Lawrence se retrouve pris au piège des négociations en cours dans la ville de Ghelbe et se voit obligé de jouer le rôle d'intermédiaire entre l'adjoint de la coopérative de Rowen et la mystérieuse marchande Ève...
Toujours bloqués à Ghelbe, Lawrence, Holo et Kohl deviennent les jouets d’une négociation cruciale entre les quartiers nord et sud de la ville. La capture d’un narval alimente tous les fantasmes et l’animal, considéré comme mythique, devient un enjeu majeur dans la guerre commerciale que se livrent les deux quartiers. Sans compter que Eve, l’énigmatique marchande, semble tirer les ficelles et être prête à doubler tout le monde pour son propre et unique profit. Lawrence s’est une fois de plus embarqué dans un conflit qui le dépasse. Loin d’être spectateur, il en devient malgré lui un acteur crucial. Le problème c’est que l’intrigue avance au ralenti, qu’il n’y a pas la moindre action et que les bavardages des uns et des autres constituent la plus grande partie de ce volume soporifique en diable. Sans parler de la quasi disparition du sujet qui guide nos trois voyageurs, à savoir la recherche du livre qui permettrait à Holo d’en savoir davantage sur ses origines. Bref, je me suis ennuyé comme c’est pas permis...
We progressed through most of this story arc in this volume and it feels as if we are approaching the end and getting ready to move on. There are many players in this volume and I can't tell who is really good (other than Holo, Lawrence and Col). It was not a bad pace, and had I not been reading so late at night with so many other tasks I would have no doubt finished it on the same day. I still enjoy the over all story and the characters and feel they are still developing. The illustrations are also good.
Hoje foi um dia muito estressante, mas devo dizer que a leitura me acalma e coloca minha mente no lugar, e não é de duvidar que iniciei a minha leitura e me perdi nas páginas com Horo e Lawrence e que somente agora percebi que estou preste a começar o volume 11 do mangá, e isso quer dizer que falta um pulo para chegar ao volume 16, é claro que vou degustar de cada página de agora em diante... Como seu já não fizesse isso sempre... Bjos.. Att a próxima....
This volume continues right where the previous left off. It is fun not knowing who to trust and wondering where this will head. Holo and Lawrence are always trying to stay one step ahead and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. The art is consistently good and I enjoy the little details in the world building.
4.25 Stars. Another great and gripping volume. with more intriguing backstabbing than ever before this entry proves to be one where I could not put it down for a second. The bonus section at the end was also quite nice for the 10th volume in a series. Eve continues to subvert my expectations.
I loved it I’m sad to say that I’m almost done with the series but the new beginning which may possibly be about there daughter would always be a twist.
Unlike other Spice and Wolf arcs, which illustrate different principles of economics, the Kerube conflict is more about pure deception. The situation makes clear that Lawrence is a minuscule fish in a giant pond, but the complicated details take a bit of effort to fully grasp. Fortunately, Koume-sensei intersperses Eve’s and Kieman’s scheming with simpler moments like Col’s delight at seeing Holo’s tail for the first time and rare moments of understanding between Lawrence and Holo.
The Review
Volume 10 begins by finishing Lawrence’s secret conversation with Eve and follows up with a recap of the North/South Kerube conflict. The arrival of the narwhal has complicated the situation exponentially, especially when the under-the-table deals get added in. The diagrams in Chapter 56 provide a comprehensive picture of the players and stakes, much better than the description in the light novel; even so, I had to read that section a couple times carefully before I finally grasped Lawrence’s position in the negotiations and why his first instinct is to leave town.
In the midst of these developments, Holo and Lawrence let Col in on Holo’s secret. Since they’ve been careful to hide it from him, I expected the moment to be dramatic, but it’s actually rather anti-climatic. At any rate, the revelation brings down the last wall between Col and our lead couple, making him a fully trusted part of their team.
Kieman and the trade guild then start making their move. Lawrence plays along, but despite the enormous stakes and his misgivings, his actual actions in the negotiation amount to little more than glorified messenger boy. Koume-sensei, however, makes up for the lack of grand action with intimate moments with Holo. In one, the wisewolf reminisces on her past; in the other, she expresses uncertainty over the course she’s pushed Lawrence toward. She’s unusually vulnerable in both scenes, but considering how sharp her tongue usually is, having her show a softer side to her traveling merchant isn’t a bad change of pace.
Extras include a character profile, world map, story thus far summary, creators’ closing remarks, and a bonus mini manga that revisits Holo and Lawrence’s first meeting.
Lawrence is definitely in over his head! He was warned not to get involved in these matters and now he is. He wants to make money and get the forbidden book to save Holo's homeland, but to get this information there is a price. He must now get the captured Narwhal, whose valuable meat and horn could give either trading guilds an advantage in exchange for the book's whereabouts. Lawrence, Holo, and Col are doing some spy work to figure out a way to steal the narwhal to their advantage. Lawrence tries to find a way for all sides to profit. But Eve of the North side wants all or nothing! How will he nab a narwhal and get the best of both worlds for the two sides?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another beautifully illustrated graphic novel. The story is still feeling slow and a little forced. Definitely not sure where they're going with it right now.