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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This series is really captivating, I'm longing to get my hands on book 4! And so I wait (foot tapping)
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
I quite liked this. It's an evocative, straightforward tale of young people caught up in the machinations of great kingdoms, with a side-order of something special - in this case, ninja skills. The basic plot could have landed in any civilisation plus speciality - middle ages Europe with a dose of magic, for instance - and not suffered unduly. Another reviewer suggested that had it been published a few years later it would have been labelled "Young Adult", and I'd agree with that - there does seem to be a fad currently for putting uncomplicated stories into alternate history/dystopian future contexts and peddling them to teenagers.
I also noticed a number of reviewers complaining about historical accuracy and so on and again I'd agree with other reviewers who said "get over yourself" - I don't think this book at any point sets out to paint itself as a great scholarly work. Rather, it's more of a gateway, with enough of the flavour of ancient Japanese culture to encourage readers to look more into the genre. I can certainly see someone who enjoyed this as their first brush with Japanese historical motifs going on to pick up, say, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon or even Shogun and enjoying them. Which I suppose again encourages the idea of this being a YA novel. I think the author did a great job of telling a coherent, interesting story with characters you could sympathise with, in a context which is otherworldly enough to make the "something special" believeable but also to keep it firmly grounded in our own world.
In conclusion, DO expect a light, quick read with characters you feel for in a beautiful setting. DON'T expect to come away with lots of knowledge about Ancient Japan or any profound message. And you know what? That's just fine with me.
I also noticed a number of reviewers complaining about historical accuracy and so on and again I'd agree with other reviewers who said "get over yourself" - I don't think this book at any point sets out to paint itself as a great scholarly work. Rather, it's more of a gateway, with enough of the flavour of ancient Japanese culture to encourage readers to look more into the genre. I can certainly see someone who enjoyed this as their first brush with Japanese historical motifs going on to pick up, say, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon or even Shogun and enjoying them. Which I suppose again encourages the idea of this being a YA novel. I think the author did a great job of telling a coherent, interesting story with characters you could sympathise with, in a context which is otherworldly enough to make the "something special" believeable but also to keep it firmly grounded in our own world.
In conclusion, DO expect a light, quick read with characters you feel for in a beautiful setting. DON'T expect to come away with lots of knowledge about Ancient Japan or any profound message. And you know what? That's just fine with me.
Como en los reviews que he leído sobre este libro efectivamente no tiene una relación correcta sobre la historia de Japón, pero vamos! que obviamente no tenia que tener relación alguna, es un país inventado!! con características de Japón porque al autor le gusto, la gente es muy ridícula la verdad.
el libro es realmente genial, me agarro desde el primer momento en que lo tome, aunque debo admitir que hubieron dos o tres capítulos en los que simplemente me aburrí porque no hacia nada mas, Takeo que estudiar y temblar, se me hizo muy corto, ahora voy por el dos.
el libro es realmente genial, me agarro desde el primer momento en que lo tome, aunque debo admitir que hubieron dos o tres capítulos en los que simplemente me aburrí porque no hacia nada mas, Takeo que estudiar y temblar, se me hizo muy corto, ahora voy por el dos.
This book has a sort of breathless quality that makes it quite beautiful.
It's a solid book with plenty to chew on. Takes place in a vaguely Japanese empire, though it'd be wrong to think this is historical fantasy or anything like that. It's more of a reinterpretation of history, plus magic, plus whatever kind of worldbuilding Hearn felt was necessary to tell her story.
Which is perfectly acceptable to me. Seems some people in their goodreads reviews are pissed that this doesn't present a purist view of Japanese culture and history, which is, I think, kind of silly. What's the point in reading a book if you just want it to be exactly what you expect and desire?
But, yeah, it's interesting and I like it. I'll probably dig into the next one too, despite some of the more glaring issues in this novel.
I'll say a bit on that, actually.
The love story is kind of forced. Without ever speaking, they're in love, which is whatever. I mean, it's really hard for me to care when that's how it works. But, at the same time, Hearn puts a lot of heart and effort into this, which makes their coming together sweet and beautiful and a bit sad. So even though it's a key element that begins in a stupid way, it grows in an interesting one.
It's a solid book with plenty to chew on. Takes place in a vaguely Japanese empire, though it'd be wrong to think this is historical fantasy or anything like that. It's more of a reinterpretation of history, plus magic, plus whatever kind of worldbuilding Hearn felt was necessary to tell her story.
Which is perfectly acceptable to me. Seems some people in their goodreads reviews are pissed that this doesn't present a purist view of Japanese culture and history, which is, I think, kind of silly. What's the point in reading a book if you just want it to be exactly what you expect and desire?
But, yeah, it's interesting and I like it. I'll probably dig into the next one too, despite some of the more glaring issues in this novel.
I'll say a bit on that, actually.
The love story is kind of forced. Without ever speaking, they're in love, which is whatever. I mean, it's really hard for me to care when that's how it works. But, at the same time, Hearn puts a lot of heart and effort into this, which makes their coming together sweet and beautiful and a bit sad. So even though it's a key element that begins in a stupid way, it grows in an interesting one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
Got me out of my reading slump.
A classic pack your bags and go on an adventure read. Excited to read the other books!
A classic pack your bags and go on an adventure read. Excited to read the other books!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Originally, I read the book (translated) when I was 14 and absolutely loved it. Last week, I had a nostalgia-driven reencounter with the Tales of the Otori (this time as audiobook and in English) and totally understand, why I was so drawn to the story back in my school days. While I'm clearly no longer the target audience, I enjoyed the writing and the story equally. It was good fun being drawn back to the story and all those details I've forgotten came back to me vividly. I'm quite surprised that I handled the brutality so well back in the day.
My only complaint would be the cheesiness of the "romance stuff" but being targeted at teens and young adults, I can totally forgive those moments.
The story aged well, I'd say and sure is a good read for young people to learn about bravery, how blind obedience is harmful and that fighting for what is right is not always easy - but the only right thing to do. I'd be interested in reading a story like this - or even the same story, but written for adults specifically.
My only complaint would be the cheesiness of the "romance stuff" but being targeted at teens and young adults, I can totally forgive those moments.
The story aged well, I'd say and sure is a good read for young people to learn about bravery, how blind obedience is harmful and that fighting for what is right is not always easy - but the only right thing to do. I'd be interested in reading a story like this - or even the same story, but written for adults specifically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War
Overall good story and love the setting in feudal Japan. It took a bit to get going but once it did I enjoyed it. The story of a hero as well as the love-story are moving and I will most likely stay with these books and finish the series. As for book 1, overall good read if you like Japanese historical fiction (highlight FICTION because it's more fantasy) and a good love story.