Books

Spice and Wolf Novel 4

By Chris Zimmerman
September 23, 2011 - 14:38

I don’t think it’s any secret that I adore Spice and Wolf. Isuna Hasekura’s fable of a wandering merchant and a flirtatious wolf god has become a captivating treat for romance lovers and fantasy fans alike. Hasekura’s world is lush and his characters painted with varying colors of emotion that resonate with the audience. While the third novel moved at a brisker pace than those that have come before, instilling a sense of urgency, the fourth takes a different tact. After the trials faced by Lawrence and Holo regarding their relationship and the latter’s search for her home, this volume returns the story to a more tranquil tone.

After discovering the tribulations that befell Yoitsu in the previous entry, Lawrence and Holo seek out an abbot known for specializing in pagan legends in the hopes of learning about what happened to Holo’s home. While searching for the abbey, they stop off in the town of Tereo. There they are caught up in a skirmish between the town and its neighbors. Pooling his business sense, Lawrence is once again forced to outwit those around him in order to save his and his companion’s lives.  With the welfare of an entire village at stake, as-well-as their journey waiting in the wings, the stakes have never been higher for the duo.

Readers should already be familiar with Lawrence and Holo’s camaraderie by now, and while their relationship has developed over the course of the series, the tone remains playful and light hearted despite the sorrow they have encountered. Holo’s teasing is again on full display and Lawrence being the straight man is quick to react to her remarks. It’s the typical chatter we’re used to by now and it has yet to get old.

The narrative slows in various portions of the novel in which Hasekura goes into descriptive detail about the settings of the village of Tereo. The language employed is sensible and accurate to what one would expect of a sleepy little town, though the amount of detail can be construed as excessive by some who no doubt are more interested in the story than the writing.

Yen Press once again dresses the volume up with a more “appropriate” slip cover that hides the traditional illustration by Jyuu Ayakura. Speaking from preference, I prefer the original cover and view the new covers a waste of time and resources.

The fourth entry in Spice and Wolf isn’t its best, but it still boasts the usual witty storytelling and clever characters that attracted fans to the franchise. It builds on the mystery of what happened to Holo’s home while also continuing to exam the relationship between the two leads as it develops and it’s in this area that Hasekura never falters. This volume ranks among the weakest entries in the series but still succeeds in providing an enjoyable, if not forgettable read.

Rating: 7.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12