Goblin Slayer, Vol. 1 (light novel) (Goblin Slayer (Light Novel)) Kindle Edition

The series is not for the faint of heart to be sure. Having played a bunch of MMORPGs, RPGs, and fantasy games, this series (light novel, manga, and soon to be anime) addresses or has thoughts that I’d had about them. The edge between the people solving a serious local problem and the paltry reward despite the effort and grinding. And how unforgiving ‘real life’ is when people go into combat. Especially with what seems to be a misunderstanding of how dangerous the enemies are. The beginning is ‘refreshingly real’ or more accurately: ‘disturbing.’ And while at first glance it seems like the protagonist is OP, it is completely justified by the ‘cost’ to him. It is fun to see a fantasy Doom Guy though. To say anymore would be spoilers, suffice to say get ready for subversion of your expectations.

(No spoilers)This is a world-building volume where you are introduced to a world where there are plenty of adventures. This is not a story for those who like cozy adventures (it says something about this particular world that goblin abduction is the least of the peasantry's worries and this book still reads convincingly like a horror novel). The protagonist (but not necessarily the viewpoint character) is aptly named, and the book spends the time building the world and his place in it.Again, this book has elements of real (nonsarcastic) horror presented as a daily ritual. This is not for young children (<10), but the writing is very much worth reading at any age above that.

Goblin Slayer is a fairly dark book that follows the life of one man who just wants to rid the world of goblins. I normally don't enjoy books where there is a lot of death and sadness - but I found that I really liked this one.I thought it was fun that the main character was not the stereotypical overpowered dude. He also isn't going around saving the world or going on any crazy awesome adventures. Furthermore, he isn't a happy-go-lucky type of guy; instead, he's actually pretty broken and mentally unstable. He spends his time taking the quests nobody wants (goblin killing) that pay very little but truly help out the lives of the small town people. His interactions with everyone are short and simple - almost robotic. Yet, with that being said, he appears to not be too far gone that he can't come back. I'm really excited to see where the author takes this. Is he going to become more or less human over time?While I haven't read too many Japanese light novels so far, I did feel like this one differentiated itself a bit. The way the characters were presented and the overall tone of the book just felt pretty unique to me. It's a nice change of pace to read about the "other" people in these epic fantasy worlds. I know that many reviewers felt like it was trying too hard to be edgy and do something different - but I actually genuinely enjoyed it.I don't think this book is for everyone - but if you can get over the gruesome scenes depicting some of the worst human elements and don't mind reading about a broken main character - I think it could be a book you could enjoy :)

Goblin Slayer is a fantastic series. I have now collected all the available manga, light novels, and anime. From the main story to the differing side stories, it doesn't let the reader down. It keeps you wanting more.If Fist of the North Star and Berserk were the manliest titles of the 80's and 90's, Goblin Slayer is the winner for the 2010's. It pulls no punches. Now while it is certainly graphic, I think the controversy and "pearl clutching" is overblown. Berserk definitely went down some darker paths. But these are the times we live in now - where the overly sensitive seem to call everything "problematic".Goblin Slayer is well defined for what it is - a D&D game if it were real. But the best thing about Goblin Slayer - be it the books, manga, or anime - is that it is pure entertainment! You will find no insertion of current political fads and themes shoehorned into the content. And I think that is one of the reasons why it is so successful.Along with that it just straight up rocks! Goblin Slayer has one mission - to kill goblins. He stabs, slices, burns, bludgeons, and chops his way to goblin extermination. There are excellent supporting characters that balance out Goblin Slayer's carnage. With these solid supporting characters, you see Goblin Slayer begin to evolve and become a little more human.Granted the book is 90% goblin carnage, but the supporting characters add some deep story lines. Issues of morality, empathy, trauma and more are explored. But the focus is kept on the slaying. And that's not a bad thing - you won't get any "Walking Dead" overly melodramatic three episode long speeches here!If there is one drawback it is the one thing that makes Goblin Slayer great - the D&D aspect. For someone not involved in D&D many of the ideas just may not click. For example, many of the negative reviews, especially for the show, point towards the absurdity of the goblins. "That if they are not a threat and so stupid, how can they be so dangerous?" And that's a big part of D&D. Goblins are not a threat on paper. Their stats are pretty pathetic.Most players have their newly rolled characters scoff at the weak and stupid goblins, but sadly, many games end in a TPK because of those little green buggers - well, get enough weak and stupid creatures together, and they can take down the toughest of champions.And that is what Goblin Slayer captures perfectly. Every time I read or watch I see so many of my own tabletop games unfold.The other complaint I see is that the books are "too on the nose". I think that is going to be a personal preference. The characters being called by class or race, the concept of "rolling the dice", the Prayer and Non-praying, yeah it can be a little odd or a bit much. But as someone who grew up on BECMI where you played as dwarf, fighter, halfling, or magic user, it's perfect!All in all, if you want an awesome no frills, super bloody and action packed D&D excitement, Goblin Slayer is for you. If you want an end (with a great club, ha!) to the pointless and age old debate of "should or shouldn't we kill goblin babies?" Goblin Slayer is for you! I really hope Yen Press continues to bring us Goblin Slayer for as long as Kumo Kagyu continues to write it!And P.S. as for the graphic content, it truly is overblown. There is nudity. There is sexual assault and rape. And there is certainly gore and violence. But much of it, the sexual bits, are brief, covered in shadow, or even just implied. Frankly, you see worse on any episode of Game of Thrones or Spartacus.

Goblin Slayer is a great series, if you are looking for some dark fantasy to pass the time and I would highly recommend the series. But, in the English translation most of the first chapter (about 30 pages) is missing, this is probably due to it being one of the most graphic scenes in the series and it not really related to the main plot. If you want the first chapter in full I suggest you read the first chapter on line and read on from there. Again this scene is not required to enjoy the story but it is a bit irritating that it’s was skipped in the English translation.

This has been well-translated as the English text flows naturally and both action and characters are quick and easy to understand. It reminds me of reading Robert E. Howard's original short stories for the first time and, although the author hasn't got Howard's compelling personality behind the text, it has a similar drive and energy which presses the reader on.I'm rereading this volume at the present and it is, simply put, great fun. It is dark but the author presents us with the problems of how to confront evil and the price we pay to survive.

Loved this book,i am a big fan of the monster hunter series and when i was younger often played fantasy games such as * elder scrolls , dungeons and dragons, golden sun * and those types of RPG games.this novel has alot of those sort of fantasy elements such as a guild hall where the adventurers and heroes gather to hunt monsters and complete quests, eat drink and party. these scenes have great atmosphere and the characters while unnamed are cute, fun and likable.the story revolves around a man hunting goblins who is very mysterious at first but more is revealed about him and his motives later on in the book.the story also revolves around pretty much fighting only goblins and the evil horrible things they do although some other monsters do appear in it.there is a gore factor and there is some parts explaining in detail the bad things these evil goblins do to people, but do not let this deter you it is very well done and fits nicely with the world and will make you justify hunting them.i loved this book so much i read it in 3 nights only. ( usually takes me a few weeks to finish a book ) and if more come out i will gladly buy them. 10/10!

I. Love. This. Book. If you love fantasy/Dark fantasy, with a simple premise, gruesome descriptions, and an awesome setting and characters that feel like a game of dungeons and dragons? You've got it right here, folks. If I were to label any criticism, it does have a fanservice-esc character. Though, she does have nice chemistry with our lead, it's hard to take it seriously when her name is literally "Cow Girl" and pur first encounter with her is with her breasts out. If you aren't into that, don't worry, This story never uses fanservice as it's drive. All in all? A good book, worth your £10.

Not a big reader of dark fantasy, I had read other novels such as Spice and Wolf, Devil is a Part Timer and No Game No Life (to name a few) but never got on the dark end of the spectrum. This book opened that for me as it was a pleasant (sometimes gruesome) read. Recommended.