"Unfortunately for them, Detlinde was unconscious" (page 248).
Let it never be said that this author has lost her knack for humor amid numerous, imbricated tales of political duplicitousness, high-stakes courtship, and aub-apparent cross-duchy shenanigans.
Lady Rozemyne's third year at the Royal Academy winds to a close with all of the requisite hassles, griping, sniping, and surprises that come with so many nobles scrapping and scraping for attention. ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v23 positions Ehrenfest the Eighth rather solidly as the one duchy to whom everyone turns a suspicious eye: successful joint research projects, high-achieving students, and an ongoing reputation as a disrupter. But it's all good. The Interduchy Tournament and its related events should disperse everyone's attention such that Rozemyne can't possibly cause any trouble. "Should," being the operative word.
ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v23 is a good volume for how it carries seeds of potentially troublesome or purposeful, future narratives, and then adequately buffets reader anxiety by calling upon key secondary characters and roping them into the mix. Rozemyne may be at the center of this novel series, but there are plenty of retainers, allies, and adults fully capable of negotiating solutions (with their own aims and with their own resources).
For example, the issue of disciplining whomever crashed the Dunkelfelger and Ehrenfest ditter match grows complicated when Rozemyne learns a familiar influence may have been behind the uncharacteristic behavior of the betrayal-minded Sovereign knights. That's a big problem, but what can she do about it? Turning to Sylvester may prove fruitless, as he's only recently finished the purge and continues to investigate for the sake of the duchy. Turning to Ferdinand is out of the question (he has his own troubles to navigate). But a surprising possibility emerges when Prince Anastasius, with his trademarked "big brother" energy, strikes up a wide-ranging conversation with Rozemyne and Sylvester, along with Lady Sieglinde (first wife, Dunkelfelger) and Hannelore, during the tournament. At this point, Ehrenfest can use all of the allies it can muster.
The politics of balancing interduchy relationships, while offering meaningful credit, is a recurring theme. An extensive conversation with Lady Sieglinde to clear the air surrounding Dunkelfelger's rivalry is brutal and tense, but essential to validating Rozemyne as being capable of standing firm when apparently victimized (Rozemyne: "You lost. Be silent as losers should be," page 98), or, alternatively, if need be, admitting when she was wrong.
Another good example rests in how Rozemyne is eager to credit her research partners. Specifically, she's sensitive to other's needs both before and after the annual awards ceremony sees her duchy place reputably for research into rituals and divine protections (with Dunkelfelger) and into making magic tools more mana-efficient (with Ahrensbach). Notwithstanding a few folks from Ahrensbach totally bulldozing everyone in an effort to earn more praise, the novel's most hilarious moment results in perhaps one of the greatest self-owns in Yurgenschmidt's history. Rozemyne wins, by default, and without even trying. To a point, a visiting Ferdinand offers a rare compliment: "Very good" (page 129).
The novel's best and most restful moments occur when Ferdinand visits the Ehrenfest dormitory. Everyone acknowledges, but doesn't speak aloud, how relaxed and peaceful the High Priest appears when safe and at home for the first time in a long time. Rozemyne is on edge, prepared for a scolding around every corner, but the young woman surely would have no one else point out her faults other than this cranky researcher (Ferdinand: "I always pray from the bottom of my heart for you not to get involved in such matters, but no words can bind you, I have found," page 272). Notably, a handful of folks near and far are suspicious of Rozemyne and Ferdinand's apparent closeness. Whether this portends future chaos likely rests in whether (or how many) characters feel the need to prove themselves right by manufacturing a crisis where none exists.
As such, ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v23 shows readers a massive puzzle with plenty of missing pieces. Word is out that further criteria has been defined for becoming the next Zent. Is the clarifying information buried in history? Will Rozemyne and Hannelore again serve as translators for the underground archive beneath the Royal Academy's library? And what's all this talk about the Grutrissheit being of a wholly different caliber of magical power than the bible itself? Ferdinand has an interesting theory. And beyond that, and closer to home, retainers to archduke candidates are reinforcing their rigid opinions on Wilfried. The young man is, at turns, called "a blithering fool," taken for a fool, and disregarded (as fools often are). Is Wilfried's fate no longer his own? Despite the growth he's shown over the past two years?