Frieren - Nach dem Ende der Reise 14

While I own the German translation, I figure the review applies to any language.

So, this series (not just the book) hit me like a ton of bricks, like I said, but in a good way.

On the face of it, it's a story about an old elf mage traveling the world, vaguely following the footsteps of a previous journey in which she and her companions saved the known world from the demon lord. Being a long-lived elf, the companion most would consider the hero has died already. Another companion passes near the beginning of the plot. A third is encountered, but is too old to join on this new trip. Frieren the elf undertakes this new journey "beyond (the previous) journey's end" in order to remember and learn about her companions in a way she failed to do during the first trip.

Like any literature worth anything, the book is essentially about being human. In the case of Frieren, her longevity provides a perspective on humanity that is a little more detached, and allows for reflection. Her detachment has been treated as coldness and heartlessness by many she encountered, and on occasion that is the impression she gives. But as the plot progresses, it becomes clear that everything she does is motivated by deep, if somewhat confused, caring.

The overarching plot is that of any journey: long, meandering, with a distant goal, but separated into episodic arcs. In each of those, Frieren and her new companion(s) undertake tasks for the population they encounter, from the mundane to the epic. All tasks seem more or less the same to Frieren, as do the rewards she desires: she collects spells. But she is not searching for power, as one might assume, but for odd spells: folk magic, forgotten knowledge, things that may or may not be useful, such as a spell that dissolves clothes (a recurring plot element).

These episodes provide the perfect framing for highlighting the gulf between Frieren and her companions, and at the same time provide ample opportunity for both to get to know each other more. The odd spells and tasks make for fun, tense, excitingly dangerous and/or epic arcs, each of which stands nicely on its own (in the context of the larger arc).

Where Frieren cannot explore some facet of existence in the current time, flashbacks to her previous journey provide context, a prelude to the current arc, or some facet better explored in a different setting. One recurring theme here is how heroes and myths get made, and what function they serve to the population.

The plot does not seem finished at book 14, but I would not expect a grand finale at this stage. There have been events that have significant impact on the world it's set in, but none move towards a great conflict.

In my view, this is one of the series' greatest strengths: while there is struggle, and there are quite epic arcs, ultimately this series does not seem to be going for some Hero's Journey style development with a grand finale, she gets the girl (or whatever), and they ride off into the sunset. It also wouldn't make sense, because, literally and figuratively, this is after that.

That makes the overall feel of the series relaxed and contemplative, which I thoroughly enjoy.