Ascendance of a Bookworm (Light Novel), Part 2 Volume 3

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) #6

by Miya Kazuki, You Shiina (Illustrator), Quof (Translator)

An immense display of mana in front of the Knight’s Order has earned Myne the attention of nobles. The result? Yet more people appear hoping to exploit the young apprentice shrine maiden’s value. And so the High Priest decides to shelter Myne in the temple to safeguard her from the impending danger he foresees. But Myne’s main concern is still books, and she works to advance the printing process so that their price falls and more people can buy them. Her long winter in the temple away from her family begins, but everything changes as the harsh winter passes and the spring nears, offering a glimpse into what the future holds for this biblio-fantasy.

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Fiction, Manga, Young Adult, Magic, Slice Of Life

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 25, 2016

About the author

Japanese 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.

Reviews

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be difficult to express into words how much I love these books at this point. One of the best fantasy series I've read. Asian fantasy and sci-fi are practically forgotten by the western market, especially the European, and that is a loss for everybody.

[Faith Troupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

On to the next
Ohh I can’t wait

[Velta Gūtmane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Šī bija labāka grāmata. Jauni varoņi padara stāstu interesantāku. Vēlme uzzināt vairāk par aristokrātisko slāni un katru reizi priecē uzzināt, ko jaunu par tās pasaules maģiju. Pēc grāmatas sižetas var jau saprast, kas notiks tālāk . Ar nepacietību gaidu uzzināt jaunu šīs pasaules daļu. Šajai grāmatu sērijai ir labs world buildings.

[TG Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

先看漫畫，接著是動畫，直到現在才第一次接觸到了原作輕小說。果然是題材相當特別的異世界穿越小說，重點擺在生活中的食衣住行育樂，花了很多篇幅講柴米油鹽醬醋茶的細節，重塑了這個擁有魔法的「類中古歐洲」的異世界。

既然是日式的輕小說寫作型式，因此小說還是以第一人稱的方式撰寫，加上了各種讀者早已熟悉的動漫畫元素來表現（比如神官長揉太陽穴的卡通動作……），所以閱讀的速度很快。雖然我很欣賞作者對於生活化細節的考慮與設定，但看來本作的故事像是要越寫越大。到時內容是否還能保持一向以來的「幻想世界中的寫實」的趣味風格，就看未來地雷（Mine）小姐的表現了...

[Shu Wei Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does a series keep me interested in the gradual character development of a slightly oblivious character and her friends and family, pretty much through just their daily lives and shenanigans? I have no idea but Miya Kazuki has done it via Myne 😍

The stakes continue to increase too, on to the next book ASAP!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book where Myne has the most character growth.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this so much

My first encounter with this story was the anime adaptation, then the mangas and now I’m reading the light novels. I really like the light novels because it goes into more detail than the other mediums and it actually help me to better understand the anime. The caste system society in this story is very complex and even the different areas within each place is complex, like the temple. The temple has it’s own caste order that’s different than the noble’s. Even the commoners have it’s own system depending on the job you get, etc... The world building is just insane but I love and try my best to keep up. The religion is also complex and plays a big roll in the use of mana/magic. The main character Myne is a young lady from our time that’s reborn into this world, while keeping her memories. Since this world is more like our medieval time, she’s creating/inventing things left and right and is just an all around oddity to the other characters. She’s been lucky and has a lot of folks helping her. She’s really struggling in this book with being a commoner but needing more power to protect herself and her family. She will have to make hard decisions to stay true to herself while surviving the harsh caste system. Things I didn’t like: This story is told from several perspectives and you can’t always tell whose POV you’re reading from until a few paragraphs in. Maybe insert the person’s name before each POV change? A person is executed in this and I thought that was way too harsh and yes, the person was an a$$ but I wouldn’t have gone that far. Was this just to create a super revenge plot later? I didn’t even hate the character enough for them to be a root cause of a revenge. I like the story so far overall but for being in the children’s genre, it has some gruesome implications thrown in. As an adult, I enjoy the drama and intrigue of this story.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be a fast (re-)read, since I remembered plowing through them fast before. Must have been when I started on a day off and dedicated myself to ONLY one "word" book (vs. some graphic novels).

I can't think of anything in specific that I could point to as the reason I want to take off a star. Maybe the fact that the whole time I was reading, I was thinking with dread of what comes next, even though one seeming threat has been decisively removed from the equation. Nope, turns out there are neverending threats! Imagine, when you're THE black hole of disruption in a world totally unprepared for the history-making "inventions" you're bringing to it! (only the subject of a VERY LOT of fantasy-based isekai stories!)

I misremembered, though—Myne still gets at least one more volume before the think I was thinking about (I guess that DOES seem rushed, having it all in one).

It's also weird to read, because I of course have the anime character voices in mind, but Kazuki mentions in the afterword of [I don't remember which volume offhand] that a different voice actor reads the parts for the audioplay version. Which... given the choice, I can kind of see as a good one, but less authoritative?

I don't know. It's weird being used to one and trying to overlay the other, but if the anime is really not the author's original choice, then I want to think of the correct one, wouldn't I?

I probably also would have finished reading faster, but I *had* to go back and find the episodes that covered this book, since I really wanted to see—AWW, THEY DIDN'T SHOW IT! :( Boo! I really wanted to know what "anime songs" Myne was thinking of that she had the High Priest* transcribe. I guess they didn't feel like animating/licensing that. Pity, they did it for... I think... How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom (diva character memorised a J-Pop song after hearing it once and performed it, but I wasn't familiar with the original song)

Well, my headcanon is the Sailor Moon theme at LEAST, since it's the main one I can think of that would make Myne laugh at the High Priest playing so earnestly. Maybe also Magic Knight Rayearth for something that sounds almost passable as a religious song if you only hum it.

On the whole, this volume covers more of the same, with most of the "serious" drama happening off-screen (the whole Wolf thing) compared to the Trombes in the prior book. Sure, there's drama like... Sylvester... and an ambush that isn't genuinely serious because the assailants don't really pose a threat to two strong blue priests (and also Myne's rage). But nothing like the REALLY major battles in the series that come to mind.

And, of course, Myne's mother (Effa) being VERY pregnant. That's a "good" drama, though.

So, despite being a volume 3, it actually doesn't round out a trilogy but continues for a bit; the one serious flaw of the series, that the books aren't just *in order* and this isn't just volume 6 instead of being "Part X of Y, Volume Z" where Y is unknown and Z has no clear "this is the end of this part" indicator.

The art is gorgeous as always, too—my favourite of the different styles in this series (light novel/manga/anime). Probably an oversight with the reversi on the cover, though, since it's described in-book as having square pieces, since that's easier for the children to make.

Absolutely recommended for fans; newcomers will have a heck of a time picking it up from here.

Post-script: I thought I caught a plothole, based on something that happens in a later volume, where Wilma is astonished by a drawing of the High Priest and longs to see his beauty in person, even though *SHE MEETS HIM HERE*, but in the anime, she doesn't raise her head once when the High Priest and Sylvester go to see the workshop. Her loss(?), I guess.

*I know it's Ferdinand, and Myne knows it's Ferdinand, but she repeatedly calls him High Priest in the book, so I am, too.

Edit to add: I just remembered, I was slightly annoyed when reading, because it talks about them going to get parue fruits and making parue cakes, which Damuel (a noble, even if a lower-level one) finds himself craving, so they must be AMAZING... and, of course, since parues are a magical, WHOLLY IMAGINARY THING, there is no way to try one in real life. Hmph!

About the only way I can console myself is that Damuel, despite nobility, may never have had sugar, so I have to tell myself parues are just the labour-intensive, poor people's sugar. (Parue cakes are already comparable in Myne's mind as like pancakes.) Given that Myne is the only one who has had both sugar and parue, I would hope she would compare the two objectively, but nope. Sugar-substitute it is, then.

[Eressea · Rating 5 out of 5]

20230510 2nd read
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20200204 購入KOBO版
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20181223 借自新竹市圖

金屬活字終於作出來啦~
但看描述不像是不耐用的鉛活字
比較像是銅活字
但不管怎麼說都被有遠見的神官長看出印刷可怕的威力了
只好等第三部再來看看印刷機解禁後作者會怎麼寫了

這兩集轉生發威的描述比較少
硬派穿越努力重現技術的劇情又變多了
比較喜歡這樣的劇情
雖然說比起第一部的溫馨日常
第二部的異世界也越來越殘酷就是了

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enduring yet another winter in Ehrenfest, Myne is stuck between a rock and a hard place, yet she strives to make the most of her circumstances. It's expected the prodigy inventor will find a way to keep things interesting in even the bleakest of times (wait, she's building a printing press?), and it's expected the girl will continue stepping on toes as she embarks on her quest to increase global literacy (wait, she's starting yet another guild?), but when mysterious forces conspire to do harm to Myne and those around her, it's time to pull out all the stops.

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM #6 is a smooth and easy read. Stepping back, it's really quite a wonder to see how much Myne has accomplished in roughly two years. Benno and a few other characters note, warmly, the astonishing change of pace the girl has brought. Odd as it may seem, it's refreshing to see pivotal secondary characters openly admit to Myne's awkward genius. Paper. Ink. Children's books. Orphan livelihood. Sweets. Cooked food. The girl is a whirlwind of ingenuity and she's nowhere near done.

The current volume takes readers, and Myne, beyond the central district of Ehrenfest, as the High Priest and a few of his colleagues venture into the surrounding farming communities to conduct various prayer rituals. It's an interesting bit of worldbuilding that puts readers on their toes as Myne observes and discusses the differences of expectations of citizens' economic power from a new perspective. The venture also puts the High Priest on his toes, since he becomes acutely aware of the need to protect the girl from those who would do her considerable harm. Indeed, this volume makes it abundantly clear there are individuals both in the temple and among the nobility who wish this brilliant child with the Devouring weren't such a menace to the status quo.

Highlights thus far include the fun and sensible way Myne's allies keep assembling as if by habit. Benno. The smithies. The High Priest. Myne's family. The little girl is slowly but surely assembling a force to be reckoned with, including Sylvester, a doggedly annoying but boyishly pure blue priest and Karstedt, an archnoble and captain of the Knight's Order. This volume includes a bit of kinetic action by way of a raiding party against which the team must defend. And yet, with this team on her side, Myne is gradually becoming the most reliable and fearsome little genius on the continent.

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM #6 carries less of the brash sarcasm for which much of the book series is known and relies a bit more on the series' blossoming character dynamics to push things forward. Myne's personal narrative still propels the story forward, but the actions and intentions of others, as interwoven or influenced by Myne, now shape and guide the novel.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caveat of I did not read the entire month of November, hence why it took me so long to read this book.

I read half of it in October and half of it in December, but it was really easy to pick back up and fall right back into the story.

Things are ramping up for Myne, and the world is continuing to expand. Winter seems like it would be a slow time, but there is still plenty happening to keep things interesting, plus the author has a way of writing that makes even slower moments interesting, which is helped by how strong Myne's personality/voice is.

Though, this book is also the start of the heartache, and I'm still not prepared for what is to come.

But before that, a new character is introduced that is quite the handful but also adds a lot of liveliness to the scenes. I can't recall if his secret is revealed by the end of this larger multi-book arc (i.e. where the anime currently ends), but he is very intriguing and I want to know more.

My one complaint about this book is the Spring Prayer section. Most of the time, this story takes it time telling things with the occasional time skip, but the Spring Prayer arc felt a bit rushed. All the scenes themselves are great, but once the excitement is done, the rest of it is skipped over. Granted, it is stated nothing important happened, and each scene should have some kind of purpose when telling a story, but I just wish there had been a bit more. Maybe that's just me, though.

As for what follows, I love it. Everyone's reactions to various things are great, and it's just a lot of fun to read. Then the ending bit wraps things up well, ending on a happy note.

The epilogue is in Delia's POV, and it's interesting to see her POV, especially as she's been focused on less as the story has gone on. Though, also... ick. There's some of that uncomfortableness that comes with Delia and her goals, and one line in particular is super ick, though this series is always careful to keep things clean while also making it clear exactly what is going on.

As for the bonus stories, the first one is from Damuel's POV, and it's nice to see more of his internal thoughts and how he views the world/Myne. I also love the bit about what Myne's been reading, as the main story really doesn't focus much on that.

Then Johann gets a story, which is great fun to read. Also, I think one of my favorite pieces of artwork in this series is located in this story. XD It's nice to see more of Johann's work life, and the debate about the nickname is great.

Overall, another great book in the series. Again, I love the art style. It's just so beautiful. Also, the humor is as great as always, and this series also really knows how to do tension when it's needed. I can't wait to learn more about the mysteries of one of the new characters, and I'm excited for what comes next.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I switched to this from the manga as the newest manga volumes aren't out yet in English, it seems. About half of this overlapped with the manga volume(s) I'd already read. To be honest, reading it was a bit tedious; I guess it's a "picture speaks a thousand words" kinda thing. The translation is also a little bit awkward; that's easier to ignore in the manga where it's mostly dialogue that's translated.

Once again, not much problem-solving in this one. Myne goes off on the spring ritual and her retinue gets attacked, but there's not much word as to who's behind it, except that it seems to be from a noble outside the kingdom, but possibly with connections to one of this country's nobles...something like that.

An exceedingly annoying character called Sylvester is introduced, who at least has some mystery to him but that isn't solved here: Benno is shocked to see him, so he must be important in some way; he also gives Myne a charm that will summon his help if she needs it.

One nice thing is that Myne's little brother gets born. She tries her best to disinfect everything but has few tools to do it with. Luckily her brother is born healthy nevertheless. There's also bad news in that the printing press is put on hold for everything except children's books until Myne gets adopted, for her safety, but she decides she'll make great picture books for her brother in the meantime, which is sweet.

I'm hoping the mystery of Sylvester will be solved in the next volume, and that there'll be some actual problem solving in the next one! Also when is that dang Italian restaurant going to be open? It's been ages.

[Pinky N.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less than a day. Wow, how I love this book.

I watched the anime and read the first volume of the manga before I read this light novel. I specifically started with this part 2 volume 3 because the latest anime season — the third season — started from here.

The story is beyond amazing, the illustrations are adorable — this entire book is beyond expectation. I even cry and laugh and questions and — I did almost all expressions, I think. As always, I love Myne. Even the writing (translation) is neat. Applause!

What I love the most from this is the fact that many people love Myne. They even ready to sacrifice themselves to protect that tiny little girl. Really, I myself love Myne so much, I might cry again soon.

I don't have anything that I dislike. This is the truth. 5 stars for this incredible book!

[Blank · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, this volume is the one with the most actions across the entire series so far. We are following Myne as she is doing his spring blessing across the duchy. Everything is happy and quiet until they suddenly got ambushed.

Compared to the previous volume, there is no difference at all. The style of the writing is still as good as always, the way the story presented is still bright and brought happiness to whoever read it, and many more.

Oh and there is a new character named Sylvester, a wild blue priest with a kind heart.... or so the High Priest said. Judging from how the High Priest relented and let him do whatever he wants, I have a feeling that Sylvester is a person with very high status within the society. And I have a feeling, he will be playing a crucial part in the story from now on.

[Bekah Pimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just going to repeat all the things I texted my friend at 2 am when I couldn’t stop reading this wonderful book:

People mistaking Benno as Myne’s father... I live for this.

We also get a clingy Myne and Lutz just going about his business with her forcing a hug out of him. 😆😂

Also, Benno and Ferdinand bonding over not being able to control Myne.

Also, the punishment for that one noble... oh my god... 🤯😳

I’m crying!!!!! Myne!!!!!

More hugging!

They’re bonding!!!

Soft boy Sir Damuel is out of his element.

F*** the high bishop.

Poor Johann.

Hehe, anime music.

“Ha, I win” wow Ferdinand. 😓

More father figures!!!

Sylvester is crazy.

Damuel definitely has a man crush on Ferdinand.

Myne just following Ferdinand like a baby duck! 🤣😂

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. It is in a place I would not have expected when I first started reading the series but that's a good thing. Not that my ideas are bad, but because Kazuki-sensei has really built up a world that while fantastic is also overflowing with verisimilitude. We learn more about the hierarchy of the classes in this one, and what was once just interesting becomes critical.

Myne continues her quest to make books, has to spend a winter away from her family, travel the District for the Spring Prayer and juggle it all.

Verdict: This is the first one post anime (season 1), but you should still start with the first book as you'll get more detail. You'll appreciate this book more if you do!

[Gil Mil · Rating 5 out of 5]

อ่านจบเสียที ใช้เวลานานอยู่เหมือนกัน 13 วันได้ คันจิเยอะยุ่บยั่บ แต่ก็ผ่านมาได้ อ่านจบ 6 เล่ม จาก 33 เล่มจบ(ยังไม่รวมเล่มพิเศษและภาคสปินออฟ) กลัวที่ไหน สนุกขนาดนี้อ่านไปยาวๆ เลย

ชอบการวางพลอตเรื่องมากๆ มันเชื่อมต่อกันไปหมด นางเอกเหมือนจะต๊องๆ แต่ก็คิดเยอะแยะมากมาย ทั้งที่รักหนังสือมาก แต่ถ้าเลือกได้ นางเลือกครอบครัวแน่นอน อ่านเล่มนี้แล้ว รู้สึกเหมือนความเป็นอุราโนะจะเริ่มถอยห่างออกไป จะกลายเป็นไมน์มากขึ้นเรื่อยๆ ก็แน่นอนแหละเนอะ ไม่มีสิ่งใดที่ไม่เปลี่ยนไปหรอก อุราโนะตายไปแล้ว คนที่อยู่ตรงนี้ เคยเป็นอุราโนะ แต่ก็ต้องใช้ชีวิตต่อ จะให้ยึดติดกับความสะดวกสะบาย หนังสือหาอ่านง่าย เอาแต่ใจเหมือนตอนเป็นคนญี่ปุ่น มันก็ไม่ได้ ถ้าไม่ปรับเปลี่ยนก็มีแต่ต้อง���ายเท่านั้น แถมจะพาครอบครัวตัวเองตายไปด้วยนี่แหละ

เห็นพัฒนาการของตัวละครและเนื้อเรื่องแล้ว รักเลยหนอเรื่องนี้

[Christina Blank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger! This just keeps getting better

It’s really sad, I finish the lack last book at 10:00 PM, said I was just going to start reading this one looked up and it was 2:40 AM and I had to get to work tomorrow. I had to force myself to close the book to go to sleep. It has been years since I’ve been so engrossed in a series that I would rather not sleep just to continue reading it. And I dreamt of it all night long. The characters just keep getting better the storylines getting more intricate and more detailed and I’m super excited and now I’m going to start the next book

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myne's life as an apprentice shrine maiden continues with winter and the need to stay at the temple, instead of home, for her health and for her protection. More nobles are looking for the young girl with the powers. Meanwhile, she's trying to figure out how to bring movable type to the world. She also has to put up with homesickness, the lack of affection shown between apprentices and their attendants, and then a trip across the country to welcome spring and assure a good harvest. It's weird, it's complicated, and it's interesting, just seeing the beginnings of change in what has been pretty much a medieval fantasy world.

[amanda baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This continues where the anime left off!

For all of you wanting to continue following the story. This follows Immediately after season 2 of the anime ends. Questions are answered! But the malevolence from behind the scenes finally begins o try to kidnap poor Main. Everything is in this volume, well almost... Brave warriors riding out into battle, curious and annoying priests, fun times gathering fruit in the forest, and quite times with family. It ends on a good note, but leaves you thirsty for more.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having a blast with these. Obviously the book obsession helps, but I'm also enjoying my first light novels and all the fun that comes with those, and how Myne has the mind of a young adult but the body of a small child. The author understands (as Myne does not) that the body has an effect on the mind, so despite her knowledge and memories Myne still has the impulsivity and short sightedness of a younger child. She also has come to expect not to know what is going on, and childlike, just accepts that instead of systematically trying to figure things out.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sylvester is awful. But the rest of this world just keeps getting better. There is a lot of characterization for a book that is really all about world building. We get to leave the city and the forest, and that really wasn't the better parts. And Myne doesn't invent quite as much in this one. But the book is just so much fun. And of course books. And what little art there is always hits like a sweet surprise.

[Dyna Clarisse]

What was the onyx(?) gemstone that Sylvester gave Myne??? Would he really protect her??? Why did Benno react that way upon seeing him and after their talk???

When Myne said “i’ll be be back tomorrow”

And Rosinda thought she had a feeling she won’t see Myne again, it felt like a premonition.

So far, I’m glad that Myne didn’t go back bec of a good reason, but if her, not going back could be permanent as well bec the book ended with Delia snooping around with the high bishop

[Sabian Sarasati · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've been following these series for quite a while. and its been a a great time to spend reading this book. the universe of this story is expanding along with the character development. i will recommend this book to anyone who would like a good isekai theme story without a big point in romance. i really hope the English version of the next volume will come out soon.

[Ritsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

From this book on, I can see that the author is now paving the way and building the plot to the next stage of her life. With the display or her strong mana, it is bound to attract the attention of the nobles in Ehrenfest. But she still did not sense the danger that is approaching and still immerse herself in book making process. I must say, Myne's love for books is amazing, in a way :')

[Elilith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce tome était un peu plus lent que les derniers mais ce n'était pas pour me déplaire. Avoir les petits détails de la préparation de l'hiver et des continuelles avancées de Myne vers son objectif était très intéressant. J'étais moins à l'aise avec la quantité de noms apparus dans ce tome (des personnes, des pays etc) et j'espère qu'il ne sera pas trop grave que j'en oublie la moitié.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!

I love this series so much. I wish they were translating and publishing them faster.
As to the actual plot, things are getting more tense and interesting with the nobles. New characters were interesting too.

[Irina Villacis · Rating 5 out of 5]

reto pop sugar 2020

22. Un libro sobre o de una mujer en el mundo de la Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería o Matemáticas.

me encanta este anime y estas novelas ligeras. me hace motivar y reafirmar . animo Myne. que linda niña .

[Breno Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

O começo da uma aventura foi bem mais tenso e assustadora do que imaginava, mostrando bem o estado da sociedade nessa obra. Mas tirando essa parte tensa, o resto segue o desenvolvimento maravilhosa da vida da Myne (que é o que quero mesmo) e é bom ver como tudo evoluiu desde o começo da obra

[Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This volume really got me hyped about Myne. I can see how she doesn't see the repercussions of her actions. Luckily she has people that truly care about her watching over her.