#zent

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v24 is a good volume for how it carries seeds of potentially troublesome or purposeful, future narratives, and then adequately buffets reader anxiety by calling upon key secondary characters and roping them into the mix. Rozemyne may be at the center of this novel series, but there are plenty of retainers, allies, and adults fully capable of negotiating solutions (with their own aims and with their own resources).

For example, the issue of disciplining whomever crashed the Dunkelfelger and Ehrenfest ditter match grows complicated when Rozemyne learns a familiar influence may have been behind the uncharacteristic behavior of the betrayal-minded Sovereign knights. That's a big problem, but what can she do about it? Turning to Sylvester may prove fruitless, as he's only recently finished the purge and continues to investigate for the sake of the duchy. Turning to Ferdinand is out of the question (he has his own troubles to navigate). But a surprising possibility emerges when Prince Anastasius, with his trademarked "big brother" energy, strikes up a wide-ranging conversation with Rozemyne and Sylvester, along with Lady Sieglinde (first wife, Dunkelfelger) and Hannelore, during the tournament. At this point, Ehrenfest can use all of the allies it can muster.

The politics of balancing interduchy relationships, while offering meaningful credit, is a recurring theme. An extensive conversation with Lady Sieglinde to clear the air surrounding Dunkelfelger's rivalry is brutal and tense, but essential to validating Rozemyne as being capable of standing firm when apparently victimized (Rozemyne: "You lost. Be silent as losers should be," page 98), or, alternatively, if need be, admitting when she was wrong.

"Listening to you speak is nerve-wracking. I can never predict what you might say next." (Ferdinand, page 223)

Another good example rests in how Rozemyne is eager to credit her research partners. Specifically, she's sensitive to other's needs both before and after the annual awards ceremony sees her duchy place reputably for research into rituals and divine protections (with Dunkelfelger) and into making magic tools more mana-efficient (with Ahrensbach). Notwithstanding a few folks from Ahrensbach totally bulldozing everyone in an effort to earn more praise, the novel's most hilarious moment results in perhaps one of the greatest self-owns in Yurgenschmidt's history. Rozemyne wins, by default, and without even trying. To a point, a visiting Ferdinand offers a rare compliment: "Very good" (page 129).

The novel's best and most restful moments occur when Ferdinand visits the Ehrenfest dormitory. Everyone acknowledges, but doesn't speak aloud, how relaxed and peaceful the High Priest appears when safe and at home for the first time in a long time. Rozemyne is on edge, prepared for a scolding around every corner, but the young woman surely would have no one else point out her faults other than this cranky researcher.

"I always pray from the bottom of my heart for you not to get involved in such matters, but no words can bind you, I have found." (Ferdinand page 272)

Notably, a handful of folks near and far are suspicious of Rozemyne and Ferdinand's apparent closeness. Whether this portends future chaos likely rests in whether (or how many) characters feel the need to prove themselves right by manufacturing a crisis where none exists.

As such, ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v24 shows readers a massive puzzle with plenty of missing pieces. Word is out that further criteria has been defined for becoming the next Zent. Is the clarifying information buried in history? Will Rozemyne and Hannelore again serve as translators for the underground archive beneath the Royal Academy's library? And what's all this talk about the Grutrissheit being of a wholly different caliber of magical power than the bible itself? Ferdinand has an interesting theory. And beyond that, and closer to home, retainers to archduke candidates are reinforcing their rigid opinions on Wilfried. The young man is, at turns, called "a blithering fool," taken for a fool, and disregarded (as fools often are). Is Wilfried's fate no longer his own? Despite the growth he's shown over the past two years?

In short, Rozemyne (and Ferdinand) must study the thin, pearlescent line between mythology as canon and mythology as apocrypha.

At length, the bible at the temple of Ehrenfest suddenly reveals a fantastical magic circle and never-before-seen script. The new imagery implies those with the ability to see it also possess the characteristics (or have met some unknown standard) to become Zent, or king. Whoops. What the heck did Rozemyne do for an old magical book to think she's worthy of being the sovereign? Secondly, a bout with the Royal Academy's inquiry into the ternisbefallen incident unearths a query about intertextual differences (translations) among holy books. Does Rozemyne's bible contain passages that other bibles don't? Double-whoops. A subsequent investigation is called.

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v19 exposes the sad, blatant favoritism native to those who thoughtlessly mesh religious piety with nationalism. Ferdinand, who has made a career out of avoiding such fracases, offers a stern warning: "Rozemyne, there are many things in the world that one is better off not knowing. Do not stick your nose into these matters if you wish to live. Death can come swiftly from any direction," page 89).

Nevertheless, this is a fun volume. At the start, one is thankful for the merger of time-away and time-with Royal Academy duties. This holds true even though much of the book's drama comes from individual confrontations (e.g., panel inquiries and meetings, a name-swearing ceremony, random ditter challenges), rather than from more highly stylized adventures (e.g., a bunch of Darkness feybeasts are unleashed).

In one of the novel series' few moments of exquisite continuity, readers see more action regarding mana-sucking creatures and the havoc they wreak. Typically, the author introduces something new or curious, only to abandon it the following volume. Here, Ehrenfest's experience with the ternisbefallen comes in handy.

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v19 continues to fill in the worldbuilding gaps that have intermittently widened and narrowed over the course of so many volumes. On the positive end, readers encounter more foreshadowing when it comes to Ferdinand's awareness of the Sovereignty's shortsightedness (Rozemyne: "I couldn't help but wonder how many secrets Ferdinand was likewise pretending to have forgotten," page 94).

On the other end of things, the current volume's translation and adaptation yields a little too frequently to vague or obsequious diction. The most obvious example rests in the novel's less than clear usage of Grutrissheit. Grutrissheit is the catch-all term for the nation's bible or holy book. However, the usage is exceedingly ambiguous, sometimes implying a physical tome (as in the book held by the statue of Mestionora, in Volume 18), and sometimes implying an intangible trait, as "the symbol of the Zent" (page 89), which the king supposedly cannot rule without. It's terribly confusing.

Inconsistent and complicated mythologies aside, and biblical fundamentalist terrorists notwithstanding, ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM v19 proves that even though trouble may follow little Rozemyne wherever she goes, it's not always her fault. As the young woman says: "I just wanna go home. I wanna go home and read," page 141).