So, those of you who have been following me (either here, or maybe on Twitter or something) have probably heard me talking about Quantum Devil Saga. Maybe it's something that's already caught your interest (in which case, hooray and thank you!), or maybe you haven't really looked into it, or maybe it's confusing or whatnot.

The short version is this: this is a novel I translated (professionally, as part of my day job). It's been a really exciting experience so far, and it has the possibility of leading into a career path that I find really compelling and appealing and would really like to get into. This was actually the first book in a five-part series, and if the first volume sells well enough, there's a chance I could get to work on the rest of the books as well, which would be beyond awesome.

I know a lot of folks out there are into the idea of supporting the furry community in its creative endeavors, and while this isn't a furry-related piece of work per se, I'd appreciate your possibly considering something even though it isn't about animal-people.


Just what is Quantum Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner, anyway?
That's a good question, as it has a simple answer and a not-so-simple answer.

The simple answer is that it's a five-part Japanese sci-fi series by author Yu Godai, who's been around for a while, but has never had anything translated into English (until now). It's about a small 'tribe' that lives in a post-apocalyptic hellhole called the Junkyard, which is run by an all-power Church that promises to open the gates of paradise to winner of an ongoing war, and who decide to shake up the competition a bit by imbuing everyone with terrifying transformation abilities that make you incredibly powerful but also now require you to eat people in order to survive and remain sane. So really, it's fun for the whole family.

If that sounds familiar to you, it's because, yes, this is the same plot setup for the Digital Devil Saga RPG series back on the PlayStation 2, for which Yu Godai was the original scenario creator.


Wait, so this is a novelization of a video game?
No, it's not, and that's a very important distinction to make here. As I mentioned, the story and scenario were originally Yu Godai's work, but she wasn't able to stay on with the project, and as a result, the game's main scenario writer took the story in a different direction than she originally intended.

Quantum Devil Saga is Yu Godai's original vision for the story, rewritten so that a) it matches what she wanted the story to be, and b) doesn't have to be hampered by being a video game, with the plot broken up into convenient dungeons or driven by a silent protagonist like so many JRPGs like to do.


This sounds like weeaboo nonsense.
I won't lie: I was worried about the same thing when I first got attached to the project, but I was happily proven wrong. My biggest fear was that the book was going to be (to borrow a phrase) a "walkthrough disguised as fanfiction," which I suppose is a natural fear.

But no, it's not that. Yu Godai is a novelist, not a video game writer, and more to the point, it's her own story to begin with, so it neither reads like a video game nor like someone else writing about another creator's world and characters (which, as a writer myself, is something I think is important).


But I've never played Digital Devil Saga!
Honestly, that's probably for the best: it means that a lot of the early surprises in the story will still be surprises for you, and you can enjoy the book on its own terms without having your imagination pre-filled in for you. And some of them are pretty awesome surprises.

Also, technically speaking, nothing about this book is connected to the games, or to anything else in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise umbrella (it's not even an Atlus property at all).


I've played Digital Devil Saga already. Is there any point in my reading this?
There is if you want to be surprised as fuck by the new developments that crop up in this telling of the story. Also, Serph isn't a creepy mute anymore, which is good.


I am intrigued. Tell me more.
Well, as it turns out, there's a free sample chapter you can read online, which will probably let you know if you dig the book's setting and style.

Honestly, if you're a fan of my original novel work (Thousand Leaves, The Seventh Chakra, or Summerhill), then I'm guessing there's a decent chance you'd like this, too.


I want to buy a half-dozen copies for myself and my friends. How do I do that?
I'm glad you asked! The book is actually available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions, so whether you're a dead-tree person, a collector, or one of those kiddies who uses an e-reader, you'll be able to get your fix. It's available on Amazon here, and should be available through the US, Canada, UK and Japan versions of the site, so getting your paws on a copy internationally shouldn't be a problem.


You're a really nice fox. Can I touch your antlers?
Only if I know you. Or if you ask really nicely.


Are the other books in the series going to be translated, too?
Hopefully! There's been no official word on the future of the series yet, but if the first book does well, that makes it a lot more likely that the rest will follow.