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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
adventurous
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
This review is for both installments as a whole.
Great coming of age story.
Youko is such a great protagonist.
Was a bit put off by how weak she was in the beginning but when her upbringing was revealed in the second book it gave much more dimension to her and was such a potent indictment of societal pressure on girls.
The character arc protagonist is extremely satisfying.
The China-esque mythological setting was well crafted, but not particularly interesting to me. The use of destiny and divine right to rule was well balanced with the protagonist's self doubt and character growth.
Can't wait to read more of the series.
I lowkey ship Youko and Raku-shun.
Great coming of age story.
Youko is such a great protagonist.
Was a bit put off by how weak she was in the beginning but when her upbringing was revealed in the second book it gave much more dimension to her and was such a potent indictment of societal pressure on girls.
The character arc protagonist is extremely satisfying.
The China-esque mythological setting was well crafted, but not particularly interesting to me. The use of destiny and divine right to rule was well balanced with the protagonist's self doubt and character growth.
Can't wait to read more of the series.
I lowkey ship Youko and Raku-shun.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
I would highly recommend this book - especially if you like the "transported to a magical land" kind of fantasy. This book is not for the faint of heart! There's lots of action and tons of gore!
However, Sea of Shadow is mainly about character development. Yoko may be weak "crybaby" at the beginning but frankly this is a more honest depiction of a normal person being stranded in strange world. She grows up through hardship and betrayal. She becomes someone I can admire.
I want the second book in the series...
However, Sea of Shadow is mainly about character development. Yoko may be weak "crybaby" at the beginning but frankly this is a more honest depiction of a normal person being stranded in strange world. She grows up through hardship and betrayal. She becomes someone I can admire.
I want the second book in the series...
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
There was a time in my life when I imbibed gargantuan amounts of Japanese comics and Japanese cartoons, known respectively (and sometimes contemptuously) as manga and anime. Chances are good that I don't remember even most of the ones that would be worth revisiting even in my older days, but this work occupies the fortunate position of not only having survived the sands of my memory, but also having first existed as a written work before it was illustrated and then animated. The second made it feasible for me to acquire a copy during my usual book sale sojourns without having to rely on a more often than not stunted section, if it existed at all, for comics, while the first sustained my interest long enough for me to see the worth in acquiring this copy when I did. Now, coming back to this at my age meant finding the prose rather simplistic and certain choices in plot and characterization awkwardly paced. However, my adult self is also a great deal more invested in the concept of the 'Mandate of Heaven', alongside theories of good governance and systems of cultural enrichment, so to have that presented alongside some good old fashioned magical kingdoms and bildungsroman engagement was quite the treat. I have enough qualms, some of less narratological sort, for me to not rate this a perfect work, but it is still one of the most intelligently crafted fantasies I've ever come across, and the fact that it can engage younger audiences makes even more worthy of note.
When I first committed to reading as many of the four to six (depending on your definition) of the Classic Chinese Novels, I wasn't expecting much of a payoff beyond my personal pride garnered in certain circles of readers and/or literature. What I'm beginning to discover, though, is when one spends 2000+ pages following the trials and tribulations of a cast of characters struggling with the 3000 year old political philosophy known as the Mandate of Heaven, one builds up not only familiarity with the whole civilization-shaping enterprise, but also a healthy amount of respect. Still, this is hardly the easiest or even most accessible way of engaging with it, especially when one is stuck on the other side of a sociocultural/ethnolinguistic divide that today's politicians and money-grubbers artificially exacerbate so as to keep profits and power in their stagnating place. So, to see it applied in the classic style of narrative where a 'normal' young person is spirited away on a fantasy adventure in a manner that is all the more engaging for its credibility is truly something special. Now, the prose generated by this translation isn't the greatest, and the narrative pushes the limits when it comes to sticking to its measured buildup until the grand cathartic payoff is finally reached. There's also the matter of the fraught relations between Japan and China, and I'm not entirely sure about the author's intent when the narrative was using examples of regional architecture to juxtapose 'civilized' (aka Tokyo) kingdoms with those less so (aka Chinatowns). Still, one must note that this translation has received criticism elsewhere, so the remedy to some of my quibbles may be me paying more attention when choosing editions of future volumes. Of course, the question of the availability of other editions and volumes of this series is a whole 'nother bag of worms, so the best thing may be for me to be satisfied with how this particular read went and be in no rush to binge the rest anytime soon.
The foundering of the translation of the full seven volumes means that it's just as well that I've only come across the first entry, but it was enough to remind me full force how much of a joy the work is. Much as I love Tolkien, the latest half assed revivals of his work by soulless corporations of Mammon demonstrate how saturated the ideas market of fantasy is with his work, and this particular work with its mix of modern presentation and ancient belief systems is the perfect antidote to the copy-paste-to-death antics of the venture capitalists of culture. Of course, the fact that this work functions in such an original fashion probably contributes to why adaptations to other media and languages ran out of initiative and/or funding before completion, but the nice thing about the obnoxiously grasping bowels of the Internet is how easy it is stumble across something worth reviving and pulling others across the globe into getting the project off the ground. It's something I would spearhead myself I had the knowledge or the means, which should give you an idea of how poorly my four star rating can encompass my feelings of how important it is that this piece and its incarnations exist in ways that folks in my own culture can interact with and derive worth from. Until then, I await the day when various published genres in my part of the world get a real infusion of insights whose seeming freshness doesn't discount the fact that they have been tried and tested for thousands of years by minds willing to take responsibility and hearts willing to care even when it isn't 'profitable' or convenient. It's not only good reading, but a necessary ideological framework in this day and age, and if it happens that the first four volumes that have been thus far translated into English show up on the shelves that I manage as a librarian, what can I say except that, what's the point of the work I do if I can't nudge the readers here and there?
When I first committed to reading as many of the four to six (depending on your definition) of the Classic Chinese Novels, I wasn't expecting much of a payoff beyond my personal pride garnered in certain circles of readers and/or literature. What I'm beginning to discover, though, is when one spends 2000+ pages following the trials and tribulations of a cast of characters struggling with the 3000 year old political philosophy known as the Mandate of Heaven, one builds up not only familiarity with the whole civilization-shaping enterprise, but also a healthy amount of respect. Still, this is hardly the easiest or even most accessible way of engaging with it, especially when one is stuck on the other side of a sociocultural/ethnolinguistic divide that today's politicians and money-grubbers artificially exacerbate so as to keep profits and power in their stagnating place. So, to see it applied in the classic style of narrative where a 'normal' young person is spirited away on a fantasy adventure in a manner that is all the more engaging for its credibility is truly something special. Now, the prose generated by this translation isn't the greatest, and the narrative pushes the limits when it comes to sticking to its measured buildup until the grand cathartic payoff is finally reached. There's also the matter of the fraught relations between Japan and China, and I'm not entirely sure about the author's intent when the narrative was using examples of regional architecture to juxtapose 'civilized' (aka Tokyo) kingdoms with those less so (aka Chinatowns). Still, one must note that this translation has received criticism elsewhere, so the remedy to some of my quibbles may be me paying more attention when choosing editions of future volumes. Of course, the question of the availability of other editions and volumes of this series is a whole 'nother bag of worms, so the best thing may be for me to be satisfied with how this particular read went and be in no rush to binge the rest anytime soon.
The foundering of the translation of the full seven volumes means that it's just as well that I've only come across the first entry, but it was enough to remind me full force how much of a joy the work is. Much as I love Tolkien, the latest half assed revivals of his work by soulless corporations of Mammon demonstrate how saturated the ideas market of fantasy is with his work, and this particular work with its mix of modern presentation and ancient belief systems is the perfect antidote to the copy-paste-to-death antics of the venture capitalists of culture. Of course, the fact that this work functions in such an original fashion probably contributes to why adaptations to other media and languages ran out of initiative and/or funding before completion, but the nice thing about the obnoxiously grasping bowels of the Internet is how easy it is stumble across something worth reviving and pulling others across the globe into getting the project off the ground. It's something I would spearhead myself I had the knowledge or the means, which should give you an idea of how poorly my four star rating can encompass my feelings of how important it is that this piece and its incarnations exist in ways that folks in my own culture can interact with and derive worth from. Until then, I await the day when various published genres in my part of the world get a real infusion of insights whose seeming freshness doesn't discount the fact that they have been tried and tested for thousands of years by minds willing to take responsibility and hearts willing to care even when it isn't 'profitable' or convenient. It's not only good reading, but a necessary ideological framework in this day and age, and if it happens that the first four volumes that have been thus far translated into English show up on the shelves that I manage as a librarian, what can I say except that, what's the point of the work I do if I can't nudge the readers here and there?
Es la primera vez que leo una novela ligera (light novel), siempre me causaron curiosidad ya que muchos animes y mangas famosos se basan en ellas, pero el término “ligero” me daba mala espina. Tenía la sensación que sería una novela “licuada” demasiado sencilla y aburrida.
No es así, al menos en este caso. Tal vez si tenga pocas descripciones (de paisaje o lugares) pero abundan las reflexiones de la protagonista y las escenas de acción. Es una novela sumamente dinámica, plagada de aventuras y mundos exóticos.
Youko, nuestra protagonista, comienza la historia como una estudiante conformista, que busca complacer a todo el mundo (sus padres, maestros y compañeros de clase), por lo que se muestra sumisa y obediente, ni siquiera tiene personalidad propia, solo sigue la corriente y nunca cuestiona nada.
Molesta y patética.
Y por eso mismo, su transformación es impresionante. El viaje por ese territorio extraño y hostil que es el reino de Kou transforma a Youko física, mental y emocionalmente, hasta convertirla en alguien valiente, resuelta y honrada. Al final del libro, la misma Youko dice que desea ser una mejor persona y no se siente apta para reinar, y justamente son esos atributos (el querer y poder crecer) los que la transforman en una magnifica emperatriz para Kei.
Del resto de los personajes, vale la pena nombrar al Rey Eterno de En, Shoryuu, y a su Kirin, Enki. Son maravillosos, los adoro. Más allá de ser quienes ayudan a Youko a recuperar el control de su reino, son de lo más divertidos, los que le aportan a la situación un toque fresco. Este dúo que lleva gobernando En desde hace más de quinientos años, tienen una dinámica incomparable, se comportan como dos hermanos y se la pasan peleando, ¡son hilarantes! Cada uno tiene un comentario sarcástico para hacer en el momento más inesperado, que me hacía matar de risa.
Rakushun, además de salvar a Youko cuando está al borde de la muerte, es el encargado de enseñarle más sobre este complejo mundo, aconsejarle en momentos difíciles y devolverle la confianza (en sí misma y en los demás). Es la voz de la razón. De a poco, se convierte en su primer amigo verdadero y es simplemente imposible no cogerle cariño a esta mitad demonio rata.
Otro personaje sumamente importante es Keiki. Aunque solo aparece al comienzo (llevando a Youko a los Doce reinos) y al final (al ser rescatado), muestra una personalidad diametralmente opuesta a la del anime (donde es centrado, frío y rara vez demuestra sus sentimientos). En el libro Keiki es cínico e impertinente, y aunque es leal a su ama, demuestra que no estaba del todo convencido de su decisión al comienzo.
>
Una gran diferencia entre el anime y el libro, son los compañeros de clase de Youko: Sugimoto y Asano. Ella apenas es nombrada en el libro (él ni eso) y mucho menos viaja a los Doce reinos, lo culpa es un alivio, porque no la soportaba.
Es un libro grandioso, como debe ser una fantasía épica, plagada de lugares exóticos, reyes, dioses y demonios. Una lectura fresca, divertida y sería también ligera si no fuera por la cantidad de términos nuevos (Taiho, kirin, taika, ranka, etc.) a los que prestarle atención. La autora construye algo completamente original de cero, un mundo con sus propias leyes, jerarquía, sistemas político, territorial y social (¡incluso el modo en que nacen los bebes es original!). Realmente es un libro fantástico que, además, viene acompañado con unas bellísimas ilustraciones estilo manga que complementan la historia.
Creo que lo único que le falto a la novela es la resolución de lo sucedido en el reino de Kou, que será de Kourin y del Rey de la Colina, pero como este libro sigue a Youko, no cuentan nada más sobre ellos. Tal vez en los libros siguientes se mencione si Kourin contrajo o no el shitsudou.
No es así, al menos en este caso. Tal vez si tenga pocas descripciones (de paisaje o lugares) pero abundan las reflexiones de la protagonista y las escenas de acción. Es una novela sumamente dinámica, plagada de aventuras y mundos exóticos.
Youko, nuestra protagonista, comienza la historia como una estudiante conformista, que busca complacer a todo el mundo (sus padres, maestros y compañeros de clase), por lo que se muestra sumisa y obediente, ni siquiera tiene personalidad propia, solo sigue la corriente y nunca cuestiona nada.
Molesta y patética.
Y por eso mismo, su transformación es impresionante. El viaje por ese territorio extraño y hostil que es el reino de Kou transforma a Youko física, mental y emocionalmente, hasta convertirla en alguien valiente, resuelta y honrada. Al final del libro, la misma Youko dice que desea ser una mejor persona y no se siente apta para reinar, y justamente son esos atributos (el querer y poder crecer) los que la transforman en una magnifica emperatriz para Kei.
Del resto de los personajes, vale la pena nombrar al Rey Eterno de En, Shoryuu, y a su Kirin, Enki. Son maravillosos, los adoro. Más allá de ser quienes ayudan a Youko a recuperar el control de su reino, son de lo más divertidos, los que le aportan a la situación un toque fresco. Este dúo que lleva gobernando En desde hace más de quinientos años, tienen una dinámica incomparable, se comportan como dos hermanos y se la pasan peleando, ¡son hilarantes! Cada uno tiene un comentario sarcástico para hacer en el momento más inesperado, que me hacía matar de risa.
Rakushun, además de salvar a Youko cuando está al borde de la muerte, es el encargado de enseñarle más sobre este complejo mundo, aconsejarle en momentos difíciles y devolverle la confianza (en sí misma y en los demás). Es la voz de la razón. De a poco, se convierte en su primer amigo verdadero y es simplemente imposible no cogerle cariño a esta mitad demonio rata.
Otro personaje sumamente importante es Keiki. Aunque solo aparece al comienzo (llevando a Youko a los Doce reinos) y al final (al ser rescatado), muestra una personalidad diametralmente opuesta a la del anime (donde es centrado, frío y rara vez demuestra sus sentimientos). En el libro Keiki es cínico e impertinente, y aunque es leal a su ama, demuestra que no estaba del todo convencido de su decisión al comienzo.
>Una gran diferencia entre el anime y el libro, son los compañeros de clase de Youko: Sugimoto y Asano. Ella apenas es nombrada en el libro (él ni eso) y mucho menos viaja a los Doce reinos, lo culpa es un alivio, porque no la soportaba.
Es un libro grandioso, como debe ser una fantasía épica, plagada de lugares exóticos, reyes, dioses y demonios. Una lectura fresca, divertida y sería también ligera si no fuera por la cantidad de términos nuevos (Taiho, kirin, taika, ranka, etc.) a los que prestarle atención. La autora construye algo completamente original de cero, un mundo con sus propias leyes, jerarquía, sistemas político, territorial y social (¡incluso el modo en que nacen los bebes es original!). Realmente es un libro fantástico que, además, viene acompañado con unas bellísimas ilustraciones estilo manga que complementan la historia.
Creo que lo único que le falto a la novela es la resolución de lo sucedido en el reino de Kou, que será de Kourin y del Rey de la Colina, pero como este libro sigue a Youko, no cuentan nada más sobre ellos. Tal vez en los libros siguientes se mencione si Kourin contrajo o no el shitsudou.
Que de souvenirs de replonger dans cette saga que j’ai dévorée adolescente ! Et j’y trouve un sens féministe aujourd’hui : se battre pour sa place dans le monde, et refuser les injonctions.