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tk_'s review
3.0
It's a bit hard to rate this one. Glow-worm is technically just a short interlude, a bridge between Worm And Ward. That means if you haven't read Worm, it won't make any sense, and in some ways it feels unnecessary. Maybe in context after I read Ward it will.
Nearly the entire arc is made up of online chat transcripts, mostly to do a bit of world building it would seem. Either way, I can't say I feel it was necessary, but I plan to read Ward soon so though it was worth having a go at it. It was a bit abstract and somewhat nonsensical to me, and I've read Worm twice. But given the series as a whole, I can't bring myself to give it lower than three stars. I just feel it would have been better either appended to Worm or prepended to Ward. As a standalone read it fails to convey anything.
Nearly the entire arc is made up of online chat transcripts, mostly to do a bit of world building it would seem. Either way, I can't say I feel it was necessary, but I plan to read Ward soon so though it was worth having a go at it. It was a bit abstract and somewhat nonsensical to me, and I've read Worm twice. But given the series as a whole, I can't bring myself to give it lower than three stars. I just feel it would have been better either appended to Worm or prepended to Ward. As a standalone read it fails to convey anything.
chirishman's review
5.0
This is hands down the best piece of Superhero Fiction that I have read in years.
fulltimefiction's review
Update 12/1/2021: 22-42% S9 ARC (11-15).
This is my favorite arc so far and although I have finished it and started the next one, the part I’m reading now is underwhelming by comparison. My initial plan was to finish this book this month. But I’m not as invested once the s9 arc ended… so I’m going to take another break for now, or at least not focus on this book anymore.
Since spoilers are long overdue, I can’t write my thoughts about this part without spoilers. But first I want to say how much Taylor’s character has developed and what a smart person she actually is. She can control bugs... Uhm okay, but how can this make her stand out... well by finding creative ways to use her powers and strategizing. Also helps that she’s a good improviser. Well, she’s a natural.
Spoilers can be read even if one didn’t read interlude 11. They don’t spoil the S9 plot.
The Slaughterhouse Nine chapters were amazing. Chapeau bas, seriously. Wildbow proved his solid storytelling in those chapters and I give them a full 5/5. In fact, starting from the S9 (#11) interludes, my rating increased to 5 stars for this part.
I loved learning more about different characters, many interests me especially Weld, Legend, Alexandria, and the Cauldron leaving that message to Baterry??? Simply amazing how he’s planning everything considering this is a web serial. Not a book he can edit and work on. I have heard that some plotlines don’t go anywhere and so far, almost halfway through this book, I haven’t come upon such a thing. Sure there are “bonus” stories that don’t exactly advance the plot, but they add more background to the city and the characters so I don’t mind that at all.
The Slaughterhouse eight members' backstories (at least the parts we know) were very interesting and the group reminded me of the Phantom Troupe from hunter x hunter (but waaaaaay more savage and bloodthirsty). I didn’t hate them, although they were the real villains this time. They fascinated me. The fights with them didn’t bore me at all (and yes the length of the fighting scenes didn’t change). I was fixated on every word. And with what happened at the end, I’m more curious than ever about the role they’re going to play later on.
I know people take pride in loving anti-heroes and morally gray characters (AND THIS BOOK IS FULL OF THEM), I’m a hero kind of girl through and through. But Lisa, Brian, Rachel, and even Alec, grew on me considerably in this arc. We get a closer look at who they truly are. I’m also very interested in Noelle’s abilities now… honestly, the travelers seem like a nice bunch of people -even if villains. I like Genesis and Sundancer.
It’s difficult to talk about this without spoiling anything but the hunt, fights, and battles in this arc were simply fantastically executed. I couldn’t stop reading. It was the first time that I felt a real compulsion to read this web serial. I was living the story which the characters (and this is something I very much care about). I truly now understand why Worm is so popular.
04/01/2021 update: I wrote this mini-review at 23% then read more before posting it (until 29%) so I have to separate opinions:
Interlude 11a-h and Plague (arc 12) 5 STARS (22-29%)
WOW!! This is getting very good and I can finally understand now why it's popular. The introduction of S9 raised the stakes immensely and now everything is more interesting. I also loved the anniversary bonus interludes. I'm starting to appreciate more and more chapters told from povs other than hers. Not that I don't love but I want some new voices. I also didn't mind the fights here, I'm not sure if there were shorter or if I was too invested in the book to care.
I sadly read a major spoiler. Basically, I know now the ending which really sucks and this usually makes me lose interest a bit in the books I'm reading. I still have a long way to go and this book here obviously about the journey and not just the end. Still, now I won't be shocked which is shame.
From 10-22% ~around 4.5 arcs (ending with 11.8 Infestation)
I finished the first 5 arcs disappointed by Taylor’s decision and while I’m still not ok with it, I can see now that it was necessary to move the plot forward. Also, we got the best explanation for Emma’s behavior that we’re ever going to get I guess… I won't say I'm satisfied but it's better than nothing.
This will be vague because I want my updates to remain spoiler-free (except for the hidden spoilers).
This web serial is definitely growing on me. At one point, I didn’t read for weeks but I’m glad I’m reading again and things picked up. Arc 6-7 weren’t favorites, not necessarily bad but not great either. Fun enough. A great battle takes place in arc 8 and I enjoyed it a lot! It was nice to see all the action. If this serial was made into a series of books, I believe the first book would end here. It would be suitable.
Yet again, Taylor ended that arc too with a decision I don’t like but I know it’s necessary to what the author has in mind. I would’ve been more interested inseeing her with the Wards but I guess the author is into “unconventional methods”.
Arc 9 was one of my favorites so far. I expected I will find it boring but I was very interested in reading the story from the Wards’ perspectives. So far only the interludes had points of view (third person while Taylor’s part is told from first) so I appreciated that they had their own arc. Another favorite was the Shadow Stalker part, I found it well done. Well, I believe anyone reading Worm would like that part.
Now, at 22%, I know what’s my biggest problem with Worm is: the action scenes. They’re so damn detailed that I’m bored. Arc 8 excluded, I found myself struggling with any “battle” (not a skirmish => on a bigger scale). This is my first web serial and I think waiting for one issue after the other makes it ok for the battle scenes to be so long. But all at once? They become boring/uninteresting anymore. I will probably skim through them sadly because I noticed that every time I stopped reading for more than a few days, it was during a battle (surprisingly).
But overall, I’m enjoying this part much better than the first 10% especially since now I’m invested in more characters like Weld, Flechette, Dragon, and others. The stakes now after arc 8 are much higher.
First 10%; rating: 3.5 stars
It didn’t feel like reading 600-700 pages. It’s obvious that this is just the beginning and maybe that’s why time passed fast while reading the first 5 arcs. One might assume that this web serial will have a slow start but nope. It immediately sucks you in and keeps you wanting to read more.
Taylor finds herself with the Undersiders, one of the villains, hoping to infiltrate them and get the heroes' info about their boss. Little she knows that they're also very normal and might see them as friends. Or want to genuinely befriend them. Of course, we've met lots of capes so far and I can't keep track of everyone's abilities. And this is only the start.
It’s very enjoyable so far and I like the characters. I can already see why it’s popular.
My main issue, however, is with the last arc (#5) I read. I was disappointed with Taylor’s decision and while I know that her position wasn’t to be envied, I don’t have to like it.
Something I won’t turn a blind eye to is Emma’s bullying. Some bullying can be simply dismissed, never needing to be explained because kids are mean. But not this extreme type from Taylor’s best friend. Why Emma suddenly started bullying Taylor? Why did she hate her? Why is she acting like this out of nowhere? This isn’t the kind of bullying that has no explanation. So far, it doesn’t seem like we’re getting one. Taylor also made several important choices based on it.
These are the only complaints that sadly made me want to take a short break. I’m taking my time reading it anyway.
-----
I'm finally reading this web serial, it's been on my radar for a while now, and truthfully, I never read unpublished work not on Wattpad, not web serials, nothing. I think I'm taking "go big or go home" a little bit to the extreme?
Nonetheless, I'm excited (AND SCARED) to be starting this giant almost 7000 pages book that I know will be the biggest book I'll ever read (if I made it to the end).
It's divided into 30 parts so I'll be reviewing a few as I go along (I will hide spoilers, of course) and then a general review at the end (if I ever get there before I died).
Since I have no stable job, unsure if I'm going to enroll in uni (yeah for some reason my old university didn't start yet -not sure what they're waiting for), I figured no better time than the present.
This is my favorite arc so far and although I have finished it and started the next one, the part I’m reading now is underwhelming by comparison. My initial plan was to finish this book this month. But I’m not as invested once the s9 arc ended… so I’m going to take another break for now, or at least not focus on this book anymore.
Since spoilers are long overdue, I can’t write my thoughts about this part without spoilers. But first I want to say how much Taylor’s character has developed and what a smart person she actually is. She can control bugs... Uhm okay, but how can this make her stand out... well by finding creative ways to use her powers and strategizing. Also helps that she’s a good improviser. Well, she’s a natural.
Spoilers can be read even if one didn’t read interlude 11. They don’t spoil the S9 plot.
The Slaughterhouse Nine chapters were amazing. Chapeau bas, seriously. Wildbow proved his solid storytelling in those chapters and I give them a full 5/5. In fact, starting from the S9 (#11) interludes, my rating increased to 5 stars for this part.
I loved learning more about different characters, many interests me especially Weld, Legend, Alexandria, and the Cauldron leaving that message to Baterry??? Simply amazing how he’s planning everything considering this is a web serial. Not a book he can edit and work on. I have heard that some plotlines don’t go anywhere and so far, almost halfway through this book, I haven’t come upon such a thing. Sure there are “bonus” stories that don’t exactly advance the plot, but they add more background to the city and the characters so I don’t mind that at all.
The Slaughterhouse eight members' backstories (at least the parts we know) were very interesting and the group reminded me of the Phantom Troupe from hunter x hunter (but waaaaaay more savage and bloodthirsty). I didn’t hate them, although they were the real villains this time. They fascinated me. The fights with them didn’t bore me at all (and yes the length of the fighting scenes didn’t change). I was fixated on every word. And with what happened at the end, I’m more curious than ever about the role they’re going to play later on.
I know people take pride in loving anti-heroes and morally gray characters (AND THIS BOOK IS FULL OF THEM), I’m a hero kind of girl through and through. But Lisa, Brian, Rachel, and even Alec, grew on me considerably in this arc. We get a closer look at who they truly are. I’m also very interested in Noelle’s abilities now… honestly, the travelers seem like a nice bunch of people -even if villains. I like Genesis and Sundancer.
It’s difficult to talk about this without spoiling anything but the hunt, fights, and battles in this arc were simply fantastically executed. I couldn’t stop reading. It was the first time that I felt a real compulsion to read this web serial. I was living the story which the characters (and this is something I very much care about). I truly now understand why Worm is so popular.
04/01/2021 update: I wrote this mini-review at 23% then read more before posting it (until 29%) so I have to separate opinions:
Interlude 11a-h and Plague (arc 12) 5 STARS (22-29%)
WOW!! This is getting very good and I can finally understand now why it's popular. The introduction of S9 raised the stakes immensely and now everything is more interesting. I also loved the anniversary bonus interludes. I'm starting to appreciate more and more chapters told from povs other than hers. Not that I don't love but I want some new voices. I also didn't mind the fights here, I'm not sure if there were shorter or if I was too invested in the book to care.
I sadly read a major spoiler. Basically, I know now the ending which really sucks and this usually makes me lose interest a bit in the books I'm reading. I still have a long way to go and this book here obviously about the journey and not just the end. Still, now I won't be shocked which is shame.
From 10-22% ~around 4.5 arcs (ending with 11.8 Infestation)
I finished the first 5 arcs disappointed by Taylor’s decision and while I’m still not ok with it, I can see now that it was necessary to move the plot forward. Also, we got the best explanation for Emma’s behavior that we’re ever going to get I guess… I won't say I'm satisfied but it's better than nothing.
This will be vague because I want my updates to remain spoiler-free (except for the hidden spoilers).
This web serial is definitely growing on me. At one point, I didn’t read for weeks but I’m glad I’m reading again and things picked up. Arc 6-7 weren’t favorites, not necessarily bad but not great either. Fun enough. A great battle takes place in arc 8 and I enjoyed it a lot! It was nice to see all the action. If this serial was made into a series of books, I believe the first book would end here. It would be suitable.
Yet again, Taylor ended that arc too with a decision I don’t like but I know it’s necessary to what the author has in mind. I would’ve been more interested in
Arc 9 was one of my favorites so far. I expected I will find it boring but I was very interested in reading the story from the Wards’ perspectives. So far only the interludes had points of view (third person while Taylor’s part is told from first) so I appreciated that they had their own arc. Another favorite was the Shadow Stalker part, I found it well done. Well, I believe anyone reading Worm would like that part.
Now, at 22%, I know what’s my biggest problem with Worm is: the action scenes. They’re so damn detailed that I’m bored. Arc 8 excluded, I found myself struggling with any “battle” (not a skirmish => on a bigger scale). This is my first web serial and I think waiting for one issue after the other makes it ok for the battle scenes to be so long. But all at once? They become boring/uninteresting anymore. I will probably skim through them sadly because I noticed that every time I stopped reading for more than a few days, it was during a battle (surprisingly).
But overall, I’m enjoying this part much better than the first 10% especially since now I’m invested in more characters like Weld, Flechette, Dragon, and others. The stakes now after arc 8 are much higher.
First 10%; rating: 3.5 stars
It didn’t feel like reading 600-700 pages. It’s obvious that this is just the beginning and maybe that’s why time passed fast while reading the first 5 arcs. One might assume that this web serial will have a slow start but nope. It immediately sucks you in and keeps you wanting to read more.
Taylor finds herself with the Undersiders, one of the villains, hoping to infiltrate them and get the heroes' info about their boss. Little she knows that they're also very normal and might see them as friends. Or want to genuinely befriend them. Of course, we've met lots of capes so far and I can't keep track of everyone's abilities. And this is only the start.
It’s very enjoyable so far and I like the characters. I can already see why it’s popular.
My main issue, however, is with the last arc (#5) I read. I was disappointed with Taylor’s decision and while I know that her position wasn’t to be envied, I don’t have to like it.
Something I won’t turn a blind eye to is Emma’s bullying. Some bullying can be simply dismissed, never needing to be explained because kids are mean. But not this extreme type from Taylor’s best friend. Why Emma suddenly started bullying Taylor? Why did she hate her? Why is she acting like this out of nowhere? This isn’t the kind of bullying that has no explanation. So far, it doesn’t seem like we’re getting one. Taylor also made several important choices based on it.
These are the only complaints that sadly made me want to take a short break. I’m taking my time reading it anyway.
-----
I'm finally reading this web serial, it's been on my radar for a while now, and truthfully, I never read unpublished work not on Wattpad, not web serials, nothing. I think I'm taking "go big or go home" a little bit to the extreme?
Nonetheless, I'm excited (AND SCARED) to be starting this giant almost 7000 pages book that I know will be the biggest book I'll ever read (if I made it to the end).
It's divided into 30 parts so I'll be reviewing a few as I go along (I will hide spoilers, of course) and then a general review at the end (if I ever get there before I died).
Since I have no stable job, unsure if I'm going to enroll in uni (yeah for some reason my old university didn't start yet -not sure what they're waiting for), I figured no better time than the present.
stars11037's review
5.0
worm just destroyed my sleeping schedule and my ability to handle all my schoolwork :(
adityap's review
5.0
A book leaves me satisfied when it is rich in ideas. Not only does this book bring up many interesting thoughts in a natural manner, within context. It for the most part, keeps up the pace and makes it hard for you to pause.
Some examples of these ideas which come up in the dialogue....
"Breaking certain conventions didn’t only challenge the aesthetic sensibilities of others, but it challenged their sense of self. It reminded them, subconsciously, of the very pretendings they clung to."
“Power and control,” A said. He sighed, then bit into a cookie.
“You can’t avoid it,” B asked. “Can you live without charm, intimidation, or some form of influence over others? Without making others do your bidding on some level? You flirt, they react one way or another. Everything is manipulation.”
According to studies, clinically depressed individuals have a more accurate grasp of reality than the average person. We tell ourselves lies and layer falsehoods and self-assurances over one another in order to cope with a world coloured by pain and suffering. We put blinders on. If we lose that illusion, we crumble into depression or we crack and go mad. So perhaps I’m crazy, but only because I see things too clearly?”
The story is set in a world where people start to acquire superpowers through traumatic incidents. For the most part we accompany Taylor, a teenage girl as she trying to play the cards right. The cards, life throws at her. We see her making friends, trying to find a purpose, wrestle with morality, and so on. But what makes this book epic is the wide variety of characters, each fleshed out well, the self consistent power system where the author managed to give everyone very versatile powers, the attention to detail!
You will find yourself heavily invested in the characters by the end of the book, the plot twists cannot be predicted. This book is worth a read. There are some parts where it was hard to follow what's happening, or everything started seeming fortuitous. But overall it's definitely a 4.5 or 4.8 stars.
Some examples of these ideas which come up in the dialogue....
"Breaking certain conventions didn’t only challenge the aesthetic sensibilities of others, but it challenged their sense of self. It reminded them, subconsciously, of the very pretendings they clung to."
“Power and control,” A said. He sighed, then bit into a cookie.
“You can’t avoid it,” B asked. “Can you live without charm, intimidation, or some form of influence over others? Without making others do your bidding on some level? You flirt, they react one way or another. Everything is manipulation.”
According to studies, clinically depressed individuals have a more accurate grasp of reality than the average person. We tell ourselves lies and layer falsehoods and self-assurances over one another in order to cope with a world coloured by pain and suffering. We put blinders on. If we lose that illusion, we crumble into depression or we crack and go mad. So perhaps I’m crazy, but only because I see things too clearly?”
The story is set in a world where people start to acquire superpowers through traumatic incidents. For the most part we accompany Taylor, a teenage girl as she trying to play the cards right. The cards, life throws at her. We see her making friends, trying to find a purpose, wrestle with morality, and so on. But what makes this book epic is the wide variety of characters, each fleshed out well, the self consistent power system where the author managed to give everyone very versatile powers, the attention to detail!
You will find yourself heavily invested in the characters by the end of the book, the plot twists cannot be predicted. This book is worth a read. There are some parts where it was hard to follow what's happening, or everything started seeming fortuitous. But overall it's definitely a 4.5 or 4.8 stars.
strong_extraordinary_dreams's review
3.0
Well, I didn't actually finish this, but I must have gone through a couple of novels' worth before abandoning it.
Ok, this is the deal. It's not a novel, it's somewhere between a tale (only one character is followed, no sub-plot, single timeline) and an account (I kid you not: there is not one single metaphor or simile in the whole thing). That's why no publisher will touch it despite it being worshiped by the multitudes here on goodreads. It's just not all there.
He's great - GREAT - at what he does: endless super-fight scenes, dawdling interludes, moving characters (in the same room, only, as the main character) around, but as an author he hasn't drunk of the cup.
I recommend checking it out . . . you'll give up soon enough.
Ok, this is the deal. It's not a novel, it's somewhere between a tale (only one character is followed, no sub-plot, single timeline) and an account (I kid you not: there is not one single metaphor or simile in the whole thing). That's why no publisher will touch it despite it being worshiped by the multitudes here on goodreads. It's just not all there.
He's great - GREAT - at what he does: endless super-fight scenes, dawdling interludes, moving characters (in the same room, only, as the main character) around, but as an author he hasn't drunk of the cup.
I recommend checking it out . . . you'll give up soon enough.
philipcrowther's review
5.0
tbh I read most of this last year and found it un-put-down-able until I got a concussion and had to put it down bc I couldn't read or look at screens without tons of head hurt. I finally finished up the last couple of arcs over the past week or so and found the same thing. peak sci-fi/fantasy/superhero/crime/occasional horror/grimdark thriller lit. if this book had been published in traditional print, I think it would be one of the most widely read novels in any of those genres, but I also think it wouldn't have been able to be what it is with some of the creative control passed off to publishers. the novel's length was initially off-putting, but once I was in the thick of it I was glad to know there was so much left to go before it was over. 11/10 would suggest to fans of sci-fi/fantasy.
ghostlyprose's review
5.0
A wild ride from beginning to end. Taylor's journey is complicated and conflictive, full of surprising turns that will make you keep reading no matter how long Worm is. It's much more than people playing heroes n' villains, it's a study of humanity, what makes us good, bad, and everything in between.
I still haven't recovered from that ending.
I still haven't recovered from that ending.