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tasmanian_bibliophile's review
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
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.
chrispy294's review against another edition
4.0
Great finale to the series that wrapped up all the storylines satisfactorily while setting up the original Tales of the Otori series with some interesting details. The overall setup of The Three Countries and the relationships between the main houses make a lot of sense now knowing their origin. I’m really glad I dug back into this series to read the prequels and am now more excited than ever to re-read Tales of the Otori and get to the two new sequels released last year
bookworm5732's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
charliess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
helliecreed's review against another edition
4.0
As much as I loved this book over the third book i began to trudge through this. It wasn't a bad book or poorly written however I felt like this was a long journey. This amazing serious could have been easily one book. I'm just glad I finished this!
runemarks's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the final book, I was delighted when the Tengu's came back and started moving their pieces around. I was wondering how all the characters would collide and Hearn delivered. The ending was amazing when she tied all the stories in with Tales of the Otori.
pearseanderson's review against another edition
3.0
Hearn's writing really confuses me. Not only how much information and summary comes at me, but why she skims over certain sections but not others. The action scenes in this book were really bad. To build up certain things for so long only to shut them down kills me, disappoints me. But then to add other strange paragraphs about mostly meaningless histories or names of unnecessary characters creates a contrast I don't like. If I had to do it over, would I listen to the entire Tale of Shikanoku? I don't know. And that's telling in itself. I expected more. Although there were some great moments, I was never too excited to listen to this audiobook epic.
dianchie's review against another edition
3.0
Out of all the books, this one was the least satisfying. It was good but it just did not have the oomph of the previous three books. Instead of ending with a "bang" it just ends with a whisper.
The whole book resolves itself in the last four chapters which makes it feel rushed. I wanted to spend a bit more time with the characters because I am attached to them. The ones I liked the least died in this book so that makes me happy.
Overall I really liked this series and this book is just missing that something that makes just as good as all the others.
The whole book resolves itself in the last four chapters which makes it feel rushed. I wanted to spend a bit more time with the characters because I am attached to them. The ones I liked the least died in this book so that makes me happy.
Overall I really liked this series and this book is just missing that something that makes just as good as all the others.
drewsof's review against another edition
4.0
Really more like 3.5. A satisfying, if not exceptional, conclusion to a series that earns those same descriptors.
More in early Sept at RB.
More in early Sept at RB.