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pussreboots's review against another edition
3.0
I remember liking it and I remember the basics but not the specifics. I want to re-read it.
linwearcamenel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
tanya_bookish_topics's review against another edition
3.0
This book can be read as a stand-alone. The ending was good and satisfying. But unfortunately, it was just an okay read for me. I was bored at some points and sometimes caught myself thinking that I couldn't wait for this book to finish.
aareyn's review against another edition
3.0
This book was just ok, the plot wasn't very original for me, I didn't feel attached to the main characters and the ending seemed rather predictable, but then again this is a children's book. What I disliked the most was that revelations to the plot just seemed to come out of no where there was no build up it just seemed like characters just happened to find out at very random moments what the purpose of the whole war was it didn't seem plausible for me, there was no proper explanation, with that being said I don't think it was a bad book, it was just a quick read and didn't require much thought. I also took into consideration that this was a translation and Japanese novelist have a different style of writing. I enjoyed the side characters very much, all of the characters from the side of Darkness were great and entertaining, I didn't much to care for the Prince and princess of light though.
smartflutist661's review against another edition
3.0
Rather dry; perhaps I would have enjoyed it more reading it at a different time. Then again, perhaps not. There were the bones of a good, if traditional, story here, though, that reminded me of InuYasha and the tale of Orpheus, and more commentary on relationships and the human condition than it may appear at first glance.
jkirvbro's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books when I was young - I remember pulling it off the shelf at random, and how challenging I found it. It starts with a familiar fairy tale structure, then asks the reader to switch their perspective on who is "good"... then slowly lose track of that binary. I just stumbled on this title again and it brings back that memory of having to put the book down to deal with my feelings. I'm very curious to find a copy now as an adult, and rediscover how this story gave me new cognitive tools.
coffeeandink's review against another edition
3.0
Reread, slightly updated translation; I don't remember it well enough to remark on the differences.
I get a little more out of it now that I know a little more of Japanese mythology, but I can tell I'm still missing a great deal. It also helps to think of the story as in mythic+folktale mode rather than novel mode (the difference between this novel and the sequel is striking), although Saya definitely suffers from first-novel-perfect-heroine problems, where the author describes her as having several excellent but mutually exclusive traits, none of which are borne out by her actions. This settles down later in the novel, although it defintely has the manga reverse harem trope of every available man falling in love with the heroine.
I get a little more out of it now that I know a little more of Japanese mythology, but I can tell I'm still missing a great deal. It also helps to think of the story as in mythic+folktale mode rather than novel mode (the difference between this novel and the sequel is striking), although Saya definitely suffers from first-novel-perfect-heroine problems, where the author describes her as having several excellent but mutually exclusive traits, none of which are borne out by her actions. This settles down later in the novel, although it defintely has the manga reverse harem trope of every available man falling in love with the heroine.
jayme's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a while to get into this book, but it wasn't the story's fault, I think it was the translation. It felt very cold and didn't draw me into the amazing story that was unfolding right underneath the completely passionless words. But once I got used to that, the story was incredible.
While reading it I kept wondering if it was based on actual Japanese mythology. It had a real pagan, Greek or Celtic kind of saga feel to it, but Japanese instead. The afterword told me this was exactly what Ogiwara was trying to do. She said she's always had a love for the British style fantasy that draws its inspiration from Celtic myths and wanted to do the same but from a Japanese point of view.
I think my favourite thing about this was how different the story was the from usual British fantasy though. Having a new mythology to draw her story from really made this book stand out. The way it all centers around balance and the cyclical nature of life is fascinating. This was the most packed story I've read in a long time. It was really more like three 100 page books in one. I don't know how he put so much story into such a tiny book! I can't wait for book two, which is finally being published in English later this year.
While reading it I kept wondering if it was based on actual Japanese mythology. It had a real pagan, Greek or Celtic kind of saga feel to it, but Japanese instead. The afterword told me this was exactly what Ogiwara was trying to do. She said she's always had a love for the British style fantasy that draws its inspiration from Celtic myths and wanted to do the same but from a Japanese point of view.
I think my favourite thing about this was how different the story was the from usual British fantasy though. Having a new mythology to draw her story from really made this book stand out. The way it all centers around balance and the cyclical nature of life is fascinating. This was the most packed story I've read in a long time. It was really more like three 100 page books in one. I don't know how he put so much story into such a tiny book! I can't wait for book two, which is finally being published in English later this year.
dashie's review against another edition
5.0
A bit slow, but beautiful, lush descriptions and rich in Japanese inspired mythology and colour. #ownvoices must read!
teawolf's review against another edition
5.0
If I were to choose one thing I liked best about this book, I would probably choose the way that Ogiwara takes a bucket of fantasy tropes (magical swords, Chosen One types, Light and Darkness, etc.) and dumps it upside down. At first glance it seems like a rather cliché story, but read it and you will discover something strikingly original and beautiful.
Or I might choose the fact that this book struck me in the same way Ratha's Creature did. Original, interesting, a roller coaster of action without a visible path. I read something and thought "Oh! This will happen!" Of course, "this" did /not/ happen. Which was amazing.
The book starts out a bit slow, and the dialogue seems a bit forced. But once the plot picks up, everything else soars up into an amazingly colorful, intricate pattern that isn't really a pattern at all. The writing--not just the translator's writing--is vivid, filled with strong imagery and emotion, and the characters are all very strong and unique. I truly enjoyed this book and hope that the sequels are published, and soon.
Or I might choose the fact that this book struck me in the same way Ratha's Creature did. Original, interesting, a roller coaster of action without a visible path. I read something and thought "Oh! This will happen!" Of course, "this" did /not/ happen. Which was amazing.
The book starts out a bit slow, and the dialogue seems a bit forced. But once the plot picks up, everything else soars up into an amazingly colorful, intricate pattern that isn't really a pattern at all. The writing--not just the translator's writing--is vivid, filled with strong imagery and emotion, and the characters are all very strong and unique. I truly enjoyed this book and hope that the sequels are published, and soon.