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4.67 AVERAGE
4.67 AVERAGE
Book 1: 4 stars
This story took me a few chapters to really be hooked as there are a lot of unfamiliar terms and Japanese mythology that I am not familiar with. I read along with the narration, and this is one story that I very much appreciated the combination of both because I could hear how the words were supposed to be pronounced, but I could also see how they were supposed to be spelled. Having the combination helped me keep track of the different characters (outside of her direct interactions). This first book introduces us to Emi, a girl destined for greatness as she is a destined to be the kamigakari, the human vessel of a Kami, a spiritual being from the Takamahara (the heavenly realm). Four of them, Izanagi of the Sky, Izanami of the Earth, Amaterasu of the Wind, and Tsukiyoma of the Water rule Takamahara and are known as the Amatsukami. Amaterasu is the Kami that will enter the world through Emi.
At the beginning, Emi is a very naive and sheltered girl, having followed the rules of keeping herself pure for the solstice when Amaterasu will join with her without question. She is hiding out at an obscure shrine for the goddess after an attempt has been made on her life. She is somewhat spoiled, but only in the sense (in my opinion) of not knowing how to do anything because her needs have always been met and she hasn't been allowed to do anything. But you can tell she is not a spoiled brat, even if some of the people at the new shrine (one in particular) treat her with disdain and disrespect. When she discovers a truth about what she's been taught all her life, she becomes upset and this triggers a series of events that has her trying to figure out the truth of what's been going on with the Kami, and why so many have been apparently disappearing.
While it was kind of a slow start, the story really hit its stride once she made a discovery and ended up (accidentally) outside the perimeter of her temple grounds. Emi grows up quite a bit even in the first book, learning to think for herself, protect herself, and protect others as well. The end had me so grateful that this series is available as an omnibus edition, both for the audible book and the kindle book. I am definitely continuing on, even though I have 4 other books I'm in the middle of reading! I discovered the author through her Guild Codex universe, and I binged most of those. But I think I like this trilogy even more, at least so far! If you're not ready to invest in a huge set of connected series, you should give this trilogy a try to see what you think of this author. Personally, I'm a fan!
Book 2: 4.5 stars
I'm loving the audiobook, but I'm loving being able to follow along with the kindle at the same time because it's easier to keep track of the different characters (when I can both hear and see a person's name, it reminds me of who the person is) and there are a number of them. This book picks up right where book 1 ends. Emi and Shiro are hiding out with Yumei as they recover and try to figure out their next steps towards finding and freeing the earthly gods before the betrayer takes over and destroys the world.
What I like about this book is that we start to learn more about Shiro, Emi AND Yumei and they're becoming more than just generic fantasy characters. Without moving into spoiler territory, both Shiro and Yumei have pasts that have to do with their near immortal statuses (they can be killed, but they can also come back under most circumstances--it's just a matter of time), and you get the feeling that while they may not be revealing all they know or suspect, they are still in the dark. Emi is far from the sheltered and naive girl she used to be and working through how she feels as she balances her responsibilities as the Kamigakari, her mission from Amaterasu, her feelings for Shiro, and her desire to help prevent the world from coming to an end as they know it.
One other thing about the audiobook vs. the kindle/physical book. While I love the audiobook, if you only listen to the audiobook, you'll miss out on the artwork that is sprinkled throughout the book. The other thing you'll miss out on is the ability to jump to the glossary when you come across a term you're not familiar with or that you can't remember. I would recommend doing both if you enjoy audiobooks or just read the book on your own. Personally, I'm doing both.
Book 3: 4.5 stars
I loved how Annette Marie concluded this trilogy! While I guessed that she would somehow make it work out for Shiro and Eme, I couldn't quite figure out how. Without revealing spoilers, there were moments that I loved in this third book, including Eme and Shiro's trip to the beach, the relationship that developed between Eme and Yumei (I was moved to tears), and Eme and Shiro's desire to save the world at all costs and each trying to sacrifice themself for the other. Yeah, that wasn't moving at all--I kid!
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding throughout these three books and I'm so glad I read along with the narration. The narration was helpful for knowing how things should be pronounced, but it was also helpful when I couldn't sit down with the book. But reading along helped me keep the names straight and having the glossary at the end was also helpful. The drawings were also beautiful, and I enjoyed the entire experience. Personally, I would recommend both the narration and reading along with it or some hybrid of the two.
Annette Marie says that this series was inspired by Japanese mythology and by the Shinto religion, but quite a bit of she also made up. So if you're looking for something that is true (or at least as true as one can make it) to the mythology, you might be upset by the liberties taken here. Personally, I thought she did a great job crafting together a story that made me care about the characters and the world in which they lived. I definitely recommend this trilogy.
This story took me a few chapters to really be hooked as there are a lot of unfamiliar terms and Japanese mythology that I am not familiar with. I read along with the narration, and this is one story that I very much appreciated the combination of both because I could hear how the words were supposed to be pronounced, but I could also see how they were supposed to be spelled. Having the combination helped me keep track of the different characters (outside of her direct interactions). This first book introduces us to Emi, a girl destined for greatness as she is a destined to be the kamigakari, the human vessel of a Kami, a spiritual being from the Takamahara (the heavenly realm). Four of them, Izanagi of the Sky, Izanami of the Earth, Amaterasu of the Wind, and Tsukiyoma of the Water rule Takamahara and are known as the Amatsukami. Amaterasu is the Kami that will enter the world through Emi.
At the beginning, Emi is a very naive and sheltered girl, having followed the rules of keeping herself pure for the solstice when Amaterasu will join with her without question. She is hiding out at an obscure shrine for the goddess after an attempt has been made on her life. She is somewhat spoiled, but only in the sense (in my opinion) of not knowing how to do anything because her needs have always been met and she hasn't been allowed to do anything. But you can tell she is not a spoiled brat, even if some of the people at the new shrine (one in particular) treat her with disdain and disrespect. When she discovers a truth about what she's been taught all her life, she becomes upset and this triggers a series of events that has her trying to figure out the truth of what's been going on with the Kami, and why so many have been apparently disappearing.
While it was kind of a slow start, the story really hit its stride once she made a discovery and ended up (accidentally) outside the perimeter of her temple grounds. Emi grows up quite a bit even in the first book, learning to think for herself, protect herself, and protect others as well. The end had me so grateful that this series is available as an omnibus edition, both for the audible book and the kindle book. I am definitely continuing on, even though I have 4 other books I'm in the middle of reading! I discovered the author through her Guild Codex universe, and I binged most of those. But I think I like this trilogy even more, at least so far! If you're not ready to invest in a huge set of connected series, you should give this trilogy a try to see what you think of this author. Personally, I'm a fan!
Book 2: 4.5 stars
I'm loving the audiobook, but I'm loving being able to follow along with the kindle at the same time because it's easier to keep track of the different characters (when I can both hear and see a person's name, it reminds me of who the person is) and there are a number of them. This book picks up right where book 1 ends. Emi and Shiro are hiding out with Yumei as they recover and try to figure out their next steps towards finding and freeing the earthly gods before the betrayer takes over and destroys the world.
What I like about this book is that we start to learn more about Shiro, Emi AND Yumei and they're becoming more than just generic fantasy characters. Without moving into spoiler territory, both Shiro and Yumei have pasts that have to do with their near immortal statuses (they can be killed, but they can also come back under most circumstances--it's just a matter of time), and you get the feeling that while they may not be revealing all they know or suspect, they are still in the dark. Emi is far from the sheltered and naive girl she used to be and working through how she feels as she balances her responsibilities as the Kamigakari, her mission from Amaterasu, her feelings for Shiro, and her desire to help prevent the world from coming to an end as they know it.
One other thing about the audiobook vs. the kindle/physical book. While I love the audiobook, if you only listen to the audiobook, you'll miss out on the artwork that is sprinkled throughout the book. The other thing you'll miss out on is the ability to jump to the glossary when you come across a term you're not familiar with or that you can't remember. I would recommend doing both if you enjoy audiobooks or just read the book on your own. Personally, I'm doing both.
Book 3: 4.5 stars
I loved how Annette Marie concluded this trilogy! While I guessed that she would somehow make it work out for Shiro and Eme, I couldn't quite figure out how. Without revealing spoilers, there were moments that I loved in this third book, including Eme and Shiro's trip to the beach, the relationship that developed between Eme and Yumei (I was moved to tears), and Eme and Shiro's desire to save the world at all costs and each trying to sacrifice themself for the other. Yeah, that wasn't moving at all--I kid!
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding throughout these three books and I'm so glad I read along with the narration. The narration was helpful for knowing how things should be pronounced, but it was also helpful when I couldn't sit down with the book. But reading along helped me keep the names straight and having the glossary at the end was also helpful. The drawings were also beautiful, and I enjoyed the entire experience. Personally, I would recommend both the narration and reading along with it or some hybrid of the two.
Annette Marie says that this series was inspired by Japanese mythology and by the Shinto religion, but quite a bit of she also made up. So if you're looking for something that is true (or at least as true as one can make it) to the mythology, you might be upset by the liberties taken here. Personally, I thought she did a great job crafting together a story that made me care about the characters and the world in which they lived. I definitely recommend this trilogy.
Each book got better. I have to say I’m a fan of Annette Marie’s visual writing style (not to mention the literal gorgeous visual art in th book)
I have a minor in Japanese language and a BA in east Asia studies with a focus on Japan, needless to say the rich folklore and Japanese tales resonate with my personal fascinations, but you don’t have to have any background in Japanese folklore to enjoy this.
I have a minor in Japanese language and a BA in east Asia studies with a focus on Japan, needless to say the rich folklore and Japanese tales resonate with my personal fascinations, but you don’t have to have any background in Japanese folklore to enjoy this.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent
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.
It was my first time reading a book on Japanese mythology and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this trilogy and can't recommend this enough <3
Great series!
I really enjoyed this series. The characters are well written and the story was interesting. Kept my attention the whole way through and didn't disappoint.
I really enjoyed this series. The characters are well written and the story was interesting. Kept my attention the whole way through and didn't disappoint.
I loved this trilogy so much. It just had everything that makes a book unputdownable for me - fast pacing, unexpected heroine, sassy but protective males, Japanese mythology, and more!
Needless to say, I’m a big fan!
Needless to say, I’m a big fan!
Amazing. Just read it
You get some Japanese lore, an amazing story, and characters that have great development. The main character Emu doesn't let herself be the damsel in distress. Love it
You get some Japanese lore, an amazing story, and characters that have great development. The main character Emu doesn't let herself be the damsel in distress. Love it
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.
Loved it. A great story that gave me a bit of nostalgia for the days when I would stay up all night watching Inuyasha episodes. This is certainly a completely separate story with an entirely different type of spirit, but there's still a hint of that vibe. I wish it had a bit more spice, but still, I really liked this one and found it very refreshing.