Reviews - Il Monologo Della Speziale, Vol. 4

448 reviews for:

Il Monologo Della Speziale, Vol. 4

Touko Shino, Natsu Hyuuga

4.44 AVERAGE

shanaqui's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The fourth light novel of Natsu Hyuuga's The Apothecary Diaries series was more fun again for me, after I wasn't so keen on the third book. I think that's because it has a more unified story and begins to pull together past mysteries and reunite previous plot threads. It's one of the major moments for the series, in which Jinshi reveals more of himself, and we saw more of the politics of the world (rather than the tightly zoomed-in world of the Rear Palace).

I did find that I had a bit of difficulty following who was who, and also who believed what about whom. I feel like another read might help, or maybe reading the manga or watching the anime -- I've found that helps before, e.g. with Heaven Official's Blessing. The narrative is just a touch sparing of explanation, even when it seems to be explaining, somehow! Maybe because, accessible as it is, it's in a whole tradition of stories I don't know well.

In any case, I'm a bit keener to carry on with the series now, and see what the fallout is for Jinshi and Maomao. She's outside the court again now, ostensibly in disgrace, and I'm curious if she gets back in or... what!

lovelyfi's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I feel if I gave this a reread, I may follow along a little better in keeping up with family connections. I got a little lost in parts. The story progresses a little bit darker in this one, and we've got some conclusions to some plot points/mysteries. Didn't have MaoMao solving smaller mysteries like in the first 3 novels, which I missed, hence the lower rating. Still a pleasant reading time, and looking forward to continuing.