Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Ex, Vol. 1 (light novel): The Dream of the Lion King (Re:ZERO Ex (light novel))

In this extra volume, the lives of Crusch and Ferris up until their appearance in the main series are covered. Their past, their struggles, and the reason for their determination are all revealed in style. Their dearest companion, the fourth prince of Lugunica - Fourier - has the real star role of this book, however. His character and the effects he has on Crusch and Ferris are obvious and make the main series all the more enjoyable.

For those of you who have read up through the fourth or fifth volume of Re:Zero, the ending to this book may seem predictable (given it is a prequel). Yet I found the journey quite worth it. Some characters from the main series besides Ferris and Crusch show up, new ones are explored, and the lore of the setting is subtly built upon.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Re:Zero for the quality of its writing. This one was as impactful as any of the other volumes, even with it being a stand-alone story about "side characters."

The characters are adorable as in the Re: Zero Anime and Light Novels, the story is nicely worked, with lots of angst and humor mixed. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to volume 2. This is backstory for side characters in the main Re: Zero story line, with lots of room to see how these characters developed before they took the stage.

Even though it's a side story, it's 100% worth the read. I've read all the other novels and I think this is Nagatsuki's darkest material yet, and it really pays off.

What a wonderful and expansive world he's come up with, and this book provides some excellent backstory to two important characters that will make you smile, laugh, and cry.

The book really brings Crouch to a new light and gives a whole new meaning to Felix's actions, especially after Gluttony. It really brings a sense of loss