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Baccano! Light Novel #8
Baccano!, Vol. 8 (light novel)
The year 1934.
After the incident at the Mist Wall, the Martillo Family's youngest capo finds himself on his way to prison to protect the one he loves. The rest are there for their own reasons--the homicidal maniac wants to taste the thrill of killing an immortal, the thief simply got himself caught, the hitman is there on a mission for Nebula, and the alchemist was incarcerated years ago. As the FBI attempts to get to the bottom of Huey's machinations, another ruckus is about erupt across the San Francisco Bay--deep in the heart of Alcatraz.
After the incident at the Mist Wall, the Martillo Family's youngest capo finds himself on his way to prison to protect the one he loves. The rest are there for their own reasons--the homicidal maniac wants to taste the thrill of killing an immortal, the thief simply got himself caught, the hitman is there on a mission for Nebula, and the alchemist was incarcerated years ago. As the FBI attempts to get to the bottom of Huey's machinations, another ruckus is about erupt across the San Francisco Bay--deep in the heart of Alcatraz.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2006
12 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Ryohgo Narita
348 books383 followersRyohgo Narita (成田 良悟, Narita Ryōgo) is a Japanese light novelist. He won the Gold Prize in the 9th Dengeki Novel Prize for Baccano!, which was made into a TV anime in 2007.[1] His series Durarara!! was also made into a TV anime, which began airing January 2010
There are two traits found in most of Narita's works:
* Narita writes extremely fast, one volume a month if he wishes - with tons of spelling errors and missing words as a tradeoff. The editors like to leave them sometimes just for fun, though.
* His work titles often have an exclamation mark at the end (i.e. Baccano!, Vamp!, Durarara!!, etc.).
Kanji names: 成田 良悟 & 成田良悟.
There are two traits found in most of Narita's works:
* Narita writes extremely fast, one volume a month if he wishes - with tons of spelling errors and missing words as a tradeoff. The editors like to leave them sometimes just for fun, though.
* His work titles often have an exclamation mark at the end (i.e. Baccano!, Vamp!, Durarara!!, etc.).
Kanji names: 成田 良悟 & 成田良悟.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 11, 2023
Firo Prochainezo is under arrest. The man interrogating him from the Bureau of Investigation wants Firo to do a little job for him, in Alcatraz. Huey LaForet’s many criminal organizations are on the move. Huey’s clearly planning something big, remaining firmly in control of his followers even while he’s incarcerated. If Firo can find out what Huey’s got planned, the man says he’ll make sure all Ennis’s crimes will remain unsolved.
Isaac knows the jig is up for him and Miria. But to save the woman he loves, he decides to take the blame on himself for all their crimes. He too is sent to Alcatraz.
After the events of the second and third book of the series, Ladd Russo now has a metal prosthetic arm. He may have lost an arm, but he didn’t lose his lust for blood. He knows Huey LaForet is an immortal. And there’s nothing more that Ladd would like to do than kill him. So he did everything he could to get sent to Alcatraz.
The Nebula corporation wants to take their experiments on immortality to the next level. And considering they were recently attacked by Huey LaForet’s troops, they think it would be only fitting if he became their next guinea pig. So they hire the former Felix Walken to do a little job for them.
Huey LaForet was always talked about in the previous books, foreshadowing this mysterious and illustrious figure’s appearance until it was time for him to step out of the shadows. That time has finally come. From what we learned at the end of the previous book, we know that Huey has a master plan. He’s working towards a goal he might never be able to reach. But since he’s already immortal, he’s got all the time in the world to keep trying to make it a reality. He also doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions. Other people are all just guinea pigs in his experiments. That’s what makes him so dangerous. And that’s why the government decided to lock him up in the most secure prison in the world: Alcatraz.
What this story does really well is finally properly introducing us to the notorious Huey LaForet. Ladd is still insanity personified. Isaac is there for the comic relief. And Firo serves as the glue that keeps everything together. The setting of the almost mythical prison of Alcatraz combined with these characters is just a recipe for awesomeness. Considering the setting is the prison of Alcatraz, we do learn a few interesting things about it over the course of the story. Though this is just the first story in a trilogy, so it’s mostly just setting things up for what’s to come.
Isaac knows the jig is up for him and Miria. But to save the woman he loves, he decides to take the blame on himself for all their crimes. He too is sent to Alcatraz.
After the events of the second and third book of the series, Ladd Russo now has a metal prosthetic arm. He may have lost an arm, but he didn’t lose his lust for blood. He knows Huey LaForet is an immortal. And there’s nothing more that Ladd would like to do than kill him. So he did everything he could to get sent to Alcatraz.
The Nebula corporation wants to take their experiments on immortality to the next level. And considering they were recently attacked by Huey LaForet’s troops, they think it would be only fitting if he became their next guinea pig. So they hire the former Felix Walken to do a little job for them.
Huey LaForet was always talked about in the previous books, foreshadowing this mysterious and illustrious figure’s appearance until it was time for him to step out of the shadows. That time has finally come. From what we learned at the end of the previous book, we know that Huey has a master plan. He’s working towards a goal he might never be able to reach. But since he’s already immortal, he’s got all the time in the world to keep trying to make it a reality. He also doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions. Other people are all just guinea pigs in his experiments. That’s what makes him so dangerous. And that’s why the government decided to lock him up in the most secure prison in the world: Alcatraz.
What this story does really well is finally properly introducing us to the notorious Huey LaForet. Ladd is still insanity personified. Isaac is there for the comic relief. And Firo serves as the glue that keeps everything together. The setting of the almost mythical prison of Alcatraz combined with these characters is just a recipe for awesomeness. Considering the setting is the prison of Alcatraz, we do learn a few interesting things about it over the course of the story. Though this is just the first story in a trilogy, so it’s mostly just setting things up for what’s to come.
February 9, 2022
This is... an interesting change of atmosphere.
However, I hate the Ladd Russo character. Always hated him since I've watched the anime. And it will probably never change. I just don't get the point of his existence.
And there's way too much of him in this book. So it kinda started to bother me at some point. Actually real fast to be quite honest.
Which is too bad because the rest of the story was actually rather interesting as it brought some light on some stuffs that have been said in previous books but didn't make much sense at the time. Like Felix Walken for example.
Not sure if I like or dislike the fact that it felt like it gives us some info on Huey without actually giving us anything. Like the story kinda revolves around him, but actually not?
Well, long story short, I'm not entirely convinced by this book in the series, but I'm truly looking forward to reading the other two books completing this "Alice in Jails" arc.
Also, bless Isaac's presence to brighten up the mood.
However, I hate the Ladd Russo character. Always hated him since I've watched the anime. And it will probably never change. I just don't get the point of his existence.
And there's way too much of him in this book. So it kinda started to bother me at some point. Actually real fast to be quite honest.
Which is too bad because the rest of the story was actually rather interesting as it brought some light on some stuffs that have been said in previous books but didn't make much sense at the time. Like Felix Walken for example.
Not sure if I like or dislike the fact that it felt like it gives us some info on Huey without actually giving us anything. Like the story kinda revolves around him, but actually not?
Well, long story short, I'm not entirely convinced by this book in the series, but I'm truly looking forward to reading the other two books completing this "Alice in Jails" arc.
Also, bless Isaac's presence to brighten up the mood.
November 17, 2018
Finally we got Huey LaForet, he is now one of my new favorite characters, right next to Claire and his daughters. I get just major Izaya Orihara vibes from that neutral evil scientist with an interest in human behavior and I can't wait for his first conversation with his future son-in-law.
Leeza LaForet also is a very fun and interesting character, she is way more sadistic and evil than her elder sister but also is adorable at the same time. I want some interaction between her and Firo and I also want Firo to finally meet Chané... if they would hate each other and start fighting that would be really stressful for Claire, haha
I would have never thought that Firo could befriend Ladd, because their moral standpoint is so different. That could make some things complicated in the future... because when Firo invites Ladd to his wedding with Ennis and he also will invite his best childhood friend... well, lets just say that this wedding is going to be wild!
Leeza LaForet also is a very fun and interesting character, she is way more sadistic and evil than her elder sister but also is adorable at the same time. I want some interaction between her and Firo and I also want Firo to finally meet Chané... if they would hate each other and start fighting that would be really stressful for Claire, haha
I would have never thought that Firo could befriend Ladd, because their moral standpoint is so different. That could make some things complicated in the future... because when Firo invites Ladd to his wedding with Ennis and he also will invite his best childhood friend... well, lets just say that this wedding is going to be wild!
November 18, 2018
Niesamowity tom, w którym Ryogho Narita po raz kolejny przypomniał mi, dlaczego tak bardzo pokochałam jego novelki. Absurd, tajemnice, maksymalne zbiegi okoliczności i, może przede wszystkim, genialne relacje między bohaterami, których kocham. Tu dla każdego znajdzie się miejsce, tu każdy zasłuży na własną historię, tu każdy zostanie przeze mnie pokochany. A zakończenie? Miria i Issaak? Jeden z najpiękniejszych paringów, jakie widziałam! Polecam gorąco!
June 13, 2019
That was a fun read :D I went through the whole book without a clue about how it would end! The fact the setting was the prison of Alcatraz just as it was being opened for normal prisioners added to the fun of it. Some twists and the usual Narita storytelling of back and forth in time and locations, are the reasons why it gets the 5 stars!
January 15, 2020
"I am going to kill you to death until you die." - Ladd Russo
I can´t say anything anymore. Baccano! is just a masterpiece
I can´t say anything anymore. Baccano! is just a masterpiece
January 29, 2022
So perfect.
March 4, 2025
LADD RUSSO IS BACK BAYBEYYYYY!
Although I've liked everything up until now, this is the first volume in the novel series that has had me feeling pumped like my first time watching the anime. All my favourite characters? crammed into Alcatraz?? and the main antagonist is the cult leader shadow villain who was in the background of my favourite arc??? PEAK.
Although I've liked everything up until now, this is the first volume in the novel series that has had me feeling pumped like my first time watching the anime. All my favourite characters? crammed into Alcatraz?? and the main antagonist is the cult leader shadow villain who was in the background of my favourite arc??? PEAK.
August 14, 2012
He gets sends her away before getting arrested. He is sent by another immortal to spy on him. He uses the twins to gain information. They find Chicago is no longer safe. He is used as a hostage to capture him. He loses an eye.
^Modeled after how FUNimation posts their descriptions of each Baccano! episode. Only after you've read the book will you understand what's been said.
Anyway, I feel like this is becoming more like a blog entry instead of a review, nevertheless, I will continue.
Due to spoilers, I had already knew of Isaac's fate, but what surprised me was that Firo was taken as well. I liked it since Firo is one of my top three favourite characters, and Isaac's idiocy continues to amuse me. Also I loved the scene where Isaac sent Miria away, it was just... one of those moments.
Anyway, I loved it, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
^Modeled after how FUNimation posts their descriptions of each Baccano! episode. Only after you've read the book will you understand what's been said.
Anyway, I feel like this is becoming more like a blog entry instead of a review, nevertheless, I will continue.
Due to spoilers, I had already knew of Isaac's fate, but what surprised me was that Firo was taken as well. I liked it since Firo is one of my top three favourite characters, and Isaac's idiocy continues to amuse me. Also I loved the scene where Isaac sent Miria away, it was just... one of those moments.
Anyway, I loved it, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
January 21, 2015
Cuando partí con esta novela me costó un mundo arrancar la lectura, e incluso, la dejé pendiente por muuucho tiempo.
Hoy decidí tomarla nuevamente y la terminé en una sentada. Qué cosas.
Alice in jails es la historia de Firo, que entra a Alcatraz por la culpa de Victor, amigo del padre de Ennis. Allí se encontrará con Ladd-brazo-mecánico y Isaac. El resto es entretención.
Decir que mi cara se iluminó cuando capté a Ladd. Qué personaje más simpático, me encanta verlo hacer de las suyas. El resto también encanta.
Y detallazo a tener pendiente el de Peter Pan. Fijo cobra más protagonismo luego.
Hoy decidí tomarla nuevamente y la terminé en una sentada. Qué cosas.
Alice in jails es la historia de Firo, que entra a Alcatraz por la culpa de Victor, amigo del padre de Ennis. Allí se encontrará con Ladd-brazo-mecánico y Isaac. El resto es entretención.
Decir que mi cara se iluminó cuando capté a Ladd. Qué personaje más simpático, me encanta verlo hacer de las suyas. El resto también encanta.
Y detallazo a tener pendiente el de Peter Pan. Fijo cobra más protagonismo luego.
August 12, 2016
Sure is nice to see the familiar characters again, so nostalgic (finally noticing the great benefit of the occasional illustrations: the characters are given, but the mind is free to act out the story). This setting is definitely an advantage, the stories can just keep on, involving the lives of more and more people until they eventually intwine -it is already at quite an impressive scale- not to mention every character's unique enough on his/ her own. Addicting as always, but thankfully each volume is relatively short and very light, so the consequence of indulgence is not too severe.
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July 3, 2015Mother mother mother mother!!!!! así se acaba!!!????? gaaahhhhh que pex con Firo y Ladd!? y los walken!? y esa fue toda la participación de Isaac? digo si da más indicios a su verdadera personalidad y de que tanto es capaz, pero así nomas se acaba!? igual Víctor, nomas encabrono gente y ya.... quitando el final... el desarrollo del libro y los personajes fue bueno, al verlos en un entorno completamente diferente y fuera de su zona de confort... bueno excepto Ladd, quien estaba más en su zona de confort que nadie...
December 31, 2020
So... Claire only showed up in two pages, luckily Huey and Isaac saved the story for me. But still it's not not worthy to get more than 3 stars.
May 8, 2025
i've reread this multiple times and for some reason it really dragged this time around. maybe because i kept swithcing between translations and being angry. don't know. strange and sad
February 9, 2023
Score: 8
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews