This is one of the few stories I get to review after having completed it and let me just say that I find it amazing that the author managed to write 60 chapters and never once let the FL and ML have a proper conversation, I feel like that is some kind of talent since the ML and FL spend so much time together.
--- Positive---
Before I jump into the cons of the story, I'd like to praise the story for making the FL act like a normal person for the most part. When a person is surrounded by death, sometimes you will do anything to survive, she was traumatized and for the most part remained reasonably terrified, unstable and relatively cautious throughout most of the story. Her fear often got the better of her and I consider that realistic, people sometimes make dumb choices when afraid.
I also commend the FL's friend for being written rather realistic as well, trying to remain optimistic although afraid and just as desperate as the FL, being afraid of everything and distrusting everyone while at the same time fearing being alone felt like a realistic approach to their situation.
I will admit the first couple of chapters were IMO the stronger part of the story as it was interesting to find out how the FL would survive and overcome all of the obstacles tossed at her. Even when meeting the ML the story sets up the ML suffering from an internal struggle and the language barrier between him and the FL is causing problems. The reader is given some backstory, a little bit of world building and a list of problems that the characters need to address. There is nothing left to do but to follow the nicely placed set up right?
---Negative---
May I introduce the biggest, most aggravating flaw that holds this story back, the lack of addressing or even trying to solve any of the issues introduced at the beginning of the story. Allow me to explain. First there is the language barrier that is causing trust issues between the ML and FL, she puts little effort into learning the language when she meets the ML, in fact she doesn't even attempt to sign language much or even point at anything, and neither does the ML try to do any of these things. If not for some random women who never appears again in the story she would have never learned the language staying with the ML as they didn't even TRY to communicate with each other.
While still on the language barrier I want to say the story decides to have the ML avoid the FL when she starts learning to speak so this removes any opportunity for the ML and FL to finally clear up any misunderstandings. The language barrier was the force that made the FL and ML relationship uncomfortable, it plays its part well and is frustrating for the characters and the readers. However once it was removed the author never mends the relationship, never builds it, the FL NEVER once sits with the ML and has a genuine heart to heart and is never given any type of bonding scene. The story tells me they love each other...kind of...but nothing has happened that should suggest they do.
The ML's internal struggle introduced to us soon after his meeting the FL is another set up never addressed. The man needs therapy, or at least the power of a good listening ear to help mend his soul in a romance novel sort of way and he never gets it, his insecurities, his trauma, his complete mental state is just ignored by everyone. They acknowledge he is being weird but besides that he never gets to sit down, talk and just try to find some peace. I honestly don't believe he is in love. The romance tag has no business being on this as nobody is in love here, not even the FL.
The story sets up the ML and FL as if love will bloom somehow (even the cover art suggest it) but there is little if any romance in here, yes there is kissing and blushing, but not b.c people are in love. The best way to describe it would be to say "spring finally came to the ML" and the hormonal confused teen in an adult body was born. Their love is so vapid that I wouldn't be surprised if the ML cheated on the FL with a stripper he saw walking down the street one day.
So the issue is the story sets up things but just flat lines, it never unravels or seeks to resolve the things it sets up and the characters don't grow. I understand that maybe the author didn't want the ML to grow as it seems like he is meant to just exit stage left mentally, but what about the FL? At some point in the story she just stops doing anything, she doesn't need to become a warrior but at least change your clothes and try to blend in, something, I mean just try to be useful or try not to draw attention to yourself.
(-22)
(+245)
