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memnoch's review against another edition
5.0
I devoured this book. I am a bit surprised it is not rated higher here on Goodreads. You would think with all the characters and places in the book it might get confusing but the author did a great job and you just fly through it. Can't wait to read the rest of the story.
bravesirtoaster's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pip94's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this! The setting of a mythical, medieval Japan was amazing. The plot was engaging and unlike anything I've read recently. The characters are all intriguing, as well as being well written. This book definitely pulls no punches - bad things happen to some good people and good people do some questionable things. The ending was just... I am still recovering. Well that's being a bit dramatic but the ending definitely messed me up a bit. Excellent storytelling - I will be trying out Lian Hearn's other books and I will be eagerly waiting for the next books in this tale. I highly recommend this, especially if you like fantasy with elements of Japanese folklore.
childofmongreldogs's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, I enjoyed pretty much every POV character. I wish there had been more of a rhyme and reason to whose point of view we got. I can't say I liked the prose either. There were a lot of lines that really hit me but most times the "epic" style of the prose hindered it. I wanted to be able to feel for the characters beyond just being sympathetic to their circumstances but we never really got a chance to get a real feel for them as people.
kats_bookish_opinions's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t even know what happened in this book. Um
vickytx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
boo30's review against another edition
3.0
Aku belum menemukan premis dari buku ini. Aku masih bingung dengan esensi sebenarnya dari Shikanoko. Dia itu apa gitu loh. Apa dia cuma boneka? Dia jelas sosok terpilih. Tapi aku sangat menantikan kelak perubahannya akan seperti apa. Buku ini membuaiku dengan seuprit fantasinya yang disuguhkan lewat sinopsis. Padahal milih random gitu di gramedia digital.
Buku ini diangkat dari beberapa gabungan sejarah Jepang. Aku jarang membaca fantasi berbau Jepang kalau gak salah inget. Pernah gak ya. Kok lupa
Buku ini diangkat dari beberapa gabungan sejarah Jepang. Aku jarang membaca fantasi berbau Jepang kalau gak salah inget. Pernah gak ya. Kok lupa
umbreen's review against another edition
3.0
I received an electronic copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My full review can be found here.
It was a decent story. The plot was very interesting and intricate, but I felt that the characters were a bit flat. While they all had very interesting backstories, it was difficult to get a sense of their personalities and, consequently, difficult to connect with them. Having said that, I liked the first installment enough to read the second.
It was a decent story. The plot was very interesting and intricate, but I felt that the characters were a bit flat. While they all had very interesting backstories, it was difficult to get a sense of their personalities and, consequently, difficult to connect with them. Having said that, I liked the first installment enough to read the second.
spiringempress's review against another edition
3.0
This is a Japanese inspired fantasy that seems like it has been retold and passed down in the family until it became a legend. It follows Kumayama no Kazmaru, who's uncle plotted his death to take over his family home, but his life was saved by a stag. Reborn as Shikanoko, Shika possesses a deer skull mask made by questionable magic and sets out with a new lord, Kiyoyori, who is seduced by a sorceress. This causes his family to be torn apart and chaos ensues as the emperor dies.
The first book ends with uncertain fates for a lot of the characters we have met throughout the story. And we meet a lot. However, it is clear that the story is nowhere near being done. This is definitely the introduction to a character, who will go on a long journey to fulfill his destiny. As the book closes, Shika's path crosses with a potential emperor, who is only a child. He has escaped the death of his family with the Autumn Princess, Aki, who has promised to protect the young boy and help him fulfill his destiny.
While I absolutely the cover and enjoyed the environment that Lian created, the book was often confusing. For one, there's a lot of characters, whose names were often shortened and it makes it incredibly hard to keep track of everyone and what they've done. The writing style can also be abrupt and characters enter without any indication, which can further confuse what is happening and who is present in scenes. I also think the third-person narration caused the characters, such as Shika, to feel distant. Therefore, it was hard to understand the motives of Shika and honestly, whether he was a good or bad person. This type of narration makes it hard to empathize with the characters and then the unclear writing style could make it even more unclear.
The first book ends with uncertain fates for a lot of the characters we have met throughout the story. And we meet a lot. However, it is clear that the story is nowhere near being done. This is definitely the introduction to a character, who will go on a long journey to fulfill his destiny. As the book closes, Shika's path crosses with a potential emperor, who is only a child. He has escaped the death of his family with the Autumn Princess, Aki, who has promised to protect the young boy and help him fulfill his destiny.
While I absolutely the cover and enjoyed the environment that Lian created, the book was often confusing. For one, there's a lot of characters, whose names were often shortened and it makes it incredibly hard to keep track of everyone and what they've done. The writing style can also be abrupt and characters enter without any indication, which can further confuse what is happening and who is present in scenes. I also think the third-person narration caused the characters, such as Shika, to feel distant. Therefore, it was hard to understand the motives of Shika and honestly, whether he was a good or bad person. This type of narration makes it hard to empathize with the characters and then the unclear writing style could make it even more unclear.
charliess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book ! Best of the saga. Shikanoko is a amazing character and is evolution is interesting and unexpected.