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| Title | Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride |
| Author | Yuri Kitayama |
| Publisher | JP: Hobby Japan EN: J-Novel Club |
| Original Release Dates | JP: Sept 1, 2016 EN: June 10, 2019 |
| Genre | Medieval Fantasy, Isekai, Light Novel |
I discuss plot points and details of storylines and character arcs which could be considered minor spoilers. No major spoilers will be revealed.
Since the previous volume of Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles, the story of our protagonist, Rio, and the world has been on the precipice of tremendous change. A summoning of heroes has occurred, bringing forth new power and new contemplations for the major factions of the Strahl region. How these new arrivals will influence future political schemes and jousts between the nobility that partner with them, and what conflicts they will ultimately ignite, are the questions that allude to a thrilling new chapter in this saga. Although Volume 4 introduces this summoning and provides our first hints of a greater tale to come, that volume mainly focuses on the more intimate plotline of three innocent bystanders who are also brought to this fantasy world, one of whom is Haruto’s old friend, Miharu. And with that, we see Rio wrestle with past memories and feelings while taking care of his new companions.
All of that segues towards Rio’s next major decision, which brings us into Volume 5, in which Rio chooses to make a long-awaited return to the Beltrum Kingdom. It was within Beltrum where Rio’s story first began, when the soul of his native orphan half merged with the soul of Japanese student Haruto. Four years have passed since he had to flee the kingdom, as well as say goodbye to his first and only friend in the region, Celia. Along with the need to better grasp the significance of the summoning, Rio wishes to see his old friend and tell her all he has learned of himself and experienced out in the world. However, Rio will soon learn that his reunion shall be bittersweet. Life as a noble was complex, as Rio understood, and Celia is no exception as she will soon become a set piece for the greater devices of noble politics. Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride is a chapter of personal stress and misery, as Celia prepares to indefinitely put her own life and ambitions on hold for her family’s sake by agreeing to an arranged marriage.
Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride offers much in the ways of intrigue and suspense, yet possesses its flaws, mainly stumbling with pacing and execution. Beginning with its strengths, Volume 5 has a few striking sequences full of energy and satisfaction. For instance, the particular scenes that make the climax of the volume are fast-paced and thrilling, as Rio demonstrates bold gallantry via pure chaos. It’s a fun stretch of story that has the surrounding participants in a flurry, and also offering a quick, poignant moment of comeuppance delivered by Rio to a minor, reoccurring foe. And, Rio demonstrates his cool, collected character through the havoc of his presence and following actions. He definitely has his time to shine, as he plays an unstoppable hero in these scenes.
Another strength is the palpability of feelings throughout the story. Although Rio takes center stage, Volume 5 is also very much Celia’s story too, as we learn of what has happened in Beltrum, as well as ongoing conflicts that she and her family have been dragged into. Yuri Kitayama once again demonstrates her praiseworthy ability to make the characters’ feelings perceptible, having us readers feel the same degrees of stress and worry that Celia feels. Celia’s mental and emotional states, influenced by her time ticking away toward impending nuptials, the implicit conflicts with her groom’s other wives, her own bottled-up disdain for her future husband, all of these raw, individual emotions are keenly distinguishable.
Aside from the main plotline, we also receive the same glimmers of the grander story in development like in the previous volume. For one, Volume 5 spends a noticeable amount of time with one of the newly summoned heroes. It allows for that overarching storyline to receive some progress, and serves as a means to reconnect with several minor characters who will become relevant again down the road. And through this individual focus on this one hero, we naturally receive the passing clue or detail pertaining to the other heroes as well. It’s just enough to keep us readers on the hook. Lastly, and I’ll also say I would have liked more, we finally see a distinct encounter with the enigmatic Mr. Reiss. As usual, we’re only privy to a few paragraphs of introspective contemplation from Mr. Reiss before a fleeting glare between him and Rio. No further development, no grand revelations, Mr. Reiss remains the personification of mystery.
Scenes full of energy, daring, and action, as well as distinct, palpable emotions that come through the writing are the highlights of this volume. However, Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride has its shortcomings, which unfortunately stand in stark contrast against the volume’s achievements. Perhaps what irked me most are the stretches of slow, frustrating, and often predictable progression. I understand, to move storylines ahead and to get readers caught up with characters that have been sidelined for a time, they all require time for development. The scenes with the one newly summoned hero, as well as some of Celia’s scenes, come to mind, as we readers need to be introduced to the new storyline taking shape, or in Celia’s case, caught up with her predicament and how she feels about it. Yet, these scenes of conversations, inner monologue, or verbal jousting tend to read dryly and formulaic. They simply serve to tell or disclose without offering much more. I wish these scenes possessed deeper character development or more creativity to challenge that predictable feel. In the end, I cannot help but see them as opportunities missed for more variety or depth.
Another issue I have is the limited progress of the summoned hero storyline. Since first introduced in Volume 4, the summoning event continues to impart this feeling that the series is on the cusp of a major turning point. We didn’t receive any major development in Volume 4, as we were instead provided a microcosmic look at its initial effects. Here in Volume 5, the summoning feels packaged as a side story, as there has been little revealed, nor have we seen any development regarding its grander implications. As such, that feeling of something more to come continues to linger. And although I am pleased to have something to look forward to, something to hook and hold a reader’s attention, I’m also finding myself having feelings of frustrating. Yes, there are moving parts and small progressions, however, as Kitayama has vexingly done so often with her characters, my frustration and fear is that this storyline will continue to receive minimal to zero attention for volumes to come. I hope I’m wrong, but unfortunately due to Kitayama’s track record, my frustration is lending itself to a feeling that an impending disappointment is what awaits.
Final thoughts on this latest volume on page 2 ->
