I Can’t Die Before the Novel Even Starts

My Thoughts on I Can’t Die Before the Novel Even Starts

I dove into I Can’t Die Before the Novel Even Starts with a mix of excitement and curiosity. The premise—a capable man forced into marriage who realizes he's a soon-to-be-dead side character in a novel—certainly grabbed my attention. The blend of comedy, fantasy, and romance seemed promising, and I was eager to see how it all played out.

First Impressions

The initial chapters were a bit of a rollercoaster. I was immediately intrigued by Adrian's predicament and the ensuing misunderstandings. The idea of him playing up a delicate persona while secretly investigating his impending doom had a lot of comedic potential. The arranged marriage with Klen added another layer of intrigue, especially since both characters are hiding their true selves.

What Works Well

The dynamic between Adrian and Klen is definitely a highlight. It's a slow burn, a game of cat and mouse where each man suspects the other is putting on an act. I enjoyed trying to decipher their true intentions and motivations. The author does a good job of creating an atmosphere of suspicion and hidden agendas. The concept of Adrian trying to subvert his fate and prevent his assassination is also compelling, providing a solid foundation for the plot.

Areas of Concern

The pacing in the initial chapters felt a little uneven to me. Some scenes dragged on, while others felt rushed. This made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story at times. The translation also has some oddities and inconsistencies that took me out of the story. The most jarring of these is how Adrian is addressed with feminine pronouns and titles. The other characters addressing the main character as "madam" or "the lady" was just so weird and out of place that it took me away from enjoying the story. I'm not sure if this is due to translation issues or if it's an intentional element of the world-building, but it definitely needs to be addressed.

Final Verdict

I Can’t Die Before the Novel Even Starts has a lot of potential. The premise is unique, the characters are intriguing, and the central conflict is compelling. However, some of the writing and translation choices need to be ironed out to fully realize its potential. I'm cautiously optimistic about where the story is headed, and I'm hoping that the pacing and translation issues will be resolved as the story progresses.