Cover of “The Devil Is A Part-Timer! Volume 20” by Satoshi WagaharaI’m back with another book review, and this time I’m reviewing “The Devil Is A Part-Timer! Volume 20” by Satoshi Wagahara! It’s been a while since I picked up the previous volume, and we’re getting close to the finale! In fact, Volume 21 is the finale if I’m not mistaken.
Here’s a quick summary so we know what it’s about:
“DO YOU WANT FRIES WITH YOUR HELLFIRE?
Acieth has been exhibiting strange symptoms for quite a while, and now her sister Alas Ramus’s condition is worsening, too! To aid in their care, the Devil King convinces Emi to let him stay at her apartment in Eifukucho. Between the slippers he’s been provided, the large refrigerator, and the fact there’s an honest-to-goodness bath in the place, Maou is floored by how different the Hero’s abode is compared with his spartan, one-room Devil’s Castle…as the group becomes the world’s strangest nuclear family. Meanwhile, preparations over on Ente Isla are entering their final phase. Will their ersatz rocket ship successfully take to the skies, at last enabling the invasion of the heavenly reams?”
Plot Development: 4 out of 5 stars
The story is ramping up a bit to reach the finale in the next volume, and I’m excited to see what happens next. I thought the overall story made sense and it was intriguing. It did feel a bit like it was more plot than filler, considering that the finale is in the next volume. However, the character interactions and reflections presented throughout the book made up for this, so I don’t mind it as much as I usually would.
Worldbuilding Development: 3.5 out of 5 stars
There is a lot of political tension discussed, which makes sense considering the main story’s current events leading up to the finale. Unfortunately, they did come off as overly info-dumped through conversation between characters at times. However, at least everything made sense and I understood the gist of what was going on, as a reader.
However, there was not much else added to the worldbuilding. This both delighted and disappointed me – delighted because I know the finale is in the next book and adding in any last-minute worldbuilding would do little to help, but also disappointed because I feel like there’s more to Ente Isla than I’ll ever learn by reading this series.
Character Development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I thought that the main cast had some good development, but the best of it came with all the ladies (Suzuno, Chiho, Emilia) and Maou himself. There’s a lot of reflection and heart-to-hearts between characters in this book, and I wish I could explain more but that could actually give away some major spoilers so I can’t. However, it is fun to read this volume, and then look back at the beginning and realize how much they’ve grown since then in various ways.
Overall, I’m rating this book 4 out of 5 stars!
I look forward to reading the finale, and I have my fingers crossed that it’ll end at a satisfying conclusion!
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