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jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
3.0
Picking up exactly where Episode 1 left off, Episode 2 finds Takeo and Kaede en route to a marriage at Lord Iida's stronghold. Takeo is still bent on revenge and Kaede is just trying to survive this brutal world of men.
There's still a lot of potential in this series, it's just not getting places very fast. I must be losing my patience for series books as I get older!
Kaede is growing fast and I wish more of the story was told from her point of view. Takeo has stalled out a little. I do think he's going to get better throughout the series though. I like Kaede's heart.
I was very disappointed in the direction that Shigeru and Lady Maruyama's story went. I guess the Lady's actions make sense within the context of her culture, but I expected more from her.
And I think that's really all I have to say. Readers who like books set in Japan will probably be pretty happy with it. I don't have a huge need to continue with the series, but you never know.
There's still a lot of potential in this series, it's just not getting places very fast. I must be losing my patience for series books as I get older!
Kaede is growing fast and I wish more of the story was told from her point of view. Takeo has stalled out a little. I do think he's going to get better throughout the series though. I like Kaede's heart.
I was very disappointed in the direction that Shigeru and Lady Maruyama's story went. I guess the Lady's actions make sense within the context of her culture, but I expected more from her.
And I think that's really all I have to say. Readers who like books set in Japan will probably be pretty happy with it. I don't have a huge need to continue with the series, but you never know.
eacolgan's review
4.0
I'm loving this series so much so far; it's like Mulan meets the Karate Kid and it is *awesome*. Can't wait to keep on to the second book.
verkisto's review against another edition
4.0
Journey to Inuyama is the second part of Across the Nightingale Floor, the first book in Hearn's five-book fantasy story set in an alternate feudal Japan. It picks up right after the first part ends, and serves as acts two and three of the book. Where we learn of Takeo and Keade's histories in the first part, in the second part we see them come together, where their lives will become intertwined. Their stories take place against the backdrop of the lords' politics, in which they will serve a large part, but the story is about Takeo and Keade first and foremost.
Hearn writes well, with her style and characterization carrying the story. There's a plot to Journey to Inuyama, but Hearn's narrative takes center stage. It's not purple or overly distracting; it simply flows well, carrying the reader along in its gentle yet relentless pace. At times, it feels like nothing's happening, but when you pause long enough to think about the plot, you realize she's keeping you engaged without any tricks.
Readers of Sword of the Warrior will want to read this book (and should); anyone else attempting to start here will be lost. These are not two books that serve as first and second books in a series; together, they are one story. Anyone with an interest in Japanese culture would enjoy these books, but I would hesitate to recommend them to any fans of traditional fantasy books. The fantasy element is so light that they might find themselves disappointed.
Hearn writes well, with her style and characterization carrying the story. There's a plot to Journey to Inuyama, but Hearn's narrative takes center stage. It's not purple or overly distracting; it simply flows well, carrying the reader along in its gentle yet relentless pace. At times, it feels like nothing's happening, but when you pause long enough to think about the plot, you realize she's keeping you engaged without any tricks.
Readers of Sword of the Warrior will want to read this book (and should); anyone else attempting to start here will be lost. These are not two books that serve as first and second books in a series; together, they are one story. Anyone with an interest in Japanese culture would enjoy these books, but I would hesitate to recommend them to any fans of traditional fantasy books. The fantasy element is so light that they might find themselves disappointed.
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