Light Novel & Manga Haul February-March 2025

About

This haul combines the light novels and manga for February and March. I had enough books to post a small haul for February, but due to various reasons, I ended up unable to post. Five were obtained in February and the other three in March.

In February, I got two fanbooks, one light novel, and two manga. In March, I got two light novels and one manga. Some things are from Amazon, some are gifts, some are from Barnes & Noble, and some are from Thrift Books. I’m planning to start prioritizing Thrift Books as my main source for online orders.

Light Novels

The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 4

Initially, I was stocking up on these to be able to binge later. However, I recently did a reread of the manga, and might be itching for more Apothecary Diaries before the next volume comes out in October. I might be reading these sooner rather than later. It’ll be interesting to see how they differ from the manga.

Volume five comes out next month, May 6th, and volume six comes out August 5th, so that’s two more light novel volumes before October.

What is it?

A Chinese inspired historical mystery romance, mostly taking place inside the Inner Palace of the emperor’s consorts.

Ascendance of a Bookworm, Vol. 24 & 25

These are Part 5 Volumes 3 & 4. I just started Part 4, so it’ll be a while before I get to these. I’m building a buffer ahead of time, so I don’t run out of volumes, and to try catching up to the current print releases. I’m still a few volumes behind on that.

There are a total of twelve volumes in Part 5, so it’s the longest part in the whole series. At the time I’m typing this, the most recent volume to release is Part 5 Volume 8. Reviews for the volumes I have already read and reviewed can be found in the Index.

What is it?

An isekai about a bookworm who wakes up as a five-year-old girl in a world where books are unobtainable by the general public, so she decides to make her own and strive to make them more accessible.

Manga

The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 1 & 13

It should be pretty obvious that I already have volume one of The Apothecary Diaries, since I’ve been actively reviewing the series. This version is a special Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition. It has alternate cover art that stands out more than the standard volume. It costs $4 more than the regular one, but it includes six pages of exclusive color art from an Apothecary Diaries volume 13 special edition booklet, two pages of black and white art from the same booklet, and four pages of color story art from the standard volume 1.

The extra art doesn’t spoil anything as far as I can tell. If you’re just starting the series, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. It seems harmless.

I’m pretty sure the volume 13 special edition booklet is something that will not be localized, because otherwise, we probably would not be getting the extra content in this B&N edition.

I couldn’t pass up getting the exclusive edition. Even if it just had an alternate cover, that would have been enough for me to want it for my collection. The regular cover art is fine, but this cover is blatantly more beautiful.

At the time I’m typing this, volume 13 is the most recent volume. I have already read and reviewed it. The next one won’t be out until October, so it’s a pretty long wait compared to the usual three months.

What is it?

A Chinese inspired historical mystery romance, mostly taking place inside the Inner Palace of the emperor’s consorts.

Final Fantasy XIV: Eorzea Academy

This manga was a birthday gift. A friend already has it and wants me to read it with them. It’s a stand alone story that puts the characters from the MMO Final Fantasy XIV into a school setting. I don’t know if you actually have to play the game to enjoy it, but if you want to be familiar with all of the characters, it seems like you would need to complete the story up until about the beginning of the Endwalker expansion.

What is it?

A stand alone manga that puts Final Fantasy XIV heroes and villains in a school setting.

Miscellaneous

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Official Fanbooks 2 &3

Both of these were birthday gifts. They kept going out of stock everywhere and became a real pain in the butt to find. Of course, now that I have them, they’re back in stock pretty much everywhere. That seems to be how things tend to work.

I’m reading these where they indicate. Fanbook 2 says to read it after Part 4 Volume 1 of the light novel, so I did. The review is already available. Fanbook 3 says to read it after Part 4 Volume 4 and Royal Academy Stories: First year, which is a side novel. I’m not quite there, yet, but that is when I intend to read it.

Fanbook 4 is apparently getting a physical release this July. It’s long overdue, considering how far ahead the light novel run is. Fanbook 4 is supposed to be read after reading Part 4 Volume 8, and Part 5 is more than halfway done releasing. I hope the fifth fanbook also gets a physical release soon.

Ascendance of a Bookworm is the first series I’ve cared enough to want the fanbooks for, and I think that says a lot about how wonderful it is.

What is it?

A complication of art, bonus stories, and Q&A’s relevant to Ascendance of a Bookworm.

Light Novel & Manga Haul January 2025

About

I didn’t think I’d have enough books for a January haul, but various sales and impulse purchases happened. All of the light novels and one of the manga came from Amazon. Two of the manga were in-store purchases from a small local store, and the fourth was a late Christmas gift. Usually there are one or two light novels next to a bunch more manga, so I’m surprised I have an even ratio this time.

Light Novels

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Royal Academy Stories

I couldn’t pass up buying this one. It was on sale for half price. It’s not part of the main series, though.

This volume is a collection of short stories involving the characters for Rozemyne’s first year at the Royal Academy. None of the stories are in Rozemyne’s perspective. The description says they are all stories from the perspectives of her classmates.

I don’t know exactly when this should be read, but it’s somewhere in or after Part Four. I’m sure I’ll have a better idea for when I should read it once I actually start reading that part. The side stories at the end of each volume are usually enjoyable, so I’m looking forward to reading this.

What is it?

Side stories for an isekai about a bookworm who wakes up as a five-year-old girl in a world where books are unobtainable by the general public, so she decides to make her own and strive to make them more accessible.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Short Story Collection, Vol. 1

This is the first volume of the short story collections. There are currently two volumes of these, but the second is not yet available in physical print. The stories span anywhere from part one to Part Four, which probably means part four should be read before this. I generally enjoy all the short stories the series has to offer, so I’m looking forward to reading this.

What is it?

Side stories for an isekai about a bookworm who wakes up as a five-year-old girl in a world where books are unobtainable by the general public, so she decides to make her own and strive to make them more accessible.

Ascendance of a Bookworm, Vol. 22 & 23

These are Part Five, volumes one and two. I haven’t read any of Part Four, yet, so I have a substantial buffer at this point. I plan on trying to get caught up on physical volumes, because they are still releasing, and the end of the series is in sight. Part Five is the final, and longest, part.

Reviews for the Ascendance of a Bookworm light novel volumes I have already read can be found in the Index.

What is it?

An isekai about a bookworm who wakes up as a five-year-old girl in a world where books are unobtainable by the general public, so she decides to make her own and strive to make them more accessible.

Manga

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 8 & 9

I’m not terribly behind on this series, but it has been a while since I got any volumes. Season two of the anime isn’t far off, so I want to try catching up before watching it.

I didn’t actually intend to buy these when I went to the store. My intention was to pick up the latest volume of Daemons of the Shadow Realm, that I was two months late in grabbing, but the store didn’t have it. I always feel bad going into a store and walking out with nothing, so I grabbed these instead, since I had already planned to buy one or two manga.

Reviews for the Frieren volumes I have already read can be found in the Index.

What is it?

A fantasy story about an Elf mage coming to terms with how long her lifespan is compared to those around her.

Inuyasha VIZBIG Edition, Vol. 6

I read the entirety of the Inuyasha manga a number of years ago. However, I did not own them at the time, so I’m collecting the VIZBIG editions. I think they’re overall cheaper and more efficient than getting more than fifty single volumes.

This series will always be special to me, because it had a huge impact on my childhood. My friend group bonded over it back when it was first premiering on Adult Swim. I’m about to date myself, but I remember setting up the VCR to record Adult Swim so I could watch the episodes the following day. The anime was a big part of the culture of my childhood.

Owning my own copies of the manga and having some figure merchandise means a lot to me. It was fairly recently that I managed to get a Koga Funko figure, and it meant the world to me. There is little to no merchandise available of him, and he is one of my favorite characters. The nostalgia of it all makes me happy, and I love that there’s a sequel series for me to enjoy for some new content. I haven’t read or watched much of Yashahime, yet, but I love everything I’ve seen of it, so far.

What is it?

A time travel adventure romance with demons.

Skip Beat! Vol. 49

Skip Beat! is one of my all time favorite shojo manga series. I haven’t given it a reread in years, but it’ll be time to circle back soon. At this point I might have more volumes I haven’t read than volumes I that I have.

I’m glad it’s still going, but the current volumes are noticeably thinner than they used to be, substantially so. Hopefully, that won’t be a reflection of story quality. Volume 50 is due out on March, 4th.

What is it?

A revenge showbiz story with comedy and romance.