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スープの森～動物と会話するオリビアと元傭兵アーサーの物語～ (Novel) #1
Soup Forest: The Story of the Woman Who Speaks with Animals and the Former Mercenary Vol.1
Sometimes it’s animals, sometimes it’s humans, but, today too, the person coming to Olivia’s restaurant holds painful memories in their heart.
Olivia, who runs a soup restaurant outside of town on the edge of the forest, has a secret she can’t tell anyone. She can hear animals’ and humans’ inner voices. This ability left her alienated from her family to the point that they sent her away to a convent when she was only five years old.
After escaping while en route, she was brought to the restaurant by the people who would become her adoptive grandparents. Twenty years later, Olivia continues to live with her heart closed off to other humans, until, one day, a former mercenary by the name of Arthur stops by on a rainy morning, dripping wet.
And what are those feelings he starts to develop for her?
Soup Forest is a place of meetings and partings, a place filled with the forest’s bounties, a place of gathering for both animals and humans. They come together, share a meal, go their separate ways, and continue on with their lives.
Olivia, who runs a soup restaurant outside of town on the edge of the forest, has a secret she can’t tell anyone. She can hear animals’ and humans’ inner voices. This ability left her alienated from her family to the point that they sent her away to a convent when she was only five years old.
After escaping while en route, she was brought to the restaurant by the people who would become her adoptive grandparents. Twenty years later, Olivia continues to live with her heart closed off to other humans, until, one day, a former mercenary by the name of Arthur stops by on a rainy morning, dripping wet.
And what are those feelings he starts to develop for her?
Soup Forest is a place of meetings and partings, a place filled with the forest’s bounties, a place of gathering for both animals and humans. They come together, share a meal, go their separate ways, and continue on with their lives.
- GenresLight NovelFantasy
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2023
13 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 20, 2024
Written by Syuu and illustrated by Muni, Soup Forest is one of Cross Infinite World’s latest titles. A romantic fantasy, the series follows the blossoming relationship between Olivia, a restaurant owner who can hear the thoughts of humans and animals, and Arthur, a retired mercenary.
Typically cutesy with a little dramatic flare, the first volume’s story flickers through the start of their relationship as each chapter deals with a new encounter between the two. These encounters vary in theme, but their overall aim is to help the two deuteragonists overcome their respective traumas together, come to accept their past, and inevitably fall in love.
While each of their encounters adds something to the mix, there are two that appear as standouts, thanks to their focus on developing the two main characters. The first occurs at the midpoint and focuses on developing Arthur’s character. The plot revolves around the introduction of one of the local nobles named Karen. Having become fast friends, Olivia and Arthur’s newfound relationship is put to the test when Karen attempts to possess and control Arthur.
During this segment, the author makes clear how more than a decade as a mercenary has managed to shape Arthur’s life. With a powerful noble eager to threaten those closest to him, Arthur is ready to leave and never look back at a moment’s notice. It is clear here that his mercenary training has kicked in, as in the dangerous line of work he was in, he would’ve had to do whatever it took to survive, no matter how painful.
The second takes place towards the end of the volume and looks closer at Olivia. Within this segment, her past and present collide when the parents who abandoned her make an appearance at her restaurant. With their thoughts fully exposed, thanks to Olivia’s abilities, it becomes easier to see how she originally became traumatised, as well as why it took so long for her to get used to other humans.
Despite these positives, not every ingredient in this series’ soup is quite so tasty. Souring the soup, the themes of drama throughout are often solved too easily. Often, conflict is teased but never acted upon, as is the case with Karen, where the mayor manages to quickly usher her away thanks to a clause in her lease agreement. As a result, the antagonists involved lack the same complex and layered development that the deuteragonists have.
Overall, Soup Forest makes for a fine example of a light novel romantic fantasy. Aside from the slightly lacking drama aspect, the main characters are well-developed, and the series, on the whole, has a mature air surrounding it.
Typically cutesy with a little dramatic flare, the first volume’s story flickers through the start of their relationship as each chapter deals with a new encounter between the two. These encounters vary in theme, but their overall aim is to help the two deuteragonists overcome their respective traumas together, come to accept their past, and inevitably fall in love.
While each of their encounters adds something to the mix, there are two that appear as standouts, thanks to their focus on developing the two main characters. The first occurs at the midpoint and focuses on developing Arthur’s character. The plot revolves around the introduction of one of the local nobles named Karen. Having become fast friends, Olivia and Arthur’s newfound relationship is put to the test when Karen attempts to possess and control Arthur.
During this segment, the author makes clear how more than a decade as a mercenary has managed to shape Arthur’s life. With a powerful noble eager to threaten those closest to him, Arthur is ready to leave and never look back at a moment’s notice. It is clear here that his mercenary training has kicked in, as in the dangerous line of work he was in, he would’ve had to do whatever it took to survive, no matter how painful.
The second takes place towards the end of the volume and looks closer at Olivia. Within this segment, her past and present collide when the parents who abandoned her make an appearance at her restaurant. With their thoughts fully exposed, thanks to Olivia’s abilities, it becomes easier to see how she originally became traumatised, as well as why it took so long for her to get used to other humans.
Despite these positives, not every ingredient in this series’ soup is quite so tasty. Souring the soup, the themes of drama throughout are often solved too easily. Often, conflict is teased but never acted upon, as is the case with Karen, where the mayor manages to quickly usher her away thanks to a clause in her lease agreement. As a result, the antagonists involved lack the same complex and layered development that the deuteragonists have.
Overall, Soup Forest makes for a fine example of a light novel romantic fantasy. Aside from the slightly lacking drama aspect, the main characters are well-developed, and the series, on the whole, has a mature air surrounding it.
January 12, 2025
From the author: “It’s exactly times like this when I want to read something that soothes the soul,” I thought. “I want a story about a kind person, sharing kind emotions with someone, going around to all sorts of people in various settings, like spreading a wave of kindness and compassion,” I mused. “I’ll write a story about a good person living a simple life, a woman who can hear the hearts of animals and humans. I want to show the small, treasured moments in her normal life,” I pondered. And it was from that desire that Soup Forest was born.”
A beautiful cozy story. I loved the characters so much. I’m eager to read the next in the series.
A beautiful cozy story. I loved the characters so much. I’m eager to read the next in the series.
January 10, 2025
It was so wonderful to read this book. The warm and cosy vibes are perfect, along with just enough tension to keep things from dropping into boredom. It's so refreshing to read a light novel about adults! And one where the characters are not sexualised. It's just everything I hoped it would be, and I'm so glad I read it. Having just DNF'd something else I thought I was heading for a slump but this book absolutely saved it for me.
If you like cosy reads, this is highly recommended.
If you like cosy reads, this is highly recommended.
September 5, 2024
💛💙💜💚
Oh my, I absolutely loved this story and really hope it'll have more volumes to come. Such an interesting concept and characters. Really would love more of our introverted animal talking healer and her big dog husband lol.
Oh my, I absolutely loved this story and really hope it'll have more volumes to come. Such an interesting concept and characters. Really would love more of our introverted animal talking healer and her big dog husband lol.
December 2, 2024
This is a very warm story about people who have faced difficulties and pain in their life. It is about found family. It is about discovering one’s heart.
This is the kind of story that will bring a reader a range of emotions.
It was very entertaining and the characters were very real.
This is the kind of story that will bring a reader a range of emotions.
It was very entertaining and the characters were very real.
August 21, 2024
4 Stars
I loved the author's previous duet and this book was no exception. Her main characters are always likable and her books are soothing to read.
I loved the author's previous duet and this book was no exception. Her main characters are always likable and her books are soothing to read.
December 16, 2024
A wonderful heartwarming, easy to read story
September 10, 2025
Not a drama, for when you want a cute simple story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews