Once upon a time, in a virtual world, there was a witch named Stella and a beast named Griffin. They resided within a fantastical online game, where players from all over the world sought adventure and companionship. Stella was a powerful witch, skilled in casting spells and brewing potions. She had an extensive knowledge of the game and had reached the highest level possible. However, she found herself lonely and wanted someone to share in her adventures. Griffin, on the other hand, was a fierce and mighty beast.
It’s interesting that visually, Phanora and Johan’s part of the book has less grayscale than Ashaf and Guideau’s. Is this an allusion to the fact that the dangers of raising the undead are more absolute than the condemnation of witches? A stylistic choice? Perhaps both. It also allows Satake to add detail to the faces of not only the living characters but also the undead as well – to demonstrate they too are, or were, people. Individuals. Which makes the explanation of what happens to them after their second death that much more horrifying. It also allows for the expression of a lot more blood and guts, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding whether or not to pick this one up. It is certainly more graphic than volume 1.
And even though we re early in the story, we can imagine her response when she discovers his honesty has been relative, which is a perfect hook to keep us coming back, even though they don t feature as heavily in this volume as they did in the first one. I also think this is a particularly masterful way to expand The Witch and the Beast universe around the core of Guideau and Ashaf, their mission, and The Order of Magical Resonance.
Griffin, on the other hand, was a fierce and mighty beast. He was known for his strength and bravery, often leading players into epic battles. Despite his intimidating appearance, he too felt a deep sense of solitude within the virtual world.
The Roarbots Review: ‘The Witch and the Beast’ Vol. 2
In the first volume of The Witch and the Beast by Kousuke Satake, we met Guideau, the girl with feral eyes, fangs, and a propensity for murder, and Ashaf, the mysterious man with whom she travels, a member of The Order of Magical Resonance, and bearer of a very large coffin with something extremely terrifying inside.
In volume 2, we meet some of their scarier, more powerful, more bloodthirsty friends.
No. No, I’m not kidding.
Hold on to your wands.
When last we left our intrepid murder duo, they were helping the police track a witch who was committing particularly grisly crimes. Turns out, the witch isn’t a witch. It’s a duo of undead. Not vampires or zombies or anything like that. Risen undead. The work of a necromancer. In this universe, necromancy is legal, provided it follows certain guidelines.
These two have not been revived legally and have most definitely not been getting their regular “make sure they don’t go off the rails” treatments.
Guideau and Ashaf are witch hunters. Phanora and Johan are necromancers and so, Ashaf enlists his colleagues to assist in the new investigation.
I love this. I love this so much.
The plot, yes. It’s been all supernatural manga pretty much all the time up in here lately, and I cannot overstate the joy it brings me. And supernatural tinged with horror no less – it’s a subgenre I find exceptionally easy to get lost and wander around in, which is a thing we all need at the moment but I wasn’t getting from prose reading material the way I usually do.
But. I also think this is a particularly masterful way to expand The Witch and the Beast universe around the core of Guideau and Ashaf, their mission, and The Order of Magical Resonance. Like Guideau and Ashaf, Phanora and Johan are a duo with each member having different but complementary abilities. They work for, but don’t necessarily answer to, The Order. There’s a connection in that Ashaf recommends Phanora to people he has been working with. An expanding web growing into its own mythology, which is just… so much yes.
At the conclusion of the chapter, we find out not everything is as absolute as we’ve been led to believe – not even the “truths” Ashaf has been telling Guideau. And even though we’re early in the story, we can imagine her response when she discovers his honesty has been relative, which is a perfect hook to keep us coming back, even though they don’t feature as heavily in this volume as they did in the first one.
It’s interesting that visually, Phanora and Johan’s part of the book has less grayscale than Ashaf and Guideau’s. Is this an allusion to the fact that the dangers of raising the undead are more absolute than the condemnation of witches? A stylistic choice? Perhaps both. It also allows Satake to add detail to the faces of not only the living characters but also the undead as well – to demonstrate they too are, or were, people. Individuals. Which makes the explanation of what happens to them after their second death that much more horrifying. It also allows for the expression of a lot more blood and guts, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding whether or not to pick this one up. It is certainly more graphic than volume 1.
I’m definitely all in on The Witch and the Beast (gore never bothered me anyway). I can’t wait to see who else drops in for a visit and how it’s all connected to Guideau’s curse and her mission to fight free of it. And we still don’t know the whole story on who’s in that coffin and why Ashaf’s responsible for both of the beasts.
Good thing there’s a lot more to come.
I’m definitely all in on The Witch and the Beast (gore never bothered me anyway). I can’t wait to see who else drops in for a visit and how it’s all connected to Guideau’s curse and her mission to fight free of it. And we still don’t know the whole story on who’s in that coffin and why Ashaf’s responsible for both of the beasts.
One day, their paths crossed while exploring a hidden dungeon. Stella was in dire need of assistance, and Griffin, being the honorable creature he was, came to her aid. Together, they faced formidable enemies and conquered challenging quests. As they spent more time playing together, Stella and Griffin formed a unique bond. They discovered that they complemented each other's abilities, making them an unstoppable duo. Their friends within the game envied their partnership and admired the harmony between the witch and the beast. Outside of the game, Stella and Griffin spent hours chatting about their lives, dreams, and aspirations. They confided in each other, forming a deep connection that transcended the virtual world. They laughed, shared stories, and supported each other through victories and defeats. Their friendship became the talk of the virtual realm. Players marveled at their compatibility and admired their unwavering loyalty. Stella and Griffin were an inspiration to all those who crossed paths with them within the game. But like all good tales, there came a twist in their journey. An update was announced for the game, and it threatened to separate Stella and Griffin. Faced with the possibility of losing each other, they made a pact to never give up on finding a way to remain together. As the day of the update drew near, Stella used her witchcraft to research possible solutions. She reached out to the game's developers and even consulted other powerful beings within the virtual world. Her determination and love for Griffin pushed her to explore all avenues. Finally, after countless sleepless nights and tireless efforts, Stella discovered a solution. With the help of her newfound friends, she and Griffin were able to merge their existences within the game and become forever united. Their bond transcended the virtual world, creating a love story that would be told for years to come. And so, the witch and the beast continued their adventures in the online game, accompanied by the love and support they found in each other. They became legends within the virtual realm and a beacon of hope for all those who believe in the power of friendship and love..
Reviews for "A Gamer's Haven: Why "The Witch and the Beast Reas Online" is the Perfect Fantasy MMO"
- John - 2/5 - I couldn't get into "The Witch and the Beast Reas Online" at all. The plot was confusing, and the characters felt underdeveloped. I found myself struggling to stay interested and ended up giving up halfway through. I've read many other online novels that were much more engaging and well-written than this one.
- Sarah - 1/5 - I found "The Witch and the Beast Reas Online" to be extremely disappointing. The pacing was all over the place, with pages of unnecessary exposition followed by sudden action scenes that felt forced. The dialogue was flat and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with any of the characters. Overall, I thought this novel was a complete waste of time.
- Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Witch and the Beast Reas Online" based on the promising synopsis, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The world-building was shallow, and the magic system felt poorly explained. The author relied too heavily on clichéd tropes and predictable plot twists, which made the story feel uninspired. I wouldn't recommend this novel to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.