Wouldn't have been better if you could choose which of the 5 playable characters to use first, then second and so on, instead of having to use them in a predetermined order?
In other words, when you start the game, all books were scattered on the floor and you choose the one you wish to start with.

I haven't played through much of the stories (on a 2nd playthrough of Nocturne at the moment, and I don't have much time as it is), but I would imagine each character reveals some plot-twists or something to that effect as an ADDITION to the story. Ie, it's probably true that the last 2 characters especially reveal some stuff in their stories that shouldn't be known while playing, say, Gwendylen. IDK, if anyone has gotten that far please correct me. Especially anyone who got the bonus endings.

I see, if it works that way, then it's okay. I'm only in the second book, so I still have a long way to go before knowing if it is that way or not.

Sorry for the double post

After finishing all 5 books, I have to say that it would have been indeed better if you could choose which book to start with, with the exception of the fifth book, Velvet's book. This is because there is a lot more of story development in the fifth book than in others, spoiling many things if were to play it first.

Also, though, wouldn't you say that the badass-ery got better with each book? That is, didn't each character's playthrough get nominally better with each character? That's a reason to stack the order of books too. Who would want to start out with Oswald, kick the next 3, then end with Gwen? I don't.

Well, I didn't see that way, guess you are right. But I can't agree with that the badass-ery got better with each book, Velvet's book (the fifth) wasn't really bad-ass, but it had the best storyline.

quote The Ellimist

Also, though, wouldn't you say that the badass-ery got better with each book? That is, didn't each character's playthrough get nominally better with each character? That's a reason to stack the order of books too. Who would want to start out with Oswald, kick the next 3, then end with Gwen? I don't.

Well to be fair, it got 'better' because you kept unlocking more and more alchemy. Gewn's book... you had very little to work with except healing and napalm and antidote but consecutively, you kept getting better things, like "U", "X", "P", and "T".

I tend to stay away from "V" as it's just worthless IMHO, without an 'egg on toast' to much right afterwards along with the gormet ring

You Actually Used Variance?
I Don't Even Use Psypher Skills!
P.S.(I Didn't Know That You Could Heal During The Effect Of Variance)

Dunno, I think the story makes better sense by playing the books in the pre-established order, as things in one book could spoil things that come as surprise in other books if played in an altered order.

It would have been nice to pick which book to pick. But it would have changed the experience overall i think they picked the characters carefully imo.