I've been reading a lot of isekai lately and I want a change of pace. What second-chance novels do you recommend?
The S-Classes That I Raised. Sadly the translator just some time ago deleted all chapters from 26-132. It's pretty good for me, I like the brotherhood (or bro-con? whatever)
Any preference? Male or female MC? Face slapping and getting revenge or living a different/better life than previously? Modern Day or ancient times?
What I have on my list that matches (Non-BL): Genius of a Performing Arts High God of Music God of Cooking Life, Once Again! Remake Our Life (Japanese) There are a few others that are more fantasy setting, and several BL as well if you're interested.
Second Coming of Gluttony stands out because the main character doesn't actually get his full memories from the future. He only gets his emotions and some vague memories. So instead of a hardened veteran or a cocky near omniscient Mary Sue we get an interesting and flawed character who's core motivations are a mix of saving the world and his need to become a decent human being. And yeah, he does start as a trashy man-child but he doesn't really stay that way for more than a chapter or 2. After that it still takes some time for him to develop into a full blown hero but it's an interesting journey. Also this novel has a really well developed characters even outside the MC. It's still a harem so 90% of the females end up falling for the MC but other than that all of the characters feel like real people with their own motivations, character traits and backstories. If you want something a little more recent that you're less likely to have already read you could try Volcanic Age. I'd actually recommend reading the manga/manwha instead of the novel because it's translation is so much farther ahead. It's a fun story. Not really anything revolutionary but the characters are pretty well written and the storyline so far has been fun. Even though it's a wuxia with xanxia elements it's not the type of story where singular martial artists can slaughter enemies. In other words even though the MC is able to become a high tier martial artist thanks to his knowledge of techniques developed in the future and hidden treasures he knew the location of he still needs help to deal with the large shadowy organization that is lead by the main antagonist.
God of Cooking was great. I remember reading it years ago but I stopped at some point around chapter 180. I'd definately recomend it if you're looking for something not combat centric
Dungeon Hunter The World Turned into a Game When I Woke Up (mindless reading) Second Life Ranker (kind of)
King of the Battlefield Reincarnator Dungeon Hunter I am monarch Are the only novels I can think of right now. Most of the novels I mentioned are of novels with Action, game elements, in another world. Expect I am monarch and Dungeon Hunter. I am monarch has no game elements and it’s about a infantry dude who goes back at time to when he was a greenhorn and uses his future knowledge to empower himself. and Dungeon Hunter I think was still in the MC’s world I can’t remember since it’s been a long time ago since I last read it. I should also recommend that you read the synopsis instead of mine
Since I haven't seen them mentioned yet I'll throw in Emperor of Solo Play and Dominion's End. Kill the Hero is alright too. If you're willing to trying a more down to earth original story I'd recommend RE: Trailer Trash. And if you like timeloops: Mother of Learning.