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kerrygibbons's review against another edition
5.0
The story and the action in this book is stupendous. That said, if the language, the setting, or the characters weren't equally amazing, I wouldn't have loved this book as much as I did. A great debut novel by an awesome writer.
lcasswrites's review against another edition
4.0
Great female leads, great story!
A fantastical world based loosely on feudal Japan? Check. Two strong female leads? Check. Lots of katana fights. Check! I really enjoyed this one...the pacing keeps you turning the pages and I found all the characters distinct and interesting in their own right (I smell a love triangle approaching). It probably helped a little I did high school Japanese and understood some of the words for weapons, clothes and how people address each other but I honestly don't think it would be a problem if you didn't know any Japanese (and there's a handy glossary at the front. Definitely a recommended read from me
A fantastical world based loosely on feudal Japan? Check. Two strong female leads? Check. Lots of katana fights. Check! I really enjoyed this one...the pacing keeps you turning the pages and I found all the characters distinct and interesting in their own right (I smell a love triangle approaching). It probably helped a little I did high school Japanese and understood some of the words for weapons, clothes and how people address each other but I honestly don't think it would be a problem if you didn't know any Japanese (and there's a handy glossary at the front. Definitely a recommended read from me
mleetm's review against another edition
4.0
Intricate
This book is packed to the brim with intricate background and environment painting. There were levels of social standing and rules, titles and a vocabulary unique to this world (while similar to Japanese language and culture, a lot of the terms were far different), and characters that were fleshed out in what felt like stages. It was interesting how it felt like I was being given dollops of information with every page; never all at once. I can see the craftsmanship behind the writing and it is intriguing.
This book is packed to the brim with intricate background and environment painting. There were levels of social standing and rules, titles and a vocabulary unique to this world (while similar to Japanese language and culture, a lot of the terms were far different), and characters that were fleshed out in what felt like stages. It was interesting how it felt like I was being given dollops of information with every page; never all at once. I can see the craftsmanship behind the writing and it is intriguing.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
This one didn’t hook me right away. I needed to get used to the style and tone first—but once I did, I really enjoyed it! I liked both the main characters and was invested in what would happen to them. The side characters could have been fleshed out a bit more at times, but overall, they were still interesting enough to not feel like they bogged the story down. While I usually prefer a grey character over purely good or bad ones, these felt real enough to still keep me hooked.
I especially enjoyed the Asian setting, which was a nice change from all the medieval Europe ones, not just in differences in culture and behaviours, but also in landscape and surroundings.
The prose was well and fluent enough but could have been a little bit more polished at times. There is one page for example that has the very similar words Mishi or Hishi 10 times in just two paragraphs, which felt so repetitive it took away from the story.
The plot overall was engaging and mostly had me devouring the story, though a few things felt like they were just too easy or felt like they happened because the plot needed them to be work that way. Once again it wasn’t so often it really annoyed me, but with a few other flaws it made what could have been a perfect book for me into “just” a really good one. Which is still a definite recommendation from me!
I especially enjoyed the Asian setting, which was a nice change from all the medieval Europe ones, not just in differences in culture and behaviours, but also in landscape and surroundings.
The prose was well and fluent enough but could have been a little bit more polished at times. There is one page for example that has the very similar words Mishi or Hishi 10 times in just two paragraphs, which felt so repetitive it took away from the story.
The plot overall was engaging and mostly had me devouring the story, though a few things felt like they were just too easy or felt like they happened because the plot needed them to be work that way. Once again it wasn’t so often it really annoyed me, but with a few other flaws it made what could have been a perfect book for me into “just” a really good one. Which is still a definite recommendation from me!
bonriki's review against another edition
This was incorrectly tagged as LGBT on Goodreads but all the characters are cishet allosexuals
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, Child abuse, and Death of parent
aly36's review against another edition
4.0
Girls with skills. I like the book already. I think this book had a great plot and good characters. I think the bond the girls had is a great touch to the book. This book kept my interest so to me that is worth the read. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
queenterribletimy's review against another edition
3.0
Blade's Edge is one of the SPFBO5 finalists I've read as a judge. Find out what my team had to say about it in our joint review. We gave it an overall score of 7.1/10
Here follows my own review. I personally rated Blade's Edge 7/10 which translates to 3.5*
I have a bit of mixed feelings about Blade’s Edge in general. It took me a long time to get into it and get over my annoyance to actually enjoy it. Blade’s Edge is the story of Mishi and Taka and all the girls in this world who didn’t have a chance in life due to the brutality of the Rōjū council’s rule.
The story is definitely engaging as we follow the two girls finding their own paths in life. While turning the world upside down. There is a lot to like about this book, and I can see why it was picked as an SPFBO finalist. First, we have two very different kick ass characters – Taka and Mishi – with their totally different skills and powers. They balance each other out pretty well and their bond is something that I enjoyed reading about. I also liked the magic system and the fact that both girls had a mentor of mythological being. In Taka’s case a tree kami (spirit) and in Mishi’s case a dragon. Mitsuki’s appearance and the hint about his and Taka’s relationship is something I considered a nice touch. There were some really nice twists along the way and the pieces fell nicely together by the end.
And while overall I enjoyed Blade’s Edge, I also had a number of issues with it, especially in the first half. At the beginning, I felt like some things weren’t explained well and I had a hard time to get the terminology sorted out in my head. I think the worldbuilding needed some more to be added about the magic, about the council, about the aforementioned mythological beings, about why Kishosi needs to complete a task, about why the Josanko was so strict and cruel to the girls, etc. Sometimes the sudden jumps in time were disorientating – one moment Mishi is sent to the dragon, the next 1 year passed and they are training. I was left blinking, thinking “Wait. What? How did THIS happen?” I had a few instances like that. I’m also not very much of a fan of that kind of storytelling where something happens then it’s left unexplained but gets hinted at in later conversations and eventually cleared. Somewhat. It works in some cases, but I don’t think it did here. I was especially annoyed with Taka not seeing through Kiko’s lies. I wanted to shout at her “ARE YOU DAMNED BLIND? IT’S. SO. DAMN. OBVIOUS. WHAT. HAPPENED.” I mean, Taka was supposed to be a smart girl and a close friend to Kiko. Anyone would have put that together in about 5 minutes, but it had to be someone else telling her what happened much later. Seriously. Maybe because of this, but I wasn’t able to really connect with either of the characters.
Blade’s Edge is a pretty decent coming-of-age YA(ish) fantasy novel, in which the two main characters discover their strength and worth in a world which outlaws them. Set in an Asian inspired world, tradition and “modern” ideologies clash with each other, determining the future of Gensokai, in which equality might become a reality. It definitely has an interesting world, I just wish we got to know it a bit more to be able to immerse ourselves in it. Virginia McClain is sure one of the authors we should look out for in the future.
Here follows my own review. I personally rated Blade's Edge 7/10 which translates to 3.5*
I have a bit of mixed feelings about Blade’s Edge in general. It took me a long time to get into it and get over my annoyance to actually enjoy it. Blade’s Edge is the story of Mishi and Taka and all the girls in this world who didn’t have a chance in life due to the brutality of the Rōjū council’s rule.
The story is definitely engaging as we follow the two girls finding their own paths in life. While turning the world upside down. There is a lot to like about this book, and I can see why it was picked as an SPFBO finalist. First, we have two very different kick ass characters – Taka and Mishi – with their totally different skills and powers. They balance each other out pretty well and their bond is something that I enjoyed reading about. I also liked the magic system and the fact that both girls had a mentor of mythological being. In Taka’s case a tree kami (spirit) and in Mishi’s case a dragon. Mitsuki’s appearance and the hint about his and Taka’s relationship is something I considered a nice touch. There were some really nice twists along the way and the pieces fell nicely together by the end.
And while overall I enjoyed Blade’s Edge, I also had a number of issues with it, especially in the first half. At the beginning, I felt like some things weren’t explained well and I had a hard time to get the terminology sorted out in my head. I think the worldbuilding needed some more to be added about the magic, about the council, about the aforementioned mythological beings, about why Kishosi needs to complete a task, about why the Josanko was so strict and cruel to the girls, etc. Sometimes the sudden jumps in time were disorientating – one moment Mishi is sent to the dragon, the next 1 year passed and they are training. I was left blinking, thinking “Wait. What? How did THIS happen?” I had a few instances like that. I’m also not very much of a fan of that kind of storytelling where something happens then it’s left unexplained but gets hinted at in later conversations and eventually cleared. Somewhat. It works in some cases, but I don’t think it did here. I was especially annoyed with Taka not seeing through Kiko’s lies. I wanted to shout at her “ARE YOU DAMNED BLIND? IT’S. SO. DAMN. OBVIOUS. WHAT. HAPPENED.” I mean, Taka was supposed to be a smart girl and a close friend to Kiko. Anyone would have put that together in about 5 minutes, but it had to be someone else telling her what happened much later. Seriously. Maybe because of this, but I wasn’t able to really connect with either of the characters.
Blade’s Edge is a pretty decent coming-of-age YA(ish) fantasy novel, in which the two main characters discover their strength and worth in a world which outlaws them. Set in an Asian inspired world, tradition and “modern” ideologies clash with each other, determining the future of Gensokai, in which equality might become a reality. It definitely has an interesting world, I just wish we got to know it a bit more to be able to immerse ourselves in it. Virginia McClain is sure one of the authors we should look out for in the future.
ajokli's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
This was my first fantasy novel that I’ve read with Eastern influence. Also the first of my own personal SPFBO 2019 Finalist challenge. It was an enjoyable read featuring strong female characters that seemed well researched and steeped in tradition. I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did, as I tend to read fantasy specifically to escape reality; but, the blend of real world and fantasy did work really well. This book has opened my eyes to a new sub genre I would otherwise be missing!
My Rating Scale:
5* - LOVED IT! Instantly into the reread pile. Highly recommended.
4* - Really Liked it. Highly Recommended.
3* - Liked it/Good
2* - OK. Unlikely to continue if part of a series.
1* - Nope!!
This was my first fantasy novel that I’ve read with Eastern influence. Also the first of my own personal SPFBO 2019 Finalist challenge. It was an enjoyable read featuring strong female characters that seemed well researched and steeped in tradition. I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did, as I tend to read fantasy specifically to escape reality; but, the blend of real world and fantasy did work really well. This book has opened my eyes to a new sub genre I would otherwise be missing!
My Rating Scale:
5* - LOVED IT! Instantly into the reread pile. Highly recommended.
4* - Really Liked it. Highly Recommended.
3* - Liked it/Good
2* - OK. Unlikely to continue if part of a series.
1* - Nope!!
maddness22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-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
5.0
The world-building for this book was absolutely phenomenal! I loved how rich the culture of this world was and how deep the influence of existing Japanese cultures goes with the storyline. The characters work well together and the plot is amazingly intricate. If you want an amazing fantasy with detailed lore, a fantastic world you never want to leave, and action packed fight scenes, don't sleep on this hidden gem.
grmatthews's review against another edition
Read for SPFBO - Review will be on website.
I enjoyed it!