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songwind's review against another edition
4.0
I literally put this audiobook in my to-be-read list because it involves go. I may be obsessed.
However, what I got was a very interesting tale, full of many layers of characters, struggle, intrigue and history.
The setting evokes feudal, Shogun-era Japan without actually *being* Japan, or being constrained by Japanese history. Instead, it fully embraces myth and folktales like the tengu, guardian spirits, immortals and more. It's a story about struggles for power. It's a story about identity. And it's a story of a family both blessed and cursed by its history.
I didn't realize until I was already into it that this is the 4th and final part of a series. Despite this, I was able to follow along well.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of *The Tale of Shikanoko*, and very likely other books by the author as well.
However, what I got was a very interesting tale, full of many layers of characters, struggle, intrigue and history.
The setting evokes feudal, Shogun-era Japan without actually *being* Japan, or being constrained by Japanese history. Instead, it fully embraces myth and folktales like the tengu, guardian spirits, immortals and more. It's a story about struggles for power. It's a story about identity. And it's a story of a family both blessed and cursed by its history.
I didn't realize until I was already into it that this is the 4th and final part of a series. Despite this, I was able to follow along well.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of *The Tale of Shikanoko*, and very likely other books by the author as well.
cheems's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
pokotaekwoonie's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
rocksrntpeople's review against another edition
1.0
All of the characters try to fix their broken vows to Akihime and Yoshimori, but ultimately fail. They restore the realm to peace, but destroy pretty much everything else. I know it's not fair to rate this book so low based on an emotional opinion, but I really hated this entire last volume as far as plot goes. The lead up to this one was disappointing too, but really this made me feel like I never want to read another series again. All of my favorite characters suffer and/or die and all of the ones I hate or don't care for at all get unrealistic happy endings. I never expected a happy ending, but this was just depressing.
pillywiggin's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed how all of the disparate threads of the previous 3 books were brought together. I don't want to give too many details, though. This is a book worth enjoying, without hearing hints in advance.
goodnightmaryam's review against another edition
4.0
”Punish them if you will, but don’t punish yourself any longer. [..] And although what we did together was wrong—we were so young, we knew nothing about the world— our son came from it.”
”This is why you should never concern yourself over your fate; everything follows the laws of destiny and therefore happens for a purpose.”
”This is why you should never concern yourself over your fate; everything follows the laws of destiny and therefore happens for a purpose.”
moemikay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrpatperkins's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was ready for this series to end. I enjoyed it, but too many characters limited the development of the more interesting ones.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Once, a long time ago, I made a vow,’ Shika said. ‘That I would find Yoshimori and restore him to the throne. But then the mask became fused to my face and I felt I was condemned to live out my life outside human society, like an animal in the forest.’
This is the fourth book in the ‘Tale of Shikanoko’ series, and I started to read it with mixed feelings. On one hand, I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. On the other hand, I really didn’t want the series to end. The four books in this series really need to be read in order.
At the beginning of the series, the hidden emperor, Yoshi was a small child when he was forced to flee for his life with the Autumn Princess when his uncle Daigen was named emperor. Yoshi has grown now, but would prefer not to acknowledge his heritage. He lives with the Riverbank people, as an acrobat. Lord Aritomo, the power behind the false emperor Daigen, receives reports that Yoshi has been sighted for the first time in twelve years. Aritomo wants to capture and execute Yoshi, to disprove that he is the true emperor.
Shika has been living in the Darkwood for years. Unable to remove his magically empowered deer mask, he has exiled himself. Hina is searching for him: perhaps she can help him remove the mask? Will Shika’s return from exile make a difference: can he prevail over Aritomo, and can he convince Yoshi to take up his role as the true emperor?
The battle between good and evil continues. Supernatural abilities are part of the mix in determining who will prevail. Has Shika learned enough, can he use what he has learned? Can there be a ‘happily ever after’ ending?
I loved this series, and will be rereading it again soon. I know that, in my rush to find out how it would all end, I’ve rushed over passages. And, even though I found the ending (mostly) satisfactory, I wanted more. Some of these characters have their own life outside the pages of the series. I’ve already bought my own copy of the series.
Note: My thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This is the fourth book in the ‘Tale of Shikanoko’ series, and I started to read it with mixed feelings. On one hand, I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. On the other hand, I really didn’t want the series to end. The four books in this series really need to be read in order.
At the beginning of the series, the hidden emperor, Yoshi was a small child when he was forced to flee for his life with the Autumn Princess when his uncle Daigen was named emperor. Yoshi has grown now, but would prefer not to acknowledge his heritage. He lives with the Riverbank people, as an acrobat. Lord Aritomo, the power behind the false emperor Daigen, receives reports that Yoshi has been sighted for the first time in twelve years. Aritomo wants to capture and execute Yoshi, to disprove that he is the true emperor.
Shika has been living in the Darkwood for years. Unable to remove his magically empowered deer mask, he has exiled himself. Hina is searching for him: perhaps she can help him remove the mask? Will Shika’s return from exile make a difference: can he prevail over Aritomo, and can he convince Yoshi to take up his role as the true emperor?
The battle between good and evil continues. Supernatural abilities are part of the mix in determining who will prevail. Has Shika learned enough, can he use what he has learned? Can there be a ‘happily ever after’ ending?
I loved this series, and will be rereading it again soon. I know that, in my rush to find out how it would all end, I’ve rushed over passages. And, even though I found the ending (mostly) satisfactory, I wanted more. Some of these characters have their own life outside the pages of the series. I’ve already bought my own copy of the series.
Note: My thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
buuboobaby's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
Hearn's writing style is SO dry, but once I got about 20% into the book, I couldn't put it down. I did feel emotionally detached from the characters because of the narrative style. Since this was the 4th book in the series, it was irritating when I couldn't remember who someone was or events from previous volumes, and there were few hints to help me remember. Two hated characters met their deserved ends, and the conclusion of the overall storyline was satisfying.
Hearn's writing style is SO dry, but once I got about 20% into the book, I couldn't put it down. I did feel emotionally detached from the characters because of the narrative style. Since this was the 4th book in the series, it was irritating when I couldn't remember who someone was or events from previous volumes, and there were few hints to help me remember. Two hated characters met their deserved ends, and the conclusion of the overall storyline was satisfying.