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A Japanese light novel (ライトノベル, raito noberu) is a style of young adult fiction in the form of a novel primarily targeting high school and middle school students. The term “light novel” is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called ranobe (ラノベ) or, in English, LN.
Light novels typically have a shorter length than traditional novels, with an average of 50,000 words. They are also often illustrated, with the illustrations usually appearing on the cover and at the beginning of each chapter. Light novels are often serialized in magazines, and they are often adapted into manga and anime.
Some popular light novels include:
- Sword Art Online by Reki Kawahara: This light novel series is about a boy named Kirito who gets trapped in a virtual reality game called Sword Art Online. He must fight to survive and find a way to escape.
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- Kindle: https://amzn.to/456pmBD
- Audible: https://amzn.to/3QCkv6S
- Paperback: https://amzn.to/3qut88W
- Sword Art Online light novel book cover by Reki Kawahara
- No Game No Life by Yu Kamiya: This light novel series is about a brother and sister named Sora and Shiro who are transported to a world where everything is decided by games. They must use their skills to survive and become the rulers of this new world.
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- Paperback: https://amzn.to/3QwdGnn
- No Game No Life light novel book cover by Yu Kamiya
- Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World by Tappei Nagatsuki: This light novel series is about a boy named Subaru who is transported to another world. He must use his knowledge of the future to save the people of this new world from danger.
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- Kindle: https://amzn.to/3QBAnGF
- Paperback: https://amzn.to/3KD5XQD
- Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World light novel book cover by Tappei Nagatsuki
- The Rising of the Shield Hero by Aneko Yusagi: This light novel series is about a boy named Naofumi who is summoned to another world to be a hero. However, he is betrayed by his comrades and is left to fend for himself. He must use his shield to fight for justice and protect the people of this new world.
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- Kindle: https://amzn.to/3QDA1j2
- Audible: https://amzn.to/450rg6O
- Paperback: https://amzn.to/3KCf97Z
- Rising of the Shield Hero light novel book cover by Aneko Yusagi
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime by Fuse: This light novel series is about a man who dies and is reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world. He must use his slime powers to survive and build a new life for himself.
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- Kindle: https://amzn.to/3qq7cMd
- Paperback: https://amzn.to/3DUc67g
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime light novel book cover by Fuse
Light novels are a popular genre of fiction in Japan, and they have also gained popularity in other countries. They are a great way to enjoy a fast-paced, exciting story with a lot of action and adventure.
