Jackal Among Snakes

I've been following this story ever since it hit Rising Stars several months ago, and it continues to delight. This isn't the first story I've read where the central premise is "I've been inserted into the world of my favorite story/game as a minor antagonist", but I'd say it's the best. It's hard to write a story where the main character is essentially precognitive and maintain a sense of tension, but Nemorosus does an excellent job with it.

First, the basics. Nemorosus has a solid grasp of grammar. Typos are nearly nonexistent and he fixes anything caught by commenters within a day or two.

Second, style. Characters' dialogue makes them sound like people rather than cardboard cutouts. There's a good balance between describing the setting and action. While the world is based on a video game, it's not a video game world: there aren't any irrational elements of the setting which are explained away by saying "this is how it happened in the game".

Third, characterization. There were a few stumbles early on, mostly in a sense that the protagonist could do no wrong thanks to his superior knowledge, even when he was acting outside the bounds of his knowledge. As the story progresses, we have secondary characters (both allies and antagonists) fleshed out and the protagonist has to scramble to react to the changes which he himself had caused.

Fourth, story. In my opinion, this is the strongest part of the novel. A lot of web serials end up with filler arcs or multiple POVs which rehash the action but don't advance the story. From the very beginning, the protagonist has had three major goals: develop a powerful magic, assemble the components of a ritual which fixes his broken body, and prevent the end of the world. One could argue that the first two are in service of the third. The story remains focused on these goals while still weaving in characterization, world-building, and smaller obstacles and challenges to be overcome along the way.

I had been steadily reading this story, only when I had some free time and to add another story to follow while my favorites aren't updating, but not really anything else beyond that. I didn't felt like it was so outstanding that I needed to binge it immediately, nor did it hooked me in at the beginning. And yet... Damn, this is good.

Gradually, what started as an okay story with an interesting premise, developed its own weight and identity. It let us peek at how alive this world really is, how much impact everything has and with every new thing we learn (places, people, history, even cultures!), more alive the story becomes, and also more mysterious. For we're only now starting to see what it feels like a tiny bubble in an expanding universe. It happened so naturally I didn't even realize how much was enjoying it since a few days ago, that I thought about making a review, because how could I not? It deserved at least that from me.

I just finished a chapter and felt so... Satisfied. No unnecessary cliffhangers, questions asked are answered, and they generate more interesting questions, and these are not ignored! Plot points seem to actually matter! It shouldn't be a surprise, but it was. I simply wasn't expecting such good writing here and finding something so genuinely entertaining from what I thought was a simple isekai story with a few twists... It just amazes me.

I prefer to avoid going into details when it come to plot points or characters when reviewing something, so I won't go into spoiler territory and leave it here for now, but I just wanted to add a last comment. Author, thank you, sincerely, for taking the effort to create something with real depth. It shows how much care you have for these characters and world and I simply love it. You've gained a new avid reader not only for Jackal Among Snakes, but also for whatever else you write in the future. 

Once more, thank you.

Sometimes when there's so many variations on the same base trope, it's hard to tell which stories are the best compared to others. For example, there's a lot of stories out there about someone showing up into a game world they know everything on.

Well, this particular niche genre doesn't have that problem anymore. This story is the best of them all. 

I could go down the itemized list of what works, but it's hard to point out any one thing as the reason people should read this. The only conclusion I can come up with is that it does everything well in equal amount. 

Characters are all unique, each of them interesting in their own way. 

Story flows with a constant pace. World feels well fleshed out and lived in. There's politics, but nothing overwhelming as to alienate readers just looking for a fun read. Just the right amount.

Basically everything has been polished up to a mirror shine. It all adds up to a compelling binge read that's simply the most balanced story I've read so far.

So if the premises of being stuck in the mostly-real version of a video game with encyclopedic knowledge appeals to the reader, this should be required reading.

A lot of time and skill was put into writing this story and it shows. To the author:  A+ work my man

✅ Likable Main Character

✅ Pacing

✅ Good Side Characters

🆗 World Building

🆗 Somewhat unrealistic character interactions 

The main character is witty (actually) and intelligent. Unlike other stories where the MC is dumb as all hell, in which  other characters only exist to validate and constantly remind us that the MC is intelligent, this is a breath of fresh air. He is snarky and witty in the best way possible. Argrave carries the story. My one issue is that the reincarnation aspect is sometimes used in overly contrived ways, but overall it's definitely a net positive to the story.

It's surprising to see a work with this quality have the consistency of upload it has. It takes passion and drive to have this much discipline. 

The story is pretty solid, you will find yourself entertained and curious to see what the author will do with the book tropes and how he will develop the characters personalities. You can also perceive the evolution of the author skills as a writter by how he progresses the plot, introduces new characters and flesh out the old ones. The way he does that is more seamless and organic. The worldbuilding is also rich and detailed. Go ahead and try some chapters, you will like it.

I was a bit hesitant before starting this based on the summary since I tought it would be the standard reincarnated into a game world story, but I feel like it is far from that. It reminds me of Omescient Reader but in my opinion I think Jackal Among Snakes is better executed. The writing is good and I havent noticed any significant msitakes or anything that breaks immersion. 

I hope you give it a read, I am loving the ride! I can't wait for more chapters to see where the story goes :)

Incredibly rich and original story. Character development, nuanced morality, a fantasy/isekai plot line treated with such realism that it breathes.

This is an optimistic story populated by characters afflicted by self-accusation, fear and pessimism and yet who still, satisfyingly, do the right thing. Mostly.

The side characters are fun as well. While there are quite a few, each is developed with distinct personality and intelligence. I never get bored of them or lost. Also, the POV stays almost entirely with the main character, which avoids any 'too many side stories' fatigue.

While the story has never yet drawn my tears, every chapter has garnered my attention. The intriguingness starts high and stays high.

I have read many isekai/system novels. This one stands out in the compelling nuance of the world-building and the reality of the characters. The world feels real.

It's adventure-heavy, character development medium, and system-light.

There are, perhaps, zero places throughout the story where I felt the style or descriptions were lacking.

I have given 4.5 instead of 5 because the character development is not as rich as in a story like Trailer Trash -- the whole of which is focused on personality rather than adventure. Only a few adventure-heavy stories I have read online (perhaps The Perfect Run and Wandering Inn) develop character as well as this one per chapter.

We're only at chapter two, but this story has a fantastic start.  The MC has already been brought to life and had a great interaction with a promising side character.  The plot has promise.  Also, this is a very well written story with excellent editing and grammar so far. 

Looking forward to more, and will update this review as it arrives.

Update: so now we're at chapter 14, and this story continues to roll on with style and I am impressed. I really like this main character.  We have also met at least one true villain, and another antagonist that is likeable. The plot is pulling me in and I eagerly look forward to each chapter as they come.  

Charactet-imported-into-game-he-likes is almost its own sub genre at this point. But I really like this one, as it genuinely feels like there are challenges and enemies that will be hard for the MC to just overcome with game knowledge. Also he fully utilizes game knowledge as part of the plot, which helps a lot with internal logic compared to a lot of these stories. Finally the characters are somewhat 3D, and fun.

Issues:

MC seems to be doing a lot of running around without any explanations of his actual motives/goals. Is he a hero? Does he want power? Money? Idk, it's a fun journey, but the MC is acting with strong, confident purpose, without a clear motive.

With that, my other standard gripe with most stories in this genre, MC almost immediately accimitizes/excels to being yhrown into a different life, which to any real person would be an earth shattering revelation with the grief of having lost everything they ever cared about, and having to live in a mideval setting. Buuut if your considering this story you've probably made your peace with that troupe, and this story is no worse than most at 

Final thought: 

Maybe unfairly, I'm assuming the author was somewhat inspired to post this based on the success of Tori Transmigrated ( another story of being isekai'f into an in game villain). I get bored by the slice of life theme there, so the similar premise with a comparatively fast plot and action while staying light hearted really hit the spot for me.

Anyway, that's my ramble, try it out!!

This is fantastic.

Little to no problems with grammar. Wasn't looking for them but I can't recall any. The characters that have been introduced so far, even if shortly, have their own quirks to make them feel real and not two-dimensional.

The world is interesting and already bits and pieces are shown to help our view of it grow without info-dropping. The way that the story is written really brings me into it and makes me want to discover more.