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Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose: Catastrophe at Sixteen Omnibus #1
Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose: Catastrophe at Sixteen Omnibus, Vol. 1
The apocalypse is not only near, but a certainty. Set before the event and the aftermath detailed by the hit manga, this stand-alone prequel light novel series chronicles the inexorable approach of the reign of vampires. Witness the trials of Guren Ichinose, who must hide his true strength even as he is trampled on at an academy for the insufferably privileged.
Includes 28 pages of illustrations, 7 of them in color!
Includes 28 pages of illustrations, 7 of them in color!
341 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2016
70 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 19, 2018
So I was hoping this book and the series as a whole would be more like Trinity Blood.
It's not, so so very much isn't.
We have a shitty male as the hero that treats everyone like garbage who only cares about power. All the women in this book are treated as sexual objects for the reader as Guren himself "doesn't have time for a relationship" so he treats them like trash.
Many time the women are said to be intelligent and skilled, however at NO time does any of the women ever beat a male. Besides the Mito fight does no women ever have a chance to show how super awesome and skilled she really is. SHe's always needing saving or being one upped by some shitty male. Sayuri for example is severely beaten and has her clothing ripped open for the titillation of male reader. She's Guren bodyguard and needs to be stronger than him. Of course she absolutely never gets to show her skills at all. Shigure barely does, and she only managed to scratch Mito's cheek.
Really I don't get why if the women are so shitty why they continue to be allowed into the school, where only the best get to graduate. It's shitty world building where you let your misogyny overrule any kind of realism in your story to where saying that women actually graduate when none of them can even beat a male. Only males would graduate in the end.
It makes no sense and honestly makes the book unreadable. It's about a shitty boy who wants revenge any way he can take it that treats everyone like crap and is rewarded for it.
THere's also the Lord and Master shit going on because Vertical is afraid to use -dono/-sama
It's not, so so very much isn't.
We have a shitty male as the hero that treats everyone like garbage who only cares about power. All the women in this book are treated as sexual objects for the reader as Guren himself "doesn't have time for a relationship" so he treats them like trash.
Many time the women are said to be intelligent and skilled, however at NO time does any of the women ever beat a male. Besides the Mito fight does no women ever have a chance to show how super awesome and skilled she really is. SHe's always needing saving or being one upped by some shitty male. Sayuri for example is severely beaten and has her clothing ripped open for the titillation of male reader. She's Guren bodyguard and needs to be stronger than him. Of course she absolutely never gets to show her skills at all. Shigure barely does, and she only managed to scratch Mito's cheek.
Really I don't get why if the women are so shitty why they continue to be allowed into the school, where only the best get to graduate. It's shitty world building where you let your misogyny overrule any kind of realism in your story to where saying that women actually graduate when none of them can even beat a male. Only males would graduate in the end.
It makes no sense and honestly makes the book unreadable. It's about a shitty boy who wants revenge any way he can take it that treats everyone like crap and is rewarded for it.
THere's also the Lord and Master shit going on because Vertical is afraid to use -dono/-sama
July 26, 2020
Plot - 4 🌟
Character - 4 🌟
Writing Style - 3 🌟
World Building - 4 🌟
Art - 5 🌟
Cover - 5 🌟
Rating - 4.7 🌟/ 5 🌟
Character - 4 🌟
Writing Style - 3 🌟
World Building - 4 🌟
Art - 5 🌟
Cover - 5 🌟
Rating - 4.7 🌟/ 5 🌟
June 3, 2021
There is so much to unpack here and I don't even know where to begin. Like, this book is not good. But I also don't feel like I can say that it's terrible? Like it's bad, don't get me wrong, it's so bad, but it's not the atrocity I always thought it was.
Catastrophe at 16 is readable, in the way that mediocre fanfiction is readable. The writing is mind-numbingly dull and it's so repetitive it makes you want to tear your hair out, but it's not painfully bad, probably because there's really nothing there to be mad at, at least in terms of the writing. It's not overly pretentious or full of itself or impossible to read. It's just... nothing. It reads like a suggestion of a book. Which makes sense when you think of Takaya Kagami as a manga author first and foremost, because if this is what his artists are reading through to turn into comics then it's doing a pretty good job of being used for that. It feels like an outline for a comic. The problem is, Kagami DOESN'T primarily write manga, and this isn't his first book, not even close. Now I read a lot of manga but I don't really know what I light novel is, so maybe the whole "doesn't feel quite like a book" thing is standard for the genre. I'm aware that light novels are allegedly different from actual proper novels, even if I'm not sure HOW they're supposed to be. But even if it's a genre thing, the writing just isn't... good. I've never in my life read a book with NO imagery, or no literary devices whatsoever, honestly. There was one bit of foreshadowing at the end and I got so incredibly excited because my standards were just so low. The writing is incredibly tedious.
The exposition, my god, the exposition. Everything is explained to us every time it appears, as though Kagami doesn't trust us to know anything. I don't need you to tell me what Mito looks like and then say "it was Mito Jujo" every time she shows up. I don't need another explanation of the Brotherhood of a Thousand Nights. If the thing driving the entire plot is that there's a war brewing, then I don't need constant reminders of the war that's brewing. It's so weird to me that Kagami doesn't trust the reader to remember the plot of the book.
Probably the only "good" part is the characters, but even then I put good in quotes. The only reason I read this is that I'm shamefully obsessed with Seraph of the End (I'm fairly sure that's the only reason anyone would ever read it or either of the other two light novel spin-off series. Most of my enjoyment came from the characters. I remember when I first tried to read it I described it as wildly out of character, but honestly if it does anything right it's that everyone IS in character. I liked seeing my favorite characters. I liked watching them interact with each other. I liked seeing their relationships develop. I got excited knowing things about certain characters that Guren didn't. Knowing who Saito and Noya were added an element of comedy to the whole thing because there's just something really funny about Guren and Shinya thinking they could beat Saito in a fight, but I don't know that I would've enjoyed their fights with him as much if I didn't know everything I do about all the characters. I don't think I'd be so entertained if I didn't already know and love these characters. A lot of my enjoyment really did come from the fact that I'm already deep into this series.
The plot is kind of... weird. The story ends with the apocalypse, you know that right from the get-go, and if you're caught up with the manga then you know HOW that apocalypse is caused, so it really should be a character-driven story over anything else. (Especially if you know how it all ends, like, no spoilers but trust me when I say that the relationships between all these characters are very important.) That being said, it's a little weird that there's so much plot. The plot, at least at its base, is solid enough. Most characters have reasons to be doing what they're doing, flimsy as those reasons are (I cannot and will not ever believe that Mahiru Hiragi, smartest and most beautiful girl in school who is beloved by all, would spend ten years pining after local dipshit Guren Ichinose). The problem is that besides their established motivations, no character has anything going on at all. Most of the major characters have personalities (Guren squad are all very flat characters but that's nothing I didn't already know), but those personalities are expressed through their words, not their actions. There's really nothing happening here at all. Characters talk, usually just lines of dialogue without anything else attached, Guren thinks and then usually says his thoughts out loud, there's a bit of description of what people are doing and wearing, but there's really nothing else. There's no substance. It's all telling, no showing, and it doesn't even tell you that much.
My main problem with this book is that Guren's whole thing makes no fucking sense. I get it, it's a whole wish-fulfillment thing. The main character is a loser and everyone hates him, even his teachers. He gets bullied relentlessly and is pathetically weak. But secretly, he's actually so strong and cool and better than all of them and he could totally kick their asses, and then once they find out how awesome and great he is they're SO sorry and apologize for ever being mean to him. Oh and also he has girls falling all over him. Okay, sure, your target audience is horny teenage losers. But it just... doesn't make sense? If Guren is pretending to be lame so that people will ignore him, it's obviously not working. It would be much more effective for him to pretend to be average instead. So much could have been solved if he'd aimed to be middle of his class instead of singling himself out as the school punching bag on day one.
There's so much more to say. I could go on and on about how no one acts like a high schooler should act or how the treatment of the female characters is so deeply and truly awful or how there's so much magic stuff that's so pointless because none of it even shows up in the manga or how I STILL don't understand who the demon in Mahiru's sword is because I know she's being possessed by Noya but the demon seems to be very much not him so where does THAT come in or I could wonder why the fuck Ferid was there or what the difference is between the Brotherhood of a Thousand Nights and the Hyakuya Sect and why that distinction is never explained, or how I don't even get why Guren is so hated because the Ichinoses aren't a small branch family by any means and they seem pretty damn powerful all things considered, but I just don't have time for this. Nothing seems like a bigger waste of time and money than buying and reading this book and then buying and reading the next one AND Resurrection at 19 to top it all off because as much as I can't stand teenage Guren I am first and foremost a whore for Shinya Hiiragi!
Honestly, just read a plot summary and then follow gureshinbot on twitter.
In conclusion, why the FUCK is Ferid in this one.
Catastrophe at 16 is readable, in the way that mediocre fanfiction is readable. The writing is mind-numbingly dull and it's so repetitive it makes you want to tear your hair out, but it's not painfully bad, probably because there's really nothing there to be mad at, at least in terms of the writing. It's not overly pretentious or full of itself or impossible to read. It's just... nothing. It reads like a suggestion of a book. Which makes sense when you think of Takaya Kagami as a manga author first and foremost, because if this is what his artists are reading through to turn into comics then it's doing a pretty good job of being used for that. It feels like an outline for a comic. The problem is, Kagami DOESN'T primarily write manga, and this isn't his first book, not even close. Now I read a lot of manga but I don't really know what I light novel is, so maybe the whole "doesn't feel quite like a book" thing is standard for the genre. I'm aware that light novels are allegedly different from actual proper novels, even if I'm not sure HOW they're supposed to be. But even if it's a genre thing, the writing just isn't... good. I've never in my life read a book with NO imagery, or no literary devices whatsoever, honestly. There was one bit of foreshadowing at the end and I got so incredibly excited because my standards were just so low. The writing is incredibly tedious.
The exposition, my god, the exposition. Everything is explained to us every time it appears, as though Kagami doesn't trust us to know anything. I don't need you to tell me what Mito looks like and then say "it was Mito Jujo" every time she shows up. I don't need another explanation of the Brotherhood of a Thousand Nights. If the thing driving the entire plot is that there's a war brewing, then I don't need constant reminders of the war that's brewing. It's so weird to me that Kagami doesn't trust the reader to remember the plot of the book.
Probably the only "good" part is the characters, but even then I put good in quotes. The only reason I read this is that I'm shamefully obsessed with Seraph of the End (I'm fairly sure that's the only reason anyone would ever read it or either of the other two light novel spin-off series. Most of my enjoyment came from the characters. I remember when I first tried to read it I described it as wildly out of character, but honestly if it does anything right it's that everyone IS in character. I liked seeing my favorite characters. I liked watching them interact with each other. I liked seeing their relationships develop. I got excited knowing things about certain characters that Guren didn't. Knowing who Saito and Noya were added an element of comedy to the whole thing because there's just something really funny about Guren and Shinya thinking they could beat Saito in a fight, but I don't know that I would've enjoyed their fights with him as much if I didn't know everything I do about all the characters. I don't think I'd be so entertained if I didn't already know and love these characters. A lot of my enjoyment really did come from the fact that I'm already deep into this series.
The plot is kind of... weird. The story ends with the apocalypse, you know that right from the get-go, and if you're caught up with the manga then you know HOW that apocalypse is caused, so it really should be a character-driven story over anything else. (Especially if you know how it all ends, like, no spoilers but trust me when I say that the relationships between all these characters are very important.) That being said, it's a little weird that there's so much plot. The plot, at least at its base, is solid enough. Most characters have reasons to be doing what they're doing, flimsy as those reasons are (I cannot and will not ever believe that Mahiru Hiragi, smartest and most beautiful girl in school who is beloved by all, would spend ten years pining after local dipshit Guren Ichinose). The problem is that besides their established motivations, no character has anything going on at all. Most of the major characters have personalities (Guren squad are all very flat characters but that's nothing I didn't already know), but those personalities are expressed through their words, not their actions. There's really nothing happening here at all. Characters talk, usually just lines of dialogue without anything else attached, Guren thinks and then usually says his thoughts out loud, there's a bit of description of what people are doing and wearing, but there's really nothing else. There's no substance. It's all telling, no showing, and it doesn't even tell you that much.
My main problem with this book is that Guren's whole thing makes no fucking sense. I get it, it's a whole wish-fulfillment thing. The main character is a loser and everyone hates him, even his teachers. He gets bullied relentlessly and is pathetically weak. But secretly, he's actually so strong and cool and better than all of them and he could totally kick their asses, and then once they find out how awesome and great he is they're SO sorry and apologize for ever being mean to him. Oh and also he has girls falling all over him. Okay, sure, your target audience is horny teenage losers. But it just... doesn't make sense? If Guren is pretending to be lame so that people will ignore him, it's obviously not working. It would be much more effective for him to pretend to be average instead. So much could have been solved if he'd aimed to be middle of his class instead of singling himself out as the school punching bag on day one.
There's so much more to say. I could go on and on about how no one acts like a high schooler should act or how the treatment of the female characters is so deeply and truly awful or how there's so much magic stuff that's so pointless because none of it even shows up in the manga or how I STILL don't understand who the demon in Mahiru's sword is because I know she's being possessed by Noya but the demon seems to be very much not him so where does THAT come in or I could wonder why the fuck Ferid was there or what the difference is between the Brotherhood of a Thousand Nights and the Hyakuya Sect and why that distinction is never explained, or how I don't even get why Guren is so hated because the Ichinoses aren't a small branch family by any means and they seem pretty damn powerful all things considered, but I just don't have time for this. Nothing seems like a bigger waste of time and money than buying and reading this book and then buying and reading the next one AND Resurrection at 19 to top it all off because as much as I can't stand teenage Guren I am first and foremost a whore for Shinya Hiiragi!
Honestly, just read a plot summary and then follow gureshinbot on twitter.
In conclusion, why the FUCK is Ferid in this one.
May 8, 2017
TW: Sexual Assault mention
Pros: A fast and fun read. The story adds an interesting layer to the ONS universe.
Cons: The writing/translation could be a bit awkward at times. While some characters gain depth in the story others seem very flat (especially the female characters). Sayuri in particular really bothered me. Her entire character centers on her unrequited love for Guren and being a damsel in distress. The book also makes several references to sexual assault (many involving Sayuri; including a pretty graphic scene where she is being beaten and stripped). It seems like an attempt to make the story "darker" but it is handled very poorly and is honestly unnecessary. The underlying motive is clearly that creepy assault is sexy fanservice trope I've seen in other manga/anime.
Pros: A fast and fun read. The story adds an interesting layer to the ONS universe.
Cons: The writing/translation could be a bit awkward at times. While some characters gain depth in the story others seem very flat (especially the female characters). Sayuri in particular really bothered me. Her entire character centers on her unrequited love for Guren and being a damsel in distress. The book also makes several references to sexual assault (many involving Sayuri; including a pretty graphic scene where she is being beaten and stripped). It seems like an attempt to make the story "darker" but it is handled very poorly and is honestly unnecessary. The underlying motive is clearly that creepy assault is sexy fanservice trope I've seen in other manga/anime.
August 22, 2023
Guren is the best protagonist I have read in any book in my life. Funny, sarcastic, witty, I enjoyed his interactions with practically every other character (especially Shinya who is my other favorite <3). I absolutely loved this book, the story was unpredictable, the characters were lovable, the magic system was interesting. Can't wait to read the next one!
June 22, 2023
"Tee-hee ♡"
"Don't 'tee-hee' me."
[punches a wall] FIVE STARS
"Don't 'tee-hee' me."
[punches a wall] FIVE STARS
June 12, 2019
Il manga Seraph of the End narra la storia di Yuichiro, un ragazzo che si ritrova a vivere e lottare in quel che rimane di un mondo distrutto da un terribile virus che ha decimato la popolazione mondiale solo 8 anni prima.
Non aggiungerò altro in merito alla sua storia, ma era necessario farne un accenno per riuscire a spiegare il ruolo di Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose's Catastrophe.
Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose's Catastrophe è infatti il primo di 4 (7 se consideriamo le edizioni giapponesi) volumi che narra i mesi che hanno preceduto l'apocalisse. Come si è arrivati a tal punto? Chi ne è stato la causa? Questi sono solo alcuni dei quesiti a cui questa saga prequel dovrebbe poter rispondere. La chiave di tutto sarà Guren, una vecchia conoscenza del manga, un uomo (qui quindicenne) erede di un clan marginale e sottomesso, il cui desiderio di riscattare la propria "famiglia" lo porterà a stringere alleanze (più o meno sincere) e avere a che fare con forze di cui non sapeva neppure l'esistenza.
Guren è sempre stato il mio personaggio preferito nel manga, non è un eroe: ha pregi e difetti e un obiettivo per il quale è disposto a fare tutto (o quasi), quindi non avrei potuto essere più felice quando ho scoperto che negli USA avrebbero tradotto in inglese la sua storia.
È stato splendido e interessante riuscire a vedere il mondo attraverso i suoi occhi e capire almeno in parte il suo modo di fare e ragionare, è un personaggio estremamente complesso di cui solo una delle sue mille sfaccettatura è visibile nella linea temporale principale.
Ovviamente ne consiglio la lettura, ma solo a chi sta leggendo anche il manga. In quanto prequel si potrebbe pensare che la storia sia a se stante, ma dal mio punto di vista potrebbe essere difficile orientarsi in questo mondo e capirne a fondo i protagonisti senza portare avanti entrambe le letture.
In ogni caso, adorato! 5 ☆
Non aggiungerò altro in merito alla sua storia, ma era necessario farne un accenno per riuscire a spiegare il ruolo di Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose's Catastrophe.
Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose's Catastrophe è infatti il primo di 4 (7 se consideriamo le edizioni giapponesi) volumi che narra i mesi che hanno preceduto l'apocalisse. Come si è arrivati a tal punto? Chi ne è stato la causa? Questi sono solo alcuni dei quesiti a cui questa saga prequel dovrebbe poter rispondere. La chiave di tutto sarà Guren, una vecchia conoscenza del manga, un uomo (qui quindicenne) erede di un clan marginale e sottomesso, il cui desiderio di riscattare la propria "famiglia" lo porterà a stringere alleanze (più o meno sincere) e avere a che fare con forze di cui non sapeva neppure l'esistenza.
Guren è sempre stato il mio personaggio preferito nel manga, non è un eroe: ha pregi e difetti e un obiettivo per il quale è disposto a fare tutto (o quasi), quindi non avrei potuto essere più felice quando ho scoperto che negli USA avrebbero tradotto in inglese la sua storia.
È stato splendido e interessante riuscire a vedere il mondo attraverso i suoi occhi e capire almeno in parte il suo modo di fare e ragionare, è un personaggio estremamente complesso di cui solo una delle sue mille sfaccettatura è visibile nella linea temporale principale.
Ovviamente ne consiglio la lettura, ma solo a chi sta leggendo anche il manga. In quanto prequel si potrebbe pensare che la storia sia a se stante, ma dal mio punto di vista potrebbe essere difficile orientarsi in questo mondo e capirne a fondo i protagonisti senza portare avanti entrambe le letture.
In ogni caso, adorato! 5 ☆
May 27, 2019
Leí este libro porque soy FAN A MORIR de Owari no Seraph y tengo que decir que el final de la segunda temporada me dejo con hambre de saber más y la verdad es que esta novela cumple con lo que promete: te enteras sobre los orígenes de los personajes, sobre todo de Guren y los integrantes de su escuadrón. Fue una lectura ligera, sin muchas descripciones y de rápido entendimiento.
June 1, 2022
I’m of two minds about this book. It was very interesting, holding my attention enough that I couldn’t put it down. Guren Ichinose is an intriguingly devious, complex character whom took my breath away with his scheming. His reluctant relationships with both Mahiru and Shinya were complex, intense, show-casing his refusal of Mahiru, yet his attempts to play her brothers off against each other to protect her. His bondage to Kureto was both simple, yet breathtakingly layered; the way Kureto decided he wanted him, refused to buy his act of his weakness, letting Guren know he’d have him as a subordinate or he’d kill everyone Guren cared about. This origin of their adverse alliance completed and deepened the picture depicted in the manga and the anime, all of the scenes between Guren and Kureto. The developing bond with Shinya was one of the complex and interesting books in the story, although there was some archaic gender expectations Shinya and everyone else at the school had which disappointed me. Come on, a woman who’s a body guard is expected to protect a man if his body is the one she’s guarding! This shock at a woman trying to protect a man, or a man failing to protect his female bodyguard had me rolling my eyes at the patriarchal nonsense. For all that Shinya disappointed me from time to time, he was still one of the strongest characters in the books. Some cameos which made me chortle were Mika’s. These moments really laid the groundwork for Mika’s mistrust of his beloved Yu’s father figure. Shinoa and Ferid had fun cameos as well, giving me the same delight in them I have in their regular appearances in the manga and anime.
The high school, however, was frustrating. I know, it’s meant to be frustrating. This place felt in a lot more depressing than the post-apocalyptic one. Sayuri’s utterly submissive crush on Guren seemed more of a depiction of slavery than any livestock in the vampire city. Her spirit appeared to have been utterly crushed by her feelings, filling me with such revulsion, I had a hard time seeing her as a human being, let alone an attractive one. Even when she was abused, while her abuser made himself repulsive, she didn’t rouse my sympathies. Mito and Norito started out as caricatures, making it very hard for me to like or sympathize with them, although they started to show more humanity as the story went on. Seishiro was sickeningly two-dimensional, although it did make seeing him get tricked quite satisfying. As I said before, the whole premise of having female bodyguards, but expecting the man they’re protecting to protect them doesn’t make any sense to me. I rolled my eyes, disgusted by everyone else’s reactions to Guren letting them do their job. This premise is very insulting to women who’ve trained for such a position and the strength they can show. I’m hoping with all my heart such misogyny will not be a continuing subplot. It will diminish my enjoyment of the books.
As angry as certain parts of this book made me, I still enjoyed it. Saito was a fascinating villain and the part he played in Mika’s past as well as Guren and Mahiru’s is intriguing. Despite all my complaints, I intend to pick up the second book in this series. I don’t like the characters overall as much I do in the manga, but there are interesting personalities which are getting showcased in this which I’m curious about. I want to know what’s going to happen next, where the plot is going, and how it will continue to tie into the next book. I’m wavering between three and four stars for this, weighing what I did enjoy versus what annoyed me. In the end, I’m going to err in favour of what I liked and give this four stars. You can thank Kureto for tipping the balance, sensei. There’s nothing quite like a good villain to keep things entertaining and I like them so much more than I do the school bullies. I look forward to seeing more of them.
The high school, however, was frustrating. I know, it’s meant to be frustrating. This place felt in a lot more depressing than the post-apocalyptic one. Sayuri’s utterly submissive crush on Guren seemed more of a depiction of slavery than any livestock in the vampire city. Her spirit appeared to have been utterly crushed by her feelings, filling me with such revulsion, I had a hard time seeing her as a human being, let alone an attractive one. Even when she was abused, while her abuser made himself repulsive, she didn’t rouse my sympathies. Mito and Norito started out as caricatures, making it very hard for me to like or sympathize with them, although they started to show more humanity as the story went on. Seishiro was sickeningly two-dimensional, although it did make seeing him get tricked quite satisfying. As I said before, the whole premise of having female bodyguards, but expecting the man they’re protecting to protect them doesn’t make any sense to me. I rolled my eyes, disgusted by everyone else’s reactions to Guren letting them do their job. This premise is very insulting to women who’ve trained for such a position and the strength they can show. I’m hoping with all my heart such misogyny will not be a continuing subplot. It will diminish my enjoyment of the books.
As angry as certain parts of this book made me, I still enjoyed it. Saito was a fascinating villain and the part he played in Mika’s past as well as Guren and Mahiru’s is intriguing. Despite all my complaints, I intend to pick up the second book in this series. I don’t like the characters overall as much I do in the manga, but there are interesting personalities which are getting showcased in this which I’m curious about. I want to know what’s going to happen next, where the plot is going, and how it will continue to tie into the next book. I’m wavering between three and four stars for this, weighing what I did enjoy versus what annoyed me. In the end, I’m going to err in favour of what I liked and give this four stars. You can thank Kureto for tipping the balance, sensei. There’s nothing quite like a good villain to keep things entertaining and I like them so much more than I do the school bullies. I look forward to seeing more of them.
August 26, 2016
*3.5 stars
I recommend this book to those who have already read or watched Seraph of the End, Vol. 1 (not just vol. 1) and want to know more about the world before the apocalypse. (Or to those who really like Guren and want to read about him as a main character).
It was a nice read. The writing was really simple (and this actually bothered me from time to time). The plot was quite okay, nothing mind-blowing. The characters were really nice. Some quotes were awesome and kinda eerie. And there is also some great artwork.
Compared to Seraph of the end/Owari no seraph, the focus isn't on vampires, but on magic. And the clans that wield magic. And the hierarchy between these clans.
Book 1
Prologue is in Guren's POV. Too bad it switches to third person POV later on in the actual chapters.
So, Guren is 15 (or 16?) in this book. He goes to school full of Hiragi followers. He hides his true strength, so there aren't many badass moments. He meets his future Owari no seraph squad (well, two of them at least, since he already knows Sayuri and Shigure), but he doesn't really like them. (Not many feels in this book).
Mika has a cameo.
Also, we finally meet Mahiru... She's still in love with Guren.
Not many Guren&Shinya moments worth fangirling about. Although Shinya is very funny so it's just nice to have him around.
Book 2
Book 2 was more definitely more badass and action-packed. The hidden war between magical syndicates starts. Guren fights more and the squad comes together.
Shinoa and Ferid (and Mika again) have a cameo.
Shinya is awesome. The fact that he's Mahiru's
This book actually made me like Kureto more. Well, it made me like Kureto in the first place, since I did not like him from before/ONS.
I recommend this book to those who have already read or watched Seraph of the End, Vol. 1 (not just vol. 1) and want to know more about the world before the apocalypse. (Or to those who really like Guren and want to read about him as a main character).
This is a story of those last days, before the fall of mankind.
A story of the last pains and struggles of man, before the trumpets of the apocalypse sounded, and the hammer of fate came crashing down upon the world.
It was a nice read. The writing was really simple (and this actually bothered me from time to time). The plot was quite okay, nothing mind-blowing. The characters were really nice. Some quotes were awesome and kinda eerie. And there is also some great artwork.
Compared to Seraph of the end/Owari no seraph, the focus isn't on vampires, but on magic. And the clans that wield magic. And the hierarchy between these clans.
Book 1
I stretched my hand out as I watched her go.
Up toward the sky.
Up toward the sun.
Up toward Mahiru.
And I began to think. About how much farther I would need to reach, before my arms were long enough to latch onto my dreams ...
Prologue is in Guren's POV. Too bad it switches to third person POV later on in the actual chapters.
So, Guren is 15 (or 16?) in this book. He goes to school full of Hiragi followers. He hides his true strength, so there aren't many badass moments. He meets his future Owari no seraph squad (well, two of them at least, since he already knows Sayuri and Shigure), but he doesn't really like them. (Not many feels in this book).
Mika has a cameo.
Also, we finally meet Mahiru... She's still in love with Guren.
Not many Guren&Shinya moments worth fangirling about. Although Shinya is very funny so it's just nice to have him around.
"The trumpets of the apocalypse will sound, and a virus will spread. When that time comes, a new world will arise. One that, more so than ever, requires power. When that time comes, I know you'll need me once more... We'll meet again, Guren, when the world comes to an end."
Book 2
"Then it's time to go to war."
Book 2 was more definitely more badass and action-packed. The hidden war between magical syndicates starts. Guren fights more and the squad comes together.
Shinoa and Ferid (and Mika again) have a cameo.
Shinya is awesome. The fact that he's Mahiru's
This book actually made me like Kureto more. Well, it made me like Kureto in the first place, since I did not like him from before/ONS.
"In the end, you'll fall. Your heart will grow black and twisted, just like mine. Do you see, Guren? We just can't stay apart. We'll keep each other company on the road to hell."
December 10, 2024
I bought a copy of this book two years ago. At the first time of reading, I found that the writing was very dull and it was hard to keep reading. I was very obsessed with seraph of the end, and people told me to understand the whole plot of the story I needed to read the novels.
For me the novel never made sense, the world building was very confusing. I didn’t like the writings of the characters
Guren is massively mistreated and he’s constantly written as someone who’s better than everyone. Every women in this book has a crush on him, but are constantly treated as objects. Mahiru has more agency in the story and makes her own moves but all of it is motivated by her love for Guren.
For me the novel never made sense, the world building was very confusing. I didn’t like the writings of the characters
Guren is massively mistreated and he’s constantly written as someone who’s better than everyone. Every women in this book has a crush on him, but are constantly treated as objects. Mahiru has more agency in the story and makes her own moves but all of it is motivated by her love for Guren.
March 19, 2016
For fans of the Seraph of the End manga, this is a good prequel story to see some of the older characters as teenagers, and set up the story as well and introduce new answers to some questions left open by the original series.
August 26, 2024
₊˚ପ⊹ • ➵ 4.5/5 ✧
gureshin otp
gureshin otp
September 23, 2018
3.5 stars
This book is purely for fans of Owari no Seraph series. I think if you are not familiar with the world, this will not make much sense.
The MC here, Guren is such an enigmatic character, I never know if I should trust him or not. He is quite cold, it is hard to feel empathy for him.
In this book, we are following him during his time at First Shibuya High School. Just like in Owari No Seraph, the higher clan is the Hiragi family. Guren’s family, the Ichinose are considered like mongrel since they have slip of the Order of the Imperial Demons, 500 years ago. So basically, the Hiragi teens are the popular kids who bullies Guren, the loner.
In class, Guren meet Shinya Hiragu who turn out to be the fiancée of Lady Mahiru, Guren’s childhood lover.
Seems like a lot of people hate the Hiragi. The Brotherhood of a Thousand Night (by the way, they also own the Hyakuya orphanage, where Mika & Yuu are.) are working on stop them since the higher clan is using forbidden magic that could cause the end of the world.
We also learn about the curse weapon and their origin. Mahiru have manage to create a demon possess sword, but is not quite herself anymore. She is now hungry for more power and have a separate plan from the Hiragi.
The second part of the book take place after the Brotherhood have attack the Shibuya school. After the attack in April where only a 100 or so students have survived, Guren have attrack the attention of Kureto Hiragi (and for those who have read my review of ONS, he is my leas favorite character, I hate this guy…) Without much of a choice, the Ichinose boy become his right-hand man since his true powers are no longer hidden.
Guren squad is now form and they get their first mission, investigate the Ueno Zoo, where all the animals were killed by a strange poison. The cross path with Mahiru, who is even more crazy than she was, and the vampire noble Ferid Bathory.
This book makes things so much clearer! Since the story take place 8 years before the anime/manga, we learn how Guren met his squad. What I like is we get to have more background on secondary characters, like Sayuri, Shigure & Shinya.
This book is purely for fans of Owari no Seraph series. I think if you are not familiar with the world, this will not make much sense.
The MC here, Guren is such an enigmatic character, I never know if I should trust him or not. He is quite cold, it is hard to feel empathy for him.
In this book, we are following him during his time at First Shibuya High School. Just like in Owari No Seraph, the higher clan is the Hiragi family. Guren’s family, the Ichinose are considered like mongrel since they have slip of the Order of the Imperial Demons, 500 years ago. So basically, the Hiragi teens are the popular kids who bullies Guren, the loner.
In class, Guren meet Shinya Hiragu who turn out to be the fiancée of Lady Mahiru, Guren’s childhood lover.
Seems like a lot of people hate the Hiragi. The Brotherhood of a Thousand Night (by the way, they also own the Hyakuya orphanage, where Mika & Yuu are.) are working on stop them since the higher clan is using forbidden magic that could cause the end of the world.
We also learn about the curse weapon and their origin. Mahiru have manage to create a demon possess sword, but is not quite herself anymore. She is now hungry for more power and have a separate plan from the Hiragi.
The second part of the book take place after the Brotherhood have attack the Shibuya school. After the attack in April where only a 100 or so students have survived, Guren have attrack the attention of Kureto Hiragi (and for those who have read my review of ONS, he is my leas favorite character, I hate this guy…) Without much of a choice, the Ichinose boy become his right-hand man since his true powers are no longer hidden.
Guren squad is now form and they get their first mission, investigate the Ueno Zoo, where all the animals were killed by a strange poison. The cross path with Mahiru, who is even more crazy than she was, and the vampire noble Ferid Bathory.
This book makes things so much clearer! Since the story take place 8 years before the anime/manga, we learn how Guren met his squad. What I like is we get to have more background on secondary characters, like Sayuri, Shigure & Shinya.
November 7, 2022
Some notes about my rating...
1) I haven't read the manga. I'm the type of person that likes reading a series in chronological order if possible. In that regard, this only made me more excited to carry on with the series. The characters were interesting and the story has the potential to go in so many directions. Guren seems like a cold and calculating hard-ass but his moments of humanity/mercy point to a deeper personality.
2) The translated Volume 1 includes Book 1 and Book 2. This is also a Light Novel. LNs are very much different than Western traditional novels. Don't expect this to read the same because you'll be disappointed. To me, LNs feel like mangas without the art. They're an engaging surface story that takes off and the depth is given over multiple books. LNs are meant to be consumed quickly and without much mental work.
3) Repetition was mentioned in some other reviews. This is also somewhat typical of LNs; especially ones that may have been serialized by chapter in a magazine or forum. With a week or more between the original releases of chapters/books, repeating character names and descriptions helps the reader remember. For someone that has the ability to read the whole thing in one sitting, it can get a little tedious and annoying.
4) If it's not obvious, this a Japanese LN. From the Western gaze, expect the male characters to take the lead and showcase the female characters as subservient (to a certain extent). Also, as is typical, you can expect at least one buxom and ditzy but super sweet female character. If these types of tropes are abhorrent to you, than you should probably pass on this one.
1) I haven't read the manga. I'm the type of person that likes reading a series in chronological order if possible. In that regard, this only made me more excited to carry on with the series. The characters were interesting and the story has the potential to go in so many directions. Guren seems like a cold and calculating hard-ass but his moments of humanity/mercy point to a deeper personality.
2) The translated Volume 1 includes Book 1 and Book 2. This is also a Light Novel. LNs are very much different than Western traditional novels. Don't expect this to read the same because you'll be disappointed. To me, LNs feel like mangas without the art. They're an engaging surface story that takes off and the depth is given over multiple books. LNs are meant to be consumed quickly and without much mental work.
3) Repetition was mentioned in some other reviews. This is also somewhat typical of LNs; especially ones that may have been serialized by chapter in a magazine or forum. With a week or more between the original releases of chapters/books, repeating character names and descriptions helps the reader remember. For someone that has the ability to read the whole thing in one sitting, it can get a little tedious and annoying.
4) If it's not obvious, this a Japanese LN. From the Western gaze, expect the male characters to take the lead and showcase the female characters as subservient (to a certain extent). Also, as is typical, you can expect at least one buxom and ditzy but super sweet female character. If these types of tropes are abhorrent to you, than you should probably pass on this one.
December 30, 2025
The amount of times I wanted to rock Guren's shit myself personally throughout this entire thing is crazy. I could make a drinking game out of this and be drunk by the time I'm only like halfway through it all. My guy was truly a broken record that kept getting on my nerves and annoying the hell out of me. Am I aware of the reasons why he's acting the way he is? Well yes! Do I still care? Absolutely not, I still wanna push him down a flight of stairs.
Anyways, all that aside it's interesting how this provides you with additional lore that isn't going to be easily obtained throughout the material given in the anime and manga. Instead showing you the events which led towards the outbreak and downfall of humanity in the upcoming years to come which will fall upon Yuu and Mika to deal with later on throughout the war. This is truly just the foundation for a series of unfortunate events and misery everyone and their mom gonna experience later on. Plus it lets us see glimpses of Yuu and Mika before the orphanage and the war.
Getting to learn about the caste system which dictates the clans and power system which they got going on was also interesting. Especially given how previously we knew very little about the Hyakuya and Ichinose clans and only really knew about their downfalls and contributions in demon experimentation and the creation of weapons in passing. Every single woman in this needs to get up though; or, better yet, my guy Kagami needs to learn how to write women cause it's so bad sometimes.
Anyways, all that aside it's interesting how this provides you with additional lore that isn't going to be easily obtained throughout the material given in the anime and manga. Instead showing you the events which led towards the outbreak and downfall of humanity in the upcoming years to come which will fall upon Yuu and Mika to deal with later on throughout the war. This is truly just the foundation for a series of unfortunate events and misery everyone and their mom gonna experience later on. Plus it lets us see glimpses of Yuu and Mika before the orphanage and the war.
Getting to learn about the caste system which dictates the clans and power system which they got going on was also interesting. Especially given how previously we knew very little about the Hyakuya and Ichinose clans and only really knew about their downfalls and contributions in demon experimentation and the creation of weapons in passing. Every single woman in this needs to get up though; or, better yet, my guy Kagami needs to learn how to write women cause it's so bad sometimes.
November 29, 2021
Feeling very conflicted for reasons of nostalgia. I love Seraph of the End and I loved this novel when I was 14, but my tastes have changed A LOT.
That being said, the writing is incredibly repetitive and gets tiring to read very fast, the only saving grace for this book is the great dialogue which takes up a pretty large chunk of the text. The characters are also certainly... something. Given that the end of the plot is already known to most readers (since most of them have read the first volume of the manga), you'd expect the story to focus more on the characters and their development.
They're a bunch of edgy 15 year olds and I remembered that very differently, for some reason. The side characters are also basically tropes? Especially the characters that are supposed to be antagonists very flat, but the protagonist develops a bit towards the end of volume two. To be honest, I would have much preferred the book to be written from Mahiru's perspective, I feel like she'd have a very interesting internal dialogue.
I don't know if I'll be buying the second omnibus because, personally, I don't feel like it would be worth the price tag.
That being said, the writing is incredibly repetitive and gets tiring to read very fast, the only saving grace for this book is the great dialogue which takes up a pretty large chunk of the text. The characters are also certainly... something. Given that the end of the plot is already known to most readers (since most of them have read the first volume of the manga), you'd expect the story to focus more on the characters and their development.
They're a bunch of edgy 15 year olds and I remembered that very differently, for some reason. The side characters are also basically tropes? Especially the characters that are supposed to be antagonists very flat, but the protagonist develops a bit towards the end of volume two. To be honest, I would have much preferred the book to be written from Mahiru's perspective, I feel like she'd have a very interesting internal dialogue.
I don't know if I'll be buying the second omnibus because, personally, I don't feel like it would be worth the price tag.
Read
October 14, 2019Withholding rating bcs of internal struggles as an opinionated reader and OnS fan '__'
I have a lot of issues with the writing - not the technicalities of it (bcs I can't judge it when I'm not reading it in the language it was originally written) - but because of more severe issues - the lovesick booby silly blonde trying to woo the morally upright hero, sexual assault that didn't even serve either the plot or the main character any development (which is still inexcusable) - all for a page of fanservice-y art, some overall sexist tones in writing and characterization..... off the top of my head.
But I'm still going to finish this series. You know why? Because I would be fucking grateful if Jujo Mito stepped on my face. I want to see Hiragi Mahiru strip herself off of her love sickness (bcs Guren definitely did and I don't want to see any self-degrading pining) and go drunk with Power. I want to see more of Mito and Shigure. I want Sayuri to save the day at least once.
Most of all, I'm here for GureShin and baby mikayuu.
I have a lot of issues with the writing - not the technicalities of it (bcs I can't judge it when I'm not reading it in the language it was originally written) - but because of more severe issues - the lovesick booby silly blonde trying to woo the morally upright hero, sexual assault that didn't even serve either the plot or the main character any development (which is still inexcusable) - all for a page of fanservice-y art, some overall sexist tones in writing and characterization..... off the top of my head.
But I'm still going to finish this series. You know why? Because I would be fucking grateful if Jujo Mito stepped on my face. I want to see Hiragi Mahiru strip herself off of her love sickness (bcs Guren definitely did and I don't want to see any self-degrading pining) and go drunk with Power. I want to see more of Mito and Shigure. I want Sayuri to save the day at least once.
Most of all, I'm here for GureShin and baby mikayuu.
January 5, 2017
This is a light novel that coincides with the original manga series, Seraph of the End. You do not have the read the original series to enjoy the novel. It focuses on Lieutenant Guren Ichinose, a prominent character in the original series, a few years before the initial fall of humanity.
I will admit the writing is not the best and at times I found my self rereading lines to understand what was happening. There were even times were I was confused by who was actually speaking, but I do give it some slack because it has been translated from another language.
As someone who enjoys the original story, it was great to get character development for Guren and his squad as they are my favorite characters. The light novel also had some darker themes than the original but just as many twists and turns which I loved most about it. Anyone who is interested in the original series should read this but bare in mind, whichever one you read first will have a few minor spoilers for the other :)
I will admit the writing is not the best and at times I found my self rereading lines to understand what was happening. There were even times were I was confused by who was actually speaking, but I do give it some slack because it has been translated from another language.
As someone who enjoys the original story, it was great to get character development for Guren and his squad as they are my favorite characters. The light novel also had some darker themes than the original but just as many twists and turns which I loved most about it. Anyone who is interested in the original series should read this but bare in mind, whichever one you read first will have a few minor spoilers for the other :)
November 24, 2017
I'm so happy I decided to check out this prequel series. It could give me everything the anime could not, namely comprehensive world building and many, many explanations (without being a huge info-dump). Guren is impressive even at 15 (a huge contrast to Yuu) and also in general, I felt like this novel avoided many of the typical and annoying things YA novels fall into - for instance, teenagers trying to take on everything on their own and not reporting stuff to the adults. Guren reports. Guren is also well-trained enough to deal with it and calls people out on their shit. Having a young, teasing Shinya in here made me very happy too ^^.
As for the apocalypse, things have already been set into motion and from the anime/manga we know how it's going to be 8 years later, and thus also who does or does not survive. That took away none of the tension though. The writing was very compelling. If I was less busy, I would probably have finished this in a day.
As for the apocalypse, things have already been set into motion and from the anime/manga we know how it's going to be 8 years later, and thus also who does or does not survive. That took away none of the tension though. The writing was very compelling. If I was less busy, I would probably have finished this in a day.
December 8, 2023
⭐️ 4/5 I really love Seraph of the End. It’s such a great anime and although my reading order is all over the place, it’s still enjoyable. I watched the anime first a few years ago, then read the light novels, and now I took interest to the prequel of the light novels.
Guren is a very interesting MC and seeing how he was ten years ago makes me realize why he’s this way now. I love seeing how he forms his friendships with Mito, Goshi, and Shinya as well.
Plot wise. . . I enjoyed it, too. The vampires weren’t the original threat, which took me by surprise. But we’re seeing how it’s started along with the process of cursed gear. I’m really excited to read the rest.
There’s so much content in this entire series. I really hope WIT or another studio (besides MAPPA because they need a break) decides to pick it up. 🥹
November 2, 2020
Well, first of all, English is not my first language so I'm so sorry for all the mistakes that I could have.
This novel is really easy to read. It reads in a blink, but I think is only for people who have read the manga. It is an entertaining novel and I started reading it with great enthusiasm, but about the middle of the novel things started to get a little bland and bored. And personally I hate the fact that female characters are so... like they only semeed to care for what Guren thinks about them and that´s all, qich is annoying for me. Also I was waiting for known a lot of the history of other characters like Shinya (because I love him so badly) but I got nothing.
Like I said before is entertaining but that´s all I can say. I really hope that the next volume will be better.
This novel is really easy to read. It reads in a blink, but I think is only for people who have read the manga. It is an entertaining novel and I started reading it with great enthusiasm, but about the middle of the novel things started to get a little bland and bored. And personally I hate the fact that female characters are so... like they only semeed to care for what Guren thinks about them and that´s all, qich is annoying for me. Also I was waiting for known a lot of the history of other characters like Shinya (because I love him so badly) but I got nothing.
Like I said before is entertaining but that´s all I can say. I really hope that the next volume will be better.
May 30, 2024
I didn't realize this was a spin-off of another series when I started it, but everything fell flat and nothing really happened anyway. If you cut out all the unnecessary shit, the amount of storyline we actually got through would've knocked like 300 pages off the book. So much is going on while simultaneously literally nothing happens.
Boy thinks about how strong he actually is but gotta seem weak, some girl pines for him, he gets called trash and beat up, another girl pines for him but theres boobs, he thinks about how strong he is but can't reveal it, he gets beat up again, etc etc etc over and over.
Maybe if I'd already known these characters and had experienced the main storyline this would've been more enjoyable? I don't think so, though.
Boy thinks about how strong he actually is but gotta seem weak, some girl pines for him, he gets called trash and beat up, another girl pines for him but theres boobs, he thinks about how strong he is but can't reveal it, he gets beat up again, etc etc etc over and over.
Maybe if I'd already known these characters and had experienced the main storyline this would've been more enjoyable? I don't think so, though.
February 6, 2018
I am a huge fan of the anime series that's why I decided to pick this light novel up. Overall it was enjoyable, I loved the art that is a part of the light novel. I enjoy the different perspective of Guren being the main character.
However, some parts where repetitive.
Ie. "Its June. 10 days have passed now. It's mid-June."
"She called that student 'Sally', so her name was 'Sally'
And over using the word "mongrel"
All that being said, I would still read the other light novels, the story is super interesting. I like that the light novel and anime can stand on its own without the other, but I really like having both kind of mix and seeing how young Guren grows to be the Guren we see in the anime
However, some parts where repetitive.
Ie. "Its June. 10 days have passed now. It's mid-June."
"She called that student 'Sally', so her name was 'Sally'
And over using the word "mongrel"
All that being said, I would still read the other light novels, the story is super interesting. I like that the light novel and anime can stand on its own without the other, but I really like having both kind of mix and seeing how young Guren grows to be the Guren we see in the anime
April 26, 2019
Seraph Of The End: Guren Ichinose's Catastraphe At 16 is a book by Takaya Kagami about a time only a few months before the devastating apocalypse. Though Guren is one of the lowest clans, he is still able to join Shiboya High, re-meeting his ex-girlfriend who is driven crazy for power Mahiru Hiragi. Being as crazy she was Lady Mahiru was able to successfully harvest demons into her weapon. Before abandoning humanity she was able to pinpoint the date when all of the world comes to its end-Christmas morning.
Seraph Of The End: Guren Ichinose Catastraphe At 16 is a fictional novel with Demons, Weapons, Vampires, and the end of the world.
Seraph Of The End: Guren Ichinose Catastraphe At 16 is a fictional novel with Demons, Weapons, Vampires, and the end of the world.
September 22, 2021
I read this book back in 2016, and I wanted to do a quick re-read before I continued with the rest of the volumes. I actually didn’t remember 95% of what happened in the book, and it had me pretty much surprised.
As a Owari no Seraph stan for almost 6 years, I’m a little biased, but this book was definitely interesting and fun to read.
The writing is a little childish, and sometimes I felt as if I’m reading a fanfic, but seeing more sides of my beloved Guren and Shinya, and also sneak-peeks into Mika’s childhood- has left my heart with awe.
I surely missed them all, and I’m looking forward to the next volumes and to the reveal of Guren’s dark secrets.
As a Owari no Seraph stan for almost 6 years, I’m a little biased, but this book was definitely interesting and fun to read.
The writing is a little childish, and sometimes I felt as if I’m reading a fanfic, but seeing more sides of my beloved Guren and Shinya, and also sneak-peeks into Mika’s childhood- has left my heart with awe.
I surely missed them all, and I’m looking forward to the next volumes and to the reveal of Guren’s dark secrets.
March 7, 2023
1.5 stars.
The writing is abysmal. Light novels have a reputation for being short, mass-produced, and disposable - and the OnS LN embraces this stereotype. It reads like a rough first draft that was only grammar-checked before being sent to the printers.
All characters except for Shinya (who also feels like a shadow of himself) have the personality of wet tissue paper.
The LN's components: Guren is soooo cool and strong but can't show it!! Repetition. ✨ Misogyny and sexism ✨ Random M*ka. The thiiiiinnest plot. Repetition.
There's nothing else. At least the book is only a bit over 200 pages long. It's short-lived boredom.
The writing is abysmal. Light novels have a reputation for being short, mass-produced, and disposable - and the OnS LN embraces this stereotype. It reads like a rough first draft that was only grammar-checked before being sent to the printers.
All characters except for Shinya (who also feels like a shadow of himself) have the personality of wet tissue paper.
The LN's components: Guren is soooo cool and strong but can't show it!! Repetition. ✨ Misogyny and sexism ✨ Random M*ka. The thiiiiinnest plot. Repetition.
There's nothing else. At least the book is only a bit over 200 pages long. It's short-lived boredom.
July 2, 2020
This was my first light novel translated from Japanese to English that I've ever read.
It took a while to get used to the writing style, but it was amusing at a minimum. Guren is one of my favorite characters from this series, so I was hugely looking forward to a spin off with him as the main character.
There are 2 books in this edition; the first 2/3 of the total is rather slow, but that last third had me hooked from start to finish.
It took a while to get used to the writing style, but it was amusing at a minimum. Guren is one of my favorite characters from this series, so I was hugely looking forward to a spin off with him as the main character.
There are 2 books in this edition; the first 2/3 of the total is rather slow, but that last third had me hooked from start to finish.
May 13, 2021
Not a fantastic plot to be honest, though it was great to get some background on a few of the characters and how they met.
The plot only picked up towards that battle in the zoo and Mahiru didn't have as bigger impact on the story as I was expecting.
Honestly the past few chapters saved this book.
The plot only picked up towards that battle in the zoo and Mahiru didn't have as bigger impact on the story as I was expecting.
Honestly the past few chapters saved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2018
As a big fan of the Manga and Anime, I really enjoyed these books. Guren was one of my favorite characters and I enjoyed reading this and finding out more about him and the events leading up to the manga.
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