I think it was Naphthalene’s critique (I was the one who complained about the magic), but yeah, I immediately thought of that too!
Sorry about that! I always try to hold back because of that reason; I don’t want to negatively influence the atmosphere of a book club too much.
Because of the way human nature works, if you find yourself agreeing, you probably didn’t like it but maybe didn’t know exactly what you didn’t like about it. If you liked it anyway, hearing a criticism for something that you’re even just lukewarm on will usually make you feel defensive of that thing. I honestly use that a lot to figure out how I feel about a thing that I don’t have strong feelings about. 
And finished. In general my thoughts were mostly positive, although I do share a lot of complaints about the pacing/order of the plot points. I get the impression that this series probably wanted to be plotted out more to figure out what should be a chapter and what is probably enough to just get a small mention to set up for later in the story, but who am I, someone who has yet to finish a story longer than 20,000 words to argue with someone who has 50 published works. 
I read the last 3 weeks of the bookclub in about 36 hours, so I have no idea what goes where and am going to lump my thoughts all together. But I’ll cover up anything else in a drop down for spoilers.
This is my biggest complaint of the story. They got to town, saw the waves of zombies (ew) decided, wow, we’re really out of our element, and then risked their lives killing the wolf zombie thing, and then went home?!?
If I were to script doctor (book doctor?) the last chapter, I would have had them see all the zombies, decide they can’t do anything, start running away and then the zombie wolf thing blocks their path and then they kill it.
In fact, if I’m script doctoring, I’d give them a plot reason for why the generator couldn’t start before they left. Like, they have to go into town to get a part or something. Then that makes them coming back and Honoka’s phone getting the message from her sister more integrated into the plot. As it is, it feels like they gave up on her sister and then it’s almost like getting the message after the fact doesn’t feel like the win it should have.
Somehow despite the plot and pacing issues I had with it, I’m planning to stick with the series. But a large portion of that is bc it’s one of the higher enjoyment books I’ve found at this reading level. I think what worked for me is that despite the book’s issues, I both enjoyed what we got of, and am interested in the future of, both the individual arcs for the two mains, plus what the foreshadowed plot points will do for each individually as well as the overall arc of their relationship.
I’m currently working on reading some of 本好き for a bit, but I’ll def come back and put some thoughts for the rest of the series when I get there.
Although I did actually read this one bc it was in the audiobook 
I caught most of it. She talks really really fast, but she mostly was saying that she had to read the book a few times and that even as she was going through the kanji reading check and the different times through the book she really liked it and was wondering how she was going to bring Honoka to life. (Behind a spoiler tag in case anyone wants to listen to it before reading what I got out of it).
I know I spent most of the club behind and not part of the discussion, but thanks everyone for reading along and pushing me to finish. And thanks @暁のルナ for hosting!
Yeah 
I mean, I can sort of see the logic in all of their decisions, but “We went on an adventure to save Honoka’s sister, but halfway through the way was blocked so we went home again” just doesn’t make for a satisfying story arc.
I feel like what could’ve saved the story for me would’ve been if they had reached the base after luring the zombie horde away and then waiting for a day or two… or something like that. It turns out to be destroyed and they have to fight wolf monster there, but then they get something out of it. Preferably something related to the sister.
Thanks!
Thx to everyone who’s participated! Idk that I have anything insightful to say about the end that hasn’t already been said, but I do plan to read vol 2 eventually. Will be interesting to see if the writing retains the same strengths and flaws, whenever I get there.
Well, I’m spoiling myself a bit here, but yes, it was my critique. I’m glad it shows up again, but, regardless, my critique still holds due to pacing. The problem could have been solved so easily too: actually, I’m deleting what I just wrote since it’s beside the point and because
Anyway, I still plan to finish this book since I’m so close to the end (maybe 1 or 2 hours of focused reading), but I’m not sure when.
Yeah, I will probably read volume 2 at some point, partly because it was mostly a good reading level for me, and partly because I bought volumes 2+3 when they were on sale. Yes it was a bit slow at points, but the fact I finished it meant I didn’t hate it 
Edit: I’d even consider running an offshoot if there’s interest (mostly because I’m hopeless at reading without structure currently). Any thoughts as to when you’d be interested in reading @shitsurei @暁のルナ? I have quite a lot on the go right now so definitely no rush.
I would definitely join an offshoot. I can definitely wait to start. 
I think @暁のルナ may have started book 2 this week (and is away for the weekend I think).
I did start it this week, but I’m only a few pages in, and I’ve been very impulsive about my reading selections lately.
@Cathm2 if you want to run a book club thread that would be cool. I was gonna offer to start it, but I would probably do without schedule if I did, bc I’m lazy/I seem to be into that lately (I’m fine with schedule too tho)
(I was away, but am back now)
I’ve created a thread for an offshoot! There’s probably errors in there as I posted from a previous WK thread of mine.
