Note: This copy of Return of the Martial Messiah was provided by NetGalley.

Another book that originated over at Royal Road but this time with a heavier emphasis on martial arts in a LitRPG-esque atmosphere; or at least it is so touted. I have a very mixed feeling on the completion of this book. On the one hand it was an interesting premise, but on the other hand also felt very contrived and rushed? Also, I have yet to be so annoyed with a blurb than I have on the completion of this book.

The book follows Raine as he wakes up in his old body a few days before the dawn of what would be the start of a power struggle in an online virtual reality, the repercussions of which would bleed into normal society. Having essentially been transported back in time, Raine proceeds to take advantage of the situation and avoid mistakes made earlier. But as with any time-travel related story, of course things don’t go as exactly as they had before, but that doesn’t seem to deter our protagonist as he is on a mission. There is action, the leveling-up montage, a rush to be the first to achieve quests, which are all well and good, but while the book is entertaining in parts, it just wasn’t enough for me to be excited about it.

The blurb for the book promises a lot, from complex magical systems, minimal plot armour, to an MC who is essentially emotionally mature(?) when it comes to relationships. The only thing complicated about the magic system is the fact that for a world that was dominated by AI, and still is to an extent, the AI were originally defeated by martial artists. Umm what? I understand using the virtual space to hone skills without worrying about injuries etc, but this just felt weird.

Minimal plot armour is a understatement when the MC literally has an idea of how most things will turn out (at least in this first book) so that’s not surprising he isn’t really dealt a difficult hand at any time (outside of his own stupidity that is).

As for the “MC who isn’t afraid of the fairer sex or engaging in meaningful relationships” as the blurb says, eww. There is a character dynamic that we see where the MC engages with someone he’s known to have a relationship with in the previous timeline but to use knowledge of a “trial run” to essentially get a person on your side like that just felt weird. How in the world did they decide to blurb the above I have no idea.

More than the story, this blurb needs to be better. Promise less, and deliver more. Not the other way around. Not a great read, but not terrible. Don’t see myself rushing to recommend this.

Rating: 2/5

Links:

• Goodreads: Return of the Martial Messiah – ToraAKR
• Royal Road: Return of the Martial Messiah – ToraAKR