The Devil is a Part-Timer Light Novel, Vol. 9

The Devil is a Part-Timer! Light Novel #9

by Satoshi Wagahara, 029 (Oniku) (Artist)

When Emilia the Hero is in danger, she finds an unlikely ally in The Devil King! Unfortunately, with Ashiya kidnapped by Gabriel, the team is seriously lacking in manpower. Maou and Suzuno team up, traveling undercover through Ente Isla on a rescue mission, and a mysterious girl claiming to be Alas Ramus's younger sister tags along. Meanwhile, Emi and Alas Ramus get caught up in the middle of Olba's schemes. The sides among angels, demons, and humans--and who's good and who's evil--come crashing down!

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Manga, Japanese Literature, Magic, Slice Of Life, Comedy

248 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2013

Reviews

[Alec Rebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good if you ask me. we are continuing to learn more about who are the main antagonists in this series and what there overall goals are which is nice. despite that I do miss the banter between characters that seemed more prevalent in some of the previous volumes, hopefully they will get back to that soon.

4.2

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dramatic turn in the story

I've been doing this backwards.

My involvement in this series started with the anime, then I picked up the manga where the anime left off, then I started reading the light-novels starting from the point where the manga left off!

This process has helped me enjoy the series more than if I had done it the other way around. I don't have expectations that might let me down, and I understand the characters and plot better than if I had started with the light-novels because, if you aren't familiar with manga or anime, you would probably have a tough time with the sometimes puzzling formatting of the light-novels.

But back to the review of the actual book, which I found very enjoyable, if you couldn't tell from my 5-star rating (which probably should be 4.5, but that's beside the point). Our... protagonists (it's difficult to call them "heroes" since one actually wears the title Hero) have returned to their native world and things are not going as planned. While much of the drama is on Emi's side of the story, most of the comedy comes from Suzano and Maou and their preparations in Japan before they travel to Ente Isla.

The political machinations between humans and demons and angels made me dizzy at times, but sometimes (not always) explanations for motivations would be simplified. One of the weaknesses of this story is that that didn't always help.

However, I am very eager to jump into the next book to see what happens next.

[Jack Keener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a lot goes on in this volume action wise, but the set pieces are organized for whatever goes down next volume. Gabriel is setting up something sneaky and not entirely how Heaven wants it. We do get more hints at what is going on with Ente Islas' Sephirots, Chiho shows yet again that she has big brass ones, and Maou and Cristia Bell have some interesting character development in Ente Isla. Maou comes clean on why he invaded in the first place and why the Demon Lord is a law abiding citizen in Japan and working at McGronalds. Each character's growth is consistent and well done. Over all a good volume, but no real action and what action there is happens off-scene.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this volume. I feel like it was an improvement from the last one, where to me most of it felt like it was spent on the battle. Aside from that, in this book we finally get to go to Ente Isla, which is really exciting. There's a fair amount of developments happening all around, from Alciel and the Eastern Island, angel interference, Emi being forced by Olba to fight the demons, Olba outmaneuvering both demons and humans, and Eme (Emi's friend) dealing with stuff as well.

Most of the first part of the book is spent on a bit of a flashback, where we see Emi's trip to Ente Isla, as she discovers some of her parents' secrets, which connect to Alas Ramus's sister, who we met in the previous volume. We also see why she went with Olba.

The next part is spent on Maou and Suzuno preparing to travel, and then actually traveling to and in Ente Isla, which is interesting. Towards the end, around eighty percent, there's a really interesting development as Maou reveals why he invaded Ente Isla - he'd united the demons in order to have a better society, different from the violence and uncertainty he'd grown up with. However, this new civilization meant that there was a scarcity of dark power/energy, as they lacked the negative emotions that came with the violence and uncertainty of Maou's past, meaning that the demons no longer had a food source. So they invaded Ente Isla to generate it. However, Maou did want to RULE - not eradicate - all the humans. Which is why he treated them all fairly respectfully (if they surrendered) and then on Earth. So that's why he's always been a pretty kind, upstanding guy in Japanese society. There wasn't a change. He's just always been like that.

Also, this connects to the fundamental difference between humans and demons that Maou couldn't figure out while he was having his generals invade (he was researching humans at this point) - humans eat food. Demons eat power. He figured this out three days into his arrival to Japan, however, after he collapsed from hunger and had to go to the hospital. This difference makes a huge change to his world domination plans, of course. He now knows he can't just depend on sheer power. So that was a really interesting revelation.

Emi seems to be developing a desire to not kill the demons, which was present earlier on in like book four, but is maybe a sign of her genuinely changing some of her feelings about demons now, especially as her dad is alive (although they haven't met yet) and she's generally softened a bit towards Maou. I look forward to seeing where that goes.

On the Suzuno front, after we learn all of the stuff mentioned above, she definitely seems to have changed emotions towards Maou. He told he all that stuff in a church style confession, by the way, which was her idea. She even, shockingly enough, is maybe developing some feelings for him. As she did say that she might feel Chiho's wrath (though more of an aside to herself) if she said more of what she felt, I think. At any rate, she and Maou are definitely in a better place than before, which is nice.

Overall, I thought this was a pretty solid volume. We get some good information and backstory. 4.5 stars.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this volume slapped for the following reasons:

1. That absolutely glorious and wonderful confession scene where Maou talks to Suzuno about why he invaded Ente Isla
2. Suzuno realizing Maou was a good person all along
3. That illustration of Maou and Suzuno sitting back to back while Maou “confesses” as if it were like a church confession (I’m not sure of the exact term)
4. Maou saying he wouldn’t explain to Emi why he invaded Ente Isla bc he knew it would just make her more confused and he just cares about her well-being??? Isn’t that amazing???
5. Got to see Alciel be all smart and cool and badass in his demon form and really act like a demon general
6. Did I mention the confession scene enough yet? It had everything I ever want and love from this series: backstory, fantasy characters from opposite sides talking civilly, Maou being baby

Anyway, I’m hyped for the next volume

some other things because I Literally cannot get over the One Scene:

Thing one: "Nothing has ever changed in you from the beginning, has it?"

Thing two: "You...You were always a kind, sober-minded man. Almost strangely so, considering your demonic birth."

Thing three: when Suzuno said, "You are, at the core, a true king." my heart went oop

Additionally, "Satan, ruler of demons...I have heard of your royal isolation, and of your royal sins. I recognize it all to be the holy truth, and by the name of Crestia Bell, my very own, your sins are now forgiven."

and, like, not to be dramatic, but I'm boutta reread that scene another 5 times before my heart can calm down bc oh my god

[Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Step Forward

This was a great volume, especially since it genuinely pushed the narrative and the characters forward. Unlike the last volume, which was packed with action but hard to follow, this LN had characters investigating amd discovery information that both answered some glaring questions they’ve had and also brought up even more difficult realizations alongside even more serious problems. While the action in this volume isn’t as flashy, it’s certainly engaging. This LN read like a well-organized mystery/thriller and balanced the deeper drama with the usual humor and heartfelt momemts. This was one of the best novel in the series so far.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really dynamic volume in which a lot happens, as the author seems to have found his pace and where he ultimately wants to take the story. There are several interesting scenes and a lot of loose ends have started to be tied, showing the overarching plot to be quite rich. A worthy addition to the series.

[Creativeimaginator · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great build-up to the next volume! It's pretty awesome to see the dynamic relationship between Maou and Suzuno be fleshed out in this volume and in a pretty rad direction as well. I wonder what the future holds for the two of them.

[Riri Kazami · Rating 5 out of 5]

stories flip back and forth between the story's time (Japan - Ente Isla) makes me confused hahaha.

The relationship between character really slowly but get deeper as they bicker with simple matter.

[KathleenB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of set up, but it includes explanations at least partial about goings on in previous volumes that didn’t quite make sense.

[Roxanne Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, that cliffhanger...

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

How absolutely awesome to see some of Ente Isla! Another wonderful installment that had me rushing to grab the next book.