Regarding its characters, another noticeable issue with Volume 5 is Rio’s lack of character development, and in similar vein, not taking advantage of previous development and depth. In this volume, Rio rigidly plays the straight hero with little deviation. Throughout the series, Rio’s character is at its most intriguing when his stronger emotions are displayed. As such, I would have liked more emotion from Rio, especially with the chaotic nature and energy of the climactic events. A bit of fire from him would have been a fantastic compliment to Celia’s whirlpool of stress we see from her. Instead, we get overly stoic and near indifference. The standout example of this is when Rio encounters an old foe during the wedding. The implied satisfaction when Rio acts in this moment is barely noticeable, and I would have liked more because one, this moment is sassy-good, and two, it would have added another degree of humanization to his character. A bit more deviousness, that bit of sadism aimed toward someone who caused significant pain, I feel, would have made Rio that much more real.
The last issue I wish to discuss is the use of the damsel-in-distress trope pertaining to Celia. Previously, Celia had been established as a genius in academia and magical capability. Though young, she is already a professor, a leading mind in magical research, and a respected sorceress. Having Celia’s character reduced to that of a girl needing rescue for the sake of this volume’s plot didn’t quite sit well with me. I understand that there are political reasons and circumstances beyond her control which force her situation. I also appreciate her sheer misery and hopelessness before Rio reappears in her life. Actually, her hopelessness and defeated mental state are not my issue here. My problem is how Celia continues to act after Rio returns. Simply put, I would have liked to have seen glimmers of her old personality or backstory reemerge. And, I would have especially liked to have seen her take part in the decision making. Because the plot handcuffs her, we see Rio make nearly every decision and take action in such a starkly independent, single-minded fashion. Single-mindedness is nothing new for Rio, but this is Celia’s conflict too, and yet Celia truly remains an incapable little girl throughout the entire ordeal, one who utterly needs the hero to save her. Even in the final scenes of the volume, we still never quite see Celia recover any modicum of her old self. She is a victim of the trope, never to escape it. And now I can only hope Celia regains some of her old self down the road, and I hope it’s done gradually and naturally, rather than a sudden shift, again, for the sake of plot later on.
Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride has its moments of pure action, excitement, and emotion, making its highlight scenes stand out among the middling setup and foundation-laying for overarching storylines yet to come. Those invested in the series won’t have too much to complain about if they have already chosen to continue reading. However, for those on the fence, Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride doesn’t make the choice to continue reading an easy one. On one hand, this volume masterfully conveys characters’ emotions and mentalities, making for scenes that grip and immerse. And again, its action scenes are energetic and entertaining. On the other, getting to these moments by wading through less than exciting setup, reintroduction of side characters, and introduction of even more new characters, is a necessity at best and a test in reader patience at its worst. Having said all of this, I can satisfactorily recommend Volume 5. Its main plotline has enough intrigue and enjoyment, and its buildup for the future does indeed make me want to read on. An easy recommendation to those already invested, I would also advise the more casual readers to give it a chance. Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride does plenty right, both as a stand-alone story and as a prelude to, hopefully, a torrent of gripping, conflict-filled storylines to come.
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English translation of Spirit Chronicles Volume 5 – The Silver Bride and all volumes of Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles by J-Novel Club. Digital versions of Spirit Chronicles Volume 5, and all volumes, made available through affiliate shops like Amazon.
