Light Novel: Guren Ichinose Catastrophe At Sixteen

Guren Ichinose: Catastrophe at Sixteen Vol 4
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Seraph of the End is a novelized prequel of the hit manga series of the same name, published by Viz Media, and detailing the series of events that occurred eight years before the start of the manga.

As the major clans of the Imperial Demons mount an apparent all-out revolt against the ruling Hiragi dynasty, Guren, Shinya, and company are no longer sure they're the protagonists of the story unfolding around them. What is their true destiny?and is fulfilling it even desirable?

In this concluding volume, which pulls no punches, find out how and why a world that's been inviting utter ruin meets it at last. 

With this being the prequel to Seraph of the End we all knew what was going to go down in this series, but we've built up to it nicely. We've seen what school was like for Guren and the rest of the Moon Demon Company, we've seen things start to go wrong and plots unfold and with this volume it's two days until the end of the world so I think we all knew this one was going to be action packed. 

Honestly, I'm not looking at Shinoa and her interactions with Yu a little differently, not to mention like...all of the other characters and how they interact with each other! But this volume gave us a lot of Shinoa and revealed a certain conversation with her demon. From the main series, I'd already gleaned some of what's revealed in here but it's different seeing it all laid out in detail and catching the nuances of it. 

I liked the POV switches, we've spent this series mostly in Guren's head but we got to know he and the rest of the Moon Demon Company really well, and this volume let's us get to know Shinoa really well as well as Kureto. Considering what went down in Vol 15, this insight in to Kureto was incredibly well timed, and added to my changing opinion of him. It's kinda hard to hate him now! I also liked how Yu and Ferid where woven in to this book as well! 

We get a couple of twists here and there and a fast pace but ultimately we all knew what was going to happen! Although if you haven't read the main series or watched the anime you might not. I did like how it still managed to keep you on edge though! I wasn't exactly sure how it would play out, and it built up to the big moment brilliantly. It did however, reinforce my hatred of Mahiru, especially as it was still quite sad at the end, even if you already knew! 

Light Novel: Rokka Braves of the Six Flowers 5

Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers Vol 5
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Having discovered the horrifying truth of the Black Barrenbloom, Adlet makes his way to the Temple of Fate with the other Braves. Unfortunately, Tgurneu's diabolical weapon isn't the only trick up its sleeve, and the heroes are about to learn secrets that could tear the group apart for good... Will they be able to stand strong together? 

Christ this series is going to actually kill me, I swear! It has me so on edge! The opening for the latest volume is both interesting and foreboding...and it confirms Fremy isn't the seventh!? Which leaves us with the question...who is!? Honestly I've been trying to figure out for...well..forever. 

As we rejoin the Braves, Adlet is dealing with Rainer's bomb drop about Fremy. Obviously he has feelings for her and wants to protect her if she doesn't know but if she does...he's going to have to do something although Hans has already stated his intentions on the matter. As they try to figure out what to do about the Black Barrenbloom they come across the Saint of the Single Flower, and throughout the process of them puzzling out what or who the Barrenbloom is we discover how it works and possibly what happened to Fremy. 

We get a lengthy flashback from a fiend that sheds a lot more light on Fremy and her life and how she grew up, as well as filling in some blanks regarding the fiends plan. Things are getting more and more tense as the volumes go on, and this certainly added some intrigue. 

I reached a point in this volume where...while Adlet trying to protect Fremy was cute and all...it wasn't making him look good and I was quite worried the group was going to be torn apart by all of this. Plus I was trying to figure out who the damn seventh is. It's been driving me crazy, everyone keeps alluding to the seventh!? Maybe I'm dumb and missed some clues and hints but I genuinely had no clue, other than suspecting my fave! 

Honestly, this volume made my head hurt trying to figure out who was and wasn't lying. I had the thought that one of our narrators could be a biased narrator, and we probably wouldn't even know it. We'd just go along with them...which just made the plot thicken for me even more and my head hurt even more because that meant no-one was safe from suspicion. 

The one thing I will say...the seventh is finally revealed in this volume and it honestly completely blew my mind. I'm still not over it. On top of that the Braves are slowly but surely being torn apart by the argument over the seventh and we end the volume with them having split in to two factions. So not only do they have to face down the fiends but they're going to have to fight each other as well. 

Volume 5 takes us on one hell of a ride, that's for sure as we build up to what I assume is the big battle and peoples true loyalties and intentions will no doubt be revealed. Just when I didn't think this series could get any better as well! 

Light Novel: Sword Art Online 14

Sword Art Online Vol 14
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

While struggling to reach the highest point of Central Cathedral, Kirito and Alice must confront a lamentably natural Integrity Knight. 

Okaaaaaaaay, with this volume the whole Underworld Arc comes to an end...I think. Or it might be more accurate to say the Arc with the Administrator comes to an end? I have to say, thank God because I do feel like this arc has gone on waaaaay too long, and I feel like a couple of the volumes leading up to this one dragged it out too long, and it could have been cut down a bit. 

BUT this volume was badass. The entire volume is action packed, probably because the entire volume was a giant battle! Literally battle after battle, and I was quite impressed with how it's done. Much as I love SAO, I do feel at times that Kirito is a wee bit overpowered, like in the Aincrad ARC and GGO and so on...he never really has to sacrifice much to win. This volume changes that and there was a completely unexpected plot twist. SPOILER ALERT, I was not expecting a main character to be killed off, but it happened in order for Kirito to defeat the bad guy. 

As if all of that wasn't enough to have you nervous as you're reading, this volume gives us an excellent cliffhanger. It was so well done, and has me itching for the next volume! We get to hear fragments of what's going on in the real world, and it's not sounding good. Honestly I can't remember how we left things with Asuna and co but things have definitely gone downhill. I'm thinking we're getting thrown back in to where Kirito just came from BUT I have a feeling Asuna and the other characters are going to be joining him! This volume is probably the most exciting one recently! 

Light Novel: I've Been Killing Slimes 2

I've Been Killing Slimes Vol 2
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Azusa's life has gotten a little more lively since word got out that she's level 99, but she's been able to take it relatively easy with her new companions. Well, except for the ghost in Halkara's workshop...and a run-in with the law...and an invitation to a demon castle?! Still, even with so much trouble brewing on the horizon, Azusa's not about to forget the importance of taking life one step at a time. 

The first volume of this series was fun and a little wacky, and this second volume continues in much the same vein. Our merry little group are opening a maid cafe and it's not long before Beelzebub is roped in to help. I love how she's seemingly cold and harsh on the outside but is actually quite indulgent like a doting aunt to Falfa and Shalsha. I'm also enjoying that each volume seems to want to make use of all the characters. 

Along with the hilarity of the cafe, Halkara opens up a factory too providing a more...serious note. It's apparently haunted and of course the ghost, Rosalie, is the newest roommate to come to the house. She's hilariously blunt about how she died, and of course she gets a job as a cleaner to pull her weight. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her and I like how new characters are smoothly being added in without overwhelming the cast. 

Unfortunately it's not all smooth sailing once we get past the ghost aspect of the factory, there's a bit of a conspiracy to get Halkara arrested by the shady Noble/Governor Golder. She wouldn't pay him bribe money, and it all gets a bit Suits but with a supernatural twist and without Mike and Harvey...obviously. 

Thanks to Beelzebub winning a medal and having to attend a ceremony, we get to meet the Demon King Pecora and of course...things don't go to plan. Perhaps somewhat predictably it all goes terribly wrong anf Azusa has to fight the Demon King to save lives. 

Volume 2 is another fun volume with humour, suspense and tension as well as action. New characters Rosalie, Vania the leviathan and Pecora being added to the mix bring the fun in this volume, and we kind of get a bit of everything. The characters have really become like a family which is nice to see! There's chaos, new characters, and this volume is excellently paced with never a dull moment. It keeps moving forward. 

Light Novel: WorldEnd

WorldEnd
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Everyone wants to be remembered...Untold years after the strange Beasts drove humanity to extinction, Willem emerges from his slumber as the sole survivor. A new civilization of various other races has risen on the floating islands, but there'sno place for a featureless human among them. After aimlessly wandering for a time, Willem grudgingly accepts a job with the military, only to discover that the "weapons" he watches over are in fact young faeries. As he slowly learns more about the children and how they're linked to his past, the war with the Beasts grows increasingly desperate. When the girls prepare to fight a hopeless battle, is there anything a lone human can do...? 

Some of you who follow me on Twitter may recall that I watched the anime for this, and it completely had me bawling like a small child at the end. But at least I was forewarned by the first minute or so of the first episode. The light novel however....gives no warning whatsoever so I'm doing it instead...prepare yourselves for some heartbreak. 

I've been waiting and hoping one of the publishers would pick this up and translate this because there's only one season of the anime and it ends with some threads hanging and the only way to find out how it all finishes is with the novels and Yen Press have done us such a solid by doing this! 

The colour pages are completely gorgeous, with intriguing character introductions. I really liked the art, and the characters are so cute! Then again...that's kind of the point! The opening is kind of sad, and a little bit ominous...it's a scene from the anime that was moved to further back in the show. We see a group going to fight against humanity's greatest threat...but it doesn't go to plan. Cue time skip to the present! 

Willem and Ctholly, our two main characters, open the book for us. The world of the book is definitely interesting, humans aka featureless, are looked down upon for basically destroying the world 500 years ago. They're shunned, they find it hard to get jobs and make a living and they're basically not really wanted in society. 

Willem is the only survivor from that, an Emnetwiht. He's not really living since 'waking up' and his friend Glick convinced him to take the job. With his new job, Willem finds himself working for the military and watching over weapons that turn out to be young faeries...aka leprechauns. A chance encounter see's Willem and Ctholly meeting, and he helps her find her way so she can fulfil her wish and have no regrets and she's, you guessed it, one of the young faeries he's soon to be looking after. 

Aside from Willem and Ctholly we have a brilliantly fun support cast. The other faeries, Nephren, Ithea etc, are fun and their interactions and banter with Ctholly are hilarious and realistic. The younger girls are amusing too, as is their fascination with Willem. We also have the troll who looks after them all and is kind of like a mother, Nygglatho. She's hilarious and fully threatens to eat them all, but underneath that she's very caring towards the girls and not at all happy with what life has dealt them. 

This volume is basically all Willem taking the job and him arriving at the island to discover just what it is he's looking after plus the heartbreaking truth about them. We get some world building and sprinkles of the past to add some intrigue. I mean, as soon as you find out what Ctholly's destiny is, that's probably the first clue this one's gonna hurt, the anime was just more in your face about it. 

This first volume has a steady pace as we get to grips with the world, it's history and how everything works. As well as finding out what Willem's deal is and what the situation is with Ctholly and the other girls. Willem has some intense flashbacks that allow us to see a decent amount of the past and where it all went wrong, and how the world in the present came to be, but he also knows more about the dug weapons than the girls and his knowledge could possibly help them, and save them. 

The volume has a feeling of tension and sadness scattered throughout. Willem's POV asking who am I? Nygglatho's shows her inner rage at the Officers about the girls fates, and then Ctholly's deadling hangs over us from the moment we learn about it. It's honestly a matter of time. Aside from all of that...there is some humour thanks to the other characters, and the younger girls, but also some potential sparks of romance between Willem and Ctholly. 

Volume One does a good job of setting everything up and getting us ready for the next book when the action will no doubt kick off. For now we meet the characters, learn about the world and how it and the magic works, and get all the necessary information that we need in place. The overall atmosphere is quite sad and bleak, with some sprinkles of humour and some heart warming moments. Then there's the ending....I just....is that who I think it is!? Whaaat!? 

Light Novel: Sword Oratoria 6

Sword Oratoria Vol 6
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Many will brave the Dungeon, if it lets them escape their past...Now that their big expedition is over, Loki Familia is headed to Port Meren in search of the rumored second entrance to the Dungeon. After arriving, everyone finally gets a chance to relax on the gorgeous beaches of the lakeside city, even if it's all thanks to their goddess's obviously ulterior motives. But before they settle in, a storm arrives! Kali Familia and their patron deity of carnage have made landfall, ready to stir up trouble. What's worse, there seems to be bad blood between them and the Amazon twins, Tione and Tiona! As sinister shadows darken Meren, the two sisters are forced to face their turbulent history! 

Volume 6 hits us with a creepily ominous opening, before we head to Loki Familia and everyone's levelling up post-expedition. Then the plot moves swiftly forward as the girls head to Port Meren for a little vacation, Tione, Tiona, Aiz, Lefiya, Riveria and the addition of Leene and Aki who we get to know more. It also turns out our Aiz has a weakness...she can't swim. Which may pose a slight problem in this new setting. 

I've been excited for this volume ever since I read the synopsis a while ago, because we get to see the world of the series expand and be built up more as we explore a new location with Loki Familia, who are searching for the second entrance to the dungeon to do some investigating after a new monster was sighted there. 

While initially we see the girls get to let loose and have some fun...and try to teach Aiz how to swim, it's not too long before the action really starts and it's Tione and Tiona's time to shine this volume as they utilise their dive skill to search underwater. But not only that...a lot of the focus this volume is on the two of them as some faces from their past pop up. Kali, a goddess, plus two more Amazon's, Bache and Argana, and Tione is definitely not happy to see them again. Tiona isn't quite as vehement/angry as her sister initially but then the two of them do contrast in behaviour. 

With the focus on our two Amazons this volume we finally get to delve in to their past, as we find out more of their background and history and where they're from. It's kind of made me look at them in a different way....more seriously perhaps? Tione has always been the girl hilariously after Finn but I definitely take her more seriously now. This volume also has a lot of focus on the bond between the two twins, Tiona is so much more than she first appears. She's always carefree and laughing but what she did to protect Tione is heart breaking. Meanwhile Tione is the one usually looking out for Tiona. I actually really enjoyed getting to delve in to their relationship and past, and see this other side to them and it was really brilliantly done. 

Alongside all of that, we get to meet a couple of new Gods, Njordor who's an old friend of Loki's and Ishtar. Plus we get to explore more of the history of Orario. We have a nice mystery woven in with what's going on with the Twins too. Loki and co are investigating the Viola's, but it seems Njordor and perhaps the Governor of the port are up to no good and hiding what's going on. Plus, it would appear Kali and her Amazon's are obviously there for a reason...other than making things difficult for the twins. It's not long before we figure out they're involved in Ishtar's scheme against Freya. 

This volume we build up the mystery, and build up the tension as pieces of the plot fall in to place, before edge of the seat, brutal fight scenes with Tione and Tiona literally fighting for their lives. Meanwhile Loki is getting all Sherlock on the scheme taking place in the port. I have to say, the scene at the end when all the other members, Bete, Finn etc, assembled and joined the chaos was brilliant and resulted in much cheering! I really just live for Bete and his snide attitude. 

The final part of the book is action packed and heart warming with it being reinforced that Loki Familia is a family, and they don't leave anyone behind. They've got everyones backs. It's a different feel to the main series because we have Bell and Hestia climbing up but their Familia isn't big, and doesn't have as many members etc. 

The final part of Volume 6 promises us a lot more action and tension as there's a scheme still to be played out and there's a new beast about to drop! 

Light Novel: Rokka Braves of the Six Flowers 4

Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers Vol 4
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Still unsure of the traitor's identity, the seven Braves plunge deeper into the Howling VInelands-but now they learn of a deadly weapon that could spell the end for the heroes and ensure the Evil God's victory. However, before they can discover how to stop the weapon, they must contend with their most horrifying enemy yet...

And to make matters worse, their efforts to reach the truth may destroy their chances of ever finding it. 

No light novel pulls me in quite like Rokka, right from the start with the ominous and intriguing prologue and from that point on...I was completely hooked once again. 

Dozzu has quite an interesting tale to spin for us, and the Braves find themselves teaming up with him. Suspicion is being thrown about all over the place, and some of it is cast back on Adlet once again, so he and Hans end up as kind of co leaders. The bromance between the two of them is still alive and kicking though and I live for it! Rolonia is also cast under a heaping mountain of suspicion this volume too. 

Adlet has quite the rough ride this book as he learns the fate of his village and his friend Rainer and is, you know...suspected of being the seventh. Nashetania...well she's just really unpleasant isn't she? I kind of want to hit Goldof too this volume. Rolonia is also cruising for a bruising with how easy she makes it for herself to be set up. Although I do empathise with her and understand her when you get to see more of her past and her relationship with Adlet, and how they met and so on. It actually provides some interesting insight in to Adlet too! 

I am forever tense when I read these volumes, I'm used to the surprising plot twists but...they tend to pop up out of nowhere when you least expect it. There's a mind blowing plot twist at the end of this volume, and I can't even with it. I actually didn't see it coming, and like...is that person the seventh too? Or do we have two dangers in the group? Much as I love Hans he seems pretty suspect as well! I just have so many questions now and the wait for the next volume is just painful. 

Volume 4 has an excellent pace with plenty of action and a sense of intense tension as Rainer is in a race against time to get to Adlet and the others and it's the whole, will he make it or won't he? kind of thing. The volume keeps you on the edge of your seat, and like I said...we end with a mind blowing plot twist that leaves you desperate for the next volume! 

Light Novel: I've Been Killing Slimes For 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level 
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

After living a painful life as an office worker, Azusa ended her short life by dying from overworking. So when she found herself reincarnated as an undying, unaging witch in a new world, she vows to spend her days stress free and as pleasantly as possible. She ekes out a living by hunting down the easiest targets - the slimes! But after centuries of doing this simple job, she's ended up with insane powers...how will she maintain her low key life now?! 

Okay I think this might be my new favourite "reincarnated in another world" kinda light novels, because this was pretty freaking funny! 

Azusa basically gets reincarnated in another world and she requests a chill life because you know...she died from overwork and she figures she's due some R&R time. She ends up as an immortal witch and she basically kills slimes for 300 years because it's easy money and why not...and then she ends up completely maxed out.

Unfortunately her quiet and chill life comes crashing to an end when she discovers she's maxed out, and then others start to find out she's a level 99 too. Everyone wants to challenge her or wants her help and it's hilarious because she's trying so hard to keep it a secret. Her chill life is basically over now and it's one adventure after another. She hilariously has a thing about working conditions too, because of how she died, I thought that was a nice little character touch to make her more real! 

Azusa encounters a dragon Laika, who ends up as her apprentice, and she's actually kind of sweet, and she tries really hard to learn from Azusa and be considerate of other people. The elf Halkara also joins Azusa's little crew, as another apprentice, along with two slime spirits who call her Mom, Falfa and Shalsha. Beelzebub pops in from time to time too. They're a brilliant bunch of characters and each brings something different to the group. They make for an interesting bunch of characters and their interactions with Azusa are always entertaining! 

I've Been Killing Slimes is kind of like a slice of life type thing, there's no over arcing plot as of yet, we get little mini plots or stories, and we watch Azusa go from being isolated and alone...to having a family of sorts and being really popular with everyone! There's plenty of battles and action, a fast pace, and a lot of humour! An entertaining and overall fun first volume! 

Light Novel: Sword Art Online 13

Sword Art Online Vol 13
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

After Kirito and Eugeo are separated in the Central Cathedral, Eugeo continues his quest alone-until he encounters a legendary hero he's admired since childhood. Can Eugeo defeat him alone...?

Vol 13 sees us heading towards the end goal/confrontation as all our characters are heading to the one place. Asuna makes a brief return this volume, and Kirito and Alice are in a sticky situation that they have to get themselves out of and she begrudgingly works with him.....meanwhile Eugeo is being tested and he has to face Bercouli without backup..and he ends up in perhaps the worst situation out of all of them. 

This volume has a badass battle and there's a bit of a mystery to solve as Kirito has to try and figure out who would want to slow down the experiment/project. I think Asuna is getting a wee bit suspicious too! 

I liked Alice and Kirito as a duo, they worked well together once she started to trust him and they made a good team although I did think she was going to go full "I am not a number" at one point. I actually felt quite disappointed with Eugeo this volume, he overcame his confidence issues and fought like a badass and I was cheering him on...but then he got sucked in completely towards the end and I just....heaved a massive sigh because really Eugeo? Really?! 

Because this is a Reki Kwahara novel, things start out bad and then get much, much worse by the end of the volume. The entire volume is paced well, and we speed towards the final showdown....with a huge plot twist that leaves you screeching. The final scene....it was seriously like some Star Wars stuff. It seemed a bit familiar and my brain screamed Star Wars and started playing the theme tune in my head. Either way, things have certainly taken an interesting turn and things are definitely livening up! 

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Light Novel: Magical Girl Raising Project 3

Magical Girl Raising Project Vol 3
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

The hit social network game "The Magical Girl Raising Project" selects one out of every tens of thousands of players to become a real life magical girl. The lucky chosen girls gain magic powers as well as incredibly good fortune, and spend their days blissfully. 

But one day, an absolute announcement declares that the number of magical girls has risen too high and must be cut down to half. Sixteen young maidens are thrust into a merciless, deadly contest to survive...but how many will come out the other side? 

We're thrown right in to the action as the volume starts with the battle against the dragon! Then after that it's on to face the Evil King....or is it? The remaining girls have to figure out where the Evil King is and kill him to win the game and escape but it's not long before they turn on each other. 

I have to say, PFLE I will never ever trust, and I really don't like her but this volume made me feel like I might have misjudged her a bit. Keek on the other hand is legit crazy, and Snow White attempts to negotiate with her...and it doesn't go well. I understand Keek's point, they did all start killing each other of their own accord, and they shouldn't be Magical Girls, but she's not really any better than Cranberry.  

This volume has some brilliant plot twists, and we finally get to see how exactly this volume and the previous one are connected to volume 1 and the events from it, and it's more than just Snow White being in it. When I started the first volume I did kind of feel like the description of a certain character was familiar and I had a few thoughts but...yeah. Plot twist. 

This volume is a lot faster paced, and a lot more tense as we try to work out who's behind everything and there's twists and turns right up until the end! I love how brilliantly dark and twisted this take on Magical Girls is, and I'm intrigued to see if this is the end or if there'll be more to come! 

Light Novel: Sword Oratoria 5

Sword Oratoria Vol 5
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

The Dungeon's no place for a happy reunion!

After the massive battle that took place on the fifty-ninth floor, Loki Familia embarks on a triumphant return to the surface only to be interrupted by the appearance of an Irregular that forces them to make camp on the eighteenth floor. 

There, Aiz unexpectedly stumbles upon the unconscious form of a familiar white-haired boy, who a certain young elf couldn't be less excited to see. The other members of her familia are curious about him, hoping to find out more about the fastest-growing adventurer in history, but Lefiya has other ideas...

The prologue for this volume swiftly catches us up or rather...refreshes our memories of the previous volume and everything soon comes flooding back until we're right back with the characters. Aiz and Co attempt to return to the surface but have to hole up on the 18th floor, and swiftly end up meeting up with Bell, Welf and Lilly who narrowly escaped a monster of their own. Meanwhile the Gods and Goddesses meet up to share info and Loki starts to probe about the new monster species. Loki, Dionysus and Hermes are certainly an unlikely trio to be working together, and I find them entertaining! Freya....well, she's more and more suspicious by the volume, and Loki appears to be on to her, thank the lord someone is! 

I have to be honest with you guys, Lefiya is starting to irritate me now. Although she and Bell end up lost and alone together and kind of come to an understanding. They have to work together when they spot some Evils in the forests of floor 18 and get trapped by a new monster, and I did like seeing them working together and come to somewhat of an understanding. But Lefiya has seriously been starting to bug me ever since last volume, and this volume she kind of pushed me over the edge, and I'm not entirely sure I'll like her much anymore because I just find her so irritating now! 

Our characters are having quite the party on the 18th Floor, as Hestia and Hermes finally pop up and unite with both groups. There's much speculating this volume about Aiz and if she has the blood of a spirit like Welfs family. Turns out she is according to Riveria but that just deepens the mystery around her and leaves us with plenty of questions about her....for example, who are her parents? I need more information badly! 

We get to dig deeper in to the characters as well as the mystery and the plot as more details are layered in to the plot. Some of the characters we don't see a lot of and don't get much glory, get their chance to shine and we went in depth in to some of the relationships between the characters. 

To be honest with you all, not much happens in this volume, there's only really one battle scene. There's some humour, there's some depth added to the characters and relationships, there's some little threads and tidbits dropped in to keep you intrigued and then at the end a certain piece of interesting information is dropped...but overall it wasn't the most action packed and speedy of volumes, although I do assume all the information dropped is relevant to upcoming developments!

Light Novel: Rokka 3

Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers Vol 3
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

The Braves still have not identified the impostor among them. When Goldof takes off to help Nashetania, the initial seventh Brave, the group begins to suspect him of aiding Tgurneu. What is the fiend plotting...?

I've said it every single time, and I'll say it again....I freaking love this series! The colour pages are forever gorgeous and the plot is intricate and draws you in. Each character is slowly being unravelled as we get to know more and more about them see their view points. 

The prologue is super creepy, and the volume as a whole has a nice fast pace. We switch between the Braves and Nashetania and Tgurneu with a bit of Goldof. This volume really lets us get to know Goldof, he's been somewhat mysterious and quiet up to this point, but this is the volume that pulls his mask away as it where and we get to see his background and his relationship with Nashetania. 

Goldof literally goes over the edge this volume, and is the biggest pain in the ass....or so it seems for most of the volume. Towards the end we get thrown in a complete 180 when it comes to him when we finally see his view point and understand him and his motivations. Which is one thing I love about this series, nothing is what it seems, and neither are the characters. There's always more going on under the surface and it's hard to tell what's what. It keeps you on your toes. 

Chamo I'm finally starting to warm up to, and I really liked her this volume. I  like her more and more the more of her I see and the other sides of her we get to see. Despite one of them being a traitor, they all work well together as a team. I still can't quite pin point who the traitor might be. Like I genuinely have no clue and it's driving me mad! I'm just hoping it isn't either of my two favourites! Well...that's a lie. The only two characters we haven't explored in depth is Hans and Chamo....so it must be one of the two of them...but then I wouldn't put it past the author to have it be Adlet or one of the others that we've already gotten to know the background of...okay yeah. I wasn't lying...I really do have no clue!

This volume has plenty of action as is usual, as we face off with Nashetania and Dozzu in a race to save Chamo. Plus there's the mystery element to it, courtesy of the traitor in general and Goldof in this volume, AND we have multiple plot threads to untangle, that all weave together to create the plot. Both the plot just for this volume and for the story as a whole. 

The plot moves forward, there's more plot threads unravelled and mysteries explained...but there's more mysteries and new plot threads are added to carry over to the next volume, as well as making the overall plot more intricate. I'm loving how the plot is fleshed out more and more, with more little things added. As well as the characters who get more and more fleshed out as the volumes progress. I'm hoping one of the next volumes will reveal more about Hans and Camo! Trying to work out who to trust leaves you on edge somewhat and there's a bomb about to be dropped at the end of this volume...so I'm kind of in suspense for volume 4! 

Light Novel: Magical Raising Project 2

Magical Girl Raising Project Vol 2
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

The hit social network game "The Magical Girl Raising Project" selects one out of every tens of thousands of players to become a real life magical girl. The lucky chosen girls gain magic powers as well as incredibly good fortune, and spend their days blissfully. 
But one day, an absolute announcement declares that the number of magical girls has risen too high and must be cut down to half. Sixteen young maidens are thrust into a merciless, deadly contest to survive...but how many will come out the other side? 

The first volume surprised me with how much I liked it and how dark it actually was, this volume isn't quite so dark as the first one because they're not all out murdering each other like in the first volume. This volume has another group of girls all with interesting and fun powers once again. I love the art page that lays out who's who and what they can do! 

A fair few of the characters are relatable, you can empathise with them. Like Chika...she was so freaking relatable, and Kiku was a bit too! Interestingly Kiku was like a magical girl veteran, she had an anime and everything. Masked Wonder...she just cracked me up. Detec Bell was like a magical girl version of Sherlock Holmes and therefore one of my favourites of the volume! Along with the nice ones we of course had some not so nice ones in the form of Nonako, Pfle, Clantail and Rionetta. Snow White pops up too....

There's foreboding moments provided by the prologue, the texts and the Katana girl, plus the fact that I read vol 1! Master Sides was pretty damn creepy too. As we start the volume, we quickly get introduced to some of the girls and how this whole thing is going to go down. It's kind of similar to the first volume in that all the girls are pulled in and are being made to play a game. However, instead of just killing each other like in the first volume, this one has more of a murder mystery vibe to it, than Hunger Games. 

Volume one was bloody and brutal, and like I said, it was kind of like a dark magical girl Hunger Games. this one is like a Magical Girls SAO murder mystery.  I was worried they'd do it the same as the first volume so I was pleased that it was different and had a different vibe to it. This volume is bloody and brutal to some extent, and it's definitely dark, but we have everything going on in a game, kind of like SAO like I said. Because if you die in the game you die in real life. The setting and vibe of this volume are different, and the killing isn't outright. It's secretive and like I said...very murder mystery which is why we have a detective character I assume. The ending leaves you with plenty of questions and possibly a few suspects as to who's behind the killing. It's clearly all to do with Snow White who we know from the first volume, I did like the way she was incorporated. 

I really loved this second volume, it was another surprise, just as dark but dark in a different way. I'm intrigued to see who's behind it all, who the killer is and how it's going to play out in the next volume! 

Light Novel: Sword Oratoria Vol 4

Sword Oratoria Volume 4
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Aiz finally gets a chance to meet with Bell Cranell. The Sword Princess was hoping to make amends, but she somehow comes away with a secretapprentice...

With Loki Familia's expedition fast approaching, Aiz has little time to teach Bell the basics of fighting--or to sate her own curiosity about the rabbitlike boy. But a jealous Lefiya might have more than a little something to say about Aiz and Bell's hidden rendezvous. And when Freya gets involved, there's no telling where things might end up! 

So, I'm really loving this light novel series, it's one of my favourites, but I have to say....Lefiya may be the one character I'm not sure I like in this series! She strikes me as really childish and I kind of rolled my eyes at her a lot in this book! Aiz starts to train her up in this book after she sees Aiz and Bell so I'm hoping her character will improve! 

I'm not going to lie, I feel like Dionysus is up to something but I'm not entirely sure what, but we see some more of him this volume and I'm hoping for more again! Filvis is back too, and helps out Lefiya, and I'm hoping we'll get to see more of her. I want to like her but I can't help but side eye her a bit. We also get some Hermes who's a bit shady, and Tsubaki who was quite fun! 

The first half or so of this volume involves lots of training for Bell. Like....Eye of the Tiger playing in the background style training. As you can imagine....Hestia was thrilled. There's a mysterious group that pop up in this volume, threatening Aiz and they're working for Freya. Creepy, creepy Freya. Basically no-one's pleased Aiz is training Bell except for Bell! While Aiz is training Bell, the Loki Familia are gearing up for their expedition and I had such a foreboding vibe the entire time, without Ouranos keeping an eye on them because of it, and some creepy little cut scenes to some shady figures. Although Ouranos and the events on floor 59 to finally allow us to see what's causing the hybrid monsters! One piece of the puzzle falls in to place as this first act, as it where, finishes and we gear up for the next! 

Don't hold me to this, because I have a brain like a sieve and it's been a while, but I'm fairly sure this volume crosses over with the main series manga a little bit! Anywaaaaaay the second half or so of this volume focuses on the Loki Familia's expedition to Floor 59 and that's when the pace really picks up. We meet some dragons and wyverns which are always fun, and we finally see what it is that Levis wanted Aiz to see, and what she was alluding to in the earlier volumes! Spoiler alert: It's not good and doesn't bode well. 

This volume hits us with some more background on the world, which I'm always eager to learn! We get some more history and mythology to it, which is really fascinating and I'm intrigued to see how it's going to factor in to the upcoming plot arc. The steady pace gives way to a lot more action and fighting for the second half and I have to say...I was on the edge of my seat more than once. I genuinely thought we'd just lost two characters! 

This volume went from being all "hahahhaaa" to "WAAAAAAAAAAAHH" so fast I practically got whiplash. Things get tense and the stakes are raised as we finally get some answers and see what we're up against as well as getting some more world building and background. Bell levels up and is starting to come in to his own as are a couple of other characters. We end the volume with quite the threat to Orario which promises to make the coming volumes fairly deadly and give them a good dose of tension and dread, I think! 

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