meganbmoore: (atl: allison: gun)
This picks up right after the first Spice & Wolf novel with the wisewolf Holo and merchant Lawrence returning to Lawrence’s guild with what they believe is merchandise that will help establish Lawrence, but soon learn could leave him bankrupt.

Like the first book, it’s a story about economics dressed up as medieval-lite fantasy. I didn’t find the actual plot as interesting as I did in the first book, but liked that the setting was different (largely the city and guilds rather than a rural setting) and that it wasn’t a retreading of the same economics. There was also considerably less focus on Holo’s human appearance making her look so young (instead of hundreds of years old), possibly because the romantic undertones were emphasized more.

Like the first book, this is much more engaging and interesting than a book about medieval-lite fantasy economics has any right to be.
meganbmoore: (chun-hyang)
This is the first in a series of Japanese light novels about feudal fantasy economics.

No, wait. This is the first in a series of Japanese light novels about a merchant, Lawrence, who meets a wolf demon, Holo, who is believed to be the harvest god of a village. Holo is not a god, but has stayed in the village for centuries to help with the harvest for centuries. The villagers, however, do not appreciate her help and take her for granted, cursing her when they aren’t happy. So, deciding that she’s fulfilled her promise, Holo decides to leave with Lawrence. Lawrence thinks it may not be a good idea to upset centuries old spirits with fangs until he knows if she likes to eat people. Wise man.

But really, it’s all about economics and bargaining and trading, which apparently doesn’t change over the centuries. But the economics are quite fun, and I like the view of the “capricious” god from the “god’s” POV, and how Holo’s deciding that she was through with that was actually a smart choice, and not a whim.

There’s also a manga series and anime based on the novels, both of which are licensed, but I haven’t checked them out yet. Can anyone tell me if the first season of the anime covers just this book, or if it covers more?

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July 2020

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