Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on Fishing the Myriad Heavens
"Fishing the Myriad Heavens" hooked me with its intriguing premise: a protagonist down on his luck discovering a magical well that lets him fish out items, creatures, and even cultivation techniques from other dimensions. The idea of a laid-back MC finding treasures and building a life away from the city was appealing. Unfortunately, my experience with this novel became progressively more disappointing.
First Impressions
The initial chapters were light and fun. I enjoyed the novelty of Bei Feng, the MC, reeling in everything from giant chickens to powerful artifacts. The concept of him using these items to create a unique restaurant also held promise, reminding me a bit of "Gourmet Food Supplier" in its early stages. I was eager to see how the fishing mechanic would evolve and what kind of world the author would build.
What Works Well
The fishing concept itself is undeniably creative. The idea of pulling random objects and creatures from different dimensions offered a refreshing twist on the typical cultivation story. Some readers have praised the early chapters for their relaxed pace and unique blend of modern life with hidden martial arts elements. The initial mystery surrounding the MC's background and the potential for him to rise in power were also compelling.
Areas of Concern
Unfortunately, the novel's quality takes a nosedive. A recurring complaint I've seen is the MC's character development, or rather, his devolution. He starts off as a relatively normal guy but quickly becomes arrogant, entitled, and even psychopathic. This drastic shift makes it difficult to empathize with him.
The plot also becomes increasingly disjointed, with the author seemingly abandoning storylines and introducing random elements that go nowhere. The fishing mechanic, the very thing that made the novel unique, gets sidelined as the story progresses, replaced by generic cultivation tropes. Many have also noted the increasingly poor logic and the often-illogical behavior of characters. The power scaling becomes a mess, and the world-building suffers from inconsistencies.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Multiple readers have pointed out instances of racism, particularly against Japanese characters, with some scenes depicting gratuitous violence and negative stereotypes. This is a serious issue that significantly detracts from the reading experience.
Final Verdict
While "Fishing the Myriad Heavens" starts with a promising and creative premise, it ultimately fails to deliver. The MC's unlikable personality, the disjointed plot, the abandoned storylines, and the problematic elements make it difficult for me to recommend this novel. The initial charm wears off quickly, leaving behind a generic and often frustrating cultivation story.
