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A review by almondcookies
Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn
2.0
Let me just start by saying Across the Nightingale Floor is an amazing title. Not a bad book, but I'm not keen on reading the sequel. The back and forth POV between Takeo and Kaede felt really dry because they both had the same narration - very simplistic with a lot of telling and very little showing. I was this. I felt this. I did this.
Speaking of which, I don't understand why such eye rolling, dare I say it, superficial, romance plays such a fundamental part in this book. Takeo and Kaede instantly fall in love without exchanging a single word, and are suddenly willing to die for each other. The first time Kaede sees Takeo, she literally develops a fever and decided she couldn't live without him. The secondary character's romance is much more compelling as there's definitely a politically dangerous backstory there, but unfortunately we never get to see how it developed or how it plays out as they both die prematurely. In addition, some political motivations also made very little sense, and the ending was rushed to the point it felt like they were ticking things off a to do list! Rescue this guy. Kill that guy. Rescue this person.
I did enjoy (parts) of the build up in the initial half of the book, especially seeing how Takeo and Shigeru's relationship develop, and how they grow so close, Shigeru eventually adopts him. I thought the lengths Takeo would go for Shigeru was the most realistic and heart warming part of the book.
Overall, it was okay, but would not read again.
Speaking of which, I don't understand why such eye rolling, dare I say it, superficial, romance plays such a fundamental part in this book. Takeo and Kaede instantly fall in love without exchanging a single word, and are suddenly willing to die for each other. The first time Kaede sees Takeo, she literally develops a fever and decided she couldn't live without him. The secondary character's romance is much more compelling as there's definitely a politically dangerous backstory there, but unfortunately we never get to see how it developed or how it plays out as they both die prematurely. In addition, some political motivations also made very little sense, and the ending was rushed to the point it felt like they were ticking things off a to do list! Rescue this guy. Kill that guy. Rescue this person.
I did enjoy (parts) of the build up in the initial half of the book, especially seeing how Takeo and Shigeru's relationship develop, and how they grow so close, Shigeru eventually adopts him. I thought the lengths Takeo would go for Shigeru
Spoiler
even eventually killing him to grant him a merciful deathOverall, it was okay, but would not read again.