morebedsidebooks's review
mysterious
3.0
Prolific Japanese author Miyabe Miyuki is known for writing in many genres. Her previous fantasy novel The Book of Heroes is a story about stories. In the connected and more mature The Gate of Sorrows readers likewise are given in this large tome more than one tale through its characters.
College freshman Mishima Kotaro is gaining work experience at a tech company that monitors the web for criminal or other harmful activity. Unlike most of his colleagues who have backgrounds in applicable areas he still discovers an interest and talent, aided by his machine-like capacity to distance his life from the work and keep a balance. But that detachment begins to wane when several people that he cares for in his life become affected by all too tangible transgressions. Kotaro is about to see just how there are all sorts of monstrous things about, things far from relegated to dwelling in one environment. By comparison retired police detective Tsuzuki Shigenori has had a long career and seen a lot in that time, now biding the days until he can have surgery for spinal stenosis. When the head of the neighborhood association asks for his help with the matter of a long vacant building, distinctive for its stone gargoyle that is a source of anxiety for surrounding residents, what is a welcome opportunity for Shigenori to do something other than feeling like he’s loafing about will turn into a case he could never imagine in all his years on the force and test his sanity.
Thus, elements of the cyber thriller, detective fiction, urban fantasy and horror along with contemporary issues altogether combine in this new adult novel. Adding onto the blend a stamp of spiritual flavoured philosophy. And this is also where it becomes difficult to write about The Gate of Sorrows without discussing
College freshman Mishima Kotaro is gaining work experience at a tech company that monitors the web for criminal or other harmful activity. Unlike most of his colleagues who have backgrounds in applicable areas he still discovers an interest and talent, aided by his machine-like capacity to distance his life from the work and keep a balance. But that detachment begins to wane when several people that he cares for in his life become affected by all too tangible transgressions. Kotaro is about to see just how there are all sorts of monstrous things about, things far from relegated to dwelling in one environment. By comparison retired police detective Tsuzuki Shigenori has had a long career and seen a lot in that time, now biding the days until he can have surgery for spinal stenosis. When the head of the neighborhood association asks for his help with the matter of a long vacant building, distinctive for its stone gargoyle that is a source of anxiety for surrounding residents, what is a welcome opportunity for Shigenori to do something other than feeling like he’s loafing about will turn into a case he could never imagine in all his years on the force and test his sanity.
Thus, elements of the cyber thriller, detective fiction, urban fantasy and horror along with contemporary issues altogether combine in this new adult novel. Adding onto the blend a stamp of spiritual flavoured philosophy. And this is also where it becomes difficult to write about The Gate of Sorrows without discussing
The Book of Heroes. Whereas the writing in The Gate of Sorrows does have some eyebrow raising instances of various sorts, overall, this go around of a protagonist maturing and facing realities gives the impression of offering more greyness despite the preoccupation with dualities in themes of dark and light, good or evil, et cetera. Mystery, suspense and frequent turns make most of its page count engaging, even a little chilling. Written originally in 2015 it also denotes some of the difficulties and shifts with the rise of cyberculture and Internet based social media, weaving interesting metaphors. So, between these works of fiction I would recommend the latter… except… that characters from The Book of Heroes resurface. Reading The Gate of Sorrows on its own, despite its standalone qualities, will also utterly spoil the first book. That is not exactly an agreeable situation.
Further I’m not sure if the English edition from Haikasoru translated by Jim Hubbert ever was reprinted, something of consideration as errors were pointed out during its initial release. I too noticed typos and I found myself going back over a few points because it felt like subjects were confused. Another issue is I further dislike the English cover illustrated by Dan May, who likewise did the English cover of The Book of Heroes. Unlike with the previous book, the image for The Gate of Sorrows is not an accurate representation of what is inside. The female characters of the book ranging from young children to adults are hardly centered in so much as frequently driving motivations for the male characters or providing elucidation. So, I certainly fail to understand what conclusion led to commissioning and approving a cover with a schoolgirl standing in front of a tower with a monster atop. Nonetheless since North American publisher Haikasoru announced hiatus in 2019, if one is curious about these titles— now is the time to follow through on acquiring them while copies are still available. If nothing else they do salute the power of words.
Further I’m not sure if the English edition from Haikasoru translated by Jim Hubbert ever was reprinted, something of consideration as errors were pointed out during its initial release. I too noticed typos and I found myself going back over a few points because it felt like subjects were confused. Another issue is I further dislike the English cover illustrated by Dan May, who likewise did the English cover of The Book of Heroes. Unlike with the previous book, the image for The Gate of Sorrows is not an accurate representation of what is inside. The female characters of the book ranging from young children to adults are hardly centered in so much as frequently driving motivations for the male characters or providing elucidation. So, I certainly fail to understand what conclusion led to commissioning and approving a cover with a schoolgirl standing in front of a tower with a monster atop. Nonetheless since North American publisher Haikasoru announced hiatus in 2019, if one is curious about these titles— now is the time to follow through on acquiring them while copies are still available. If nothing else they do salute the power of words.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Violence, and Xenophobia
One of the focuses of this book is cyber harassment and also has a character employing coercion.jameseckman's review
4.0
It's hard to classify this novel, it's not your typical urban fantasy, it's more like a coming of age novel (minus large helpings of teen angst) mixed in with a detective novel along with a classic heroic journey. College student Kotaro is drifting a bit when a mentor recommends becoming a cyber patroller, he starts investigating various internet crimes, murders occur and a friend goes missing. A retired detective makes an appearance and together they meet a beasty with its own agenda. It was a fun page turner that managed to avoid the typical fantasy cliches and could be read by adults and teens.
asweetdevouring's review
4.0
An excellent reality-based crime novel with an expertly done layer of magical realism on top.
Note: [b:The Book of Heroes|6440653|The Book of Heroes|Miyuki Miyabe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364699077l/6440653._SX50_.jpg|6630573] should be read BEFORE this one as this book will completely spoil that one.
Note: [b:The Book of Heroes|6440653|The Book of Heroes|Miyuki Miyabe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364699077l/6440653._SX50_.jpg|6630573] should be read BEFORE this one as this book will completely spoil that one.
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