ebbie_casuallereading's review against another edition
3.0
If I'm correct, this might conclude the flashback that started in volume 2. It's however better than volume 2 as the reader now knows more about the context, the character, etc. Volume 2 was confusing at times, but not this one. That being said, I'm looking forward to more "things" to happen over the "background story" of why Japan got to this place we were shown in volume 1. I don't mind if it's still in the past vs the present of the story of volume 1, as long as we get going.
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.
kamreadsandrecs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
4.0
While not as bloodily dramatic as the last volume, this one managed to cover a lot of time and story in a compelling way. The art is gorgeous, as always. I am truly enjoying this series.
velocitygirl14's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
misssusan's review against another edition
4.0
this mix of romance and worldbuilding is really appealing to me
fumi yoshinaga has a really good handle on how societies change. i wouldn't have believed a sudden shift to the world we saw in the first volume -- of course people would hope for the current state of affairs to be temporary -- and the way she illustrated how adapting to the loss of men in a society led to the change in gender roles visible in volume one was fascinating
also y'know, the romance, good stuff ;)
seriously speaking though, arikoto and chie handled themselves with admirable amounts of grace this volume. they make each other stronger, it's exactly the kind of romantic dynamic i enjoy
4 stars
fumi yoshinaga has a really good handle on how societies change. i wouldn't have believed a sudden shift to the world we saw in the first volume -- of course people would hope for the current state of affairs to be temporary -- and the way she illustrated how adapting to the loss of men in a society led to the change in gender roles visible in volume one was fascinating
also y'know, the romance, good stuff ;)
seriously speaking though, arikoto and chie handled themselves with admirable amounts of grace this volume. they make each other stronger, it's exactly the kind of romantic dynamic i enjoy
4 stars
witchofthesword's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.