Is it bad that I get excited for each novel release because that is one more novel closer to everything in the KH2 novels and BBS novels <3

I need to see Riku hug/save Donald and I swear Riku and Sora hug but I think I get confused because there is more hugging in KH2 novel than in the games and I have a lot of wishful thinking

and everything in BBS ;~; <3

CoM is great, though. A lot of insight into Riku's troubles and Repliku's thoughts on his false memories.

It looks like Goofy is taking a selfie of the trio. I love it.

It's already preordered at my trusted publisher for imports, hehehe. Soon the KH 1 novel will get a companion.

And no, it's not bad to get excited for the novels as they probably do nearly all the characters thrice as much justice in terms of development and insight than the games ever did.
Kanemaki may not be able to write very engaging battle scenes, but just like Amano's manga, her novels make you care about the characters much more.

I've said it before somewhere, but even the small scene of interaction between Aerith and Jiminy Cricket in the KH 1 novel or SDG actually brooding over the Ansem Reports gives some satisfaction the games simply fail to deliver.

AH, HE DOES! Too cute! And this was drawn in the days before selfies so Goofy was on his selfie game before it was even cool~



The book is rather large, so it is nice to be able to have another that will match its size.

And no, it's not bad to get excited for the novels as they probably do nearly all the characters thrice as much justice in terms of development and insight than the games ever did. Kanemaki may not be able to write very engaging battle scenes, but just like Amano's manga, her novels make you care about the characters much more.

Agreed!

I've said it before somewhere, but even the small scene of interaction between Aerith and Jiminy Cricket in the KH 1 novel or SDG actually brooding over the Ansem Reports gives some satisfaction the games simply fail to deliver.

It always bothered me that we collect the reports but never see Sora and the gang respond to them. If there is one thing I want KH3 to have, it is that if there are reports there are cutscenes connected to them after you discover one.

Oh, the CoM one is coming soon and I haven`t even read the KH1 one. Really looking forward for all those little interactions you guys mentioned!

But the question is, where on earth I will summon the necessary time to read all these? Dam you sociology exam and bachelor degree, stop stealing my time. :(

Quick question, is Kanemaki still in the KH team, you know, writing KHIII?

We don't know who is writing KH3 with Nomura atm, but Kanemaki only served as scenario writer for Days.

Fantastic! Getting the cover means its closer to release.

Could we soon be hearing news of a KH2 novel release? COM was announced 2 months before the first novel was published.

Hmm, didn`t Amano say KH2 will be his last KH manga series? Gasp! This can only mean one thing: KH2 is his last because he is writing III with Nomura! :D

... I know it is not gonna happen, but a man can dream eh? :( I really hope Nomura has skillful writers to help him.

We might! Depends on Yen Press' schedule for 2016.



I keep hearing this and I don't really get it. He said that Kingdom Hearts 2 was ending, not that he was done with the manga series for good.

If there was one thing I liked about Chain of Memories it was the characters and story.

Ahh! So excited! I loved the first novel so very much, so I'm definitely interested in checking the CoM one out! Especially since I've really been adoring CoM's story lately. September can't come fast enough, as far as I'm concerned^_^

Y'know... I really like the cover choice, too. I wonder if it might cue in some fans of the games--that don't know any better, and who see this--to the fact that CoM takes place directly after 1.

Mainly because I know a lot of people (at least there used to be, and probably still at least a few now) didn't originally know about CoM, so when they picked up KHII, they were like, "What? But Sora was running in a grassy field the last time I saw him, and now he's in a bubble? What the heck is going on?!"

...IDK. Just a thought.

Also, I'm still really uber ecstatic that Yen Press is doing all of this for us fans. Those guys rock!:D

Funny how this artwork now looks "old school". His style has definitely tightened over the years.

Can't wait to gobble this up~

I should probably get my hands on the first novel, in this case. Glad to see it's so long, as it should be. Question, do they make these in hardcover and paperback, or just paperback? I'm fine with the latter, but I'd love to have the novels in beautiful hardcover on my shelf.

Granted, while I love the manga and Amano, I'm hesitant on the novels. On one hand, Days was my second least favorite game story-wise (and least favorite gameplay-wise), so I'm not exactly confident in how the writing for the novels would be since Kanemaki was involved with Days (although I think I read Xion was her idea,and I actually like Xion, so that kind of helps my opinion of her writing). Plus, if she is also the author for the BbS novels, which I'm personally still upset about because they made Vanitas into a tragic character instead of this pure-villain he was in BbS, then I am slightly worried these may disappoint.

Still need it for my collection, nonetheless.

Paperback only. I've only seen Yen Press release hardcover volumes for special reasons...

Granted, while I love the manga and Amano, I'm hesitant on the novels. On one hand, Days was my second least favorite game story-wise (and least favorite gameplay-wise), so I'm not exactly confident in how the writing for the novels would be since Kanemaki was involved with Days (although I think I read Xion was her idea,and I actually like Xion, so that kind of helps my opinion of her writing). Plus, if she is also the author for the BbS novels, which I'm personally still upset about because they made Vanitas into a tragic character instead of this pure-villain he was in BbS, then I am slightly worried these may disappoint. Still need it for my collection, nonetheless.

I can understand the concern.

The novels are very easy to read, though sometimes a bit simplistic but this is a result of the way Japanese light novels are written. The first novel only served to enhance the games story to me. It wasn't a 1:1 retelling which was both a blessing and a curse. Great because Kanemaki added a ton of really interesting bits that made the characters interact more and be a bit more likable. Bad because some pretty iconic moments were missing...

Off the top of my head I can remember that the paopu scene isn't in the novels and they merge the scenes with SRK talking about leaving the island and Kairi's comment on Riku changing into one part. Depending on how you felt about those scenes, it might not even really be that bad of a thing.

All in all, I really enjoyed the novel. Very fun read with a bit more life in them than the games. I find them worth reading, and definitely different (while still being similar in the friendship area) from her work in Days. [strike]I think Days was a mix of many problems, like expectations of the fans, too much focus on Xion as a new character and not the Org themselves, too many slow moments that work in novels but not in actual games...[/strike]

Yeah, she wrote all of the novels, so she is responsible for the Vanitas thing. I feel like judging the Vanitas thing is best saved for the actual novel's release, though. We've really only seen summaries of the scene and no actual chapter translation, so who knows how much of it is exaggeration or truth.

Honestly it isn't surprising she made Vanitas tragic considering his relation to Ven and probably wanting to give Vanitas something more concrete than "evil minion made by Xehanort to be evil and do evil stuff for evil goal." I can see the appeal in giving him a backstory. I don't have much of an opinion about it these days, though.

I was very happy with the first novel. I love the extra exposition and dialogue, as well as the decision to cut out some sections that weren't exactly relevant to the overall story, one of them being my least favorite world. It's also that these additions aren't just "fan fiction" and actually semi-canon due to Nomura's consulting with the author.

Looking forward to CoM, most especially because I assume it will depict Sora's thoughts from the third person point of view as he proceeds through Castle Oblivion and loses memories as well as the background scenes between the Organization XIII members. It's more of a conflict-filled plot (internally and externally) than the original game.

I keep hearing this and I don't really get it. He said that Kingdom Hearts 2 was ending, not that he was done with the manga series for good.

Ah okay. For some reason I thought he meant the whole KH -series. Fascinating to see what he does next.


I really like the stuff what Amano does, but I think there is one aspect of the game that he can`t replicate. The troll personality that Xigbar has. I really like the way he has done Saix, but for me he just dosen`t catch the important parts of Xigbar`s personality.

The first novel was written incredibly well, so I'm really excited to see how Chain of Memories gets adapted.

Ditto, I can't wait to read it.

When he first started writing Xigbar, that was back before we found out he was Xehanort's lackey. I imagine if he does end up making BBS and KH3D manga (maybe, maybe not), he'd probably push more of what we see in the games out into his rendition.

Even though its not out until September 22nd, I am starting to look forward to this book! I will be putting in my pre-order beginning of September. *fingers crossed for more news*

I check Amazon everyday for a new manga or novel listing so no worries ;A;

I'm starting to do exactly the same! Hopefully these are selling well that they will continue to publish the novels and the manga.

Just a reminder that CoM The Novel will be releasing in just a month! Pre-order your copy now (and get ready to be really sad about Repliku)

I can't believe that it's already nearly release time.

I just realized I should probably preorder this now so I don't have to jump through hoops to get it like the last novel...

Yeah, you should while there is plenty of time to get everything straightened out!

I should probably pre-order too... I've rearranged my shift for the release day so I go to work later then normal so hopefully gives me the chance to start reading it before work.

Hopefully there will be more news of more KH books soon!

Wow! I have ordered the first KH novel but it will take some weeks to be delived where I live after I read the first novel I have already a new novel to order hehe.

Finally pre-ordered the novel. Tuesday will be a good day! Looking forward to tucking into it!

So soon, guys! ;A;

So did anyone get theirs today?

I am annoyed. Amazon UK said I would get it on release day, yet I get an email this morning telling me that it has been delayed by 1-4 weeks!!! With the first KH novel I got it on release day. I don't know whether to cancel and try and order from America or wait it out. (Email estimates say arriving between Wednesday 7th October and 21st October).

Looking at Amazon UK, on the page for the listing, it does say it will be in stock on 24th September so I could wait and see.

I was so looking forward to this as well!

Also the Amazon UK page says it is 416 pages as opposed to 600.

I supposedly get my copy today, so we'll see what happens.

That really sucks, hlc1988. I think you'd find it to be a bit faster if you order from America, but you'll be paying more in shipping fees.

I hope you get it and you can give us a good review! 416 pages does seem a small page count if its meant to include all 3 books from Chain of Memories... (I'm looking forward to Reverse/Rebirth part of it more than anything TBH so I hope that is still in...)

I'm going to see what happens with my UK order for now and after cancelling and then reordering it says I should get it next Monday, providing they get their stock in on Thursday... If not I will consider going elsewhere for it.

Amazon UK now have this in stock and are now preparing to dispatch my order. If things go to plan then I should get it Friday...

Whew, my novel finally came in today. And after having read it at every chance I could get, I'm at part two of Sora's story.

And I have to say, as much as I love Chain of Memories the game (and I really do; it might be my second favorite story in this entire saga), I love the novel even more, for three main reasons so far:

[spoiler]1. Naminé is SO much more sympathetic in the novel, since we get her PoV. You can tell that in a lot of ways she really thought she was Kairi, and really couldn't differentiate herself from her past memories, and so what she does to Sora has a lot more leeway with it now, I think. And that's saying something, because she was pretty sympathetic to begin with.

2. Sora's being a bit of a jerk actually makes more sense, and is even more justified (though the novel does limit his aggressiveness some, it seems), because he's losing his memories a lot faster than Donald and Goofy are, and so he's sort of lashing out and pretending that that's not happening.

3. I feel like Sora's somehow portrayed as a bit smarter in the novel. When I originally played the game, I thought he was completely under Naminé's spell through most of it. So when he said things to Peter Pan, for instance--about how memories are etched in your heart, and the right thing can always jog that memory back--I thought immediately he was talking about Namine and the trap she'd laid out for him.

But now I see in that instance (at least in the novel version) he's actually talking about Riku (Riku Replica), and hoping that the memories of him and Riku being friends are still inside of Riku somewhere (as SDG have convinved themselves that Riku--Riku Replica--has just lost his memories about his and Sora's earlier friendship).[/spoiler]

All in all, I have to say this has been a terrific read so far. I might even enjoy it better than the KH1 novel, which I would have never thought possible until now:D But I'm really impressed with all that's been done with the book.

I thought it would be more cut and dry than it is, and have less wiggle room, but I like the new ideas that have been brought to the table through its interpretations, and I can't wait to see where it goes next:)

Anything interesting about Axel (or the rest of the Organization)? [on Sora's side of the story]

(My copy probably won't be in for another week, thanks 'straya!)

So I haven't had much time to read the book, but I like how in Part 2 Kanemaki started to weave in the plot of Reverse/Rebirth in. And Reverse/Rebirth is much more intriguing by juxtaposing Repliku and Riku next to each other through the dialogue.

Well, from what I've been able to see...Axel is pretty much the same in Sora's Side - Part 1 as he was in the game. It is when Part 2 starts there are more Axel moments that help give more hints to his connection to Roxas and his general feelings (or belief of a lack thereof) of everything going on in CO.

I didn't really look at the rest of the Organization to see if where was anything new...

The 3 novels were primarily focused on Sora, Naminé, Repliku, and Riku so it spends most of its time expanding on their characters.

Just finished the entire novel, and the whole thing was bloody fantastic. Someone please tell me the next novel will be out soon:)

[spoiler]And right now I'm wanting to rip Axel to shreds. I know by the time the Days and KHII novels come around I'll have forgiven him. But IDK. His line going from "Sorry Zexion, but you just found out way too much," to something about how he likes to see Sora and Riku fight too much just Really. Ticks. Me. Off.

I hate how he abused the Riku Replica in this. And though that isn't new news in the slightest, the fact that this novel made me really care about Repliku--and somewhat painted Axel in a less favorable light in some ways--practically has me raving. You deserved so much better, Replica. So much better.

Also, I enjoyed Riku's part better than Sora's. And this is like blasphemy for me, because Sora's my favorite character of all time, but... the Riku part was just so good!

I mean, new flashbacks with the Destiny Trio? Definitive proof that it wasn't Kairi who drove the wedge between Sora and Riku, like so many fans say? Sign me up, please=)

I also feel like this novel gave me a much better understanding of Riku, and more sympathy for both him and Repliku. Like, when I played CoM originally, I got annoyed with Riku always picking fights with people. LOL. Mainly because I, the player, didn't want him to start something I didn't know I could finish (I was eleven and playing CoM--my second game ever--for the GBA at the time; leave me alone. LOL.). But now understanding that he was fighting against things that reminded him of the parts he hated about himself (especially his Relpica)?

Oh my gosh, Riku. My poor baby. Forget every mean thought I ever had about you, or the times that I questioned you. I love you so much now! I mean, I always did. But ESPECIALLY now!!!

And then that part where Riku talks about how he wants to see Sora more than anyone, so that he can apologize to him while looking him in the eye... I can't even. -sobs forever- Suddenly, I completely understand why Riku reacted the way he did when reuniting with Sora and Kairi in KHII, and it is all so much more worse and painful that way:(

This novel confirmed that one-sided RiKai was a thing, and maybe even had some nice Namiku moments in it?

-i'm fine, i swear i'm fine, she says as she hyperventilates.-

And oh my gosh, the reason why Repliku doesn't want Sora to see Naminé is explained SO much better here, as in their fake memories Sora destroyed all of Naminé's drawings.[/spoiler]

Wow. Great novel, man. Just... great novel^_^

Yeah, stuff like what you mentioned is why people claiming Axel was "cool" or "badass" in CoM (or better than in KH2-onward, though admittedly a good deal of that is bias on my part) tends to drive me up the wall, and I'm constantly this close to personally viewing CoM Axel and KH2 Axel (who I was exposed to first) as...well, separate characters.

I think this might be the first time I've seen an Axel fan outright declare that "homicidal and sadistic" =/= "cool and badass."

I kind of figured that CoM Axel was a better villain not because he was more "awesome," but because he was a little easier to flat-out despise and distrust. Anywhere else, he's just acting out of desperation, or he's your literal best friend. I got introduced to the latter before II or CoM, so I completely get what you mean by viewing 'em as "separate characters."

It'd be nice if KH3 finally established the reason why Saix and Axel wanted to take over the Organization (beyond what we all have inferred) just so Axel's ruthlessness in CoM gets framed a bit better within that. I think it'd help at least give some reasoning as to why Axel was a coldblooded sociopath before Roxas turned him into puddle of sappy goo because like you all have said, it was like two different characters between CoM and KH2.

Didn't Nomura once say that it was because after Axel came in contact with Sora's heart in Castle Oblivion, he began to change? Otherwise, were it not for Sora, the ruthless person was just who he'd become--and probably would have stayed--and the stuff with Roxas before he went to C.O. was just an act?

Not that I think that that's a great explanation, tbh, and I still want to know more about them like you said, Spock. But still...

[spoiler]Also, this novel has about destroyed me when it comes to all the one-sided RiKai stuff. Oh. My. Gosh. The feels. Riku loved Kairi so much. So much! And I just can't help feeling so sorry for the poor guy in every way imaginable. -goes and sobs for Riku forever-[/spoiler]

It would be stupid not to delve into it, with all the build up from 358/2 days, as well as KH3D hinting at the inevitable showdown between Isa and Lea.
Surely before they go at each other, their bygone days will be explored.

But then this just makes me remember how they have so much to explain in the breadth of one game. They could of spread it more evenly :')
Not to mention that it might not even explain some things, leave it to the interviews with Nomura later, while he adds more unneeded complexity in order to extend the series beyond 3. Excellent :D

I don't know if Nomura himself said that, but a good deal of it was implied in the games. It went something like... Roxas comments on how Axel is much more outgoing than before he left for CO, and Axel mutters something about how "he" must've rubbed off on him. That, and we have that one CoM scene where Axel laughs a bit, then realizes that he is actually feeling something for once.

I guess the main difference we're seeing here is "Axel without a heart" vs "Axel with a heart." You can't really be a ruthless sociopath when you have feelings, after all. I guess the starting point of that "burgeoning replacement" was coming into contact with Sora during CoM.

But now I have to wonder why, out of all the other emotionless guys available, Axel was the designated assassin. What did happen to make him that murder-happy, aside from the "no emotions" thing?

I feel like this Chain of Memories novel has brought things to the table that we could/should maybe talk about.

[spoiler]For instance, on page 253, we have this from Naminé: "I am her shadow... her darkness." Now, really I think Naminé is just being metaphorical, and also just hating on herself for what she did in CoM and seeing it as darkness.

But IDK. Do you guys think there might be something worth discussing here? Could this maybe be explaining what Naminé is, or how she came to exist at all?

I mean, Kairi has no darkness in her, so this probably shouldn't be a thing at all, right? But then again, KH has done more surprising things. So is it possible that some sort of darkness could have been formed from Kairi, without us knowing it, to give birth to Naminé?[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Naminé]Well, remember Naminé was born when Kairi's heart left Sora, so if there was anything dark that comprised Naminé, it would likely be from Sora in some way.

I also think Naminé was talking in a more metaphorical sense in that Kairi is the light and Naminé is nothing but a shadow of her because she can't be Kairi.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]To be honest, I think I'm probably reading way too much into this, and that the meaning really is as simple as that.

But since I'm someone who desperately still wants to know what the heck Naminé is--and that "The Truth About Naminé" book in Days only made me more curious--I'm going to explore any possible hint about it with everything that I have. LOL.

And now that you mention it, the idea that maybe she was born from Sora's own darkness is an interesting one! In fact, if that really is the case, it might even better explain why she has power over Sora's memories at all. And how his true ones, after she'd messed with them, fell into "the shadows of his heart", as she put it.[/spoiler]

How I hope and pray that KHIII will finally fill us in about all these secrets about Naminé. But seeing how KHIII already has a lot to handle, and that that plot point hasn't come up in a long time, I'm not very hopeful, unfortunately. But I'm going to remain optimistic about it (until proven otherwise), anyway=)

I don't get why it's important, someone help me with this. Namine is an anomaly. Isn't that enough?

It is the fact that she is an anomaly is what makes people interested in figuring her out. Essentially, what Nomura wanted people to do when it came to unexplained aspects of the series.

Well knowing Nomura, I can see him keeping it that way too.

Though, if it must be agonized over, it's worth noting that Namine is called a shadow more than once.

I guess for me, I really didn't care that much until we saw Axel reading an entire book about her in 358/2 Days. LOL. At that point, it looked like Nomura was maybe planning something big or game changing with Naminé, so I then began wanting to know what it was. (But maybe that got retconned now?)

I'll also admit that I want to know, because it seems like a mystery that could be solved simply (hopefully), but still be interesting nonetheless. I miss stuff like that in the series, I guess.

The stuff with Xehanort, for instance, I don't really care about anymore. I used to. But now it's been so drawn out, over the top, and confusing (because of DDD and time travel) that I'm much more interested in other aspects of the saga right now. Even if they are far inferior by comparison^_^'

Though I do like your idea of leaving this one thing alone for Naminé, and having the non-answer be the answer itself. It's beautiful to think of it that way, I think, and it would be a further thing to set Naminé apart from everyone else. I like that (it's for that same reason that I don't want her to have a Keyblade, because way too many people at this point have one).

So I guess I'm saying... If Nomura plans to do something with this idea, then I definitely want to know what's up with her. But if it's just something he meant for us to speculate about, then I'm 100% fine about not knowing what Naminé is.

Hopefully KHIII will show us which one of those it is, though.

Oh! And another thing to note about the "shadow" thing, Tinny, is that Riku is also referred to as a "shadow" in Chain of Memories. Personally, I've had theories about that in the past--about a possible similarity between Riku and Naminé that might link them together with that term somehow.

[SPOILER]With some hair dye, a change in outfit and a slight alteration in her voice, she can pull off her dreams. Don't let them die Namy[/SPOILER]

[SPOILER]She'll need to tan a bit, too.[/SPOILER]

My novel came in the other day, and I love the extra insight it gives us to both Namine and Repliku.

Day number 2 of "Shanna dissects the CoM novel", I guess.

On page 3-4, let's take a look at this.

[spoiler]..."'It's the king's seal!' Donald rushed to Pluto, too.

'Hey, wait!' Sora ran after Pluto. So did Donald and Goofy.

As they chased Pluto, their laughter rang out over the plains.

...A dream?

Sora woke up, relieved to see Donald and Goofy snoring softly beside him. So it was a dream that they were running across this grassy plain chasing Pluto."

Wait just one minute: Is this implying that that epilogue at the end of KH1's credits was just a dream, and SDG never really saw Pluto at all?[/spoiler]

A good rule of thumb for the novels is that if the games contradict it, then it isn't really canon. This is why it is 3rd tier canon...it can be taken as canon or not canon (When the side stories come out, you'll find the Axel-Roxas story completely contradicts Days)

I wouldn't think the long winding road was a dream, but rather Kanemaki decided to make it a dream in order to avoid having to explain what the letter was. xD Since we see Donald and Goofy enter Castle Oblivion in their regular Disney outfits in the game, I think it is best to believe it wasn't a dream.

That's a very good point. I guess I was just thinking it was possible--since that scene never does go anywhere, and this could have been the answer as to why it doesn't--but... From now on I think I'm going to stop taking the novels so seriously, and see them as third tier canon, as you've said. I was trying to do that to begin with, but I guess I got a little carried away with this CoM one. Hehe. ^_^'

NOOOO. It makes more fun when discussing if we take it a bit more seriously! We've already talked the hell out of the games, so it is time to talk the hell out of the novels. Maybe once we get a few more people who have read the novels, we can get a bit more discussion.

(speaking of, I need to finish the novel *cries*)

Ooh, I think I might be able to buy the novel next week. That and the last volume of Days manga. So, I think I am only able to buy either the KH1 novel, or the CoM one. Which one should I get? Either that, or I sacrifice Tokoy Ghoul volume 1 for bot of the novels.

I was flying out to California from New York on Friday and was able to read the entire novel on the flight. Now that I'm home again, I can share my thoughts. I pretty much agree with everything everyone else has mentioned, so I'll just add some points regarding things in the novel that I enjoyed.

[spoiler]
[1] The whole chapter on the Riku Replica's indoctrination was great. Really added to the concept of "non-real" people developing hearts and we finally got to see the false memories that made him believe that Sora was the reason Namine left Destiny Islands.
[2] I still think it's weird that Reverse/Rebirth basically every other paragraph talks about the "smell" and "scent" of darkness and then this concept is never acknowledged in any other game again.
[3] The integration of the two stories was good, sometimes it's easy to forget the timing of events relative to each other so the quick occasional refreshers of where Sora is while we're following Riku was nice.
[4] Namine's portrayal was great. We used to think of her as someone who was just lonely and being forced against her will to alter Sora's memories, but the idea that she felt she was Kairi and actually had somewhat of a desire herself to do this to Sora made her an even greater character.
[5] Riku's non-reciprocated attraction to Kairi was a great addition since it was only implied in the games. He seemed to accept in the end that she liked Sora instead of him.[/spoiler]

Looking forward to the next one!

I was finally able to read this jewel from start to finish and boy it didn't disappoint.
Getting actually to see the thoughts of the characters allows you to really emphasize with them on an even deeper level.

Especially in the Reverse/Rebirth-part there were some instances that brilliantly showcased just how deep Riku's feelings of guilt run and I won't be ashamed to admit that once or twice I felt like if I had the possibility to I would give him a big hug.
Considering how much I despised Riku initially when playing KH 1 for the first time, this ought to say much.

The parts of Naminé and Repliku are the same if not even worse.
I can only repeat that the novels really manage to get you much more emotionally involved with most of the characters.

That being said, having Reverse/Rebirth being split between Riku's POV and the Replica's POV was surely a good thing in terms of getting to connect better with Repliku, but I noticed that sometimes I didn't really realize a POV-switch and had to reread some passages to ascertain "which" Riku was now in POV.

On a side note, can anybody tell me when this novel was originally first released? Before or after KH II?

Whoo! Glad you enjoyed the book!

The first two volumes of CoM came out October and November 2005. Kingdom Hearts II the game came out December 2005. The third was January 2006.

It is safe to say that CoM was written around the same time KH2 was being written by Nojima.

It was as much worth importing as the first one was and I hope they continue with the other novels as well.
I can easily look past Kanemaki's inability to write engaging battle scenes when in return I get such deep emotional involvement with the characters. ;)

Ah, I see, that explains much.
The main reason I asked about this is because of this "gem" given on page 349 by Marluxia and Vexen:

So anyone who might get the novels before the games gets a huge point of KH II spoilered here, something that definitely wasn't said out so bluntly in the actual CoM game.

This also more or less "proves" that Kanemaki gets actual input from Nomura or the writers, giving the novels a higher canon status than the manga, directly behind the games themselves and Nomura interviews.

Finally managed to buy the Chain of Memories novel and the last volume of Days. Now when I get home I am ready for all of dem feels! I would have gotten the first novel, but it was not in the store were I visited, so I decided to get the CoM one instead.

EDIT:
Just finished Sora`s story in CoM. Just like everybody else here said, Kanemaki is not really good at writing about fights, but he makes this up by deepening the characters with their inner monologue. It was really nice to get inside Sora`s and co`s head to see how they felt about different situations. He also really well captured the feeling what Castle Oblivion made me felt when I firs stepped inside of it:

Not a trace of life anywhere - the place was so empty it felt cold, inorganic.

For me this also perfectly sums up the Nobodies. I feel that the Heartless are more organic and beast-like, the Nobodies in the other hand are cold, inorganic and sterile, the complete opposite. Like how the World of Chaos is an hideous organic monster, and Xemans dragons is more mechanic etc...

I also really liked the parts about Namine between chapters. A really nice touch. I especially liked this part:

The future in drawings on white sketchbook pages... "I wonder if I`ll get to meet them...?" murmured a flaxen haired girl in a white dress. She sat in a birdcage.

One thing made me scratch my head thou:

[SPOILER]When the gang later on fights Axel, Axel says: "It is funny. You really have nothing on him. " Who is Axel speaking about in here? Is he meaning that Sora does does not have many things in common with Roxas or something else? [/SPOILER]

Gonna continue reading today and start Reverse/Rebirth in the evening. Really excited! :) Also reading the novel really made me want to play Chain of Memories again, and read that poem which it has in the end. Man I love that poem so much.

Almost certainly Roxas, yes. Keep in mind this novel was based on the GBA version, which hints more heavily than the PS2 remake towards his existence. Before Days went and retconned it, the implication was that Axel and Roxas had already been friends for a while before CoM, and that what Axel did in Castle Oblivion was, at least in part, for Roxas's well-being (the KH2 novels go a bit more into this).

Kanemaki is a woman, by the way.

Ooh, right. Unfortunately I have not played the original CoM only the Re version, so I was not aware that there were even more hints in the original.
What exactly does Days retcon there? When I played trough it I got the impression that Axel and Roxas are indeed friends. Did the Days change the fact that Axel was there to kill the traitors, and later find the chamber, not to protect Roxas?

No, it was more that Axel and Roxas were supposed to have a more established friendship. When Axel leaves in Days, Roxas is still without much of a personality although he was growing a true sense of self Even so, they weren't best friends 4lyfe. It wasn't until Axel returned from CO that Roxas had finally come into his own and their friendship solidified.

It was implied that Axel and Roxas were already good friends in the short frame of time he'd been in the Organization, and that Roxas was a talented Keyblade wielder and supposed to be better at it than Sora.

Days goes back on that a lot.

Oh, okay now I get it. Thanks!

Finished Reverse/Rebirth yesterday and it was freaking amazing! I really liked how Kanemaki showed Riku Replicas perspective as well. I thought his story was rather sad when I played trough Re: CoM, but now after reading the novel it has even more sorrow in it. It was just so heart-breaking to see his world collapse when Namine finally tells him the truth. :( The novel really emphasis how horrible it must feel when your personality is re-written with false memories, and you realize that your just a clone who is being used by the people around you.
I am sorry I am repeating myself here, but I finally understood how horrible that is. The constant doubt in Riku Replicas heart, and finally when he thinks that he has found something to fight for, a memory that is true, are all lies. Oh also:
[SPOILER] The rewriting sequence itself was really agonizing. Could it also be taken as parallel to the beginning of KHII with Sora`s memory restoration and the weird things Roxas encounters? The hints about Roxa`s were also really cool! [/SPOILER]

The real Riku`s guilt about the things he had done was really depressing. Like Sephirtoh0812, I just wanted to give him a big hug and tell him that it`s going to be okay in the end.
This novel was so good! I am really glad that this was translated and published. I will definitely read the rest of the novels if they will be published. I am really curious to see what things might be added to the KH2 story-line with KH2 novel, and I also really would like to read the Days one. Oh, and of course the BBS one! Hell, just give all of them! I am really curious to see what the characters are thinking.

I literally just finished reading the Reverse/Rebirth section myself, and I have to say that I agree with pretty much everything that you said here (to the point that me trying to state my feelings toward this novel would be redundant).

There is one thing, though, that I'd thought I'd bring attention to:

[SPOILER]During the novel, one of the Rikus (the Replica, IIRC, I don't have the novel in front of me right this instant) saw a kid with blonde hair riding a skateboard. I found this to be really interesting since - as already mentioned - the novel was based more on the GameBoy Advance original which may or not imply that this blonde boy is Roxas.[/SPOILER]

Ugh yea, Repliku's parts are sometimes full of so much squick when you look at it more closely. The novel practically presents to us flat out how an extensive and hard brainwashing session plays out, with all the brokenness of the victim displayed in detail before and afterwards.
There are definitely some parallels to the Prologue of KH II as Roxas was brainwashed in order to keep him from rebelling as ordered by DiZ:

DiZ: Until then, he'll need another personality to throw off his pursuers. Ansem: Poor thing.

I don't think it was made clear in KH 2 if the brainwashing was done by DiZ himself or again by Naminé, in the latter case however it would mean that Naminé repeated the crime she did to Repliku with Roxas in order to help undoing the crime she did to Sora.
Going by that, it's no wonder she still feels so guilt-ridden and "unworthy" as shown in Coded even by her Data-self:

Notice how there she isn't speaking solely of Sora, but more than one person.
"All those people" may very well include Repliku, Roxas and Xion.

The game was already good about portraying this issue with the "real" Riku, but the novel certainly pushed it up another level, as things like these snippets really painfully show:

Riku doesn't look for scapegoats to blame or relativize what he has done. He also admits how awful his feelings of jealousy and resentment were and that it was primarily he himself at fault.
And someone who's able to see and admit that is someone who I can with conviction say deserves a second chance.

---
Speaking of the other novels, is there any word yet about them being eventually translated too?



A boy with blond hair AND a skateboard? In Twilight Town? Who else than Roxas would it be? Lol, we don't have this combination anywhere else in the series.

I dunno. Could be Hayner. He and everyone else in Twilight Town could just as easily hop onto those skateboards that're just lying around. :P

Ugh yea, Repliku's parts are sometimes full of so much squick when you look at it more closely. The novel practically presents to us flat out how an extensive and hard brainwashing session plays out, with all the brokenness of the victim displayed in detail before and afterwards. There are definitely some parallels to the Prologue of KH II as Roxas was brainwashed in order to keep him from rebelling as ordered by DiZ: [FONT=arial] DiZ: Until then, he'll need another personality to throw off his pursuers. Ansem: Poor thing. [/FONT] I don't think it was made clear in KH 2 if the brainwashing was done by DiZ himself or again by Naminé, in the latter case however it would mean that Naminé repeated the crime she did to Repliku with Roxas in order to help undoing the crime she did to Sora.

I had an feeling Namine was behind the brainwashing in KHII. It got even stronger when I played trough KHII last year and remembered that she goes to meet Roxas several times during the prologue.
It would have been cool if the % in Replikus rewriting sequence would have been the same that appears in KHII.

I think it`s kinda funny that to the outside the KH-series might seem to be a cute thing with Disney characters in it, but in reality it`s full of people suffering from existential identity crisis, caused by intense brainwashing and stealing of identity and individuality.

it was sad to see how much guilt Namine has to deal with. The things she did were kinda nasty, but she was in a tricky situation. Loneliness, and mean people around you can make people do nasty things. :(
I was so glad when I saw her smiling in Re: Coded thou. That made my day.

Thinking about all the people Namine had to hurt during the memory mess, I think she might feel as guilty as Riku.

Riku doesn't look for scapegoats to blame or relativize what he has done. He also admits how awful his feelings of jealousy and resentment were and that it was primarily he himself at fault. And someone who's able to see [I]and admit that is someone who I can with conviction say deserves a second chance.[/I]

It was really fascinating to see this side of Riku. While playing KH1, I got the feeling that he was jealous of Sora, and it was interesting to see him really show and ponder about it the novels.
I think it also shows beautifully in KHII how afraid he was to meet Sora and Kairi after all the things he had done. It would be really cool if the KHII or Days novel dives more inside Riku`s head, and into his mind seat during that time.

If she was, it was definitely a mirror situation to the issue with Repliku in CoM.
In the first case, Marluxia, Vexen and the Organisation were forcing her to do it and in the second it was DiZ.

Her contacting Roxas several times (in defiance of DiZ's explict orders no less) can certainly be partly motivated by lingering feelings of guilt.

That's probably mainly because a) the Disney characters and environments often being very colorful and lighthearted blurring impressions somewhat and b) most of the suffering and pain caused in the KH series is mental/spiritual rather than physical, which may fly over people's heads.
People frequently cite the KH series as a whole as "not dark and mature enough" because there aren't any fountains of blood, chopped off limbs flying around and permanent gruesome deaths dealt left and right, yet KH's Darkness is there in a more subtle, but I'd also say more terrifying way as much of the "dark" stuff in KH deals with things that are possibly fates worse than "death".

This is one of the reasons why Naminé is one of my favorite characters. The things she does to other characters, Sora most prominently, but Repliku and Roxas are definitely in the same victim-"league" when we compare everything, are when looked at by themselves completely horrible and have a certain "Xehanort would approve"-stamp on them as toying with other characters' memories and hearts, brainwashing them to turn them into puppets or drive them to do something specific is exactly what Xehanort does as well.
Sora called Xehanort out on treating "hearts like bottles on a shelf" and in essence, when looking just at the actions themselves, Naminé does the same.
The main difference is though that Xehanort does all this willingly, on his own behalf without any slice of remorse, while Naminé is strongarmed/forced/blackmailed into it and absolutely loathes to have to do it.
This fact may also explain why Naminé herself is less overt and adamant on insisting to be her own person like i.e. Roxas was, because she most likely does not believe she deserves it with all the pain she has caused, just like Riku for a while thought he didn't deserve to face Sora & Kairi head on and remained in the shadows for most of KH 2 out of shame and self-loathing.

This snippet from Days when she speaks with Riku also shows it more or less subtly:

Riku: So what's the solution? Naminé: If I try to just jump in and rearrange her memory...then I risk Sora waking up to find out that nobody remembers him anymore. I can't do that to him. It's too late either way. His awakening will have to be delayed. I never imagined Sora's Nobody and the other one would fight so hard to be their own people. Unfortunately, the only real solution...is for them both to go away.

She makes a small pause in the last sentence before presenting the "solution" because she knows fully well that in order to keep her promise to undo the damage she did to Sora, she will have to create more damage to other people connected to Sora.
She acknowledges how much both Roxas and Xion struggle to become their own persons, which most likely made the whole thing even harder for her to swallow, which also shows clearly in the quote from Re: Coded posted earlier.

Well, Riku outright admitted at the end of KH II that he was jealous of Sora, so that's that. ;)
Reflecting on your own faults and admitting you were the one in the wrong is really difficult and few people manage to do as such thoroughly, which is one of the most interesting and positive aspects about Riku as a character.
It is also a good thing that the awful things he did were not swept under the rug so easily and frequently remained as a reminder, to himself and to us at the audience. Had this whole arc been closed too early, people would certainly have labeled Riku a karma houdini who was easily forgiven for his crimes. Another thing to take note of is the consequences of Riku's actions were still a strong plot point for drama in his own arc despite the actual situation being already remedied. The Destiny Islands (and the people living in it) were restored at the end of KH 1, yet the act of destroying it once still greatly affected Riku regardless of the restoration and gave way to that powerful scene with Zexion.
Ansem the Wise also has a similar arc, although less detailed and focused than Riku's, which is probably also why Ansem still has much more haters around than Riku does.

[FONT=Verdana]Don't mind me, Sephiroth0812 and hemmoheikkinen: I'm just sitting hereand enjoying you guys' take on the series:) [/FONT]

Butseriously, comparing Naminé to Xehanort (though she's, of course, sympathetic,unlike him, because she's forced to do this stuff), and showing how the RikuReplica situation was similar to Roxas' is some amazing stuff. Some things thatI hadn't even thought of before!

Andit's times like this that I'm reminded of just how much I love this series. Itjust has so many deep layers and parallels to delve into, if you want to gothat far into the series' lore. And I just adore that so much:D

I really enjoyed the novel of the first game so I got this one a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten a chance to start it yet (work and currently reading another book) but I am looking forward to reading it!

[FONT=verdana]So for the heck of it, I went ahead and typed up all of the Namin

é

PoV moments we got in this novel and put them together. (I think I got them all, anyway. If I'm missing any, please let me know.)

I'll put them below so that anyone can use them, if they want to. I like hearing Namin

é

's thoughts! She's very poetic sounding to me:)

#1. "I liked to draw pictures.

Drawing on the bright white sketchbook pages.

Maybe they were worlds from fairy tales... or friends I had yet to meet...

Everything in my world.

I can only draw things from dreams.

Dreams that will never come true. Or dreams that might come true.

These are that person's dreams.

Or are they mine?"

#2. "Deep within the castle...

Amid those shining blue-white walls, the plan proceeded,

slow and steady.

Light and darkness.

Two heroes.

Above and below.

The 'organization' and the 'plan.'

Things lost and things gained.

The future in drawings on white sketchbook pages...

'I wonder if I'll get to meet them...?' murmured a flaxen-haired girl in a white dress. She sat in a birdcage."

#3. "The only time anyone looks at me is when I draw pictures.

I want to draw the things I would like to draw.

But the only time anyone looks at me is when I draw what they want me to draw.

Even so... I'll still draw.

I'll put my wishes into it.

If I do, my wishes will come true.

I can hear someone knocking at the door.

Someone... has come to see my drawings.

Who... who are you?

Are you the person in my drawings?

Or are you someone else?"

#4. "I fill the sketchbook with drawings.

Back then, we laughed together. We yelled together. We played together.

The memories of dreams—I make them into drawings, one after another.

Look... Sora, do you remember that cave?

We doodled on the walls together.

And there was the beach.

I was always fighting with you and Riku on the beach, but every time we would make up before long.

Your memories... and my dreams.

I wonder if there's a place where they will meet.

I want them to meet... I want to put them together.

That's the dream that I'm drawing.

Hey, Sora... Do you remember?"

#5. "I color in my drawings with pastels.

White sand... blue sky, warm sunlight... The three of us were always smiling so brightly.

How much of it was a dream... and how much of it was real?

Can you see?

The world is so full of color, but I'm here in this room of cold white marble. All I can do is draw in this sketchbook.

Do you know now? I wonder if you do. I want you to know.

I'm here.

But am I supposed to exist?

Hey, Sora... Tell me."

#6. "'You have my sympathies from the heart.'

'But don't waste your time. We Nobodies can never hope to be somebodies.'

'Say, Naminé. Isn't there something else you can do?'"

#7. "Is this okay?

Was it okay?

Sora... I'm sorry.

In a small room in the castle, she clutched a sketchbook, gazing at the images in the big crystal ball.

Axel slowly moved to her side. 'You have my sympathies. From the heart.'

She looked up and glared straight at him.

For a moment, Axel felt like those deep blue eyes might swallow him up and drown him. He blinked. 'But don't waste your time. We Nobodies can never hope to be somebodies.'

Her gaze fell into her lap. With a slight smile playing at his lips, Axel stared at her.

She held the key to everything...

'Say, Naminé. Isn't there something else you can do?'

It was a risky move, trying to push her into action.

Naminé didn't look at him again or even move.

We Nobodies... And the irreplaceable you.

How much of it is lies, and how much is true? I'm not even sure anymore myself.

Is this okay?

Was it okay?

Hey, Sora... What are you thinking right now?"

#8. "Something I can do...?

Can I do anything for Sora?

Something I can do for Sora, even though I'm nobody, and I can never become somebody...

Hey, Sora.

What should I do?

I don't know.

Because I don't have anything that's special to me..."

#9. "The first time we met was in that town.

And ever since we met, I've been here.

Someone who seems the same. Who smells the same.

And you, Sora...

The first time I met you was on the island.

Don't you remember?

Where was it you made that promise to me—to the real me?

I'm waiting on the island.

Hey, what can I do?

What is it... that I can do?"

#10. "Sora...

Even if you come for me, what then...?

What should I do?"

#11. "Will I really get to meet you? Is the one you'll meet really me?

The girl you knew from the islands—it was me but another me.

I don't exist anywhere. I'm nobody.

Or maybe I'm just a thing.

If I can meet you on that island... something might change.

But the me that you'll meet there is a different me.

A false me.

If I can meet you, Sora, will something change?"

#12. "Something I can do. Something I have to do.

I was wrong, wasn't I?

You know, Sora… I'm glad we got to see each other."

#13. "Maybe it would be easier if I lost my memory.

But… if I do, I'll forget Sora. That would be even sadder.

I did the same thing to Sora.

Sora… I'm sorry.

Riku… Forgive me.

This is my crime… and my punishment.

I'm no one… I'm her shadow.

Even while he—while Marluxia has me by the arm, I'm praying."

#14. "I am her shadow… her darkness.

I will never be able to reach her.

But, Sora… Right now, in this moment, you and I are friends, aren't we?

No one wants false memories…

If this is what it comes to—no… I'm glad I met you, Sora.

So I'm not going to regret anything.

I wonder if we'll meet again. I'm pretty sure we will."

#15.

"Memories fading.

Memories reborn.

And a dream—

A dream of you in a world without you."

[/FONT]

I'm really interested in getting the novels, but I was wondering - how is the actual writing quality? From a prose perspective and from a plot perspective? Getting a look into the character's thoughts and feelings sounds really interesting, especially because we just don't get a good look at a lot of that kind of thing in the games, but I really didn't like Days and I know Kanemaki had a big hand in that (or was she the head writer?).

Also, canon-wise, where would these be placed? Is it the kind of thing where it's canon if it "agrees" with what goes on in the games, but not-canon if it "disagrees" on a certain scene?

The novels' greatest strength is the insight they give for a lot of characters' thoughts and opinions, as well as some extra details on things that we don't actually see in the games. The CoM novels have a good deal of the latter, with things like a very detailed account on the process of stuffing a replica with fake memories. Unfortunately, their battle sequences are... not very good. I could honestly write something more engaging than what's actually there. But I guess it's a trade-off... the books have better characterization and crappy battles, while the games have fun battles and mediocre characterization.

Bottom line is, I'd really recommend getting them. Especially the CoM novels.

Also, canon-wise, where would these be placed? Is it the kind of thing where it's canon if it "agrees" with what goes on in the games, but not-canon if it "disagrees" on a certain scene?

It goes like Games > Word of Nomura > Novels >>>>> Manga/other. I've been told that the novels' author actually has access to quite a bit of info about the games, which is why you'll see references to KHII in a book that was written before II was released. As long as it's not outright contradicted by anything from the games or Nomura, it can be considered canon.

So they do their job well in the vein of giving proper insight and characterization to characters and plot points we didn't get in the games? Definitely sounds worth buying, then. Although I still have a lot of distrust in Kanemaki's writing skills. I'll have to give it a try myself.

Also, by "books" do you mean there's more than one book per game? Are the NA releases omnibuses?

It goes like Games > Word of Nomura > Novels >>>>> Manga/other. I've been told that the novels' author actually has access to quite a bit of info about the games, which is why you'll see references to KHII in a book that was written before II was released. As long as it's not outright contradicted by anything from the games or Nomura, it can be considered canon.

That's pretty high up the ladder, actually. It's interesting to think that the novels are that important/canon.

The reverse is true to Nomura will often take ideas from the novels and then rework them to use for the game. I think the most well known one is the white envelope in Days. In the KH2 novel (at least I believe it was the KH2 novel) Axel carried around a white envelope which had a goodbye letter from Roxas in it. In Days the game Nomura brought this idea in but instead of a letter Roxas left Axel an ice cream stick in the white envelope. I think maybe also Axel never actually opened the envelope in the novels but he did so in the Days game.

I get the feeling that the author might be better at extrapolating in pre-existing events and fleshing out established characters than coming up with an original story herself. Which I can kind of understand... there's less that can go wrong when you have some established qualities and characteristics to work off of.

A fanfic writer around here once told me that he had a certain dislike for OC's in KH fanfics because they tend to "hijack" the story, shoving the pre-existing characters out of the spotlight or moving them to roles like "minor love interest." I guess Kanemaki's work with Days is an example of this. :/

Also, by "books" do you mean there's more than one book per game? Are the NA releases omnibuses?

Er... actually, I don't know. Guess I kinda made a thoughtless assumption there, huh?

That's pretty high up the ladder, actually. It's interesting to think that the novels are that important/canon.

I'm slightly saddened that Amono's manga series isn't as high up... it's delegated to "AU canon," but tbh the canon story needs some of the stuff that the manga changed. TuT

I wish the manga continued. I would've loved to see a BBS manga. :3 If only to see a manga version of Aqua.

Definitely. The novels manage to let you care about most of the characters much more and the actual plot is written much more in-depth and in detail. In fact, one may even go so far and say that the way the games present the plot and characterization is shitty compared to how the novels do it.
They also give insight on stuff the games never elaborate upon, like i.e. in the KH 2 novels it is shown what Naminé, Axel, Riku and DiZ do over the timespan KH 2's story runs, including a confrontation between Riku and Xemnas at the old mansion in Twilight Town, while the game only ever follows Sora, Donald and Goofy with their stupid filler antics in Disney worlds.

The original japanese had several volumes per game, yes.

Tomoco Kanemaki, the author of the novels, is part of Nomura's team/staff of the KH series and the novels get some input from Nomura himself on the sidelines, that's why they rank higher in canon than many other side/supplementary materials.
The games themselves, Nomura's interviews and the Ultimania books overule them though.




Not completely though as that happens on a case-to-case basis.
I'm no expert on the novels, but I do know that there are several parts in the KH 2 novels that have been made outright non-canon by later games in the series as well as there are some parts in the novels that were taken up by the games-canon and thus validated further.
The novel author Tomoco Kanemaki is part of Nomura's staff and sometimes gets some background info from Nomura for use in the novels, that's why the novels rank higher in canon than the manga does, yet still the information given by them has to be incorporated with caution either way.



Yep, that's how I would interpret Kanemaki's work as well.
The fact that she really cannot write engaging battle descriptions may also have a certain narm-charm if you look at it differently, even more when you consider that the novels are primarily about the characters, characterization and the actual plot, not unneccessary drawn out flashy battles.

I have a feeling I might know that fanfic writer...*derp*

The CoM novels were originally two volumes in the japanese original I think.
But for the original japanese novels Goldpanner might be the right address though as she has most of the originals.

The manga has far too many comedic scenes and it leaves out quite some stuff as well which is why it doesn't go together with the "main" canon. However Amano has of course a much better grasp on how to pace the story and make you care more for the characters and the plot (something that both the novels and the manga do lightyears better than the games ever managed so far).

game story bad but me enjoy most because me no able to control book

Certainly makes sense. It's the same kind of reason that some people write fanfics for, instead of just their own story and characters.

A fanfic writer around here once told me that he had a certain dislike for OC's in KH fanfics because they tend to "hijack" the story, shoving the pre-existing characters out of the spotlight or moving them to roles like "minor love interest." I guess Kanemaki's work with Days is an example of this. :/

As both a fanfic writer and a Days hater, I agree with this sentiment.


They're that good, you think? Now I definitely have to check it out.

They also give insight on stuff the games never elaborate upon, like i.e. in the KH 2 novels it is shown what Naminé, Axel, Riku and DiZ do over the timespan KH 2's story runs, including a confrontation between Riku and Xemnas at the old mansion in Twilight Town, while the game only ever follows Sora, Donald and Goofy with their stupid filler antics in Disney worlds.

That KH2 stuff sounds great - do we have any idea if/when we'll get it?

Next year? KH2 is the next novel series that should be headed our way unless they go with days first (which wouldn't make sense because narrative-wise, the next novel is definitely KH2)

WHY AM I ONLY FINDING OUT NOW THAT OFFICIAL KH NOVELS ARE A THING.

SHUT UP AND TAKE MONEY