The story draws of the Hapsburg Wars, but, whereas that was a conflict driven by the egos and wills of big men, and was filled with acts of cruelty and bravery on both sides, this is just a run of the mill "Evil Empire vs Good Alliance" story, that seems to think it's a dynamic take on war. Yeah, I’ve got an unpopular opinion on this series.
I’ll start with the stuff that I think of as good. Where the story really shines though is in its battles. Writing large battles is never easy, especially if you have to do artwork to accompany it. But these are some impressive pieces and seem to be what the writer was really interested in. There is a little a lot of strategy and politicking throughout the plot, and while some might find that boring, I think it does the story a great service. I will take this as a moment to note it can get a little talky at times, but I think that's just the nature of the premise. On that note, the political talk can be interesting as well. But unfortunately, in my opinion, that’s where also a number of the problems lie, but more on that later.
In terms of the characters, most of them just serve to fill certain rules the story requires. Mahmut fills the role of the intelligent youth whose pondering the "why can't we all just get along" questions of the world, while the brutal reality sets in, and he matures. His inner circle are essentially the inner circle that serves as his supporters, backing him up as need be. Now for me, that's wouldn't be much of a problem, if not for the fact that the story doesn't let the characters grow beyond it.
As for the other side, we are given very little in terms of characterization for the Empire or its denizens, other than it's brutal for no real reason. Some may express disapproval over what’s happening, but don’t take any real action to stop it. The Imperial characters are never allowed acts of meaningful heroism or bravery, they just always have to either be committing atrocities, or allowing them. As a result, as an antagonist, the Empire is about as bland as they come.
But what really gets me about this series, is it's simplicity on war. Things the series will condemn the Empire for, it will excuse for the Alliance (see YMMV page). The Alliance, or more accurately just Turkiye (because it and Balt-Rhein are the only nations with any meaningful role), is always portrayed as a force of good no matter what (everyone is benevolent and egalitarian there), and the Empire is a force of evil no matter what (choosing violence even when peaceful solutions are present and practical). Why? Because the former is good, and the latter is evil, no more explanation needed. Turkiye is never allowed any chance to do anything "evil" and the Empire is never allowed a chance to do anything "good". As a result the conflict, and the story, has no depth.
So yeah, I'm not a fan. But, if you decide to read it, more power to you, maybe you'll like it more than me.
Not nearly as deep as it seems to think it is
The story draws of the Hapsburg Wars, but, whereas that was a conflict driven by the egos and wills of big men, and was filled with acts of cruelty and bravery on both sides, this is just a run of the mill "Evil Empire vs Good Alliance" story, that seems to think it's a dynamic take on war. Yeah, I’ve got an unpopular opinion on this series.
I’ll start with the stuff that I think of as good. Where the story really shines though is in its battles. Writing large battles is never easy, especially if you have to do artwork to accompany it. But these are some impressive pieces and seem to be what the writer was really interested in. There is a little a lot of strategy and politicking throughout the plot, and while some might find that boring, I think it does the story a great service. I will take this as a moment to note it can get a little talky at times, but I think that's just the nature of the premise. On that note, the political talk can be interesting as well. But unfortunately, in my opinion, that’s where also a number of the problems lie, but more on that later.
In terms of the characters, most of them just serve to fill certain rules the story requires. Mahmut fills the role of the intelligent youth whose pondering the "why can't we all just get along" questions of the world, while the brutal reality sets in, and he matures. His inner circle are essentially the inner circle that serves as his supporters, backing him up as need be. Now for me, that's wouldn't be much of a problem, if not for the fact that the story doesn't let the characters grow beyond it.
As for the other side, we are given very little in terms of characterization for the Empire or its denizens, other than it's brutal for no real reason. Some may express disapproval over what’s happening, but don’t take any real action to stop it. The Imperial characters are never allowed acts of meaningful heroism or bravery, they just always have to either be committing atrocities, or allowing them. As a result, as an antagonist, the Empire is about as bland as they come.
But what really gets me about this series, is it's simplicity on war. Things the series will condemn the Empire for, it will excuse for the Alliance (see YMMV page). The Alliance, or more accurately just Turkiye (because it and Balt-Rhein are the only nations with any meaningful role), is always portrayed as a force of good no matter what (everyone is benevolent and egalitarian there), and the Empire is a force of evil no matter what (choosing violence even when peaceful solutions are present and practical). Why? Because the former is good, and the latter is evil, no more explanation needed. Turkiye is never allowed any chance to do anything "evil" and the Empire is never allowed a chance to do anything "good". As a result the conflict, and the story, has no depth.
So yeah, I'm not a fan. But, if you decide to read it, more power to you, maybe you'll like it more than me.