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cinaedus's review against another edition
2.0
I was going to say I enjoyed this until the main character raped the only character I actually cared about on the last page.
bleuski50's review against another edition
1.0
The story itself was interesting but the writing was putting me to sleep. I felt like I was reading I record of events rather than reading an actual story. This story encompasses 6 different point-of-views in only 249 pages. It's simply too short to allow the reader to grow an understanding of and connection with the characters. At times, I even struggled to remember who was who.
However, the plot and action has peaked my interest so I do plan on picking on the Autunm Princess sometime in the future.
However, the plot and action has peaked my interest so I do plan on picking on the Autunm Princess sometime in the future.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Your life is not your own. You will die to one life and rise to another, to become what you are meant to be.’
There’s plenty of action in the opening pages of ‘Emperor of the Eight Islands’: a future lord is dispossessed of his birthright by his uncle, a mountain sorcerer turns a stag’s skull into a powerful mask, a father forces his younger son to give his wife to his older brother, and a priest seeks to change the succession to the Lotus Throne. The rightful heir, a child, escapes from the capital – barely.
This novel is set in a fantasy world, based on a medieval Japan, where animals and spirits are also important characters. This is a world of contrast, where action moves between battlefields, castles, forests, and temples. Where many of the characters are in pursuit of power, and sometimes of truth. While Shikanoko is the main character in this novel, there are many other characters whose stories will intersect with his. The list of characters at the beginning of the novel comes in very handy, especially initially. It’s surprising just how much Ms Hearn has fitted into the 272 pages of this novel.
The characters, the links between man and nature, the magic, and the setting have all combined to make this a memorable read for me. I loved Ms Hearn’s ‘The Tales of the Otori’, own them all in hardcover, and have reread them several times. I hope I’ll be able to buy this series in hardcover as well.
‘Emperor of the Eight Islands’ is the first of four books in Lian Hearn’s new fantasy saga entitled ‘The Tale of Shikanoko’. All four of the books are scheduled for publication in 2016.
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
There’s plenty of action in the opening pages of ‘Emperor of the Eight Islands’: a future lord is dispossessed of his birthright by his uncle, a mountain sorcerer turns a stag’s skull into a powerful mask, a father forces his younger son to give his wife to his older brother, and a priest seeks to change the succession to the Lotus Throne. The rightful heir, a child, escapes from the capital – barely.
This novel is set in a fantasy world, based on a medieval Japan, where animals and spirits are also important characters. This is a world of contrast, where action moves between battlefields, castles, forests, and temples. Where many of the characters are in pursuit of power, and sometimes of truth. While Shikanoko is the main character in this novel, there are many other characters whose stories will intersect with his. The list of characters at the beginning of the novel comes in very handy, especially initially. It’s surprising just how much Ms Hearn has fitted into the 272 pages of this novel.
The characters, the links between man and nature, the magic, and the setting have all combined to make this a memorable read for me. I loved Ms Hearn’s ‘The Tales of the Otori’, own them all in hardcover, and have reread them several times. I hope I’ll be able to buy this series in hardcover as well.
‘Emperor of the Eight Islands’ is the first of four books in Lian Hearn’s new fantasy saga entitled ‘The Tale of Shikanoko’. All four of the books are scheduled for publication in 2016.
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
isileebee's review against another edition
2.0
If you can't write rape with the respect and gravity it deserves DON'T DO IT. I no longer care about Shikanoko because of this. The most aggravating and egregious problem with it is that it is used as a character point to show weakness in our poor rapist/protagonist. It's kind of disturbing that LH is essentially using magic as the "he couldn't help himself" argument. Next thing I guess we'll find out the victims' dress was too short so she must have been asking for it. Very disappointed.
samantha_reads_more's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
My baby brother lent me this book, and thank you quarantine for making me finally get around to reading it.
My baby brother lent me this book, and thank you quarantine for making me finally get around to reading it.
vsbedford's review against another edition
3.0
A combination of Japanese-ish history and folklore and some serious Falcon Crest-style scheming, double crosses, and random deaths. I would have given this 4 out of 5 but a sexual assault in the final chapter that just (at this point in the book series) serves to instigate a moral and spiritual crisis for the perpetrator really sucked.
I received an e-ARC from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an e-ARC from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
chrispy294's review against another edition
4.0
Just wow! I went into this hoping to get back into Hearn’s broader Otori series by reading the prequels, re-reading the main 5, and then reading this year’s sequels. I am pleasantly surprised that I not only enjoyed this book but am hooked right back into this feudal Japan-inspired world.
The prose itself is dryer than I expected, but once you get used to it, it pulls you in. It’s very to the point and doesn’t embellish but gives you enough that your imagination can fill in the gaps. Furthermore, it has this atmosphere of a legend being passed down that I loved.
The characters too are fantastic! They were almost all morally grey too. Even the ones who seemed to easily fall on one side or another of the good/evil spectrum at the beginning of the book were developed masterfully and showed deeper layers to them.
This is very close to 5 stars, and I can easily see the other books in this prequel series making it there. Very excited to read the other 3! Side note: this paperback is gorgeous! Props to FSG Originals, I’m excited to have all 4 of these on my shelf
The prose itself is dryer than I expected, but once you get used to it, it pulls you in. It’s very to the point and doesn’t embellish but gives you enough that your imagination can fill in the gaps. Furthermore, it has this atmosphere of a legend being passed down that I loved.
The characters too are fantastic! They were almost all morally grey too. Even the ones who seemed to easily fall on one side or another of the good/evil spectrum at the beginning of the book were developed masterfully and showed deeper layers to them.
This is very close to 5 stars, and I can easily see the other books in this prequel series making it there. Very excited to read the other 3! Side note: this paperback is gorgeous! Props to FSG Originals, I’m excited to have all 4 of these on my shelf
windupkei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
agiali's review against another edition
2.0
Read for the Bloomin' Readathon Prompt: Moon (Takes place in a different country)
Pretty cover, but so much was going on I have no clue what even happened. Unhauling respectfully.
Pretty cover, but so much was going on I have no clue what even happened. Unhauling respectfully.