Title: Spice and Wolf
Author: Isuna Hasekura (story), Keito Koume (art)
Demographic: Seinen
Series: Spice and Wolf #1
Format: Manga
Pages: 192
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Publication Date: April 20th, 2010
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: C
Summary:
From Goodreads: With his carthorse as his only companion, the young merchant Kraft Lawrence slowly wends his way through dusty back roads in search of profitable trade. But this monotony screeches to a halt when, one night, he encounters a harvest goddess in the guise of a beautiful young girl . . . with wolf ears and a tail! Longing for the northern lands of her birth, Holo the Wisewolf joins Lawrence as he follows the ebb and flow of trade through the countryside. And when the two come across a compelling but suspicious opportunity for profit, will Lawrence with his mercantile chops and Holo with her ancient instincts be able to separate the truth from the lies - and make some coin while they're at it?!
This manga adaptation of Isuna Hasekura's acclaimed Spice and Wolf novel series, also available from Yen Press, is an investment that promises the greatest of entertainment returns!
Why did I read this book? I had seen some episodes of the anime and was curious!
Source: Bought
My Review
This novel is the story of Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant from a vaguely familiar historical setting, who comes across Holo the Wisewolf. She's in human form that includes wolf ears, teeth and tail, and she has the ability to hear the difference between the truth and a lie. She's escaping the wheat fields where she had stayed for centuries, making sure the crops grow. Lawrence allows her to travel with him, and they have adventures together.
I enjoyed this book, I thought the story was light and fun. I like the interactions between Holo and Lawrence; Holo is definitely a wise creature and often helps Lawrence out on his work. I also liked seeing a bit of the world here, where there's a transition happening between pagan and (presumably) Christian-like religion. This is interest especially since Holo is believed to be a pagan god.
I had issues with the slow pace of the story and the lack of direction of the plot. I don't know where anything is going. Also, I found thatI'm not really the target audience for this, which is really adult males, since there's some gratuitous nudity (only on the part of Holo).
Rating: C
Overall, I don't think this book is meant for me, but I did like the writing, setting and characters. I believe this is a story meant to be told slowly so you can enjoy the light adventure stories of Holo and Lawrence. I'd only recommend it but with these reservations in mind.
Read more...
Author: Isuna Hasekura (story), Keito Koume (art)
Demographic: Seinen
Series: Spice and Wolf #1
Format: Manga
Pages: 192
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Publication Date: April 20th, 2010
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: C
Summary:
From Goodreads: With his carthorse as his only companion, the young merchant Kraft Lawrence slowly wends his way through dusty back roads in search of profitable trade. But this monotony screeches to a halt when, one night, he encounters a harvest goddess in the guise of a beautiful young girl . . . with wolf ears and a tail! Longing for the northern lands of her birth, Holo the Wisewolf joins Lawrence as he follows the ebb and flow of trade through the countryside. And when the two come across a compelling but suspicious opportunity for profit, will Lawrence with his mercantile chops and Holo with her ancient instincts be able to separate the truth from the lies - and make some coin while they're at it?!
This manga adaptation of Isuna Hasekura's acclaimed Spice and Wolf novel series, also available from Yen Press, is an investment that promises the greatest of entertainment returns!
Why did I read this book? I had seen some episodes of the anime and was curious!
Source: Bought
My Review
This novel is the story of Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant from a vaguely familiar historical setting, who comes across Holo the Wisewolf. She's in human form that includes wolf ears, teeth and tail, and she has the ability to hear the difference between the truth and a lie. She's escaping the wheat fields where she had stayed for centuries, making sure the crops grow. Lawrence allows her to travel with him, and they have adventures together.
I enjoyed this book, I thought the story was light and fun. I like the interactions between Holo and Lawrence; Holo is definitely a wise creature and often helps Lawrence out on his work. I also liked seeing a bit of the world here, where there's a transition happening between pagan and (presumably) Christian-like religion. This is interest especially since Holo is believed to be a pagan god.
I had issues with the slow pace of the story and the lack of direction of the plot. I don't know where anything is going. Also, I found thatI'm not really the target audience for this, which is really adult males, since there's some gratuitous nudity (only on the part of Holo).
Rating: C
Overall, I don't think this book is meant for me, but I did like the writing, setting and characters. I believe this is a story meant to be told slowly so you can enjoy the light adventure stories of Holo and Lawrence. I'd only recommend it but with these reservations in mind.
