Ascendance of a Bookworm

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A bookworm who had finally found a job as a librarian at a university was sadly killed shortly after graduating from college.

She was reborn as Myne, the daughter of a soldier in a world where the literacy rate is low and books were scarce. No matter how much she wanted to read, there were no books around. What is a bookworm to do without any books? Make them, of course.

Her goal is to become a librarian! So that she may once again live surrounded by books, she must start by making them herself.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Ascendence of a Bookworm: I'll Stop at Nothing to Become a Librarian
El Ratón de Biblioteca
Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen
La Petite Faiseuse de Livres
愛書的下克上
本好きの下剋上 ~司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません~
책벌레의 하극상
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Tensei Shoujo no Rirekisho (12)
Common Sense of a Duke’s Daughter (7)
Release that Witch (7)
I’ll Live My Second Life! (5)
Parallel World Pharmacy (3)
Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka? (3)
Recommendation Lists
  1. enjoyed my time
  2. ALLJP+
  3. Novels that are not romance focused
  4. The novel whose adaptation made me come here
  5. Isekai Fantasy | #1

Latest Release

Date Group Release
08/15/23 Trollcity Translations drama cd 6
05/18/23 Trollcity Translations drama cd 5
02/12/23 Trollcity Translations ss: tuuli's pov
09/16/22 Trollcity Translations ss: benno's pov
09/08/22 Trollcity Translations drama cd 4
06/08/22 Trollcity Translations ss: rozemyne’s pov
05/06/22 Trollcity Translations drama cd 3
03/19/22 Trollcity Translations ss: ferdinand's pov
10/20/21 Trollcity Translations bluray ss
09/28/21 Trollcity Translations drama cd 2
05/01/21 New Moon Translations v6c7
05/01/21 New Moon Translations v6c6
04/18/19 Infinite Novel... c103
04/04/19 Infinite Novel... c102
03/21/19 Infinite Novel... c101
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160 Reviews sorted by


Nepenthe
Nepenthe rated it
October 6, 2019
Status: c127
I started from the manga, then came over to the novel because I really really love the series. I'm the kind of person that'll real anything I get my hands on (so long as it's not, y'know, garbage) so I've read all kinds of different isekai, and all kinds of different novels. This series has a depth of worldbuilding and level of intricacy to its society and its plot that I really only see from a handful of book series. We also see a more western approach to character arcs,... more>> in that our MC starts out with a good amount of growth to do. I can understand why some people might not like it, I suppose, but Maine never really bugged me like she apparently does to other people.

You should read this if: you're getting tired of how unrealistic the pseudo-medieval Europe settings of other isekai are; you're tired of these radical modern products getting implemented easily and without real economic consequences; you're tired of reading about rich, noble MCs whose only struggles are with noble society being rude to them; you want to read a series where the entire cast of characters is diverse and interesting. Maine has her goals and dreams, but when they come up against reality, she doesn't really have the power to make them happen like she wanted. Sometimes life is about compromise, and about making the best of the situation far outside of your control. Because this is kind of central to the plot, it gives the series a feeling of maturity a lot of others lack.

Anyway, I'm a fan! Blastron's translations are fantastic, even though they are no longer translating the series. It's definitely worth giving a try. <<less
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etherealbao
etherealbao rated it
September 4, 2019
Status: --
I came from the manga and didn't regret it.

It is a slow paced story. The whole 100 chapters probably were there just for the world building, and it was a long journey before finding out this world has ... more>>
Spoiler

something like Mana and Magic.

[collapse]

I feel conflicted because even if I like the writing and the tiny details of the world, I feel bored a lot of times and left this novel, only to come back and binge on the chapters. It is the type of novel that you expect nothing and feel it's just on okay level after reading some chapters but ended up hooked on the story and searching for the spoilers afterwards.

After looking for the spoilers though, I feel even more confused and curious because the story didn't progress like I thought it would and they are so random that I think "wtf". However I am sure that the slow pace is one of the reason that even though it wouldn't make sense right now, it would be completely normal after I reach that point.

Well, I don't plan on dropping this novel but waiting until they released enough chapter for me to binge on <<less
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Eristol
Eristol rated it
August 7, 2019
Status: c20
Review will change after reading further. I just finished like the first 20 chapters. Ok, so the MC is selfish, insufferable ingrate and treats people like ''tools" for her "goal" of making books. I find her personality very irritating for the time being, but the thing is, there is no such rules stating that a protagonist of a story HAS to be a saint and kind and caring. In real world there are many selfish, psychotic and annoying people, it's just one of those unique stories from the pov of... more>> one such person. What actually irked me is this girl seems to lack common sense for someone who is stated to be an avid reader. Okay, so you got reincarnated in a very poor family where you can obviously see that they can barely even afford clothes, you can even tell it's the medieval age, if you have read even elementary grade history or world culture related books you would immediately guess that literacy rate was as good as 0 until the modern era, and things like books and papers in pre-industrial era were considered luxuries. You don't even a have a proper bed or a kitchen in the house nor any water sources, and you expect there to be a bookshelf? Get a clue girl! Well, she seemed pretty s*upid and lacking in common sense for a 22 year old so far. But I am willing to have patience and see it through for her development in character.

Now, what drew me in is the realistic approach to the world. All the novels here conveniently depict aristocratic circles in those era filled with conveniences and luxuries, this novel on the other hand, shows how harsh the reality was for commonners. No proper hygienes, no bath or toilet, having to throw your excrement out of the window due to the lack of a toilet, not even having any soap to wash your clothes with, living in musty dirty downtown houses, having to hunt your own food... it just goes on to show how terrible the world used to be before civilization became advanced, it really brings one out of their comfort zone just by reading this compared to all those fantasy-ish aristocratic society filled with tea parties, engagements and royals. I can see why the MC would be frustrated being thrown in a world like that. The mc's abnormal fetish like obsession with books irk me but I won't drop it because I am hoping there would be character developments and I am interested in this world setting. Most of all, I would like to judge it after I have read everything. For now I will give it a 3 star, but my rating will probably go higher if it meets my expectations later on, which I hope it will judging from some other 5 star reviews. <<less
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OptimismEternal
OptimismEternal rated it
June 25, 2019
Status: c677
This novel was a masterpiece. To give you an idea of just how much I ended up loving it--I slogged through almost 600 chapters that were Google-translated from Syosetu just because I couldn't get enough of the story. I agree with other reviews, this is a long and slow story that has incredible payoffs in the end. It's the kind of ending that makes you cry tears of joy because of how fulfilling it is. And Mine is a character that made me laugh throughout the story, in all its... more>> ups and downs. I also love Mine's adoration of books! There are other stories with eccentric characters, but I haven't yet seen another main character that's so endearingly obsessed with written words. If that sounds enjoyable to you, then go for it! It's a long and slow journey, but being able to read this was my favorite part of the day for as long as it lasted. <<less
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Mi_rei0
Mi_rei0
April 30, 2019
Status: c103
This LN, despite being an Isekai novel was pretty interesting in it's own way.

Even though the MC seemed pretty selfish at the start - wanting to read a book, wanting a bathe, proper hygiene when her family are not rich, it's not like I cannot empathise with it?

It's like you are forced to stay at a rural village, you don't have basic hygiene, electricity and technology - I would feel pretty upset too? I can't imagine not being able to read translated LNs or use the Internet, so I could... more>> imagine her frustration.

Also it's interesting to see this MC working for the things she wants, just relying on her memories instead of having an overpowering cheat. In fact, her first attempts on making a book were very much failures.

She also managed to do some sort of business - while not uncommon for Isekai protagonists and their novel ideas from our reality - the LN managed to touch on things like distribution rights and contracts, which showed how much though the author put into this. (Instead of just taking the easy way out saying - it's a great idea, it blew up and the MC earned lots of money.)

I think the story takes a while to build up, but its a very worthwhile read. <<less
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Mavsynchroid
Mavsynchroid rated it
June 7, 2018
Status: c48
REALLY like this novel. It's a perfect slice of life novel. I'll admit, at the beginning I began to get annoyed at how friggen weak she was, not being able to walk down stairs without being winded.. (This isn't a spoiler really as it happens in the first couple of chapters).. but then it factors into the story much more. The translation is perfectly done too. No mistakes or vague writing that you get in some Japanese novels. If I had to say I had any issue with it at... more>> all, it'd be that the releases are way too slow. Weekly releases for something that's 677 chapters long?... The chances that the translator will actually finish it is close to zero. Normally I'd say pass it off to a translator who can pump out releases faster, but they do a really good job. It's a pickle. Maybe hire another translator or two to help.

EDIT: I will say that the more I read, the more I think this MC is pretty damn s*upid. She's supposed to have transmigrated, yet besides having recipes and designs in her head, she acts like a young child, being manipulated by everyone around her. Dunno if it's a Japanese thing to be a weak push over who lets people take advantage of them, but that's not being kind, that's.. well.. being a weak pushover. <<less
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PlotEventFlag
PlotEventFlag rated it
May 11, 2018
Status: c74
After reading it myself and looks through some of the reviews, I know why some people kinda dislike this.

For most reincarnation series, they are mainly focus on MC with powerful abilities and skills, positive personality, goals to save the world and else. Well, that's certainly what most of the reincarnation series will be like. And most people love those kind of story. (I read a few just for fun too) But not this one. The story is not about saving the world, the MC does not have many strong and... more>> powerful abilities and skills (although she does have extreme magic capacity?), there's no evil demon army or monster in this world.

The whole story focus on a little girl, who growth and becomes more mature as the story progress, it's kinda slow--paced indeed, but what I like about this is because it's representing the real life (If you discount the magic things). What the MC done is what we always do, we made mistakes, we learnt mistakes, we grow, we try to achieve our goals.

The MC personality is kinda...... yes...... selfish, at the beginning, but that also makes me wonder how she will change. (Don't forget that she was rebirth into a stranger's body with both memories crashing on each other, and if I'm not wrong, in her world, she's kinda isolated) As the story progress, I can see the real changes, and she slowly opens her heart to everyone, her family, her friends. When she started to not just think about herself, but to care for the others.

This novel is mainly for people who enjoys a realistic story about life.

As for those who likes the usual heroine hack and slash reincarnation MC who teams up with others to save the world and never meets any obstacles, (Totally not sarcasm, and I know there's some series out there that's really dark and deep even for a heroine series) then this novel is not for you. Or just go read another slice of life reincarnation novel - Recommending :"While Killing Slimes for 300 Years, I Became the MAX Level Unknowingly" <<less
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Tykos
Tykos rated it
March 22, 2018
Status: c68
This is a great story which shoukd be rated 5/5 if the main character wasnt a bookworm. It isnt even a bookworm at this point. She is a drug addict looking for a fix, the only difference is that instead of heroin, it is books. Yeah, I dont even know how to describe it better. But anyway, a great story that has a great plot and premise. If you look past the weird as all hell bookgasms and who knows, you might even find it funny so I recommend this... more>> one. <<less
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wayson
wayson rated it
March 13, 2018
Status: c67
Is wonderfull to see a reincarnation story that actually take time to show a well constructed

universe and real charismatic characters and not only shows how overpowered the protagonist is.
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Narutolvr
Narutolvr
February 26, 2018
Status: --
Honestly, I'm unsure about the entire premise of the series. Throwing aside the bookworm vs book-fetishist debate (I'm definitely on the fetish side since she held and sniffed the first book she came across instead of reading it), I just don't get what the MC is trying to do here. So she comes to a poor village where it's hard to even find food and she decides to... make books? Why? It's not out of some noble desire to increase the literacy rate or share her knowledge with others. If... more>> that were the case, we'd see her try to teach her siblings/fellow kiddos how to read or tell them stories from the vast number of books she read or something.

Instead, she seems to want to make a book just for the sake of having a book. And that's why I'm confused. If, one day, she finally succeeds in making a legible book, where do we go from there? The vast majority of villagers still won't know how to read. Does she intend to write down the knowledge in her head and reread the things she already knows? Or is she trying to join the book market she knows nothing about with nonexistent connections? Or, perhaps, she'd read the books aloud to the villagers though telling them as is would be just as easy. I'm just confused because it seems like a goal that doesn't seem to go anywhere? <<less
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PandaPanPan
PandaPanPan rated it
June 17, 2017
Status: --
In terms of reincarnation stories, this definitely ranks in the upper echelons of LN here. The story is engaging and the MC is quite down to Earth compared to most OP for the sake of being OP MC. And while too convenient, we at least see that the MC struggles a bit with normal every day task. The world is actually better thought out than the average "Welp, Me am in new world now - better level up, because why not right?" The world is actually grounded in reality and... more>> that's refreshing. If you're looking for some small d*ck Asian high school boy getting a harem and having DBZ power level abilities, this ain't gonna tickle your beta-male ego. You want a decent, not great, read - give this LN a try. <<less
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Galileo
Galileo rated it
March 28, 2017
Status: c47
I love this! ^U^ She is so cute & original~ She isn't your typical reincarnator. I especially like how she is focused on her goals. And she isn't delusional or thinks that everything will go her way like some other light novels. I also love how descriptive the stories setting is I feel as if I was walking beside her when she goes down the stairs or outside.. Even the descriptions on her house & the winter they had painted a picture that made me feel as if I was... more>> sitting right there trying to stay warm with her family. All in all it is a descriptive, imaginative, & interesting story~ I recommend 100% >u< <<less
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shylight
shylight rated it
March 11, 2017
Status: c45
First dozen of chapters will probably make you hate MC, but afterwards things get better. Much better.

Of course you still won't be seeing any miraculous power ups, grand battles, oddly specifically convenient magics or anything like that in this novel. As a matter of fact, MC is frail and she's constantly on the verge of dying from her disease. She also doesn't have an impeccable knowledge of all things she needs. These facts make her probably the most realistic and relatable otherworlder I have seen so far. Couple that with... more>> a gritty and believable mediaeval world and a solid character cast and you'll have yourself a great novel to enjoy. <<less
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toetoe
toetoe rated it
November 29, 2016
Status: c36
Well... It was a bit of a surprise. But a good one. To be perfectly honest I think that the depth of the novel is quite good, and, even though it is a light novel it shows a study of characters and situation that is precise. The modern knowledge in a medieval setting has been quite used, but it shows a practical aspect that makes it more believable and thorough, the lack of certain parts of it and the MC's character and personality make you actually believe that it is... more>> possible. And, even though she is not the most likable person, and the fact that the novel is a bit slow, makes it all the more interesting. <<less
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AshCrow
AshCrow rated it
August 18, 2016
Status: c26
A very cute story about a frail girl doing her best to make books. The way she does things is very funny and heart warming that you can't stop reading and wanting more. The story is slow paced but the plot development is something that gives the readers excitement. I highly recommend this novel.
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a5tr4y
a5tr4y rated it
May 31, 2016
Status: v1c16
It's really good story for travelling world without fighting, war, killing, revenge. It's good for who like reading about craftsman genre
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App
App rated it
May 24, 2016
Status: c16
This is the most low-action story in all of existence, but one of the better stories out there. The MC is logical without being perfect, smart while having believable blind spots, and the world (just a town so far) is well built.
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DokuHana
DokuHana rated it
May 18, 2016
Status: c15
Very cute. The MC's way of dying is sooo funny. Her reactions are also hilarious. The only problem I have is that the pacing is a little slow. At 15 chapters, the MC still hasn't gotten really anywhere with her goal to make books. However, it's still very cute and quite worth the read!
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Aure94100
Aure94100 rated it
March 2, 2016
Status: --
The way she died... awesome ! (It reminds me when Zuo Mo of World of Cultivation admitted that he would love to die smashed by jingshi).

A slow paced story with no fantastic events for the first chapters. The MC is reincarnated in a really weak body and has a lot of mental breakdown because of her own worthlessness... and other realities ‘laugh’.

We are in a very realistic commoner life and the MC goes from desillusions to desillusions. I like how the author keep a sense of intense weakness that everybody... more>> would feel if they had to awaken in such an impossible starting game. It’s like if the author was spitting on all these other novels with some s*upid gods who kidnap people and give them unbelievable cheats and show us how he views the parachuting of a modern person in a medieval world.

But it’s not an hopeless beginning because in her japanese natural nervosity regarding sanitary needs, our MC quickly attempt a crusade for her own sanity. And this is before discovering the rude reality regarding books and paper. Yes ! Because we can see that the author has made his homework about life and economic reality in medieval days.

This makes things really exciting ! How the hell will our poor girl overcome her own weak condition and begin her struggle to reach the holy grail ? The Divine Library !!! ^^ <<less
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ChiusaAkari
ChiusaAkari rated it
December 26, 2022
Status: webnovelc677
I wanted to make a few points clear after reading the first page of reviews. Since I haven't read them all it might've already been mentioned but I'm too lazy to go through them all. They also include my opinions after buying the LN version:

Their age and Ferdinand's desire

... more>>
Spoiler

Ferdinand was 20 and Myne 7 when they met for the first time. Which means by the time they got engaged their age are 28 and 14 respectively (since Myne repeated her 7 year old life). Ferdinand looks old but isn't. If he knew someone tried to pass him off as 40 that one reader would get the hell for it.

Not that I'm saying this doesn't make him a lolicon, after all there's a 13 year difference there. However keep in mind that in Jürgenschmidt that age difference in marriage was normal so he himself doesn't feel any problems about that aspect. In Rome do like the Romanians.

Rather than that I'm feeling a bit peeved at Ferdinand since he practically raised Rozemyne from young age and actually was the one who schemed the accident which caused Myne to separate from her family. I know that it all started with his desire to feel Myne's love for her family himself- a love free of duty and appraising worth. The kind of love he never got from his father, whom he respects and looks up to. His father did love him, but it was 'for Ehrenfest' and because 'the Goddess of Time willed it'. He probably thought that he would naturally get his wish by dragging Myne into the noble world, making her Karstedt's daughter and Sylvester's adopted daughter, which in turn made him part of her noble family. He would be her uncle (not that he wanted to be called by that title. Maybe it makes him feel old).

At the same time Rozemyne would get all education necessary as an archnoble, bring new economic flow into the duchy, make connections/ take aides she needs for her future, do a medical check since he has always been suspicious about her too weak health. He also got rid of the pain in a neck High Bishop and Veronica, Sylvester's mother. Which in turn brought a bit stability to the ongoing faction war.

I wouldn't go into the detail here but the ppl who read the story must know what I mean. Damn he's such an evil schemer that he's real good villain/ final boss material...

Anyway afterwards he got shocked when he found out that Rozemyne didn't really care much about those who were family in name only. She's more emotionally attached to people she spend her times with. For example: Lamprecht, her second elder brother, has lower priority than Damuel, her personal escort knight. It must have been outside of Ferdinand's expectations. Just good for him that they spend lots of time together and he took care of her. So I think his feelings went like from duty/ responsibility to raise a commoner blue shrine maiden, to desire for family feelings and finally evolved to love and wanting to monopolize her.

[collapse]

Rozemyne/Myne

Spoiler

To that guy who said that Ferdinand forced his own feelings on Rozemyne when she lost her memories: from where did you read this? Ferdinand only showed his memories and unwillingly his real unfiltered feelings to her. Rozemyne got her own memories and feelings back after being hit by her last blessing to her family. If anything she was much weirder without her most precious memory which made her into the Rozemyne Ferdinand desired. Without those she was a through and through noble.
The only part I agree with is that she isn't Lutz's Myne anymore. But seriously. Do you think you can stay unchanged after growing up surrounded by nobles and getting educated like one? Habits form as time passes. Some things become a natural part of life which only seems unnatural to someone living in different circumstances.
Someone complained how at the end of AoaB Rozemyne can be happy and satisfied with only two bells of time with spending with her family and go like that? Hmm... Yeah maybe she should have been a bit more reluctant. I can only imagine that she is satisfied with spending time and hugs with her family she thought she would never be able to anymore. And as a noble it was enough for her to know that in the future she would be allowed more personal contact with them. That's why she's so calm. Actually I can imagine how in the future she will even venture out of that room with her family and she undercover- with an potion/ spell of Ferdinand's creation to change her appearance and dragging him along as well.

Also it would have been impossible for Rozemyne to become Myne again after the Charlotte kidnapping/ poisoning event. She must attend the Royal Academy so she can get her Stap in order to control her mana, so she doesn't explode from the enormous mana inside her. She must be of noble lineage so that no other noble can force her into doing things she doesn't want as a commoner or even becoming a s*ave/ baby breeder.

[collapse]

Myne/Urano

Spoiler

This is only my personal speculation so I may be wrong. It didn't really come through in the Webnovel and I only realized when I read the light novel.

In the first volume there's a side chapter in Effas POV saying that when Myne was young she spoke about dreams doing whatever she wanted and eating delicious food so- what if Myne's subconscious was like living in Japan within Urano and strongly influencing her? This would explain her childish temperament and doing only what she liked as Urano since Myne is still a child. Under 5 even. She has a one track mind and focused so much on books which enabled her to temporarily suppress the mana inside her. But then Urano died Myne didn't have the solace of her dreams anymore. The Devouring heat ate her alive. At the same time because there's an existing connection between Myne and Urano, Urano's subconscious transferred into Myne's body. Which explains the feeling like a bubble pooping in the beginning. So from that point on Myne began to slowly grow emotionally and in the social aspect.

[collapse]

Bookworm/ Book Fetish

Spoiler

Reading certain reviews did make me feel like Myne has a book fetish. I mean which normal person likes to smell books and ink? But there were also a few points I don't agree with. I mean I also love reading books but I certainly don't have such a good memory to remember every single sentence I've ever seen in my life. I may only remember things I'm interest in and certainly not things that have nothing to do with my current modern life.

Her Urano memories were getting blurry that's why she has an even harder time remembering exact details. As we can see how Ferdinand pounded into that stubborn mind of hers with study material she needs, Rozemyne does have a good memory- again only for things she likes or is forced to remember. Her memory for other things is disastrous. For that reason she made a ditch pad so she could write down important things. Even in her Urano days she always used memory pads so that's why. I'm also the type to likely forget things.

[collapse]

Btw I get the feeling that whoever is on the translation team for the LN version doesn't like Ascendance of a Bookworm himself. Don't know who on the team (ED or PR maybe?). Just a few examples would be mixing up silver and gold, 'waxing' instead of 'walking', translating 'bocchama' to ' my boy', calling Sylvester by name instead of adoptive father... Well the last two examples may be due to being the LN version instead of WN version.

There's a lot more I want to say but I hope I'm getting my point across. This is a story mainly in Myne's POV, so some information she gives us is different from the perspective of another. This is also why I like the fact that there're lots of other POV's. Since that gives us other important information which we otherwise wouldn't have gotten.

Every character has his own personal story and while some people are bad villains in Myne's perspective, they have their own personal reason and beliefs they act on. Like in RL there's no true villain and victim.

I also like the fact that there are tidbits of information from the beginning that are explained throughout the story. There's lots of foreshadowing that I noticed when I reread the story for the second and even third time.

Basically I like the story, I hope you give Ascendance of a Bookworm a chance! <<less
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