[LotM Ending] Just finshed book 1! Small review + ending stuff
I just finished the novel. Please don't hate me if I say something you don't agree with.
Really happy with this read. I started it a bit over 2 months ago and I don't regret it at all. This is almost a 10/10 webnovel for me, with 2 small issues I'll get to later. Long read ahead, be warned.
What I loved
1. The worldbuilding
This is the winner by a mile and it's not even close. I am a sucker for steampunk worlds, so when I saw that LotM is basically 1800s London with mysticism and cool shit I was hooked immediately. The scenes in Backlund, the sea, the City of Silver, and then the different domains like the Astral World really made me appreciate the novel. The worldbuilding is definitely my favourite part.
2. Klein and the cast around him
Klein is Klein and I don't think any MC placed in LotM will ever top him. He is the best MC for this story, no question. As for the characters around him, I really liked all of them, even the villains. Each one was distinct and memorable. My only gripe is the lack of character growth across the cast. Outside of Audrey and maybe Fors, everyone is basically the same person from start to finish.
3. The power system
I don't think I've ever seen a power system this well defined. It follows the sequential structure common in wuxia works where the higher the sequence number the weaker you are, and there's a clear power gap between each step. But what LotM really excels at is the variety. It's not a single path to power. Every pathway is unique, and there are a lot of ways to deal with your enemies. You can rely on Beyonder abilities, but you also have charms, rituals, hexes, artifacts, items, different domains, and at high enough sequences you can use abstract concepts like fate to affect your enemy. The system is very well thought out and always leaves room for creative moments.
My issues and a bit of a rant on the ending
My first issue is the prose, but I assume that's a translation problem that comes with every webnovel. I read a well regarded translation too, but mistakes still show up here and there.
My second issue is the bullshitting and the rushed ending. It's not a dealbreaker but it's noticeable, especially during Klein's apotheosis ritual. There was a lot going on and a lot of it made sense, but I found it genuinely difficult to track what was happening and why. I also felt like the way Amon lost was a bit underwhelming. His arsenal was massive. He is the God of Deceit and a dual pathway True God who had been scheming for thousands of years. He could have done so much more. The way Klein was forced into the Fool after trying to accommodate the Uniqueness also felt odd, like a lot of plot armour was being burned through at once.
That said, the last fight between Amon and Klein in Sefirah Castle was something I really enjoyed. The wits from both sides were great and I liked seeing it play out. I just think Amon shouldn't have lost purely because Klein was more willing to sacrifice himself. CF clearly wanted Klein to fall into slumber before the book ends because of the Celestial Worthy, and there were so many ways to get there without making Amon feel like he underperformed.
Overall though, the ending was great. The plot pace in the last 2 volumes skyrocketed and was filled with action and incredible scenes. Chapter 1335 "I" is still the best chapter in the novel for me and I don't think anything comes close.
What's next
I'm going to take a break. I'm exhausted but I do want to read COI eventually. I've heard it starts very slow and what I actually want right now is to know what happened to Klein after he entered the door in Sefirah Castle. I'm not opposed to a new character at all, I just want closure on Klein before moving on. I also plan on reading the side stories.
Again, almost a 10/10 for me.
Posted Jun 12, 2026, 8:21 PM UTC