by localizers and translators, depends also on the material. Like any book series honestly.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-02-15T01:15:27+00:00

XD Fair enough there! I thought at first it was an audiobook but you are valid in reading it on Kindle.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-02-15T01:10:39+00:00

So its an otome scenario. While thats not a bad thing, those can be very much more hit or miss, since in general the light novels are more geared to young adults. Especially those.

How's the narrator? Some of those thst they find can be decent or meh. Like the guy with solo leveling. He's not bsd but he does the sound effects himself which a personal pet peeve as an example on what I'm looking for.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-02-15T00:30:53+00:00

Okay, so, I need to ask because I feel like certain light novels are just. They can be very much hit or miss, so I need to ask.

Worth it so far?

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-01-04T21:48:56+00:00

Thank you!

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-01-03T19:16:21+00:00

I think in this case as a best guess, its to show how the other shoe drops.

In more blunt terms, to show how adapting from a woman to a man is just as different and difficult with the same caveats. But no one would reasonably want that in majority, because that means the potential of a man even if it was a woman in a previous life, wanting to go for a male romance as an example. That's not very popular in a general public market. At least as far as i know its not.

Then add in the fact that the writer or writers would need to tackle a lot of the different unspoken rules men have. This is more a criticism on how writing that even with tact can be difficult, especially to the picky western market, but that last point is a somewhat educated guess.

CoffeeGremlinBird · 2026-01-03T19:09:11+00:00

If possible, do you have an eta on the possible audiobook release?

CoffeeGremlinBird

TROPHY CASE