Read for Fun - Sword Art Online - Alicization Uniting" Volume 14

 This is the conclusion of the "Human Half" of the Alicization storyline. It is basically a sequence of battles on the top floor of Central Cathedral. In that sense, it is kind of like how the Final Boss of a RPG video game has multiple forms and/or stages. Fitting, isn't it? (Even though Underworld is not at all a game. This isn't Aincrad.)

Our heroes face off against Integrity Knight Synthesis 32, Prime Senator Chudelkin, Administrator's secret weapon and then finally, Administrator herself. The pacing is good. This plot structure doesn't feel like a boss slog, like in the above analogy. Each fight has its meaning for the characters and a purpose in the narrative. Reading about them is a different experience than watching the anime. 

The reader can feel Euego's guilt more deeply here, and Kirito's emotional state comes across more clearly as well. Here, in the source material, he is more like a normal boy who doesn't believe himself to be an epic hero. 

We also get a better sense for Quinella/Administrator. While she is translated well enough to animation, we don't get a sense for quite how uncanny/eldritch the author envisioned her to be. By the time Kirito meets her, she is this not-quite-human THING that is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. Even after she loses both arms, her hair is melted, and her face is cracked, her sheer presence radiates "unfathomable beauty" to him. 

Cardinal's fate is still stupid. When I saw it happen in the anime, I hoped that it had suffered adapation compression, and that the source material would have a better explanation. No, that is unfortunately not the case. It is basically the same here. It makes sense. Don't get me wrong. I can understand why Cardinal makes that choice, in that situation, but it is a stupid choice. 

On the other hand, I like the transition to the trouble outside Underworld better. I feel like the anime provided more information earlier to provide more context, and perhaps be less confusing, but that harms the narrative shift. In this volume, one can better sympathize with Kirito's W.t.F. reaction to hearing gunshots after previously going through the grueling boss fight and the calm that came after. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Sword Art Online - Alicization Uniting" Volume 14 a B+

Click here for my next book review:  Witchnapped in Westerham (Paranormal Investigation Bureau book 1

Click here for my previous book review: Robin Hood (Barefoot Books version)

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Robin Hood (Barefoot Books version)

 This is a collection of Robin Hood stories, "translated", so to speak, from the original ballads into a modern prose narrative. These include an origin story for Robin Hood himself, how he meets several of his allies such as Friar Tuck, Little John and Maid Marian, and the Golden Arrow contest. There is no definitive ending; the final chapter instead lists various "endings" that have been told in various tales, which range from Happily Ever After to Downer Ending. 

This was a fun read. If you want an example of Robin Hood stories, then this one will suit your needs. The individual chapters are quick reads in themselves. The final three stories are technically one story with three major events. 

There are color illustrations too, and sometimes even a full two-page spread. Those were treats to come across while reading. 

Note: This is my first experience reading Robin Hood stories, so I'm not sure how this compares to other renditions. 

Trickster Eric novels gives "Robin Hood (Barefoot Books version)" an A+

Click here for my next book review: Read for Fun - Sword Art Online - Alicization Uniting" Volume 14

Click here for my previous book review:   The Princess and the Goblin

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

The Princess and the Goblin

Reading this was an odd experience. It is a fairy-tail fantasy story from over a hundred years ago, so it an old fashion story but no where near old enough to be a "folk-tale" or anything like that. It's different, like the introduction says. The language used, both by characters and by the narration, is not something I am used to. Not better or worse, specifically, just different. 

Also, seeing the different concept of "fantasy" from the author's day is interesting. One can see the development of certain things between now and then. The goblins, for instance, don't look or sound like the goblins from many fantasy depictions today. They look kind of like demented dwarves, and the hogpoge creatures they domesticate are also really bizarre looking. 

As for the plot, its split between what Princess Irene does and what Miner Curdie does in relation to the goblins and such. While Curdie has a pretty clear thread of spying on the goblins after accidentally overhearing them talk about an evil-plan, I can't say as much about Irene. She is not a passive protagonist, but also often seems to be skirting the edges of the events. 

I'm not really sure what grade to give this book. I'm going to settle in the range of "I liked reading it". 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "The Princess and the Goblin" a B+

Click here for my next book review: Robin Hood (Barefoot Books version)

Click here for my previous book review:  Vidia and the Fairy Crown

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Vidia and the Fairy Crown

 I like this story for a strange reason. I'm not particularly fond of the Tinkerbell franchise, and I am way outside the target audience for this book, but I still found something fun. This book is like role-playing game's fetch quest. 

No, really! Going from one NPC to the next, talking to them and learning about the next step in the chain, and leading up to a chance-based mini-game, and all the while, one NPC is assisting the player, who is frustrated by this scenario. There's even the chance for Video-Game Cruelty Potential. I can imagine that being in a game with a morality meter. 

I also like this because it is totally an Aesop story but with a reverse angle. That is, it is a story with a moral to teach, but Vidia herself isn't the one who needs to learn anything. She really didn't do anything wrong. It is EVERYONE else who needs to learn the moral about not jumping to conclusions and the like. Furthermore, Prilla recounts a lesson that she already knows as if to remind herself; she didn't need to learn it, but it would be good for a real-life reader to learn it.

Finally, cute art! It is cute, and bright and whimsical; totally fitting the Disney idea of pixies. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Vidia and the Fairy Crown" an A+

Click here for my next book review:   The Princess and the Goblin

Click here for my previous book review:  Jewel Kingdom - the Emerald Princess Plays a Trick

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Book review - Jewel Kingdom - the Emerald Princess Plays a Trick

 A cute story about a nice and mischievous girl learning about empathy. It's fairly straightforward, being as it is for very young readers, but there is also some complexity here. 

Princess Emily is not a mean person. Her pranks are not in the least bit malicious. They are just harmless fun, and that is what Princess Emily thinks they are, moments of fun playing around with her friends. She is sincerely shocked that her friends/subjects don't enjoy her pranks and were just playing along because she has a higher social status than them. 

Thus, the immediate and explicit moral of the story is to practice empathy and read between the lines in one's relations with others, but there is another moral here. It is thus, "When someone does something that bothers you, just tell them". The only person in this story who straight-up tells Princess Emily to knock it off with the pranks is her cousin and fellow-princess, Roxanne. Even Arden, Princess's Emily advisor, has to be pushed by Roxanne to be honest.

This moral works because Princess Emily is a nice girl, not a bully. Telling an actual bully to stop would be less likely work because their motivation is different. The story makes this distinction. At the very start of the story, Princess Emily hugs Staghorn after pranking him and thanks him for being a good sport, because she thought that's what he was doing. She later tells Arden that she thinks of Staghorn as her grandfather, and so she doesn't want to upset him or have him be angry at her. 

 There's every reason to believe that if Staghorn had just told her the truth right then, she would have apologized. She probably wouldn't have stopped with the pranks, but she would have realized that he didn't enjoy that particular prank. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Jewel Kingdom - the Emerald Princess Plays a Trick" an A+

Click here for my next book review:  Vidia and the Fairy Crown

Click here for my previous book review:   The Magic Attic Club - Princess Megan

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

The Magic Attic Club - Princess Megan

I found this at a thrift shop, drawn by its beautiful cover. It is truly a gorgeous illustration of the protagonist in an archetypal medieval princess dress. Even the tall hat truly looks "elegant" as described in the book. There are other illustrations in this book, of Megan, of a unicorn, even of maids cleaning up in a room, and all of them fantastic. 

The story itself is very simple; rather it is simply written, but it involves some complex stuff. A scheduling conflict between Megan and her mother leads to stress and frustration for both, which then leads Megan to seek relief in the Magic Attic. This leads to a new adventure in fantasy medieval Europe, where the locals believe Megan to be a princess. 

The fantasy plot has a decent set-up and execution, though the conclusion feels weak. There isn't much space to really develop it, so there is room to argue that Michelle and her mother were worried over nothing. Even so, it is strangely engaging. I really wanted to read through it. The "real life" plot also a good resolution. To my surprise, I actually liked that resolution better than the fantasy plot's; I was thinking that the fantasy plot would be the main attraction and the real-life plot would be rushed, but I feel like it was the opposite. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "The Magic Attic Club -  Princess Megan" a B+

Click here for my next book review:  Book review - Jewel Kingdom - the Emerald Princess Plays a Trick

Click here for my previous book review:  She Proclaimed Herself Pupil of the Wiseman - volume 2

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

She Proclaimed Herself Pupil of the Wiseman - volume 2

This one has a strange introduction - setting the scene, a carriage hit-and-run which turns into some kind of black comedy and is ultimately rendered moot because the "victim" was a zombie. I suppose it is to set the tone for the story. What sounds like a crisis, actually is not. 

Mira's purpose here is two-fold, to travel to Karanak, the City of Requiem to investigate the nearby dungeon, the Ancient Temple Nebrapolis, and seek information about the recent demon incursion as well as the possible whereabouts of one of her fellow Wisemen, Soul Howl the Elder of Necromancy. What follows is much like the first volume. 

A lot more world-building: About the city of Karanak, the structure of the Mage's Guild, and how becoming " real" has changed the VRMMORPG game.

There's also more of Mira showing off her summoning skills as well as her "immortal arts", which are basically magical martial arts. What I like about this is that it is not "just" her showing off. It's not about a power-trip or just some vicarious power fantasy for the reader. No, Mira's showing off has a purpose. 

You see, Mira is a summoner who is passionate about summoning magic, but in the 30 years since Danbulf's disappearance, summoning has declined in popularity to the extent that summoners are rare. The fairly high-level party she encounters in this book, who has seen and done a lot over a long period of time, has no idea what she is capable of, because they have never seen a high-level summoner before. Thus, Mira's showing off is actually promotion of her profession in order to attract others to it. Given how under-staffed her kingdom is right now, and how a competent summoner can generate a small company of knights on a moment's notice, she has every reason to toot her own horn. 

Because I enjoyed all of the above in the first volume, I very much enjoyed this one as well. I think the author is enjoying plotting up drama or suspense only to immediately deflate it. There's this one scene where a boss-level enemy is introduced, and the narration talks up how difficult it would be to defeat, requiring a large group of high-level players, "Or one Wiseman".  

This is one of the perks in having an (over)powerful protagonist, there is no need to waste words or space trying to convince a reader that each and every situation is hopeless/perilous/etc. while simultaneously writing some sort of victory for the protagonist. The author can instead focus on some other goal, in this case, demonstrating the "immortal arts" and expositing on a goal of the protagonist besides "survive". 

Frankly, it is impressive that the author managed to hold my attention for over 270 pages without a central villain or major drama while still using the listed premise. Well, there is a wide-scale crisis at the climax, but no central villain just yet. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "She Proclaimed Herself Pupil of the Wiseman - volume 2" an A+

Click here for my next book review:  The Magic Attic Club - Princess Megan

Click here for my previous book review:  Sword Art Online- Alicization volume 13

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Sword Art Online- Alicization volume 13

I've already watched the anime and I must say I'm enjoying reading the source material. There is so much context and additional material to found, it's like experiencing the story all over again. 

For instance, in the anime, we don't get such a strong sense of the bond between Kirito and Eugeo, and particularly their respective envy and admiration. 

On one side, Euego sees Kirito as this ace warrior: flawlessly confident, highly skilled, possessing the wisdom to know how to act in all situations, and can even toss a witty quip in combat while concentrating on a spell.

On the other side, Kirito sees Euego as this sword prodigy who will definitely surpass him in short order and who possesses the determination that he lacks. It's like he thinks of Euego as the real deal, a real swordsman hero out of a story, while thinking of himself as only a gamer who happens to have lots of experience playing such a role.

Because of this, they both see themselves as less capable facing their respective challenges in this volume than the other. It also underscores the setback each of them faces in the latter parts of the novel. 

I could go on about how much I like this story, such as Euego's cleverness in his duel with Bercouli, or Kirito talking Alice onto his side, and how Alice breaks the Seal of the Right Eye, the fair-folk way that Quinella charms Euego, and how all this is written, and the emotional content added to make it all more than simple exposition, but that would make this review too long. Suffice to say, the source material is well worth a read, even if and especially if you've watched the anime already. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives Sword Art Online- Alicization volume 13 an A+

Click here for my next book review:  She Proclaimed Herself Pupil of the Wiseman - volume 2

Click here for my previous book review:  Magical JxR volume 1

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Magical JxR volume 1 (read for fun)

 This is a find from a Friends of the Plymouth (Minnesota) Library book sale. It was a good find. This is a comic made by a Korean author ("Manhwa", which is distinct from the Japanese "Manga", perhaps to the same extent that they are both different from American "comicbook"). Anyway, this is the volume that won this author a best-new-author type of contest. 

Jay and Aru are apprentice wizards from "The Magic World", and to graduate from their magic school, they have to travel to the Human World and basically demonstrate their skill by making themselves useful to some specific human. To start with, they have to convince the skeptical Cho-Ah to give them the time of day, because she has more important things to do than listen to some crazy boys talk about magic and other worlds. 

It's a little odd, because the plot I just described doesn't start until chapter 3. Yeah, the first two chapters are A Minor Kidroduction to establish first Cho-Ah and then the magical pair, Jay and Aru. It's further odd because the volume starts with a minor In Media Res. But hey! It only appears odd in comparison to the book-back blurb. It makes perfect sense on its own. 

It is cute. It is fun. It starts a good story. Indeed, this volume is more prologue for the main story, and yet is still its own complete story. We see the main trio start their budding friendship and get a taste of all the fun magical shenanigans to come. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives Magical JxR a B+

Click here for my next book review: Sword Art Online- Alicization volume 13

Click here for my previous book review:  I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 years and maxed Out My Level. Light novel volume 4

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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 4 (read for fun)

The fourth volume is where the animated adaptation's first season ends, and so the new content begins now! There is an awful lot here that wasn't covered in the anime. That was a treat.

For instance, the music festival in the demon kingdom. In the anime, this was a one-episode event that focused mostly on new character Koko the minstrel. In the light novel, it is a very large deal that spans multiple chapters and includes several events. It's basically a reunion of previously introduced characters, and thus shows the reader how they're doing. 

And they're doing very well. Since their first encounter with the Great Witch of the Highlands, their lives have turned around in a big way. Eno the Witch of the Grotto, Pondeli the undead catgirl, and Fightie the martial artist slime, are all enjoying their new stations in life. 

There's also a chapter's worth of lime light for the blue dragon community. That was hilarious. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 years and maxed Out My Level" light novel volume 4 an A+

Click here for my next book review:  Magical JxR volume 1

Click here for my previous book review: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? Manga Volume 7

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? Manga Volume 7

 I read this after watching the anime cover the same story, and I was not disappointed. It has its own way of telling the story. It's definitely worth the read. 

This volume starts with the Denatus to decide Bell Cranel's title as a level 2 adventurer, and proceeds to cover how Welf Crozzo joins Bell's adventuring party. It ends where light novel 5 begins, Bell's party's first dive into the middle floors of the Dungeon. 

I feel like the manga does a better job of conveying exposition than the anime, such as the history of the Crozzo family, while still being a quick read. So, I feel like I understand the story better. The light novel likely has more info still, but it would take longer to read. 

Also, the manga is a gold mine of reaction shots. Such as the male gods trying to choose a new nickname for Aiz followed by Loki's death glare, or the transparent jealousy on Hestia's face when she says that Bell will be "safer" with Welf in his party instead of being alone with "Miss. Supporter". 

The artwork for Welf's forging scene at the end is intense. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? Manga Volume 7" an A+

Click here for my next book review:   I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 years and maxed Out My Level. Light novel volume 4

Click here for my previous book review: Rising of the Shield Hero volume 3

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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 volume 3

Fans of this series are in for a treat this time. The author changes things up with new point of view characters and also a little more continuity, along with the same mix of silly comedy and gripping tragedy. 

Normally, only Elaina's point of view is shown. The default assumption is we are following the same Ashen Witch we always have. This time, we get a few POVs from Fran, Elaina's mentor and also from Saya, Elaina's biggest fan. There is also a surprise PoV, which I will not spoil here. They're all fun surprises, especially because the author ties them in with Elaina's catchphrase, "That's right. She's me." 

As for continuity, some of the stories are more connected to each other. Such as the Object Lesson series, which shows Elaina's development of an Animate Object spell during her training, Fran's reaction to it, and then Witch-Elaina using it in a pinch. The story "Retroactive Grief" makes several callbacks, and then there's the final story of this volume, which makes a LOT of connections to prior stories. 

The author must find masochists or the ideal of masochism in general to be funny, because it shows up in several stories here, such as One Girl's Trouble, Grape Stomping Ladies and the Object Lesson series. 

The stories "Retroactive Grief" and "Peaceful Slumber" are tragedies, but not total downer endings. It's interesting how the author does this. The story "Ten Year Ceasefire" is sweet, and "The Wall Travelers Inscribe" made me laugh. 

Trickster Eric Noves gives "Wandering Witch" volume 3 an A+

Click here for my next book review: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? Manga Volume 7

Click here for my previous book review: Rising of the Shield Hero volume 3

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Rising of the Shield Hero volume 3 (Read for Fun)

 The third volume of this series reveals the author's template for this series. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. You can also see that the author is trying new things as well. I'll go into that here. 

First, we have the arc heroine. In each volume thus far, the author has introduced a female character who gets focus during that volume. In volume 1, it was Raphtalia. In volume 2, it was Filo. Now it is Melty, the second princess of Melromarc and the heir to the throne. I like this for several reasons. 

1.) Melty's friendship with Filo is adorable. 2.) it provides opportunity for both narrative and character development, given Naofumi's long-standing and well-justified grudge against Melty's family as well Melty's sweet and polite disposition. Really, she's the opposite of her elder sister. 3.) Through Melty, we learn about her mother the queen, who is the true ruler of Melromarc, and what she has been doing since the waves began. Finally, Naofumi notices this pattern himself, and his narration about it is funny. 

Second, Spear Hero Motoyatysu is still being a jerk and still trying to take the arc heroine away from Naofumi. He seems to have lost interest in Raphtalia, and now is totally into Filo and also thinks Naofumi kidnapped Melty. It's ridiculous how much he tries to get in Naofumi's way; he must be supremely gullible. 

Bow Hero Itsuki finally gets focus, but it is so minor and inconsequential that it was only glancingly mentioned in the adaptation of anime season 1. His dislike and suspicion of Naofumi is even more frustrating than Motoyatsu, because Motoyatsu has the excuse of Malty whispering poison in his ears. Itsuki has no excuse, yet he tries to blame Naofumi for things without any reason. Seriously, there's a scene where Naofumi asks him the reason why, and he says nothing. 

We get nothing from Ren Sword Hero, except that he might not be quite as thick-headed as the other two.

Third point is the Third Wave. Again, the Waves of Destruction are not the true climax. This one is, in fact, the midpoint of the volume, and the set up for the next arc. Yes, the major story arc gets set up in the midpoint of this novel. The novel feels a little unfocused until then. Instead, the climax is another fight between the Cardinal Heroes. It is a mess. A big mess that achieves nothing and is closed by an outside force. It's not quite a deus-ex-machina, but it has the same narrative purpose.

I say "closed", instead of "resolved" because the end of the climax battle is not decisive. I think this is one of the ways the author is trying something new. I certainly did not expect it, even though I watched the anime prior to this. 

The epilogue is good. A nice denouement to close up the volume. It has a sweet moment that has been built up through the volume, and that is good volume closure. 

There's also a side-story that wasn't included in the anime. It is the story of how Melty left her mother's side in another country and ended up in the Melromarc countryside surrounded by filolials, where she meets Naofumi. It is eventful. It also has a lot of information that would have been nice to see in the anime. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives Rising of the Shield Hero volume 3 a B+

Click here for my next book review:  Wandering Witch volume 3

Click here for my previous book review: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? volume 5

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn

Inspired by Critical Role? Want to run your own campaign in their world? This is your ticket to Exandria! 

This book is a guide to the world of Exandria, specifically Tal' Dorei. It contains a LOT of stuff. There's history, lore, sub-classes, plot-hooks, and, yes, post-epilogue info about Vox Machina. And gorgeous art. This artwork is stunning. I'll go into some of the extensive content here. 

If you want to set up shop in this setting, you have all you need here. A detailed map of the Tal' Dorei continent is included in the front, and each area of it has its own section detailing all its stuff. Towns, environments, brief history, persons of interest, plot hooks etc. What I also like about this is how flexible it is. There's a lot of detail but nothing demands a particular direction. 

The plot hooks create a general start to the adventure, and they point to a possibility, but it is vague enough for a Game Master to do with it what they want. There is little baggage except for what the Game Master and players sign up for by choosing this campaign setting. Even then, there is advice for making changes, such as considering how the addition of a large city would affect the local area and its history. 

The sub-classes sound like fun. Barbarian-Juggernaut especially sounds like fun to play: position control against a single large enemy, charging through smaller mobs, and breaking through structures (both in and out of combat; There Was a Door). 

The Vestiges of Divergence are here, both those from Critical Role campaign 1 and some others. I like the guidance given on how to unlock them as the campaign goes on. It is incentive to be invested in the character and to role-play, while also not being strict about how it has to happen, no alignment-straitjacket style thing. 

Vox Machina info is everywhere, but it is well integrated. Each member has their own section at the end of the book with their post epilogue activities and a stream-lined character sheet, but they are not confined there. They are included as relevant: 

Keyleth is in the section for the Air Ashari, being their Voice of the Tempest and leading them into a new era; Percy and Vex are in Whitestone, tinkering and leading the Grey Hunt. respectively. There's a footnote about how the group started in the wretched hive of Stillben, etc. 

Art is gorgeous. The map of the setting, the illustrations of characters and places, the full page spread of the WildMother and the LawBearer with the backdrop of their respective divine domains....Whatever Critical Role Studios/Darrington Press paid the illustrators; the result was worth every cent. 

Trickster Eric Noves gives Tal-Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn an A+

Click here for my previous book review: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? volume 5

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? volume 5

A true dungeon crawl in this volume. Basically, the entire volume is set within the Dungeon. This is great for adventure, for world building, and for team-character moments. Comparing it to the anime, this covers the final few episodes of season 1.

*****

Beware of Spoilers!

*********

First, I want to highlight a particular section in the early parts. It is when Bell's party is subjected to a "pass parade" by another Familia.  A "pass parade" is when one adventuring party kites a monster mob into another party in order to escape said mob, thus putting the second party into danger, especially if they were already fighting monsters. The light novel makes a much bigger deal about it than the anime, a matter of life and death rather than a breach of dungeon etiquette (maybe that's the MMORPG talking). 

The tension that follows is more sustained in the light novel as well. In the anime, we don't get a sense of just how desperate the situation is, and just how long it takes Bell's party to reach the safe zone in the 18th floor. In this light novel, we see just how close they come to wearing out and giving in. 

We see the true value of supporters, as Lilly brings out an item to ward away monsters.  We see perspectives from different characters, even a harrowing glimpse into Welf's mind as he gives up on life. Exhaustion comes closer to defeating Bell than any previous foe. 

The world building picks up here as well. The middle levels are where higher-level adventures go. It's a whole different experience from the upper levels. Differences in equipment, tactics and survival all come up. Then there's the economics of the town in the safe zone. The phrase "water in a desert is worth any price" comes to mind. The idea of Familia crests being used for credit is an interesting idea, and one can only assume that monsters don't like the smell of perfume.

If I had to critique something, then it would be an event in the climax, where Bell uses Argonaut on the Goliath, fails to kill it and is able to try again shortly afterward. Argonaut is supposed to exhaust Bell to the point of uselessness, right? Trying again soon after cheapens that for me but, on the other hand, it only happens after Hermes does a morale boost based on a memory crucial to Bell's identity and dream to be a hero, and this unlocks a new skill for Bell called "Limit Release". Given all the prior build-up of Hermes testing Bell, it seems as though Hermes wanted to see if Bell had what it takes to push past his limits, and keep going even if, logically, he shouldn't be able to. Given the mechanics of this 'verse, I'm willing to give it a pass. Besides, it is a cool-set up and execution, where other characters can shine as well. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?  volume 5" an A+

Click here for my next book review:  Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn

Click here for my previous book review:  The World's Strongest Rearguard - manga volume 4

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

The World's Strongest Rearguard - manga volume 4

This one goes heavy into the myth arc. It's a heavy revelation and a glimpse at what lies in store for our heroes. I thought this Labyrinth Country was a "world between the worlds" sort of place, but now I'm not so sure.  

The last volume ended with a boss fight cliffhanger, and this volume delivers on the conclusion of that fight. It is really cool to see everyone's morale discharges (a limit break by another name). This volume does NOT end on a cliffhanger, which is nice. 

There's also a prequel side-chapter that expands on Misaka and Suzuna's lives before reincarnating. Like Arihito and Kyouka, they knew each other, and what's more, they were really good friends. It's a sweet friendship chapter, but it's also intense emotionally. These two friends are Chaos and Order, respectively, and this single chapter illustrates the pros and cons of such lifestyles, and how friendship evens out the cons, beautifully. If I think about it too much, I get emotional, seriously, I do.  

Art continues to be good. The boss fight, exciting. Aftermath, spooky. Character emotions, yes, well done. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "The World's Strongest Rearguard - manga volume 4" an A+

Click here for my next book review: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? volume 5

Click here for my previous book review: Tegami Bachi - volume 1

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.

Tegami Bachi volume 1 (read for fun)

This is a manga I picked up from a Friends of the Plymouth (Minnesota) Library book sale. I get a lot of good stuff there. 

Imagine a world where delivering mail is a perilous journey. Each delivery requires traveling a dark and monster-infested wilderness, alone and on foot. Your only defense is a special handgun that fires metaphorical bits of your own heart, and using it may attract more monsters, who seek the "heart" in your deliveries. That is what it is like to be a letter bee. 

Letter Bees are the mailmen of this world of Amberground, a land of perpetual night. Their deliveries are the only thing connecting the various monster-safe zones to each other. Gauche is an elite Letter Bee, and the story begins with him delivering an unusual package, a human boy who has lost his mother. 

This is the story of Letter Bee Gauche delivering Letter Lag Seeing to his destination and inspiring him to become a letter bee in his own right. 

It's a great narrative and the character development in this volume alone is good, too. I liked the budding partnership between Lag and Niche as well as the world building of Amberground. 

The art looks good. One gets a feel for the bleakness of the environment, and the emotion of the characters. These important things when "heart" is a central concept, and the art conveys that well. 

Only one complaint, the action scenes. It is sometimes difficult to follow them, and thus make sense of what's happening. For me, this is at its worst when the "heart" gun is being loaded and fired. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives Tegami Bachi volume 1 a B+

Click here for my next book review:  The World's Strongest Rearguard - manga volume 4

Click here for my previous book review: Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle volume 5 (Read for fun)

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's 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.