Ascendance of a Bookworm (Light Novel), Part 2 Volume 1

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) #4

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

With her baptism ceremony complete, Myne begins work in the temple as an apprentice shrine maiden. Awaiting within is what she always wanted: a room full of books! But her new life isn't quite the dream she was hoping for; she's surrounded by nobles who scorn her commoner origins, and even her own servants are causing her trouble. On top of that, she has to constantly battle the weakness of her own body. But with her love for books burning in her heart, she gives her all to her new apprentice duties. Thus begins part two of this bibliofantasy!

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

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2015

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

[Jaye Card · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book still suffers from occassional translation awkwardness and there's still a lot of over explaining, but since we're now in a setting in which people (read: nobles) speak very...indirectly and without obviously showing their intention, it feels a lot less out of place. I took a while to get through each volume in part 1, but this one I have been devouring. A lot more stuff happens, new places and characters are explored, and the tension is much higher!

I'm also noticing that the series is putting an increasing emphasis on characters besides Myne having their own aspirations that they shoot for. Things that many other fantasy books make mundane, like Tuuli looking for ways to become a better seamstress or Lutz's troubles with his families when he wants to be a merchant, are deemed important enough to become the focus too. It's not just Myne's crazy rise to book making power, everyone else's life stories matter just as much no matter how little they will impact history or change the world - because everyone deserves to be the hero of their own story for a little while. Everyone has their own thing going on, and that just makes the world and the characters feel so alive.

[Brooke (Books are my Favorite!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This light novel was light a cozy blanket for my inner child. I was so pleased to see the introduction of some magic lore with elemental gods. These do still suffer from pacing and translation syndrome but I will probably keep coming back to this series when I want to feel wrapped up in the story again.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT SO MUCH. I bought them all and can’t wait to read the rest. Thank you Friend who got me onto this series! 5, I need more time to read, stars.

[Shu Wei Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving this second arc!

Myne has now found access to books and is working hard towards manufacturing books herself, but getting to this spot has landed her amongst the tedious and powerful nobility. She's continuing to learn (via hilariously floundering around and getting scolded by more responsible adults), while Lutz is just developing so well it reads like watching your child grow up ✨


Our babies Myne and Lutz are maturing and making positive changes in their world, I'm excited to keep following their journey. I also love that the last few chapters are always narrated by side characters, making these characters multi-faceted and super interesting as well.

[Rahul Balaggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I am left in awe!

The worst part about this series is how it always leaves me without words. After reading such an amazing tale of Myne and company with such descriptive language, metaphors out the wazoo, and a tone that seems to calm me to no end I honestly feel like there are no words to properly describe just how amazing this book is.

If you are looking for something to read that is light hearted at times and heart wrenching when it needs to be, something that may warm you soul, and something that will make you laugh yourself off your chair this is the series for you, stop reading this review and start reading Ascendance of a Bookworm!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[s. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new world.

That is what the temple to Myne is. Her common sense and knowledge from the lower city and her previous life are all useless in the temple. There is a whole new world in it and it involves the dangerous people she'd rather stay away from - the nobles. But then again, here we are.

This book tells of Myne's journey of struggling yet again in a new environment. Just when she has finally adjusted to the life in the lower city, everything becomes a struggle yet again because: 1) the High Bishop hates her; 2) her attendants are a handful (well at the start); and 3) nobility in its entirety - everything about it, with all its manners and common sense, and power, are nothing short of a headache. Probably the redeeming factors amongst all these chaos are Myne getting to live with her family still, and that she can still keep earning money. Oh, and that she's got more people on her side now. *ahem* Ferdinand *ahem*

I like how this book takes us at every step - from the struggle, to the acceptance, to finally Myne being loved and/or cared for by everyone. Myne was learning in each step, it's like learning to live in the temple with her.

I am excited to read more of how she improves the orphanage. I'm excited to know which things she "invents" too. It will be fun seeing her cause complete chaos (again) all for the sake of having peace for herself (which by the way is really closely connected to books, like always lol).

It's starting to get more fantastical.

I am excited to read more of her endeavors with magic. I'm lookong forward to the time she's alreadt used to it and good with it. Of course, it's always a joy to read about the people around her being amazed by her as well. In this book, mistakes are plenty for her - not a surprise since she's still at the starting line for now, but it's nice to read about her slowly improving in her duties and as a person in her new world, as a whole.

I really loved reading the epilogue chapters.

Deid's chapter contained a line that has me pausing and thinking a lot. "Deid sighed slowly, thinking of Myne wearing her blue robes and sitting next to the High Priest - sitting on the nobles' side." This line made me realize something. For me, it was like a warning, a heads up, a foretelling of what's going to happen to Myne - both with her status in the future and the place she will be belonging in the future. When I read that line, I had to pause for quite some time. There was a realization. Something like a Eureka moment though I know it's a Eureka moment only for me.

The rest of the epilogue chapters were welcomed too. It was nice reading about Myne being praised. The main part (Myne's perspective) always tells of how Myne is useless and bad at everything but in truth, when you see other people's perspectives, she has been such a huge figure in other people's lives. It's nice reading about it. I feel like my child has been complimented lol

This book was not all fun since Myne was struggling but nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read. On to the next!

[the length and quality of this review may be attributed to my lack of sleep lol I'll edit the next time]

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anteriormente: Objetivo: ler livros. Obstáculos: são caros. Meios: Aprender a fazer papel, papiro e placas de barro, integrar uma guilda vendendo produtos e formas de fabricação de bens, em troca ganhar matéria prima. Ficar amiga da filha do chefe da guilda e conhecer o item mágico pra precisa pra ficar viva. Entrar no templo que possui recursos para itens mágicos que controlem a mana e impedem de ser consumida pela magia. Fazer um acordo com o Bispo e Sacerdote chefes no templo para ser aceita no templo na categoria dos nobres ao invés de órfã, além de poder voltar pra casa todo fim de tarde e manter as atividades na guilda para custear a oferenda para o templo e se manter.

Nesse volume:
- Myne entra no templo na categoria dos nobres
- Fran, assistente mais velho enviado direto pelo "Hight Priest" , Gil e Delia, que se recusam a obedecer Myne por ela não ser nobre.
- Função inicial de Myne é ler e memorizar a "bíblia", fica chateada com a segunda função.
- Lutz ganha confiança de Benno na Guilda
- Lutz briga com Gil
- Gil passa a obedecer Myne após saber que ela ajudaria a melhorar sua situação nós dormitórios
- Myne vende receita de Pizza e Sopa para Guilda
- Gil pede pra Myne ajudar os órfãos de menos de 7 anos que vivem na miséria no Templo
- Myne se torna diretora do orfanato e pra manter os custos "Trabalho infantil, é isso".
- Lutz foge de casa por não aceitarem ser mercador. Benno mostra interesse em adota-lo
- Após discussão com o "High Priest", pai de Lutz e Benno fica decidido um acordo para que Lutz permaneça na Guilda sem maiores contratempos.

[Scott Mattson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myne finally gets to read books, her goal since awakening in this world. But since she had to join the Temple to do it, she is too busy to enjoy it. Myne Becomes an apprentice to the temple gets a few servents most of whom are not much Help, volenteers to run the orphanage and Helps Lutz deal with family issues.
This volume was as good as the previous ones. The story is definently advancing, which is not something every light novel can say. Not a lot of action. But the sense of setting things up for future events is getting stronger.

[MasterSal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice to open July with a win. This charming volume starts Myne's adventures as a apprentice Shrine Maiden. We get introduced to a wider cast (some of which are pretty annoying - looking at you attendants) but the High Priest is a favorite.

This series continues to make me smile and gives me a lovely glow. Myne's a little annoying but the illustrations reminds me of her cuteness at just the right moment. Looking forward to the next volume.

[Velta Gūtmane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turpinu lasī. Ja tādā tempā turpināšu lasīt šo sēriju, tad 28 grāmata pienāks ļoti ātri, un tad būs man jāgaida nākamais tulkojums.

Grāmatai ir lēns tempa, bet ir liela dažādība un visu laiku notiek kaut kas jauns.

Šī grāmata ieskicēja tempļa dzīvi un bērnu namu. Kā arī Myne pirmo draudzību ar aristokrātu dzimtas pārstāvi.

[Aelvana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myne has at last gotten close enough to books to read them---even if it did require her to join the temple. But she soon finds her position involves more than just quiet days of paperwork and reading---her mandatory assistants want nothing to do with her, and the temple is hiding some ugly secrets. For his part, Lutz is managing well in his apprenticeship, but his family relationships are falling apart because of it. The two of them have a long road ahead . . .

Although Myne has her share of interesting events, Lutz is really the star of this book for me. I love how the High Priest basically intervenes because his calculator lost efficiency, but he gives Myne a great lesson about listening to all sides in a problem before jumping to conclusions. Lutz has been suffering because he can't communicate effectively with people who don't want to listen, and because he can't read minds. And I LOVE that Lutz's dad gets called out for his own terrible communication and the damage his assumptions has caused.

It's also fun how the High Priest has become yet another adult Myne inadvertently drives crazy. She's so helpful to him both financially and abilities-wise that he gets a little more involved with her than I think he intended, and her differing points of view as well as her frail health mean he's often thrown out of sorts trying to manage her.

Overall this was another solid volume. Myne is starting to make ripples in larger ways now, and her choices impact more people than ever. I'm looking forward to where this goes next. I rate this book Recommended.

See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start to the next phase in the story. Just like normal the story felt a little meandering and slow which isn't such a bad thing. I like the feeling of reading it and feeling like I'm just bumbling along with the characters in their daily life.

The book did pick up a bit when it was talking about the orphanage. Up to this point I wouldn't call this series dark at all so I almost had whiplash when it started describing it. It was a little unsettling but maybe it's the story trying to be more serious than it has been up to this point.

Once again we end the book with going back to Lutz' storyline which I don't really mind too much since I like the character but I'm noticing a pattern of male characters dominating the plot while the female ones fade into the background. Especially when Myne is the main character and this series is written by a woman, I wish it the female characters would have more of a presence.

In any case, I'm looking forward to the next book like always.

[Hisham El-far · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of the second arc of this adorkable light novel series sees our protagonist enter the temple as a Blue Robe amd begin to navigate the treacherous and twisting political waters of the nobility.

I love this series and can't wait for more.

[Faith Troupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who watched the anime there are just a couple of things that have changed to fit the anime format. It was good and I can’t wait to get to the next book so I can catch up with the anime so I can know what happens next.

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues its heartwarming tale

This story is wonderfully charming even after a bit of a dark twist. Can't wait for the next book to be translated!

[Benjamin Valimont · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series

This is a great series. I’m enjoying this series more and more with new volume. I can’t wait for the next one to come out.

[ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wooo

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I dislike the most about this series is the "Part X, Volume X" divisions of books, which makes it difficult to know whether I've gotten and read all of the books without consulting a list. (I know there's a general, "Does this connect to what I read in the prior book?" but that's takes more effort than simply having the books numbered sequentially.)

I know that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure does this, too, but it's slightly more successful at it, in that the parts are very clearly delineated by the main protagonist, where Bookworm is entirely about Myne, with some bonus stories (and prologues/epilogues) featuring a different character. I'm similarly annoyed not being able to tell at a glance whether I have all of the JoJo's books, too, but at least I understand the divisions a little better—and also, there are fewer such breaks.

This "part" begins the somewhat painful chapter of Myne's life when she begins work in the temple as a shrine maiden, which includes dealing with classism and prejudice, besides her general ignorance and casual disregard of both (until the reasons why she needs to care are beaten into her, *almost* literally). The one thing I'm aware of that they briefly mention but which isn't spelled out is the "offering flowers" as a euphemism for giving sexual favours to whichever noble visits the temple and demands them. I know this volume in specific is about learning about euphemisms and things left unsaid, so did I just figure it out? Sure, it's probably easy enough to figure out, but I still wonder if I'm misinterpreting things, despite criticisms about this series purely on the basis that some of the shrine maidens essentially are coerced into being raped.

...I feel like I've gone over this before, but reiterating that their world having bad things happen in it doesn't make it a bad series: There can be worlds where nobody gets raped, but it's still a horrible dystopia, or rape victims could overcome their rapists and get some justice. It depends on how it's handled, and Myne (eventually) handles the "flower offering" the best way she can, which I feel is appropriate for the story and also gives it a layer of realism—in a world where dangerous trees can suddenly sprout from out of nowhere and steal all the nutrients in the ground and from anything it touches.

(That said, I'm not tagging the "flowers" because it isn't actually a major enough topic to merit a tag for THIS volume. I just feel like I have to repeat myself for some reason.)

The translation has a few errors I noticed, too, but I'm sure no one would notice unless I pointed to page and line number ("desert" instead of "dessert", the High Priest is frustrated with the High Priest(?))—certainly I didn't notice them the first time I read through, but I guess I was reading a little more thoroughly this time, despite having gone through this story multiple times now.

That said, it's sort of difficult reading this volume, since it's almost entirely Myne doing something wrong and *only by chance* not having it all end in disaster as a result of her willful ignorance. I still like it, since it's a LOT of world building, and *despite* the problems, the ending is on the whole rather positive. Well, I should say, the end of the main conflict in this specific book (there is a LOT on the horizon, unfortunately).

Some of it feels like a reminder to myself, too, about fluency of code switching and how best to conduct oneself when making arrangements with others (prepare as much in advance, rather than just knee-jerk calling a meeting because you heard about something that was wrong but isn't specifically urgent). It also reminds me I could be doing more for charity and so on, but even THAT I have to self-manage as, "I hear about ALL the tragedies but have limited personal reach to be able to fix anything, so I should fix only what I can and know that's better than decision paralysis."

...which is all a long way of saying I still love this series, but it's going to be a bit weird for newcomers to jump in on this book, so it's definitely only for anyone who's been reading since book 1 and/or watching the anime. Despite the aforementioned flaws, it might be my favourite version, too, since there's more content (the manga and anime both skip scenes for time constraints).

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

If all the world's problems were merely obstacles on the path toward personal enlightenment, then surely they could be solved, either individually or en totem, by an enterprising little girl in search of the resources to build her very own library. As readers stumble into ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM #4, Myne kickstarts a new chapter in her quest, namely that of working in service of a local temple and thereby annoying, frustrating, and terrifying everyone she encounters there.

The previous volume concluded with an interesting and clever twist: Myne's illness is actually a source of strength. It turns out "the Devouring" is not a lack of mana but an overabundance of it. Myne's presence at the temple offers her a solution or two for offloading all that extra mana without succumbing to the radical and debilitating fevers that have truncated her youth thus far. Problematic, however, is that nobody at the temple trusts her: the High Priest, cool and detached, finds the child helpful but troublesome; the High Bishop, stoked on power, has his spies everywhere; and the remaining blue-robed priests, nobles, despise the girl on account of her humble socioeconomic status.

Myne's quest to produce paper, to fund a workshop for constructing books, to raise the community's literacy, and so mu h more, appear only in the distance. Thankfully, this blue-haired dynamo is full of surprises.

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM #4 invests much of its energy in cultivating the relationship between Myne and the High Priest. This alliance feels obligatory for much of the novel but soon proves necessary, as the girl abruptly and expertly conjures a plan that will see her purse fill whereupon the children of the temple's orphanage are provided training at the hands of her workshop and personal attendants.

The novel series' pivot to a location of religious or spiritual importance may prove uninteresting for some readers, but the author is clearly having fun with the turn of events. From the outlandish and idiotic liturgy to the nonsensical and mixed-up history-of-the-gods, the "temple" is many things to many people: a treasure chest for bored old men, a hole in the wall to toss away disposable children, a rest stop for ignoble nobles, and so forth. Myne's constant questioning and flagrant ignorance of the established order of things is going to ruin somebody's day -- maybe, in the end, everyone's.

It's also fun to see the author has maintained the blunt and straightforward writing style from earlier in the series. While ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM #4 unfolds in a very day-to-day and moment-to-moment, matter-of-fact manner, there remain bits and pieces of resolute charm. For example, when Myne becomes lightheaded after skipping lunch (to read a book), she's made to lie down on a bench to rest. After a while, the girl tries sitting up but realizes, hilariously, "since I couldn't move my body very well, I rolled right off the entire bench" (p. 90). Whoops. And when the girl delays furnishing her room at the temple in favor food and bookkeeping, she things everything is going swell until she grows weary: "Considering how often I collapsed, it would probably be smart to get a mattress at some point" (p. 201).

This volume adds a heaping of secondary characters, each reticent to help the protagonist in her quest but later acquiescing to her drive and ambition. And while there are plenty of detours on Myne's apparent path toward librarian-based excellence, there is surely little harm in feeding the poor, attempting to enrich her spirituality, and adding a few new inventions to this not-so-modern world.

[Ene Sepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kui mõnus on lugeda Myne jätkuvatest seiklustest. Nüüd on ta jõudnud templisse ning pistab rindu ennasttäis aadlikke, eelarvamustega teenijate ning tõsiasjaga, et ta võtab endale kohe kindlasti liiga palju kohustusi. Aga kuidas mitte hakata orbudekodu direktoriks, kui väikesed lapsed sõna otseses mõttes nälga surevad? Nii et muidugi hakkab ta pihta, võtab ette ja muutused on märkimisväärsed. Ja muidugi, Myne eesmärk oli ju raamatuid lugeda! Nüüd on tal lõpuks ometi ligipääs raamatutele! Ainult et... tal on liiga palju tegemist, et oleks aega raamatuid lugeda...

Mitmel korral tuleb esile ka see sügav lõhe alllinna elanike ja aadlike vahel. Kui vähe ikkagi teatakse teineteise eludest, kommetest ja harjumustest. Ja kui palju selle tõttu jääb jagamata olulist infot. Eriti kui mängu tuleb Archduke, kes peaks justkui ju kõikide üle valitsema, ent kes on tegelikult vaat et veel naiivsem kui Myne ise oli!

Hästi põnev on ka see, et nüüd tuleb mängu järjest rohkem maagiat! Kui esimeses osas võis veel tunduda, et kogu maagia piirdubki sellega, et Myne ärkas kellegi teise kehas, siis nüüd on maailma maagilisus veelgi selgem. Ja see on ainult hea.

Ei, vinge vinge sari. Ma juba loen järgmist satsi ka ja no ei suuda kuidagi käest panna.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this has probably been my favorite so far. The first 3 volumes comprising one story arc gave me enough background and build-up as well as having its own fine story... but dang what Kazuki-sensei does with it is pretty cool.

Myne is an apprentice Shrine Maiden (blue robe even though she's not a noble) and that in and of itself shows off several times things in this world. To me the differences in class are even more pronounced than before when she needed magical objects to survive. But it is precisely because she's not an arrogant noble snob that she's able to see things that ought to change and works to change them. This little girl has plans to turn this fantasy world on its ear and has already started. All the while still being a person with some selfish desires (she really just wants to read in peace and make books) grounding the story in a way most isekai just don't have.

Myne isn't the only one who sees some growth, Lutz has his only arc in this book and it was good to see that too.

Verdict: If you're reading Ascendance already then you should love this one. If you haven't started, circle back and pick up the first three. Very worth it.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now we get our first glimpse at the temple and Myne's new life there.

This was a fun read, though a little slower than what came before as Myne is back to a large learning curve and needing to get her new life set up in such a way she can continue to move forward. Still, it's a lot of fun, and I love seeing how the relationships evolve between Myne and the various temple characters.

Myne and the High Priest have an interesting relationship that is different from her and Benno, but is still a similar type of fun.

Plus, this book focuses some on Lutz and his conflict with his family, and it was great to see that develop.

Once again, it's nice to see even more of the worldbuilding, and this book is a great introduction to some of the further complexities of a class-based society.

The two bonus stories are fun, of seeing Tuuli working hard towards her own goals, and then getting a glimpse at Gil's POV. I do wish his story had a bit more of his thoughts, but it was still nice regardless.

Overall, this is another great book in the series, and I'm excited to read the rest of the Shrine Maiden arc, as well as the series as a whole.

[Blank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joining the temple isn't as simple as it seems. Myne has lots of things to deal with now, ranging from wild attendants to learn the etiquette of noble ( which is as Myne said, troublesome ).

The story in this novel is more about Lutz rather than Myne and her creations. I like the change of focus from solving production problems to solving family relationship problems.

I like how the author cares about other characters other than Myne. Every character here is growing, even a side character like Lutz family is included. However, I can't help but notice that Myne's condition is too good. There is no enemy whatsoever in the series. The only person who comes close to the enemy so far is the High Bishop, but he does not even appear in this volume. Maybe it is time to add some difficulties?

Story and character aside, the writing is as good as ever. I've finished the novel without me releasing it, and left me wanting for more!

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not read this one on a Kindle, but couldn't find a paperback edition on Goodreads that wasn't written in Japanese.

Anyhow, it continues the stories of Myne and Lutz as they begin their apprenticeships. Myne does so much good by not doing what others expect her to do. She battles with the High Priest almost as much as she does with Benno. She finds a way to help the orphans taken in by the temple.

With her 20th century knowledge, she finds ways to create things that the medieval world she inhabtis doesn't have - like pizza, and notepads.

Lutz is fighting his own battle with his family who doesn't listen to him, and his own issues with not really telling them everything.

There's hints of the Noble world not being as moral as it should be. There's also unexpected goodness.

None of this story is very heavy or deep, but it's an interesting escape from reality.

[Keith Bornmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the 4th book in a great series.

The author wrote the book very well. She kept it interesting to the point that it was difficult to put down. There are a lot of interesting facts and concepts presented in these books. It’s interesting to think about what it would be like to recreate old technology. The language is clean, and the content is good for most ages except for a few references alluding to adult concerns such as marriages being consummated and children being mistresses. The world that this story takes place in practices polytheism. Mine is inspirational. She’s a great role model. She’s a blessing to everybody around her.

Synopsis: In this book, Myne finds some books at the temple and attempts to get permission to read them. This creates a chain of events that further complicates her life.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins the second story arc “Apprentice Shrine Maiden”. Having discovered that the Devouring is caused by an excess of manna, Myne learned that by entering the temple, she can save her life by serving as an apprentice shrine maiden and offering manna to the Devine instruments. The temple uses these to provide the mana that keeps the ground fertile. Because of her manna she is serving as a blue priestess, a position usually filled by nobles who leave Nobel society and enter the temple. The High Priest Ferdinand takes Myne under his wing, but the high Bishop and the other blue priests resent a commoner in her position. This four volume story arc centers on Myne’s life as a priestess as her excessive mana, her continued merchant business and her dealings with the temple orphanage all cause quite a stir.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun read! I enjoyed the start of the new arc. There were plenty of new, interesting, and complex characters. While some of them were frustrating at first, or remain enigmatic, it's been interesting to see how Myne is managing her new life at the shrine. I really didn't expect the events with the children at the orphanage. It was quite dark and sad. With that said, I'm so glad that Myne decided to help them. I liked how realistic her thought process about the issue felt, as well as the objections that people raised. I'm glad that Lutz's issues with his family were resolved, although it took a ridiculous amount of outside intervention to get them to properly communicate. I look forward to the next volume! 5 stars.

[Dave Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a really fun read. Enjoying Myne's journey as she starts to learn the ways of nobility. The only problem I have with the series is that Miya Kazuki explains things a little too frequently to the reader instead of trusting in them to figure it out themselves. I understand the genre is YA, yet she acts like the general reader is less intelligent than the average 10-year-old at times. It's a very small gripe with the series, but at times explaining to me that the dark tunnel is how someone feels who is depressed can take me out of the book. These things are supposed to be understood subconsciously to build a better mental image, and she over-explains them in every book.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just keeps getting better and better!

I've been blitzing through these books so fast my husband asked if i was possed by Myne lol.
This one especially i couldn't put down. Seeing the contrast of the nobles imo evil views and practices towards the orphanage and Mynes decisions regarding it were soo good. I felt so strongly for her attendants and the orphans.
Also lutz's story and growth in this book were phenomenal.