Strike the Blood, Vol. 5 (light novel): Fiesta for the Observers

Great books. I have read almost all of them in Japanese and wanted the english versions for collection purposes.

Volume 5, along with volume 4, of *Strike the Blood* is a step in a more ambitious direction than the previous volumes. The author, Gakuto Mikumo, tells a complicated story that is worth the two-volume length. Once again, Akatsuki Kojou, the high-school boy who gained the powers of the world's strongest vampire (and thus strongest being) has to save the day in this story taking place in an alternate world with magic intertwined with history and the every day. This two-book tale details how an evil sorcerous terrorist group uses Kojou's friendship with a childhood buddy to try to wreak havoc. To make matters worse, they themselves are double-crossed by a more frightening villain who intends to put in place some really horrible plans.That is all vague, but really I've said too much already. I'm trying to not give away everything and thus the need for such roundabout descriptions. This being a two-novel story, if I do say too much I will spoil the entirety of the first book.So let's get to what was good and bad about these two volumes. For the bad it was that the antagonist was truly a really strong and interesting villain, but was allowed to go to waste. While she maintained her characterization that made her both sympathetic and monstrously vile at the same time (which shows the author's skill), she was not much of a threat once Kojou got the necessary strength to utilize his powers, not when he has such powerful allies to help him. Granted, it all *made sense* how easy she went down, but it just was unsatisfying.The main hope I have is that the hints given about another character are developed more in later novels, which would make for quite some interesting plot developments. Of course, this can be both a good or a bad thing, depending on the skill of the writer. If Yukina goes from deuteragonist to spotlight stealing squad then it would be bad. If she remains the integral main character of several in the ensemble cast that it good.Really the anti-climactic ending is the only thing to complain about. The rest was awesome with a more serious story and a chance for everyone to get characterization, with more nuggets of back-story included. Whether it's the identity of Nagisa's wierd body-snatcher from an earlier volume, to Kojou being heroic, Asagi showing a kinder side than normal and Yukina being special herself (perhaps?), it was fun seeing deeper sides to these characters and the greater mysteries revealed. This isn't all of the characterization and mystery in this story arc either. Some of those show how crappy some of the supposed good guys are and the really unique way that the idealism of Kojou and others can hopefully make the world a better place.I'm not looking forward as much to the next volume which I know from the anime will be kinda a let-down after this one, though it'll be fun to read, methinks. But I loved this two-parter and highly encourage folks to pick up this series.

Keeps getting better. I feel like each volume improves on the previous ones and makes it one of my favorite light novel series. As someone who loved the anime, I can't wait to start getting into volumes not covered in the anime and see how the story continues.

One day the MC will do something deserving of being called the world's strongest vampire. But it is not in this book.Just a little moment of being strong/OP would be nice to see.