I'm not one who can eloquently word my thoughts when it comes to reviewing things, but I can say that "The Ranger from Reythe" is a very enjoyable read! This novel immediately introduces us to a protagonist with a comparably unique set of circumstances, at least when it comes to the isekai genre. As of this review, the prospective “first volume” is completed at 33 Chapters, so it will cover only up to that amount.

Our main protagonist, Mary, is from an Earth very different from ours, where radiation and resources are notable problems, and “Rangers” scour the land to protect their loved ones, along with the nature they coexist with.

The first impression that Mary gives is somewhat expected. She’s a calm, resourceful, and helpful individual. She dearly cherishes her sister Lena, and it’s clear that she takes her role as a Ranger seriously. However, one mistake leads her into a different world, and so the plot ensues as she learns about Faverden.

What I really liked about Mary is how she approached her new environment. Her habits as a Ranger were on full display as she thoroughly notated and experimented with the fauna and concepts of the world she fell into. Mary’s methodical approach to fully understanding everything was a breath of fresh air. Her strange tools are the perfect balance for her venture into new territory.

Lots of protagonists in this genre either already have the know-how of the world they fall into or are left floundering trying to figure things out. Those perspectives aren’t bad at all (I’ve even used them myself), but Mary’s discovery of Faverden has such a nice balance of competence and cluelessness that I can’t help but enjoy it.

Then, the book picks up, and we see other sides to Mary. The context of her actions change, and the hidden malice our protagonist holds comes to light. It’s nearly tonal whiplash, so it might be somewhat unexpected, but further details later on soften the surprise of Mary’s mindset.

Fair warning, this book has a good amount of grit in it. The violence is palpable, and it toes various subjects that I initially didn’t expect from it, at least based on the introduction.

Mary fights in a blunt, cold, and efficient way. There’s no flashy magic, nor overpowered abilities, just strange gear and a mindset that doesn’t fully mesh with Faverden, and that disparity leads to brutality. It was unexpected, but over the course of the book, the way the combat scenes are written improves. My favorite battle scene is the climax at the end of the book, where the weather, environment, and careful planning from our protagonist group make Mary out to be quite the scary force. I was feeling intimidated just reading how Mary was perceived by the opposing characters.

Speaking of the other characters, there’s quite a few groups to keep track of. “The Ranger from Reythe” switches perspectives quite often, and it becomes clear that many plotlines will interlace with each other in the future.

Lena, Mary’s sister, remains on Earth and continues to chat with an enigmatic being simply known as “the Fox”. This Fox clearly is entertaining itself with both Mary and Lena, and I am curious about the depths of its intentions. We get perspectives from other characters in Mary’s party as well. I will note that, with the exception of Mary’s possible love interest, the rest of Mary’s party doesn’t feel like they get too much screentime. If the story is able to continue in the future, it could be nice to explore their thoughts more.

Lastly, we have a few enemy groups. While I won’t describe them here for the sake of an enjoyable reading experience, I will say a few vague things about a couple.

The group introduced in “The Twilight of the Gods” chapters, was, admittedly, a bit confusing to me. Rereading allowed me to better understand their purpose somewhat, but their sudden action scene in the midst of their introduction was a bit disorienting. I think a refined look at this group could be beneficial.

Another main organization, the one Mary fights in the finale of the current chapters, has a similar structure and goal regarding Mary, but was easier to understand, and offered more immediate engagement. Additionally, the way the book lays down the groundwork for a foil to Mary, through a character from this group that is also in contact with the Fox, has me curious about what their role will be.

The formatting, grammar, and writing are mostly solid as well. There are a few mistakes here and there, but nothing too egregious that dampened my enjoyment of the read.

Overall, "The Ranger from Reythe" is an experience with brutal surprises, cold and calculated action, and a main character that has lots of potential for growth. Whether that growth will be positive or negative for her is still up in the air. With a few big bads on the horizon, and lots more of the world to be seen, what’s already out is a fun introduction to forage through.