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mastersal's review against another edition
5.0
And just when I thought this series was running out of (relative of other volume) steam - ending up with a 4 star streak - this volume drop-kicked me off a emotional cliff.
The cover felt like the end of the series (though it is not) - well at least the end of Aonoma / Gennai / Shogun Ieharu arc. A lot of storylines are wrapped up excellently as well. As expected, because we have spent 3 volumes with these characters seeing resolution of their storyline () was very impactful.
This arc deal with the characters trying to cure the Red Face pox so it was very interesting to explore the interaction between politics and science. We have seen the impact of politics in terms of succession and marriage and dynasties but this focus was new. And also in some rest a lot more heartbreaking as their quest was so pure and wholesome. How it ended really struck a cord! I tear up thinking about it! As with the rest of the volumes, there are no easy answers here!
This volume also ended with the ascension of a male Shogun - which was a shock. Wasn't expecting that - but it makes so much sense. The author has done a great job bringing us back full circle here.)
This was a fantastic volume. After a few hopeful previous volumes the author returned to show teeth in full force. I am not sure I want to see where we go from here but I am excited to find out.
Once of the best exploration of power and hope for a better future despite all odds. This series is well worth your time.
The cover felt like the end of the series (though it is not) - well at least the end of Aonoma / Gennai / Shogun Ieharu arc. A lot of storylines are wrapped up excellently as well. As expected, because we have spent 3 volumes with these characters seeing resolution of their storyline (
Spoiler
or deaths !!!!This arc deal with the characters trying to cure the Red Face pox so it was very interesting to explore the interaction between politics and science. We have seen the impact of politics in terms of succession and marriage and dynasties but this focus was new. And also in some rest a lot more heartbreaking as their quest was so pure and wholesome. How it ended really struck a cord! I tear up thinking about it! As with the rest of the volumes, there are no easy answers here!
Spoiler
This volume had the most obviously honest and "good" characters - in the Chamberlain, in Aonoma and Gennai. Given the violent, sad death and exile they all faced - I cant help but think the author is making a comment about what happens to goodness when it meets the mill of politics - ouch!!This volume also ended with the ascension of a male Shogun - which was a shock. Wasn't expecting that - but it makes so much sense. The author has done a great job bringing us back full circle here.
This was a fantastic volume. After a few hopeful previous volumes the author returned to show teeth in full force. I am not sure I want to see where we go from here but I am excited to find out.
Once of the best exploration of power and hope for a better future despite all odds. This series is well worth your time.
brakebills42's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child death
rebeccacider's review against another edition
4.0
I can't decide if this series actually has big ideas or is just fun, silly, tragic gender-swapping melodrama, but who doesn't want fun, silly, tragic gender-swapping melodrama set in Tokugawa Japan? Definitely recommended.
kamreadsandrecs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
4.0
A great volume. Much suspenseful drama, death, and treachery. Art, as always, expressive.
misssusan's review against another edition
4.0
you want to know what i like about ooku?
(everything)
that fumi yoshinaga is incredibly smart about history. there's this misconception i see often -- that history is about progress, that we are always improving upon what we had before -- that fails to recognize the complexity of people, how their values change, and that people will often opt for short term reward over long term gain since the present generally seems more pressing then the future.
as of this volume i think she's going the 'so this is a secret history of japan that might have been, not an alt history' route and i think she's done a really good job of setting up a matriarchy that could and does still return to male primogeniture
i mean i'm here in the corner being like 'you fools! the patriarchy is resilient as heck, once you hand over the power it's going to be a never ending struggle to get any of it back' but i can't pretend this isn't a well done narrative choice
also so many feels about gennai and aonuma this volume. on top of doing fantastic sociology and politics ooku is chock full of a+ level babes. y'all do working for a better future really well, congrats on your noble demeanours. 4 stars
(everything)
that fumi yoshinaga is incredibly smart about history. there's this misconception i see often -- that history is about progress, that we are always improving upon what we had before -- that fails to recognize the complexity of people, how their values change, and that people will often opt for short term reward over long term gain since the present generally seems more pressing then the future.
as of this volume i think she's going the 'so this is a secret history of japan that might have been, not an alt history' route and i think she's done a really good job of setting up a matriarchy that could and does still return to male primogeniture
i mean i'm here in the corner being like 'you fools! the patriarchy is resilient as heck, once you hand over the power it's going to be a never ending struggle to get any of it back' but i can't pretend this isn't a well done narrative choice
also so many feels about gennai and aonuma this volume. on top of doing fantastic sociology and politics ooku is chock full of a+ level babes. y'all do working for a better future really well, congrats on your noble demeanours. 4 stars
nonesensed's review against another edition
5.0
The saga of alt-Japan continues! The medical battle against the Red Face Pox has begun for real, with the shogun investing in "Hollander medicine", which isn't too popular with everyone. Chinese medicine is the way forward according the majority of doctors. But the Inner Chambers has always been a world of its own, so research continues there. But for how long?
This volume started with a character overview which was so very helpful! The downside of borrowing these from the local library is that after a few generations of characters you lose track of who is who. And in this series you need updates on who is who because time flies in this series. You turn a page and five years might have passed. Not in a bad way, though, it's all very built up, but keeping track of characters is a challenge.
Still recommend this series! Even though it keeps making me so, sooo sad.
This volume started with a character overview which was so very helpful! The downside of borrowing these from the local library is that after a few generations of characters you lose track of who is who. And in this series you need updates on who is who because time flies in this series. You turn a page and five years might have passed. Not in a bad way, though, it's all very built up, but keeping track of characters is a challenge.
Still recommend this series! Even though it keeps making me so, sooo sad.