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Skeleton Knight in Another World Light Novel #2
Skeleton Knight in Another World, Light Novel Vol. 2
MUCH ADO ABOUT KNIGHTING Arc vowed to avoid drawing attention to himself, but the world has different plans for him! Between hunting magical beasts and unknowingly saving the Queen’s retinue, he continues to find himself dragged into one adventure after another, culminating in a reunion with the young catgirl, Chiyome. Follow along as the Skeleton Knight embarks on a quest to set the beastmen free—and perhaps change the world while he’s at it.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 31, 2023
With reading a lot of light novel series, I've come to understand that, in general, Japanese people avoid responsibility because they hate being blamed for things going wrong. The problem with this non-commital, non-aggression, laissez-faire, attitude is that most fantasy worlds based on the monarchic-imperial-totalitarian-noble-system lack a fair judicial system or weights and counterbalances to the usage of political, economic, religious, social powers...
So, Arc is sent here from Earth, in his Over-Powered game character, a Wraith-like-skeleton-knight. It is yet another isekai. What differentiates this isekai from the thousands of others is that, while Arc cannot escape his non-commital, laissez-faire attitude that usually accompanies most Japanese people, somehow, maybe by the company he keeps here, in this other world, this Skeleton Knight is actually saving people from the tyranny of injustice, violence, and slavery.
While most light novel authors write about the "hero" title, rarely do the characters they create have "heroic" characteristics. Saving people, doing the "right thing", making a difference. In each adventure, at the crossroads of each problem, Arc has chosen correctly. This is rare in Light novel series (because authors are rarely educated in ethics, philosophy, history, law, politics, etc.) Usually the manga/light-novel/anime/gamer genre is not the "smartest or brightest" group of people...and yet, sometimes, a story like this one, where a person not wanting to get involved, being completely Over-Powered, but trying to do "the right thing", come together to save anonymous people, nobles, beast-folk, spirit-folk (women and children) from terrible fates...
In this book 2, Arc and Ariane (Dark Elf) join the cat-girl-ninja Chiyome in rescuing a large group of beast-kin that were being held and "breeded" in one of this world's biggest slavery markets. The thing is, people/beings can never be property (somebody else's property). Each person owns themselves and are responsible for themselves. It's in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and while some people believe that Fantasy/Sci-Fi/and-other-types-of-fiction-novels don't need to abide by the basic principles and basic human rights, I believe they do. That's why they are UNIVERSAL. Not to protect the powerful and criminal, but to protect the individuals from the tyranny of others...
Everything comes easy to Arc. He can teleport, he can make big portals to carry many people and their things. He can use magic and is incredibly strong. The thing is, the author really has not explained why a guy like Arc was sent to this dystopian other world. In addition, Ariane a Dark Elf, is a fallen Elf that is helping the Elves out. Usually they conflict with each other because Elves act like "angels" while Dark Elves act like "demons" in fantasy literature. The Dark Elves have "fallen from grace" and yet, in this light novel a Dark Elf is part of the regular Elves like nothing has happened...
Hopefully everyone can be freed from slavery. The corruption and depravity of the nobles in control of most of the territories in this other world should soon come to an end. Not because it would push forward the story, but because this is the right thing to do...
So, Arc is sent here from Earth, in his Over-Powered game character, a Wraith-like-skeleton-knight. It is yet another isekai. What differentiates this isekai from the thousands of others is that, while Arc cannot escape his non-commital, laissez-faire attitude that usually accompanies most Japanese people, somehow, maybe by the company he keeps here, in this other world, this Skeleton Knight is actually saving people from the tyranny of injustice, violence, and slavery.
While most light novel authors write about the "hero" title, rarely do the characters they create have "heroic" characteristics. Saving people, doing the "right thing", making a difference. In each adventure, at the crossroads of each problem, Arc has chosen correctly. This is rare in Light novel series (because authors are rarely educated in ethics, philosophy, history, law, politics, etc.) Usually the manga/light-novel/anime/gamer genre is not the "smartest or brightest" group of people...and yet, sometimes, a story like this one, where a person not wanting to get involved, being completely Over-Powered, but trying to do "the right thing", come together to save anonymous people, nobles, beast-folk, spirit-folk (women and children) from terrible fates...
In this book 2, Arc and Ariane (Dark Elf) join the cat-girl-ninja Chiyome in rescuing a large group of beast-kin that were being held and "breeded" in one of this world's biggest slavery markets. The thing is, people/beings can never be property (somebody else's property). Each person owns themselves and are responsible for themselves. It's in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and while some people believe that Fantasy/Sci-Fi/and-other-types-of-fiction-novels don't need to abide by the basic principles and basic human rights, I believe they do. That's why they are UNIVERSAL. Not to protect the powerful and criminal, but to protect the individuals from the tyranny of others...
Everything comes easy to Arc. He can teleport, he can make big portals to carry many people and their things. He can use magic and is incredibly strong. The thing is, the author really has not explained why a guy like Arc was sent to this dystopian other world. In addition, Ariane a Dark Elf, is a fallen Elf that is helping the Elves out. Usually they conflict with each other because Elves act like "angels" while Dark Elves act like "demons" in fantasy literature. The Dark Elves have "fallen from grace" and yet, in this light novel a Dark Elf is part of the regular Elves like nothing has happened...
Hopefully everyone can be freed from slavery. The corruption and depravity of the nobles in control of most of the territories in this other world should soon come to an end. Not because it would push forward the story, but because this is the right thing to do...
November 2, 2019
Arc still doesn't really know what he's doing. Good thing Ariane is there to set him straight. Otherwise, the too-trusting and too-powerful holy knight may well end up lost in some random forest and wasting his time struggling to help every single person in every single bit of trouble he comes across. SKELETON KNIGHT. . .#2 resumes the path of the wandering mercenary with great success.
A major highlight of the first volume was the author's decidedly linear narrative approach. Events that unfurled one-third of the way through the novel occurred as a consequence of events that unfurled at the beginning. Events that unfurled at the end of the novel occurred as a consequence of events that occurred earlier. As with the first volume, the same can be said for SKELETON KNIGHT. . .#2, as Arc and Ariane continue their quest to free various elven people enslaved by greedy human nobles across the continent.
It's quite possible some readers may find this slow, domestic approach to building the narrative to be tedious. But considering Arc's personality and his insistence on relying on the strengths of others, to build their confidence in their own abilities, the story tends to weave its dynamics in a way that suits each contributing element. For example, Ariane is the book's most skilled fighter, and yet she only shows off when she's truly in a bind (e.g., fighting oversized wolves at the base of a mountain). The author has multiple tools available to emphasize these dynamics but doesn't employ all of them at once. The result is a novel that's very easy to read and is full of characters whom, while gravely predictable, are entertaining to root for.
Arc encounters a huge village elves, gets involved in a scuffle concerning the power grab in the Rhoden Kingdom and even finds time to attend a local hot spring. He really is quite the busy skeleton.
Relative to the first volume, SKELETON KNIGHT. . .#2 doesn't have the main character casting as much magic or involved in as much random combat. The consequential and strategic storytelling approach saves the bulk of the action for the third act and takes its time to point out a few character flaws readers may have missed early on (e.g., it turns out Arc is terrible at technique, regardless of how strong he is). But at least the catgirl ninja, Chiyome, returns to action.
One wonders if the echoic splinter plot of Rhoden Kingdom's sibling rivalry will become the main story of the novel series, but it's probably best not to think about it too deeply. The odd, funny and sometimes emotional ways Arc and Ariane come to the aid of those who need a helping hand makes for a convincingly clever interweaving of intuition. As the series continues, and as the hero ventures to new territories throughout the continent, he's sure to unintentionally stir up trouble.
A major highlight of the first volume was the author's decidedly linear narrative approach. Events that unfurled one-third of the way through the novel occurred as a consequence of events that unfurled at the beginning. Events that unfurled at the end of the novel occurred as a consequence of events that occurred earlier. As with the first volume, the same can be said for SKELETON KNIGHT. . .#2, as Arc and Ariane continue their quest to free various elven people enslaved by greedy human nobles across the continent.
It's quite possible some readers may find this slow, domestic approach to building the narrative to be tedious. But considering Arc's personality and his insistence on relying on the strengths of others, to build their confidence in their own abilities, the story tends to weave its dynamics in a way that suits each contributing element. For example, Ariane is the book's most skilled fighter, and yet she only shows off when she's truly in a bind (e.g., fighting oversized wolves at the base of a mountain). The author has multiple tools available to emphasize these dynamics but doesn't employ all of them at once. The result is a novel that's very easy to read and is full of characters whom, while gravely predictable, are entertaining to root for.
Arc encounters a huge village elves, gets involved in a scuffle concerning the power grab in the Rhoden Kingdom and even finds time to attend a local hot spring. He really is quite the busy skeleton.
Relative to the first volume, SKELETON KNIGHT. . .#2 doesn't have the main character casting as much magic or involved in as much random combat. The consequential and strategic storytelling approach saves the bulk of the action for the third act and takes its time to point out a few character flaws readers may have missed early on (e.g., it turns out Arc is terrible at technique, regardless of how strong he is). But at least the catgirl ninja, Chiyome, returns to action.
One wonders if the echoic splinter plot of Rhoden Kingdom's sibling rivalry will become the main story of the novel series, but it's probably best not to think about it too deeply. The odd, funny and sometimes emotional ways Arc and Ariane come to the aid of those who need a helping hand makes for a convincingly clever interweaving of intuition. As the series continues, and as the hero ventures to new territories throughout the continent, he's sure to unintentionally stir up trouble.
June 24, 2019
The stakes rise in this volume of Skeleton Knight as Arc and his new found companion find themselves embroiled in a slavery ring that stretches further and deeper in to the bowels of the human kingdoms.
Skeleton Knight's 2nd volume is a good follow-up to the first, expanding along the plots that's been built up in the first volume. Essentially, there's two overarching plots going on which is Arc's (mis)adventures with his dark elf companion and others, while the other plot mainly concerns the politics behind the various kingdoms in the book's setting. Interestingly, both plots only intersect each other indirectly although both plots are very intertwined with each other. This does bring out the author's talent for intrigue and world-building, which makes me like this series much more than it usually deserves.
I also like the tone of the series as a whole, as it follows the first and dives further in to the darker themes such as slavery (with some really disturbing scenes in this volume) and also very Machiavellian politics. It doesn't glorify them, however, and the seriousness which the light-hearted protagonist takes when he comes face-to face with the horrors of them make for a good contrast.
While the author meticulously crafts a pretty good fantasy world, replete with elven forests, human kingdoms and the requisite politics, the writing of the action scenes do need some improvement as there is a tendency to just gloss over the specifics resulting is rather dry scenes such as "Arc teleports behind the men and punches them" etc.
The pacing also feels rather rushed in these scenes (although it COULD be a translation and editing issue), as I found myself pretty lost at times when things are happening and the point of view keeps jumping from various characters and even to internal monologues.
Thankfully, the series does not try to pull off too many fights thus far, spending more time on character and world building, so I can overlook the dodgy writing at times. There's much potential for this series, as far as isekai titles go.
Skeleton Knight's 2nd volume is a good follow-up to the first, expanding along the plots that's been built up in the first volume. Essentially, there's two overarching plots going on which is Arc's (mis)adventures with his dark elf companion and others, while the other plot mainly concerns the politics behind the various kingdoms in the book's setting. Interestingly, both plots only intersect each other indirectly although both plots are very intertwined with each other. This does bring out the author's talent for intrigue and world-building, which makes me like this series much more than it usually deserves.
I also like the tone of the series as a whole, as it follows the first and dives further in to the darker themes such as slavery (with some really disturbing scenes in this volume) and also very Machiavellian politics. It doesn't glorify them, however, and the seriousness which the light-hearted protagonist takes when he comes face-to face with the horrors of them make for a good contrast.
While the author meticulously crafts a pretty good fantasy world, replete with elven forests, human kingdoms and the requisite politics, the writing of the action scenes do need some improvement as there is a tendency to just gloss over the specifics resulting is rather dry scenes such as "Arc teleports behind the men and punches them" etc.
The pacing also feels rather rushed in these scenes (although it COULD be a translation and editing issue), as I found myself pretty lost at times when things are happening and the point of view keeps jumping from various characters and even to internal monologues.
Thankfully, the series does not try to pull off too many fights thus far, spending more time on character and world building, so I can overlook the dodgy writing at times. There's much potential for this series, as far as isekai titles go.
December 9, 2020
If you're looking for something original -- Skeleton Knight probably isn't it. It is an isekai with an extremely overpowered protagonist who of course encounters others who are extremely powerful (so much so you wonder sometimes why they need him).
That being said -- I like it. I enjoy it. Sometimes it is fun to read about a hero who is super powerful, if somewhat untrained. Especially since Arc and friends have been about saving elves and beastmen from slavery. That's just one of those things I can get behind. In gaming, for instance, I can't do slaving quests or work for slavers. I don't care that it is only a game -- selling people is wrong.
Anyhow, it's a storyline I can get behind when the slavers, buyers, owners, etc and their guards get their asses whopped.
There is more going on politically in the world with kingdoms, nobles and whatnot. All in all I'm happy with the series even if it is somewhat fluff.
Verdcit: If you enjoyed volume 1, this is more of the same. If you weren't sure, give it one more shot and see. Skeleton Knight is just a fun read.
That being said -- I like it. I enjoy it. Sometimes it is fun to read about a hero who is super powerful, if somewhat untrained. Especially since Arc and friends have been about saving elves and beastmen from slavery. That's just one of those things I can get behind. In gaming, for instance, I can't do slaving quests or work for slavers. I don't care that it is only a game -- selling people is wrong.
Anyhow, it's a storyline I can get behind when the slavers, buyers, owners, etc and their guards get their asses whopped.
There is more going on politically in the world with kingdoms, nobles and whatnot. All in all I'm happy with the series even if it is somewhat fluff.
Verdcit: If you enjoyed volume 1, this is more of the same. If you weren't sure, give it one more shot and see. Skeleton Knight is just a fun read.
December 23, 2022
Volume 2 starts were 1 ended. Arc is travelling towards the elf lands with the liberated elf slaves. Once there, he is hired to help free the seven missing ones of which he acquired the contracts. Finding and rescuing the first one is easy, but trouble follows as his actions impact the plotting of the three heirs of the kingdom.
As is in part 1, world building and characters are the strong points. No over the top behaviour and a setting were actions have reasonable consequences. The MC is magically powerful, but he can be beaten at least by some.
My biggest gripe are that it is relatively short and the story is not finished. Not that it ends with a cliff hanger, but little is resolved. The story is also not too original (especially the obsession of human slavers and elfs), but that is not unexpected.
Still, I liked it, just as I liked volume 1.
As is in part 1, world building and characters are the strong points. No over the top behaviour and a setting were actions have reasonable consequences. The MC is magically powerful, but he can be beaten at least by some.
My biggest gripe are that it is relatively short and the story is not finished. Not that it ends with a cliff hanger, but little is resolved. The story is also not too original (especially the obsession of human slavers and elfs), but that is not unexpected.
Still, I liked it, just as I liked volume 1.
December 15, 2022
Not bad. The main character isn't all that interesting. The story is fairly interesting. Put those two thoughts together, you end up with an interesting combination. One issue with over powered main characters is always making them original. He has so much power, how can an author keep things worth reading?
This book has more action that the first book. We are introduced to a bigger slice of the world. We have met elves, now we meet another bunch of characters.
Not a bad read. Go ahead, think of it as a guilty pleasure.
This book has more action that the first book. We are introduced to a bigger slice of the world. We have met elves, now we meet another bunch of characters.
Not a bad read. Go ahead, think of it as a guilty pleasure.
September 1, 2019
Excellent book but the same old story.
An excellent book but it’s the same old theme must hide ones power, must disguise everything. This is a theme that runs to many of these anime novels. Start off by giving the MC a lot of power and then go out of the way to restrict it by making it necessary to hide that ability. This theme has become almost a staple in the anime light novels. But even with all of this it’s still a very good novel.
An excellent book but it’s the same old theme must hide ones power, must disguise everything. This is a theme that runs to many of these anime novels. Start off by giving the MC a lot of power and then go out of the way to restrict it by making it necessary to hide that ability. This theme has become almost a staple in the anime light novels. But even with all of this it’s still a very good novel.
May 19, 2021
A pretty good second book for the series! The writing style could be more refined of course, but I'm not going to ask too much of a light novel. Our protagonist realizes how much experience and technique can be much better than pure stats, and it's actually refreshing to have such a humble main character. The world expands little by little, and his actions ripple much farther than he can imagine, and I can't wait to continue the series and see how far it goes.
February 21, 2021
Similar to the first volume, this installment of Skeleton Knight continues it’s slow and deliberate pace as the plot adds beastmen and more revolutions.
There’s a lot going on politically and I’m loving how small and big decisions by characters are being affected by other characters across the country. It really feels like everyone’s fate is connected.
More Ponta cuteness is a must.
There’s a lot going on politically and I’m loving how small and big decisions by characters are being affected by other characters across the country. It really feels like everyone’s fate is connected.
More Ponta cuteness is a must.
August 27, 2019
Can't wait for the next chapter
The story is getting extremely interesting and I love how the author builds the world effectively without having a huge with massive date dumping which would ruin the pace. Worth the read if you're a fan of the isekai genre.
The story is getting extremely interesting and I love how the author builds the world effectively without having a huge with massive date dumping which would ruin the pace. Worth the read if you're a fan of the isekai genre.
April 19, 2023
I gave it 3 stars due to the lazy errors.
1)"While these three royals and their respective factions battled it out behind the scenes, the funds that Prince Sekt had been secretly accumulating to finance his plans were stolen by an unknown party, shaking the power balance throughout the kingdom."
In volume 1, page 196 - Kindle Edition, it mentions that Prince Dakares had his funds stolen not Prince Sekt. Page 8, Prologue - Kindle Edition
2)Page 20, Chapter 1 - Kindle Edition
"As I followed Ariane along the path into the village, we were immediately joined by two soldiers who’d been waiting in side chambers."
3) Page 61, Chapter 2 - Kindle Edition
"As I made stepped out into the town, dyed orange by the setting sun, I wondered just how Ponta was able to understand our conversations."
1)"While these three royals and their respective factions battled it out behind the scenes, the funds that Prince Sekt had been secretly accumulating to finance his plans were stolen by an unknown party, shaking the power balance throughout the kingdom."
In volume 1, page 196 - Kindle Edition, it mentions that Prince Dakares had his funds stolen not Prince Sekt. Page 8, Prologue - Kindle Edition
2)Page 20, Chapter 1 - Kindle Edition
"As I followed Ariane along the path into the village, we were immediately joined by two soldiers who’d been waiting in side chambers."
3) Page 61, Chapter 2 - Kindle Edition
"As I made stepped out into the town, dyed orange by the setting sun, I wondered just how Ponta was able to understand our conversations."
July 17, 2019
Good story
Enjoyed very much and have already preordered the third book. Be interested in seeing what happens next. Again just wish the book was a little cheaper.
Enjoyed very much and have already preordered the third book. Be interested in seeing what happens next. Again just wish the book was a little cheaper.
August 1, 2019
The second volume was alright. The only real caveat being that the beastmsn plot didn't TV really appear until time end of the story. Overall it was a nice read to pass the time.
January 3, 2021
I guess, when you read enough light novels you encounter a few regurgitated formulas. Skeleton Knight... is heavy on the tropes and linearity.
February 12, 2021
As expected, this 2nd volume was better as the story is getting to the meatier stuff. There are still some new players introduced or expanded upon, but the political plot being woven is growing.
July 4, 2021
Beginning was slow but started to pick up pretty fast in pace. Really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next.
July 15, 2022
Was suprised to find how much details the anime has left behind. Glad I read this
February 21, 2023
It's fine. The characters are likable and the action description is solid, but there's not much here to really feel strongly about one way or the other.
July 15, 2023
So fun
I really enjoy this series. It's fun to see the interplay between characters. I am eager for the next book. Can't wait to see what happens next!
I really enjoy this series. It's fun to see the interplay between characters. I am eager for the next book. Can't wait to see what happens next!
February 28, 2025
Curious to see where things go from here
January 20, 2023
3.20 - Mediocre
Decided to not continue series due to lack of interest.
Decided to not continue series due to lack of interest.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews