(*2*)

Secrets of the Silent Witch’s anime adaptation is presently airing! It’s risen steadily in reputation abroad since Yen Press started releasing the gentle novels in 2022, and later the manga adaptation as effectively. With curiosity in the franchise rising all the extra, because of the anime, this looks like time to return to the supply materials with Volume 2.

Volume 1 of Secrets of the Silent Witch noticed protagonist Monica infiltrate Serendia Academy, the place she’d been tasked with defending the second prince, Felix Arc Ridill. And it’s up to now so good, with a number of makes an attempt on his life having been stopped, and nobody has but discovered Monica’s true identification. Nonetheless, as we reunite along with her for Volume 2, we see that there’s nonetheless loads of issues standing in her method…

Volume 2 opens with Monica taking a visit into city, the place she finds herself having to secretly defeat a dragon that’s immediately threatening the security of the residents. She additionally meets a brand new switch pupil, Glenn Dudley, who, unbeknownst to her, is one of Louis’s apprentices. After which she finds her former mentor will not be instructing at the academy and doesn’t seem to know Monica is undercover, so she must do every little thing she will to keep away from him. However she additionally wants to decide on two elective lessons, and for some motive, Felix thinks she’ll be concerned with the magecraft course, which isn’t solely the one her outdated mentor is instructing but additionally the probably to convey her unbelievable magic expertise to gentle!

And if having to decide on electives wasn’t dangerous sufficient, as half of her duties for the pupil council, Monica has to assist put together for the college competition. This implies a fantastic quantity of outsiders will likely be coming into the college, which poses points for her means to guard Felix. And certainly, it’s not lengthy earlier than issues start to come up, however might or not it’s that the new risk in opposition to Felix’s life comes from just a little nearer to dwelling?

There’s a stunning quantity packed into this e book, between assembly new characters, Monica struggling along with her place at the college (not solely in relation to lessons, however she’s starting to be bullied for being on the pupil council) and advancing the essential story. That’s loads to juggle, however creator Matsuri Isora proves greater than succesful of managing all of it. Coming in round 260~ pages, this can be a pretty chunky gentle novel, but it surely doesn’t outstay its welcome, and since it’s so effectively balanced, it doesn’t really feel so long as it’s.

Despite the fact that there are a number of new characters launched to an already intensive solid, they’re comparatively effectively developed, and it appears like Isora places the work into ensuring Monica and Felix are additionally given loads of time in the highlight. For Monica’s half, now that she’s getting used to her duties and making some pals, we’re seeing her get much more snug in her environment. Even when she’s nonetheless so shy that she will barely string a sentence along with strangers.

In the meantime, with Felix, I really feel that we readers can higher perceive some of his motivations after this e book. After Volume 1, I questioned if some readers could be uncomfortable with the undeniable fact that it typically appears like Felix treats Monica as little greater than a plaything. And whereas that’s nonetheless true to a level, I feel Isora does job of exploring extra of his background and why his character is the method it’s. There’s extra depth to him than I initially anticipated, and that’s reassuring to see. It additionally appears like he’s begun to respect Monica, and possibly quickly they’ll have the ability to stand on a extra equal footing.

If you happen to loved the first e book, you’ll nearly definitely like Volume 2 as effectively. Whereas it’s largely extra of the similar, there’s sufficient taking place to maintain you invested as the greater image slowly builds. And positively with the anime presently airing, this can be a good time to select up the supply materials.

As talked about, Secrets of the Silent Witch Volume 2 involves the West because of Yen Press beneath their Yen On imprint and continues to be translated by Alice Prowse. The interpretation reads effectively and manages to seize and depict this huge solid of characters with their varied methods of talking and interacting with each other, which is not any small problem for this many characters.

Since I final reviewed the collection, Yen Press have launched six volumes of the collection in addition to the 4.5 quantity and the first quantity of a spin-off, Silent Witch -another- Rising of the Barrier Mage, which focuses on Louis. Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless loads extra to return as this collection is as much as ten volumes in Japan with one other .5 thrown into the combine as effectively. Subsequent up for us in English will likely be Volume 7, which is scheduled for launch in November.

Total, Secrets of the Silent Witch stays a compelling learn in its second quantity. As with the first instalment, loads is happening right here as protagonist Monica is thrown in at the deep finish with a number of main developments. Nonetheless, it’s all fastidiously balanced to not overwhelm the reader and as a substitute maintain you turning the pages to search out out what occurs subsequent. If you happen to’re having fun with the anime, undoubtedly take into account choosing up the unique gentle novels!

Our assessment copy from Yen Press was provided by Diamond Guide Distributors UK.