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狼と香辛料 [Ookami to Koushinryou] (Novel) #5
Spice and Wolf, Vol. 5
Arriving in the town of Lenos, Lawrence and Holo take a respite from their travels north - but a true businessman never rests! It isn't long before an opportunity for profit presents itself to Lawrence, one that could fulfill his dreams of owning his own establishment. But as always, the promise of great reward carries great risk - and risk is never greater than when one plans to use a wisewolf as collateral! As Lawrence and Holo feel the ties binding them stretched thin, has the time come for the pair to go their separate ways?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 22, 2016
This volume took drama to a different level.
March 5, 2020
Ehhhhhhh
I wanted to enjoy this one, I really did. And the closeness between Holo and Lawrence part definitely did! There was some serious drama there, and it was actually really exciting to see the question between them get pretty firmly asked (at least in Lawrence's case).
HOWEVER, the actual thing happening in this town wasn't that interesting for me, and further, when the time comes for the merchant side of things to go down and ~make money~ I was not invested. Not only that, but Lawrence I realize that it's a "different time" or a "different universe" even, but it's still not okay with me. It ends up working out for them but the way it's discussed, the way it's handled, as if it's totally okay and normal is gross. I hated it. Even fictionally, a story like that should be treated with way more care and not treated as a convenient way to raise funds.
I am willing to read the next book because I already own it (bought them both together) but I'm pretty bummed at what happened here. If it can't pick up those shattered pieces I will be stopping after Vol. 6.
I wanted to enjoy this one, I really did. And the closeness between Holo and Lawrence part definitely did! There was some serious drama there, and it was actually really exciting to see the question between them get pretty firmly asked (at least in Lawrence's case).
HOWEVER, the actual thing happening in this town wasn't that interesting for me, and further, when the time comes for the merchant side of things to go down and ~make money~ I was not invested. Not only that, but Lawrence I realize that it's a "different time" or a "different universe" even, but it's still not okay with me. It ends up working out for them but the way it's discussed, the way it's handled, as if it's totally okay and normal is gross. I hated it. Even fictionally, a story like that should be treated with way more care and not treated as a convenient way to raise funds.
I am willing to read the next book because I already own it (bought them both together) but I'm pretty bummed at what happened here. If it can't pick up those shattered pieces I will be stopping after Vol. 6.
July 21, 2020
I kept encountering moments of déjà vu while reading this volume. As it turned out I had read this volume before but either I gave up halfway or got all the way to the ending, I obviously cannot recall and I never made any record of it here. I must have been really unimpressed though and made the decision to stop reading the series altogether, a decision I unknowingly undid.
Nothing in this volume interests me. The logic of the business intrigue is hard to follow (admittedly, it may well be because I'm not that bright), the town is dull, and the characters even duller. The bone of the story, the relationship between Lawrence and the wisewolf Holo, is shaky. The banter between them drags on forever and it also takes both of them forever to admit that they don't actually want to part ways and still want to be together. By the number of volumes, I am sure that this patterns will repeat itself.
Also here is something that annoys me, Holo's lack of interaction with anyone other than Lawrence. I guess that allows us to see how special Lawrence is to Holo that she only wants to talk to him and does not deign to speak to anyone else. But how bloody insular. Has she always been like this? I can't recall. Even when she is literally sharing the same table as Eve, she 'allows' Eve's to talk about her to Lawrence as though she is a thing or simply not there. And the fact that everyone seems to take her lack communication without even rising an eyebrow is absolutely unnatural and proof of a poor writing, to me.
The only thing I like about this volume is the vivid descriptions of food, so vivid that they were the déjà vu moments I had. But food alone isn't enough to keep me going, so here we part ways.
Nothing in this volume interests me. The logic of the business intrigue is hard to follow (admittedly, it may well be because I'm not that bright), the town is dull, and the characters even duller. The bone of the story, the relationship between Lawrence and the wisewolf Holo, is shaky. The banter between them drags on forever and it also takes both of them forever to admit that they don't actually want to part ways and still want to be together. By the number of volumes, I am sure that this patterns will repeat itself.
Also here is something that annoys me, Holo's lack of interaction with anyone other than Lawrence. I guess that allows us to see how special Lawrence is to Holo that she only wants to talk to him and does not deign to speak to anyone else. But how bloody insular. Has she always been like this? I can't recall. Even when she is literally sharing the same table as Eve, she 'allows' Eve's to talk about her to Lawrence as though she is a thing or simply not there. And the fact that everyone seems to take her lack communication without even rising an eyebrow is absolutely unnatural and proof of a poor writing, to me.
The only thing I like about this volume is the vivid descriptions of food, so vivid that they were the déjà vu moments I had. But food alone isn't enough to keep me going, so here we part ways.
August 27, 2018
Me while reading this book!
Hoping stuff I've been hoping for will hap - What? Oh, H*ll to the no!
No. No! NO!
Yeah, you be a stupid fool, you fool!
Awwww!
This sucks...
Crap. Crap! CRAP!
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssss!
So yeah, gotta start on book 6 as soon as I can...
Hoping stuff I've been hoping for will hap - What? Oh, H*ll to the no!
No. No! NO!
Yeah, you be a stupid fool, you fool!
Awwww!
This sucks...
Crap. Crap! CRAP!
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssss!
So yeah, gotta start on book 6 as soon as I can...
November 1, 2024
The story is making slow processi n the characters way up north and their relationship.
October 17, 2020
I didn't like this book as much as the third one, but I definitely enjoyed it!
The biggest flaw with this book has to be the slow beginning. Many, many pages pass without much happening. I've grown to expect this from most books since it keeps on happening. As a writer, I know it can be hard to write beginnings; that doesn't necessarily make the slow start any more enjoyable, though. What makes it work in this book is the banter between Holo and Lawrence which is, as usual, very good. And then there's the ending - we'll get to that.
Unfortunately, I feel that the series has grown a bit repetitive in structure - our characters make it to a new town where economic gain is to be made (but at a dangerous cost). One or two new characters get involved. All the while, Holo and Lawrence try to navigate their relationship and grow closer by the end. It's the same formula each book, shaken up only by the differences between towns, people, and the nature of the conflict between Holo and Lawrence. Fortunately, this book concerns itself with that formula. Holo begins the story rather bitter about the straits Lawrence has put them through, and the concern about when the journey should end follows the book all the way through the end. It makes for an engaging read if you can get past the beginning which, as usual, is a lot of banter, a lot of setup, and a lot of eating.
The second half of this book is where things start to pick up, and there's a fair amount of tension that is built. Lawrence and Holo are growing closer, and there is concern about whether or not that is a good thing, given the nature of their companionship. It makes for some good drama. And, of course, the end is great. I think that this series does a good job of convincing me of its quality by the end of each book that I read.
It is worth noting that there is a plot point about selling people into slavery - a big flaw of these books, I think, is that there are many outdated references to things like slavery or women. It's something that is usually easy to ignore if you let yourself, but it's definitely a frustration.
Overall, it was a good book!
The biggest flaw with this book has to be the slow beginning. Many, many pages pass without much happening. I've grown to expect this from most books since it keeps on happening. As a writer, I know it can be hard to write beginnings; that doesn't necessarily make the slow start any more enjoyable, though. What makes it work in this book is the banter between Holo and Lawrence which is, as usual, very good. And then there's the ending - we'll get to that.
Unfortunately, I feel that the series has grown a bit repetitive in structure - our characters make it to a new town where economic gain is to be made (but at a dangerous cost). One or two new characters get involved. All the while, Holo and Lawrence try to navigate their relationship and grow closer by the end. It's the same formula each book, shaken up only by the differences between towns, people, and the nature of the conflict between Holo and Lawrence. Fortunately, this book concerns itself with that formula. Holo begins the story rather bitter about the straits Lawrence has put them through, and the concern about when the journey should end follows the book all the way through the end. It makes for an engaging read if you can get past the beginning which, as usual, is a lot of banter, a lot of setup, and a lot of eating.
The second half of this book is where things start to pick up, and there's a fair amount of tension that is built. Lawrence and Holo are growing closer, and there is concern about whether or not that is a good thing, given the nature of their companionship. It makes for some good drama. And, of course, the end is great. I think that this series does a good job of convincing me of its quality by the end of each book that I read.
It is worth noting that there is a plot point about selling people into slavery - a big flaw of these books, I think, is that there are many outdated references to things like slavery or women. It's something that is usually easy to ignore if you let yourself, but it's definitely a frustration.
Overall, it was a good book!
November 16, 2023
Spice & Wolf has always been a series that I end up ambling back to whenever I've read too much of a particular something and wish to wash the palette clean (classical-literature in the main, that mostly serves as a fond brand of “classical complication” when done overtime I've noted), and so the fifth entry doesn't disappoint.
I'm glad the focus wasn't for the third time on some massive debt inconvenience that Lawrence is having to go through to be suddenly saved by the Wise Holo; either inadvertently or well in advance, by the love he holds for her. Of course, a threat is always as essential and necessary to add some meat to the story—otherwise what will our merchant hero and wolfish heroine overcome?), so the choice Isuna Hasekura went with here—Holo being passed/hocked off as nobility - was just as high-stakes and, thankfully, every bit as fresh and charming to read. Even if, I'm expecting, the pay-off to this will be more ascertainable in the sixth-volume. (It was mostly a build-up in this one, but still well-rounded enough to broker five-stars from me.)
There's a delightful of fulfillment, making bubble in me happiness everlasting, to LN's in that they're super quick and easy to read; you don't require a major time investment in any page because there's no lengthy exposition nor description. But, compacted character-development is abundant. As always, light world-building is plain here as well. Lawrence and Holo have found themselves further north in search of her homeland, and the odd-scheming and serendipitous encounters that Isuna paved here—since a key-strength of this work is the characterization—was just as strong as in the previous entries—which did in fact make this franchise a hit in the first place.
There was also some really awesome pay-off in this entry for all those that have been praying that Lawrence and Holo become a unit and have their feelings, that have been out in the open for so long, confessed to. It was a very-long, but very nice wrap to the emotions they hold for one another. Of course, it does take—in typical Isuna Hasekura fashion—much beating around the Wisewolf's tail, with Lawrence chasing after it and even getting beaten and bloodied (yes, that happens here)—before you get a few pages at the end where they become all cuddly about that stuff. Lawrence nursing himself, Holo calling him a fool; all the really good stuff happens by the end.
This work really made me look forward to the sixth-volume, which I'm hoping ties up nicely everything that's been setup here. All in all, there's always a lazy fun I've had of these sorts of romance novels/LNs, and I've always argued the Japanese do it the best since they seem to get the emotion better than Westerners do with their slapstick preamble and soap-opera dynamics around something that is very much simple, very much overcome by complication than it is complicated, and absolutely not a bar you keep building sexual-tension around till it cracks—the lust becoming love.
Compared to Spice & Wolf, there's just too much farce in the romantical novels nowadays. I guess that's fine too, but it's quite different from the idyllic romance I prefer—the ones more innocent for being silly and not taking themselves too seriously otherwise even as worse comes to worst in the relationship. Thank the Gods we have Spice & Wolf to keep up that tradition as much as the sort of crap that's been making me gag in the romance-category has, leaving me colorless and bored by stupid infatuations because X person improbably fell for Y person due to the crude situations that were going on around them.
Anyway, I ramble! It's good, really good, and sweet most of all; read it.
5/5
I'm glad the focus wasn't for the third time on some massive debt inconvenience that Lawrence is having to go through to be suddenly saved by the Wise Holo; either inadvertently or well in advance, by the love he holds for her. Of course, a threat is always as essential and necessary to add some meat to the story—otherwise what will our merchant hero and wolfish heroine overcome?), so the choice Isuna Hasekura went with here—Holo being passed/hocked off as nobility - was just as high-stakes and, thankfully, every bit as fresh and charming to read. Even if, I'm expecting, the pay-off to this will be more ascertainable in the sixth-volume. (It was mostly a build-up in this one, but still well-rounded enough to broker five-stars from me.)
There's a delightful of fulfillment, making bubble in me happiness everlasting, to LN's in that they're super quick and easy to read; you don't require a major time investment in any page because there's no lengthy exposition nor description. But, compacted character-development is abundant. As always, light world-building is plain here as well. Lawrence and Holo have found themselves further north in search of her homeland, and the odd-scheming and serendipitous encounters that Isuna paved here—since a key-strength of this work is the characterization—was just as strong as in the previous entries—which did in fact make this franchise a hit in the first place.
There was also some really awesome pay-off in this entry for all those that have been praying that Lawrence and Holo become a unit and have their feelings, that have been out in the open for so long, confessed to. It was a very-long, but very nice wrap to the emotions they hold for one another. Of course, it does take—in typical Isuna Hasekura fashion—much beating around the Wisewolf's tail, with Lawrence chasing after it and even getting beaten and bloodied (yes, that happens here)—before you get a few pages at the end where they become all cuddly about that stuff. Lawrence nursing himself, Holo calling him a fool; all the really good stuff happens by the end.
This work really made me look forward to the sixth-volume, which I'm hoping ties up nicely everything that's been setup here. All in all, there's always a lazy fun I've had of these sorts of romance novels/LNs, and I've always argued the Japanese do it the best since they seem to get the emotion better than Westerners do with their slapstick preamble and soap-opera dynamics around something that is very much simple, very much overcome by complication than it is complicated, and absolutely not a bar you keep building sexual-tension around till it cracks—the lust becoming love.
Compared to Spice & Wolf, there's just too much farce in the romantical novels nowadays. I guess that's fine too, but it's quite different from the idyllic romance I prefer—the ones more innocent for being silly and not taking themselves too seriously otherwise even as worse comes to worst in the relationship. Thank the Gods we have Spice & Wolf to keep up that tradition as much as the sort of crap that's been making me gag in the romance-category has, leaving me colorless and bored by stupid infatuations because X person improbably fell for Y person due to the crude situations that were going on around them.
Anyway, I ramble! It's good, really good, and sweet most of all; read it.
5/5
August 9, 2023
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 05 (Paperback) - A Riveting Tale of Trade and Trust
Hasekura's world-building reaches new heights in Vol. 05, immersing readers in a vibrant and authentic medieval setting. The descriptive prose effortlessly transports readers to bustling marketplaces, picturesque landscapes, and the vibrant atmosphere of the merchant life. The intricate portrayal of trade and commerce reflects Hasekura's meticulous research and adds depth to the narrative.
In this volume, Holo and Lawrence's relationship takes center stage, and theirtug at the heartstrings, demonstrating the genuine emotions and vulnerabilities that underpin their connection. As their bond deepens, readers are treated to a satisfying portrayal of romantic progression that enhances the overall narrative.
Hasekura's characterization shines once again, with Holo and Lawrence undergoing further growth and development. Holo's shrewd intelligence and unwavering loyalty are juxtaposed with her playful demeanor, making her a truly multidimensional character. Meanwhile, Lawrence's entrepreneurial savvy and kind-heartedness make him a relatable and endearing protagonist.
The plot of
While Hasekura's storytelling is captivating, some readers may find the heavy focus on economics andtechnical jargon to be overwhelming at times. The intricacies of trade and negotiations are integral to the plot, but a balance between these aspects and character-driven moments could enhance the overall reading experience for some.
Compared to other volumes in the series,
In conclusion,
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 05by Isuna Hasekura continues the enthralling journey of Holo the Wise Wolf and Kraft Lawrence as they navigate the intricate world of medieval trade and forge an unbreakable bond. This volume proves to be a compelling addition to the series, blending elements of economics, romance, and adventure seamlessly.
Hasekura's world-building reaches new heights in Vol. 05, immersing readers in a vibrant and authentic medieval setting. The descriptive prose effortlessly transports readers to bustling marketplaces, picturesque landscapes, and the vibrant atmosphere of the merchant life. The intricate portrayal of trade and commerce reflects Hasekura's meticulous research and adds depth to the narrative.
In this volume, Holo and Lawrence's relationship takes center stage, and their
undeniable chemistrycontinues to be the heart of the story. The tender moments shared between the two characters
Hasekura's characterization shines once again, with Holo and Lawrence undergoing further growth and development. Holo's shrewd intelligence and unwavering loyalty are juxtaposed with her playful demeanor, making her a truly multidimensional character. Meanwhile, Lawrence's entrepreneurial savvy and kind-heartedness make him a relatable and endearing protagonist.
The plot of
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 05maintains a steady pace, striking a balance between economic intrigue and character-driven moments. Hasekura deftly weaves together elements of trade negotiations and intrigue, keeping readers engaged and invested in the outcome of the characters' endeavors. The volume's add a layer of suspense that will leave readers eager for the next installment.
While Hasekura's storytelling is captivating, some readers may find the heavy focus on economics and
Compared to other volumes in the series,
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 05 (Paperback)continues to showcase Hasekura's skill in crafting a compelling and intricate narrative. The progression of Holo and Lawrence's relationship and the exploration of economic themes set this volume apart from previous installments, further enriching the series.
In conclusion,
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 05is a rewarding continuation of the beloved series, with Holo and Lawrence's relationship taking center stage. Hasekura's masterful world-building and skillful characterization make this volume a must-read for fans of the series. While some readers may find the economic aspects overwhelming, those who appreciate a blend of romance and trade intrigue will savor this enthralling installment.
September 20, 2021
I feel this is the weakest of the books so far, though I know I am in the minority. I feel this is the weakest, not by virtue of an uninteresting story, poor writing, or weak characters, but more because it was a deceptively simple leg of the journey that just didn't connect with me like Lawrence and Holo's misadventures in the towns up until this point.
The central story took its time to go anywhere, and didn't end anywhere particularly interesting either. That being the Spice side--merchants and economics--of Spice & Wolf. The Wolf side--the relationship between our leads--is another matter entirely. Eve was a fairly uninteresting character, the deal between them took too much build-up and lead-in, Lawrence's investigations just weren't as intriguing as in the past, and in the end, the conclusion felt rushed and unfinished.
But really, this book isn't about the Spice. Honestly, I feel that was intended to take a backseat to the interesting development in Lawrence and Holo's relationship. In the past, I simply felt that the way their relationship was weaved into the economics side of the story was always tightly woven. When it comes to the relationship itself, Hasekura really went all out in tackling some difficult emotions of longing, obligation, and the fear of happy memories souring from the passage of time and over-exposure. It's all very nebulous and both characters are loath to say what they really feel out of an obligation to what may very well be the truth. This is the true highlight of the novel, and Hasekura handles it well, but not as well as possible, and several character moments and reactions felt earned, but still a little confusing. A few times, he said Holo was angry, which left me scratching my head, because I was sure her reaction to a particular statement would have left her with a different reaction. Perhaps I'm doing a poor job of keeping up with their increasingly complex relationship, but I think it's more that these characters are just beginning to be honest with themselves and tackling these complex emotions for the first time, and Hasekura occasionally struggles to convey what is entirely new.
The central story took its time to go anywhere, and didn't end anywhere particularly interesting either. That being the Spice side--merchants and economics--of Spice & Wolf. The Wolf side--the relationship between our leads--is another matter entirely. Eve was a fairly uninteresting character, the deal between them took too much build-up and lead-in, Lawrence's investigations just weren't as intriguing as in the past, and in the end, the conclusion felt rushed and unfinished.
But really, this book isn't about the Spice. Honestly, I feel that was intended to take a backseat to the interesting development in Lawrence and Holo's relationship. In the past, I simply felt that the way their relationship was weaved into the economics side of the story was always tightly woven. When it comes to the relationship itself, Hasekura really went all out in tackling some difficult emotions of longing, obligation, and the fear of happy memories souring from the passage of time and over-exposure. It's all very nebulous and both characters are loath to say what they really feel out of an obligation to what may very well be the truth. This is the true highlight of the novel, and Hasekura handles it well, but not as well as possible, and several character moments and reactions felt earned, but still a little confusing. A few times, he said Holo was angry, which left me scratching my head, because I was sure her reaction to a particular statement would have left her with a different reaction. Perhaps I'm doing a poor job of keeping up with their increasingly complex relationship, but I think it's more that these characters are just beginning to be honest with themselves and tackling these complex emotions for the first time, and Hasekura occasionally struggles to convey what is entirely new.
January 11, 2017
This volume spent a fair bit of time setting things up for the climax with no significant hints of what was to come, and the result was very little action or economic drama until rather closer to the end than one might expect after reading the preceding four volumes. Surprisingly, this did not in any way detract from the quality of the tale, because this freed the author to spend much more time than usual focusing on the biggest strength of the series: character development.
The evolving relationship between Lawrence and Holo has been established as caring and, in some ways, quite solid, after the four previous volumes -- but fears about the future come into play in a manner more believable than they might seem if I simply explained them here (and I'd have to mark spoilers if I did that anyway). Other characters, particularly another merchant who becomes increasingly important as the story goes on, get their own developmental treatment, too, and a couple of them stand out from the page as vividly realized by the author's representation.
After five books, one might be tempted to think that the ongoing series is losing some of its susceptibility to suspension of disbelief, which might lose some of a reader's interest, as a result of the improbable frequency of Big Problems rearing their ugly heads in volume after volume. This is a significant danger in long, ongoing novel series, as the author must find some way to keep things interesting, to serve the demonstrated interests of all the people who have been buying new additions to the series over the years, and still keep things fresh.
Luckily, the author of Spice & Wolf seems cognizant of these challenges, and helps the reader's suspension of disbelief in small ways. The most obvious is where the characters themselves have begun to recognize, and remark upon, the unusual frequency of major economic crises in their lives. Another -- and often more difficult to pull off if the author does not write character development very well, though Hasekura Isuna does possess the requisite talent -- is to slow the pace of action and devote more time to sounding out the depths of the characters, which plays very well in this volume.
If I have any complaints at all in this volume, they are as follows:
First, I think I may have detected some clumsy language in the narrative as a result of the translator's work, though it was not significant. The most notable incident was a character's use of the term "like", which people familiar with anime at least should recognize as the translation of a common Japanese term employed (especially in anime about teenagers) as a stand-in for romantic feelings, but in the context in which a character uses it in this book the better translation would have been "love". To many native English speakers I would expect the use of the term "like" to be either confusing or overly trivial, in context.
Second, Lawrence makes a business decision (at Holo's prompting, at one point) regarding Holo's own circumstances that I found highly suspect -- that is, even if I imagined myself feeling a similar level of avarice to Lawrence's, I would never have even considered it. Having considered it long enough to discuss it with Holo, though, the author's portrayal of her does an excellent job of making the decision much more believable because of the manner of her support for it.
Neither of these substantially detracted from my enjoyment, and they have no notable effect on my ultimate decision of how to rate the book.
The evolving relationship between Lawrence and Holo has been established as caring and, in some ways, quite solid, after the four previous volumes -- but fears about the future come into play in a manner more believable than they might seem if I simply explained them here (and I'd have to mark spoilers if I did that anyway). Other characters, particularly another merchant who becomes increasingly important as the story goes on, get their own developmental treatment, too, and a couple of them stand out from the page as vividly realized by the author's representation.
After five books, one might be tempted to think that the ongoing series is losing some of its susceptibility to suspension of disbelief, which might lose some of a reader's interest, as a result of the improbable frequency of Big Problems rearing their ugly heads in volume after volume. This is a significant danger in long, ongoing novel series, as the author must find some way to keep things interesting, to serve the demonstrated interests of all the people who have been buying new additions to the series over the years, and still keep things fresh.
Luckily, the author of Spice & Wolf seems cognizant of these challenges, and helps the reader's suspension of disbelief in small ways. The most obvious is where the characters themselves have begun to recognize, and remark upon, the unusual frequency of major economic crises in their lives. Another -- and often more difficult to pull off if the author does not write character development very well, though Hasekura Isuna does possess the requisite talent -- is to slow the pace of action and devote more time to sounding out the depths of the characters, which plays very well in this volume.
If I have any complaints at all in this volume, they are as follows:
First, I think I may have detected some clumsy language in the narrative as a result of the translator's work, though it was not significant. The most notable incident was a character's use of the term "like", which people familiar with anime at least should recognize as the translation of a common Japanese term employed (especially in anime about teenagers) as a stand-in for romantic feelings, but in the context in which a character uses it in this book the better translation would have been "love". To many native English speakers I would expect the use of the term "like" to be either confusing or overly trivial, in context.
Second, Lawrence makes a business decision (at Holo's prompting, at one point) regarding Holo's own circumstances that I found highly suspect -- that is, even if I imagined myself feeling a similar level of avarice to Lawrence's, I would never have even considered it. Having considered it long enough to discuss it with Holo, though, the author's portrayal of her does an excellent job of making the decision much more believable because of the manner of her support for it.
Neither of these substantially detracted from my enjoyment, and they have no notable effect on my ultimate decision of how to rate the book.
March 1, 2019
Actually looking forward to re-reading this at some point.
Despite the translation being a bit awkward at times (including a poor word choice at the very end which was never corrected) the overall flow of the dialog between Lawrence and Holo is excellent. There are also some really deep topics covered as Holo and Lawrence become more open with each other.
The changes in tone and in Lawrence's understanding speak to the continued deepening of the relationship. The nature of (near) immortality and Holo's longing for companionship combined with her fears and past come into dramatic focus. When Lawrence is presented with a risky scheme that will result in their parting, she embraces it. Really Lawrence, what were you thinking... it's good we got a lot of glimpses into how harsh the world Lawrence is used to navigating and into the couple's fears around the future or the decisions here wouldn't make much sense.
Despite the translation being a bit awkward at times (including a poor word choice at the very end which was never corrected) the overall flow of the dialog between Lawrence and Holo is excellent. There are also some really deep topics covered as Holo and Lawrence become more open with each other.
The changes in tone and in Lawrence's understanding speak to the continued deepening of the relationship. The nature of (near) immortality and Holo's longing for companionship combined with her fears and past come into dramatic focus. When Lawrence is presented with a risky scheme that will result in their parting, she embraces it. Really Lawrence, what were you thinking... it's good we got a lot of glimpses into how harsh the world Lawrence is used to navigating and into the couple's fears around the future or the decisions here wouldn't make much sense.
June 1, 2024
This volume was more emotional for me. I strongly dislike some of the choices the characters made, but I can understand why they did them. In light of what happened in this volume, I think Holo's nickname "Wisewolf" is misplaced. She has made herself even more of a fool than Lawrence did with her emotionally immature behavior. To be fair, it was foreshadowed in previous volumes, so what did I expect...?
The plot is well crafted as the clues Lawrence gets over time contribute to the conclusion with no unnecessary fluff. Of course, some things are predictable and there was less suspension than in previous volumes, but that's okay. I read this story for its characters anyway.
All in all, this volume was a solid continuation of the series.
The plot is well crafted as the clues Lawrence gets over time contribute to the conclusion with no unnecessary fluff. Of course, some things are predictable and there was less suspension than in previous volumes, but that's okay. I read this story for its characters anyway.
All in all, this volume was a solid continuation of the series.
February 9, 2017
After a weak book 4, book 5 is as great as books 1 and 3. Some of the difficult nuances of Lawrence and Holo's relationship takes centre stage on this book. Won't spoil which ones, as Lawrence is slow to pick it up in the book (as he always is) :)
Anyway, after book 4 I was fearing the story's pace would slow down to an excruciating "find one clue to Holo's hometown per book ". Fortunately, it doesn't seem that way. Really looking forward to book 6. I know there are quite a few books in this saga, but you know the quality of the writing and story telling are superior when you can't even guess where the next book will take the main characters and what it will be about.
Anyway, after book 4 I was fearing the story's pace would slow down to an excruciating "find one clue to Holo's hometown per book ". Fortunately, it doesn't seem that way. Really looking forward to book 6. I know there are quite a few books in this saga, but you know the quality of the writing and story telling are superior when you can't even guess where the next book will take the main characters and what it will be about.
January 13, 2020
I thought the book slow at first. A bit too slow for my liking. It has been a long while since I started my journey, surely a lot longer than than the some odd months that led Holo and Lawrence to the town of Lenos.
I started and stopped a few times, always finishing the first chapter, never letting the beginning of the narrative grip me. This time, with the encouragement of a dear friend, I never stopped.
I am glad I didn't, this is surely the best volume so far.
As I write this, my emotions are all spilling over. Do yourself a favor, and if you read it all in one sitting... do so slowly. It is very filling indeed, and the taste is decadent like honeyed bread.
I started and stopped a few times, always finishing the first chapter, never letting the beginning of the narrative grip me. This time, with the encouragement of a dear friend, I never stopped.
I am glad I didn't, this is surely the best volume so far.
As I write this, my emotions are all spilling over. Do yourself a favor, and if you read it all in one sitting... do so slowly. It is very filling indeed, and the taste is decadent like honeyed bread.
June 11, 2020
While I'm glad the story continues, this volume still would've made a good ending too.
I especially loved the twist with Eve at the end. It didn't feel out of place, and the economic/political situation in Lenos was like, the calm before the storm, and then a little bit of the storm is showed. Speaking of storms, the relationship between Holo and Lawrence has been weathering some changes too. Can't wait to see more as I read the rest of the series!!
Enjoy :)
I especially loved the twist with Eve at the end. It didn't feel out of place, and the economic/political situation in Lenos was like, the calm before the storm, and then a little bit of the storm is showed. Speaking of storms, the relationship between Holo and Lawrence has been weathering some changes too. Can't wait to see more as I read the rest of the series!!
Enjoy :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2021
I really absolutely adore this slow romance amid the trials and tribulations of a traveling merchant and his wolf-girl companion. The whole worry of Holo living for centuries longer than him and whether or not to pursue it giving the story angst and drama besides all the worries about if they'll confess properly one day or not.
"Wishing for you to be mine might not make it so. But if I don't wish it, you'll never be mine."
"Wishing for you to be mine might not make it so. But if I don't wish it, you'll never be mine."
July 17, 2022
I found this addition simply amazing.
I loved every moment of this book. Before starting this series I had no idea mercantile transactions could be so interesting. Further more using those same said events to further the plot and create drama is simply astounding. I can't wait to see where this series goes from this point. My sincere thanks to the Author, Illustrator, and Translator for bringing me this story.
I loved every moment of this book. Before starting this series I had no idea mercantile transactions could be so interesting. Further more using those same said events to further the plot and create drama is simply astounding. I can't wait to see where this series goes from this point. My sincere thanks to the Author, Illustrator, and Translator for bringing me this story.
May 7, 2025
I didn't like this one very much, it was very short and and I hated the idea that he would be so casual about selling her so easily and for what? I hated Lawerence for this, it's weird she was ok with it too and for what? Why would it matter if they made it to her homeland or not, they could still be together? Nothing is said they'd have to go their seperate ways. So just go find out together and see what happens.
January 1, 2021
This book was adapted into second half of Spice and Wolf anime Season 2 . The story is the same one to the anime. As usual, Isuna mixed fantasy, romantic and economy well together. The relationship between Lorentz and Horo getting intense and describe way better and deeper than in the anime. So, I highly recommend this book to all Spice and Wolf fans.
June 5, 2024
Un tome intéressant même si le personnage d'Holo est toujours "survendu" de manière exaspérante comme étant extrêmement intelligente ou ses pièges dévastateurs alors qu'il s'agit clairement juste de conversation taquine de jeunes adultes. Pour le reste je n'ai pas trouvé "l'aventure" de ce tome passionnante, plutôt ennuyeuse et mal caractérisée
April 20, 2025
Better than volume 4. Not much happens in this story, but the epilogue was quite good, so I imagine I'll be giving volume 6 a 4/5 when I read it.
This volume had the same fundamental problems that most books in this series have had, mainly that the author writes it like you never read the previous stories before.
This volume had the same fundamental problems that most books in this series have had, mainly that the author writes it like you never read the previous stories before.
June 5, 2025
Closer to 3.5. While I have thoroughly enjoyed every book, the ones where one or both of these two put up barriers to ease the eventual loss or other reasons can get tiring. I know it'll continue for most of the series so that will be frustrating but I also know that I'll enjoy the story as a whole and the payoff will be there.
July 4, 2022
Once more we follow the unique pair and this time we see their relationship deepen and change. We learn a bit more from Holo’s past bit also we see how Lawrence has changed due to their travels. This book also roughly ends where the anime ended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2024
Surprisingly, this light novel really clicked with me. Maybe it's because Holo and Lawrence are getting along a bit better, with less of the game-playing, but I think it's because I really enjoyed this one's plot.
The merchant intrigue was really quite fascinating this time.
The merchant intrigue was really quite fascinating this time.
January 9, 2025
It's fine.
I think I'll stop reading the books here now that Lawrence has confessed his love and made this more of a romantic relationship than I want. I prefer to read them as having familial love towards each other so I really don't want to see them kissing or whatever.
I think I'll stop reading the books here now that Lawrence has confessed his love and made this more of a romantic relationship than I want. I prefer to read them as having familial love towards each other so I really don't want to see them kissing or whatever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2017
And now I am caught up to the end of the Anime, let's see where this goes...
October 22, 2017
Usually the heartbreak in this series sets you on a path to believe that everything will workout in the end so it's all worth it. But this book lead to some real tension and hopelessness.
July 1, 2018
Highly enjoyable. Enjoyed the banter and intrigue.
December 28, 2018
Love the Spice and Wolf series
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