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本好きの下剋上 ～司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません～ [Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho Ni Naru Tame Ni Shudan wo Erande iraremasen] (Novel) #2
Ascendance of a Bookworm (Light Novel), Part 1 Volume 2
It has been a year since our hero was reborn into a new world in the body of Myne, a sickly little girl from a poor family. She's been doing her best to fulfill her dream of making books, but her plans have been foiled at every turn.
But now Myne has a deal with Benno the merchant: With her friend Lutz's help, she will make a paper prototype that he can sell in his shop. In exchange, he will take her and Lutz on as apprentices. But making the prototype is filled with its own challenges, and can she trust a conniving merchant like Benno? And the most important question is, does Myne have the deadly sickness known as "The Devouring"?
Follow Myne's efforts to become this world's first librarian in volume 2 of this biblio-fantasy dedicated to book lovers!
But now Myne has a deal with Benno the merchant: With her friend Lutz's help, she will make a paper prototype that he can sell in his shop. In exchange, he will take her and Lutz on as apprentices. But making the prototype is filled with its own challenges, and can she trust a conniving merchant like Benno? And the most important question is, does Myne have the deadly sickness known as "The Devouring"?
Follow Myne's efforts to become this world's first librarian in volume 2 of this biblio-fantasy dedicated to book lovers!
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2015
268 people are currently reading
671 people want to read
About the author
Miya Kazuki
128 books404 followersJapanese author (香月美夜)
Kazuki started writing novels when she was in her second year of junior high school. After taking an entrance exam, she entered into a national university before graduating and becoming busy with work, stopping her from writing. Once she was married and her child entered kindergarten, Kazuki had more free time, which she used to start writing again. From 2013 onwards, she started publishing her novel Ascendance of a Bookworm on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō which saw success. In 2015, she officially debuted with said series under the T.O. Books imprint.
Kazuki started writing novels when she was in her second year of junior high school. After taking an entrance exam, she entered into a national university before graduating and becoming busy with work, stopping her from writing. Once she was married and her child entered kindergarten, Kazuki had more free time, which she used to start writing again. From 2013 onwards, she started publishing her novel Ascendance of a Bookworm on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō which saw success. In 2015, she officially debuted with said series under the T.O. Books imprint.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
April 8, 2022
What I love about this series is how the author absolutely unabashedly takes her time building the world, introducing and fleshing out each key character. It is almost maximalist, and like Studio Ghibli films, daily routines and the mundane are often romanticised but still made relatable through our main girl Myne and her crew.
Also I melt everytime I see a full-page illustration in these books:
There are still high stake events of course so imma keep reading the series hehe!
Also I melt everytime I see a full-page illustration in these books:
There are still high stake events of course so imma keep reading the series hehe!
Read
September 14, 2021This is more of the same that I described in my review of part 1 volume 1. Unfortunately, I can't remember what part of the plot happened in this volume--a side effect of having seen the anime first. It's enjoyable, but I don't think I want to continue too much further, unless I get impatient to know what happens in the story past the point the anime first season concluded.
December 13, 2020
Better than the first volume, at least.
March 7, 2020
This is still a solid light fantasy that focuses more on every day lives of ordinary people than large dramatic events. People are finally taking note of Myne's behavior and are perhaps thinking that she's. It's true, but not in the way they actually think! Myne has a business deal set up finally with the sly merchant, Benno, and is learning the ins and out of dealing with trades. She learns some harsh lessons, especially as a person that doesn't have the means to deal with certain things.
The stakes are raised higher, as we learn what exactly is affecting Myne so horribly. It is a magically induced fever that can only be cured by spending loads of money on it. Unfortunately for Myne, and others in her social class, they aren't cured because they really aren't 'supposed to' have magic. They just fly under the radar, while the nobility are cured. Interesting, and apt plot point for those of us living in the States. Yes, I know that the point is to further show the class structure in the city Myne lives in, but it still hits home for me.
The slower burn is still there, which might bother some impatient readers, but with the solution for Myne's sickness seemingly so unattainable, the pressure for Lutz and Myne to make as much money as possible feels heavy and real. Now, its not just about Myne's hobby; that money could save her life, if she makes enough in time. That makes this volume so much better, even with the feeling that the other kids are still talking way above their age range. That, and some odd translation choices, like calling their abacus a calculator (it is, just not in the modern sense, and it did take me a while to not picture the modern day ones) are just alittle distracting for me.
Either way, this is a wonderful light novel series, and I cannot wait to read the next volume.
The stakes are raised higher, as we learn what exactly is affecting Myne so horribly. It is a magically induced fever that can only be cured by spending loads of money on it. Unfortunately for Myne, and others in her social class, they aren't cured because they really aren't 'supposed to' have magic. They just fly under the radar, while the nobility are cured. Interesting, and apt plot point for those of us living in the States. Yes, I know that the point is to further show the class structure in the city Myne lives in, but it still hits home for me.
The slower burn is still there, which might bother some impatient readers, but with the solution for Myne's sickness seemingly so unattainable, the pressure for Lutz and Myne to make as much money as possible feels heavy and real. Now, its not just about Myne's hobby; that money could save her life, if she makes enough in time. That makes this volume so much better, even with the feeling that the other kids are still talking way above their age range. That, and some odd translation choices, like calling their abacus a calculator (it is, just not in the modern sense, and it did take me a while to not picture the modern day ones) are just alittle distracting for me.
Either way, this is a wonderful light novel series, and I cannot wait to read the next volume.
July 2, 2023
I am really loving this story the further I get the better it gets I like the slowly moving story of Myne learning things meeting people while she is trying to make her first book. The characters are still so very interesting in this volume I loved learning more about he the characters around Myne and learning more about the illness that is slowly killing her. I like her very much she loves books so she tries her best to make one and comes across many obstacles. There are many other characters that are interesting her parents her sister and Lutz this story is so well realized I love it so much. The story is amazing it goes back to Myne trying to make a book and the things she learns along the way and the people she meets looking forward to reading more soon.
August 29, 2023
loved it. loved it loved it loveddddddd ittttttttttt.
all in all, less choppy than the last one, with more progress and character growth. plus, we learn more about the fantasy aspects of this world.
all in all, less choppy than the last one, with more progress and character growth. plus, we learn more about the fantasy aspects of this world.
February 5, 2022
Absolutely LOVE this series! Trying to make it last, but SO HARD to not blast through it! 5, SO GOOD, stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2020
In order for Myne and Lutz to become the official apprentices of Benno, a merchant, they must first create prototypes of the paper Myne told Benno about. Myne soon realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew, even with Lutz's help - the prototypes will require supplies and equipment that will take them ages to make. However, the two of them aren't doing this alone anymore. As Myne learns more about how apprenticeships and the world of merchants works, she comes closer to her ultimate goal, obtaining a book. The hairpin Myne made for Tuuli also makes a reappearance, and turns out to be more profitable than Myne could have imagined.
This volume had most of the same issues the first one had. Certain parts of the story were more detailed than they really needed to be, and the story and overall pacing still suffered a bit from the author's unwillingness to cut out self-indulgent bloat. Myne was still selfish and more emotionally invested in her goal of creating a book than in the human beings around her who cared for her - Urano had lived in this world for a year as Myne, by this point, so this bothered me even more this time around than it did in the first volume.
Even so, I thought this particular volume was a good deal better than the first one. Instead of every one of Myne's ideas getting bogged down by what she, a frail 6-year-old child, could accomplish or talk others into doing for her, this time around Myne had funding and assistance from adults. It was incredibly refreshing not to have to read about, say, Myne's painstaking efforts to either acquire the materials to make a pot or the funds to buy one before she could even begin to try to make paper.
One of the author's weak areas seems to be creating characters with interesting/unique personalities - nearly everyone reminds me of characters I've seen before in other series, and it probably doesn't help that Myne generally isn't interested enough in people to get to know them on more than just a surface level. Still, one thing this volume did do was introduce characters who opened up Myne's world in fun new ways. I'm partial to fantasy merchants, so Benno was a favorite of mine, and I particularly enjoyed his scenes with the guildmaster of the Merchants' Guild. And Lutz, Myne's friend, grew on me a lot.
As far as the author's use of great gobs of detail went, I enjoyed most of the paper-making process and the info Myne learned about the economics of this world but felt that the hairpin stuff bogged the story down. It also felt kind of weird that Myne went from "I'm giving my family part of my pay in an act of filial piety" (when she was paid to make paper) to "I'm paying my family members to do temp work for me" (when she was paid for hairpins).
Myne's illness has added more of a sense of urgency to the series, so I'm looking forward to seeing where that goes. Since I doubt the author plans to kill Myne off anytime soon, at some point nobles are going to be added to the cast of characters. Here's hoping their presence crowds out some of the more annoying additions to the cast. Myne's obsession with books and paper can be a bit much as it is, I really don't need Freida's obsession with money on top of that.
Extras:
A folded page with full-color illustrations on both sides, black-and-white illustrations throughout, a map of the portion of the town Myne has access to, a drawing of Myne's family's home, and two bonus short stories, one from Corinna's POV and one from Myne's mother's POV.
While I was okay with the bonus stories in the first volume, the ones in this one were pretty bad. Corinna's story, in particular, would have been better off in the trash. It was a flashback to Otto's "courtship" of her - meeting her when she was still 6 months away from being legally considered an adult and falling instantly in love with her, and then basically giving up his entire life over the course of two or three days until she was essentially boxed into two options, marrying the youngest son of the guildmaster or marrying Otto. She seemed okay with her final decision, but it didn't paint Otto in a good light. I also very much disliked the part where Corinna (jokingly? I hope?) suggested that Myne could end up marrying Benno if his work makes him too busy to find a wife. Myne is six and Benno is maybe in his twenties. No. Just no. Light novel authors (and manga authors, you know who you are), please stop doing this.
Effa's story was just boring, and the author or translator's attempt at giving her a "voice" was dry and unconvincing. Pretty much the only reason I'd recommend reading either of these two stories is because they contain some character background info that I don't think gets brought up at all in the main story.
Rating Note:
I gave this 3.5 stars on other sites but chose to round it up to 4 on Goodreads. I might have given it 4 stars if it hadn't been for how much the hairpin stuff bogged things down in the second half.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
This volume had most of the same issues the first one had. Certain parts of the story were more detailed than they really needed to be, and the story and overall pacing still suffered a bit from the author's unwillingness to cut out self-indulgent bloat. Myne was still selfish and more emotionally invested in her goal of creating a book than in the human beings around her who cared for her - Urano had lived in this world for a year as Myne, by this point, so this bothered me even more this time around than it did in the first volume.
Even so, I thought this particular volume was a good deal better than the first one. Instead of every one of Myne's ideas getting bogged down by what she, a frail 6-year-old child, could accomplish or talk others into doing for her, this time around Myne had funding and assistance from adults. It was incredibly refreshing not to have to read about, say, Myne's painstaking efforts to either acquire the materials to make a pot or the funds to buy one before she could even begin to try to make paper.
One of the author's weak areas seems to be creating characters with interesting/unique personalities - nearly everyone reminds me of characters I've seen before in other series, and it probably doesn't help that Myne generally isn't interested enough in people to get to know them on more than just a surface level. Still, one thing this volume did do was introduce characters who opened up Myne's world in fun new ways. I'm partial to fantasy merchants, so Benno was a favorite of mine, and I particularly enjoyed his scenes with the guildmaster of the Merchants' Guild. And Lutz, Myne's friend, grew on me a lot.
As far as the author's use of great gobs of detail went, I enjoyed most of the paper-making process and the info Myne learned about the economics of this world but felt that the hairpin stuff bogged the story down. It also felt kind of weird that Myne went from "I'm giving my family part of my pay in an act of filial piety" (when she was paid to make paper) to "I'm paying my family members to do temp work for me" (when she was paid for hairpins).
Myne's illness has added more of a sense of urgency to the series, so I'm looking forward to seeing where that goes. Since I doubt the author plans to kill Myne off anytime soon, at some point nobles are going to be added to the cast of characters. Here's hoping their presence crowds out some of the more annoying additions to the cast. Myne's obsession with books and paper can be a bit much as it is, I really don't need Freida's obsession with money on top of that.
Extras:
A folded page with full-color illustrations on both sides, black-and-white illustrations throughout, a map of the portion of the town Myne has access to, a drawing of Myne's family's home, and two bonus short stories, one from Corinna's POV and one from Myne's mother's POV.
While I was okay with the bonus stories in the first volume, the ones in this one were pretty bad. Corinna's story, in particular, would have been better off in the trash. It was a flashback to Otto's "courtship" of her - meeting her when she was still 6 months away from being legally considered an adult and falling instantly in love with her, and then basically giving up his entire life over the course of two or three days until she was essentially boxed into two options, marrying the youngest son of the guildmaster or marrying Otto. She seemed okay with her final decision, but it didn't paint Otto in a good light. I also very much disliked the part where Corinna (jokingly? I hope?) suggested that Myne could end up marrying Benno if his work makes him too busy to find a wife. Myne is six and Benno is maybe in his twenties. No. Just no. Light novel authors (and manga authors, you know who you are), please stop doing this.
Effa's story was just boring, and the author or translator's attempt at giving her a "voice" was dry and unconvincing. Pretty much the only reason I'd recommend reading either of these two stories is because they contain some character background info that I don't think gets brought up at all in the main story.
Rating Note:
I gave this 3.5 stars on other sites but chose to round it up to 4 on Goodreads. I might have given it 4 stars if it hadn't been for how much the hairpin stuff bogged things down in the second half.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
March 2, 2024
Turpinu lasīt Myne dzīves stāsta turpinājumu. Stāstā sāk parādīties maģijas elementi, kas viduslaika pilsētu padara maģiskāku.
Otrā grāmata ir par Myne un Lutz partnerību darba gaitās, jo bērni uzsāk strādāt no 7 gadu vecuma. Kādi izaicinājumi tiek veikti, lai iegūtu attiecīgo pozīciju. Stāsts ir par ikdienišķām lietām, un brīžiem arī neko vairāk nemaz nevajag.
Otrā grāmata ir par Myne un Lutz partnerību darba gaitās, jo bērni uzsāk strādāt no 7 gadu vecuma. Kādi izaicinājumi tiek veikti, lai iegūtu attiecīgo pozīciju. Stāsts ir par ikdienišķām lietām, un brīžiem arī neko vairāk nemaz nevajag.
June 6, 2023
The premise of this series was enough to get me to pick it up. I love books nearly as much as the main character does! (I've haven't been killed by mine...yet.)
The story is hardly twisting and unpredictable, but it is solid well-executed and there have been some interesting world-building elements. The main characters are memorable and endearing.
All in all, there's nothing startling about them, but I'm having lovely time with these.
The story is hardly twisting and unpredictable, but it is solid well-executed and there have been some interesting world-building elements. The main characters are memorable and endearing.
All in all, there's nothing startling about them, but I'm having lovely time with these.
December 13, 2019
It was with this book that I realised how slowly everything was being introduced. This is not really a flaw, but more of a strength of the writing. I am loving the fact that the author is taking their time to establish a very rich and fleshed out world, and everything the author introduces, every single point - be it the town name, the days of the week, or what have you, are plot points. And although I usually give other books crap for taking this long to establish the town name, with how dense this world is, it is actually a welcomed breather that every single detail that is given is a significant plot point and thus why it takes so long to introduce things.
This particular volume is very focused on Lutz. But it is with all the events of this book that I realise exactly how amazing both Lutz and Benno are, and subsequently how dumb Myne actually is. She gets away with being viewed as intelligent because of her age, but she really is not because she is just drawing upon her experiences from her previous life, and it is with this volume that that really shows. I can't wait for the next installment, and the extra short stories that are included in the Kindle and print versions just give such character to the people involved that it warms the cockles of my heart.
This particular volume is very focused on Lutz. But it is with all the events of this book that I realise exactly how amazing both Lutz and Benno are, and subsequently how dumb Myne actually is. She gets away with being viewed as intelligent because of her age, but she really is not because she is just drawing upon her experiences from her previous life, and it is with this volume that that really shows. I can't wait for the next installment, and the extra short stories that are included in the Kindle and print versions just give such character to the people involved that it warms the cockles of my heart.
December 15, 2022
This was a comfy read, and the strengths that were on display in volume 1 continue in this one as well, but so do my issues with it.
As tends to be the case with a lot of isekais, the major appeals with this one, at least for me, is that nice sense of gradual progression, starting small and building something great from it (in most cases, a country/kingdom, but in this case, a business). It's what I enjoyed about Realist Hero and about the first season of the slime isekai, and I enjoy it a lot more in this one. Unlike slime, the protagonist isn't overpowered, but rather, underpowered, what with her physical disabilities, having to make up for them with her connections to the other characters and her knowledge, and since I personally find the goal of establishing a business and ultimately creating a bookstore, much more interesting than just kingdom building, it makes for a nice, relaxing yet still engaging read.
That being said, while the "mechanical narrative", for lack of a better word, is quite nice, the emotional narrative leaves things to be desired. Most of the book has the same casual, relaxed SOL tone, bereft of much in the way of drama, which is perfectly fine, but it does also have points of high intensity, and and those don't hit quite as hard as they could have. This small problem is an extension of the larger issue I also found with the previous volume, which is that Myne's narration really doesn't express much emotion at all. Aside from her love of books, which I already think is written to be too much of a caricature to express something about the character's emotional core, the rest of Myne's interactions with the world are pretty detached.
Since I'm very early on (2 volumes isn't a lot in a series like this, and they're pretty short too), I wouldn't say that these are problems that will definitely lessen the entire rest of the series or anything, it's perfectly possible that some later story lines will give me all I'm looking for and will improve the previous volumes in retrospect. I just wonder, since I assume this series will get heavier and more serious later on, based on how things are going, what will that drama be based on? As it stands, the drama seems like it will stem more from Myne's condition and her trying to stay alive, but the more time is spent on that, I imagine the less time will be spent on the progression and the goal of attaining books, which would betray the premise. I'd be impressed if the author somehow manages to balance both of those things.
As tends to be the case with a lot of isekais, the major appeals with this one, at least for me, is that nice sense of gradual progression, starting small and building something great from it (in most cases, a country/kingdom, but in this case, a business). It's what I enjoyed about Realist Hero and about the first season of the slime isekai, and I enjoy it a lot more in this one. Unlike slime, the protagonist isn't overpowered, but rather, underpowered, what with her physical disabilities, having to make up for them with her connections to the other characters and her knowledge, and since I personally find the goal of establishing a business and ultimately creating a bookstore, much more interesting than just kingdom building, it makes for a nice, relaxing yet still engaging read.
That being said, while the "mechanical narrative", for lack of a better word, is quite nice, the emotional narrative leaves things to be desired. Most of the book has the same casual, relaxed SOL tone, bereft of much in the way of drama, which is perfectly fine, but it does also have points of high intensity, and and those don't hit quite as hard as they could have. This small problem is an extension of the larger issue I also found with the previous volume, which is that Myne's narration really doesn't express much emotion at all. Aside from her love of books, which I already think is written to be too much of a caricature to express something about the character's emotional core, the rest of Myne's interactions with the world are pretty detached.
Since I'm very early on (2 volumes isn't a lot in a series like this, and they're pretty short too), I wouldn't say that these are problems that will definitely lessen the entire rest of the series or anything, it's perfectly possible that some later story lines will give me all I'm looking for and will improve the previous volumes in retrospect. I just wonder, since I assume this series will get heavier and more serious later on, based on how things are going, what will that drama be based on? As it stands, the drama seems like it will stem more from Myne's condition and her trying to stay alive, but the more time is spent on that, I imagine the less time will be spent on the progression and the goal of attaining books, which would betray the premise. I'd be impressed if the author somehow manages to balance both of those things.
March 12, 2023
Good news: Myne is less self-centered than in the first volume (I figured that would happen) and has begun making friends and seeing people for who they are rather than as a means to an end. It feels as if a lot of mechanisms that weren't even hinted at in the first volume are now coming into play: the fact that the original Myne was miserable but also a dreamer, and Gunther was a dreamer and a go-getter, and the new Myne is so focused that she is able to fight the Devouring--it feels as if there's some kind of plan in the background that Myne isn't aware of but the author knows exactly what's happening and has been quietly setting it up. THis is a good thing.
I'm still having a hard time believing people who are food-insecure haven't come up with all the food tricks that Mynes is using. No one ever steamed potatoes before? And ina world where butter is available and potatoes are boring but plentiful, no one ever thought, "Hey, let's put butter on the potato?" No. But I'm ignoring those things and enjoying the rest of the story. I've got book 3 ready to go.
I'm still having a hard time believing people who are food-insecure haven't come up with all the food tricks that Mynes is using. No one ever steamed potatoes before? And ina world where butter is available and potatoes are boring but plentiful, no one ever thought, "Hey, let's put butter on the potato?" No. But I'm ignoring those things and enjoying the rest of the story. I've got book 3 ready to go.
August 3, 2022
Toujours aussi bien
Mots Clés : light novel, young adult, fantasy
Après avoir adore le tome 1, et avec la récente sortie du tome 3, j’ai enfin lu ce deuxième tome.
On retrouve donc Maïn qui continue sa quête pour fabriquer du papier afin d’ensuite les transformer en livres. Maïn et Lutz sont en bonne voie pour devenir apprentis marchands mais évidemment, ils vont d’abord devoir affronter quelques obstacles. Ce qui est vraiment bien pour l’instant c’est que l’univers, l’atmosphère de ce light novel est constante. J’ai tout autant adoré que le premier tome, c’était prenant et fluide. On a des chapitres assez courts et facile à lire. On voit beaucoup Lutz dans ce tome, il est vraiment précieux, je l’adore. Maïn et lui sont vraiment attachants. La fin nous laisse en grand suspense donc je vais foncer lire le tome 3 maintenant.
Je continue à recommander.
5/5
Mots Clés : light novel, young adult, fantasy
Après avoir adore le tome 1, et avec la récente sortie du tome 3, j’ai enfin lu ce deuxième tome.
On retrouve donc Maïn qui continue sa quête pour fabriquer du papier afin d’ensuite les transformer en livres. Maïn et Lutz sont en bonne voie pour devenir apprentis marchands mais évidemment, ils vont d’abord devoir affronter quelques obstacles. Ce qui est vraiment bien pour l’instant c’est que l’univers, l’atmosphère de ce light novel est constante. J’ai tout autant adoré que le premier tome, c’était prenant et fluide. On a des chapitres assez courts et facile à lire. On voit beaucoup Lutz dans ce tome, il est vraiment précieux, je l’adore. Maïn et lui sont vraiment attachants. La fin nous laisse en grand suspense donc je vais foncer lire le tome 3 maintenant.
Je continue à recommander.
5/5
June 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this volume - Myne is settling into her world and her bookmaking goals. I loved this arc in the anime so no surprises here that this book really worked for me here as well.
I am not sure about the exact age range for the book but this volume is almost middle-grade ish for me. As a result, I was quite charmed by Myne and Lutz once again. Only downside was that this made me want to rewatch the show - again.
Maybe I'll treat myself when I am a few more volumes in.
I am not sure about the exact age range for the book but this volume is almost middle-grade ish for me. As a result, I was quite charmed by Myne and Lutz once again. Only downside was that this made me want to rewatch the show - again.
Maybe I'll treat myself when I am a few more volumes in.
September 1, 2020
Next, I want more
I do appreciate the little stories or the side stories (2 of them) at the end of the book. It explains how mynes dad married her mom and it also explain why her did is so good at wood working. Honestly compared to
The anime i never knew why lutz was pretty good with wood also. I just love this books and can’t wait for the next one. (I want to catch up with the anime so bad)
I do appreciate the little stories or the side stories (2 of them) at the end of the book. It explains how mynes dad married her mom and it also explain why her did is so good at wood working. Honestly compared to
The anime i never knew why lutz was pretty good with wood also. I just love this books and can’t wait for the next one. (I want to catch up with the anime so bad)
August 19, 2022
PAPER ARC GO HARD
October 8, 2024
I enjoyed this alot more than the first one. Def have alot of thoughts on it. Will try to collect all my throughts into a future video.
August 20, 2025
4.5 stars!
August 4, 2021
Another cute book of this adorable bookworm. Myne’s character improves a lot from book one and she’s no longer rude and annoying, she’s starting to fit in more into her family but is still determined to have books and nothing will stop her. I also love that she cares for Lutz and is helping him to achieve his dream.
The only complain I have is that we spend almost half the book with details of all the paper making process. And, I get she’s excited about books and all, but I don’t really need to know the finer details on how to make paper, I’m not about to go make it myself, so that felt too long.
The only complain I have is that we spend almost half the book with details of all the paper making process. And, I get she’s excited about books and all, but I don’t really need to know the finer details on how to make paper, I’m not about to go make it myself, so that felt too long.
September 29, 2024
Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 1 Volume 2
Story continues from the previous book, and considering this is volume 2 of part 1, I kind of wonder why all three volumes weren't published as one book. On the other hand, the main character, Myne, is massively annoying with her single-minded obsession over books that she loses all common sense, so she's better taken in small doses. It's also frustrating that the MC was originally a modern-day 22-year-old woman, and being transmigrated into a 5-year-old body, she's a mix of too mature for her age and not very intelligent for her actual age. Author probably realized how annoying her character is, so she made up a Plot reason for Myne's obsession. Eh, she needs a Driving Force for Plot. This book unfortunately ends on a cliffhanger, but has a few POV shifts following the dramatic ending to soften it a bit.
Story continues from the previous book, and considering this is volume 2 of part 1, I kind of wonder why all three volumes weren't published as one book. On the other hand, the main character, Myne, is massively annoying with her single-minded obsession over books that she loses all common sense, so she's better taken in small doses. It's also frustrating that the MC was originally a modern-day 22-year-old woman, and being transmigrated into a 5-year-old body, she's a mix of too mature for her age and not very intelligent for her actual age. Author probably realized how annoying her character is, so she made up a Plot reason for Myne's obsession. Eh, she needs a Driving Force for Plot. This book unfortunately ends on a cliffhanger, but has a few POV shifts following the dramatic ending to soften it a bit.
March 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, the story have become more interesting since Myne learning to become a merchant and using many of her ideas to makes money. Throughout the book we get to see more details of this new world. Everything feels so realistic, from people to economy, culture,... Everything feel real and logical. And while we still have yet see much of magic but I can tell from some hint dropped that it'll be a great aspect of the series. I can't wait to see how Myne gonna cure her illness and start learning to use magic in this world.
August 30, 2024
Read my review here:
https://fantasticfictions.com/ascenda...
https://fantasticfictions.com/ascenda...
May 30, 2022
It's good, but I think it's very clumsy in how it handles its themes, and I just don't connect with how Myne's passion for books is communicated. She never ones mentions a specific title she actually likes, all we get is a flashback showing how obsessed she is with reading, and hearing about how much she likes books, but not much about literature and what this actually connected with her. It feels very distant.
October 13, 2019
I dived straight into this second volume as soon as I finished the first.
This is an Isekai/Slice of Life Light Novel translated into English, full of heart.
Myne has been reincarnated into another world - a world with no books! Being a bookworm, Myne isn't going to let that stand!
4.5 out of 5 and yes, I AM already reading volume 3!
This is an Isekai/Slice of Life Light Novel translated into English, full of heart.
Myne has been reincarnated into another world - a world with no books! Being a bookworm, Myne isn't going to let that stand!
4.5 out of 5 and yes, I AM already reading volume 3!
October 28, 2018
梅茵終於把紙做出來了！距離能把書本捧在手上又近了一步，真替她感到高興。
書本裡有許多商人間的爾虞我詐，很引人入勝。梅茵和路茲兩個小孩如果沒有班諾的話大概已經被騙了吧。停在梅茵暈倒後還真是吊人胃口！
書本裡有許多商人間的爾虞我詐，很引人入勝。梅茵和路茲兩個小孩如果沒有班諾的話大概已經被騙了吧。停在梅茵暈倒後還真是吊人胃口！
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2025
The adventures of Myne continue!
December 30, 2023
I feel like I should reduce the number of tags in my reviews... I can't help it, though...
Continuing my belated review of to date my favourite (web novel) series! Strangely enough, I can only say, to the point where I managed to read today, it's predominantly more of the same from the first book, with Myne continuing to overexert herself trying to be more than dead weight, and everyone else getting mad at her when she does, since it could LITERALLY kill her. The one thing that confuses me—since I can't remember that part from the anime and haven't re-read that far in the manga—is when she needs very thin strips of bamboo, what that's for. I can picture the thing they're for in my head, but I can't think of where the strips go. That might be the one downside of the light novel, that it's an exercise to the reader what the thing being described is like, and how to convey all the required steps for the same.
(I also have very poor 3-D visualisation skills, mind you.)
(update)
I had forgotten just how much Urano-as-Myne only has "replicate my prior life in Japan as much as possible" in mind and forgets 1. that she is almost REQUIRED to make obscene amounts of money in order to afford what little exists in her new world that would save her life, and 2. the cheap, abundant items from Japan do not exist in her new world until she makes them so, and introducing them AS cheap makes it impossible to then increase their price later if necessary.
Point 2 is something that has been commonly an issue in the art community I've been a part of for years, that a lot of freelance artists in particular undersell themselves in an effort to be more popular or attract sales they otherwise aren't getting. Desperation affects some of that, maybe, but certainly when times aren't so hard, selling yourself short only makes you work harder for less reward. Also: If people aren't buying your product because it's too expensive, that's what SALES are for!
Anyway, I do know that a lot of my feelings about this series are changing based on what I know happens later. Like, when I first read this, I felt very happy (though frustrated), that Myne has found a way to stay alive, even if she's determined not to take it, because "that's ripping people off." If something has a market value of a million dollars, even if in your PAST LIFE it was worth only ten dollars, then it's absolutely worth a million dollars! That's true of contemporary times, too—something that was maybe $20 when I was little is now over $400!
Now, I read it, and :/
Anyway, it's still probably my favourite series, all things considered, because... I do want to say it actually IS slice-of-life for THEM, but it's still mostly about Myne's self-empowerment to get something she wants, in a fairly wholesome way. I just HAVE to love that!
(conclusion)
I think the one thing I genuinely hate is the cliffhanger, haha... "This cliffhanger should be illegal!" – many commenters on Webtoon
I do also, somehow, find myself insanely... jealous?? that this city's poor people have the option to send their children into the forest every day to get basic necessities, like firewood and forageable food (mushrooms, berries, fruits, etc., even if MAGIC foods). Possibly the only remotely similar society in modern times would be people literally living in the wilderness, or possibly Amish people? Certainly any major city or even suburb, the overwhelming trend is to pave literally everything possible, destroy/contaminate community gardens, and essentially screw over "the poors" to keep them oppressed, because the cruelty is the point. Ugh. All the wonders of the modern age, being used to keep others in the Stone Age.
...anyway.
Absolutely recommended for fans of the prior book, though these books really HAVE to be read in order. I feel like it's too much of a leap even to skip the first book, but it's POSSIBLE to read them out of order, on a purely technical basis? I can't imagine that's a good experience, though.
Continuing my belated review of to date my favourite (web novel) series! Strangely enough, I can only say, to the point where I managed to read today, it's predominantly more of the same from the first book, with Myne continuing to overexert herself trying to be more than dead weight, and everyone else getting mad at her when she does, since it could LITERALLY kill her. The one thing that confuses me—since I can't remember that part from the anime and haven't re-read that far in the manga—is when she needs very thin strips of bamboo, what that's for. I can picture the thing they're for in my head, but I can't think of where the strips go. That might be the one downside of the light novel, that it's an exercise to the reader what the thing being described is like, and how to convey all the required steps for the same.
(I also have very poor 3-D visualisation skills, mind you.)
(update)
I had forgotten just how much Urano-as-Myne only has "replicate my prior life in Japan as much as possible" in mind and forgets 1. that she is almost REQUIRED to make obscene amounts of money in order to afford what little exists in her new world that would save her life, and 2. the cheap, abundant items from Japan do not exist in her new world until she makes them so, and introducing them AS cheap makes it impossible to then increase their price later if necessary.
Point 2 is something that has been commonly an issue in the art community I've been a part of for years, that a lot of freelance artists in particular undersell themselves in an effort to be more popular or attract sales they otherwise aren't getting. Desperation affects some of that, maybe, but certainly when times aren't so hard, selling yourself short only makes you work harder for less reward. Also: If people aren't buying your product because it's too expensive, that's what SALES are for!
Anyway, I do know that a lot of my feelings about this series are changing based on what I know happens later. Like, when I first read this, I felt very happy (though frustrated), that Myne has found a way to stay alive, even if she's determined not to take it, because "that's ripping people off." If something has a market value of a million dollars, even if in your PAST LIFE it was worth only ten dollars, then it's absolutely worth a million dollars! That's true of contemporary times, too—something that was maybe $20 when I was little is now over $400!
Now, I read it, and :/
Anyway, it's still probably my favourite series, all things considered, because... I do want to say it actually IS slice-of-life for THEM, but it's still mostly about Myne's self-empowerment to get something she wants, in a fairly wholesome way. I just HAVE to love that!
(conclusion)
I think the one thing I genuinely hate is the cliffhanger, haha... "This cliffhanger should be illegal!" – many commenters on Webtoon
I do also, somehow, find myself insanely... jealous?? that this city's poor people have the option to send their children into the forest every day to get basic necessities, like firewood and forageable food (mushrooms, berries, fruits, etc., even if MAGIC foods). Possibly the only remotely similar society in modern times would be people literally living in the wilderness, or possibly Amish people? Certainly any major city or even suburb, the overwhelming trend is to pave literally everything possible, destroy/contaminate community gardens, and essentially screw over "the poors" to keep them oppressed, because the cruelty is the point. Ugh. All the wonders of the modern age, being used to keep others in the Stone Age.
...anyway.
Absolutely recommended for fans of the prior book, though these books really HAVE to be read in order. I feel like it's too much of a leap even to skip the first book, but it's POSSIBLE to read them out of order, on a purely technical basis? I can't imagine that's a good experience, though.
August 2, 2024
Ascendance of a Bookworm, Part 1 Volume 2
Ascendance of a Bookworm, Part 1 Volume 2 by Miya Kazuki continues the story of Myne, the young girl who is reincarnated into a medieval world with the dream of making books accessible to everyone. Building on the foundation laid in the first volume, this installment delves deeper into Myne's efforts to create books in a world with limited resources and explores the social dynamics and challenges she faces.
One of the key strengths of this volume is its portrayal of Myne’s ingenuity and determination. As she navigates the complexities of papermaking and printing, readers gain insight into the technological and economic barriers of the time. Myne’s journey is not just about creating books but also about overcoming societal constraints and building relationships with those around her.
Another contemporary comparison can be made with By the Grace of the Gods by Roy, which features a protagonist reincarnated into a magical world and using modern knowledge to improve life there. Both series share a focus on the protagonist’s ingenuity and positive impact on their new world. However, while Roy’s series leans more towards a feel-good narrative with a light-hearted tone, Kazuki’s work delves deeper into the societal and economic realities, providing a more grounded and realistic portrayal of Myne’s challenges.
One of the criticisms of this volume is the pacing. The detailed focus on the minutiae of book creation and daily life can slow down the story, potentially losing readers who prefer a faster pace or more action-oriented plots. Additionally, some of the secondary characters, while interesting, could benefit from further development to add more depth to their interactions with Myne.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Ascendance of a Bookworm, Part 1 Volume 2 by Miya Kazuki continues the story of Myne, the young girl who is reincarnated into a medieval world with the dream of making books accessible to everyone. Building on the foundation laid in the first volume, this installment delves deeper into Myne's efforts to create books in a world with limited resources and explores the social dynamics and challenges she faces.
Kazuki’s narrative remains compelling and detailed, focusing on Myne’s innovative methods and the cultural intricacies of her new environment. The story balances Myne’s personal growth with the development of secondary characters, enriching the overall narrative. The prose is clear and descriptive, making the medieval setting vivid and engaging.
One of the key strengths of this volume is its portrayal of Myne’s ingenuity and determination. As she navigates the complexities of papermaking and printing, readers gain insight into the technological and economic barriers of the time. Myne’s journey is not just about creating books but also about overcoming societal constraints and building relationships with those around her.
Comparing Ascendance of a Bookworm to its contemporaries, such as Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash by Ao Jyumonji and Log Horizon by Mamare Touno, highlights its unique focus. While Grimgar and Log Horizon emphasize survival and strategy in game-like worlds, Ascendance of a Bookworm offers a more introspective and personal journey. Jyumonji’s work delves into the psychological struggles of its characters, and Touno’s series explores the societal implications of being trapped in a game. In contrast, Kazuki’s series centers on the intellectual and cultural challenges of adapting to a pre-industrial world.
Another contemporary comparison can be made with By the Grace of the Gods by Roy, which features a protagonist reincarnated into a magical world and using modern knowledge to improve life there. Both series share a focus on the protagonist’s ingenuity and positive impact on their new world. However, while Roy’s series leans more towards a feel-good narrative with a light-hearted tone, Kazuki’s work delves deeper into the societal and economic realities, providing a more grounded and realistic portrayal of Myne’s challenges.
One of the criticisms of this volume is the pacing. The detailed focus on the minutiae of book creation and daily life can slow down the story, potentially losing readers who prefer a faster pace or more action-oriented plots. Additionally, some of the secondary characters, while interesting, could benefit from further development to add more depth to their interactions with Myne.
In conclusion, Ascendance of a Bookworm, Part 1 Volume 2 by Miya Kazuki is a captivating continuation of Myne’s journey. The detailed world-building, combined with Myne’s determination and innovative spirit, makes for an engaging read. While it may not appeal to all readers due to its slower pace and detailed focus, it offers a refreshing and intellectually stimulating take on the isekai genre. Fans of the series and those who appreciate thoughtful and well-researched historical fiction will find much to enjoy in this installment.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
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