Helpful Score: 3
This was a great book. It kept my interest throughout, so much so that I read it at every opportunity in my busy schedule.
Helpful Score: 2
Story centers on 19th century Japan but bounces back to 13th century tales. Has the adventure chasing spirit of James Clavell without so much reliance on caucasion characters.
Helpful Score: 2
not a bad read at all - part of a series, but you don't have to have the rest to enjoy this one!
Not an easy read,found it a little difficult to get into, but is a beautifully written, complex story, compelling plot and interesting, wonderful characters-just a really great read, as is its companion book, Autumn Bridge. Definitely five stars IMHO:) Also, although it has ghosts in it, not a book about the occult.
the plot was quite original and kept my attention.
I liked this book. It is a fast-paced story, with interesting characters and a well-thought out plot.
The writing is very fluid and clear. It does not presume on your morality, it does not try to explain or justify historical happenings, and the writer presents a very down-to-earth human situation set in a time and place that is far enough away (from me) to be fantastic, yet real enough to hold (at least my) attention.
It is like Shogun written by a Zen disciple. Which is what it is. I can't wait to read the second volume!!
The writing is very fluid and clear. It does not presume on your morality, it does not try to explain or justify historical happenings, and the writer presents a very down-to-earth human situation set in a time and place that is far enough away (from me) to be fantastic, yet real enough to hold (at least my) attention.
It is like Shogun written by a Zen disciple. Which is what it is. I can't wait to read the second volume!!
Fascinating--if sometimes unfocused--look into life in Japan as it was being opened to the West. Compelling throughout, although somewhere near the end of each subplot it became clear that the author had a sequel planned--and which, in fact, he did write. (I haven't read that one--)
Summarized from back cover: "The year is 1861. After two centuries of isolation , Japan has opened its doors to the West. A small group of missionaries has arrived to spread the word of God. A young nobleman has dreamt that his life will be saved by an outsider in the New Year...(When) the handsome lord meets an apparently reformed gunslinger and a woman in flight from her own destructive beauty-(it)sets the stage for a remarkable adventure."
