What do you think?
Rate this book
狼と香辛料 [Ookami to Koushinryou] (Novel) #9
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 09: The Town of Strife II
The capture of a narwhal and the ensuing power struggle between the northern and southern districts of Kerube has Lawrence caught in the middle! Backed into a corner by his own trade guild, can the merchant find a way to extricate himself from this delicate situation? And what of the wolf bone from Holo's pack? Can the Wisewolf of Yoitsu manage to keep her rage and frustration in check?
216 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2008
39 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 21, 2016
The power struggle started on Town of Strife I reaches its conclusion in a very effective way.
One of my favorites so far.
One of my favorites so far.
August 22, 2017
This is the conclusion to the setup from volume 8. There was a lot of tension with this one. I liked Eve as soon as she was introduced in the anime (I haven't read the first five books of Spice and Wolf,) and in this volume my sympathy for her went way up. I almost want her to be a love interest, but that would require Holo being shunted to the side, and that's unacceptable. I can only imagine how much trouble Lawrence got into there at the end!
October 12, 2013
In Summary
Hasekura-sensei brings the Kerube’s power struggle to its dramatic conclusion. The search for the ancient wolf bones fades to the background as Lawrence finds himself caught between the schemes of Eve and Kieman. Unfortunately, these masterminds are so crafty that their plans are difficult to follow. Spice and Wolf Volume 9 is a dense read for a light novel, but if you make it to the end, you’ll be gratified by a conclusion that sheds light on the events of three earlier volumes.
The Review
Volume 9 is billed as the second part of a two-part story, but it is actually the culmination of events laid out in Volumes 5, 6, and 8. So if you aren’t familiar with those previous three installments, you’ll get lost in Volume 9 fast. Even if you have read them, the content of this volume is rather daunting. Volume 8 laid the groundwork for a massive conflict over a rare narwhal, and in Volume 9, that battle plays out with schemers wheeling and dealing in the shadows, plotting double-, triple-, and quadruple-crossings.
While the conflict is interesting, it is so complex that it bogs the pace of the story. Hasekura-sensei sets Lawrence up as a small fry trying to maneuver among the sharks of Eve and his guild leader Kieman. The plot requires an understanding of the power struggle over the narwhal, then the backroom deal Eve and Kieman are trying to broker, then the different ways everyone’s trying to swindle one another, and finally, the great ploy that upsets everything. Because the story unfolds through Lawrence’s eyes, the information we get is limited and mixed up with Lawrence’s conjecture and confusion. There were several passages I had to reread to understand what was going on. Hasekura-sensei’s underuse of dialogue tags in group scenes didn’t help. (Interestingly, one of the color illustrations attributes a quote to Col that actually belongs to Lawrence.)
However, if you’re willing to stick through the story’s sometimes tedious twists and turns, you’ll be rewarded by a brilliant and very clearly explained conclusion that also solves the mystery of the coin puzzle introduced in Volume 6. On top of that, poor Lawrence, who’s tossed around like a pawn throughout the majority of this arc, gets his hero moment.
Though Eve, Kieman, and the narwhal dominate in the battle within Kerube, we do get a couple character building moments with Holo and Col. As it turns out, Holo’s not unfamiliar with the narwhal, and her connection to the creature reputed to bring immortality sheds light on how she regards her traveling companions. And a conversation away from Holo shows how a child raised in the pagan mountains views a journey with a wisewolf.
This light novel includes the title page, three two-page spreads, and the table of contents printed in color as well as eight black-and-white illustrations, a summary of Town of Strife I, and a world map.
For more manga and light novel reviews, go to my blog.
Hasekura-sensei brings the Kerube’s power struggle to its dramatic conclusion. The search for the ancient wolf bones fades to the background as Lawrence finds himself caught between the schemes of Eve and Kieman. Unfortunately, these masterminds are so crafty that their plans are difficult to follow. Spice and Wolf Volume 9 is a dense read for a light novel, but if you make it to the end, you’ll be gratified by a conclusion that sheds light on the events of three earlier volumes.
The Review
Volume 9 is billed as the second part of a two-part story, but it is actually the culmination of events laid out in Volumes 5, 6, and 8. So if you aren’t familiar with those previous three installments, you’ll get lost in Volume 9 fast. Even if you have read them, the content of this volume is rather daunting. Volume 8 laid the groundwork for a massive conflict over a rare narwhal, and in Volume 9, that battle plays out with schemers wheeling and dealing in the shadows, plotting double-, triple-, and quadruple-crossings.
While the conflict is interesting, it is so complex that it bogs the pace of the story. Hasekura-sensei sets Lawrence up as a small fry trying to maneuver among the sharks of Eve and his guild leader Kieman. The plot requires an understanding of the power struggle over the narwhal, then the backroom deal Eve and Kieman are trying to broker, then the different ways everyone’s trying to swindle one another, and finally, the great ploy that upsets everything. Because the story unfolds through Lawrence’s eyes, the information we get is limited and mixed up with Lawrence’s conjecture and confusion. There were several passages I had to reread to understand what was going on. Hasekura-sensei’s underuse of dialogue tags in group scenes didn’t help. (Interestingly, one of the color illustrations attributes a quote to Col that actually belongs to Lawrence.)
However, if you’re willing to stick through the story’s sometimes tedious twists and turns, you’ll be rewarded by a brilliant and very clearly explained conclusion that also solves the mystery of the coin puzzle introduced in Volume 6. On top of that, poor Lawrence, who’s tossed around like a pawn throughout the majority of this arc, gets his hero moment.
Though Eve, Kieman, and the narwhal dominate in the battle within Kerube, we do get a couple character building moments with Holo and Col. As it turns out, Holo’s not unfamiliar with the narwhal, and her connection to the creature reputed to bring immortality sheds light on how she regards her traveling companions. And a conversation away from Holo shows how a child raised in the pagan mountains views a journey with a wisewolf.
This light novel includes the title page, three two-page spreads, and the table of contents printed in color as well as eight black-and-white illustrations, a summary of Town of Strife I, and a world map.
For more manga and light novel reviews, go to my blog.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2014
In the midst of a pile of academic reading, I've started burning through a stack of books on my bedside table, with this being the first to go. I like the Spice and Wolf novel series, but wasn't too impressed with the first half of Town of Strife. Even more than the romantic comedy banter, this series excels at showing how plans that have been boiling for the past two hundred pages are going to magically come together. Without that, the first half of Town of Strife tended to drag. Here, however, in the second half, there's almost nothing but payoff. I know that I should be frustrated by that, but it was really kind of fun. There were more sinister bad guys than usual, Eve is back in the picture to mix things up, and, as he has been for the last couple of books, Col makes for an adorable travelling companion. I know that this is a bizarre mixture of fluff and economic intrigue, but I really enjoy this series, and, even if Town of Strife II isn't too game changing, aside from Lawrence getting to be a bit cooler than normal, it's still fun. I'm quite excited about reading volume ten.
July 6, 2017
A direct continuation from the previous volume, which is something that hasn't happened before in the series. It was kind of nice to have some sort of contiguous story between two volumes; moving from one volume to the next felt a little episodic before this.
The story itself was pretty par for the course, in that it was the typical light novel with its (I assume) awkward translation and oversimplifications. But I don't go into these novels expecting to be blown away or anything. They are just little fun reads to spend and afternoon or two on.
The story itself was pretty par for the course, in that it was the typical light novel with its (I assume) awkward translation and oversimplifications. But I don't go into these novels expecting to be blown away or anything. They are just little fun reads to spend and afternoon or two on.
August 4, 2020
Spice and Wolf volume 9 Town of Strife part 2. The second part of the first two-part adventure in the series.
I must say upfront that I did not enjoy this volume as I did the others. Despite being two volumes long, not as much appeared to happen in comparison to previous volumes. If there were many events and commotion going on I certainly didn't follow them. Lawrence acts as though he is in terrible danger right from the start, and that Kieman is a direct and immediate threat. This is before Lawrence does anything that could upset him. In fact, in the previous volume, he had affirmed his loyalty to Kieman and the Rowen Trade Guild, as though it were a matter of course. That is one of the things that confused me.
I got the feeling that there was a lot more going on between the lines and off the page than what the reader was presented with. Lawrence had a greater understanding of the situation, but did not share this information with the reader even though he shared his thoughts and feelings. So I didn't understand why he was so nervous the whole time, and why he was so afraid of his guild's sub-leader asking him to be a messenger. Eventually, I got an inkling that Kieman was plotting a coup to usurp the leader of the Rowen Trade Guild, and that he would make life difficult for Lawrence if Lawrence refused to cooperate, but I don't think that this was ever made explicit.
What I saw was all about how intimidated he was by Kieman and Eve being administrative merchants, heads of their own companies, in comparison to the traveling merchant who makes all his deals on the spot and with immediate goals. So I guess keeping the reader in the dark was supposed to help them emphasize with how out-of-his-depth Lawrence feels in this situation. I get that. It worked. However, I didn't understand the danger he or Eve were in, and that really deflated the tension of the story for me.
Another thing that I didn't understand was all the fuss about Eve. I was under the impression that she was a traveling merchant like Lawrence back in her introduction a couple volumes back. I understand that she has a lot of connections, and that the "Bolan Company" is basically just her and these connections, but what's the deal with her in this town, and why is knowing her such a big deal. Kieman acted as though only Lawrence or a local trading company head could serve as intermediaries in his shady deal with her.
There are other things that I didn't get about this particular story, but that would make this review longer than it already is.
I still enjoyed this book. The out-of-his-depth experience Lawrence feels is well executed, and shows a different side of him than in previous stories, so it is good character development. His banter with Holo was as good as usual, and she seems to have become comfortable enough to express her jealousy more openly. I just didn't understand the economic angle this time.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Spice and Wolf volume 9 Town of Strife part 2" a C+
I must say upfront that I did not enjoy this volume as I did the others. Despite being two volumes long, not as much appeared to happen in comparison to previous volumes. If there were many events and commotion going on I certainly didn't follow them. Lawrence acts as though he is in terrible danger right from the start, and that Kieman is a direct and immediate threat. This is before Lawrence does anything that could upset him. In fact, in the previous volume, he had affirmed his loyalty to Kieman and the Rowen Trade Guild, as though it were a matter of course. That is one of the things that confused me.
I got the feeling that there was a lot more going on between the lines and off the page than what the reader was presented with. Lawrence had a greater understanding of the situation, but did not share this information with the reader even though he shared his thoughts and feelings. So I didn't understand why he was so nervous the whole time, and why he was so afraid of his guild's sub-leader asking him to be a messenger. Eventually, I got an inkling that Kieman was plotting a coup to usurp the leader of the Rowen Trade Guild, and that he would make life difficult for Lawrence if Lawrence refused to cooperate, but I don't think that this was ever made explicit.
What I saw was all about how intimidated he was by Kieman and Eve being administrative merchants, heads of their own companies, in comparison to the traveling merchant who makes all his deals on the spot and with immediate goals. So I guess keeping the reader in the dark was supposed to help them emphasize with how out-of-his-depth Lawrence feels in this situation. I get that. It worked. However, I didn't understand the danger he or Eve were in, and that really deflated the tension of the story for me.
Another thing that I didn't understand was all the fuss about Eve. I was under the impression that she was a traveling merchant like Lawrence back in her introduction a couple volumes back. I understand that she has a lot of connections, and that the "Bolan Company" is basically just her and these connections, but what's the deal with her in this town, and why is knowing her such a big deal. Kieman acted as though only Lawrence or a local trading company head could serve as intermediaries in his shady deal with her.
There are other things that I didn't get about this particular story, but that would make this review longer than it already is.
I still enjoyed this book. The out-of-his-depth experience Lawrence feels is well executed, and shows a different side of him than in previous stories, so it is good character development. His banter with Holo was as good as usual, and she seems to have become comfortable enough to express her jealousy more openly. I just didn't understand the economic angle this time.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Spice and Wolf volume 9 Town of Strife part 2" a C+
November 22, 2018
I think this book may have been a little ruined for me because it is part two of a story already started in the previous book. The previous book was really intense, but I had to wait for a month before I got this book - not my fault, I ordered it weeks before I started reading the first part, but there were some stuff with the shop - so this kind of calmed the intensity a lot.
This also lead to the fact that the story was rather slow, somehow.
Part of this may be my own mood, which is kind of tired and there was mostly focus on the trading-part of this story in this book. Holo was hardly even in it, which is kind of a downer with the evolution in the relationship a few books ago. It seems they have just forgotten what happened, which is such a downer.
I hope the next book will be a bit more fun, to be honest, for this one was a disappointed.
I can't give it a 2/5 starts, though, for it was still a good book.
This also lead to the fact that the story was rather slow, somehow.
Part of this may be my own mood, which is kind of tired and there was mostly focus on the trading-part of this story in this book. Holo was hardly even in it, which is kind of a downer with the evolution in the relationship a few books ago. It seems they have just forgotten what happened, which is such a downer.
I hope the next book will be a bit more fun, to be honest, for this one was a disappointed.
I can't give it a 2/5 starts, though, for it was still a good book.
March 1, 2019
Following on the events in volume 8; Lawrence, Holo, and Col are caught up in a larger conspiracy. Lawrence must navigate a delicate balance of trust, betrayal and mortality. The overall conspiracy is a bit difficult to follow, as Lawrence is on the outside but overall that's not super important as long as you follow enough to keep up the main issue is how this pushes the development of our characters.
Due to the Narwhal we get a brief peak/hint at a bit of Holo's past (in a single sentence). For much of this book Holo is sidelined, as Lawrence is the one caught up in events in a way that she is unable to directly assist with; but don't worry she's not forgotten and her presence is a reasonably strongly felt. Lawrence finally gets a chance to act on his own and while as usually the ending is a tiny bit rushed (this is an LN so the word count is short) it still satisfies and moves the overall narrative forward. Especially in retrospect, the events of this volume help to cut a good bit of Lawrence's remaining attachment to the life of a cutthroat merchant.
Due to the Narwhal we get a brief peak/hint at a bit of Holo's past (in a single sentence). For much of this book Holo is sidelined, as Lawrence is the one caught up in events in a way that she is unable to directly assist with; but don't worry she's not forgotten and her presence is a reasonably strongly felt. Lawrence finally gets a chance to act on his own and while as usually the ending is a tiny bit rushed (this is an LN so the word count is short) it still satisfies and moves the overall narrative forward. Especially in retrospect, the events of this volume help to cut a good bit of Lawrence's remaining attachment to the life of a cutthroat merchant.
May 8, 2017
This was a good resolution to the story started in volume 8. The ending was a little more rushed than I would have liked so that, ironically, I liked the finish of the Town of Strife storyline less than the end of the previous volume halfway through the storyline, but it was still a very good, engrossing tale, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
It's good to see the occasional reminders that Lawrence and Holo have reached a point of understanding such that they no longer angst over the status of their relationship in the same ways they had early on. I just wish Holo would ease up a little, and subject Lawrence to slightly less emotional abuse.
It's good to see the occasional reminders that Lawrence and Holo have reached a point of understanding such that they no longer angst over the status of their relationship in the same ways they had early on. I just wish Holo would ease up a little, and subject Lawrence to slightly less emotional abuse.
Read
August 15, 2022Part 1 was a bunch of set-up that was hard to follow, but luckily this volume had a one-page TL;DR which made following the economics side easier. I'm always surprised how by-the-books everything always ends, probably because I read a lot of swords and sorcery fantasy where battles end with lots of life lost. It's a nice change.
I enjoyed the character dynamics and growth Lawrence who is slowly becoming more confident in himself. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.
SPOILER: After Eve's kissing Lawrence as her means of payment, I already knew he was ending up on the couch.
I enjoyed the character dynamics and growth Lawrence who is slowly becoming more confident in himself. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.
SPOILER: After Eve's kissing Lawrence as her means of payment, I already knew he was ending up on the couch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
Part 2 of 2 concluding the story arc started in Volume 8.
Since this story arc was basically all built up in the previous volume, Volume 9 is filled with tension from beginning to end. One of the stronger story arcs so far imo.
Eve is a fantastic side / main-ish character. Each time she's shown up in the story she's commanded so much attention and slowly fleshed out her motivations and background... in another universe she would have paired well with Lawrence.
This would be a 4.5/5, my main gripe is how Holo and Col got pushed in the background for most of this volume.
Since this story arc was basically all built up in the previous volume, Volume 9 is filled with tension from beginning to end. One of the stronger story arcs so far imo.
Eve is a fantastic side / main-ish character. Each time she's shown up in the story she's commanded so much attention and slowly fleshed out her motivations and background... in another universe she would have paired well with Lawrence.
This would be a 4.5/5, my main gripe is how Holo and Col got pushed in the background for most of this volume.
July 25, 2017
The biggest story so far. Although it's volume 2 of the Town Strife story, the arc actually started 3 volumes ago, when Lawrence met Eve and got involved in the fur trade deal.
It's quite a nice addition to the overall story, and Holo wasn't as annoying as she had been in the previous volumes. Really enjoyed it and will definitely pick up volume 10. Nice banter, shady deals, lots of merchant backstabbing. It just works :)
It's quite a nice addition to the overall story, and Holo wasn't as annoying as she had been in the previous volumes. Really enjoyed it and will definitely pick up volume 10. Nice banter, shady deals, lots of merchant backstabbing. It just works :)
July 25, 2022
A great finale to this arc.
This book brought back the much missed transactions that were slightly lacking in the prior arc. With the dizzying array of transactions and deals it was certainly thrilling to read. And for the character plot? Lets just say that last scene was exquisite. Anyways, yet again, my thanks to the Author, Illustrator, and Translator. Onto the next.
This book brought back the much missed transactions that were slightly lacking in the prior arc. With the dizzying array of transactions and deals it was certainly thrilling to read. And for the character plot? Lets just say that last scene was exquisite. Anyways, yet again, my thanks to the Author, Illustrator, and Translator. Onto the next.
October 26, 2017
Having Eve bless these last two books was wonderful. I fucking love her.
was secretly hoping for Lawrence to take her side all along. though even thinking so i'm sure would earn me the ire of a wisewolf.
was secretly hoping for Lawrence to take her side all along. though even thinking so i'm sure would earn me the ire of a wisewolf.
March 25, 2022
เป็นบทสรุปของการค้าสัตว์ประหลาดนาร์วาลที่พออ่านได้เพลินๆ เล่ม 8 กับ เล่ม 9 นี้เอบ โบแลนด์แทบจะแย่งซีนโฮโลไปเกือบหมด จนแม่หมาป่าเราแทบจะกลายเป็นตัวประกอบ ส่วนตัวผมเลยตัดสินให้สองเล่มนี้อยู่ในระดับพออ่านได้เท่านั้น
คะแนน: 7/10
คะแนน: 7/10
June 3, 2024
Translating a book where subtle between the lines conversation is the core of the story must be really hard. I don't know if it's lost in translation or if this volume just doesn't have much to it. It's certainly completely missing any meaningful outer story.
October 22, 2017
I think this is where I started reading the fan-translations, but they were just as good as the official.
January 21, 2019
Real rating: 3.5 stars
January 18, 2020
Volume 8 was a drop in quality for me personally, so coming back to the natural banter, emotional scenes, and high-stakes of Spice and Wolf was a homecoming for me.
August 21, 2021
A brilliant ending for the two parter.
September 29, 2023
Read my review here:
https://fantasticfictions.com/spice-w...
https://fantasticfictions.com/spice-w...
February 17, 2023
Volume six, eight and nine could almost be a trilogy on their own. The story continues as Lawrence gets involved in an even greater grand scheme with Eve. There is some background provided which is interesting and the story overall is continuing to progress in a good way. I would say this book deserves a 4.2 out of five.
November 5, 2015
This volume concludes the two-part story started in Volume 8. This volume sees Lawrence acting and thinking on his own since the start of the series. He gets a small push in the back from Holo at the start, but afterwards Holo isn't seen much at all in the novel. I enjoyed watching Lawrence grow a bit as a character and hope that he continues to shine; however, as mentioned in my review of the 8th volume, I would really like to see Lawrence earn some more money as he adventures because he is a merchant after all.
August 29, 2014
The capture of a narwhal and the ensuing power struggle between the northern and southern districts of Kerube has Lawrence caught in the middle! Backed into a corner by his own trade guild, can the merchant find a way to extricate himself from this delicate situation? And what of the wolf bone from Holo's pack? Can the Wisewolf of Yoitsu manage to keep her rage and frustration in check?
**
December 15, 2016
And so another volume is over. I sigh happily when I turn the last page to read the little note Isuna Hasekura always writes at the end of each book. I look forward to those amusing notes as much the next volume. There is more character and plot development in this one. After Side Colors that focussed mostly on Holo's past, volumes 8 and 9 shift the focus to Lawrence. This would be my second favourite of the series so far after Volume 4.
July 6, 2016
A continuation of the last book. Lawrence, Holo, and Col find themselves swept up in the strife of a divided town, in the middle of a trade war, with several sides which wish to use Lawrence as a tool for their gain. Really good, ended on a slight cliffhanger.
October 26, 2013
Good finish to the story from the previous volume. Solid plot and good dialogue throughout. This time there was also good dialogue between Eve and Lawrence, which adds a good new rhythm.
February 23, 2016
Did feel like the long story it was/concluded, but was satisfying, nevertheless
May 7, 2014
This and part 1 are the worst Spice & Wolf books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews