afreema3's review against another edition
4.0
I'm still a little frustrated by the sudden time shift to the past, but I am enjoying the backstory and the history of this alternate history Japan, which is making me want to learn about the Edo Period. I fell this volume had one of the more powerful endings seen so far which was the main deciding factor in my rating. The ending also saved the series for me in a way because I would have stopped reading if I felt underwhelmed by this volume.
directorpurry's review against another edition
4.0
Everything about this series is so cool and good.
My biggest criticism of this volume especially is that I feel like there weren't enough important female characters. While I know this is one of the transition volumes that looks into the beginning of the new government system, there were really only two women and everyone else were men, even with the entire male population falling apart around them.
My biggest criticism of this volume especially is that I feel like there weren't enough important female characters. While I know this is one of the transition volumes that looks into the beginning of the new government system, there were really only two women and everyone else were men, even with the entire male population falling apart around them.
sarahc_98's review against another edition
3.0
3-stars, not because the story is lacking (It isn't.), but because of the number of detailed backstories we get for side characters. I'm assuming these side characters play roles later in the story, but the abrupt ways they were introduced here makes the volume feel a little uneven.
The main story, however, features a great character study in interpersonal relations, sacrifice, palace politics, and ambition. Great stuff.
The main story, however, features a great character study in interpersonal relations, sacrifice, palace politics, and ambition. Great stuff.
nwhyte's review against another edition
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1692990.html
Having enjoyed Volume 1 and Volume 2 of this series, I had fairly high hopes for this third instalment of the alternate history of a Japan where almost all men were wiped out by a mysterious plague in the 1630s. It didn't quite scratch my itches; the focus is much more on the court sexual politics of the Ōoku itself, and the relationship between Arikoto and the Lady Chiye (posing as the shōgun Iemitsu Tokugawa), in particular the political need for her to bear children by other men given Arikoto's apparent sterility. We do get some exploration of the social catastrophe wrought by the man-killing plague in Japan, and of why Chiye/Iemitsu's response, backed by her government, is to legitimise female succession rather than polygamy; I'd have liked more of that and less of the romance, but I guess I can't have everything. In any case, it is once again beautifully drawn and characterised, and with a welcome reduction in the brutal violence of the precious volume.
Having enjoyed Volume 1 and Volume 2 of this series, I had fairly high hopes for this third instalment of the alternate history of a Japan where almost all men were wiped out by a mysterious plague in the 1630s. It didn't quite scratch my itches; the focus is much more on the court sexual politics of the Ōoku itself, and the relationship between Arikoto and the Lady Chiye (posing as the shōgun Iemitsu Tokugawa), in particular the political need for her to bear children by other men given Arikoto's apparent sterility. We do get some exploration of the social catastrophe wrought by the man-killing plague in Japan, and of why Chiye/Iemitsu's response, backed by her government, is to legitimise female succession rather than polygamy; I'd have liked more of that and less of the romance, but I guess I can't have everything. In any case, it is once again beautifully drawn and characterised, and with a welcome reduction in the brutal violence of the precious volume.
mlindner's review against another edition
4.0
http://marklindner.info/blog/2015/01/20/yoshinaga-ooku-3/
beatitude's review against another edition
4.0
Best of the series so far. The political intrigue is great, and the way Yoshinaga has re-written history in a believable way, using real historical characters, continues to delight. No trigger warnings needed for this volume either, thank goodness.
morningstar1993's review against another edition
4.0
The first chapter was slow. However, rest of volume was awesome. First Female Shogun and the start of new government.
nonesensed's review against another edition
5.0
Here in volume three of the series we dive further into the first female shogun's early life and the changing political landscape of Japan. Inner chamber diplomacy and back-stabbing contrast with national tragedies.
This series continues to be brilliant! Need more a-sap!
This series continues to be brilliant! Need more a-sap!
morningstar916's review against another edition
4.0
The first chapter was slow. However, rest of volume was awesome. First Female Shogun and the start of new government.
notthatlibrarian's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Suicide