My Reincarnation Skills Are “Playing With Dolls” and “Playing With Clay”, but What Am I Supposed to Do With These? Novel Review

My Thoughts on My Reincarnation Skills Are “Playing With Dolls” and “Playing With Clay”, but What Am I Supposed to Do With These?

This web novel, with its quirky title and promise of unique reincarnation skills, certainly grabbed my attention. The premise hinted at a lighthearted adventure, but after diving in, I found myself wrestling with some serious issues. While the initial setup had potential, the execution left me feeling conflicted.

First Impressions

The beginning felt promising. A protagonist reincarnated with seemingly useless skills – playing with dolls and clay – in a world filled with dungeons and demon lords? It sounded like a recipe for comedic subversion of the typical isekai tropes. I was ready for some clever problem-solving and creative application of these abilities.

What Works Well

Honestly, the initial concept is probably the strongest point. The idea of someone having to make the best of seemingly useless skills in a dangerous world is intriguing. It offers a chance for creative problem-solving and unexpected applications of those abilities. The "game elements" tag also suggested a potentially engaging system to explore.

Areas of Concern

⚠️ Spoiler Warning ⚠️

Unfortunately, the story takes some turns that I found deeply troubling. One of the biggest issues is the protagonist's rapid enslavement and his subsequent reactions to it. The abruptness of the enslavement felt jarring, almost as if it was forced upon the narrative. More concerning is his nonchalant attitude towards his situation. He's drugged, enslaved, and forced to fight, yet he seems oddly forgiving of his captors.

Perhaps the most disturbing element is the situation involving the protagonist's doll companion. The doll, possessing sentience, is essentially pimped out to a merchant. This event and the protagonist's subsequent actions are deeply unsettling and cast a dark shadow over the entire narrative. The nonchalant way the story handles this deeply troubling situation is extremely concerning.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, "My Reincarnation Skills Are “Playing With Dolls” and “Playing With Clay”, but What Am I Supposed to Do With These?" falls short of its potential. While the initial concept is interesting, the execution suffers from questionable plot decisions and a protagonist whose actions are often difficult to understand or condone. The disturbing themes overshadow any potential enjoyment I might have found in the story's premise. For me, this is a difficult story to recommend.