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Enjoyable Read, Yet Lacks a Climactic Punch
Entertainment: The last volume ended on what could have been a grand finale for the series, which heightened my anticipation for this installment to see where the narrative would head next. The structure remains familiar with a relaxed start to the arc that sets the stage for the unfolding plot and introduces the characters involved. This volume picks up a few months after the last, with Sei beginning to plan her wedding with Albert. The promise of a journey to Zaidera adds intrigue, anticipating a fresh exploration beyond the familiar locales of Slantania's royal capital, Klausner, and Hawke domains. Sei's mission to Zaidera, joinded by Albert and Yuri is compelling, especially since we finally reconnect with Prince Kyle. Upon arrival, they encounter new magical elements like talismans, but quickly find themselves stranded due to closed borders. Despite many events, the narrative's delivery makes it feel as though little happens, maintaining a slow pace. Nevertheless, the story remains engaging and flows smoothly and pleasantly.
Language Learning: This volume delves slightly deeper than usual into various subjects, such as Chinese cuisine, calligraphy, and different types of ink. While it's not overly complex, it introduces some less commonly encountered vocabulary, making for an informative read.
Overall: This volume is not without merit—it's quite enjoyable to read—but it notably lacks a cliffhanger that typically punctuates the series' arcs, leaving a sense of incompleteness. Previous volumes at least concluded with some suspense, which is absent here. This gives the impression that the story was arbitrarily split to create two separate books. My advice would be to wait for the release of Volume 10, which should hopefully be soon, and read Volumes 9 and 10 consecutively. I believe this approach might significantly enhance the appreciation of this volume, as it sets up interesting plot elements and stakes, but without the immediate payoff, it feels somewhat unfinished. Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed the book and am intrigued by the setup for upcoming developments.