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Dragon and Ceremony Light Novel #1
Dragon and Ceremony, Vol. 1 (light novel): From a Wandmaker’s Perspective
Broke and recently homeless, fledgling wandmaker Ix leaves his isolated village in search of employment only to run into Yuui, a girl with a contract entitling her to a free wand repair from his late instructor. But when Ix decides to honor the guarantee and complete the job in his teacher’s stead, he quickly realizes that this is no routine tune-up. Against all odds, Yuui’s wand is powered by the heart of a mythical creature thought to have gone extinct over a thousand years ago—a dragon. To complete the restoration and put both their pasts to rest, the pair must now uncover the truth behind the dragons’ disappearance from the world…
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 28, 2023
This story would have fared much better as a radio serial.
Simplistic characters, an omnidirectional narrative voice, and passive worldbuilding nudge DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 from the edge of casual mythos and nearer to the abyss of longwinded low-fantasy. The novel's tale of a skilled but friendless craftsman is clever and straightforward, but does little to expand either the worldview or the experiences of its characters beyond its tireless pursuit of awkward hypotheticals of local mythology.
Of course, for readers who are highly intrigued by the almost, the perhaps, the possible, and the probable, then the story of Ix, an apprentice wandmaker, will captivate. Ix manifests at the crux of several genre tropes; the young man was orphaned; he is a rare non-magic-user in a world full of such skilled individuals; and he apprenticed under a grumpy old master. The impoverished Ix closes up shop, following the death of his world-renown master, but on that very same day, he also encounters a young woman seeking help.
Ix is doggedly pragmatic, does not suffer niceties for those who have not earned them, and has no interest in kindness for its own sake. Which is why the man feels obliged to take on the wand-repair request of Yuui Laika, a young foreigner from the east. From the outset, Yuui's mysterious possession of a legendary wand conjures far more questions than answers.
DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 centers the narrative around Ix and Yuui's curious quest to deconstruct the magical interworking, or core, of this powerful wand. On this measure, the novel's overly simplified storytelling charms. Ix (brusque but even-tempered) and Yuui (haughty and emotional) team up to diagnose the reason for the wand's magical breakage, ascertain whether the device's jewel core can be repaired, and disembark on a journey for the materials to complete said wand's repair. All quite charming.
Except, nothing else happens in the book. For a novel set in a place full of elves, hybrid human-animal creatures, avaricious religious sects, and kingdoms that slaughter their enemies extensively, DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 has zero adventure to speak of. Ix and Yuui don't go on an adventure to discover the origin of the peculiar wand Yuui inherited; they take a two-day ride, in a stagecoach, to a village at the foothills of a mountain. Ix and Yuui ask the locals about the area, encounter tepid resistance from civic authorities, and engage local adventurers by relative happenstance. And that's about it. The whole novel consists of talking heads and their varyingly innocent, awkward, and hypothetical chatter in search of a competent solution.
The story's easy-to-digest nature is a gift and a curse. Ix's blunt and taciturn way of interacting with others makes him an efficient and insightful craftsman; readers can comfortably sink into his point of view knowing full well he (and other characters) has a tendency to eschew the unnecessary. Conversely, the novel, despite being subtitled "From a Wandmaker's Perspective," is written from multiple points of view. These points of view unnecessarily clutter an otherwise intensely straightforward narrative. Further, the author doesn't use these differing perspectives in balance, resulting in inconsistent storytelling, and a novel that cannot make up its mind as to which character's perspective matters most.
Elsewhere, the novel's worldbuilding is a rather amusing case. The author's handling of the dichotomous social strata of low-industry villages, of characters' awareness of various political affairs, and of the environmental and geological history of the region lend comfort from start to finish. Amusing, then, how readers encounter almost all of these facets passively. That is to say, as if said facets were worth nothing more than a sidelong glance. For example, readers track Ix and Yuui's intense discussion on the purported extermination of indigenous cultures not from interpersonal or even academic study, but from mere inference, as when the characters stumble across poorly kept records by local zealots.
The environments, cultures, creatures, and peoples of DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 constitute a narrative infrastructure that is far more existential to the narrative body then the author would care to treat it. All of the unique and expansive history and detail is there. It's just not important. It's hidden, often behind extensive chatter and so-so characters. Several examples abound. For instance, readers learn about the historical abuse wrought by the kingdom not from active witness accounts of its violent imperialism, but primarily through second-hand recollections of the disadvantaged who have learned to live with their disenfranchisement.
Light novels exist in all manner of styles and genres, and it would appear the current title subsists in a realm marked by imagined adventuring, minimalist character dynamics, and uneven narrative utility. DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 is an attempt to strip a story of its genre's most outward-facing excesses, and the result is a middling affair. For example, is it lazy writing, or self-conscious translation, which gifts readers a character whose dialect comes and goes at random? It's difficult to tell. DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 isn't a bad novel, just a tremor of worry below satisfactory.
Simplistic characters, an omnidirectional narrative voice, and passive worldbuilding nudge DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 from the edge of casual mythos and nearer to the abyss of longwinded low-fantasy. The novel's tale of a skilled but friendless craftsman is clever and straightforward, but does little to expand either the worldview or the experiences of its characters beyond its tireless pursuit of awkward hypotheticals of local mythology.
Of course, for readers who are highly intrigued by the almost, the perhaps, the possible, and the probable, then the story of Ix, an apprentice wandmaker, will captivate. Ix manifests at the crux of several genre tropes; the young man was orphaned; he is a rare non-magic-user in a world full of such skilled individuals; and he apprenticed under a grumpy old master. The impoverished Ix closes up shop, following the death of his world-renown master, but on that very same day, he also encounters a young woman seeking help.
Ix is doggedly pragmatic, does not suffer niceties for those who have not earned them, and has no interest in kindness for its own sake. Which is why the man feels obliged to take on the wand-repair request of Yuui Laika, a young foreigner from the east. From the outset, Yuui's mysterious possession of a legendary wand conjures far more questions than answers.
DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 centers the narrative around Ix and Yuui's curious quest to deconstruct the magical interworking, or core, of this powerful wand. On this measure, the novel's overly simplified storytelling charms. Ix (brusque but even-tempered) and Yuui (haughty and emotional) team up to diagnose the reason for the wand's magical breakage, ascertain whether the device's jewel core can be repaired, and disembark on a journey for the materials to complete said wand's repair. All quite charming.
Except, nothing else happens in the book. For a novel set in a place full of elves, hybrid human-animal creatures, avaricious religious sects, and kingdoms that slaughter their enemies extensively, DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 has zero adventure to speak of. Ix and Yuui don't go on an adventure to discover the origin of the peculiar wand Yuui inherited; they take a two-day ride, in a stagecoach, to a village at the foothills of a mountain. Ix and Yuui ask the locals about the area, encounter tepid resistance from civic authorities, and engage local adventurers by relative happenstance. And that's about it. The whole novel consists of talking heads and their varyingly innocent, awkward, and hypothetical chatter in search of a competent solution.
The story's easy-to-digest nature is a gift and a curse. Ix's blunt and taciturn way of interacting with others makes him an efficient and insightful craftsman; readers can comfortably sink into his point of view knowing full well he (and other characters) has a tendency to eschew the unnecessary. Conversely, the novel, despite being subtitled "From a Wandmaker's Perspective," is written from multiple points of view. These points of view unnecessarily clutter an otherwise intensely straightforward narrative. Further, the author doesn't use these differing perspectives in balance, resulting in inconsistent storytelling, and a novel that cannot make up its mind as to which character's perspective matters most.
Elsewhere, the novel's worldbuilding is a rather amusing case. The author's handling of the dichotomous social strata of low-industry villages, of characters' awareness of various political affairs, and of the environmental and geological history of the region lend comfort from start to finish. Amusing, then, how readers encounter almost all of these facets passively. That is to say, as if said facets were worth nothing more than a sidelong glance. For example, readers track Ix and Yuui's intense discussion on the purported extermination of indigenous cultures not from interpersonal or even academic study, but from mere inference, as when the characters stumble across poorly kept records by local zealots.
The environments, cultures, creatures, and peoples of DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 constitute a narrative infrastructure that is far more existential to the narrative body then the author would care to treat it. All of the unique and expansive history and detail is there. It's just not important. It's hidden, often behind extensive chatter and so-so characters. Several examples abound. For instance, readers learn about the historical abuse wrought by the kingdom not from active witness accounts of its violent imperialism, but primarily through second-hand recollections of the disadvantaged who have learned to live with their disenfranchisement.
Light novels exist in all manner of styles and genres, and it would appear the current title subsists in a realm marked by imagined adventuring, minimalist character dynamics, and uneven narrative utility. DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 is an attempt to strip a story of its genre's most outward-facing excesses, and the result is a middling affair. For example, is it lazy writing, or self-conscious translation, which gifts readers a character whose dialect comes and goes at random? It's difficult to tell. DRAGON AND CEREMONY v1 isn't a bad novel, just a tremor of worry below satisfactory.
August 28, 2023
Recommended by the esteemed Kim Morrissey as one of the top five light novels to watch out for in 2023.
To be clear I recommend light novels for people who want the following:
A) Stories different from most fantasy produced in English
B) Lore that is accessible to those even moderately familiar with RPG/Lord of the Rings-lore
C) Easy reading featuring young adults
D) Angsty monologues about how no one can understand anyone else's experiences.
To fulfil a wand warranty for his deceased master's customer, Ix (an apprentice wandmaker) agrees to reassemble Yuii's wand before the start of the new school year. To do so, he will need to figure out what is inside the wand and source its material. Which will take them on a journey.
The amount of side characters is also incredibly small, they're clearly not the focus of this book. The novel is as frugal with action as it is with characters; Ix has no powers and a small inheritance and Yuii has a broken wand and is an exile from her beleaguered and conquered kingdom, so their travel and adventures are moderate and low-stakes.
But the novel doesn't feel repetitive as the duo is constantly adapting and trying new schemes to find materials for the wand.
There is a quick scene in which they try to use a library and the librarian gently suggests that adventurers really need to stop coming into her shop expecting a quick answer or line of prophecy.
In this way, Ichimei often avoids easy solutions in his novels. It was refreshing to see some ingenuity from smart characters in this book, as they research, deduce, and guess their way through their towns.
Dragon and Ceremony is the debut novel of Ichimei Tsukushi which appears to have been selected from an online writing contest, and hits a lot of familiar light novel tropes; the setting is bureaucratic Medieval magic, with an apparently apathetic but technically proficient hero (Ix).
There's also fantasy racism (as well as real racism. Yuui is Asian and is veiled to hide her identity).
But the story is well-told and does not get bogged down with traditional light novel nonsense (power creep, complicated romance, or beach scenes). Ichimei is clearly more interested in society, religion, and culture and how they're forgotten. Similar to The Buried Giant, I think the way both novels hint at great travesties and veil it with mythology is exciting.
You could also make superficial comparisons in-genre to the economic LN-darling Spice & Wolf, Vol. 01 which also spends a long time examining cause-and-effect in a fantasy setting.
I think this book is good, for a light novel. It's an easy read, remained interesting throughout, and how they would find the missing materials was a compelling mystery.
To be clear I recommend light novels for people who want the following:
A) Stories different from most fantasy produced in English
B) Lore that is accessible to those even moderately familiar with RPG/Lord of the Rings-lore
C) Easy reading featuring young adults
D) Angsty monologues about how no one can understand anyone else's experiences.
To fulfil a wand warranty for his deceased master's customer, Ix (an apprentice wandmaker) agrees to reassemble Yuii's wand before the start of the new school year. To do so, he will need to figure out what is inside the wand and source its material. Which will take them on a journey.
The amount of side characters is also incredibly small, they're clearly not the focus of this book. The novel is as frugal with action as it is with characters; Ix has no powers and a small inheritance and Yuii has a broken wand and is an exile from her beleaguered and conquered kingdom, so their travel and adventures are moderate and low-stakes.
But the novel doesn't feel repetitive as the duo is constantly adapting and trying new schemes to find materials for the wand.
There is a quick scene in which they try to use a library and the librarian gently suggests that adventurers really need to stop coming into her shop expecting a quick answer or line of prophecy.
I have no interest in what you or searching for or why, but you are clearly hunting for information instead of books, which is why you won't find what you seek [in the library].
In this way, Ichimei often avoids easy solutions in his novels. It was refreshing to see some ingenuity from smart characters in this book, as they research, deduce, and guess their way through their towns.
Dragon and Ceremony is the debut novel of Ichimei Tsukushi which appears to have been selected from an online writing contest, and hits a lot of familiar light novel tropes; the setting is bureaucratic Medieval magic, with an apparently apathetic but technically proficient hero (Ix).
There's also fantasy racism (as well as real racism. Yuui is Asian and is veiled to hide her identity).
But the story is well-told and does not get bogged down with traditional light novel nonsense (power creep, complicated romance, or beach scenes). Ichimei is clearly more interested in society, religion, and culture and how they're forgotten. Similar to The Buried Giant, I think the way both novels hint at great travesties and veil it with mythology is exciting.
You could also make superficial comparisons in-genre to the economic LN-darling Spice & Wolf, Vol. 01 which also spends a long time examining cause-and-effect in a fantasy setting.
I think this book is good, for a light novel. It's an easy read, remained interesting throughout, and how they would find the missing materials was a compelling mystery.
February 1, 2022
I went into this expecting a fairly typical fantasy adventure novel. What I got was intricate and detailed world building and character development. It didn’t have the same feel as most light novels do. It felt more like reading a book with a message. As I kept reading the world was slowly developed more and more as were the characters. While seeming devoid of change the characters changed a great deal. It is no more apparent than at the end. The ending is I rod the best if not the best endings to any novel of any type that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. There are a few lines that stand out to me even now. One such line that I feel is not too much of a spoiler is “Once the beginning had been forgotten and only the festival remained.” This single line hold more weight than I would have thought possibly. I will not go into detail to avoid spoilers but what I will say is this light novel is something that you should read. Whether you enjoy light novels or not, whether you are considering reading it or not do. Read it. Trust me you will not regret it.
April 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this one, thought it had some good themes and depth as well, and was still light hearted in many ways.
February 11, 2022
'Dragon and Ceremony' is an interesting little light novel that didn't quite work for me, but is probably still worth recommending. The basic premise is that an apprentice wandmaker inherits a warranty repair job from his recently deceased master, and has to figure out how to fix this very rare wand, and also what the unassuming student did to break it in the first place; it's a little meandering, but mostly a low stakes adventure with a side of contemplating what we owe to people to predecease us. My issue is mostly that I wish there was another editorial pass to make it read a bit more smoothly in English; the feel of translated Japanese is just a bit too choppy or abrupt for me, even if this is one of the better ones I've read - I realize this is a stylistic thing that I'm sure some people are specifically wanting, but it just doesn't do it for me. Anyway, if you like light novels already, this is worth taking a look at for doing something with the fantasy genre that isn't generic power fantasy, and if you're not familiar with them, probably worth trying just to see how the style rubs you.
November 14, 2024
Such a simple and yet a beautiful story. I really liked it given the fact that it explained to me how cultures are formed and dissolved. How some customs remain even after the core reasoning is thrown away. I sometimes ask my parents why we do some rituals on certain festivals, and they literally tell me that because it has been a norm for so many years, they themselves don't know the reason.
This book helped me understand that just because I don't know why something is done, doesn't mean it has no meaning or value. Only if we take some time and put some effort into it, we might discover something very beautiful in our culture and norms just like Yuui and Ix.
Mentioned in this LN is that no book should be left unread. I am glad I read this book.
This book helped me understand that just because I don't know why something is done, doesn't mean it has no meaning or value. Only if we take some time and put some effort into it, we might discover something very beautiful in our culture and norms just like Yuui and Ix.
Mentioned in this LN is that no book should be left unread. I am glad I read this book.
November 7, 2022
While the style and fantasy world are not very unique the book covers complicated subjects beautifully. Out of the many fantasy books that I have read this is one of the only ones that have made me think philosophicaly. I have read the first and the second and it stays uniquely light hearted yet solemn.
July 4, 2022
Yuui is adorable.
An interesting read with some nice detective work being done in a pretty traditional fantasy setting. Tsukushi does a good job building a world without an overabundance of details bogging the process down. Looking forward to getting into v2 before too long.
An interesting read with some nice detective work being done in a pretty traditional fantasy setting. Tsukushi does a good job building a world without an overabundance of details bogging the process down. Looking forward to getting into v2 before too long.
June 9, 2022
Was an interesting story but didn't grip me fully. Some parts of the world I wish were more fleshed out but maybe that will happen in future entries.
November 18, 2023
A brilliant fantasy
Read
April 23, 2020Product description mentioned, a fantasy story without any actions.
The story is beyond expectation.
Rather than the typical adventure to defeat evil or bad guys, this story is about investigating into forgotten history. Maybe because of first volume, even the character development is also surrounded with world building, explaining pieces of the world where they live in and the dynamic of relationships between people.
Despite some terms, the language is quite straightforward, so easy to read.
The story is beyond expectation.
Rather than the typical adventure to defeat evil or bad guys, this story is about investigating into forgotten history. Maybe because of first volume, even the character development is also surrounded with world building, explaining pieces of the world where they live in and the dynamic of relationships between people.
Despite some terms, the language is quite straightforward, so easy to read.
November 28, 2022
Read this again while preparing to read the sequel, and it was just as delightful as the first time through. It's kind of a mix of mystery and fantasy. Primary theme is dealing with loss, but the characters are what really brings this work alive. To my perception, most everyone but one of the main cast are at least somewhat on the Autism spectrum, and it's handled very well. I don't really have anything negative to say about this book.
July 28, 2022
Mystery's great, though I have to question the ending. Why let the dragon die? Why not try and reestablish a new ritual/custom?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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