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4.67 AVERAGE
4.67 AVERAGE
I was fully prepared for this to be quite bad because, let's be honest, the summary looks like a weeb wrote it. BUT I should have known Annette Marie is trustworthy and her usual tropes are all here: a distinctive and likeable protagonist, hot guys (who can't stop manhandling her so lots of close physical contact), HEA, plot twists, a fast paced story, found family themes, character development and the heroine levelling up in power. This was surprisingly well-researched and I actually know quite a few of the Japanese legends through cultural osmosis via anime and Japanese lessons so it was very fun to see the twists and new takes on the legends.
I have a few gripes: way too much use of Japanese. Sometimes, it's better to use English because the many many Japanese terms are very distracting (even for a reader like me who knows what they mean). And also it comes off like you're exoticizing the language.
I also feel like more time was spent on the angst between the two of them than on the fluffy and fun parts, like bantering, or sweet moments. The first two books were very solid and fun, but the third book was a bit draggy because the romance was just dithering back and forth on 'will they won't they' and bogged down by the heroine's martyr tendencies which were understandable at first but annoying by the end.
But with all that said, this book feels like if a yokai, Spirited Away-inspired fantasy anime was written as a hot and angsty YA romance. I read this over the weekend and it was very nice.
I have a few gripes: way too much use of Japanese. Sometimes, it's better to use English because the many many Japanese terms are very distracting (even for a reader like me who knows what they mean). And also it comes off like you're exoticizing the language.
I also feel like more time was spent on the angst between the two of them than on the fluffy and fun parts, like bantering, or sweet moments. The first two books were very solid and fun, but the third book was a bit draggy because the romance was just dithering back and forth on 'will they won't they' and bogged down by the heroine's martyr tendencies which were understandable at first but annoying by the end.
But with all that said, this book feels like if a yokai, Spirited Away-inspired fantasy anime was written as a hot and angsty YA romance. I read this over the weekend and it was very nice.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is my favorite series. Ever. The end.
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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:
No
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
The entire Red Winter trilogy all in one great audiobook. This trilogy is steeped in Japanese culture and lore. It follows a young girl, Emi who has always known she would be a vessel for a goddess Amaterasu on earth one day and the sneaky fox she saved who has tricks up his sleeve and secrets in his body and soul. This is a solid Romantasy with a mystery to be unraveled and a forbidden love that just cannot be.
For those of us who are not very familiar with Japanese mythology and lore, this is a great introduction for readers to learn about various types of characters in the mythos and their roles in the supernatural world. From Kami and Yoki to the gods that inhabit vessels on the mortal plain. But most of all the Kitsune, who found a little Miko in the forest and protected her, kicking off the wildest of adventures and eventual love stories.
Emi, only has until the solstice before one of the gods ascends and takes her body. She has been sheltered her entire life living with monks and others who keep her safe until that ascension. Meeting Shiro was unexpected and when she asks him for a boon it kicks off an adventure Emi will never be the same after. As they travel to help Emi discover what becomes of her after the ascension of Amaterasu, they pick up probably the crankiest crow Tengu, Lord of Crow and Prince of Shadows to assist with the journey. Shiro has a mystery of his own to solve. Bound by some kind of magic, he has no memories of his previously life. Each layer that Emi is able to remove reveals his past and the creature he was before the curse.
Emi will transform throughout this story from the sheltered girl who is just a vessel for someone else, into a strong fighter and protector tasked with finding and saving the Earthly Gods that have all disappeared. She will need so many new friends from the supernatural world to help in this endeavor and Shiro might play the biggest role or be the key to being able to free them. Both will transform as we learn all the secrets of the kitsune, clever and patient that may just steal Emi's heart and a god's vessel along the way.
There are incredible fights and action. Betrayals and twists. And so many other things that happen throughout this story. Sacrifices and transformations will be made and a woman will lead an army to stop a deity from breaking the world.
This story is for anyone who loves a good longing romance and a great epic journey to save the world. It is a really soft and thorough introduction to Japanese lore for those of us that are newer to the mythos. I was able to understand the fantasy world created and all the players in it. I would say that anyone who is interested into expanding their knowledge base of this culture and the lore of it would find a good read in this story.
Emily Woo Zeller is a narrator I have listened to numerous times. She brings a great performance to every narration I have listened to and you can tell she is seasoned in the art of narration. All the voices are clear, I appreciated her diction on words that are not common in the English language and I think it made the story overall easier for me to understand. Especially when Emi cast spells in Japanese. Really a great choice to help carry the story. I was able to listen to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
The entire Red Winter trilogy all in one great audiobook. This trilogy is steeped in Japanese culture and lore. It follows a young girl, Emi who has always known she would be a vessel for a goddess Amaterasu on earth one day and the sneaky fox she saved who has tricks up his sleeve and secrets in his body and soul. This is a solid Romantasy with a mystery to be unraveled and a forbidden love that just cannot be.
For those of us who are not very familiar with Japanese mythology and lore, this is a great introduction for readers to learn about various types of characters in the mythos and their roles in the supernatural world. From Kami and Yoki to the gods that inhabit vessels on the mortal plain. But most of all the Kitsune, who found a little Miko in the forest and protected her, kicking off the wildest of adventures and eventual love stories.
“Actions change our course, influence our futures, but intentions define us, empower us. Without intent, we are nothing.”
Emi, only has until the solstice before one of the gods ascends and takes her body. She has been sheltered her entire life living with monks and others who keep her safe until that ascension. Meeting Shiro was unexpected and when she asks him for a boon it kicks off an adventure Emi will never be the same after. As they travel to help Emi discover what becomes of her after the ascension of Amaterasu, they pick up probably the crankiest crow Tengu, Lord of Crow and Prince of Shadows to assist with the journey. Shiro has a mystery of his own to solve. Bound by some kind of magic, he has no memories of his previously life. Each layer that Emi is able to remove reveals his past and the creature he was before the curse.
Emi will transform throughout this story from the sheltered girl who is just a vessel for someone else, into a strong fighter and protector tasked with finding and saving the Earthly Gods that have all disappeared. She will need so many new friends from the supernatural world to help in this endeavor and Shiro might play the biggest role or be the key to being able to free them. Both will transform as we learn all the secrets of the kitsune, clever and patient that may just steal Emi's heart and a god's vessel along the way.
There are incredible fights and action. Betrayals and twists. And so many other things that happen throughout this story. Sacrifices and transformations will be made and a woman will lead an army to stop a deity from breaking the world.
This story is for anyone who loves a good longing romance and a great epic journey to save the world. It is a really soft and thorough introduction to Japanese lore for those of us that are newer to the mythos. I was able to understand the fantasy world created and all the players in it. I would say that anyone who is interested into expanding their knowledge base of this culture and the lore of it would find a good read in this story.
“I would have kept you forever, little miko." His words were soft, almost soundless. "I would have taken you with me wherever the tides of time carried us, and I would have loved you until the very end.”
Narration:
Emily Woo Zeller is a narrator I have listened to numerous times. She brings a great performance to every narration I have listened to and you can tell she is seasoned in the art of narration. All the voices are clear, I appreciated her diction on words that are not common in the English language and I think it made the story overall easier for me to understand. Especially when Emi cast spells in Japanese. Really a great choice to help carry the story. I was able to listen to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Five entrancing stars
This was a re-read and it still took me captive. Annette Marie is a wonderful author. The way she describes this world make you feel like you are in each vivid moment. I still laughed and cried throughout reading this series even thou this is my 3rd time. I love the 3 main protagonists in the series Emi, Shiro, and Yumei. They embody friendships, love, and family so effortlessly. I can’t say enough how enchanting this story is. I still almost a year later want more.
This was a re-read and it still took me captive. Annette Marie is a wonderful author. The way she describes this world make you feel like you are in each vivid moment. I still laughed and cried throughout reading this series even thou this is my 3rd time. I love the 3 main protagonists in the series Emi, Shiro, and Yumei. They embody friendships, love, and family so effortlessly. I can’t say enough how enchanting this story is. I still almost a year later want more.
DNF the second book. Reluctant hero trope is not really my thing, and the main character passes out SO much, I can't help but think it's probably the writer not knowing how else to transfer to new scenes. I think i would have really liked this in highschool, and it's a YA so that makes sense, but it's just not for me
adventurous
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Amazing Read
I’m known to start a series, any series really, and abandon it halfway through. Not this one. I spent many hours glued to the book: there was plenty of laughing and crying (happy and sad tears) during all 3 of the books. I came into the book reminded of beloved Inuyasha and Kamisama Kiss: this series is it’s own plot/characters/etc and I honestly would love to see it as it’s own anime/show! I was really impressed by how well written it was, very minimal errors (unlike most KU books..) and just.. wow. Going to definitely buy the series in the future.
I’m known to start a series, any series really, and abandon it halfway through. Not this one. I spent many hours glued to the book: there was plenty of laughing and crying (happy and sad tears) during all 3 of the books. I came into the book reminded of beloved Inuyasha and Kamisama Kiss: this series is it’s own plot/characters/etc and I honestly would love to see it as it’s own anime/show! I was really impressed by how well written it was, very minimal errors (unlike most KU books..) and just.. wow. Going to definitely buy the series in the future.
Wow - I’m glad I read the entire trilogy all together, because I would never be able to stop thinking about the next installment if I stopped. This is an epic fantasy that reminded me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. There’s a quest, multiple side quests, and good-Saruman-gone-bad character, a dragon, and spiders!
But this epic fantasy is based on Japanese Shinto folklore. The author takes a lot of fictional liberty and this world is highly pantheistic and animistic. It reminded me of Native American mythology. The hero is a trickster fox! Needless to say, most of the characters are shifter animals and heavenly spirits.
So Emi is a young kamikagari - a human chosen to embody the heavenly goddess, Amaterasu, in the physical realm. She prepares to embody the goddess by living like a nun in a Shinto shrine from age 8 to 18 and completely avoids a modern upbringing. Her life is controlled by high ranking Shinto priests who fear for her safety. Five years ago, she was attacked by a yokai, a demon spirit, and her “superiors” hide her away to keep her safe.
She slowly learns that everything she’s been told is a lie - about yokai, about her own fate, about having to live a “nun” life. She has to figure out who she is, and what her own magic is about, and realize her sexuality is powerful. I loved this aspect of her growth.
Her transformation throughout the series is incredible. The world building is beautiful. The magic flows off the page. The romance is sweet. The battle scenes are epic.
But this epic fantasy is based on Japanese Shinto folklore. The author takes a lot of fictional liberty and this world is highly pantheistic and animistic. It reminded me of Native American mythology. The hero is a trickster fox! Needless to say, most of the characters are shifter animals and heavenly spirits.
So Emi is a young kamikagari - a human chosen to embody the heavenly goddess, Amaterasu, in the physical realm. She prepares to embody the goddess by living like a nun in a Shinto shrine from age 8 to 18 and completely avoids a modern upbringing. Her life is controlled by high ranking Shinto priests who fear for her safety. Five years ago, she was attacked by a yokai, a demon spirit, and her “superiors” hide her away to keep her safe.
She slowly learns that everything she’s been told is a lie - about yokai, about her own fate, about having to live a “nun” life. She has to figure out who she is, and what her own magic is about, and realize her sexuality is powerful. I loved this aspect of her growth.
Her transformation throughout the series is incredible. The world building is beautiful. The magic flows off the page. The romance is sweet. The battle scenes are epic.