Vampire Hunter D Volume 5: The Stuff of Dreams Review

Vampire Hunter D Volume 5: The Stuff of Dreams was a vast improvement over the previous installment. With its beautiful imagery and interesting mystery, the story keeps you invested with a satisfying end.

To critique the writing technique, I would say it is better than the previous book but not by much. Where it improves is the previously mention descriptions of locals and lighting. Even some of the characterization of the people is a bit better this time around.

Perhaps it is a difference in writing style between the Japanese and English that keeps it from being greater. Typically, novels frown upon head-hopping but often in one scene you’ll be in the perspective of one character and another the moment next. As well, chapters are few in numbers in the VHD series and thus they cover various subjects, themes, and character perspectives. This can be quite confusing. I don’t know if this is how things are written in the Japanese version and they see no problem with it, or if it’s the fault of the translator; either way it is foreign to me.

Another criticism I must state which is part of the writing style is shared with the story telling aspect itself. There are several layers to this novel – sometimes you never know what’s a dream or a dream within a dream. Often things happen that seem like red herrings but not quite explained. While I understand that it’s a mystery, there is a fine line between being vague and being incomprehensible. And sometimes the story met the latter.

But overall, what was happening was clear; enough to follow the plot. It was fun and imaginative. You got to see a few sides of D never explored, morally, I mean. Unlike the previous novel where he was indecisive to a fault, this novel he is forced to make a rather difficult choice and it pays off in conclusion. I look forward to the next novel.