Spice and Wolf, Vol. 12

狼と香辛料 [Ookami to Koushinryou] (Novel) #12

by Isuna Hasekura

To obtain a map of the northlands, Lawrence and company leave the Kingdom of Winfiel and return to Kerube. Seeking out a silversmith of notorious reputation, they are introduced to the beautiful Fran Vonely who offers to provide what they seek. However, Fran's map comes with a price-in exchange, the party must travel with her to a village where an angel is said to have alighted and discover the truth behind the legend. But what of the rumor that a witch lives in that very same village...?

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Manga, Romance, Japanese Literature, Fiction, Economics

Audible Audio

First published August 10, 2009

About the author

支倉凍砂

Reviews

[Anniken Haga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little worried about this book because I've been having trouble with this series for a while now. While the books were good they didn't really focus on the parts of this world I liked, and so I felt my interest dropping.
Thankfully, this book picked up on that again and had a lot of focus on moving the story forward! Sure, it didn't really do that, but I see that things will be happening quickly from now on, as there are so few books left in the actual story.

Also, did Holo and Lawrence finally do what I think they did in the epilogue!?!? Please say yes!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the best adventure story that Spice and Wolf has had for a while, and as far as the volume's new character goes, Fran is pretty interesting. Despite that, however, this story ends up feeling like miles of buildup for a tiny, 15 page climax. It really isn't bad, and the political landscape of this novel's village is one of the twistiest in the series yet. Still, this isn't going to be the novel by which I define the series. It was solidly all right.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume contained precious little economics, but made up for it with a healthy dose of the desperate and underhanded side of human nature, though the sometimes subtle, realistic presentation of such characteristics might make it difficult for some people to notice that fact. It also dealt a bit with the complications of a collision between pragmatism, faith, and empirical fact. Much like volume 10, it also presented the uncomfortable truth that sometimes the economic solution is the best, most peaceful solution, despite its lack of high-minded idealism, in a world where idealism typically gets (ab)used as a tool of oppression.

I wonder sometimes how cognizant the author is of the fact his writings so well capture the reasons altruism sounds good but only ends in desolation when allowed to run free, while "enlightened" selfishness navigates treacherous paths to a peaceful conclusion. These are not fairy-tail endings, but that doesn't mean they're bad endings.

[Robert R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawrence and Holo have closed out their hunt for the supposed wolf bones and are preparing to head north again. They are convinced to make one last side trip in order to have a valuable map of the north drawn for their journey. This volume focuses on a darker side of the life of a tiny village. While the overall plot is mostly build up and a very short resolution; the overall direction is to continue "Holo's journey" - while Lawrence and Holo are on a physical journey through out the 16 main volumes, the first 5 or so are also metaphorically Lawrence's changes, then transition over and for Vol 10 and 12 we see much more development in regards to Holo's state of mind.

[Ricardo Matos · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story with a nice mystery. Main plot doesn't progress much, feels a bit like a side story. And the next volume is going to be another side story volume. At this point, it really fees like the author is milking the series for as many volumes as possible.

[Rafaela (dragonsandpaperbacks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

"I still have to survive the cold, long years ahead of me, and sleeping in the cold requires warmth.. that is all I need. Something to dream with, and something to look at when I wake.”

“I can’t be with you forever, and I can only offer to be with you as you walk into danger.. but whatever little warmth I have is yours.”

This is definitely one of the best volumes.

I was hooked from the first moment of the prologue. There are the romantic, lovely landscapes, the casual banter I love about these characters and some heartwarming moments. And then, there's the clever plots, the myths, the increasing tension...
This book had my full interest throughout and I read it in one sitting.

[Carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuando a interminável saga de Spice and Wolf, chegamos ao décimo segundo volume com uma história pequenina sobre um mapa e uma aldeia. Neste volume conhecemos uma personagem nova (que teria a pele bem morena, ao contrário do que as ilustrações nos indicam) que está a tentar descobrir um mistério sobre a tal aldeia.

No fundo parece que este livro está a construir uma história para um mini climax, que apesar de tudo tem um conjunto de imagens muito belas. Não ajuda muito no desenvolvimento das personagens que já conhecemos, e ficamos na dúvida se Fran - a nova - vai continuar as aventuras ou não.

Esta série quase parece perdida dentro de si própria, dando um passo para a frente e dois para trás. Vai demorar a terminar, isso vai.

[Estel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and Holo and Lawrence coming to a better understanding of each other and what they want. I loved their conversation at the climax about whether or not to help--I am an absolute sucker for "let's make the world a better place, even though our experience says it's not". It's such a good moral, and I love the fact that they succeed. As ever either the original or the translation is a bit difficult to follow sometimes, a little more roundabout than I typically expect even of light novels, but it's more than worth it for the payoff.

[Kyle Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. I found the silversmith a bit much and was confused when her mercenary backstory came to light, but hey I'm glad for the dark skin rep. I'm getting hyped because we're getting closer to Yoitsu and the inevitable confrontation with the Debau Company. And the next book is a Side Colors with a Norah story. Can't wait!!

[Gracjan Lekston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A return to form by Hasekura, middle volumes of the series didn't have the same energy and feeling that the earlier novels in the series have, with this volume Hasekura has managed to recapture that in this entry in the series.

[Rita the Parrot Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much economics but plenty about the darker side of human nature. Lots of greed, deceit and chicanery to go around. Very enjoyable volume. On to volume XIII.

[Karla Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fran... I honestly thought Cole would stay behind and marry Fran. But it looks like it turned out for the best since the announcement of the release of the 19th book.

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all chase for love

[Brian Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What surprised me most about this volume is the lack of economics, or more precisely, the lack of coin-currency in the economics. Usually for this series, even if literal, solid, coins are not involved, the value of the commodities and services etc. is still measured in coins and what is at stake is wealth-as-measured-in-coins. This is more like old-fashioned bartering.

Lawrence and Holo seek a map of The North so they can better locate the site of Holo’s hometown, and Fran Voley is willing to make one for them if they assist her on her own quest, which is to investigate the legend of an angel in the village of Taussig, because a precious friend of hers told her about it but couldn’t remember where it came from.

Hughes seems to serve as everything from Fran’s patron to her agent to her manservant in exchange for her ability to paint landscapes and also to travel to places that, for complicated reasons, he is unwilling/unable to travel to, and while he admits that he has made a good deal of money from this business relationship, he wouldn’t put up with her if that were the primary reason.

Even the village of Taussig’s struggle with its landlord over the windmill, and the taxation that would follow, isn’t really about the taxation itself, but about the struggle to live peacefully when pagan magnates, the Church, and large merchant companies all vie for dominance in your area. Which, incidentally, is how Lawrence convinces the landlord to leave Taussig alone for a while; something more valuable than money.

Trickster Eric Novels gives Spice and Wolf volume 12 an A+

[S.Q. Eries · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Summary

Though a new merchant gets introduced in our Spice and Wolf world, this volume is less about the marketplace and more about man’s impact on an all too quickly changing world. As Holo continues to seek to Yoitsu, an encounter with another ancient spirit forces her to consider what she might find at the end of her journey and her options in a world dominated by humans. Speaking of humans, their search for Holo’s homeland leads not only to the unraveling of a legend’s mystery but also presents a commentary on the very best and worst of humanity. So there’s not much of an economics lesson, but we do get to witness the desperate measures people resort to when major forces clash.

The Review

Lawrence and company leave the island kingdom of Winfiel for the port city of Kerube. It’s only been a matter of days since the narwhal incident, but that misadventure seems a distant memory with Kieman pleasantly greeting Lawrence at the Rowen trading house with news of Eve’s latest profit-making success. However, the one our travelers have returned to seek in Kerube is not human but a being of Huskin’s kind.

Holo’s encounter with the Great Sheep of Winfiel in Volume 10 brought to the forefront an aspect of Holo of which Hasekura-sensei hitherto only gave brief glimpses. Volume 12 continues delving into the particular dilemmas of legendary spirits with Huskin’s fellow sheep Hugues. Unlike Huskins, who survives in the fields as a shepherd, Hugues has made a life for himself in town–as an art merchant.

It seems a strange occupation for a sheep, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. After Holo has her fill of teasing the faint-hearted Hugues (who has nowhere near the fortitude of Huskins), he shows the three travelers his merchandise. The paintings are ostensibly of saints and other religious figures, but the true subjects of his collection are the backgrounds–ancient forests, hills, and waterways. Most of these landscapes, where spirits like Holo and Hugues once thrived, no longer exist, and those that remain are rapidly being destroyed by human activity. In commissioning such paintings, Huskins strives to preserve a small piece of the world that once was, and it is a reminder that Yoitsu, as Holo knew it, might not exist.

Even so, she’s determined to find her homeland. Through Hugues, they meet the silversmith Fran Vonley with whom they strike a peculiar deal. She agrees to draw them a map to Yoitsu if they travel with her to investigate a village’s seemingly conflicting stories of an angel and a witch.

Once the setting changes to the village of Taussig, the story very much takes on the flavor of their sojourn in Tereo. A search for clues put Lawrence and company in the midst of a village contending against outside forces, and Fran, like the clergywoman Elsa, is the determined young heroine who has a mission she must see through.

Some of the text is confusing. Like many previous volumes, there are sections of dialogue where it is unclear who is speaking. In a couple places, it seems like wrong names were inserted. As such, understanding the Taussig conflict, which is predominantly a religious/political one, requires some mental effort and a bit of rereading. Fortunately, it is much easier to comprehend than the narwhal deal in Kerube and does manage to come to a tidy end. In addition, Hasekura-sensei also lays the groundwork for future stories with the rumors swirling about the north. Before, Lawrence and Holo traveled with the Church/pagan struggle in the backdrop. Now, the powerful Debau Company is emerging as a player looking to profit off the northern lands, and it seems like it will only be a matter of time before their activities directly affect Col’s or Holo’s homelands.

This light novel includes the title page, four illustrations, and the table of contents printed in color as well as seven black-and-white illustrations and a world map.

For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!

[Rehero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ie really fabulous.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not one of my favorite stories in the Spice & Wolf series, but it is still a good one. I enjoyed the story, but I felt that the novel wasn't as good as many of the previous entries in the series.

I was a bit disappointed by (what seemed to me) the lack of the usual back and forth conversation between Lawrence and Holo. It felt like there were fewer of these conversations or that they were less impressive than in previous books. Col also had a very minimal role in this book, to the point of him feeling a bit like an extraneous character. The story was fine, but did not have much of an economic theme in it, which was also disappointing.

I suppose I'd summarize by saying while enjoyable, I hoped for more.

[myinon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume in the Spice and Wolf series lacked some of the thunder that the rest of the series portrayed in my opinion. That being said, I did award this five stars because I ended up rounding up from a 4.5, which is what I really feel should be the rating for this volume.

Now onto why this volume gets a 4.5 rating. This volume involved little danger to Lawrence, either physically or financially, which is something that had been featured in more than a few of the other volumes. It also required a majority of the novel to buildup only to feel pretty rushed come time for the resolution. However, the new characters Hugues and Fran were very interesting, and it was entertaining to learn about them and their past, if only very briefly.

[Eldon Siemens · Rating 5 out of 5]

the journey continues. I liked that Holo did not show any jealousy/concern like with Norah and that Isuna never felt the need to write that angle

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawrence, Holo, and Col, following their last adventure, are pointed in the direction of someone who might be able to help them locate Yoitsu by drawing a map of the Northlands for them. That someone turns out to be a plucky silversmith who decides to request a favor for payment, one that just might throw them into the middle of the next war between the Church and the North--this one over mining, and at risk: Holo's quest. Great read.