Oh, boy. The world-building. The world-building of this novel puts most other isekais to shame. The author took only one common fantasy trope, elves, and embedded it into realism. The aftermath of war, a ruthless desert reminiscent of Dune, a system that cares about money above all else, racial tensions, the logistics of labor, consequences of a ghetto for slaves, all portrayed vividly.
Details are masterfully kept from the reader until the right moment. None of the information feels like exposition, like an onion; each layer is logically and gradually revealed to the reader, leaving them wanting more.

Now, after the world-building, I have to talk about character. Each character, even the side characters, is meticulously crafted and positively intriguing. They feel like real people. The main character Isayah has incredible, believable, and gradual development; his story culminates in its climax at the end, when secrets are revealed and drastic, painful, and desperate actions are taken. The "twist" to the final act (without getting into spoilers) is unexpected (but logical), sudden, emotional and gut-wrenching. A testament to the skill of the author and how well the characters are crafted.

A small limitation (if you can even call it that) is in the pacing. I see the appeal in a slow-burning fantasy, but there are places where the pacing drags on a little. Notably, the two chapters about the secret base around the middle of the story, and also the later watermelon scene, both went on a little too long. But these could just be my personal taste, others might not find it too slow.
The time passed also got a bit confusing after the watermelon scene and Isayah exited the mines. It would be better if the environment gave more clues on how much time has passed for the rest of the plot elements to have developed so much without the presence of the main character.

However, in the end, these are mere points of nitpicking. That is because overall, the story is already amazing. And I would give it a 10/10. In my opinion, this novel, despite its minor flaws, is already ready for publication. Amazing work! 🥰