A review by lexlingua
Dragon Sword and Wind Child, by Noriko Ogiwara
4.0
Cross-posted from my more detailed review at Lexlingua.co
This book is part of a series but you can also read it as a standalone. Saya lives in the village, with no memory of the past. She finds comfort in her worship of the God of Light and his children. But the God of Light has been at eternal war with the Goddess of Darkness, and only the Water Maiden can wield the Dragon Sword and bring that war to an end. Saya’s world comes crashing down when she discovers that *she* is that Water Maiden.
The ancient Japanese compilation, Kojiki (Book of Records, Year 711-712), records many themes of Japanese creation mythology. Dragon Sword and Wind Child brings together many of these themes, and casts several plot twists at the reader, all the while maintaining a fairly good pace.
There are drawbacks to the story, however -- such as Saya’s role being limited to a catalyst for other people’s lives, and a too-abrupt settlement of the various plot threads at the end. But the mystical and poetic writing style more than makes up for it. Also, the very title of the book, and the book cover illustration by Miho Satake, are both truly lovely. If you are a fan of mythology-based world-building, you may like Dragon Sword and Wind Child.
This book is part of a series but you can also read it as a standalone. Saya lives in the village, with no memory of the past. She finds comfort in her worship of the God of Light and his children. But the God of Light has been at eternal war with the Goddess of Darkness, and only the Water Maiden can wield the Dragon Sword and bring that war to an end. Saya’s world comes crashing down when she discovers that *she* is that Water Maiden.
The ancient Japanese compilation, Kojiki (Book of Records, Year 711-712), records many themes of Japanese creation mythology. Dragon Sword and Wind Child brings together many of these themes, and casts several plot twists at the reader, all the while maintaining a fairly good pace.
There are drawbacks to the story, however -- such as Saya’s role being limited to a catalyst for other people’s lives, and a too-abrupt settlement of the various plot threads at the end. But the mystical and poetic writing style more than makes up for it. Also, the very title of the book, and the book cover illustration by Miho Satake, are both truly lovely. If you are a fan of mythology-based world-building, you may like Dragon Sword and Wind Child.