If you watched Ascendance of a Bookworm anime before, you probably realize that I have quite a few images of Myne on my blog posts.
But the thing is, I never mentioned anything about watching the anime on my blog.
So why do I have quite a few pictures of Myne on my blog when I don’t even watch the anime?
Well, here’s the funny part. I didn’t realize that I skipped the anime when the anime came out a few seasons ago.
It was only after I saw the light novel on Bookwalker that I came to realize the existence of Ascendance of a Bookworm anime.
Yes, I know. That was an error on my side. But at least I’m currently watching the anime right now.
In case you’re wondering, the Ascendance of a Bookworm is Honzuki no Gekokujou in Japanese.
What Ascendance of a Bookworm is all about
Here’s the book description that I got from Bookwalker.
A young woman who loves books dies and is reborn in another world as Myne, a sickly child from a poor family. Worst of all, there are almost no books in this world! So Myne decides that she’ll just have to make her own and become a librarian.
A certain college girl who’s loved books ever since she was a little girl dies in an accident and is reborn in another world she knows nothing about. She is now Myne, the sickly five-year-old daughter of a poor soldier. To make things worse, the world she’s been reborn in has a very low literacy rate and books mostly don’t exist. She’d have to pay an enormous amount of money to buy one.
What got me to read this light novel
If you’re familiar with the type of books I enjoy reading and recommend on this blog, you may realize that I’m not into fantasy genre that much, let alone the isekai genre books.
So, why in the world am I picking up Ascendance of a Bookworm if I’m not into the isekai genre that much?
The reason for that is simple. I have a penchant for a story that talks about books, libraries, and being a bookworm all in one sentence.
And the fact that the light novel was on sale on Bookwalker at that time is another reason that got me interested in buying the light novel even more.
What makes Ascendance of a Bookworm worth reading
I’m sure that you notice this trope in pretty much most of the isekai light novels.
The main character died in his or her world and now being reincarnated into another world that is far different from his or her previous world.
And for the most part, the new world will always be the world of magic, sorcery, dragons, or whatnot.
In this sense, the Ascendance of a Bookworm isn’t that much different from the rest of the isekai light novels out there.
The main character died and reincarnated in another world that is far different than her own world? Check.
The current world that the main character lives in is a world filled with magic? Check.
In a broad sense, Ascendance of a Bookworm does have a similar trope like the rest of the isekai books out there.
But unlike most isekai books where the main character will have to fight someone, you will see Myne bringing her knowledge from her previous life into her current world and make a killing from it instead.
Take a look at the plant-based paper that Myne created together with Lutz. What seems like not much of value in her previous life turns out to be the most valuable item considering that they only use parchment to document everything.
Of course, there are other things that Myne brought into the current world that turns out to be so valuable too. But suffice to say you’ll get to see her bringing creative solutions to the problem throughout the story.
The story isn’t your typical isekai story since you don’t see Myne fighting evil with magic. Instead, the story is about her solving everyday problem with the experiences in her previous life.
It somewhat reminds me of Dr. STONE minus the science part.
What I didn’t expect when I read the light novel
Am I the only one who is hoping to see Myne and Lutz growing up and ending up together?
To be honest, I was hoping that the story will be progressing to the point where Myne and Lutz grow up and end up together considering the hardship that both of them have to go through.
Sure, what they’re going through isn’t earth-shattering or anything. But hey, it will be great if we get to see them becoming an adult and be together in the end, right?
I usually don’t care much whether the characters will end up together or not.
But for some reason, I’m hoping that Myne and Lutz do end up together. That will be a sight to behold.
Yes, I know. I am weird.
Who should read the light novel
If you enjoy reading isekai light novels but you want something different than your typical isekai story, then you will find that Ascendance of a Bookworm is a breath of fresh air.
Well, at least for me since I do find some of the isekai story to be rather a cliche.
Already watched the anime? Then you should give the light novel version a try too since the story in the light novel tends to be a lot more elaborated than the one in anime.
You may feel like you’re missing quite a few details here and there if you read the light novel version. But it’s not that the missing details are affecting the storyline in a big way, anyway.
It’s a different story if you’re a sucker for details, though.
Where to buy Ascendance of a Bookworm light novel
As always you can buy the light novel in digital or in print on Amazon. You can buy the light novel in whichever format you prefer right here:
Buy Ascendance of a Bookworm on Amazon (Paperback)
Buy Ascendance of a Bookworm on Amazon (Kindle)
Can’t buy the light novel on Amazon? You can also buy the digital version of the light novel on Bookwalker too. That’s where I got mine.
Buy Ascendance of a Bookworm on Bookwalker
Prefer to buy the light novel in print? You can also buy the print version of the light novel on Wordery too. I highly recommend Wordery because they offer free shipping worldwide.
You can buy the light novel on Wordery right here:
Buy Ascendance of a Bookworm on Wordery
Want to read the light novel in Japanese? You can buy the print version of the light novel on CDJapan. You can buy the light novel right here:
Buy Ascendance of a Bookworm on CDJapan
Over to you
What do you think about the Ascendance of a Bookworm? Are you interested in giving the light novel a try after reading about it on my blog? Let me know in the comment section below.
P.S My light novels may not be in the isekai genre. But if you love reading thriller and suspense seinen light novel, then you probably enjoy reading my book.
I’m currently running a promotion on Smashwords where you can get all of my books at 50% off. The offer will end on July 31, 2020.
So grab any of my books now before the offer ends at the end of this month.
You can buy my books right here on Smashwords:
The Diary of Modern Cinderella
I'm an author who writes thriller and suspense light novels. But when I'm not writing a book, I love to blog about books that I enjoy reading. Some of these books also become the inspiration for my novel as well.
Most of the books that I talk about on my blog tend to be manga and light novels, with nonfiction books in between. If you're looking for interesting books to read, then you will certainly enjoy reading my blog. 