Prepare your wallets because we have ELEVEN Light Novel debuts this month. And these are just the titles that are appearing for the first time. This doesn’t include several titles making their debut in print.
It’s a very fantasy-centric month. But there’s a variety of them! We of course have some isekai titles, but there’s also some darker and grittier books. Throw in some kingdom building, business openings, and, uh, sampling of exotic delights and there’s a title for most any fantasy fan. And zombies. There’s a zombie title. So, there’s that for a little variety!
First up for the month is the second offering from new light novel licensor Tentai Books. Unlike their first offering, this one is a fantasy series about a bunch of misfits finding a place to belong.
Welcome to the Diner of the Exiled
Leave everything to the strongest cook of them all!
Backstabbed by those he considered friends, Dennis has been exiled from one of the strongest guilds around: The Silver Wings Battalion. He doesn't think much of it, though, as he was dying to use his Level 99 cooking skills anyway. That's why he decides to leave the city behind and open up a diner in the countryside.
While pursuing his dream, Dennis meets Atrielle, a girl exiled from her noble household and relegated to slavery until he saves her.
The pair open the diner together, and their first client is… an exiled knight from a different guild? How peculiar. But she is not the only customer; a cocky mage and a drastically overworked yet underpaid sage become regulars as well.
The knight brings trouble to the diner at times, but Dennis's cooking skills and beloved butcher knives cut through trouble and hunger alike!
Thus begins the legend of Dennis and his diner, the talk of the town!
Welcome to the Diner of the Exiled Volume 1 (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 7, 2020 -- ASIN: B08CW32KMR
Next up is a title from J-Novel Club. This one has a number of elements. It’s an isekai, a kingdom builder, and a gender-bending tale. Can a driven, otaku business woman apply her knowledge from her previous life to save the kingdom where she has been reborn as a young prince?
The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik
The life of Ryoko Hayakawa, a hard-core otaku, came to an abrupt end the day before her 35th birthday, before she was reincarnated as a beautiful prince in a fantasy world. However, her dream-like royal life didn't last long, as she soon uncovered the depths of politics and corruption of her kingdom. To protect the king and his people, Ryoko, reincarnated as Prince Herscherik, resolved to conquer the darkness within his country. The problem was, the prince had no physical strength or magical powers, and even his stunning looks were surpassed by every other member of the royal family. Still, the prince persevered, using the skills he acquired during his previous life--the experience of an office worker, Ryoko's drive for change, and her otaku brain.
The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 10, 2020 -- ASIN: B089T927FH
Now here’s a really popular genre we don’t have many light novels in (actually, I can only think of one other), Zombies! This is from the author of Outbreak Company and Bluesteel Blasphemer. It’s a new series from J-Novel Club.
When the Clock Strikes Z
When hardcore FPS enthusiast Hiroaki Dewa pulls off his VR headset and steps outside for the first time in ages, he realizes that the whole world is in ruins! Soon after, he coincidentally runs into horror junkie Otoha Judo, and the two of them team up to endure the zombie apocalypse. One fateful night, a VR AI known as “Raven†leaves them a cryptic message: “Survive, and humanity may flourish once again.†Follow these ragtag oddballs as they cling to hope in a hopeless world!
When the Clock Strikes ZÂ Volume 1Â (eBook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 10, 2020 -- ASIN: B089T7DN54
Okay. So, I covered this book last month because it was slated for release. Then, about a week before its expected date, it got delayed…again. This title has been delayed more times than I care to think. Especially since it’s a title I’ve been really excited about checking out. Hopefully this month will finally see Yen On getting it delivered!
The Eminence in Shadow
One big fat lie and a few twisted truths
Even in his past life, Cid's dream wasn't to become a protagonist or a fi nal boss. He'd rather lie low as a minor character until it's prime time to reveal he's a mastermind…or at least, do the next best thing-pretend to be one! And now that he's been reborn into another world, he's ready to set the perfect conditions to live out his dreams to the fullest. Armed with his overactive imagination, Cid jokingly recruits members to his organization and makes up a whole backstory about an evil cult that they need to take down. Well, as luck would have it, these imaginary adversaries turn out to be the real deal-and everyone knows the truth but him!
The Eminence in Shadow Volume 1 (hardcover, ebook)
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Book Depository -- Rightstuf -- BAM! -- Indigo
Releasing August 11, 2020 -- ISBN-13: 978-1975359058
The next release is one of several digital advance releases from Seven Seas. It’s an isekai tale where our main character has no memory of his previous life. In order to make his way safely through this new world, he uses his powerful magic to create and even more powerful ally.
The Sorcerer King of Destruction and the Golem of the Barbarian Queen
In a land of swords and sorcery, a ritual is conducted to summon forth the “sorcerer king†who will bring about ruin–but succeeds only in summoning an ordinary human boy from Earth. Stripped of his name and memories but endowed with sudden, enormous magic power, our protagonist has no intention of destroying the world. Fortunately for him, tinkering with his newfound magic results in the creation of a powerful (and beautiful) new partner…and she can keep him safe!
The Sorcerer King of Destruction and the Golem of the Barbarian Queen Volume 1 (eBook)(paperback releases November 24, 2020)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 13, 2020 -- ASIN: B08CS82JDG
The next release has a lot of old-school light novel/anime fans super excited! This was one of those titles that defined a generation of anime fans back in the nineties. And in the early 2000s we got a few of the volumes of the light novels released from Tokyopop. Well, J-Novel Club has rescued another classic from the abyss!
Slayers
Beautiful and brilliant sorcerer girls just can't have nice things, huh? All I wanted to do was swipe a little bit of bandit treasure. Now suddenly I'm being chased around by icky trolls, nasty demons, mean mummies, and brooding golem bad boys. And for what? A tiny little artifact that can bring about the end of the world? Hah! I'll show them there's a reason you don't cross Lina Inverse…
Slayers Volume 1 (eBook)(print to release later in omnibus format)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 17, 2020 -- ASIN: B08CF15V7M
Remember the recent anime that was apparently too hot for most Japanese TV stations and even an English anime streaming service? Yup, well, it has a light novel and Yen On is bringing it to English readers. I’m not sure just how hardcore this book is going to be, but it should at least be…interesting ;)
Interspecies Reviewers: Ecstasy Days
In a world where an endless variety of humanoid species coexist, there's an equally endless variety of sexy shops for all your nightlife needs! Join Stunk, Zel, and Crim on their erotic adventures as they sample the many deviant delights that the world of succubus joints has to offer!
Interspecies Reviewers: Ecstasy Days (paperback, ebook)
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Book Depository -- Rightstuf -- BAM! -- Indigo
Releasing August 18, 2020 -- ISBN-13: 978-1975309473
Demon Lords getting reincarnated seems to be a growing trend in the light novel market. We’ve already had Yen On release The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody and the anime based on The Misfit of Demon Lord Academy is currently airing. So, how about Yen On give us another one?
The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy
One of the most powerful demon lords in history has been sealed away for a thousand years. When he finally awakens, he is reincarnated as…a 10-year-old boy?! Now under the care of the girl who released him, the demon lord Leonis must navigate the perils of Excalibur Academy!
The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy Volume 1 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Book Depository -- Rightstuf -- BAM! -- Indigo
Releasing August 18, 2020 -- ISBN-13: 978-1975308667
This release from J-Novel Club has some pretty grim elements. It features one of the largest number of Japanese teens summoned to another world in a single go that I’ve seen. But that just means more to die horribly! However, our main character has found his one chance at survival…Monsters!
Monster Tamer
One thousand Japanese high school students are suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar world rife with dangerous monsters. Their survival becomes dependent on those who awaken to unexplainable powers. Majima Takahiro, a normal second-year student, does not get any such power. Instead, he joins the majority of students building the homestead. But when a group of empowered students revolt, Takahiro is left wandering the forest on the verge of death. Having lost all faith in humanity, he finds salvation from an unlikely source: monsters!
Monster Tamer Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 26, 2020 -- ASIN: B089T6NGCM
Another digital-advance release from Seven Seas. This title will probably appeal to fans of I Shall Survive Using Potions. It’s an isekai series where the main character finds herself summoned by accident. So what’s she to do in another world with the ability to create potions and cosmetics? Yup, she’s going into business!
The Saint's Magic Ability is Omnipotent
Sei, a 20-year-old office worker, is whisked away to a whole new world. Unfortunately for Sei, the ritual that summoned her--meant to produce a “Saint†who would banish the dark magic--brought two people over instead of one. And everyone prefers the second girl over Sei?! But this is just fine by Sei, who leaves the royal palace to set up shop making potions and cosmetics with her newfound magic. Business is booming, and this might not be such a bad life, after all…as long as her supposed Sainthood doesn't come back to haunt her.
The Saint's Magic Ability is Omnipotent Volume 1 (eBook)(paperback releases November 24, 2020)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 27, 2020 -- ASIN: B08CSBDRNX
The final title releasing this month (whew, does you wallet hurt yet?) is another digital-advance release from Seven Seas. Unlike the previous two titles, this one is not an isekai. However, it is a fantasy series, and a pretty hardcore one at that. Even their synopsis advertises the series as grim and dark. But it’s also a yuri title!
ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!
A dark and bloody light novel series about two women fighting fate and finding love in each other–and don't miss the manga adaptation, also from Seven Seas!
Flum Apricot was never meant to be a hero. Despite zero stats across the board and a power she can't even use, she somehow finds herself included in a party of heroes. But Flum's life hits rock bottom when the party's renowned sage, Jean Inteige, decides that the useless girl is dead weight, and arranges to have her sold into slavery.
Tossed to monsters to be feasted upon for her master's entertainment, Flum makes the desperate choice to reach for a cursed weapon…and something new awakens within her. A grimdark tale about one woman's blood-soaked quest to reclaim her life!
ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! Volume 1 (eBook)(print releases October 27)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released August 27, 2020 -- ASIN: B088P9NGN6
So those are all the light novel series making their debut during the month of August, 2020! Whew, there’s a lot of them! So, which ones are you going to buy right away? And which ones are you interested in picking up, but you’re going to give your wallet a rest beforehand? Let us know in the comments down below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Justus R. Stone has been running a light novel dedicated YouTube channel since 2014. He’s also the founder of the Light Novel Podcast, one of the first English language podcasts dedicated to Light Novels. In addition to his love of Japanese light novels, he is also the author of his own light novel-inspired series, The Bleeding Worlds.
For the new series I'm planning on picking up:
– ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!
– The Saint's Magic Ability is Omnipotent
– The Sorcerer King of Destruction and the Golem of the Barbarian Queen
– The Eminence in Shadow
And possibly Welcome to the Diner of the Exiled depending on reviews.