feedingbrett's reviews
187 reviews

An introduction of a new character does bring a sense of curiosity to the fold, but one that unfortunately keeps the narrative at an exposition lock. There is still an air of uncertainty towards the outcome of its characters, and it feeds off it by letting critical questions be asked and explored. At this point, so many things remain in the air.

Back in a position to reform, this fifth volume finds itself opening up wider doors. That climactic rush of the previous volume has slowed itself down, and for good reason - of which I will not elaborate here for the sake of spoilers. That being said, my interest in the narrative remains intact, even if dramatically more relaxed. It is putting the pieces in place for what lies ahead, and so far, it is on the right track.

It is surprising how much I find myself slowly becoming more invested in these characters as things progress. The storytelling by Kaiu Shirai has finally started to showcase itself with a sense of flow and ease that allows things to unfold without a hint of obligation - a criticism that I prominently carried with the first volume of the series. Curiosity has comfortably resided in my brain, itching to know how their ambitions will come to fruition, and whether the author could still sustain such momentum in me after such a goal has been reached. Time will tell.

Still continuing with the established plan; formulating, falling into place, patiently waiting for its execution; this fourth volume may seem rather dull if looked through those lenses. However, Kaiu Shirai has inserted key dramatic strokes, eye-widening twists, and blistering momentum that rarely ceases to entertain. The relationship that I have started to build for these characters have grown, as expected, but with that, Shirai utilised that against me. He formulated and executed his own emotional wallop to the readers that I doubt anybody saw coming. This stands as a crucial point in the overall series; the first time where I can confidently say that Kaiu Shirai has created a real page-turner.

Now, this is what I was talking about! So much of what the last three chapters were piecing together has led to this confrontation. Reading this gives me a sense of high that led me to turn page after page, always curious to see what would happen next. Any moment of intellect is halted as my emotional momentum propelled me forward; never for a moment did I stop and predict anything that would happen later on, I was merely whisked by the moment. One can see Kaiu Shirai's confidence as an author and this chapter is a true showcase of that; a cinematic stroke to his storytelling that is just intoxicating as the narrative unfolds.

Swept away. Kaiu Shirai has left me smitten with the world and narrative that he has created. I have found myself truly invested in a way that I hadn't anticipated at the start of my journey. To reveal any instances of the plot here would be a disservice to the unbeknownst reader, as it is in the nail-biting tension on not knowing on how aspects would unfold that defined and enhanced the entire experience.

Here it finally concludes. Not the entire series, but rather the Goldy Pond arc. It was truly a ride from start to end and Volume 11 is a culmination of that artistic vision and hard work that Kaiu Shirai brought to the table. It was exciting, exhilarating, and emotionally involving. I was left on the edge. And I couldn't be happier.

Putting on the breaks for a little bit of exposition. Volume 12 finds new pieces to expand its already large puzzle, with its world, its inhabitants, and its history. While I never find Kaiu Shirai to be the strongest author in world-building, I do appreciate the effort that he takes in peeling depths that could have easily been glossed over. This volume covers so much ground that even at the point of its conclusion, one is left wondering how much he could deliver in the next set of volumes.

Back in a state of danger and uneasiness, there is a lot to uncover in this 13th volume of the series. We find the characters challenged in such a way that offers its readers a healthy dose of character development. Much of what has been assembled before are emotionally brewed here, a spoonful of emotional catharsis that brings certain elements full circle. It may not have the most exciting chapters of the series, but it is definitely necessary.

A shocking revelation that would certainly shake its readers to the core. That being said, whether that revelation would be to your liking, is completely up to you. For me, it was certainly shocking and mildly entertaining, but the fruits of the author's labour have yet to be harvested. At this point, I can only hope for the best.