I think beware of chicken, Book 1 especially, is a masterclass in using subversion in a satisfying way. Not that it's a masterpiece of literature, but the way it handles audience expectation is very smart I think. The whole goal is a reversal of the usual cultivation/progression fantasy, centered on violence and rivalries. So our main character is presented with the setup of fantasy ancient china, with martial arts, and struggle to death for resources to become stronger... and so he says fuck to all that and gets to live a wholesome romantic comedy in the countryside. But you still get the satisfaction of those progression tropes that the book sets out to subvert, through the secondary cast. And at least in book 1, the balance of following our MC in building up his farm and slice of life storyline vs the progression fantasy subplot is well done. One could compare it to One Punch man, with the secondary cast facing unsurmountable enemies while the main character is just chilling - except in OPM the main character letting the secondary cast struggle can get frustrating in one punch man, while in beware of chicken, we're actually rooting for Jin to just keep chilling. Lots of people dislike the sequels, and I must admit they are a lot more scattered (the webnovel's 2nd book had a a bloat of subplot and has a tournament arc, lengthy enough that it will actually become the 3rd book of the kindle/audible version); and the moment to moment pacing of slice of life moments with the main character vs adventure subplots is less fluid - though i haven't revisited the book 2's commercial release, which might have been considerably tightened in the edit, who knows. I still follow the webnovel with pleasure though. It's far from perfect but it's still very fun.
Yeah this first book did a lot to subvert the things I'm not typically a fan of with progression fantasy so worked out really well! It sounds like the sequels may go a bit in a direction I may not care for, but definitely still going to give them a shot!
I honestly would have thought the same thing lol, this was very different from my normal style, and I can definitely understand it not working for people lmao
You have me intrigued! I might have to try it since I love Baldree, but reviews I’ve seen for book 2 of this series are not promising. Are you gonna continue? I’d love to see your thoughts on that one!
Yes I definitely am planning to continue, will let you know what I think once I get to it! I will say honestly it works as a standalone for the most part I'd say, there's definitely some stuff set up for the future but it wraps things up nicely.
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I loved all three books and look forward to book 4. The books just keep getting better and better
That's good to hear! I still need to get back to this series
This book is like a hug for my brain
Definitely!
I think beware of chicken, Book 1 especially, is a masterclass in using subversion in a satisfying way. Not that it's a masterpiece of literature, but the way it handles audience expectation is very smart I think.
The whole goal is a reversal of the usual cultivation/progression fantasy, centered on violence and rivalries. So our main character is presented with the setup of fantasy ancient china, with martial arts, and struggle to death for resources to become stronger... and so he says fuck to all that and gets to live a wholesome romantic comedy in the countryside.
But you still get the satisfaction of those progression tropes that the book sets out to subvert, through the secondary cast. And at least in book 1, the balance of following our MC in building up his farm and slice of life storyline vs the progression fantasy subplot is well done. One could compare it to One Punch man, with the secondary cast facing unsurmountable enemies while the main character is just chilling - except in OPM the main character letting the secondary cast struggle can get frustrating in one punch man, while in beware of chicken, we're actually rooting for Jin to just keep chilling.
Lots of people dislike the sequels, and I must admit they are a lot more scattered (the webnovel's 2nd book had a a bloat of subplot and has a tournament arc, lengthy enough that it will actually become the 3rd book of the kindle/audible version); and the moment to moment pacing of slice of life moments with the main character vs adventure subplots is less fluid - though i haven't revisited the book 2's commercial release, which might have been considerably tightened in the edit, who knows.
I still follow the webnovel with pleasure though. It's far from perfect but it's still very fun.
Yeah this first book did a lot to subvert the things I'm not typically a fan of with progression fantasy so worked out really well! It sounds like the sequels may go a bit in a direction I may not care for, but definitely still going to give them a shot!
Happy reading to you! 🎉
Have you read Jake's Magical Market? I think you'd also enjoy it
I have not, I'm always a bit worried to try more Progression stuff because it's so hit or miss for me. Definitely one I have on the list though!
I'm really glad I watched this review. It's entertaining watching you describe the book, but I will never read it.
I honestly would have thought the same thing lol, this was very different from my normal style, and I can definitely understand it not working for people lmao
Fix that attitude. The book is the best I’ve read.
You should read it. It is fantastic.
You have me intrigued! I might have to try it since I love Baldree, but reviews I’ve seen for book 2 of this series are not promising. Are you gonna continue? I’d love to see your thoughts on that one!
Yes I definitely am planning to continue, will let you know what I think once I get to it! I will say honestly it works as a standalone for the most part I'd say, there's definitely some stuff set up for the future but it wraps things up nicely.
@@nikosbookreviews ah that’s good to know at least, I’ll probably try to get it next time I see it’s on sale
Spyro rec this one to me as well
It's actually pretty good! I've heard mixed things about the sequels though