Review: Light Unto Another World, Vol. 1 by Yakov Merkin

What would you do, if you were transported to another world?

Soldiers have to be ready to improvise, to face changing threats and chaotic situations without panicking or being driven by their emotions. This ethos serves well on the battlefield and in civilian life, but it has its limits.

Thus, when Uriel Makkis is pulled through a mysterious portal to another world, he does not panic. But he does realize there is no easy way out, and that he has several disadvantages, one of which is lack of ammunition. Nevertheless, he is here for a reason, and he intends to see it through to the end.

The story

Arriving at base to prepare for two weeks of training, Uriel is looking forward to spending time in the field with his tank crew. Until he is yanked him through a portal into a new world.  Not long after, Uriel saves two women from goblins.

The women thank Uriel for his help and the young man strikes up a friendship with the demi-human, Kirala. They take him to the nearest town, where he learns that the goblin menace has been growing but that the military has no apparent interest in eradicating it. Uriel also discovers that he is the only human in the village - a fact that tantalizes readers but matters little to the protagonist himself. He decides to help the locals with the goblin threat before going to the capital to retrieve his sword and learn more about the reason he was summoned,

Merkin makes some nice changes to the Isekai formula. After falling through the portal, with no obvious way home, Uriel decides his best course of action is to shoulder his gear and start walking - a welcome respite from the expected episode of pure panic which many portal fantasies leave their heroes to experience. There is no language barrier, but that makes the adventure flow more easily.

Uriel takes his time leaving the village, allowing Merkin time to introduce the world. Isekai typically prefer to skip to the plot but this tweak to the formula allows Uriel to make friends naturally at the same time he learns more about this world through observation. That gives him the chance to gain the nagging feeling something more sinister is going on. Something no one really knows about – or which they would prefer not to discuss.

The characters

Uriel Makkis is a man of action in a situation that does not allow action to be taken often. So being transported to another world where decisive engagement is not only necessary but makes an actual difference is extremely satisfying for him. Unlike isekai protagonists left wondering what they should or should not do next, panicking at the thought of never returning home, Uriel takes one day at a time and refuses to let anxiety win. His practicality, curiosity, ingenuity, and willingness to do what is right are refreshing, not to mention enjoyable.

Kirala, the young demi-human mage whom Uriel saves when he arrives in this new world, is a well-drawn and sweet girl who may be a touch starstruck by the new Sword of Light. Nevertheless, she proves to have mettle, following him into combat and demonstrating her competency as well as her strength. The fact that he has someone kind who is genuinely concerned about him means Kirala’s presence is a balm for both the reader and Uriel.

The world

Picture The Rising of the Shield Hero or another isekai (portal fantasy) with Biblical overtones, add a healthy dose of common sense from the protagonist, and you have the general idea of Light Unto Another World, Vol. 1’s setting. Merkin doesn’t drop readers in with no idea what is going on nor give information dumps throughout the narrative. The story flows naturally, sharing information as Uriel learns or guesses it, so that the audience is never left wondering or wandering.

The politics

Uriel makes mention of politics on Earth that annoy him but these are brief and used primarily for comparison to the politics he is dealing with in this new world. Beyond these, there are no political arguments within the story.

Content warning

None. There is no objectionable content in this book. It is very PG friendly.

Who is it for?

Young readers looking for a fun adventure in another world. Parents who want to find such a story with a Judeo-Christian perspective for their children to read will discover that this novel satisfies that requirement elegantly. Those tired of modern isekai conventions will cheer this tale, which takes a more mature view of the tropes that have become ingrained in the genre. Fantasy readers of all ages will find this book entertaining, and the idea of a knight who carries an M4 into battle will likely intrigue them as well.

Why read it?

It’s a good book with good characters on the adventure of a lifetime. Why not pick it up and give it a read?