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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Sweet, comforting, fun, sweet, family-focused, light
Tokyo Dreaming is a wonderful addition to Izumi’s story. Though I loved Tokyo Ever After more (which is common for me and sequels), this still holds a special place in my heart. Tokyo Dreaming gives us a glimpse into Izumi’s life as she learns to blend her two selves. Just like any other major life change, when we settle down into everyday life again, we start to grapple with how to reconcile our two selves from before and after the event. I love Tokyo Dreaming because it doesn’t let us get swept up in the whirlwind of excitement of becoming an overnight princess and a happily ever after, it’s about the challenges that came after a major life change and a major change in family dynamic. In this sequel, we’re allowed to see Izumi and her family struggle with their new normal. We get to see them decide how they want to find their voice and build their lives.
Quick Summary: After Izumi learned her father was the Crowned Pince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s finally settling into her life as a princess when she overhears that the Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage of her parents, Izumi pledges to become the picture-perfect princess to make up for her mother’s lack of status. Unfortunately trying to be someone you’re not isn’t all it’s cut out to be. As Izumi starts to become what everyone wants her to be, she starts to lose herself in the process. In the process of giving her mom and dad a happily ever after, will she lose her own?
Tokyo Ever After was one of my favorite reads of 2021. It was the first book I’ve ever read where the Asian American protagonist went to the country where her parents are from and is accepted. Izumi may not have been fully accepted easily as the princess of the nation, that always has to come with struggles, but she was never questioned on whether she was Japanese. Izumi was able to go to a place where everyone looked like her and everyone accepted that she looked like them as well. I cried a lot.
As a mixed race person, this is a magical phenomena I could never imagine for myself, but inside this series, I’m able to dream. Tokyo Dreaming picks up from Izumi learning how to exist in Japan in the previous book and allows her to begin her life where her heart is. It is a delightful extension to that dream that Tokyo Ever After made possible for me. It helped me imagine what that could be like and I never want to let it go. This series takes The Princess Diaries, one of my favorite movies as a kid, and gives it back to Asian Americans. Tokyo Ever After gives us our magical princess story and Tokyo Dreaming gives us our princess life.
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Tokyo Dreaming is a wonderful addition to Izumi’s story. Though I loved Tokyo Ever After more (which is common for me and sequels), this still holds a special place in my heart. Tokyo Dreaming gives us a glimpse into Izumi’s life as she learns to blend her two selves. Just like any other major life change, when we settle down into everyday life again, we start to grapple with how to reconcile our two selves from before and after the event. I love Tokyo Dreaming because it doesn’t let us get swept up in the whirlwind of excitement of becoming an overnight princess and a happily ever after, it’s about the challenges that came after a major life change and a major change in family dynamic. In this sequel, we’re allowed to see Izumi and her family struggle with their new normal. We get to see them decide how they want to find their voice and build their lives.
Quick Summary: After Izumi learned her father was the Crowned Pince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s finally settling into her life as a princess when she overhears that the Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage of her parents, Izumi pledges to become the picture-perfect princess to make up for her mother’s lack of status. Unfortunately trying to be someone you’re not isn’t all it’s cut out to be. As Izumi starts to become what everyone wants her to be, she starts to lose herself in the process. In the process of giving her mom and dad a happily ever after, will she lose her own?
Tokyo Ever After was one of my favorite reads of 2021. It was the first book I’ve ever read where the Asian American protagonist went to the country where her parents are from and is accepted. Izumi may not have been fully accepted easily as the princess of the nation, that always has to come with struggles, but she was never questioned on whether she was Japanese. Izumi was able to go to a place where everyone looked like her and everyone accepted that she looked like them as well. I cried a lot.
As a mixed race person, this is a magical phenomena I could never imagine for myself, but inside this series, I’m able to dream. Tokyo Dreaming picks up from Izumi learning how to exist in Japan in the previous book and allows her to begin her life where her heart is. It is a delightful extension to that dream that Tokyo Ever After made possible for me. It helped me imagine what that could be like and I never want to let it go. This series takes The Princess Diaries, one of my favorite movies as a kid, and gives it back to Asian Americans. Tokyo Ever After gives us our magical princess story and Tokyo Dreaming gives us our princess life.
Bookish Brews | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Facebook
Again I think this series is full of beautiful descriptions of Japanese culture. I love that we get to travel with Izumi through her journey. I did find the love story a bit predictable in this one. Moreso I felt that it was obvious from the beginning where Izumi's heart would go. Other than that this was a rich story. I love how her mother is included in the immersion this time and how she responds differently to the sudden change of status and the media. It was a great mother-daughter bonding opportunity.
This was fine. Just as cute as the first one. Same great setting descriptions, characterization, and really, really funny. I would recommend this wholeheartedly to grades 7 and up. (There is brief mention of sex, but everything is closed doors. They discuss protection and consent and you don't see anything else.)
The story was interesting overall, but I didn't love the ending. (I have the exact same complaint most of the reviewers have here, but won't post it because spoilers.)
Still a series I'd recommend. Again, grades 7 and up.
The story was interesting overall, but I didn't love the ending. (I have the exact same complaint most of the reviewers have here, but won't post it because spoilers.)
Still a series I'd recommend. Again, grades 7 and up.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Some parts of this book shone like gold - which is why this a two star book and not a one star.
The rest of the book buried it.
The needless love triangle and fake-dating angle, the quick romance that followed a breakup that completely destroyed any semblance of the breakup being heartbreaking - it was just so cringey and I hated it. The writing has definitely improved since the first book in the series and I loved how the book explored cultural explorations and trying to make your own way when it seems impossible, exploring how friendships change when college starts and lives start diverging. Honestly, if this book had got rid of the romance angle and totally focused on Izumi's other relationships (the twins - which I loved in this book, her parents, her best friend) - this book would be so much better and more enjoyable.
*contains swearing, kissing, a fade to black scene*
The rest of the book buried it.
The needless love triangle and fake-dating angle, the quick romance that followed a breakup that completely destroyed any semblance of the breakup being heartbreaking - it was just so cringey and I hated it. The writing has definitely improved since the first book in the series and I loved how the book explored cultural explorations and trying to make your own way when it seems impossible, exploring how friendships change when college starts and lives start diverging. Honestly, if this book had got rid of the romance angle and totally focused on Izumi's other relationships (the twins - which I loved in this book, her parents, her best friend) - this book would be so much better and more enjoyable.
*contains swearing, kissing, a fade to black scene*
I don’t think it’s was as good as the first one because the relationships felt a little forced. There was also this undertone that made it seem like something was going to happen with the friends because of the distance but nothing ever came of that. Overall it was cute and fine.
I really loved book one but this one just didn’t have the same appeal for me. I’m not really into the whole fake dating troupe. Also I didn’t enjoy the whole story line of Izumi becoming friends with the evil twins and how they “helped” her become a better princess.
Overall the majority of the book was about her fake dating with Eriku and doing things she doesn’t want to do to “help” the chances of her parents being able to get married. The bulk of the book was just kinda blah for me.
Overall the majority of the book was about her fake dating with Eriku and doing things she doesn’t want to do to “help” the chances of her parents being able to get married. The bulk of the book was just kinda blah for me.