kumorikumokumo's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-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? No
4.25
endlessmidnight's review against another edition
4.0
This tale was rather interesting, a look into Japanese folklore by the same author. As well as imagining them as quite different.
The story is like a folktale, which at times captured me for the way it was structured, and also written. But sometimes lost me as well. Some of it really eluded me while others continued to make a very good impression.
I don’t have any idea what is the actual story about. But nonetheless this was well crafted to say the least, such as the relationship between Toko and Oguna. The shift to the palace, for the Emperor and his various secrets. The man had a lot of them, no kidding.
All the twists revealed later were surprising, but at the same time completely plausible. But it all goes down to interpretation, and I barely even knew the Emperor. Which makes it hard for me to guess that he will hide something like what was revealed in the book.
The ending was rather perfect, in all ways tying up the loose knots. As well as giving a rather happy ending to this rather tragic tale.
But overall, I did find something greatly entertaining about this tale. Not exactly to my taste, but rather enjoyable.
The story is like a folktale, which at times captured me for the way it was structured, and also written. But sometimes lost me as well. Some of it really eluded me while others continued to make a very good impression.
I don’t have any idea what is the actual story about. But nonetheless this was well crafted to say the least, such as the relationship between Toko and Oguna. The shift to the palace, for the Emperor and his various secrets. The man had a lot of them, no kidding.
All the twists revealed later were surprising, but at the same time completely plausible. But it all goes down to interpretation, and I barely even knew the Emperor. Which makes it hard for me to guess that he will hide something like what was revealed in the book.
The ending was rather perfect, in all ways tying up the loose knots. As well as giving a rather happy ending to this rather tragic tale.
But overall, I did find something greatly entertaining about this tale. Not exactly to my taste, but rather enjoyable.
theowlinside's review against another edition
4.0
Though I enjoyed it (and literally couldn't put it down until I'd finished it) the story is very much in the same pattern as the first and in that sense I was a bit disappointed. The biggest difference between the two is the importance of the supporting characters. Compared to "Wind Child," it is here that they are more fleshed out and complex. While the first book had some dark elements, the themes within "Mirror Sword" are certainly more grown up and sad. Some of which is very relatable.
coolcurrybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince is the sequel to the Japanese fantasy novel, Dragon Sword and Wind Child. However, it is set centuries or even millennia after the first book and so could be read independently. The main thread that ties the books together is the shared mythology and setting.
Oguna and Toko have grown up together, but Oguna has never known who his parents are. When the emperor’s son comes to their village, Oguna goes with him to train as the prince’s shadow. But when Oguna awakens a strange power, it is up to Toko to gather the magatama, beads with magical properties, and stop Oguna.
I mentioned in my review of Dragon Sword and Wind Child that the heroine was more passive than I prefer. That was true as well for Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince. Toko was presented as an active female lead, and she’s the one that starts on the quest to stop Oguna. However, it feels like in the end she doesn’t actually do that much. Some of what I initially thought she would do ends up getting given to various male characters, and by the end she feels almost redundant. Although she’s presented as a tomboy, her actual role in the book is the same as Saya’s – to be a source of guidance for the male lead.
The plot line and pacing also seemed oddly structured. The quest format works fairly well, but all interest and urgency seem to fizzle out by the end. The last hundred pages or so were the most boring in the book and seemed to be killing time more than anything else.
As with the previous book, the world and mythology were my favorite things about it. This one didn’t have quite the strength of mythology, probably due to being set so far after the first book, but it still had an “epic” feel to it that I enjoyed.
While I’ve grown tired of the series’s treatment of gender, there’s still much to enjoy about Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince, and it’s one I’d still recommend to anyone looking for translated fantasy novels.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Oguna and Toko have grown up together, but Oguna has never known who his parents are. When the emperor’s son comes to their village, Oguna goes with him to train as the prince’s shadow. But when Oguna awakens a strange power, it is up to Toko to gather the magatama, beads with magical properties, and stop Oguna.
I mentioned in my review of Dragon Sword and Wind Child that the heroine was more passive than I prefer. That was true as well for Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince. Toko was presented as an active female lead, and she’s the one that starts on the quest to stop Oguna. However, it feels like in the end she doesn’t actually do that much. Some of what I initially thought she would do ends up getting given to various male characters, and by the end she feels almost redundant. Although she’s presented as a tomboy, her actual role in the book is the same as Saya’s – to be a source of guidance for the male lead.
The plot line and pacing also seemed oddly structured. The quest format works fairly well, but all interest and urgency seem to fizzle out by the end. The last hundred pages or so were the most boring in the book and seemed to be killing time more than anything else.
As with the previous book, the world and mythology were my favorite things about it. This one didn’t have quite the strength of mythology, probably due to being set so far after the first book, but it still had an “epic” feel to it that I enjoyed.
While I’ve grown tired of the series’s treatment of gender, there’s still much to enjoy about Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince, and it’s one I’d still recommend to anyone looking for translated fantasy novels.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
coffeeandink's review
4.0
Set centuries or millenia later than the first book, whose events are now only the substance of legends. There's still plenty of magic and mythology here, but it feels grittier, more historical, and the characters at least start out more down-to-earth. Toko and Oguna are childhood friends who are parted when she gets old enough to assist the shrine maiden and he is sent off to become the "shadow" of Prince Oh-usu, his stand-in in ceremonies and times of danger.
So far both of Ogiwara's male "heroes" -- you can't really call them protagonists, the girls get a lot more attention and agency -- are strangely passive, but I kind of like that. Toko reads as much more vivid and real than Saya; a tomboy and stubborn as hell.
So far both of Ogiwara's male "heroes" -- you can't really call them protagonists, the girls get a lot more attention and agency -- are strangely passive, but I kind of like that. Toko reads as much more vivid and real than Saya; a tomboy and stubborn as hell.
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