Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on They Are Not Human!
"They Are Not Human!" is a wild ride of adventure, fantasy, and just a touch of horror, all wrapped up in a yaoi romance with a massive harem. I went in expecting one thing and came out the other side with a whole lot of thoughts.
First Impressions
Okay, I'll be honest, the initial chapters were a bit jarring. Our protagonist, Wen Qing, is… well, he's timid. And he cries. A lot. Some readers might find this off-putting, but I actually appreciated seeing a character who doesn't immediately become an overpowered badass in the face of the unlimited flow genre. He feels like a normal person thrown into an insane situation, and his emotional reactions felt genuine, even if they were a bit much at times.
What Works Well
The world-building is fantastic. Each game world is unique and well-developed, and they all contribute to a larger overarching plot that kept me guessing. I particularly enjoyed how the story slowly reveals the truth about the gods and their influence on humanity. The scenarios themselves were interesting and unpredictable, with twists that I didn't see coming.
I also have to give props to the author for the male leads. There are so many of them, and they run the gamut from relatively decent to downright terrifying. Each one has their own distinct personality and motivations, which makes for some really interesting dynamics with Wen Qing.
Areas of Concern
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: the "pe*vert" tag. Yeah, there's a lot of unwanted advances and borderline SA in this novel. It can get pretty uncomfortable at times, and I can totally understand why some readers would drop the story because of it. It's definitely something to be aware of going in. Also, be prepared for the final arc to drag on a bit. I found myself wanting it to end sooner rather than later.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Okay, going to get into some specifics about the ending.
The final ML is 001, Wen Qing's system. This could be seen as a cop-out since it explains why so many characters are so interested in Wen Qing. It's revealed that they are all fragments of the ML. It's a nice conclusion, but it could be seen as a letdown.
Final Verdict
Despite its flaws, I found "They Are Not Human!" to be a surprisingly enjoyable read. The world-building is excellent, the characters are interesting, and the plot kept me engaged. Just be aware of the potentially triggering content and be prepared for a bit of a slow burn in the final arc. Overall, I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
