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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No
Unfortunately disappointing.
For a book led almost entirely by plot, the plot sure was boring. I didn’t care about what was happening, and I didn’t feel like there were any stakes. It felt like there was almost no tension throughout the entire book, mostly because I didn’t care about both the plot and the characters. However, I feel that the disconnect with the characters is mostly due to a narration issue (and the characters being kind of boring, of course).
To explain, the narration style of this book had an interesting tone, and it was narrated more as if it were a fairy tale. I did like this unique aspect, and it really added to the mythological atmosphere the book seemed like it was trying to cultivate. Unfortunately, this narration was also third-person omniscient, and not written in a way that I really felt like I was in the character’s head. I didn’t feel what the character was feeling, I was just told what they were feeling/doing… so why should I care?
Moreover… Miuko as a character felt really uninteresting to me. For the first half of the book, she just constantly bumbles around, is scared of things, and has a continuous character arc of “nooo I won’t kill people!” The second half is more interesting because she grows a spine… but I still didn’t really care about her as a character—especially since the narration couldn't really make me connect with her. (Some of the other characters were slightly fun because they had charisma... but that was kind of it.)
Uninteresting plot, didn’t care about the characters (the most interesting—or at least fun—one was the villain, honestly), and it felt like there was no tension because I didn’t care.
The telling and not showing was a continuous issue throughout this book, too. While I admire Chee’s effort towards writing a feminist story… it just beats you over the head with it. Over and over again, with no sense of subtlety, the writing just goes “did you forget she’s a woman?? and people hate women?? and that women are oppressed?? did you forget?? did you forget??” Every chapter it must’ve been several times where the narration literally just tells you that—oop! Miuko shouldn’t be seen doing this thing or other because she’s a woman!!! Because she’s oppressed!!! I GET IT.
Absolutely no sense of natural integration into the story, and the writing was just bludgeoning me over the head with it.
I was close to DNFing in the first half of the book, but I really wanted to avoid DNFing a book again. The latter half was far more interesting than the first, with some actual drama going on, but at that point I only cared maybe 10% more than I did for the first half. The plot was interesting, but it was still bogged down by characters I didn't care about.
Overall, bored, bored, bored. The book built up an interesting atmosphere and world, but it couldn’t save itself from the writing. 2 stars.
For a book led almost entirely by plot, the plot sure was boring. I didn’t care about what was happening, and I didn’t feel like there were any stakes. It felt like there was almost no tension throughout the entire book, mostly because I didn’t care about both the plot and the characters. However, I feel that the disconnect with the characters is mostly due to a narration issue (and the characters being kind of boring, of course).
To explain, the narration style of this book had an interesting tone, and it was narrated more as if it were a fairy tale. I did like this unique aspect, and it really added to the mythological atmosphere the book seemed like it was trying to cultivate. Unfortunately, this narration was also third-person omniscient, and not written in a way that I really felt like I was in the character’s head. I didn’t feel what the character was feeling, I was just told what they were feeling/doing… so why should I care?
Moreover… Miuko as a character felt really uninteresting to me. For the first half of the book, she just constantly bumbles around, is scared of things, and has a continuous character arc of “nooo I won’t kill people!” The second half is more interesting because she grows a spine… but I still didn’t really care about her as a character—especially since the narration couldn't really make me connect with her. (Some of the other characters were slightly fun because they had charisma... but that was kind of it.)
Uninteresting plot, didn’t care about the characters (the most interesting—or at least fun—one was the villain, honestly), and it felt like there was no tension because I didn’t care.
The telling and not showing was a continuous issue throughout this book, too. While I admire Chee’s effort towards writing a feminist story… it just beats you over the head with it. Over and over again, with no sense of subtlety, the writing just goes “did you forget she’s a woman?? and people hate women?? and that women are oppressed?? did you forget?? did you forget??” Every chapter it must’ve been several times where the narration literally just tells you that—oop! Miuko shouldn’t be seen doing this thing or other because she’s a woman!!! Because she’s oppressed!!! I GET IT.
Absolutely no sense of natural integration into the story, and the writing was just bludgeoning me over the head with it.
I was close to DNFing in the first half of the book, but I really wanted to avoid DNFing a book again. The latter half was far more interesting than the first, with some actual drama going on, but at that point I only cared maybe 10% more than I did for the first half. The plot was interesting, but it was still bogged down by characters I didn't care about.
Overall, bored, bored, bored. The book built up an interesting atmosphere and world, but it couldn’t save itself from the writing. 2 stars.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
Simply delightful. Not particularly deep, but just adorable fairy tale delights.
If Okami was a book, it would be this. Larger than life characters with fascinating episodic set pieces that pull into great payoff in the second half. Just tremendously engaging. Better rtc later, but very sweet and good clean delights.
~*~
Okay fine actual rtc has come, like a year later. It's really slapdash cos I'm tired, but.
I really love this book. It takes a bit of time to get rolling, it's true, and the names and incorporation of her handcrafted language is a bit too trusting without necessarily having the weight it needs (I don't need like five names for the demon prince, it gets confusing), but the world, ohhh the world, and these characters, and this plot.
The world feels fully inhabited. I love the hierarchy of spirits, I love the political and religious thoughts, I love the societal restrictions playing against the characters. I want a map; I love the oceans and mountains and forests. It oozes beauty and mystery for me. Mysterious misty fields and decaying mansions and dizzyingly tall castles and spun-sugar ice palaces...great set pieces all around, really.
The characters are numerous, but I find myself incredibly invested in most of them (a few come too late to shine the way they want to). I admit the forest spirit is a bit much to handle sometimes, but he's not in it too much, and honestly I totally get his rage and sorrow at feeling lied to and betrayed. Actually, side track: that's such a tight element of this story, manipulation and lies and power struggles, when our protagonist abuses and enthralls a girl for her own needs or lies to the forest god, contrasting with Tujiyazai whispering and taking what he wants. I just love how all these people and gods call back to each other in action or word or sometimes just coming around multiple times like teapot guy.
Geiki and Miuko have such a cute familial dynamic, Tujiyazai is so sympathetic while being so monstrous at the same time...I'm just so invested in tightly wrapped around these characters the plot is, how it builds on itself and takes what you thought was kinda pointless originally and turns it on its head halfway along while always trying to teach (or hammer home) some growth point.
If it struggles anywhere, it's in some of its pacing and expectations and writing style. It staggers a bit early on, and while I think it recovers beautifully, it does take time, and you've got to let it breathe a lot on its own.
Basically, though, I think it's gentle and sweet. I like the lighter tone it has despite its weighty themes. It feels like a fairy tale. It's super endearing in its story of loyalty and growth and discovery. If Okami and Princess Mononoke merged together, this book would probably be the result, and I just adore it to pieces, truly, truly.
And they even help teapot guy, or at least they will, so like. Happy endings all around, even for magically-too-cute incense cat. I'm so enamored by the huge time god just...getting a kitty. Soft kitty. And very intentionally forcing a timeline where he would get to have a kitty. Like, dude, I get it. Good for you. <3
If Okami was a book, it would be this. Larger than life characters with fascinating episodic set pieces that pull into great payoff in the second half. Just tremendously engaging. Better rtc later, but very sweet and good clean delights.
~*~
Okay fine actual rtc has come, like a year later. It's really slapdash cos I'm tired, but.
I really love this book. It takes a bit of time to get rolling, it's true, and the names and incorporation of her handcrafted language is a bit too trusting without necessarily having the weight it needs (I don't need like five names for the demon prince, it gets confusing), but the world, ohhh the world, and these characters, and this plot.
The world feels fully inhabited. I love the hierarchy of spirits, I love the political and religious thoughts, I love the societal restrictions playing against the characters. I want a map; I love the oceans and mountains and forests. It oozes beauty and mystery for me. Mysterious misty fields and decaying mansions and dizzyingly tall castles and spun-sugar ice palaces...great set pieces all around, really.
The characters are numerous, but I find myself incredibly invested in most of them (a few come too late to shine the way they want to). I admit the forest spirit is a bit much to handle sometimes, but he's not in it too much, and honestly I totally get his rage and sorrow at feeling lied to and betrayed. Actually, side track: that's such a tight element of this story, manipulation and lies and power struggles, when our protagonist abuses and enthralls a girl for her own needs or lies to the forest god, contrasting with Tujiyazai whispering and taking what he wants. I just love how all these people and gods call back to each other in action or word or sometimes just coming around multiple times like teapot guy.
Geiki and Miuko have such a cute familial dynamic, Tujiyazai is so sympathetic while being so monstrous at the same time...I'm just so invested in tightly wrapped around these characters the plot is, how it builds on itself and takes what you thought was kinda pointless originally and turns it on its head halfway along while always trying to teach (or hammer home) some growth point.
If it struggles anywhere, it's in some of its pacing and expectations and writing style. It staggers a bit early on, and while I think it recovers beautifully, it does take time, and you've got to let it breathe a lot on its own.
Basically, though, I think it's gentle and sweet. I like the lighter tone it has despite its weighty themes. It feels like a fairy tale. It's super endearing in its story of loyalty and growth and discovery. If Okami and Princess Mononoke merged together, this book would probably be the result, and I just adore it to pieces, truly, truly.
And they even help teapot guy, or at least they will, so like. Happy endings all around, even for magically-too-cute incense cat. I'm so enamored by the huge time god just...getting a kitty. Soft kitty. And very intentionally forcing a timeline where he would get to have a kitty. Like, dude, I get it. Good for you. <3
Really good YA fantasy novel set in Japan. Well-written characters, but the plot moves a bit too quickly.
4.5/5.
4.5/5.
adventurous
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
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Murder
adventurous
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Well, this was lovely! The characterization was great, the story was fun, but the worldbuilding was by far the best thing about this book: It was chock full of spirits, traditions, and ideas that were beautifully rendered. The whole thing had an air of folklore about it, and I enjoyed the footnotes present at the end of every chapter. Small points deducted because the pacing felt erratic at times, but it was super fun and enjoyable!
Well, this was lovely! The characterization was great, the story was fun, but the worldbuilding was by far the best thing about this book: It was chock full of spirits, traditions, and ideas that were beautifully rendered. The whole thing had an air of folklore about it, and I enjoyed the footnotes present at the end of every chapter. Small points deducted because the pacing felt erratic at times, but it was super fun and enjoyable!