[Story] The Last Philosopher

Title: The Last Philosopher
Author: NickfEast
Genre(s): Comedy, Fantasy
Tags: adventure, diversity, dystopian, fantasy, funny, high fantasy, humor, literary fiction, magic, mythology, philosophy, politics, satire, slice of life, comedy, psychological, Anti-Hero Lead, Dystopia, Female Lead, Gender Bender, Magic, Male Lead, Multiple Lead Characters, Mythos, Non-Human lead, School Life, Secret Identity, Steampunk, Strategy, Strong Lead, Supernatural, Villainous Lead (excluded some non-tags)
Audience: New Adult
Main Lead: Male, Female
Status: Ongoing (Completed, in Editing)
AVB Assessment Score: PDE 2 CDD 2 SWB 2 || TQ 3 SV 3 || Overall: 12 (score explanation)
Number of Chapters: 66
Chapter Length: Medium
Reading Level: Medium
Date of First Release: September 23, 2015
Date of Last Update: July 22, 2021
AVB Reviewed? No
Available on Platform(s): Wattpad, Royal Road
Number of Views: 36.7K
Number of Reviews: N/A
Synopsis:
Before everything, it’s assumed there was nothing, but what if there was no real difference between the two? Just two extreme philosophies from the original conflict.
The planet Huom has been under observation for longer than should technically be possible. The primary watcher, a bitter black-hole, is excited to see that there is finally a proverbial Darkness at the end of the tunnel.
Meanwhile on the planet, in the freezing mountains of Empris, Lyeasrakardsul, the oldest living sorcerer suffers from devastating nightmares. At the same time – far away in the sandstone desert of Zenon – Herschel, a man filled to the brim with strange ideas is escaping a prison filled with strange old men.
What does all this have to do with arsehole Gods, hairy Dwarfs, frustrated Afreets, curious Knomes, lizard-women, and nude Áettar? Perhaps Nothing, perhaps Everything… but why can’t it be both?

Review(s)

GrayGhostLee:
Initial thoughts before reading: This seems like a fun story, the potential for highfalutin jargon is a smidge high for my liking but that’s the consequence of having a story that relies on philosophy as a main factor.
Hook – It’s exactly as a hook should be. It’s brought in right away, it made me interested, and mentions of it kept me interested through the next few chapters.
Characters – I assume we won’t see Dick and Huam again but your personification of a black hole was hilarious while it lasted. Aside from those two and brief mentions of the Darkness, the only character we get a good look at is Lyeasrakardsul — a grumpy old wizard.
I mean…
High sorcerer.
I found Lyeasrakardsul concerningly relatable, as I too am a grumpy, achy old man who talks to his own reflection while in the throes of self-inflicted insomnia.
Throughout the chapters I read he was written with stable and even characterization. His actions and demeanor made sense, everything you added about him worked with everything that had been previously established, and it all related back to the plot and setting well. The bunny slippers were a little out of place, but not jarringly so. It was just strange to imagine all the spooky atmospheric wizard stuff and then bam! Pink bunny slippers right in the middle of it. This is humour though, a little shock is good for that sort of thing.
Style – I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of highfalutin jargon. Nothing to make my brain hurt. The deadpan humor was right up my alley and I did that little nose-exhale thing several times. That’s good, you know, some comedians work hard for that.
The humor element wasn’t overpowering either; imagery and characterization are also both strengths here. It all mixes really well to carry moi, the reader, through three chapters of what was essentially worldbuilding.
Grammar – Passed with flying colors.
Formatting – The pictures at the start of every chapter were a nice touch, it shows you’ve put a lot of time and effort into this project.
Final thoughts:
9.5/10, would continue reading.