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陰の実力者になりたくて！ [Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute ]（Light Novel） #5
The Eminence in Shadow (Light Novel), Volume 5
All is well at the Midgar Academy for Dark Knights, but then something wicked suddenly draws near: The students are vanishing one by one—even Cid’s older sister Claire! Zeta of the Seven Shadows sets off to investigate while Cid and Alexia embark for Claire’s room where they find...ancient scripts, a cool magic circle, and spells that seem like they have great meaning and yet absolutely no meaning whatsoever?!
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 18, 2024
Honestly, this one felt pretty tame to me when compared to the others in the series. Like, Cid just brought someone from Japan and we never see anything that happens with her. Also, although the plot does progress quite a bit with this novel, it doesn't feel like it. I'm not quite sure how to put it, but it just didn't quite feel the same as the others in the series. The highs didn't feel as high and the lows as low. Not that it was bad, but comparatively it felt like a pretty average novel when the others felt like much more.
September 23, 2024
Having lazed without relevant The Eminence in Shadow literature for three and a quarter years, one can hardly be faulted for outright forgetting half of the cast as well as its characters' myriad goals, dilemmas, successes, failures and more. It's good to be back in the groove of a functional story.
The previous volume was terrible. Fortunately, THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 does a good job of picking up the slack. Not all of it. But most of it. Which is good. In the current volume, the author carves significant space to detail the motives of the Cult of Diablos (for the first time in a long time), wields numerous pages for a solid backstory (to one of the Seven Shadows), and finally gets back to the day-to-day, counter-expectational nonsense that makes this novel series so ridiculous and entertaining.
Another campus-lockdown situation puts a bunch of students in danger of losing their lives? The local Knight Order appears increasingly corrupt and ineffectual? Claire Kagenou and Princess Alexia at each other's throats? Yes, to all. Cid makes an effort to avoid thinking too hard about all of the delightful messes that litter his feet, but sometimes the guy just can't resist teasing and toying with those with no clue how much power he truly possesses. And when a few members of the Rounds Table, the millennia-old group in charge of the Cult of Diablos, move overtly to capture and kill students, Cid, too, goes on the offensive.
Some of the current novel's plot points are hard to discern considering it's been so long since readers last glimpsed their tangential details. Ages ago, the left arm of Diablos was freed from a destroyed sanctuary of sorts. Now, the right arm of Diablos is located in a hidden church on school grounds. And, so the story goes, once the whole of Diablos is resurrected, the Rounds can use the big ol' baddie to further its members' quest for immortality.
Problem #1? Breaking the seals on Diablos' limbs requires a whole lot of mana, which the Rounds obtains through human sacrifice to various ends.
Problem #2? Another, very powerful character really, really, really wants immortality. And his shadow army of miscreant battle ladies may go rouge to grant him his wish.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 tells the story the author likely should have outlined a volume and a half ago but only recently stumbled into: two elite, underground, criminal organizations vie for the strength of a demonic creature of legendary power. Both organizations control the world from the shadows. Both organizations don't care about casualties. Both organizations are run by madmen. This is the story. It took five volumes to get here, but this is Cid Kagenou's story.
In THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5, Claire and Alexia (whose rivalry one very nearly forgot about) join forces to push back against those who refuse to investigate local Knight Order members, school officials, and others who are clearly hiding something nefarious. Of course, the two girls soon find themselves in trouble, despite meaning well. Their confrontations with the immoral and the decadent lead to dramatic moments in which their fight for truth and justice clashes with the necessity of wielding borrowed (corrupted) power to save the lives of innocent people.
And then there's Zeta, a therianthrope (cat girl) and the seventh member of Cid's Seven Shadows. The current volume does wonders for Zeta as a secondary character, and one speculates how much livelier this novel series would be if all volumes featured, as readers find here, a 17-page backstory full of emotion and intrigue. Who wouldn't want to know more about the Seven Shadows' true ambitions? All told, Zeta is a rogue: She believes the current leadership of Shadow Garden is "too kind," and therefore taking things too slow, to rid the world of its darkest elements. Zeta is not a patient young woman.
Zeta is a brutal fighter, a skilled spy, and a woman with a grudge. It's a legitimate shame readers are only meeting her now, when it's somewhat convenient. Indeed, if it's true that, "when it comes to raw talent, she's as good as it gets" (page 26), as Cid comments, then Zeta should've been a co-lead hundreds of pages ago.
Similarly, the author introduces readers to antagonists whose history is vague at best, yet whose influence appears a little too outsized for the moment. Petos, tenth member of the Rounds Table, is a sneaky little guy, and Fenrir, fifth member of the Rounds, is a founding member and known historically as "The Devil of Midgar." These are reasonably good antagonists with decisive motives. But again, readers are only meeting them now, ostensibly, before Shadow Garden steps in and foils their plans.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 is a highly entertaining volume, but these dilemmas of character development and its poorly timed integration into the larger (relevant) story clearly illustrate the largest problem of this novel series: The author's worldbuilding has always outpaced their ability to draft a consistently functional narrative to make expert use of it.
Sometimes, the author hits the mark. For example, early in the novel, Cid laments that the person he normally cheats off of in class is absent, meaning that come time for a pop quiz, he must look elsewhere for hope. Cid settles on swiping answers from a nearby girl, but he can't see everything. What's a guy to do? He resolves to use his abilities to move at a super-speed. But wait, will his super-speed generate so much wind pressure that he'll blow everyone away? This hilarious contradiction, and the internal debate that follows, is just the type of entertaining mixture of fantasy and reality that makes the novel so quirky (Cid: "Who knew a little old pop quiz was going to demand such an exacting level of technical mastery?" page 50).
Another example rests later in the book, when Cid plays along with a mass kidnapping incident. He could easily weasel his way to safety, but Cid decides to weave among the captors to make a game of it (Cid: "Bomb-collar events don't just happen every day, and I wouldn't miss this one for the world," page 176). The lengths to which the guy goes to blend in, push others to the brink of their safety and sanity, and use his comically incisive deductive reasoning is outstanding. Cid isn't a total idiot, and when he actually applies himself, he's a genius. This volume proves it.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 gets back to the good stuff. The novel's preference for loner humor and grim violence finds comfort among characters whose earnest revenge quests and awkward allegiances suddenly and rapidly bleed into the open. Zeta's conflict with Alpha is intriguing. Claire's emergence as an increasingly dangerous character on the margins of raw power is exquisite. Queen Rose Oriana's decisiveness is endearing. Cid's obliviousness doubtlessly makes one feel right at home ("Aw man. There I go, murdering people again," page 68). The good parts are there, and the fun parts are there, too. But one shouldn't wait too long to get to the good and fun parts, less the novel series lose its appeal entirely.
The previous volume was terrible. Fortunately, THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 does a good job of picking up the slack. Not all of it. But most of it. Which is good. In the current volume, the author carves significant space to detail the motives of the Cult of Diablos (for the first time in a long time), wields numerous pages for a solid backstory (to one of the Seven Shadows), and finally gets back to the day-to-day, counter-expectational nonsense that makes this novel series so ridiculous and entertaining.
Another campus-lockdown situation puts a bunch of students in danger of losing their lives? The local Knight Order appears increasingly corrupt and ineffectual? Claire Kagenou and Princess Alexia at each other's throats? Yes, to all. Cid makes an effort to avoid thinking too hard about all of the delightful messes that litter his feet, but sometimes the guy just can't resist teasing and toying with those with no clue how much power he truly possesses. And when a few members of the Rounds Table, the millennia-old group in charge of the Cult of Diablos, move overtly to capture and kill students, Cid, too, goes on the offensive.
Some of the current novel's plot points are hard to discern considering it's been so long since readers last glimpsed their tangential details. Ages ago, the left arm of Diablos was freed from a destroyed sanctuary of sorts. Now, the right arm of Diablos is located in a hidden church on school grounds. And, so the story goes, once the whole of Diablos is resurrected, the Rounds can use the big ol' baddie to further its members' quest for immortality.
Problem #1? Breaking the seals on Diablos' limbs requires a whole lot of mana, which the Rounds obtains through human sacrifice to various ends.
Problem #2? Another, very powerful character really, really, really wants immortality. And his shadow army of miscreant battle ladies may go rouge to grant him his wish.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 tells the story the author likely should have outlined a volume and a half ago but only recently stumbled into: two elite, underground, criminal organizations vie for the strength of a demonic creature of legendary power. Both organizations control the world from the shadows. Both organizations don't care about casualties. Both organizations are run by madmen. This is the story. It took five volumes to get here, but this is Cid Kagenou's story.
In THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5, Claire and Alexia (whose rivalry one very nearly forgot about) join forces to push back against those who refuse to investigate local Knight Order members, school officials, and others who are clearly hiding something nefarious. Of course, the two girls soon find themselves in trouble, despite meaning well. Their confrontations with the immoral and the decadent lead to dramatic moments in which their fight for truth and justice clashes with the necessity of wielding borrowed (corrupted) power to save the lives of innocent people.
And then there's Zeta, a therianthrope (cat girl) and the seventh member of Cid's Seven Shadows. The current volume does wonders for Zeta as a secondary character, and one speculates how much livelier this novel series would be if all volumes featured, as readers find here, a 17-page backstory full of emotion and intrigue. Who wouldn't want to know more about the Seven Shadows' true ambitions? All told, Zeta is a rogue: She believes the current leadership of Shadow Garden is "too kind," and therefore taking things too slow, to rid the world of its darkest elements. Zeta is not a patient young woman.
Zeta is a brutal fighter, a skilled spy, and a woman with a grudge. It's a legitimate shame readers are only meeting her now, when it's somewhat convenient. Indeed, if it's true that, "when it comes to raw talent, she's as good as it gets" (page 26), as Cid comments, then Zeta should've been a co-lead hundreds of pages ago.
Similarly, the author introduces readers to antagonists whose history is vague at best, yet whose influence appears a little too outsized for the moment. Petos, tenth member of the Rounds Table, is a sneaky little guy, and Fenrir, fifth member of the Rounds, is a founding member and known historically as "The Devil of Midgar." These are reasonably good antagonists with decisive motives. But again, readers are only meeting them now, ostensibly, before Shadow Garden steps in and foils their plans.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 is a highly entertaining volume, but these dilemmas of character development and its poorly timed integration into the larger (relevant) story clearly illustrate the largest problem of this novel series: The author's worldbuilding has always outpaced their ability to draft a consistently functional narrative to make expert use of it.
Sometimes, the author hits the mark. For example, early in the novel, Cid laments that the person he normally cheats off of in class is absent, meaning that come time for a pop quiz, he must look elsewhere for hope. Cid settles on swiping answers from a nearby girl, but he can't see everything. What's a guy to do? He resolves to use his abilities to move at a super-speed. But wait, will his super-speed generate so much wind pressure that he'll blow everyone away? This hilarious contradiction, and the internal debate that follows, is just the type of entertaining mixture of fantasy and reality that makes the novel so quirky (Cid: "Who knew a little old pop quiz was going to demand such an exacting level of technical mastery?" page 50).
Another example rests later in the book, when Cid plays along with a mass kidnapping incident. He could easily weasel his way to safety, but Cid decides to weave among the captors to make a game of it (Cid: "Bomb-collar events don't just happen every day, and I wouldn't miss this one for the world," page 176). The lengths to which the guy goes to blend in, push others to the brink of their safety and sanity, and use his comically incisive deductive reasoning is outstanding. Cid isn't a total idiot, and when he actually applies himself, he's a genius. This volume proves it.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v5 gets back to the good stuff. The novel's preference for loner humor and grim violence finds comfort among characters whose earnest revenge quests and awkward allegiances suddenly and rapidly bleed into the open. Zeta's conflict with Alpha is intriguing. Claire's emergence as an increasingly dangerous character on the margins of raw power is exquisite. Queen Rose Oriana's decisiveness is endearing. Cid's obliviousness doubtlessly makes one feel right at home ("Aw man. There I go, murdering people again," page 68). The good parts are there, and the fun parts are there, too. But one shouldn't wait too long to get to the good and fun parts, less the novel series lose its appeal entirely.
August 3, 2024
The wait was worth it!
This volume took a long time from the last time, but the wait didn’t disappoint. The Eminence in Shadow is so well written, with humor, action and an interesting plot that gets better and better from volume to volume. The way the author connects all the small plots, all the individual characters storylines, is superb. The only problem I find with this series, is the long time is taking between volumes! This one, ends in a cool cliffhanger, and I really hope the next volume in this series doesn’t take that long.
This volume took a long time from the last time, but the wait didn’t disappoint. The Eminence in Shadow is so well written, with humor, action and an interesting plot that gets better and better from volume to volume. The way the author connects all the small plots, all the individual characters storylines, is superb. The only problem I find with this series, is the long time is taking between volumes! This one, ends in a cool cliffhanger, and I really hope the next volume in this series doesn’t take that long.
June 25, 2023
The weakest of the series so far. Felt like filler or maybe a build up to an arc that will come to fruition in the next volume? With the huge success of the anime, I hope the next volume will be a step up.
August 16, 2024
This volume appears to be more build-up by the author. Don't get me wrong, I completely enjoyed this, as I love the character of Cid, but this book advances the plotlines in order to set-up more things in the future.
Still a good read.
Still a good read.
September 16, 2024
Worth the wait
Waited so, so, long for this volume and it did not disappoint. Great continuation to Cids story and it focuses on just one arc which is a nice change. Can't wait for the next one, hopefully the wait isn't as long.
Waited so, so, long for this volume and it did not disappoint. Great continuation to Cids story and it focuses on just one arc which is a nice change. Can't wait for the next one, hopefully the wait isn't as long.
February 1, 2023
Nice book.
April 20, 2023
Not much to say about this volume at all, it was by far the weakest in the series. I hope to see the quality go back up in the next volume.
November 21, 2023
Little nuance one can miss if they aren't careful, the mark of a true author. I love his books.
April 28, 2024
read time - 02:54:27
August 20, 2024
Lost a few threads I want to see followed up on, but what we got is still good
August 30, 2024
What can I say, I'm a sucker for an idiot protagonist is my light novels. I also like how there's disagreements within the Shadow Garden. I'm excited to see where it goes.
October 16, 2024
Pretty metal
January 10, 2026
Fun as always
November 14, 2024
This series is too funny
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews