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moira_desu's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lisabeesa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
raeanne's review
4.0
Just realized I never posted this after my Throwback Thursday post. So here it is!
Of course, after so long and without any notes I can't review the individual books or give content warnings. :(
But without a doubt, each book rated 4 stars for me and I can't wait to get back to reading this series. Long series often have trouble with getting into a rut, doing the same thing with zero growth (*cough* Stephanie Plum *cough*) but not Sano Ichiro.
There's character and series progression galore. Sano gets married and has a family, who join with great success and make it that much better. His wife that I won't name for those who haven't read any, is brilliant, subverts her cultural norms in subtle and livable ways, and genuinely contributes to solving cases. Her eventual motherhood isn't the typical, trope-spurred irritating display either.
It has court politics, intrigue, and sabotage done better than any other historical or fantasy novel (The Song of Fire and Ice, for instance) I've read before. As Sano moves up the chain, it only becomes more perilous.
There is of course a main antagonist, but not everything wraps back around to him at all times. Boy, does he make a good villain when he does though. He gets depth and growth as the series moves along as well.
Of course, after so long and without any notes I can't review the individual books or give content warnings. :(
But without a doubt, each book rated 4 stars for me and I can't wait to get back to reading this series. Long series often have trouble with getting into a rut, doing the same thing with zero growth (*cough* Stephanie Plum *cough*) but not Sano Ichiro.
There's character and series progression galore. Sano gets married and has a family, who join with great success and make it that much better. His wife that I won't name for those who haven't read any, is brilliant, subverts her cultural norms in subtle and livable ways, and genuinely contributes to solving cases. Her eventual motherhood isn't the typical, trope-spurred irritating display either.
It has court politics, intrigue, and sabotage done better than any other historical or fantasy novel (The Song of Fire and Ice, for instance) I've read before. As Sano moves up the chain, it only becomes more perilous.
There is of course a main antagonist, but not everything wraps back around to him at all times. Boy, does he make a good villain when he does though. He gets depth and growth as the series moves along as well.
wildwolverine's review
5.0
This was a great historical mystery! Oh my gosh, it's so good! From the very first page, readers are immersed into the mystery as a mysterious somebody is depositing two murdered bodies into the river. The setting of medieval Japan jumps from the page, and it feels as real as the modern day. Rowland does a superb job of brining the unique setting to life. Readers won't be able to resist being swept away on this remarkable journey.
Despite resistance from his peers and superiors, Sano Ichiro knows something is fishy about deaths of high-born Niu Yukiko and lowly artist Noriyoshi. Previously a tutor, Sano's most valuable skill is his critical thinking, and he uses it to systematically solve the mystery that's before him. As you follow Sano around the city of Edo (before it was Tokyo), you meet a host of fascinating characters who are tenuously connected to the deaths. The Niu family is intriguing, and I always love reading about a powerful lady like Lady Niu. There's also the passionate courtesan Wisteria, the skilled kabuki actor Kikunojo, Sano's pretentious boss Ogyu, and spunky Midori. You will constantly be guessing and re-guessing who the murderer is, making it an entertaining read.
Sano is a great character. His pursuit for the truth while constantly trying to balance it with his family values. This allows him to act as a bridge for the modern reader who isn't used to more traditional Japanese values. It's extremely helpful, and it illustrated how complex the relationships and medieval society were. The supporting cast is truly unforgettable. While Sano interacts with people, the author can launch into an expositional info dump. This happens fairly frequently. However, they didn't slow down the narrative, and they were every much necessary.
The pacing of the mystery is great. Because there really aren't any subplots, the story-telling is straightforward, and the mystery is always front and center. Yet, as it unfolds, the reader is never bored. It's a very well thought-out plot. A word of caution to the wise: there are some gritty elements to the story, so if you get squeamish or want all the good people to be live happily ever after, then I would read something else. There were definitely moments when I needed to take a break, and I had needed to take a moment after I finished the book.
Edit: I initially docked this a star because it's a weak point of me for wanting a romance in my mysteries, as well. However, I have not been able to stop thinking about this book all year. That can only be the mark of a 5 star novel!
Despite resistance from his peers and superiors, Sano Ichiro knows something is fishy about deaths of high-born Niu Yukiko and lowly artist Noriyoshi. Previously a tutor, Sano's most valuable skill is his critical thinking, and he uses it to systematically solve the mystery that's before him. As you follow Sano around the city of Edo (before it was Tokyo), you meet a host of fascinating characters who are tenuously connected to the deaths. The Niu family is intriguing, and I always love reading about a powerful lady like Lady Niu. There's also the passionate courtesan Wisteria, the skilled kabuki actor Kikunojo, Sano's pretentious boss Ogyu, and spunky Midori. You will constantly be guessing and re-guessing who the murderer is, making it an entertaining read.
Sano is a great character. His pursuit for the truth while constantly trying to balance it with his family values. This allows him to act as a bridge for the modern reader who isn't used to more traditional Japanese values. It's extremely helpful, and it illustrated how complex the relationships and medieval society were. The supporting cast is truly unforgettable. While Sano interacts with people, the author can launch into an expositional info dump. This happens fairly frequently. However, they didn't slow down the narrative, and they were every much necessary.
The pacing of the mystery is great. Because there really aren't any subplots, the story-telling is straightforward, and the mystery is always front and center. Yet, as it unfolds, the reader is never bored. It's a very well thought-out plot. A word of caution to the wise: there are some gritty elements to the story, so if you get squeamish or want all the good people to be live happily ever after, then I would read something else. There were definitely moments when I needed to take a break, and I had needed to take a moment after I finished the book.
Edit: I initially docked this a star because it's a weak point of me for wanting a romance in my mysteries, as well. However, I have not been able to stop thinking about this book all year. That can only be the mark of a 5 star novel!
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This is an enjoyable read.
The Bare bones essence is that an ex-samurai turned police investigator in an ancient period of Japan investigates a murder dressed up as a suicide.
First, it is a mystery like all mystery novels. Intrigue, politics, conspiracies, and the entire gambit.
Second, it is in a feudal era of Japan, so it takes on a different flavor in that.
The story is sometimes a bit over-laden with Japanese history and defining of terms when they get used, but for the most part, the flow is nice. I could imagine that the right company could do a film of this, or possible one of the others in the series of novels.
Samurai Detective sounds funny, until you actually get lost in the story, which was easy to do. Pick this one up if either genre is in your wheelhouse.
The Bare bones essence is that an ex-samurai turned police investigator in an ancient period of Japan investigates a murder dressed up as a suicide.
First, it is a mystery like all mystery novels. Intrigue, politics, conspiracies, and the entire gambit.
Second, it is in a feudal era of Japan, so it takes on a different flavor in that.
The story is sometimes a bit over-laden with Japanese history and defining of terms when they get used, but for the most part, the flow is nice. I could imagine that the right company could do a film of this, or possible one of the others in the series of novels.
Samurai Detective sounds funny, until you actually get lost in the story, which was easy to do. Pick this one up if either genre is in your wheelhouse.
omipotent's review
4.0
Explore feudal Japan with yoriki sano-san. Our favourite samurai detective (I actually really like the main protagonist and if the story wasnt tedious at times I would have given it 5 stars). If you like murder mysteries in 17th century Asia this is a good book for you. Where they had bureaurcracy's, scary people with swords (and fans, I am equally terrified by the high class women), gay rights and animal rights. Arguably better than 17th century Europe.
bookrunner's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review
5.0
Really good, I'll be reading the rest of the series for sure.
thegamenurse's review
4.0
Fascinating glimpse of medieval Japan
Interesting and engaging mystery. Love the insight to Japanese culture. Not much character development, but that may change as the series progresses.
Interesting and engaging mystery. Love the insight to Japanese culture. Not much character development, but that may change as the series progresses.
melli80's review
5.0
I loved it.. I love the historical aspect. I loved the writing I loved the mystery.. Definitely going to continue this series