Witch's Printing Office volume 3

There was quite a cliffhanger last time, wasn't there? An open letter from a Japanese guy isekai-ed into this world to other people from his country (or at least his own world). This volume picks up there.

The "greeting" of Mika and her fluffy employee was a nice touch. I had been waiting to see these characters again.

As it turns out, this second isekai-ed guy, Kyouhei Yamanoto, is just as clueless as Mika when it comes to the why and how of their coming to this world. While they naturally agree to work together to get home, they seem a lot more passionate about their joint business venture.

See, he's decided to open a bookstore, but it has pitiful stock. There are some funny gags from Mika reacting to all the stuff he tries to show off. Ultimately, she connects him with some of the independent artists who frequent her Magiket event. This way they can continue to sell books outside of Magiket, Yamanoto can pull in a steady supply of new books, and Mika's Protagonist Press has a regular customer outside of the Magikiet season. It is a publishing house and book store partnership with independent creators; the content just happens to be spells.

It's a fun thing. This guy is like Mika, a truly ordinary person trying to make a living in the book business; no special stereotypical isekai stuff for him either. Speaking of which, there is a parody of such in another chapter.

I really like this one, so I hope you'll forgive me for spoiling it entirely. It is such a splendid parody. It's very funny, not at all mean-spirited, and yet fulfills the same narrative role as the straight version. So, SPOILER! BEWARE OF SPOILER!

Spoiler.

 You see, the chapter starts with this arcane looking ritual being performed by hooded mages.  One of them shouts, "savior from another world", and who shows up by Mika herself! It is enough to fool a reader into thinking that this is a flashback story, showing how Mika arrived in the world that the story takes place in, and perhaps the origins of Protagonist Press. Not even close.

This is not a flashback arc. The summoner pulled her away from her office during a busy period. The "another world" part of the spell is not accurate; it did not grab some super powerful magic creature, nor did it even reach across to another world. The mages are actually embarrassed when they learn who Mika is and where she is from.

The task they hoped the result of their spell would accomplish was save their village from being consolidated with other villages, because of a declining birth rate and lack of anything special about it. Mika can't do anything about that, so she plans to take the first airship back home.

That is a week from now, so the summoner offers to put Mika up in her house as an apology for basically kidnapping her. This works out to a vacation for Mika; no overtime at her printing office, eating delicious local cuisine, soaking in hot springs, and she doesn't have to pay for any of it.

So Mika's employees are naturally wondering were she is, and they find her living it up while they're working their (in some cases, literal) tails off. This leads to them jumping on the airship that is going towards Mika's location, not to retrieve her but to sample all the goodies she has been indulging in. 

So the town is inundated with the staff of Protagonist Press, and the clients of Protagonist Press, and THEN the regulars of Protagonist Press's Magiket events. This turns the town into a tourist destination, and it gets especially busy during Magiket. Which, incidentally, spares it from being consolidated by its lord. So, without doing anything heroic, or really anything at all, and purely by accident, Mika really does become the town's savior. 

It is such a light-hearted parody that makes so much sense it becomes hilarious!

That is just one example. I could go on but I don't want to. This review is already too long. The author has a talent for making these kinds of stories, and the artist for bringing them to life. 

Speaking of the artist, the art continues to look really good. It is cute and appealing without overdoing things. It has the right balance between cute and serious. I could imagine a legitimate, serious, played-for-epic dungeons-and-dungeons style story being in this art style. Except, when the adventurers finally reached the dragon's lair and discovered its treasure, they would not find gold or jewels but mint-condition scrolls from independent creators (that or may not be magical). 

Trickster Eric Novels gives " A Witch's Printing Office volume 3" an A+

Click here for my next book review:  Spiral - Bonds of Reasoning volume 2

Click here for my previous book review:  I've been killing slimes for 300 years and maxed out my level, light novel volume 1

Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).

His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.

I've been killing slimes for 300 years and maxed out my level, light novel volume 1 (read for fun)

This is the light novel version. I've already reviewed the manga version of it, and you read that at this link here. So this review is going to be more of a comparison between the light novel and the manga versions.

First of all, the light novel volume 1 contains more content than manga volume 1. The manga version stops after Falfa and Shalfa's introduction, and ends on a sequel hook for Halkara's introduction. The light novel includes Halkara's introduction, the conclusion of her arc, the Red Dragon Wedding, and the visit to The Great Slime. So I'm assuming that light novel volume 1 covers manga volume 1 and 2 together.

Next, the light novel presents more of Azusa's inner thoughts, so the reader sees references to her previous life more often. The nature of her previous life (i.e. lonely and overworked corporate slave) means that all references to it are a downer, definitely a contrast to her much happier and laid-back current life. This makes the manga a lighter and more feel-good read than the light novel already is.

Seriously, it happens. Even after 300 hundred years of life as an easy-going and potion making witch, reminders of Azusa's previous life are painful to her. For instance, when she hears that the medicines Halkara makes are basically energy drinks, she recalls how she used to guzzle them during her endless overtime, and it puts her on edge. However, this also underscores her kindness, because she takes Halkara under her protection despite the uncomfortable reminder of her past life and the potential for trouble in her new life. Indeed, the light novel does a better job of developing Azusa's character than the manga does, simply because the light novel has more room to display Azusa's inner thoughts.

For comparison, in the manga, when Azusa creates a magic barrier for her village, it comes out of nowhere. Laika remarks that the village has few defenses, out of nowhere and without context, and then Azusa creates it because she doesn't seem to have anything better to do. The light novel, by contrast, shows Azusa sincerely worried about the village's security because adventurers and dragons are now seeking her out due to her max-level reputation, and so Laika's remarks validate these fears. She creates the magic barrier because she has become protective of her village after three hundred years of treating its sick and injured, and doesn't want someone taking it hostage because of her. Looking after it gives her a sense of purpose, no reward required (or wanted; that "bronze statue" scene was really funny!).

In terms of narrative description and scene setting, the manga does a superior job by virtue of being a visual medium. So the event where Azusa freezes an entire waterfall when she learns about her ice magic for the first time is more of a spectacle. It wasn't as big of an event in the light novel; the ice-magic-as-refrigeration got more ink. Which makes sense, given Azusa's character. Someone seeking a laid-back life, like her, would naturally be more interested in food preservation than displays of power (so she could make a lot at once, freeze it, and then go days without having to make more).

In terms of "highest moment of action", I suppose the climax would be the Red Dragon Wedding, but to be honest, it feels more like the other events than a climax. No, the next event, the meeting with The Great Slime, feels more like a culmination of events and proper conclusion for this volume. It is a peaceful meeting that includes reflection on past events, and guidance on the future of Azusa's new family (spoiler: lots of hugs are involved).

Trickster Eric Novels give "I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level volume 1" an A+

Click here for my next book review:  Witch's Printing Office volume 3

Click here for my previous book review: Girls' Ops volume 4

Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).

His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.

SAO spinoff - Girls' Ops volume 4

I bought this volume after finishing volume 3, because it was excellent. I had a feeling that the series had found its stride in volume 3, and I was correct. This volume is just as good as volume 3, if not better. It continues the story of Lux and Gwen's troubled friendship while also delivering on story-plot satisfaction and set-pieces battles. There is also a bit of humor that I know SAO fans will appreciate (even haters might enjoy this part!)

The premise of this particular volume is a joint effort by the Slyphs and the Cat-Siths to defeat a new group of Player-Killers, the Batty Bat guild, which is led by Lux's old friend-turned-evil, Gwen. The Batty Bats have been going around Slyph territory killing players and causing other trouble, and so Lady Sakuya of the Slyphs wants to stop them and maintain order. The Girls Ops group are recruited to be part of this operation.

What follows is a confrontation between the Girls Ops group and the Batty Bats guild in their hideout. There are three distinct segments of this battle, and all three of them are well-developed, both in terms of the art and panels and in the progression of the battles themselves. There are some clever tactics (Angel Rings, FTW!) and a key difference between the two groups hits in a majorly emotional and satisfying way.

However, the sword and sorcery battles and anti-PK mission are not the only selling points here. No, there is more to it. One could say a "fourth" battle takes place, one very different from the previous three. It is just as well developed, and has a very sweet and satisfying aftermath. I'm looking forward to volume 5.

Defeat Means Friendship is a trope that is used in a lot of fighting series, and often times the bridge between "defeat" and "friendship" is not made clear. Basically, the fighters reach some kind of understanding during the fight or become fire-forged friends while later fighting a common foe. That is not the case here. 

After the battle is over, Lux has to put in a lot of effort to mend her friendship with Gwen. It requires quick thinking, a good bit of faith, and an honest heart-to-heart in physical reality. Even then, it might not have worked out if Gwen didn't realize that she wanted to mend their friendship as well, even if it meant accepting changes to that friendship (such as sharing Lux with three other friends). 

The art continues to be cute, and continues to deliver on battle sequences as well.  There is a battle with a large creature in this volume, similar to volume 1, but I had an easier time following it. Overall, it appeared better presented. The middle fight is fantastic; very atmospheric.

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Sword Art Online spinoff - Girls' Ops volume 4" an A+

Oh, you wanted to know which humor that even SAO haters might like? I can't do it justice here. Trying to explain it wouldn't be as funny. 

Click here for my next book review:  I've been killing slimes for 300 years and maxed out my level, light novel volume 1

Click here for my previous book review: Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina 1 (read for fun)
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Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).

His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.

Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina 1 (read for fun)

I found this while browsing Barnes and Nobles, and that is the great thing about a physical book store. You get to browse and discover new things, and no background algorithm decides what you see or what you would like. I wasn't looking for books about witches, or short stories, or this delightful mix of comedy and tragedy. Online, I probably would never have seen it. 

Incidentally,  I wrote a blog post about this. You can read it at this link if you want. Anyway, about this book review. 

This is about Elaina the Ashen Witch and her travels across the world. She has no quest, goal or any other purpose while traveling, she is simply traveling because she likes to travel. What she doesn't like is getting involved in someone else's story; she'd rather add a few pages to it and then continue on her way. This makes the book something like a travel narrative. 

Most chapters start with Elaina entering a new country and taking part in a certain event going on there. Sometimes she gets involved in resolving a spot of trouble, but other times she skips town without doing anything. She is what you would call "Heroic Neutral". 

She is a nice girl, generally polite and does not make mischief. She will likely help a local if it doesn't cause her too much trouble or require her to stand in town for longer than three days. Don't ask her to do anything dangerous, but then she might brave the danger if she decides to do so. She is a primarily a sight-seer.

One of the interesting things about this book is that it spans the gauntlet of genres. Some of the stories are comedies, like the country divided in the Bread Faction and the Rice Faction. That whole thing was funny, from the apathy of the locals to the bickering of the rulers. Then there are some which are tragedies, really somber and sad, such as time Elaina met the boy who tried bottling happiness to lift the spirits of his bestfriend/crush. That ending is a critical hit to the heart, and just ambiguous enough to make it worse (Nothing Is Scarier style). Then there are those which focus more on Elaina herself; her history and her connections to people, such as her witch mentor and her own student. Those are are the full package of emotions and story linking together to support the broader narrative. 

All of this shows the author's skill, but the illustrator isn't to be left out. Occasionally, there will be illustrations of a scene. Of these is Elaina with her mentor. Another one shows her original departure from home after becoming a witch. These are great for underscoring key moments. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Wandering Witch -  The Journey of Elaina 1" a A+

Click here for my next book review: SAO spinoff - Girls' Ops volume 4

Click here for my previous book review: The Hero is Overpowered But Overly Cautious volume 1

Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).

His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.