SCP Foundation: Iris Through the Looking Glass by Akira. Originally published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment, January 2020. Approx. 330 pages.
When I had first seen this title pop up for pre-order a few months ago, I was filled with a slight glimmer of hope. As we all know, I am a huge fan of light novels. Also, I find the whole SCP genre fascinating. I won't claim even the slightest pedigree of knowledge on the subject; however, my kids were pretty heavy into it, and I watched a few videos with them. I think it's great; very imaginative and more in-depth than the hackneyed ghost stories and urban legends I grew up on. Given that, I couldn't pass up on a title that combined these two genres.
My hopes were up.
Reminds me of my favorite Warhammer quote: "Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment."
Novel 1 in the SCP Foundation light novel series is a mess; actually, it is an amalgamation of messes. It's going to take a bit to pinpoint everything that went wrong with the novel. We'll start with the blurb, and then break it down in the review itself:
"An ordinary boy encounters the paranormal when a photo of the same girl starts inexplicably showing up in every book he opens. One day, the girl reaches out and pulls him into the photo to her location: a cell in a top-secret facility belonging to the SCP Foundation, an organization dedicated to the research and containment of people, objects and phenomena that defy reality! Even worse: they’ve deemed him a threat to be contained, and he’s going to have to work with them if he ever wants to see the outside world again!"
This novel is told in the first person perspective of the nameless (actually, name redacted) protagonist (designation SCP-105-C), who, as the summary tells us, is pulled through a photo into an SCP Foundation location. Prior to this, he'd seen an identical picture in every book he opened: that of a beautiful young blonde girl cradling a vintage Polaroid camera. This turns out to be Iris Thompson (SCP-105) and her camera (SCP-105-B). The boy has no idea what his connection to this mysterious girl is; and his life is turned upside-down as he attempts to unravel this mystery; all while contending with running across other SCP objects at the facility, and being subjected to 'research' conducted on him by the enigmatic Dr. Bright (don't know what the existing lore on him/her/they was, but I wonder if it involved him being a hard-core otaku with a fidget spinner).
With a basic premise like that, there is hypothetically a lot of wiggle room to make a fun story. You can try and balance drama, horror, and levity, which would likely be the best recipe for the subject matter.
It's way too bad that the final result is more of a patchwork mess.
What went wrong?
I'm not sure how this novel was conceived, but I'm fairly certain I am correct in guessing that it was written in installments on a message board. While some very successful light novel series have started in this fashion (especially in the isekai genre), such is not the case here. SCP Foundation comes off as lightly warmed-over fan-fiction. I have no issue with the fact that the structure is essentially an anthology of interconnected vignettes; however, each section has multiple breaks, giving off a feel of serialized installments. There is no fluidity.
Next, let's talk about writing style. Sadly, there isn't much of one. There is no attempt made to cultivate or evoke mood or emotion. Every situation in the book is composed of one small percentage statement and exposition, and the rest is padding and repetition. For, say, every SCP object the protagonist meets, the same formula is used:
2. Repeat the fact in disbelief ("I could not believe that a being that was half a cat was in front of me. But it was there, so it had to be real.")
3. Attribute it to current life status ("I guess such things as half-cats are a way of life in this bizarre facility, where these amazing objects and their myriad powers exist.")
Rinse. Repeat. Recycle.
Next, we move on to characters. Sadly, the characters here are fairly bland cardboard cutouts. Our protagonist is another nondescript, unassuming Japanese high school boy. His kind are legion. He has budding emotions for Iris, which of course aren't developed upon. Iris is a fun, flirty gaijin girl; and of course it is impossible to get a bead on her romantic interest. Dr. Bright is the epitome of the obnoxious comedy relief. There aren't many other cast members. Dr. Selkie and Dr. Goldman appear briefly to redefine cringe. The dramatis personae of SCP objects present get treatment akin to lip
All these things aside; perhaps the biggest complaint with the book is its lack of a core theme. One could safely assume that one of two storylines would be the focus here: either exploring the interconnected relationship between the SCP-105 entities, or using the protagonist's odd circumstance to experience other SCP objects first hand (kind of a play on Alice Through the Looking Glass, which is referenced in the title). Heck, I would even have accepted an honest attempt to do both. However, we get neither; simply more repetition and padding.
Whatever the reasons for their connection, whatever possible utilization of implementation of their joint skill might have occurred, it isn't explored or revealed. The majority of the book chronicles their lives as roommates, without ever really delving into any of the circumstances that brought them together. Was this trip really necessary?
Towards the end, you can also tell that the author (or perhaps authors, who can tell) had no idea how to wrap this tale up. There is an instance; when the protagonist is wondering as to whether he is missed or not back home, which is answered in such a nonsensical way that it is insulting. Then, as if to backpedal over it, the book culminates with an uber-convenient ending; again, straining credibility and plausibility to levels they shouldn't be stretched to.
Was there anything good about this book?
Hmmmm....honestly, not too much. It is still readable; and the translation isn't the worst I've read. There are some noticeable typos, which are always an eyesore (proofread, people). I mean, you keep turning pages, hoping it'll gain traction, hoping that the characters will be given something, some angle, to endear themselves to you. It doesn't really pan out, though. Recommended only if the novelty of having an SCP-themed light novel on your shelf is your cup of tea.
Cover:
The cover, by Sidu, isn't bad. It's fun to revisit it after appearances by Josie and Builder Bear. The interior illustrations aren't too shabby, but have a basic, manga feel to them.
