stellahelen13's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
albon's review against another edition
2.0
READING PROGRESS
January 5, 2014 – Shelved
February 4, 2014 – Started Reading
February 4, 2014 –
page 16 5.25% "I've had this book for three years, and I finally decided it was time to actually read it. These first few pages have been really good and I'm already pretty interested."
page 16 5.25% "I've had this book for three years, and I finally decided it was time to actually read it. These first few pages have been really good and I'm already pretty interested."
February 7, 2014 –
page 110 36.07% "So far, this is interesting, but also very, very confusing."
page 110 36.07% "So far, this is interesting, but also very, very confusing."
February 10, 2014 –
page 150 49.18% "Is that insta-love I smell? They haven't even met, just kinda looked at each other, and yet she's feeling dizzy and only thinking about him. Ugh."
page 150 49.18% "Is that insta-love I smell? They haven't even met, just kinda looked at each other, and yet she's feeling dizzy and only thinking about him. Ugh."
February 10, 2014 –
page 151 49.51% "SHE JUST LITERALLY SAID SHE'S IN LOVE WITH AND THEY HAVE NEVER SAID A WORD TO EACH OTHER THE ONLY THING SHE KNOWS ABOUT HIM IS HIS FACE AND HIS NAME oh my god"
page 151 49.51% "SHE JUST LITERALLY SAID SHE'S IN LOVE WITH AND THEY HAVE NEVER SAID A WORD TO EACH OTHER THE ONLY THING SHE KNOWS ABOUT HIM IS HIS FACE AND HIS NAME oh my god"
February 10, 2014 –
page 151 49.51% "SHE JUST LITERALLY SAID SHE'S IN LOVE WITH AND THEY HAVE NEVER SAID A WORD TO EACH OTHER THE ONLY THING SHE KNOWS ABOUT HIM IS HIS FACE AND HIS NAME oh my god"
page 151 49.51% "SHE JUST LITERALLY SAID SHE'S IN LOVE WITH AND THEY HAVE NEVER SAID A WORD TO EACH OTHER THE ONLY THING SHE KNOWS ABOUT HIM IS HIS FACE AND HIS NAME oh my god"
February 11, 2014 –
page 216 70.82% "I'm still on the fence about how I feel about this, on one side the story and plot is interesting, but on the other side the characters are a complete mess."
page 216 70.82% "I'm still on the fence about how I feel about this, on one side the story and plot is interesting, but on the other side the characters are a complete mess."
February 13, 2014 –
page 280 91.8% "Did they justd o the deed right next to the corpse of the enemy?"
page 280 91.8% "Did they justd o the deed right next to the corpse of the enemy?"
February 13, 2014 – Finished Reading
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
The story borrows heavily from Japanese culture, but is really a western fantasy. It's not a bad one though - I became invested in the characters and eager to follow events to their conclusion.
yorugua1891's review against another edition
4.0
Nice blend of fantasy, suspense and romance
Being a fan of the fantasy genre, this work comes as a breath of fresh air. The setting is stunning; a made up feudal Japan but that maintains most of the traits of this fascinating culture. The basis for the plot is not the most unusual I have seen, a man whose village was decimated and after escaping he seeks revenge. But there are many interesting points added to the plot that make it unique and engaging, such as the loyalty the main character, Takeo, develops towards his savior, Shigeru, from the massacre and how it shapes his destiny, but also the fact that he belongs to "the tribe", a hidden group of people that can claim his allegiance.
As this book progresses we get to read about Takeo's journey. His development with the Otori (Shigeru's family), his discovery of some fantastic skills, his introduction to love, all of this in the midst of a complicated game of chess (or since it is a Japanese setting would be better to say Go), in which a false step may lead to disaster.
If I had to describe this book in two words I would say literary fantasy. I know that there are probably too many genres already out there, but the description fits perfectly. This is a truly we'll written piece of historical fantasy that keeps us reading avidly using suspense and romance to aid in this goal. This combination makes it a great work for people new to the fantasy genre, since they won't feel they are reading something completely foreign.
Being a fan of the fantasy genre, this work comes as a breath of fresh air. The setting is stunning; a made up feudal Japan but that maintains most of the traits of this fascinating culture. The basis for the plot is not the most unusual I have seen, a man whose village was decimated and after escaping he seeks revenge. But there are many interesting points added to the plot that make it unique and engaging, such as the loyalty the main character, Takeo, develops towards his savior, Shigeru, from the massacre and how it shapes his destiny, but also the fact that he belongs to "the tribe", a hidden group of people that can claim his allegiance.
As this book progresses we get to read about Takeo's journey. His development with the Otori (Shigeru's family), his discovery of some fantastic skills, his introduction to love, all of this in the midst of a complicated game of chess (or since it is a Japanese setting would be better to say Go), in which a false step may lead to disaster.
If I had to describe this book in two words I would say literary fantasy. I know that there are probably too many genres already out there, but the description fits perfectly. This is a truly we'll written piece of historical fantasy that keeps us reading avidly using suspense and romance to aid in this goal. This combination makes it a great work for people new to the fantasy genre, since they won't feel they are reading something completely foreign.
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
2.0
This is a fast-paced novel set in a fantasy version of Japan. The action centres on Takeo and Kaede, who are both caught in a power struggle between two feudal lords. The tyrant Iida is thirsty for more power, and Kaede and Takeo become instrumental in stopping him. I've seen complaints that this novel gives an unrealistic portrait of Japan, but I found it refreshing to read a fantasy novel not set in fake-Medieval-Europe, and I liked the atmosphere the author captured. Though I only gave this two-stars, I did enjoy reading it. I felt that it was let down by its rapid plot, which did not give the reader room to fully understand the characters or political situation. I was also disappointed that Kaede, the main female character, does not get a lot of space in the novel, and is constantly overshadowed by Takeo, the main male character. I'm curious about whether Kaede gets more action in the later books, and this novel did leave me curious enough to seek those out.
ithilwens_library's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
eb00kie's review against another edition
3.0
This book is naive, like a child's work, in such way that the mystic-mythic-magic element is only that second-self thing. This book could be more, would it go one way or another. All the details, there is a reason, you know for them to tell us to believe without researching.
Mystery can be such a sweet theme if used delicately.
Mystery can be such a sweet theme if used delicately.
lenteja_virtual's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Although i found the writting not extremly good compared to other authors, the topic, characters and the story are very interesting and entertaining. Is the second time I read it and I enjoyed it despise the fact of being more picky with the quality of the writting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Torture, Murder, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and War
good_quiet_kitty's review against another edition
3.0
I'd probably give this 4 stars if the female narrator of the audiobook could manage anything more than a monotone.