Arrival: An Isekai Adventure: Manabound, Book 1

I really like the premise of this book. A rip in space and time bring together people from Earth and different versions of it to a medieval world rife with political and social strife. However, it’s not a world of magic so everyone it’s new to everyone. It’s fascinating to see fish out of water humans mixing with a new world of people who have to deal with them and the introduction of magic. A great setting for pretty awesome conflicts and something pretty unique. The two MCs are a mother and daughter who come to the new world but are separated. We get two main plot lines, several chapters from one character and then the other. They don’t really intertwine, but they’re both fascinating and give us a double look at the changing world. Also serves as a great main conflict, the two are both very competent and strong and will do anything to be reunited. A lot of great humor in the story, as well as touching drama. It’s a brutal world, but filled with complex characters, both good and bad.

Very much enjoyed reading. Enthralling plot and setting that is unique enough to stand apart from many others in the genre. Looking forward to more.

We're all familiar with the Isekai genre by now, and a common feature of a lot of mainstream renditions is the lack of connection the MC has for their homeworld.With manabound, a small (but good) family is ripped apart, a mother and daughter changing an already altered world in their quest to find each other. Watching them learn about their new world as they deal with the emotional fallout of their separation, attracting allies and antagonists alike, is a feast for those who want characters in their fantasy.And the side characters, my goodness! They exist in the framework of their world, and do not get randomly outshone by the newcomers in their own fields of expertise! How refreshing it is to see a knight be obviously competent, or a trader be skilled in their craft without being bowled over by the aura of the outworlder. They have their own motivations and growth, which seems standard but is impressive with the large cast.The descriptions are flowery, but not droning. Romance isn't here, at least not yet, and not for the MC. Worldbuilding is solid, with a focus on the political. Fight scenes are okay, but not really the thrust of the narrative. System is vibes-based for now, since no one has a read on it yet--a concept I don't see much, but I like it.10/10, will read again if the story gets long enough and I need a refresher (hey, I'm a binger).

I know my headline sounds like I'm describing psychoactive mushrooms, but seriously. You haven't read anything quite like this. It has vibes of SCP stories, it has the meta game mechanics of litRPGs, and is plot-driven in more than one sense of the word. You've heard of captive audiences - well, here, the captives are the cast, and their lives depend on their performance.

Two groups started out, mom and daughter. Trying to meet up. Never did in this book. I thought the story would have been better if they did. Form up a strong group against the enemies. Daughter’s story was more interesting. Then at the end of book we got MORE new players! Too disjointed for me.

Manabound: Arrival takes many tested troupes and norms of the Isekai LitRPG genre and explores them through a new and fresh approach. Following the beginnings of the Journey of Sloane and Gwyn the two main characters the readers are thrust into a world unlike most other Isekai.Magic in this setting unlike most other stories is completely new and Arrival focuses on the immediate aftermath of its coming, separating families and scattering them to different continents and planets. Arrival has a fresh lens to have characters engaged with its elements as magic is a new phenomena to all characters in the setting allowing for a organic experience and lack of large exposition that is usually seen within the Genre.The LitRPG mechanics are very light and are largely hinted at, due to the new foundation of the magic , do not expect to have a large focus on the leveling mechanics or intricate details though they are hinted at and allows for the mechanics to be seamlessly integrated into the setting as the characters experiment and discover them.One the largest focus of the story is the start of the journey our two Protagonist Sloane and Gwyn , a pair of mother and daughter separated and transported to a new world and the beginnings of their quest to find each other.Sloane is main character not usually associated with the genre a Single mother in her thirties as she struggles with landing in a new world separated from her daughter and the author does a fantastic work of depicting her grief, struggles, and anxiety of being separated from her daughter as she attempts to gain power and allies in her journey to find her. She creates a unique and fascinating character to follow for this introduction to this new world.Gwyn her daughter in comparison his a fewer focus and less character agency then in regards to her mother , but through her we get to experience the magic system through the whimsy and innocence of a child, her chapters can sometimes provide more levity while also going through her own struggles and showing despite the distance how much she misses and cares for her mother.The side characters don’t have a large focus but are varied and interesting with their own distinct personalities, strengths, weaknesses, goals, and ideals leading to the world being grounded creating an atmosphere where the story plot moves and breaths outside of just our main charactersAll in all Manabound: Arrival served as a fantastic start to a wonderful fantasy story by a debut author and I would recommend any reader and fan of LitRPG and Isekai stories to give this book a try.

Has a few similarities to the wandering inn and several other progression fantasy series one of the best things it is not a Haram fantasy which almost seems to become a plague among progression fantasy series. This book was very refreshing.

It was a little slower than some other Isekai stories but the mother daughter relationship driving the story really pulls you in. It also has a pretty unique intro into magic