Warning: This book review contains spoilers for “Restaurant To Another World, Volume 2” by Junpei Inuzaka and Katsumi Enami! If you’re looking for a spoiler-free review, hit that back button now!
Cover of “Restaurant To Another World, Volume 2” by Junpei Inuzaka and Katsumi Enami.I’m back with another book review, and this time I’m reviewing the book “Restaurant To Another World, Volume 2” by Junpei Inuzaka and Katsumi Enami! I read the first book in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was happy to pick up the next book in this series. Here’s a summary so we know what it’s about:
“The Customer Is Always Right
“Western Cuisine Nekoya” has acquired a peculiar new employee in the form of a young demon girl named Aletta, a denizen of the other world. But this restaurant to another world doesn’t interrupt service for anything, and so, as the regular customers–and some new ones–start streaming in, Aletta’s just going to have to learn on the job!”
Character Development: 5 out of 5 stars
I love how Aletta gradually develops through her interacting with other characters. For example, in the chapter where Hilda visits the restaurant, it’s revealed that Hilda is also a demon like Aletta. They instantly bond from knowing that they weren’t the lone demons in the restaurant. This is heartwarming to read, especially given that demons usually don’t get treated well where they come from. I also enjoyed reading the restaurant owner and Aletta’s interactions with each other in the book, too. Aletta is eager to do her best on the job, which is endearing. The owner himself is nice to her and treats her and the customers like they’re all just people. This positively affects everyone that enters this restaurant. It touched me as a reader to see them treated with so much kindness. The restaurant becomes a friendly safe zone because of its warm, welcoming environment to virtually anyone and everyone that comes in, no matter who you are or where you come from. This is especially true for customers that came from harsher situations (like Aletta, as discussed in the previous book for example). The reader also sees Nekoya’s first owner (the grandfather of the owner in the present day) in one flashback chapter, helping someone who would eventually become one of the most fearsome fighters ever where they come from. It’s clear that the present-day owner has inherited not just his grandfather’s cooking skills and professionalism, but also the same warm-hearted spirit he has.
Plot Development: 5 out of 5 stars
The general structure of this book is similar to Book 1, with episodic chapters. There are some underlying subplots throughout the book between specific characters. This added well to their development and gave them depth that wouldn’t otherwise be present, than just through their backstories alone. I also enjoyed reading the flashback chapter about the first owner and his work in the restaurant as well. It shows off how his warm-hearted demeanor affects others just as much as the present-day owner’s kindness affects the customers as well. It also shows that the restaurant has some sort of long-standing legacy of kindness towards others, even if you’re (in the flashback chapter’s case) a lion-headed warrior.
Worldbuilding Development: 5 out of 5 stars
The worldbuilding development for this chapter discusses not just the fantasy world many of the characters come from, but also the general area around Nekoya. For instance, we have the bar that’s just above the restaurant, and then we also have the bakery that’s basically next to it. The reader learns about the people running those places and their knowledge of Nekoya’s true nature when running on Saturdays despite being closed to the public. I thought that aspect of the book was fun to read, overall. I also enjoyed the further worldbuilding given in this book about the fantasy world the fantasy characters come from. We learn about fairies, of gods, mercenaries, more demons, etc., and the book doesn’t waste any opportunity to further expand on characters’ general situations, the areas they come from, and how it personally affects them prior to and after being in the restaurant. I especially loved reading about the fairies and their discovery of crêpes in one chapter.
Overall, I’m rating this book 5 out of 5 stars!
This second book is another solid read in the series. I look forward to reading the next book when I get my hands on it! I recommend this for those that want some heartwarming stories, gorgeous food descriptions, and fantasy to go along with it!
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