Customer Reviews

Spice and Wolf, Vol. 1

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll keep this short and sweet. Fans of the anime will love reading the original story and will gain a greater understanding of Lawrence & Holo. Little gestures you may not have even noticed the first time you watched the series, become clear and meaningful after finishing the book.

If you haven't heard of Spice & Wolf before, then either this book or the anime series are good places to start. You'll get more life out of the series, but the book is a bit easier on the wallet. Despite the unusual premise this is a slower-paced and more dialogue heavy story, suited for an older audience. A healthy interest in economics isn't needed, but it'd be a plus.

EDIT: I just have to update this after completing Volume 5 of the Spice & Wolf...everything I originally said about the rocky translation was just wrong. Paul Starr is doing an AMAZING job, this is by far one of the best translated light novels I have read to date, it perfectly captures the tone of the series.

Five volumes down and I am even more in love with this series than before, here's hoping we get to see the rest brought over!

While one might not be surprised to find a wolf-girl and a fantasy setting in a book aimed at young adults, plots based on the principles of free-market economics are unexpected. Yet Hasekura combines a very unusual romance with economics and comes up a winner. Who'da thunk it?
The teasing romantic interplay between Lawrence and Holo is a delight. Two world-wise adults, albeit in different ways, they tease and flirt in an amusing and yet sexually-tense manner. You know that if either of them pushed things even a bit, they'd be...well, you know. But both are aware of the inevitable outcome of love between an immortal and a human. Not to mention Lawrence is a little afraid of being with a god (quite reasonably) and Holo has her near-arrogant pride to hold her back.
Anyway, a fun read. Note that it is for young adults, so don't expect Lord of the Rings. But for what it is, it's satisfying.
I'd like to note the translation was a surprise. It's excellent. Very smooth, vivid, and accurate. I might even say it reads better than the original (although I only read two chapters of that some years ago). A pat on the back to Paul Starr who deserves much more credit than a tiny line almost lost on the indicia page. In Japan translators are properly respected and their names are even on the front cover. Shame on American publishers for treating their essential contribution so poorly.
The front cover art is odd. I suppose they're trying to attract "mainstream" readers of light novels and maybe this is a way to do it. I suppose we'll see if that does any good, and the fans will buy it anyway. But Holo should at least have had fangs....

To keep this short:
This is not manga, this is a light novel. The events of the manga without as many pictures, in book form if you will. The translations are good and recreate the original story well. My only complaint with this is the fact the they changed the cover art. While this art is by no means bad, in it's own right, I just preferred the original STYLE much, much more.

If you're a fan of the anime you will most likely be a fan of the light novel. You pick up on a few things you will have missed if you had only watched the anime.

Also, if you're not a fan of the American artwork on the cover - fear not! It's only a sleeve. The original artwork is underneath the removable sleeve if you don't like it.

by Matt Reeves

In a genre that is as growingly popular as it is seemingly cliché, it's hard to imagine something coming along that could potentially shatter the mold, especially when it seems authors are bent on repeating the same formula over and over again. However, that is exactly what happened last December when Yen Press, a Manga/Graphic Novel imprint of Hachette Book Group, jumped into the world of Young Adult literature for its second time and published the debut Werewolf themed novel "Spice and Wolf". It was a big gamble with even larger financial risks involved for the publisher. Could a Manga (the Japanese word for Comics) publisher make a successful bid at YA fiction?

Before going any further, I feel it's necessary to explain something. "Spice and Wolf" is a Young Adult novel from Japan. It originally debuted in 2005 as an entry in the prestigious nationwide Dengeki Novel Prize competition, going on to win the Silver Medal to much critical acclaim. It was the young twenty-seven year olds first step into the world of publishing. One year later, the Dengeki Bunko imprint released his novel to the masses and from there it became a sensational bestseller almost upon arrival. To date, there have been fifteen novels published in the book series since its initial publication, with the sixteenth due in the near future. All together, the series has sold nearly 4 million copies. It has been featured three times in the yearly Japanese YA Book Guide "This Light Novel Is Awesome!", placing first in 2007 and winning the award for `Best Female Character'. Besides receiving mass acclaim, it has also been adapted into several hit television shows as well as a popular ongoing Manga.

Recognizing the potential sales and wishing to diversify its operations, Yen Press purchased the license for the book series and released the first English edition in December of 2009. It was the second novel published by their company, and unlike their first attempt, did not already have as big of an existing fan base in America. Facing the reality of previous attempts to publish Japanese YA, nearly all of which failed miserably on a financial and marketing level, the Manga imprint braced itself for low sales. Would Americans be open to foreign YA? That was the question on many peoples' minds at the time of release.

Leaving aside those details for the time being, let's get to the heart of the review, which of course is the novel itself.

Set within Europe during the Medieval Ages, the story introduces us to the laid back merchant Kraft Lawrence as he travels with his horse and wagon across the rolling country side. Moving from one town to another he sells and trades differing goods ranging from wheat to animal skins. The world in which we find our main character is one under the strict and oppressive rule of the Roman Catholic Church, but one in which the seeds of descent are spreading as rumors of Church financial problems surface along with higher taxes on trade. It is a world extremely foreign to our Modern settings and therefore all the more magical.

The novel begins with Lawrence's startling discovery of a naked young girl in the back of his wagon one night after trading in a nearby rural town, and it quickly grows stranger. This young girl has a set of wolf ears atop her head and a large bushy tail protruding from her lower back. All of this is made even more beyond belief when she announces her identity as Holo. This name is recognizable to Lawrence. It's the name of the nearby town's local harvest deity. "Are you a God?" he asks incredulously. "I have been called a God by some for a long time. But I am nothing as great as a deity. I am merely Holo." With these simple words, a heated discussion begins between the two. At the end, it comes down to a request from the girl. She has grown tired of helping the town's crops and longs to return to her homeland in the North. She can't do it on her own as she would be crucified by the Church if discovered. So a deal is reached between the spice trader and wolf. As long as she repays all expenses, he will allow her to travel beside him on his way north. Agreeing, the two start out on their journey, unaware of the dangers that await them. Could the young merchant have made the best or worst deal of his short career? Only time will tell.

What can I say about this novel? First, the translation is top notch. While mildly rough at the beginning, I would be willing to bet this is more the fault of the writer then the translator since it was a debut work, it quickly evens out and reads off seamlessly. Filled with witty conversations, richly painted settings, thought provoking events and intelligent well developed characters, there is nearly nothing to not like about this work of fiction except for perhaps one thing. It's "too" good a page turner. While the first three chapters for the most part progress very gradually, building up character's and settings, from the fourth on till the end it is a non-stop ride to the finish line. I found myself flipping through it so fast that by the time I was at the end I was frustrated with how quickly the story was wrapped up. Be prepared, you will want to keep reading even after you finish. The world of Spice and Wolf is not one you can depart from easily. Luckily, the second book in the series is already out in English.

To bring this review back around full circle, what "Spice and Wolf" represents is a shattering to the mold that has become Werewolf fiction. It has proven that you don't need to have a Werewolf named Jacob or a girl named Bella in order to be magical; that you can combine romance and medieval economics to give birth to something truly original and enchanting. Ironically and appropriately, it's published by an imprint under the very publisher that brought us those two famous fictional teens.

So how did it fare when it came to America? Better than anyone could have imagined. While not experiencing the same sales it has in Japan due to a lack of advertising, it has sold quite well and proven that there is in fact a growing market within America hungry for new stories and ideas.

So what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy of this phenomenal novel at your local bookstore as soon as possible. You'll be sure to sink your fangs, I mean teeth, into it.

I watched the anime recently and enjoyed it. In fact, this was the first anime that actually made me want to read the source material. The writing and/or translation of the first chapter is a bit wonky but after that things seem to pick up. The part where Lawrence first meets Holo made me cringe a bit, but if you can get over that I think you are in for an enjoyable read.

Other reviews here have mentioned that the anime is much like the books. They aren't kidding either. It's almost a scene for scene replication of the book with the exception of first chapter/episode. If you were planning to read for more background on the characters you aren't going to get much out of it. There are little tidbits here and there but nothing substantial.

The author seems to naturally find a good mixture to character interaction and economics; dialog and narration. The pacing is never dull. Its easy to see why it translates to the screen so well.

The biggest problem is yen press schedule for release is long. English readers will have to wait until 2012 to get new material that is not already in the anime series!

Because of the picture, I was worried that this volume was printed with the photograph cover-- Especially since I heard that for the original American release the Japanese cover was only available as a dust cover for a short period of time. Luckily, the dust cover was the American title and the Japanese cover was on the actual book.

Haven't read it myself, but this was a birthday gift for my husband and he was ecstatic!

I'm going to be blunt. If you came to Spice&Wolf expecting high fantasy with spells, fantastic creatures, and action happening around every corner, you won't find it here.

Instead, you'll find a book about Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant who dreams of opening a shop someday, and his companion Holo, the god of harvest in wolf-girl form.

Spice&Wolf appeals to readers like me whose favorite part of a story is the relationships between the characters and the often humorous banter between them. If character is your favorite part of a story, you'll find plenty to love here. Lawrence is a young man skilled in trade and commerce, and Holo is as delightfully mischevious as she is wise. The banter between the two throughout the novel constantly brought a smile to my face, and watching the relationship grow between the two lonely souls was touching and realistic.

While there certainly is some action right near the end, involving them running for their lives and the blood bath that ensued once Holo transformed into her full wolf self -- mind you, it's not really described as Lawrence was near fainting from exhaustion and blood loss, you're more aware that there's blood shed than actually seeing it in the narrative -- certainly provides the book with an exciting climax, the pace of the rest of the novel can bore plenty of readers who need many thrilling scenes to hold their interest.

In short, if you love characters and reading about the strengthening bonds between them, pick this up. If you need lots of fast paced action and thrills, this book is a miss for you.

I for one can't WAIT to read the next installment. :)

--

In regards to the cover, in defense of Yenpress, I just wanted to say that it worked beautifully. The Americanized cover was in hopes of bringing in readers beyond that of the manga/anime fandom, and it did. I'd heard of and badly wanted to read this novel long before I ever knew it was a light novel originating from Japan. And for that matter, Yenpress has released it with a new cover anyway. It's in the same format as the next installments: the Americanized cover as a dust jacket, and the actual phyiscal book itself retains the cartoony cover from the original Japanese edition.

This is a great anime/manga series. I am a fan of the anime and manga material. I bought the anime first, fell in love with the show, then had to get the manga. Wow, the drawing for facial expressions is awesome in this book. The characters are so well drawn that they accurately reveal their emotions, imo. There is not alot of fighting or action in this series, but it does not need it!!! This is one of those series that hooked me with its character development/story---which basically centers on a guy who (still at begining of manga reading) seems to be falling in love with the wise wolf, Holo. They must travel back to her homeland in the north all the while earning income to cover their expenses. Much mental might and strategy is involved along with strong dialogue, imo. If you might be interested, give this series a shot.

I've been hearing a lot about this series, mostly from people who are saying that the series deserves more attention than it is currently getting. After reading through the first light novel, I can agree that Spice & Wolf deserves more attention than it currently gets & is sure to become very popular. I also want to let people know that even though this is NOT a manga, it is worth purchasing.

This first volume of Spice & Wolf begins with the traveling merchant Lawrence slowly approaching a small town rumored to worship pagan gods- if the local churches are to be believed. Once there, Lawrence is quickly sent on his way after he secures a bundle of wheat for sale. The town is in the middle of a festival where they worship their local deity (Holo the wolf god) in hopes of securing a good harvest next season- outsiders aren't welcome during this time. Stopping to rest for the night, Lawrence discovers a beautiful young girl resting in his cart- a girl with wolf ears & a tail to match, a girl who calls herself Holo!

While this is a very cute & interesting story, I do have to say that the translation of the source material felt a little flat. This can sometimes happen when something is directly translated & not slightly adapted for the different slang/speech of other cultures. It is a better translation than some of the other books out there, so readers shouldn't be too disappointed.

Possibly as a result of the translation, the story was a little slow to capture me entirely but as the story progressed & I saw more of the interactions between Holo & Lawrence & got hooked. An interesting point of interest to the story is that while the story is entertaining, it is pretty informative when it comes to trading & bargaining. Much of the story's plot surrounds Lawrence attempting to perform his chosen profession & Holo assisting him with the wisdom she's gained through living such a long life. To some this might sound dull & to some it will be a little dull, but the relationship between Holo & Lawrence as well as the beautiful illustrations will keep them entertained enough to keep reading.

I also have to give credit to the writers that he didn't turn Holo into an idiot, brat, weepy girl, or fanservice character. She's a bit arrogant, but that should be expected with a supernatural creature like her. She's not only intelligent, but she is realistic. I've heard that her personality here is slightly different from the manga, so if you are someone that has read the manga & gotten irritated at her portrayal, you'll like this book.

Would I recommend this to anyone interested in the series? I would- it is an interesting read & I'm intrigued to see what will come next in the series.


EDIT:

The initial review for this was for the novel version of the series, which Amazon somehow decided to link to the manga version. For my review of the manga, please see the comments section.