Lord of the Mysteries by Cuttlefish That Loves Diving is a sprawling Chinese web novel that blends dark fantasy, Lovecraftian horror, steampunk, and mystery into a long-form narrative that’s both ambitious and intricately plotted. With over 1400 chapters across eight volumes, it’s a massive commitment but one that pays off for readers who enjoy slow-burn worldbuilding and gradual character progression.
Lord of the Mysteries Review
The story follows Zhou Mingrui, who transmigrates into the body of Klein Moretti, a history graduate in an alternate Victorian-era steampunk world filled with secret organizations, arcane powers, and eldritch forces. The central mystery involves both the circumstances behind Klein’s death and the broader forces shaping the world’s supernatural order.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its worldbuilding. The setting is well thought out, with a clear internal logic and a magic system built around Beyonder potions, which grant powers based on a structured progression. The mix of steampunk technology, occult rituals, and political factions gives the world a grounded, lived-in feel. The author is careful not to reveal everything at once, often planting small narrative seeds that grow into major plot points much later.
Klein Moretti is a grounded, cautious protagonist. He approaches the world with rationality and restraint, which makes his gradual transformation and growth feel earned. His internal conflicts, especially his dual life as a regular man and a mysterious figure known as “The Fool”, give the story an emotional anchor amid the larger, cosmic-scale events. He is not a chosen one in the traditional sense, and the narrative consistently reminds the reader of his limitations and vulnerabilities.
The pacing is slow in the beginning, with many slice-of-life moments, investigative segments, and exposition-heavy sections. While this may frustrate readers looking for action-heavy scenes early on, the payoff is in the long game. Everything is connected, and plot points that seem minor or coincidental usually have deeper meaning revealed much later.
There is also a strong psychological element. The fear of losing control after taking a Beyonder potion adds constant tension, and the story doesn’t shy away from showing the mental toll that the world takes on its characters. Several major deaths hit hard, and Klein’s emotional responses are realistic and well-handled.
However, the Lord of the Mysteries webnovel series does have flaws. The prose (especially in translation) is plain and occasionally clunky. Dialogue and exposition sometimes feel stiff or repetitive. Also, while most plot conveniences are eventually explained (often through the “Gray Fog” mechanic or the manipulation of fate), it can still feel like the protagonist benefits from plot armor at key moments. Some readers may also find the early pacing too slow or the lore too dense.
Overall, Lord of the Mysteries is a deeply engaging read for fans of dark fantasy and progression stories who are willing to invest in a slow, intricate narrative. It’s not perfect, especially early on, but its strengths in worldbuilding, character development, and thematic depth outweigh its structural flaws. If you’re looking for a long-term, immersive series with a blend of horror, mysticism, and politics, this one is worth your time.
If you’re a fan of long, character-driven slice-of-life steampunk webnovels, like Lord of the Mysteries, you might also enjoy reading my review of The Vengeful Scribe.
