00:00Lord of Mysteries, Circle of Inevitability COI, the sprawling sequel to Lord of Mysteries Lottam,
00:04penned by Cuttlefish that loves diving, unfolds across eight volumes,
00:07each weaving a dense tapestry of cosmic car, intricate world-building, and psychological depth.
00:12Published on Kaidan starting March 4, 2023, with an English translation by C.K. Talon on web novel,
00:17this series introduces a new protagonist, Lumion Lee, while retaining the richly-laid universe
00:22fans adored in its predecessor. This review, styled after an episodic analysis,
00:26treats the eight volumes as a cohesive episode of a grand narrative, exploring its plot,
00:30characters, atmosphere, and execution, while offering a critical lens on its literary animation
00:35and overall impact. Circle of Inevitability picks up six minutes seven years after the event of
00:40Lord of Mysteries, set in a world where Crimson falls from the sky in 1368, heralding a new year
00:45of mystery and dread. The story follows Lumion Lee, a young man in Cordy Village whose life unravels
00:50in Volume 1, Nightmare. This volume serves as a prologue, deconstructing Lumion's nightmare through
00:54symbols and metaphors, blending dreams and reality as he uncovers dark secrets tied to his village
00:59and his sister Auro. Key moments include Lumion's encounters with eerie figures like Madame Pirelli's
01:03and his initiation into the supernatural via rituals and potions setting the stage for his
01:07journey into a world of conspiracies and cosmic forces. The atmosphere is thick with foreboding,
01:12as Rural's simplicity masks a creeping horror, with chapters like Prankin'Blood establishing a tone
01:16of suspense and unease. Volume 2, Lightseeker shifts Lumion, now under the alias Gale, to the vibrant
01:21yet sinister city of Tria. Here, he navigates over non-debellies, from the Selda Balb rise to
01:26encounters with characters like Charlie and Jena, while grappling with supernatural entities and
01:30secret organizations. The narrative accelerates with moments like knife fight and mother tree,
01:34blending action with psychological tension. Volumes 3 through 8 conspire at Sinna, Demoness,
01:39Dreamweaver, Second Law, and Eternal Aeon escalate the stakes, introducing conspiracies in Tria's
01:44fourth epic demonic forces and existential threats. Lumion's journey involves navigating secret
01:50societies, such as the Roe School of Thought and confronting entities like the Armored Shadow
01:54and Tambros. The final volume, Eternal Aeon, named after the secret serial of the Inevitability
01:59Pathway, concludes with a cyclical reflection on fate as Lumion faces the weight of his choices
02:03across 1080 chapters. The atmosphere evolves from the claustrophobic dread of Kordi to Tria's
02:07chaotic grandeur, with each volume layering near mysteries, catacombs, dreamscapes, and ancient
02:11relics, while maintaining the series' signature blend of cosmic horror and detective-like intrigue.
02:15Paroxys like Jenna, Mr. K, and Hela add emotional and narrative depth, their motivations intertwining
02:21with Lumion's growth from a village trickster to a calculated conspirator. The narrator's
02:25pacing improves over Lottom, particularly in Nightmare, though its complexity can overwhelm,
02:29demanding active reader engagement to track the sprawling cast of metaphysical stakes.
02:33The animation of Circle of Inevitability, its literary craft shines in its world-building
02:37and prose, though it's not without flaws. Cuttlefish that loves diving retains the intelligent,
02:41layered writing of Lottom, crafting scenes with vivid imagery from Kordi's fog-laden ruins to
02:46Tria's bustling yet sinister streets. The prose, translated by C.K. Talon,
02:50balance his poetic flourishes with clinical precision, especially in describing rituals
02:54and supernatural phenomena. For instance, scenes like the sacrificial dance in Volume 1 or the
02:59fire execution in Volume 3 evoke a visceral sense of dread, akin to a well-directed cinematic
03:03sequence. The pacing, particularly in Nightmare, is a marked improvement over Lottom's lower
03:08start, with tighter plotting and suspenseful beats that hook readers early. However, the
03:12translation occasionally stumbles. Some readers note that the language can feel dense with complex
03:16terminology sequences, pathways, beyonders that requires acclimatization. While this depth enriches
03:21the world, it risks alienating newcomers, especially in later volumes like Demoness and Dreamweaver,
03:26where metaphysical concepts pile up. The narrative's ambition, spanning 1080 chapters, is both the
03:31strength and their weakness. The intricate plotlines, such as the fourth-epot conspiracies in
03:35Conspirer, are engrossing but can feel labyrinthine, with subplots occasionally unresolved until
03:39Eternal Eon. Character development, particularly for Lumion, is compelling, his arc from prankster
03:44to burden hero mirroring the series' thematic weight. Supporting characters like Janna and
03:48Charlie are well-realized, though some, like Madame Puyallis, fade too quickly, leaving their
03:52potential underexplored. Thematically, Zioi excels in blending cosmic horror with philosophical
03:57musings of fate and free will, drawing from sources like the Tad teaching quoted in the opening.
04:01The settings were recorded, urban tri, and the surreal fourth epoch are rendered with meticulous
04:05detail, creating a world that feels alive yet alien. However, the sheer volume of lore,
04:10from the 22 Pathways to the Demoness sect, demands reader investment, and the lack of a glossary
04:15in the web novel format can frustrate. Compared to Lottam, Zioi's narrative feels more focused
04:20but less revolutionary, leaning heavily on its predecessor's framework rather than forging
04:24a wholly new path. Circle of Inevitability Volumes 1-8 deliver a gripping continuation of the
04:29Lord of Mysteries universe, weaving a complex note if it rewards dedicated readers with its
04:33depth and ambition. Lumion Lee is a worthy successor to Klein, his journey a compelling
04:37blend of personal growth and cosmic stakes. The series' strengths improved pacing, vivid
04:42worldbuilding, and suspense for plotting make it a must-read for Lottam fans, though it sends
04:46prose and intricate lore made to our casual readers. The translation, while mostly effective,
04:51occasionally hinders accessibility, and some subplots lack closure, a minor blemish on an otherwise
04:55epic saga. Expectations for the series' legacy are high. With physical publications by Gwanshi
05:00Tiamon Kadokawa and a game adaptation announced in 2023, C.O.I. is poised to expand its reach.
05:06Future adaptations perhaps in anime or further novels could refine its accessibility, but the
05:10raw power of its narrative stands tall. For those who love Lottam, C.O.I. is a worthy
05:14sequel, enriching the universe with new characters and mysteries while preserving its haunting
05:18lore. Dive in, but brace for a labyrinthine journey one where crimson falls, and fate exacts
05:23its price.
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