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umairah's review against another edition
This volume was so interesting! The concept of Tao is so cool. It's about mastering your strength and weakness, the space between rage and serenity, a path that goes through the middle of opposites. It turns out Sagiri had the right idea earlier by embracing 'the space between' I think she already has a good understanding of Tao without realising it.
I really liked the way Gabimaru described Sagiri when he started to get the hang of Tao, "I begin to understand her strength. By moving ever forward, even while doubting herself, she is strong." That's such a nice description of strength... continuing forwards even when you have to battle against yourself.
I also liked it when he said, "When you start accepting your own weakness, is that when you can start sensing weakness in others?" I really do love the idea that mastery over Tao doesn't just involve brute strength but understanding your own weaknesses. Finding the strengths that lie in your weaknesses and the weaknesses that lie in your strengths.
Gabimaru was raised and trained to be a shinobi and there are so many rules and ideas firmly engraved into him. I like that we can start to see him stop following those rules so rigidly. We start to see him making up his own mind about how he should act and what is right and wrong. It feels like he's discovering who he truly is because I don't think the hollow, emotionless assassin he was forced to be is his true nature and by breaking away from the role he was forced into he can find out what he truly stands for.
I really liked the way Gabimaru described Sagiri when he started to get the hang of Tao, "I begin to understand her strength. By moving ever forward, even while doubting herself, she is strong." That's such a nice description of strength... continuing forwards even when you have to battle against yourself.
I also liked it when he said, "When you start accepting your own weakness, is that when you can start sensing weakness in others?" I really do love the idea that mastery over Tao doesn't just involve brute strength but understanding your own weaknesses. Finding the strengths that lie in your weaknesses and the weaknesses that lie in your strengths.
Gabimaru was raised and trained to be a shinobi and there are so many rules and ideas firmly engraved into him. I like that we can start to see him stop following those rules so rigidly. We start to see him making up his own mind about how he should act and what is right and wrong. It feels like he's discovering who he truly is because I don't think the hollow, emotionless assassin he was forced to be is his true nature and by breaking away from the role he was forced into he can find out what he truly stands for.
alsira98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Cannibalism
ronaaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
jessi_readss's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This volume was just extremely informative. We learned a lot about the island and the power it possesses.
greenleprechaunbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rereader33's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this volume was definitely...something. Honestly so much happened that my poor brain short circuited, but I'll do my best to discuss my thoughts.
First and foremost, I LOVE the theory that this island is house one "religion" that's really a mishmash of different religious beliefs and tales. I'm SO FUCKING CURIOUS to meet this person and discover their motivations for doing this. I only wish I knew more about Taoism and Daoism so that I would have a foundational understanding of the prayers and religious symbols.
Second, can I say how happy I am that I like/love basically all of the characters? Seriously, it's so rare for me to become this invested in practically the entire cast, but I do really like all of them. Granted, they're not the most deep individuals, but they're still fun and are full of character.
Third, the fight scenes were DOPE AS FUCK. I was drowning in action this volume and I don't want to be saved. Ever.
Finally, I'm interested in the discussions of sex, sexuality, and gender in this series. I know I brought this up a previous review, but the heavy emphasis on sex and gender is not something I was expecting and I'm starting to wonder whether Kaku's focus on it has to do with the religious themes and the time period. Regardless, it's piqued my interest and I'm already looking forward to going back and rereading certain volumes to analyze these themes.
That's all I've got for now, but I'm loving this series and can't wait for more. I'm so glad I decided to give this series a chance.
First and foremost, I LOVE the theory that this island is house one "religion" that's really a mishmash of different religious beliefs and tales. I'm SO FUCKING CURIOUS to meet this person and discover their motivations for doing this. I only wish I knew more about Taoism and Daoism so that I would have a foundational understanding of the prayers and religious symbols.
Second, can I say how happy I am that I like/love basically all of the characters? Seriously, it's so rare for me to become this invested in practically the entire cast, but I do really like all of them. Granted, they're not the most deep individuals, but they're still fun and are full of character.
Third, the fight scenes were DOPE AS FUCK. I was drowning in action this volume and I don't want to be saved. Ever.
Finally, I'm interested in the discussions of sex, sexuality, and gender in this series. I know I brought this up a previous review, but the heavy emphasis on sex and gender is not something I was expecting and I'm starting to wonder whether Kaku's focus on it has to do with the religious themes and the time period. Regardless, it's piqued my interest and I'm already looking forward to going back and rereading certain volumes to analyze these themes.
That's all I've got for now, but I'm loving this series and can't wait for more. I'm so glad I decided to give this series a chance.