Ascendance of a Bookworm: I’ll do anything to become a librarian! Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier, Vol. 3 by Miya Kazuki, You Shiina
Series Name: Ascendance of a Bookworm: I’ll do anything to become a librarian! (Light Novel)
Genres: Fantasy, Isekai
Intended Age Group: Teen
Publisher: J-Novel Club
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 9781718356023
Rating: 5/5
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Description from the Book
Just as Myne gets her foot in the door of making paper, she collapses due to the sickness known as the Devouring. She’s getting better thanks to her friends and the people around her, but the Devouring remains clouded in mystery. As the world expands, so too does her passion for making books, and that passion could open more doors than she ever imagined!
Personal & Info
This volume was hard to find. It wasn’t in stock anywhere, including online. Only two Barnes & Noble locations in my entire state had a copy, and they were both an hour away in different directions. I ended up driving that hour with a friend to be able to get mine. After that I checked a couple volumes ahead and saw they were going out of stock, so I panic purchased the next two to be safe.
Up until now, there have only been one or two extra stories at the end of each book. This one has six. Three of them take place around the same time, of the same day, on the day of the cake tasting. They all seem significant, and likely all take place during the month Myne was given by the High Priest.
Characters
Myne, previously Urano Motosu, is the main character. She suffers from poor health, in addition to a deathly illness called The Devouring. Despite her poor health, Myne has become a cash cow for anyone who will listen to her marketable ideas.
Tuuli is Myne’s sister. She is one year older than her, and is very responsible and capable for her age. Her current occupation is seamstress’s apprentice.
Effa is Myne and Tuuli’s mother. She dyes clothes for a career.
Gunther is Myne and Tuuli’s father. He works as a soldier who guards the South Gate.
Lutz is Myne’s friend. He is the same age as her, and he looks after her like she’s his little sister. Thanks to Myne, he is now following his dream to become a merchant.
Otto is Gunther’s coworker. He handles all the important paperwork for the South Gate. Benno is his brother-in-law, because Otto married Benno’s sister, Corinna.
Benno is a wealthy merchant. He is Corinna’s older brother, and Otto’s brother-in-law.
Mark is Benno’s store manager. He teaches all of the apprentices they take on, and tends to important store matters on Benno’s behalf.
Corinna is Otto’s wife. She is a professional seamstress.
Freida is the granddaughter of the Merchant Guild’s Guildmaster. She has the Devouring, like Myne, and her family is exceedingly wealthy. Her passion is money, and she considers herself Myne’s best friend.
Leise is the home chef for the Guildmaster’s family. She is enthusiastic about her job and loves learning new recipes.
Story & Thoughts
The prologue starts with Freida’s thoughts while she fetches a magic tool from a safe. This is in reaction to Myne’s collapse at the end of volume two. Chapter one picks up the story with Myne waking up at the Guildmaster’s residence.
This is the most emotional volume in the series, so far. It seems to be the one they try to squeeze in all the hard family conversations. The chapter “Family Meeting” got me all teary eyed and choked up. In that chapter, Myne finally discusses the details of her illness with her family and addresses the only options available regarding her health. I didn’t expect that discussion to hit so hard, but it kicked me right in the feels. Additionally, Lutz finally gets to speak to one of his parents about becoming a merchant and they actually listen.
It’s not the most amazing light novel volume, but while reading it, I was absolutely certain I wanted to rate it a five. It’s flawed, but I had such a good time reading it. The High Bishop’s attitude was so over the top it was practically comical.
The whole church is hilarious. It doesn’t make any sense. Tuuli prayed once, and there was nothing unusual about it. The difference between how Tuuli prayed and how the children are taught at the baptism raises so many questions. Maybe the prayers differ by season or which season people were born in.
I am so hooked on this series. I love all the character interactions, and how even though it feels like the story is progressing slowly, it’s a joy to read. The more I read, the more I love the series. It’s definitely not something everyone would enjoy, but it’s stolen my heart.
Tuuli – Visiting Corinna
The first extra story is in Tuuli’s perspective. Myne, Effa, and Tuuli all go visit Corinna to show her Myne’s baptism dress and hairpin. Corinna expresses interest in the hairpin, so Benno must negotiate with Myne for the exclusive rights to sell them. Because of this, Tuuli sees her little sister at work for the first time and can’t believe her eyes.
Leise – Confectionary Recipe
This second story is in Leise’s perspective. It explains her background and motivations. She speaks to Myne before the cake tasting to get more information on how to make the cakes better.
Benno – Pound Cake Sampling
The third story is in Benno’s perspective. He attends the cake tasting and forms a rivalry with Leise as he vows to try to keep all of Myne’s recipe’s for himself, even if he has to train his own chef to do it.
Mark – The Master and I
The next story is in Mark’s perspective. It takes place immediately after the cake tasting. Mark’s backstory is revealed, as well as additional information on how merchant apprenticeship works. Their system uses contracts based around apprentices either being classified as “lehange” or “leherl.”
Benno discusses future business plans in this chapter that might become relevant or important later. Lutz is tangled up in anything Benno plans, so whatever he decides will likely effect him greatly.
The Life as an Apprentice Merchant
This extra story chapter is in Lutz’s perspective. It follows him through a normal day of his apprenticeship, from wake until sleep. He has some things harder than other apprentices, but some things are easier, so he seems to be managing just fine.
The Roots of the Guildmaster’s Worries
This last extra chapter takes place during the cake tasting. It’s in Guildmaster Gustav’s perspective. Everything we know about the Guildmaster has been provided by Benno. This chapter gives us the Guildmaster’s side of things. He expresses his frustrations and concerns regarding Benno’s many seemingly greedy, selfish, and reckless behaviors, while his assistant points out to him what things must be like from Benno’s point of view to make sure the Guildmaster understands the social blunders he’s made. It’s really kind of sad, because the Guildmaster has good intentions.