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lakishi's review against another edition
Hay algo raro en leer una novela de un autor blanco basada en el japón feudal, pero que los personajes no sepan hablar japonés correctamente (hai y sama por doquier) o que la ambientación sea una amalgama estereotípica que podrías haber sacado de un manga. Creo que mi tiempo estaría mejor invertido leyendo otras obras.
quillan_de_rolo's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
little_book_dragon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Fantastic setting (Japan + steampunk + fantasy), but I hated the love drama/triangle. Stop that!
Fantastic setting (Japan + steampunk + fantasy), but I hated the love drama/triangle. Stop that!
mbailly13's review against another edition
5.0
A-maz-ing. The fact that it's Japanese steampunk would have carried this book, but add a great female protagonist and interesting world building and you've got a perfect storm of awesomeness (those who read it will get the perfect storm part, couldn't resist). Can't wait for future installments.
monkeydancer's review against another edition
4.0
Great book. I did take issue with a few of the climactic moments later in the book, but aside from that, loved the characters, the world building, and the writing. Looking forward to the next one, [b:Kinslayer|15773979|Kinslayer (The Lotus War, #2)|Jay Kristoff|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1368634748s/15773979.jpg|21484229].
ellagenetics's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
atmorrell's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a fun and emotional adventure. I love the main character, Yukiko, and how badass she is. I really enjoy the development between her and Buruu. I also like how her opinions about loyalty and honor are really challenged throughout the novel. I feel like her character development is natural and it feels very significant. However, her relationship with Hiro is weird and forced and not fleshed out at all. She knows he's the enemy right off the bat, yet she falls for him... why? Just because of his dreamy eyes? Or is it just purely lust? That entire relationship is unnecessary and confusing, to me. Another thing I'm unsure about is the author's writing style. It's written very cinematically, with pacing an action much like an anime show (which I definitely believe was intentional). At some points it worked--I feel like jumping between POVs during action, especially the climax, helped to build tension. But at some points it was a little awkward and felt kind of cheesy.
Another thing I noticed is that I don't think this book would pass the Bechdel test (is there more than one female character; do they talk to each other; do they discuss things other than men). While there are many strong women in this book, and I love that because they are total badasses, they don't discuss anything except the men in the novel. When Yukiko talks to Kasumi it's about her father. When she talks to Aisha or Michi it's about the Shogun. I wish I could have seen more development in the relationships between the female characters.
While this book was a slow start I did end up really enjoying it. I think it was a really fun and at times heartwrenching adventure. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Another thing I noticed is that I don't think this book would pass the Bechdel test (is there more than one female character; do they talk to each other; do they discuss things other than men). While there are many strong women in this book, and I love that because they are total badasses, they don't discuss anything except the men in the novel. When Yukiko talks to Kasumi it's about her father. When she talks to Aisha or Michi it's about the Shogun. I wish I could have seen more development in the relationships between the female characters.
While this book was a slow start I did end up really enjoying it. I think it was a really fun and at times heartwrenching adventure. I look forward to reading more by this author.
natblevins's review against another edition
it deserves all the stars!
P.S ... the writing was just so captivating, I loved every second of it.
P.S ... the writing was just so captivating, I loved every second of it.
watermelon_pepperoni's review against another edition
4.0
Closer to 4.5
I really enjoyed this book, but I do want to give a concise review of everything that I thought.
So, when I began reading this book I constantly kept flipping to the glossary. Though most terms are explained in the text, I, as an old anime fan, wanted to be ahead of the curve. I sank completely into the word at about...50 pages in.
The world was pretty cool, and a huge part of the draw for me. Finally, a fantasy book that isn't based completely in Medieval England or Victorian England of Regency England. Don't get me wrong, I love those books too, but I appreciate a change of pace.
Next, the characters. They were pretty great. My favorite is Yukiko, the main character. The cast has a lot of side characters and supporting cast to love. Falling in love with a lot of them, and getting my heart torn was one of the best parts of this book.
The antagonist is...interesting. I have a lot of thoughts on them, spoiler ones, but all in all I can say that the threats in the novel are formidable and varied.
Finally, the plot. To be honest, something was off about the plot. It reads like a myth at times, and it makes one feel completely sucked in...and yet... There were times that I disengaged. I still cannot pinpoint why. Pacing? Writing? Foreshadowing? My own stress?
All I can really say is that even though I had weird disconnect relating to the plot for about 20% of the book...I still really liked it. It did a lot of things right for me. Part One and Part Three were damn near flawless. Also, this novel is fast-paced and it never drags or lingers. Maybe that was part of my quibble. I quite enjoy lingers, so long as they don't overstay their welcome.
All in all, I need to read the next book. For reasons.
I really enjoyed this book, but I do want to give a concise review of everything that I thought.
So, when I began reading this book I constantly kept flipping to the glossary. Though most terms are explained in the text, I, as an old anime fan, wanted to be ahead of the curve. I sank completely into the word at about...50 pages in.
The world was pretty cool, and a huge part of the draw for me. Finally, a fantasy book that isn't based completely in Medieval England or Victorian England of Regency England. Don't get me wrong, I love those books too, but I appreciate a change of pace.
Next, the characters. They were pretty great. My favorite is Yukiko, the main character. The cast has a lot of side characters and supporting cast to love. Falling in love with a lot of them, and getting my heart torn was one of the best parts of this book.
The antagonist is...interesting. I have a lot of thoughts on them, spoiler ones, but all in all I can say that the threats in the novel are formidable and varied.
Finally, the plot. To be honest, something was off about the plot. It reads like a myth at times, and it makes one feel completely sucked in...and yet... There were times that I disengaged. I still cannot pinpoint why. Pacing? Writing? Foreshadowing? My own stress?
All I can really say is that even though I had weird disconnect relating to the plot for about 20% of the book...I still really liked it. It did a lot of things right for me. Part One and Part Three were damn near flawless. Also, this novel is fast-paced and it never drags or lingers. Maybe that was part of my quibble. I quite enjoy lingers, so long as they don't overstay their welcome.
All in all, I need to read the next book. For reasons.
lionessramping's review against another edition
3.0
Japanese steam-punk/future meets mythology/heroine does her own damn thing while the real love interest is the clever but ineffectual one. And by "love interest," I mean the the awkwardly tacked-on bits about crushes and kisses that the author seems to have only begrudgingly and angrily added after an editor or someone insist it be included. Great female lead, lush and exotic setting, refreshing take on steam punk.