JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken II: Golden Heart/Golden Ring

Before you even start reading this review, be warned that while there are no spoilers for the novel itself, it might contain spoilers for Vento Aureo. So if you aren't familiar with part 5 of JoJo, you shouldn't be reading this review. Or this novel.

Golden Heart/Golden Ring is a a JoJo spin-off novel set after the group splits and betrays the Boss. It is surprisingly well written light novel. And and at this point don't mean story-wise, but the actual writing. Lot of LNs suffer from being non-descriptive, bland and too straight-to-the-point. GHGR, fortunately, uses more colorful language thanks to which it feels like an actual book and not a pulp. It reads well and the only downside might be a bit short lenght. Then again, maybe it read so well because it chooses exactly the pacing it needs without needles stretching.

Of couse, story-wise GHGR is well done too. The start might look light something out of a western young adult fiction for girls, but that too is an interesting choice and it makes sense in the context of the story. And it provides a different point of view to that of what typically is a JoJo protagonist. Worry not though, as it doesn't take long to get bizarre. As a whole it stays true to the JoJo feel and it would pass for a script for regular Part 5 episode/chapter. Especially the battle with the "villain of the week" fits right in without a doubt. The characters stay true to their... well, characters and the novel works as a perfect supplement for fans that just NEED MORE.

Don't let the 7/10 rating confuse you, it's a strong 7, one that is closer to something like 7.7/10. If you liked Part 5, you should certainly give this a read too. If you didn't... well, I'd say you could give this a chance anyway.

First, since this book as well as all of the other light novels and much of the manga are lacking official English translation, I'll provide a source here in which you can download an English fan translation of the novel, as well as a book I have already read and covered in my reviews, Genesis of the Universe.

https://mobile.twitter.com/AzoreanEve/status/1184433069203316737

Beyond that though, the story. This as well as Purple Haze Feedback (which I haven't started as of writing this review) are side-stories of secondary-canon to Jojo Part 5, Golden Wind. Purple Haze Feedback, as I understand it, is more of a continuation and a favorite of Part 5 fans. Likely since this translation is relatively new, Golden Heart/Golden Ring has not reached nearly the amount of acclaim among fans.

I also went into this book expecting it to also prominently feature Fugo, as I expect as much in Purple Haze Feedback, but there wasn't nearly as much of him as I was expecting. Truly, most of the book I was wondering what he was thinking, for there will be many innocent casualties to his virus. And while this is explained to an extent at the end, the focus is more on the traitorous Buccellati gang and a character original to this story (who wields The Cure as her Stand, and my goth heart skips a beat).

Overall, the story didn't blow me away, but it was an enjoyable read all the same.