Reviews

This novel didn't really feel like a complete story, more a collection of ripped out sections from other novels. The storyline, the main character and the plot would change direction so dramatically after each chapter, that when I returned to previous POV's, I struggled to remember what had already happened. What also didn't help was the long a complicated character names. I'm not great with names, but at times the Author threw a full name out there and then expected the reader to remember that name 100 pages later having only seen it once.

Character development also occurred in such a way that the characters changed without the reader being informed about it. It was very difficult to develop a relationship with the characters because it felt like they had just been created differently each time I read about them.

Towards the end of the novel, I actually became engaged in the story. Finally there wasn't five different complicated, boring and pointless stories all happening at the same time.

Speaking of time, the passage of time throughout this novel was very convoluted. For example, characters would randomly mention that a certain event occurred 3 years ago. Then I'd be left shellshocked because I'd come to understand that the event they were speaking about was supposed to have been only the previous day. Very confusing!!

There was so many missed opportunities for engaging mysteries or cool and scary monsters. The story started off promising, introducing these strange monsters that killed people, and then the strange ritual with the mountain sage, but that all fizzled away when near to no mention of the supernatural was brought up again. Our main character apparently has powers and the spirit of a deer living in him, what does that mean and what can he do? I have no idea, your guess is as good as mine because the author certainly didn't tell the reader.

Hina, a character that was introduced as a seemingly main character but never refered to again, says "there was an earthquake, lots of horses died... And some people too". This was the only character who has their priorities straight, and also the only character to show any kind of personality.

I cannot express how much of an empty shell of a novel this was. It had no substance, no growth, engaging stories or meaningful characters. The story was just a collection of statements and events.

altlovesbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

The premise is interesting, however the writing is inconsistent at best, and uninteresting at worst. Several scenes are well written and interesting, however they are usually bookended with scenes that are shoddily written, and hard to get through. The setting is interesting (and I love the cover art), but ultimately it was not enough for me to fully engage with the story.

imizabel's review against another edition

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2.0

Vraie note : 2.5⭐️

En soit je vais rejoindre beaucoup d'avis déjà existants. Comme un certain nombres, je n'ai pas lu Le clan des Otori, c'est donc mon 1er roman de l'auteur. L'écriture n'était pas mauvaise, c'est même assez fluide ! Par contre le gros bémol c'est le nombre de personnages, à tel point qu'on a besoin d'un glossaire ? Il se passe aussi énormément de choses du coup en pas beaucoup de pages (206 en kindle).

J'ai bien aimé l'univers du folklore japonais et l'histoire en elle-même. Je poursuivrai certainement ma lecture pour en savoir plus.