Spice and Wolf light novels

[Damius]

The truth is normally I wait to be able to read some reviews before buying. But this case is quite different since I wanted to have the original Japanese cover, so I bought it already. But, I would like any recommendations about the light novels.

So what do you think of these novels?

Also, do the anime follows the light novels or is taking a different route?

Thanks for your help.

[Hassler]

Well, I'm biased, but I have to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed reading these books.

If you're looking for reviews, though, Tiamat has already posted his review of the first volume:

http://www.tiamatsreviews.com/?p=2015#more-2015

Kurt Hassler
Publishing Director
Yen Press

[LKK]

Originally Posted by Damius

The truth is normally I wait to be able to read some reviews before buying. But this case is quite different since I wanted to have the original Japanese cover, so I bought it already. But, I would like any recommendations about the light novels.

So what do you think of these novels?

I read a fan translation prior to licensing. I'm currently reading the first chapter which is previewed in Yen Plus. In both cases, I enjoyed what I read.

Originally Posted by Damius

Also, do the anime follows the light novels or is taking a different route?

My understanding is that the anime followed the novels fairly closely. There was the inevitable condensing of plot due to time constraints. Also, the first half of the first season took several characters from novel 1 and combined their roles in the novel into a single new character in the anime. {spoiler for anime character Chloe is an anime original character. The things in the anime that involved her happened in the novels but were done by & with several other characters instead.} But the comments I saw from novel readers when the anime first aired were on the whole quite positive about the anime's adaptation.

In case you're wondering about how the anime's episodes match up with the novels' events, the first half of season 1 is from novel 1. The second half of season 1 is from novel 2. The first half of season 2 is from novel 3. The second half of season 2 is from novel 5. The anime skipped novel 4 for some reason.