Maybe term light novel is not well known among book lovers in Indonesia so I'll make a simple description of it. Light novel is a term that is used in Japanese novels to differ light novel from the other novel. Light novel usually not more than 40,000–50,000 long, so it's really light in many way. It's also primarily targeted to teen to young-adult and usually printed in A6.
Light novels also rich in illustrations, unlike usual novel. Light novel (often called as LN in Indonesian Otaku forums or Ranobe in Japanese) usually have illustration for each chapter, it's drawn in Japanese manga style. For you who's fond of manga, light novels are like manga, but it's written. It's really easy to read but you won't find beautiful words like Neil Gaiman's in light novels.
Alright, that's all about light novels.
Today I will make a review about a light novel I finished yesterday, titled Antique Fuga. This book is on my MUST READ LIST since last two years but I didn't buy it because it was so expensive. So, why I got it now? It's on sale. 90% off. So yeah, I took it without thinking. It must be fate.
Anyway, Antique Fuga is a light novel made by well-known author in Japanese called Ambiru Yasuko. Ambiru-sensei made some other books that's translated in to Indonesian by same publisher as Antique Fuga such as Lulu and Rara and Little Witch, Co. Different from Lulu and Rara or Little Witch, Co., Antique Fuga targeted to older audience. Even thought Ambiru-sensei said that Antique Fuga is targeted to 11 and above, I think it's more enjoyable if it's read by 15 (and above).
What is it about?
Antique Fuga told us about the journey of Fuga Ichijou and the kodama, a tree spirit that live in a Corno (French horn), called Shaniah (Shania, in Indonesian translation) in search of Fuga's missing parents. Fuga made a pact with Shaniah to be his blood-related-big-brother until Fuga finds his parents. Shaniah then got a new name from Fuga as Shana Ichijou. Ichijou, Fuga's family, runs an antique shop called Antique Rondo that's soon changed to Antique Fuga as Shana suggested because now that his parents are missing, Fuga is the owner of this shop (Rondo is Fuga's father's name). Since Fuga runs an antique shop, Fuga has an ability to see spirits that resides within antiques.With the help of Shana, Fuga is now making a living with selling and appraising antiques while trying to figure out why his parents are missing so suddenly.
Translation and Words Choice
Bentang Pustaka, as a publisher of this book, had a good job translating it. I'm kinda disappointed with Shining Rose Media (Light novel publisher in Indonesia) by its typos here and there so Bentang made me feel satisfied with its translation works. As a light novel, Antique Fuga sure have an "easy to read" feel around it. You can finish this book in less than 4 hours, or even, 3 hours. But even if it's light, this book have a good flow, and is really enjoyable to read. It's been a pleasure reading it because I just finished reading book about ghosts and depression. It's a good book for weekend before starting to work again tomorrow (ayy, lmao).
Illustration
Totoya did a cute job drawing Fuga and friends. By cute I mean it fits well with the book's image. I wish it's all colored though.
Verdict
I can't give a 4/5 to this book because some of the part jumped too fast and this book is not a book that you will remember for the rest of your life. So I give it 3/5. You can enjoy this book while playing games or waiting for your food on a cafe on weekend. It's a good book to let your mind stress-free from reading too much heavy stuff. Unfortunately, this book is a series. So far Ambiru-sensei made six books and I assume it's ended on the sixth, but in Indonesia, it's only translated until two (I hope the third book out soon).
If you're wondering if this book has shonen-ai or boy's love aura around it, as a fujoshi, I say N O. Stop it. This book doesn't have it. Please don't read it as a gay novel. Thanks.
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| Image Source: Ranobe |
Light novels also rich in illustrations, unlike usual novel. Light novel (often called as LN in Indonesian Otaku forums or Ranobe in Japanese) usually have illustration for each chapter, it's drawn in Japanese manga style. For you who's fond of manga, light novels are like manga, but it's written. It's really easy to read but you won't find beautiful words like Neil Gaiman's in light novels.
Alright, that's all about light novels.
Today I will make a review about a light novel I finished yesterday, titled Antique Fuga. This book is on my MUST READ LIST since last two years but I didn't buy it because it was so expensive. So, why I got it now? It's on sale. 90% off. So yeah, I took it without thinking. It must be fate.
What is it about?
Antique Fuga told us about the journey of Fuga Ichijou and the kodama, a tree spirit that live in a Corno (French horn), called Shaniah (Shania, in Indonesian translation) in search of Fuga's missing parents. Fuga made a pact with Shaniah to be his blood-related-big-brother until Fuga finds his parents. Shaniah then got a new name from Fuga as Shana Ichijou. Ichijou, Fuga's family, runs an antique shop called Antique Rondo that's soon changed to Antique Fuga as Shana suggested because now that his parents are missing, Fuga is the owner of this shop (Rondo is Fuga's father's name). Since Fuga runs an antique shop, Fuga has an ability to see spirits that resides within antiques.With the help of Shana, Fuga is now making a living with selling and appraising antiques while trying to figure out why his parents are missing so suddenly.
Translation and Words Choice
Bentang Pustaka, as a publisher of this book, had a good job translating it. I'm kinda disappointed with Shining Rose Media (Light novel publisher in Indonesia) by its typos here and there so Bentang made me feel satisfied with its translation works. As a light novel, Antique Fuga sure have an "easy to read" feel around it. You can finish this book in less than 4 hours, or even, 3 hours. But even if it's light, this book have a good flow, and is really enjoyable to read. It's been a pleasure reading it because I just finished reading book about ghosts and depression. It's a good book for weekend before starting to work again tomorrow (ayy, lmao).
Illustration
Totoya did a cute job drawing Fuga and friends. By cute I mean it fits well with the book's image. I wish it's all colored though.
Verdict
I can't give a 4/5 to this book because some of the part jumped too fast and this book is not a book that you will remember for the rest of your life. So I give it 3/5. You can enjoy this book while playing games or waiting for your food on a cafe on weekend. It's a good book to let your mind stress-free from reading too much heavy stuff. Unfortunately, this book is a series. So far Ambiru-sensei made six books and I assume it's ended on the sixth, but in Indonesia, it's only translated until two (I hope the third book out soon).
If you're wondering if this book has shonen-ai or boy's love aura around it, as a fujoshi, I say N O. Stop it. This book doesn't have it. Please don't read it as a gay novel. Thanks.
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