What do you think?
Rate this book
贄姫と獣の王 [Niehime to Kemono no Ō] #12
Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 12
With the battle won and Fenrir defeated, the return to normalcy should be just around the corner…but not all w ounds are visible. Although Leonhart and his beloved, Sariphi, have overcome many trials together, fear for his queen’s safety and doubts about their future are wearing away at the king’s heart. Can Sariphi soothe his pain before he does something unspeakably rash...?
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2019
6 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 18, 2022
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/L8B8uu0bayY
"If they hate them then, there's no help for it…but having people who know nothing keep hating each other over misunderstandings and hearsay is frightening, I think. . . . If it's possible that this compromise will change the future a little…I'd like to do as much as I can too."
THAT ENDING!!!! 😱😱😱😱😱😱 Pretty sure I just sat in shock for a good minute because I did NOT see that coming! What a twist!!!
But wow to this volume! There were so many times I just had to pause and think about what is being said because there is such a precious reminder that we all are important regardless if we were "wanted" when being born, cared for by the people around us, or a combination of the two. We all have value. With this new character we met, Arthur (WHO IS AN ADORABLE LITTLE BEAN!!!), the way Sari talked and encouraged him because of how he wanted to get stronger is everything. He feels he has no value or purpose and no good at anything, but his quest to change and grow stronger is not in vain. Goodness, Sari's entire self-journey in this series is blatant proof of that! But seeing the "cuteness" and desperation in Arthur hit differently because he was "betting" everything on this one encounter to change him. I loved how Sari tells him that he has already taken the first step towards change regardless if he feels he did or didn't meet his goal. It was a beautiful and moving scene that I deeply deeply loved!
I truly admire how this series "tackles" the conversation of racism and prejudice. That opening quote hit SO hard because it makes me think of the times we live in where Sari's words are being unfolded directly in real life. It's hard, but this series makes me feel hopeful that change is never impossible. ALL of these characters have changed so much and think in this specific volume Anubis is the one who shows how true that is. Anubis is still Anubis, but there is a poignant (but brief) conversation he has with Sari that shows so much of how no one is who they use to be. It is inspiring and encouraging that our own real world can change for the better too. <3
Goodness, that ending though! I'm not even sure what to say because where in the world is this story going to go now?! What exactly is going to unfold?? We have just a handful of volumes left and while I thought maybe things would slow down, I was definitely wrong! LOL!
"If they hate them then, there's no help for it…but having people who know nothing keep hating each other over misunderstandings and hearsay is frightening, I think. . . . If it's possible that this compromise will change the future a little…I'd like to do as much as I can too."
THAT ENDING!!!! 😱😱😱😱😱😱 Pretty sure I just sat in shock for a good minute because I did NOT see that coming! What a twist!!!
But wow to this volume! There were so many times I just had to pause and think about what is being said because there is such a precious reminder that we all are important regardless if we were "wanted" when being born, cared for by the people around us, or a combination of the two. We all have value. With this new character we met, Arthur (WHO IS AN ADORABLE LITTLE BEAN!!!), the way Sari talked and encouraged him because of how he wanted to get stronger is everything. He feels he has no value or purpose and no good at anything, but his quest to change and grow stronger is not in vain. Goodness, Sari's entire self-journey in this series is blatant proof of that! But seeing the "cuteness" and desperation in Arthur hit differently because he was "betting" everything on this one encounter to change him. I loved how Sari tells him that he has already taken the first step towards change regardless if he feels he did or didn't meet his goal. It was a beautiful and moving scene that I deeply deeply loved!
I truly admire how this series "tackles" the conversation of racism and prejudice. That opening quote hit SO hard because it makes me think of the times we live in where Sari's words are being unfolded directly in real life. It's hard, but this series makes me feel hopeful that change is never impossible. ALL of these characters have changed so much and think in this specific volume Anubis is the one who shows how true that is. Anubis is still Anubis, but there is a poignant (but brief) conversation he has with Sari that shows so much of how no one is who they use to be. It is inspiring and encouraging that our own real world can change for the better too. <3
Goodness, that ending though! I'm not even sure what to say because where in the world is this story going to go now?! What exactly is going to unfold?? We have just a handful of volumes left and while I thought maybe things would slow down, I was definitely wrong! LOL!
May 27, 2022
The platypus mini-arc was adorable and the perfect way to ease into what is clearly going to be a very fraught final arc.
March 7, 2025
Skimmed.
August 31, 2021
The series has become very politics-focused in the last few volumes, and it's a good development even when it may look like it's become too slow-paced and drags a bit for some tastes. Why? Because we're seeing Sari continue to learn to rule, further proving that she's the match to Leonhart, fit to be his queen because she learns quickly and has the aptitude for the queenly role that nobody saw before when she arrived as a sacrifice.
I do think, however, that Leo should give her more room to extricate herself from the complications she lands herself in. As of late, Tomofuji-sensei is writing plots in which he tends to swoop in at the last minute to save his queen-to-be in distress, which kind of negates her own efforts to learn conflict resolution. The love is still going strong, and the relationship keeps growing even if slowly and with more "outward" focus, but it would definitely not hurt to let her go through her training lesson the hard way sometime, and would make the politicking all the more interesting if the stakes are higher and we're not that sure Leo will come to the rescue every time. It's been a long while since Sari has solved a problem on her own, after all.
I do think, however, that Leo should give her more room to extricate herself from the complications she lands herself in. As of late, Tomofuji-sensei is writing plots in which he tends to swoop in at the last minute to save his queen-to-be in distress, which kind of negates her own efforts to learn conflict resolution. The love is still going strong, and the relationship keeps growing even if slowly and with more "outward" focus, but it would definitely not hurt to let her go through her training lesson the hard way sometime, and would make the politicking all the more interesting if the stakes are higher and we're not that sure Leo will come to the rescue every time. It's been a long while since Sari has solved a problem on her own, after all.
May 25, 2021
In Summary
After a comic interlude with a platypus folk who has traveled from afar to see Leo’s victory procession, a new arc begins. Sari once more returns to the human realm – this time as Leo’s representative. The barriers to ending the institution of sacrifices to Ozmargo are unnaturally numerous and complicated. Yet despite its issues, the plot manages to hold my attention by finally addressing the mystery of Leo’s human heritage.
The Review
The first half of this volume is essentially a wrap-up of the battle against Fenrir. Leo has recovered, and normalcy has returned to Ozmargo. And with Sari safely back, we get a warm and fuzzy moment when Leo replaces Sari’s broken ring. However, Tomofuji-sensei quickly replaces the romance with humor when Sari and Lante encounter a platypus folk who’s come to the capitol for Leo’s victory procession. It’s mostly comic silliness between Sari, Lante, and the platypus, but Sari does get the opportunity to endear herself yet another beastfolk.
Then a new arc begins. The main thrust of this one is Leo’s decision to eliminate the human sacrifices to Ozmargo, but it begins with a conversation in which he confides what he knows (although it’s mostly what he doesn’t know) about his mother. It’s a subject long overdue. Even if Sari was hesitant to question Leo about it, it struck me as bizarre that she never pondered Leo’s human heritage given the hostility she faced in Ozmargo. Anyway, that conversation is had (finally) right before Leo declares he wants to end the institution of sacrifice.
Sari winds up as his representative for the task. Her role as emissary makes a lot of sense given that she’s human and a sacrifice who’s been left unharmed. Other aspects of the story don’t nearly make as much sense. The humans are obligated to bring sacrifices, meaning Ozmargo holds power over them. So if the beastfolk chose to, they could simply turn a sacrifice back to the humans with a message that future sacrifices are unnecessary. However, the beastfolk get hung up on formal negotiations and why negotiations with humans is an impossible task.
It gets more convoluted. Despite specifically designating holy beast Bennu as a Sari’s escort for this mission, Sari doesn’t use him to prove she’s an Ozmargo envoy, and she gets thrown into a human prison as result. On top of that, although humans and beastkind have no trouble speaking to one another, beastkind writing is incomprehensible to humans. Moreover, its study is strictly forbidden to humans. All of which cast doubt over the legitimacy of the letter Sari is carrying from Leo to the human king.
But as quickly as challenges arise, they disappear. Things get resolved so conveniently, I have to wonder why Tomofuji-sensei bothered with them in the first place. However, the story manages to end with an extremely intriguing encounter for a closing hook.
Extras include author’s notes and the bonus manga, “The Inverted Sacrificial Princess.”
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
After a comic interlude with a platypus folk who has traveled from afar to see Leo’s victory procession, a new arc begins. Sari once more returns to the human realm – this time as Leo’s representative. The barriers to ending the institution of sacrifices to Ozmargo are unnaturally numerous and complicated. Yet despite its issues, the plot manages to hold my attention by finally addressing the mystery of Leo’s human heritage.
The Review
The first half of this volume is essentially a wrap-up of the battle against Fenrir. Leo has recovered, and normalcy has returned to Ozmargo. And with Sari safely back, we get a warm and fuzzy moment when Leo replaces Sari’s broken ring. However, Tomofuji-sensei quickly replaces the romance with humor when Sari and Lante encounter a platypus folk who’s come to the capitol for Leo’s victory procession. It’s mostly comic silliness between Sari, Lante, and the platypus, but Sari does get the opportunity to endear herself yet another beastfolk.
Then a new arc begins. The main thrust of this one is Leo’s decision to eliminate the human sacrifices to Ozmargo, but it begins with a conversation in which he confides what he knows (although it’s mostly what he doesn’t know) about his mother. It’s a subject long overdue. Even if Sari was hesitant to question Leo about it, it struck me as bizarre that she never pondered Leo’s human heritage given the hostility she faced in Ozmargo. Anyway, that conversation is had (finally) right before Leo declares he wants to end the institution of sacrifice.
Sari winds up as his representative for the task. Her role as emissary makes a lot of sense given that she’s human and a sacrifice who’s been left unharmed. Other aspects of the story don’t nearly make as much sense. The humans are obligated to bring sacrifices, meaning Ozmargo holds power over them. So if the beastfolk chose to, they could simply turn a sacrifice back to the humans with a message that future sacrifices are unnecessary. However, the beastfolk get hung up on formal negotiations and why negotiations with humans is an impossible task.
It gets more convoluted. Despite specifically designating holy beast Bennu as a Sari’s escort for this mission, Sari doesn’t use him to prove she’s an Ozmargo envoy, and she gets thrown into a human prison as result. On top of that, although humans and beastkind have no trouble speaking to one another, beastkind writing is incomprehensible to humans. Moreover, its study is strictly forbidden to humans. All of which cast doubt over the legitimacy of the letter Sari is carrying from Leo to the human king.
But as quickly as challenges arise, they disappear. Things get resolved so conveniently, I have to wonder why Tomofuji-sensei bothered with them in the first place. However, the story manages to end with an extremely intriguing encounter for a closing hook.
Extras include author’s notes and the bonus manga, “The Inverted Sacrificial Princess.”
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2022
Diplomatic Relations
After the victory and recovery of the king it is time to celebrate but questions arise if Sariphi should be parading along the king's side. Also within this volume we meet an interesting member of the Platypus beast tribe in young Arthur Achilles Sigmund Sigurd Georgios Diarmuid Heracles Perseus Alexander (ooof what a mouth full of famous names) who's lack of confidence gives Sariphi a chance to help him achieve at least one of his dreams. With a dark, stormy night Leonhart comes to comfort Sariphi and we hear a bit about his past (which will connect to the end of the book for those that don't get the clue) as Judge Set get closer to the answers he seeks. Finally we see a shift in politics as Leonhart wishes to create a world where humans and beastkind do not have to fear or hate one another so plans must be made that do not violate the condition of the treaty between the two factions. The question of whether it will be possible without great risk for all involved is yet to be fully realized.
So be sure to read this book for what I have told you is only a taste of what this book has to offer along with the fantastic art style (just check out that cute Sariphi laying down cover), interesting reactions, and colorful (even though it is a black and white manga) characters as we start heading down to what I believe to be the end of the series.
After the victory and recovery of the king it is time to celebrate but questions arise if Sariphi should be parading along the king's side. Also within this volume we meet an interesting member of the Platypus beast tribe in young Arthur Achilles Sigmund Sigurd Georgios Diarmuid Heracles Perseus Alexander (ooof what a mouth full of famous names) who's lack of confidence gives Sariphi a chance to help him achieve at least one of his dreams. With a dark, stormy night Leonhart comes to comfort Sariphi and we hear a bit about his past (which will connect to the end of the book for those that don't get the clue) as Judge Set get closer to the answers he seeks. Finally we see a shift in politics as Leonhart wishes to create a world where humans and beastkind do not have to fear or hate one another so plans must be made that do not violate the condition of the treaty between the two factions. The question of whether it will be possible without great risk for all involved is yet to be fully realized.
So be sure to read this book for what I have told you is only a taste of what this book has to offer along with the fantastic art style (just check out that cute Sariphi laying down cover), interesting reactions, and colorful (even though it is a black and white manga) characters as we start heading down to what I believe to be the end of the series.
April 29, 2022
More of a 3.5 star rating;
I like that King Leo finally proposed to Sariphi (properly) and we got to see him a bit nervous as to whether or not she’d regret saying yes to him. It’s also very interesting to see that when Sariphi went back to her human side to help King Leo accomplish something important, she wasn’t harmed and even found somewhat of an ally. With the introduction to a female character and Judge Set’s secret schemes, I’m very curious to see what happens in the next volume.
I like that King Leo finally proposed to Sariphi (properly) and we got to see him a bit nervous as to whether or not she’d regret saying yes to him. It’s also very interesting to see that when Sariphi went back to her human side to help King Leo accomplish something important, she wasn’t harmed and even found somewhat of an ally. With the introduction to a female character and Judge Set’s secret schemes, I’m very curious to see what happens in the next volume.
September 15, 2022
Sariphi sets out as an envoy from King Leonhart to a human city
4.5 stars The adorable platypus story caused me to bump this up a half star. I love Arthur, the platypus who swims three days to see the king in the hopes it will help him become a better person/platypus. I also like seeing Sari push herself to represent the king in the hopes of getting rid of sacrifices. Since Sari started out as a sacrifice herself, it's a nice full-circle.
4.5 stars The adorable platypus story caused me to bump this up a half star. I love Arthur, the platypus who swims three days to see the king in the hopes it will help him become a better person/platypus. I also like seeing Sari push herself to represent the king in the hopes of getting rid of sacrifices. Since Sari started out as a sacrifice herself, it's a nice full-circle.
June 9, 2023
A couple nice filler chapters showing Sariphi and Leonhart just being together and showing how much they love each other and a cute little story as we meet a Platypus beastmen and he is kind of funny and there are some really funny moments in that chapter. But the interesting part is that we are finally going to visit the Human Realm as Sariphi is sent to the human realm to deliver a message about ending the Sacrifice tradition and begin peace talks.
July 23, 2023
Something that I didn’t realize I would appreciate is the little activity pages that sometimes are in the volumes…. They are so stupid, but I have fun doing them after I finish the book!
Also, I need to know who that person is, so I guess I’ll sleep after the next volume…. I might as well just finish the series since I only have three left to read.
Also, I need to know who that person is, so I guess I’ll sleep after the next volume…. I might as well just finish the series since I only have three left to read.
January 24, 2021
A little too much political stuff for my liking, but overall this was a fun volume. Leo and Sari were cute as usual and Lante got a lot of screen time, which I approve. I will say, I'm starting to get a little bored at this point, so hopefully the series wraps up soon. Still a good volume, though.
January 28, 2021
I honestly love everything about this volume! I am sad that I only have 3 more volumes left. With that said, the direction of the series is headed towards one big final conflict, and then our resolution. I'm really excited to see what happens.
May 20, 2022
(3.75) Les différentes intrigues se succèdent de manière à ce qu'on ait pas l'impression que ce tome veuille mettre l'accent sur un point particulier. Dommage en sachant que j'ai beaucoup aimé le retour au monde humain ! Hâte d'en voir davantage dans la suite.
January 23, 2021
2021 Read #37
Not my favorite volume, but there are some interesting developments nonetheless.
Not my favorite volume, but there are some interesting developments nonetheless.
April 7, 2021
AHHHHHHHHH THE ENDING I CANT. First off, the beginning was so wholesome. I loved it. And now this new arc we are entering seems amaZING! I can’t for the next volume!
December 5, 2021
I hope the love and strength between the king and Sariphi continues to grow strong, enough to quell the doubters!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2022
Arthus, just so cute.
Wish these were translated into Spanish!
Wish these were translated into Spanish!
August 21, 2022
2.5 stars.
August 24, 2022
:o that ending!
October 27, 2022
If Ozmargo sent a missive to the humans why did they write it in beast language? Why not have Sari write it? Then we wouldn't need the whole quest to get it translated. Duh.
January 27, 2024
An adventure to the human realm? How exciting!
May 11, 2024
so close to the end and I'm so excited to see the happily ever after that I need form this series.
November 2, 2024
Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh
November 15, 2021
Nooo I just found out there are only 3 volumes left. TT_TT I love this series.
March 29, 2025
うおおおおおお！！！！
王様の母親の登場！？！？！
やっとに昔のことが表れている？
楽しみ！！！
王様の母親の登場！？！？！
やっとに昔のことが表れている？
楽しみ！！！
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews