OWARIMONOGATARI, Part 2: End Tale

Monogatari #12, Part 2

by NisiOisiN

From the best selling novel series comes the latest book of the final season of the Monogatari Series.

When an old flame who gave up on life and chose to go up in flames—because he wanted to leave you but couldn’t—comes crawling back after four hundred years, you might not appreciate it, especially if you’re in a new relationship. But nothing’s ever simple between people, and that’s even truer between monsters.
For the first time in months, our heroic loser Araragi is human, parted by previous events from the ex-legendary vampire bound to his shadow. Before he, the second-ever thrall of the former Kissshot, can resume his partnership with the donut-loving waif that she’s turned into, she must make a choice—about that first-ever. 
Before the End Tale can end, some loose ends must be tied, and in this volume, the fixer Gaen calls in her favor, requesting an introduction to her niece; the errand of the amulet that Araragi ran with Kanbaru comes into crisp focus; and the time-traveling and -spanning Dandy and Demon Tales see their devastating resolution.

Genres: Light Novel, Supernatural, Mystery, Fantasy, Manga, Fiction, Novels

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 29, 2014

About the author

Nisio Isin (西尾維新 Nishio Ishin), frequently written as NisiOisiN to emphasize that his pen name is a palindrome, is a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating. In 2002, he debuted with the novel Kubikiri Cycle, which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Award at twenty years of age.

He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.

In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.

Reviews

[Will Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like a missing puzzle piece. I’ve said before that the way the many tales connect together is spectacular writing before, but this one really finalizes everything and ties up lose ends. There were even some loose ends I had forgotten about because of the time lapse since I’ve read previous books in the series. Very satisfied with the humor and banter as always, and looking forward to the conclusion in the next book.

[donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Even if you can't become a special person, you can still be special to someone, right?"

Such a great story to fill in the final missing piece of the puzzle left from Kabuki and Oni (and even Neko White). Araragi's dynamic with his soulmate Shinobu is just so good. Loved how the novel played on how each thrall of Kissshot has a different narrative of her. They could never get along, or understand each other since they're connected to two ultimately different Shinobu's. Overall, love how this ties in everything right before the end. Also love the conversation of not needing to be special, but becoming special to a specific person. Ended up loving Shinobu Mail a lot more. Onto Owari 3.

9/10

[Zaara Hossain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the monogatari series with a burning passion, such mesmerising writing, what else is there to say.

[Zakdj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dangerously close to a 5, but minor issues keep it from being one of the best in series.

The second part of the Owari books, it’s continued focus on Araragi as a character and filling in lost space other books hinted at, it does great for him and most of the cast, even characters who don’t directly appear. The conclusion was gripping, holding me tight and refusing to let me look away, and its conclusion feels much deserved after all the time this tale lingered in the background of other stories.

The problems, however, are two fold for me. One is a consistent complaint I have with other novels and one thats been rearing its head as it goes on. Pacing is a problem again, there are chunks that feel sluggish to get through and make this story feel like its bloated. Hand in hand with that is the main culprit of that bloated-ness, Izuko Gaen.

She is the worst character Nisioisin has written (as far as I’ve read). Every scene that focuses on her is a boring slog, her presence has actively lowered the quality of almost every story shes in, and she isn’t a character: Shes a force of nature. She’s the equivalent of a exposition dump in character form, a unsatisfied solution to every problem, a charisma void that lowers other characters to her level of disinterest. I pray to be proven wrong in future, I see what he’s trying to do with her character, but it doesn’t work for me.

This is a tale I wish I could give a 5, but these two (slowly becoming consistent) issues made it a 4. A very high 4, but still a 4.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this third to last entry in the mainline Monogatari series felt like a trip down memory lane. It's been more than 2,5 years since I read "Nekomonogatari (White)", which heavily teased a lot of events, some which are revealed only now, 10 novels later.

I have to admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of the novel when I started it, and people on Goodreads writing about how longwinded the novel was didn't make things better. Now, after finally finishing it, I can wholeheartedly disagree - "Owarimonogatari Part 2" rocks. It finally concludes the events set up in the first novel of the Second Season - the only loose strings that are left to tie are the ones related to Ogi, who continues to gaslight all people around her.
While managing this feat of concluding the often tangent-riddled events of the Monogatari series, there is a lot of action and actual plot happening in this instalment - something that might not be surprising in the context of other novels but is definitely a standout feature in a Monogatari novel.
The dialogue was also great to read, and the character interactions were not only great to read about but also were kind of poetic in the context of the story Isin was trying to tell.

This second part of "Owarimonogtari" already felt like a sort of conclusion to the first and second season, now it's time for the third part to bring the series to a (near) end.

[Ricardo Matos · Rating 2 out of 5]

So very little plot for such a long book... Nisioisin does that thing where dialogues go on and on and on and on and on and then nowhere. Not my favourite in the series book at all.

I think my biggest problem with the book is that the starting point is promising, a lot could be done if the story was taken a bit more serious... but the author is just lost in sexual innuendo filled dialogue.

2 volumes to go until the end of the series!

[Andersen Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owarimonogatari keeps on being the absolute highlight of the series so far - and that's saying something, with how strong some of the outings of the Second Season were.
This part has some very entertaining banter, with character moments and development that work incredibly well.
Seeing Kanbaru play a major role again is always a joy, and the character arc this + Kabuki and Oni provides for Shinobu is fascinating.
Can't wait to get to Part 3!

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pieces are coming together

[Arlo Linnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this one, love how the end connects to previous books, and very cool to see Episode make a minor appearance.

[Mirageee · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRUTAL GARCON HUFF-HUFFS A HALF-BLOOD BOY

[Knurek]

7:22

[YuiHirasawaFan · Rating 4 out of 5]

when her ex pull up with the ricks on

[Mega · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10

[Velvet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owari 2's a hard book to rate. It's the ending to one of the more forgettable subseries in the franchise (Kabuki/Oni/Owari 2), and it certainly does it's job in that capacity. It also serves to clear up the timeline, explaining what Araragi was tangled up in during Neko White. However, as one of the final three entries to the series it really doesn't do much to progress the overall mystery surrounding Ogi forward-- rather, it mostly serves as a way to tie up loose ends. Still gets 4 stars for how fun all of the Kanbaru banter was, the book's really reminiscent of the first season is the way it's paced and how the jokes get carried out.

[Jared Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

for some reason this one doesn’t click with me the same way it does with others