月とライカと吸血姫 4

Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut Light Novel #4

by Keisuke Makino, 牧野 圭祐, KAREI (Illustrator)

そして、宙を夢見る彼らは出会う。

『フライ・ユー・トゥ・ザ・ムーン』の合い言葉が宇宙ブームを盛り上げ、UFO騒ぎにまで発展する一方、月面着陸計画は行き詰まりを見せていた。そんななか連合王国では、『宇宙時代の人類』がテーマの万国博覧会が開幕。『アーナック・ワン』の広報を務めるバートとカイエは『宇宙の平和利用に関するカンファレンス』への参加を要請される。ロケット開発主任のクラウス博士や、若き女王サンダンシアなど、錚々たる面々の参加が決まるなか、あの共和国の英雄二人も急遽登壇することに。
例の行進以来、すっかり仲を深めたバートとカイエ。二十一世紀の未来や宇宙旅行の疑似体験など、仕事を忘れ万博を楽しむ。そして、待ちに待った英雄との対面。二人は未来に思いを馳せ、同じ夢を見る。
―――しかし。
「もはや核戦争は避けられません……ならば、先にしかけるべきです」
東西超大国のいがみ合いが、世界に未曾有の危機をもたらす。夢が消えかけるなか、二大国の若者たちは何を想い語るのか。
いまだ宇宙に行くことが奇跡だと思われていた時代……これは、宙に焦がれた人と吸血鬼が目指す、三十八万キロという途方もない旅への序章。宙と青春の物語、待望の第四幕!

Genres: Light Novel

353 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2018

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume, computer engineers Kaye Scarlet and Bart Fifield are sent to a space conference at the Exposition in a Seattle fictionalized as Marine City. Kaye is a dhampir, a person descended from both humans and vampires. Bart is human. In the previous volume, they marched for dhampir rights in the United Kingdom, which is this alternate world’s version of the United States. They soon learn that their heroes, cosmonauts Lev Leps and Irina Luminesk, are scheduled to speak at the conference. Like Bart, Lev is human. Irina is a vampire.

The goal of the conference is basically twofold. The first objective is to hash out two competing plans to land people on the Moon. The second is to discuss cooperation between the space programs of the United Kingdom and the “Zinitra Union.” Bart and Kaye have studied the two competing plans for lunar landing and have come to the conclusion that neither will work. There’s a third plan rejected early on due to a technicality they think can work, but they have to sell it to their bosses. While all of this is going on, the United Kingdom discovers that the Zinitra Union has been building missile silos on a small island not far from the UK’s shores. This world’s version of the Cuban Missile Crisis threatens to shut down the conference and our engineers and cosmonauts begin to despair for the future of space travel and the fate of the world. As all of this is going on, Bart and Kaye begin to understand the feelings they have for each other.

All in all, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut continues to be a satisfying retelling of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Aside from changed names and slightly changed dates, this volume tends to stick close to the historical events. That said, events at the ending suggest that this world’s history may diverge from the history we know. This world’s Nikita Krushchev isn’t removed from power in 1964 and a would-be assassin fails to kill this world’s John F. Kennedy. So author Keisuke Makino has now neatly set up a world as it might have been. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[slugbiscuit · Rating 3 out of 5]

In volume 4, Bart and Kaye head to not-Seattle for the 21st Century Exposition (World’s Fair), where Lev and Irina will finally return to the story. During the course of volume, the not-Cuban Missile Crisis plays out in the background to add dramatic tension. I continue to have mixed feelings about how this series blatantly regurgitates history as a framework for its “story” and hope that we will soon diverge into something new. I did enjoy Bart and Kaye more this time and the cuteness of their budding relationship. Overall, it was an improvement over last volume.

[Scott Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the UK's space launch, there is a 21st century Expo. Not only are members of the D-room attending, but the Cosmonauts from the Zinitia are attending. There is also a missile crisis between the two countries, causing political issues.

I really enjoyed this volume. There is a great explanition, to why have space travel, and why coroperation in space is a good thing. Lots of humor, and great character development.

[Mayonez Sidorovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two dynamic duos finally meet. A bit on the nose to call Cuba "Imprisoned Island" but fair enough.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as much happened as in the previous books. Cuban missile crisis equivalent but brief, the US (Kingdom of Arnack) has a queen, Kaye and Bart get closer, meet with Irina and Lev, and get consideration of the lunar rendezvous method which was something I learned about.