So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 1 (light novel) (So I'm a Spider, So What? (light novel)) Kindle Edition

Volume one of this bizarre light novel series, penned by Okina Baba (illustrations by Tsukasa Kiryu) follows a nameless main character who has been reincarnated into a strange new world, in the body of spider no less. And not the usual spiders in our world. No, she’s come back as a Small Lesser Taratect, the weakest monster in what is known as the world largest dungeon. She has little to no skills (though this does change as the story progresses), and she’s on the verge of a panic attack more often than not. Though, to her credit, she does take being killed and reincarnated in another world pretty smoothly, all things considered. Still, to be able to come back with all your memories of your human life, but you’re forced to be stuck in the body of the weakest monster in a dungeon full of things looking to kill you? Talk about crappy luck.However, she does a good job of keeping things light, which is more than I would be able to do in her shoes. I mean, to have to constantly have your head on a swivel, where the smallest slip up could cost you your life? No thank you. I have a hard enough time staying alive as a human, so I know I wouldn’t make it as a Taratect. I’d be dead in a matter of days, if not sooner. I enjoy seeing how resourceful she is, given her low stats and abilities. Oh wait, I should probably tell you what I mean by that.So, in this new world, everything is set up like a video game, where you have stats (like speed, strength, defense, etc.) and skills. Her stats are…well, they’re trash. Her saving grace is her abnormally high speed stat, which helps her escape sure death quite a few times over the course of the novel. That, and her wits. It’s always interesting to see how she gets herself out of the tough spots she often finds herself in. Her commentary on the situations are oftentimes hilarious, as her age constantly shines through. And I mean that in a good way. Is it cringe? Maybe a little, but only sometimes, I promise! Hearing what she thinks about her circumstances and the small amount of skills she earns over the course of the book almost always brings a smile to my face. And it’s satisfying seeing her collection of skills grow too.This is an entertaining read, and we get to see the world through the eyes of some of the other kids from her class that were also reincarnated in this world. Admittedly, I’m more interested in our nameless main character than I am her classmates, so while I enjoy seeing other parts of the world, I prefer spending my time with our little spider the most. Strategy, comedy, life-or-death situations. What more can a guy ask for?

The show itself was fantastic but the book adds just a bit more detail and gives the main character just a bit more personality - which is amazing because she already had a lot. I have a lot more I could say but to sum up, a really fun read.

I chose to read this book two days ago so I could wait for a book I was looking forward to arriving in the mail. So I picked this book up and read through it and, I might've ordered four more volumes of this series. Yeah.This book raised my empathy and sympathy levels more then it should've. I've heard the main character was sassy which made me appeal to the series, but I didn't expect the depth in their character. The author is good at making you just feel so bad for them at every inch. Like dang I just want to hug and comfort them. They aren't as bitchy as I assumed they'd be, I'd say they even undercomplain lol, and they'd oddly adorable at times when they finally have something figured out.The humor is definitely my type of humor too, the protagonist comments on things in a funny charming way and is sarcastic. Also thank god the physical copy is matte instead of the usual plastic covers since I am pouring with sweat, which will def leave fingerprints on plastic.I've heard people complain about the grinding being too slow and the side character POV being too much at the beginning of the LN, I knew that ahead of time so I readied myself. I honestly liked those parts, you probably won't think of them as tedious if you're a patient enough person. I just say ready yourself for some slowish action and enjoy.This was oddly more emotional then I thought'd it be maaaan. At one point in the middle where the protagonist was quite injured and in quite pain trying to make it through just to survive, thinking about the contrast to this new life and their old one, I was even tearing up, which seems pathetic since I don't think this was meant to get you to cry, at all. I think the protagonist being so likable made my empathy skyrocket.