Light Novel Review: Rebuild World Volume 1 Part One - The Alluring Specter - Page 2 of 2

Many of the noteworthy moments throughout Rebuild World – The Alluring Specter‘s story can be attributed to its characters, particularly their emotions and mental states. Author Nahuse does an excellent job of depicting these expressions of emotions and behaviors, as those feelings and thoughts feel legitimately human. They are believable and possess a genuineness to them, thus giving readers opportunities to connect and empathize. For example, when we’re first introduced to relic hunters Elena and Sara, they express a wealth of different ideas, worries, cares, and fears. We get to see their internal struggles as hunters, as well as best friends, not wanting to place each other in danger as they are forced to address their ever increasing needs. We also see their desperation and willingness to sacrifice for the other. Because of how authentic their thoughts, feelings, and reactions all feel, I couldn’t help but instantly favor these two.

Akira, too, benefits from Nahuse’s talent for illustrating emotions, as those emotions are what bring a vividness to the beginnings of his growth. As a hopeless slum orphan, Akira exudes fear and grit, as he forces himself into the ruins. After meeting Alpha, he is still full of fear and doubts, yet determination also rises within him. As he slowly gains a foothold into the life of a hunter, he again expresses his grit and willingness with his training under Alpha. And through fear, with resolve and boldness developing later, his unique peculiarities begin to show. His dispassion and apathy against those who take advantage of the weak. His ease with finding reason, or excuse, in using lethal force against those he labels wicked. Also, his enigmatic moral code which Alpha finds difficult to predict and adjust for. The depth and clarity of emotions and thoughts expressed make Akira and his associates tangible, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they play into further defining Akira’s person and progress.

Although Nahuse excels at conveying emotions, his ability to create individual, unique personalities, however, leaves me wanting. Starting with our main character, I found Akira’s personality to be rather dry and barebones. Sure, he reacts as one would expect within his given situations and, again, his emotions are raw and appreciable. However, when it comes to who he is as a person, we just don’t really receive much. As of now, he demonstrates a sort of apathetic personality, susceptible to fear and self-preservation, with strikingly inconsistent swings between indifference, mercilessness, and what could be interpreted as kindness, though, it feels a bit forced. It’s obvious he is a cold individual in general, but then we also see hints at an appreciative one when he receives help or advice. We’re also presented with this budding young hunter who possesses archetypal determination for storytelling purposes. Overall, I found it difficult to connect with Akira while asking if there is more to him. Is he hiding a deeper malicious side? How deep does his trauma as a slum orphan go, and to what extent does it influence him? Does he possess genuine compassion and gratitude or is he only reacting as one would expect? At this stage, I understand that Akira is meant to be an enigma, as Alpha herself describes, and perhaps the idea that he is merely a tool for her goals is being emphasized. Yet as of now, Akira’s personality doesn’t draw me in as it reads inconsistently and possesses generalized qualities without much dimension. I can only hope Akira’s personality is further fleshed out and more realistically interwoven in later volumes.

Beyond Akira, the supporting cast fairs somewhat better regarding personalities, however, the main issue here is a lack of uniqueness. With Elena and Sara, these two, despite demonstrating kindness, senses of humor, wit, and other traits, don’t receive much in the ways of individuality. Even though they play off of each other well and share a deep bond, at times, they were written so similarly that I found myself having difficulty distinguishing the two. Having said this, honestly, I think just a bit more, a step further, on Nahuse’s part would achieve a satisfactory distinction of these two. Meanwhile, the antagonists introduced throughout this volume are all essentially the same. Greedy, arrogant, and shameless, nearly every antagonist is the common dystopian bad guy trope. None possess any individual trait that would distinguish them, and they were so uninspired that I couldn’t even recall their names were I asked to. They serve their purpose, and are then disposed of, but this approach to antagonists will get old quickly. Across the volume, the contrast between how well emotions and mindsets are written versus how lesser the characters’ individual personalities are developed is a stark one. Nahuse clearly has the skill to achieve more here.

Rebuild World: Volume 1 Part One – The Alluring Specter is an impressive read. It sets the stage for Akira’s desperation-fueled journey to become a relic hunter and quickly pits him against unimaginable technological behemoths, grotesque biological amalgamations, and insatiable human greed. The energy of its action scenes is praiseworthy, as are the tones of desperation and the realness of emotions felt by Akira and the supporting cast. The contrast between the glimmers of hope, humor, and friendship that shine between the bleak and broken make the emotions, mentalities, and actions taken feel that much more authentic. Despite stretches of dry exposition and underwhelming character personalities, this is still a vivid and enjoyable read throughout, more so than I expected. I’d easily recommend this to any fan who appreciates gritty dystopian settings with cyberpunk undertones. As for me, I find myself looking forward to what Volume 1 Part Two has in store for Akira.