Ranobe |「ラノベ」

An abbreviated word in Japanese for Light Novels, a type of young adult fiction full of fun tropes, often with anime-style illustrations. 

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The Water Magician

The Water Magician: Arc 1 Volume 1 [LN1]

The Water Magician Arc 1 Volume 1 by Tadashi Kubou, Illustrations by Nokito. Published by J-Novel Club. Honestly, you know what got me to start reading this series? The Syosetsu listing for the original webnovel has a couple conditions listed about what the story ISN’T (google translated from Japanese): ・This is not a domestic politics cheat. ・There is no harem development ・This is not a science novel. ・This story is fiction ・This story is opportunistic. This is the original text, in case you’re curious: ・内政チートものではありません ・ハーレム展開はありません ・理系小説ではありません ・この物語はフィクションです ・この物語はご都合主義です （筆者はSNSを利用しておりません） I saw “Not a harem” and “opportunistic” and immediately wanted…

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The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries - LN 5-6

The Apothecary DiariesVolumes 5 and 6 by Natsu Hyuuga, Illustrations by Touko Shino. Published by J-Novel Club. I initially thought I would include 7 here as well since it contains some of the falling action from these two volumes, but I figured I would wait since there’s way too much that happens in that one that’s hard to explain without knowing about these ones first lol. Beware spoilers below! These two volumes comprise what I think most fans are calling the “Western Capital” Arc? After the stunning events of the last volume, Maomao is forced into going west with Jinshi…

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The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries - LN 3-4

The Apothecary DiariesVolumes 3 and 4 by Natsu Hyuuga, Illustrations by Touko Shino. Published by J-Novel Club. These two volumes finish out what I would say is the first major story arc in the series. Volume 3 continues the evolving relationship between Maomao and Jinshi (with what I have to say is the funniest romcom scene and deflection by Maomao so far) with further Rear Palace intrigue, while Volume 4 dives deep into the ramifications of a certain high ranking family’s actions. In my personal opinion, while the first 3 volumes were entertaining, Volume 4 was what really got me…

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The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life - LN 3 Impressions

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life Volume 3 by Usata Nonohara, Illustrations by OX. Published by Yen On (Yen Press). I wasn’t ready for this volume at all. We’re fairly far into the series, so spoilers ahead! The first 2/3rds of this book are the same fair as the first two, and dive into further goings on with Sieg and Lynx’s training, and the Labyrinth Expedition. It was cute to see Sieg and Lynx really deepen their friendship despite being love rivals for Mariela. And I did wonder how Sieg would ultimately win, over Lynx,…

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The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries - LN 1-2

The Apothecary DiariesVolumes 1 and 2 by Natsu Hyuuga, Illustrations by Touko Shino. Published by J-Novel Club. I watched season 1 of Kusuriya as it was airing, and waited to read the novels until I had completed the 24 episodes. As a result, I noticed two things: First, that the 1st novel is actually a standalone. I did think it was weird that Maomao was suddenly removed from the Rear Palace, but it makes total sense if you think of it as a standalone ending. The first book basically ends with a sequel hook anyways. Two, the writing in these…

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Onmyoji and Tengu Eyes

Onmyoji and Tengu Eyes - LN 3

Onmyoji and Tengu Eyes Vol. 3: The Call of the Roaring Waves by Utamine, Yoshiko, art by Kazuki, Yone. Published by Cross Infinite World. Third volume of this fun series! Volume 2 was focused on Misato’s past, and this one focuses on Ryouji’s, after a sizeable diversion in the beginning of the book dealing with an argument between Misato and Shirota (his spiritual familiar snake). There are more emotional developments this volume, and it was even more touching than the previous books. I was really invested in the main conflict, and Misato shows off more of his awesome powers! Poor…

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Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights

Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights - LN 4

Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights Volume 4 by Mashimesa Emoto, Illustrations by Tera Akai. Published by Cross Infinite World. I didn’t intend to write-up my thoughts about this volume actually, since I did the last 3 all in one post. But then I realized that since I caught up to the series, I would probably forget if I waited until the rest of the books are out. By this point in the series, I basically skim the cooking scenes since they make me really hungry! I’m here for the cast, and it’s always a good time. Although I…

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A Young Lady Finds Her True Calling Living With the Enemy

A Young Lady Finds Her True Calling Living with the Enemy - LN 2 [End]

A Young Lady Finds Her True Calling Living with the Enemy Volume 2 by Syuu, Illustrations by Fujigasaki. Published by Cross Infinite World. Because this is the second half of the story, this impression will contain spoilers. If you want my general impressions, please read my post about Volume 1! The second and final volume of this series follows the story-line from volume 1. Japan does this a lot, but these volumes are better thought of as the first and second half of the same story. Now that Bertine is secure in her position, she continues to do business, make…

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The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life - LN 1, 2 Impressions

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City LifeVolumes 1 and 2 by Usata Nonohara, Illustrations by OX. Published by Yen On (Yen Press). I was excited enough by this series that I wanted to write up my impressions after I finished the first volume, but I wanted to read the 2nd volume first to get an idea of the direction of the story before I wrote up my post. This series is about a teenage alchemist named Mariela, who lives on her own after being tutored by her master, an experienced Alchemist. She makes a living near…

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A Young Lady Finds Her True Calling Living With the Enemy

A Young Lady Finds Her True Calling Living with the Enemy - LN 1

I’m super excited to talk about this book! I normally like to wait to check out books from the library to see if I actually like them, but I just knew from the premise that this one was going to be something I’d love. The premise is as follows: Bertine, the woman pictured on the front, a noble daughter of a Marquess from the island Kingdom of Luenne and, is sold off by her country as part of a negotiation for reparations in a war between the continental Empire (who Luenne was supporting), and a southern country called “The Federation”.

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Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights

Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights LN 1-3

I’ve been reading this adorable series recently! It’s called Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights. It’s a slice of life fantasy series about a female elf, Mell Risurisu, who leaves her village to work in the capital city of their country with other humans. She decides to work as a knight since there aren’t any jobs who would hire an unknown elf with no magic powers, where elves are usually known for being quite magically inclined. Even though she’s part of the knights, she’s more of a combat medic and cook. The knight squadron she joins is full of…

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Onmyoji and Tengu Eyes

Onmyoji and Tengu Eyes - LN 1-2

I recently finished reading Volumes 1 and 2 of Onmyoji and Tengu Eyes, published by Cross Infinite Worlds. The story is about Misato Miyazawa (long black hair), an independent onmyoji (occult expert) who leaves his elite family in order to live on his own after an attempt on his life. He gets a job at the local Town Hall at the “Abnormal Disaster Unit”, a department dedicated to dealing with occult and spiritual issues. He ends up living with Ryouji Karino (blonde), an outgoing guy with who works as a freelance buddhist monk. I generally enjoy “procedural” series that deal with…

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Dawn of the Mapmaker

Dawn of the Mapmaker: The Surveyor Girl and the Forbidden Knowledge - LN 1

I’ve been researching more light novels to read, and I discovered “Dawn of the Mapmaker: The Surveyor Girl and the Forbidden Knowledge” which is published by Cross Infinite World. It’s published directly from Syosetsu, meaning that it hasn’t been published in Japan, but was translated and published into English directly. Instead of using light novel tropes, it’s more like a western type fantasy. I really enjoyed the fact that the main character, Unen’s only power is her ability to make maps! (Except for her mysterious magic sensitivity, think of the whispers Frodo heard while wearing the ring). It’s not often…

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