Serg reviewed Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 05 by Kamome Shirahama (白浜 鴎)
BELLY OF THE BEAST
Peril abounds as the witches of Qifrey’s atelier continue their trials! …
When antagonists interrupt your witchcraft practical exam... EVERYBODY better think fast!
5 stars
"Witch Hat Atelier" follows the adventures of Coco, a young girl who is fascinated by magic, but has no magical talents herself. Until she discovers the truth.... amidst controversy, Coco is inducted into magical society and allowed to become a witch.
In volume 4, two of Coco's fellow students enter a practical exam. Unfortunately, they are not alone - the antagonists of the series, an group that calls itself the Brimmed Hats, are in the labyrinth where the exam takes place. They have designs on Coco and they're not above targeting her friends...
In this volume, the Brimmed Hats' trap is sprung. The students, their master, and the proctor of the exam need to pull all their strings to get out unharmed.
One of the great things about "Witch Hat Atelier" is that it actually tells us how spells are constructed. Where Harry Potter would simply be taught a spell, …
"Witch Hat Atelier" follows the adventures of Coco, a young girl who is fascinated by magic, but has no magical talents herself. Until she discovers the truth.... amidst controversy, Coco is inducted into magical society and allowed to become a witch.
In volume 4, two of Coco's fellow students enter a practical exam. Unfortunately, they are not alone - the antagonists of the series, an group that calls itself the Brimmed Hats, are in the labyrinth where the exam takes place. They have designs on Coco and they're not above targeting her friends...
In this volume, the Brimmed Hats' trap is sprung. The students, their master, and the proctor of the exam need to pull all their strings to get out unharmed.
One of the great things about "Witch Hat Atelier" is that it actually tells us how spells are constructed. Where Harry Potter would simply be taught a spell, Coco has to construct one. This makes magical fights in "Witch Hat Atelier" more than combat sequences. It becomes a duel where creative use of one's spells, both prepared and improvised, can spell the difference between victory and defeat. And when the violence breaks out in volume 5, Kamome Shirahama does not disappoint. Coco and her friends have to think on their feet and make good use of their abilities. This makes for a very dynamic type of battle.
There are other interesting things in this volume, but what I appreciate most is how characters are fleshed out. In previous volumes, we met Easthies, a member of the Knights Moralis. The Knights Moralis are effectively the police force of the magic users and they are described as rigid people - they'll uphold the law of their society and make no exceptions.
In volume 5, we see Easthies has a human side. Most authors would give him a tragic background causing him to become a ruthless policeman, but Kamome Shirahama does not resort to such an overused plot device. Instead, she simply shows him interacting with his own students. We also see a man who is very aware of the responsibility that rests on the Knights Moralis' shoulders.
All in all, this is an excellent installment in an excellent series. If you enjoy the fantasy genre, this series is heartily recommended. Do start at volume 1, though.